Lulu's Maison

I have a commission to make Lulu a dollhouse. So Wiltshire Cottage will have to wait a little because we're in full commission mode! 

I'm trying out a couple pieces to see where my chandelier will be over the kitchen island.

The sink piece I made from this tutorial:
http://1inchminisbykris.blogspot.com/2012/01/kitchen-cabinets-how-to-make.html
I only changed the height of it to 3" because Lulu's doll is about 7 1/2" tall.  I'll have to see what this piece looks like when it's painted.  So far I'm still waiting for the sink to dry.

This is the ceiling with the plaster drying.  I'm making this dollhouse electric.  So I left the tape wire exposed.  The ceiling will get covered by a special texture paper that looks like a tin ceiling.

This is my electric connection on the outside of the dollhouse. I'm running some electricity upstairs and to the front porch on the outside of the house. 
That's it for now. I'm watching plaster dry! It's taking forever!!
Happy Building!

Wiltshire Cottage - The Westville Kit

I've been working on commissions lately that are gifts. So I don't want to blog about them just yet and blow the surprise for the recipients.  But I did start another project!  It's the Westville  kit.  I'm going to turn it into an old world English cottage. 

I put most of the house together.  It's 2 story plus an attic.

My first project is the stairs.  I wanted something very old looking.  I started by giving the stairs 2 coats of cream latex paint.  These were pretty thick coats. I want a look of many, many years of layered paints.  Then instead of varnishing the wood for the top treads, I painted them a mix of brown and black.  This looks much more vintage then having a varnished wood.  Then I glossed each tread.

I'm always looking for that lived-in feeling.  So my paint jobs can't be perfect. There has to be scuff marks and uneven paint application. Old and worn!
I hope everyone has a wonderful time creating!

Some Dollhouse Furniture

I've been making some furniture from scratch for my next dollhouse project.

I made a sofa using House of Miniature's Chippendale Sofa layout sheet found here: http://www.houseofminiatures.info/images/40015.pdf
Print the layout sheet with all the parts on it. Then use veneer woods to make each part. And cover with fabrics of your choice. I used Aleene's Tacky Glue to glue the fabric on.

I'm missing a trim for the skirt. I haven't found anything simple enough yet.

 I made a sideboard.  I sort of followed this tutorial : http://cantimpalo1.blogspot.com.es/2010/02/publicacion-en-la-revista-miniaturas.html

I painted some sheep on the doors.  

Next I made a kitchen island.  No pattern for this one. I just knew I wanted it 3" high. I covered the top with aluminum foil (the not so shiny side). I aged the aluminum with watered down black & brown paints.

It has a little towel holder on the side and a working drawer.  Now I have to make the dollhouse!

Remember, there's still time to download your free version of the My Memories software.  Many of you have expressed your fright about computer downloads. It's really easy. Your computer will guy you though. You just have to press the SAVE button to begin the download. And it's free- so even if you mess up it won't cost anything.
The download is a  free gift from MyMemorySuite for my followers! There's no catch. The site has plenty of freebies too. There are new, free downloads every month.
Go to http://www.mymemories.com/software and get the My Memories Suite download( a $39.95 value). The next page has a download software on the right. Scroll down and ADD TO Cart. All you need to do is copy and paste the code: FreeTreatLO70   since it has to look exactly like that.  Also, make sure you enter that code in the promo code field before checking out.

It becomes active on October 14th and will expire on October 21st.

The code is for the download option only, if you choose the physical discs you will need to pay for shipping.

Thanks for dropping by!

Free Gift for All my Followers!!

I'm back from vacation & I have a fabulous free gift for all of you!

It's the My Memory Suite scrapbook program. This program is great for your photos, but it's also incredible for miniature projects.  You can make tiny photo books, print out your wallpaper and countless other dollhouse projects!

Remember Charmed Cottage?  (It's the one I build in my book Building a Fairytale Cottage Dollhouse.) I used the paper from My Memories above the wainscoting.  It's already aged. I just had to print it out.

The download is a  free gift from MyMemorySuite for my followers! There's no catch. The site has plenty of freebies too. There are new, free downloads every month. 
Go to http://www.mymemories.com/software and get the My Memories Suite download( a $39.95 value). The next page has a download software on the right. Scroll down and ADD TO Cart. All you need to do is copy and paste the code: FreeTreatLO70   since it has to look exactly like that.  Also, make sure you enter that code in the promo code field before checking out.

It becomes active on October 14th and will expire on October 21st.

The code is for the download option only, if you choose the physical discs you will need to pay for shipping. 

Have fun Everyone!

My Rose Tutorial in Woman's World Magazine

My rose painting technique tutorial is published in the October 7, 2013 issue of Woman's World out today in stores.

The tutorial is on page 37.

I guess you'll all recognize it!
Hugs to you all! ♥♥♥

Chairs and a Bed

For the  past couple of weeks I've been dabbling in furniture making. I started off with a miniature dollhouse  chair. It's the template from House of Miniatures.http://www.houseofminiatures.info/images/40016.pdf 
 I just printed out the page with the parts of the chair, cut them out, traced them on veneer wood and cut those out.
I decided to test it out with lace. It has been very popular in my Etsy shop.

So I made a couple more!

 This chair is still available here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/161700530/dollhouse-miniature-custom-handmade?ref=related-1

The ottoman is a little more difficult to make than the chair. I didn't have a template for it. I just winged it.

Then I decided to make a bed. *The ruffle comforter and the long ruffle pillow at the end of the bed & one little ruffle pillow were made by Thewendydollhouse here on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWendyDollHouse
*The top sheet with the lace trim and the pillow case with the lace trim were made by Debbie's Designs also on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DebbieCalif

I made the mattress, mattress sheet, and the hand painted roses pillow.
The bed is hand painted with twig garlands, roses, sunflowers and roses and birds.
The bed is available here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/161703007/miniature-dollhouse-robin-egg-blue-hand?ref=shop_home_active

I found a nice tutorial for a bistro folding chair(it doesn't actually fold). I found it here: http://www.evangelione.com/2007/11/wooden-chair-tutorial.html
This chair is still available here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/161803969/dollhouse-miniature-french-shabby-chic?ref=listing-shop-header-0
I'm still looking for something new to try this week.  I'm just researching Pinterest until something sparks the imagination. Have a wonderful week!

Butterfly Cottage Custom Dollhouse

Butterfly Cottage Dollhouse is ready to go!

 It was a lot of fun to fill up with details.

There are lots of butterflies outside.

A pumpkin waits for the fairy Godmother.

I put the switch and battery under the eave of the roof this time.

I added a little fabric flag.

The interior was fun to do.

I left the chest unfinished. When I put it in the house in looked right.

 

I made this bed myself and painted it with roses and birds.  I also painted a blue and pink rug with roses, macarons and the name "Laduree" in gold.

The bedding is very cozy, comfy and plush. The sheets and pillow case are by Debbie Booth the owner of Debbie's Designs/DebbieCalif on Etsy.  You will love her shop. It's filled with very romantic an necessary mini items.
I made the pink/darker pink duvet from cotton fabric.

The frame is by Melissa Francis.

I made the chair from the templates I found from The House of Miniatures. I printed out the sheet showing the pieces of the chair and cut everything out of wood, cardboard and foam. Here's the link:
http://www.houseofminiatures.info/images/40016.pdf

 The footstool is just a wood circle and 4 legs. I painted it brown and golden brown with roses on top.

I made the table from a unfinished candle holder and added a round top that I painted silver. It's very Restoration Hardware. 

 The upstairs loft has a little desk I painted white and added roses to the drawer and aged the whole thing.

 I hope you enjoyed this little hang out.  This dollhouse is available on Etsy.
Thanks for coming over!