Siding is done!

Looks different with all the siding on. I am using MDF board. Easier to cut and adjust for this project. Well now I need to pick a color to paint it. LOL I hope you are  doing well, and have a great holiday!

Trish              

Siding

Today I decided to glue the siding onto the store. I am using MFD rather then wood, as it's easier to cut to shape and allow for the bay windows to fit properly onto the store front. This picture is of the sides drying and one has to have them weighted to make sure they glue down all the way, and not buckle somewhere. After they are dry I will glue the front pieces down and add the door and bay windows, after the siding is dry. Then I will have to wait for supplies in order to go inside and work on the interior.

  I will also start to make some of the items that will go in the store. I have began to collect some of the display items, but not the counters etc. That will have to be after the first.

This store will have more to do inside with what is for sale in the store then what goes outside. There will also be a viewing area for fashion shows, and a try on area, as well as the seamtresses work area. I just hope the store will be big enough to allow for all of it I have in mind to fit in. It is already bigger then what it started out to be, and the left over parts of the kits I will use for something else.

Here we go again!

 I am starting work on my ladies Emporium. Last night I put the walls and floor and ceiling together with the front, and the inside posts. At this point I need to decided what it will look like beyond this. Where what goes and what shelves etc. I plan to use. Then there is the wall paper, etc etc etc. Lots to decide on so I won't be doing anything else as far as structure etc. is concerned. I have the basic idea all down, but now it's time to figure out how to make that happen.

  So Time to ferment.

Close-ups

Here are the close ups of all the little touches I couldn't get in the full size pictures

Enjoy

The contest entry

Well here it is at last. Finished and the form and pictures are in the mail, so I can take a deep breath and think about something new to work on. I really enjoyed working on this project, and am tickled about the finished cottage. I called it the" Winterberry Cottage". The Winterberry fairy goes out to check on the winterberry bushes to make sure all is well with them, as this is a main food source for the birds in the winter time. She has her own flying machine and it can be pulled by two white flying reindeer if she so chooses. Or she can get about on her own wing power. But more often then not she takes out the deer and her flying machine.

If the lights at the front of the cottage look a lot like runway lights,well thats because they are. Can't land on a foggy night or in a snow storm, with out lights to guide the way. It also helps santa when he comes to visit for a cup of tea.

  The cottage is a snugly little one room cottage, with all the amenities one might need for a cold winter stay. The little birds often follow her about and many stay about the trees and bushes outside the cottage. There is even a pair of white doves roosting about the front door. As it's winter there is lots of snow, and the grass and roof are almost completely covered. You can see the runner marks in the snow on the cobblestone entryway made by the fabulous flying machine. 

  So now it's in the hands of the judges, and I'd love to hear about what you think of  my 'Winterberry Cottage".

At long last.... It's done!

Well, it's done except for the lighting. I will have to replace some of the old lighting and that will have to wait for payday. But the rest of it, paper, paint, stairs, baseboard, ceiling molding etc, etc, etc, is all done and ready to be moved into. I just hope a family of mice don't take possession. lol.. No not likely, but it was a cute thought.

  This was a lot of work rebuilding. I much prefer making something from scratch, but as I stated a long time ago at the beginning of this makeover. There is only one "first" dollhouse. It has changed it's looks a lot, with the new porch treatment, balcony trimmings, even the color has changed and added to the design.

  Inside there are new wood floors, base board and ceiling trimmings, as well as new wall paper. The floor layout is different and there are two curved staircases, with rounded bannisters. I never even got one in before. Now I just need to pull out the furniture and return it to the house. I will add the lighting as it comes in. So what do you think?

  And what should I call it? I think it's something you would see down south. So a southern name perhaps? Any ideas? Leave me a note with your suggestions.

It's come a long way baby!

  Ok, got the attic rooms put into place, although not all of it is there or finished due to the shape of the house it's self. More needs to be glued in. Then of course comes the paper, and floors  etc. This really makes for one tall dollhouse. Even taller then what it was to begin with. But the attic rooms are bigger, and I like that. Once the roof is solid and glued in place to stay, I can add the rest and then work on the inside. Of course there are all those shingels that will have to be glued up there on the outside. Still it's come a long way.

  For something to be in so many pieces, and such sad shape, I am surprised to see how well it's turning out. I'm glad too.

Finishing the third floor

 

One of the things I like about the old dollhouse are the changes I've made. And the best is the round banister and half circle opening over the stairwells. While it wasn't easy to complete this, I am glad I persevered. The hard wood floors really make a difference. I used a vinyl tile type thing before, but I didn't really like it. The wall paper, and the color of the outside of the house are really good choices. The porch is a very big change, and I really like it. The balcony with it's new design trim is perfect, and so much more stylish. The doors and windows are better choices. While I know it will never look perfect, due to being smashed up, I am pleased with the way it has come back together, and I think it's worth the effort. There will always only be one first dollhouse. So I wish to preserve mine, even if it's not perfect. It certainly looks better the way it's turning out now, and looks like what I wanted in the first place.

  Before I put furniture into the house, after I'm done {and I still have the attic to do, and it's being redone as well.} I will have to cut a piece of plexy glass to cover the back, and keep that black furry hurricane out of the dollhouse.

3ed floor and it's not ladies apparel

Up to the third floor now, and have finished with laying the wood floor strips and it's sanded  and ready to stain. I'm trying to decide between dark walnut or red mahogany. The stairs are the dark color, so may have to do that to make it look right. First floor is the red color, and I like it a lot.

  I have picked out a nice green wallpaper for the bedroom, and a white flocked for the hall/room and a nice flowered blue stripe for the bathroom. As soon as I'm finished with the floor and the varnish is dry I'll paper. Then I have to look for lights for the ceiling in all three rooms. I'll also need lights for the second floor, so I know what I'll be looking for and buying next month.

  I never expected to get this far on this old doll house, but I am really coming along on it as well.

The front door design really did make the front of the house. Lawbrey has such wonderful designs, and she helped figure out just what would look nice and would work. The flat roof and the pillars as perfect for the door design and carries it over well. I also have a couple of short pillars and urns to fill with flowers and vines that will sit next to the steps. I will need to get a piece of plywood that will be the base for this house and the small amount of landscaping I will get to do around the house. That will make it easier to handle and add the landscaping.

  The laser cut pieces over the balcony really add a nice touch and I love the look even if it doesn't carry over the simple classic look of the front door. However I would not be surprised to find just this sort of thing in the old south, so I'm not going to worry about it, and just enjoy the look and "feel" of it all.

  With these two additional parts of the old dollhouse restored to order and a completely new design and look, I think I like the old place even better then before. It has a feel to it now that wasn't there before. The green color is certainly a lot better then the old yellow I had used. And white trim really makes it pop. The new windows and doors go a long way as well. Not to mention having the inside nearly finished and so much more there as well, between the paper, stained  hardwood floors and the stairs actually in place, it really does feel like a new house. I am putting in all new lighting as well, which will really add up to a finished look.

  Then I will have to fix a plexy glass cover for the back of the house to keep a certain black inquisitive feline out of the house, because he will surely think it was made just for him, and invade the premises. I would hate to think where the pieces would end up as I still  haven't  found the little black cat he took from the ballroom scene. Like certain black crows I know he's got a stash of things somewhere I just haven't found where yet.

Anyway, as you can see I will be ready to move in soon. And that makes my day!

Second Floor papered

I really like the color combination on the second floor. Library and music room together, and I think this paper works! I still have to paint the baseboard, and the ceiling moulding, but for the most part you can see how the second floor looks, and judge for yourself if it isn't really great.

The old doll house

First floor is now done as well. Base board and ceiling molding are in, and the kitchen is finished.

I am so delighted as to how this is turning out, after all this time of seeing it in pieces. Next is papering the second floor, and setting in molding as well. Then I can add the third floor and trimmings on the balcony.

  So up one floor please. The library and music room, watch your step please.

Fountain Of Youth Doll Shop Is Done!

So now the shop can be occupied. Or rather I have to shift gears and start working on Miniature dolls. At least the shop part is done and ready to be moved into. I really love the way this turned out, and after I add lights, I can work on tiny dolls etc.

  I think it looks just like what a doll shop should look like. At least in my eyes. What do you think?