Updates

I haven't updated my blog for a while but I haven't given up or forgotten. I have been very busy with the brickworks model. I will be posting more about that.

We have had visitors, been away for weekends etc., so it's been a bit hectic. I am off again this weekend. I will be dressing a couple of dolls with Dana from USA. Something a little different.

Here's a link.

CMW Miniature Workshops.

New Project

I have begun a new project and I will be adding it under the paperclay tab.

Stairs are in

I have now added the stairs to the shop. Some work to do on them but I need to get other things done before I come back to work on the shop.

The pics are on the shop page.

I have moved the 'stairs' tab and this now comes under the Shop tab. So if you go to shop tab and scroll down to the bottom, there is a link for the stair info.

New Tab

I have added a new tab for 'Stairs'. I will, eventually, move it to a sub heading under Tutorials. It isn't really a tutorial but is what I have noted has happened when I have been making stairs. I hope that what I solve for myself might help somebody else.

More Clamping

I am working on stairs at the moment. I have built my own on several occassions but, as yet, haven't found any great methods. Of course if I do find something useful, I will post it.

However, I have found a way of clamping stairs into position without clamps! As you can see from the photos, these stairs are never going to be easy.

I held the stairs into position and drew a line where both top and bottom riser comes to. I measured these and the width of the stairs. (I made the pieces almost the width of the stairs to make sure they were 'clamped' right the way across. This was to prevent them being wonky) I then cut a piece to fit from the back wall to the bottom of the stairs. I also cut a piece that fits the height between the floors. This one keeps the top of ths stairs flush and pushed down which pushes the bottom against the the bit from the wall. (It fits across between the floor and the stair, therefore, they should be level with each other)

I used scrap bits of mdf. The stairs are not finished and are not being glued inat this point. I was just trying this out to see if it will, indeed, work.

It sounds complicated but here it is - simple. 

Bedtime

What does a wonky, round tree need in it's bedroom?

A wonky, round (ish) bed of course!

It has still to be painted and dressed but I'm quite pleased with the result. It was a bit tricky but it came out better than I thought it would. 

Badger's Neuk

I have been on another course with Sue Simpson. This time it was to make a tree house. Most of us ended up with 'monster' sized houses. It certainly stretched my abilities and imagination. It was also fun. I have plenty to think about and still have a lot of work to do.

I have added a link under the 'Paperclay' Tab. In the end, most of us never used paperclay! I will have to use it for some parts I need to make. I need to finish the main structure first. I have changed a few things since the weekend. 

I haven't yet sorted out the photos but will get the page updated when I've done a bit more work on the construction.

There are only a few spaces left for the CMW craft weekend in October. 

https://www.cmwminiaturesworkshops.co.uk/

Honiton Lace

A friend gave me a challenge on Facebook. I thought I'd post the pics here. The first one, I have often thought I should hang it in my dolls house.

Brambles

I thought that a couple of the 'scenes' could do with some brambles. The challenge was, which media to use. I decided to make the leaves from fimo, since I could make a mould and then make as many as I would need. They don't look very exciting as they are, but I put one where I thought it might go, and it actually blends in quite well. I will paint the wires before I glue them where I want them. I have a feeling I will need to make a few more!

Some of the brambles in place. I need to make a lot more.

Houses

I have added my first dolls house fix. It was an old house we bought and it was simply purchased as a challenge. It certainly was!

Pictures and notes are listed under the 'Houses' Tab

It might just help anyone who finds an old house. I'm on the lookout for some smaller ones which I want to use paper clay on. Might be a while.

I have another project but it looks as if some photos are lost. It was whisked away to be sold before I got the chance to take a finished photo.

Re-arranged

I have deleted some of the tabs for the models. They can still be found under the Paperclay tab.

I was going to end up with far too many tabs. Everything should still be on the blog but just in another place.

Clamping

The set up in the picture is NOT actually holding anything in place, it is just to show how I do it.

This is how I 'clamp' things I can't use clamps on. i.e. if I need to glue on a ceiling rose, you can't clamp it or hold it until the glue dries. Of course, I'd do this the other way round. It is just a scrap of wood and two nail buffing pads. I do prefer to use old worn out pads since they wont sand off paint etc. I keep a batch of the old ones for these sort of things. For different sizes, you need to cut a different sized peice of wood. I prefer pieces that will bend a little so they act as a spring.

Badly Made Doors

I purchased 4 doors for the shop, at a fair. There were 2 of each of different styles. Two were of the french window kind. When I tried them in the shop, they did not fit. They are not of a standard size and were far too tall for the holes cut. I had to cut out some of the wall at the top. Not easy when the house was built. The other two were fine.

So that is the first snag I hit and a word of warning for anyone wanting to add these doors.

I carefully stained and varnished doors for the shop and glued on door handles. They were ready just to stick in place. I hit another snag. The doors did not sit flush with the wall, on the opposite side. I couldn't add the trim without terrible gaps. The trim that makes the door assembly was too thick. (They didn't fit standard thickness MDF used in dolls houses - 9mm) I am fortunate to have a well equipped woodwork shop and I routed the rebates to make the trim part thinner. The doors now fitted flush.
Make sure your doors are well made when you buy them. It would be very difficult to cut the rebate deeper using craft tools.

One consolation - I bought the equipment to spray the varnish on. That cut out all the fiddley painting of the muntins etc. That will be very useful for other things too.

Glowing Embers

 

A very simple and inexpensive way of making glowing embers.

I still have a fireplace to make but I have a couple of ideas I am mulling over for that.

Some flowers

I have made some miniature flowers. The ones in the troughs are only there temporarily. I have many other things to make for this display but it will take time.

New Scene

I have added a new tab for the Medieval Hall. I am not sure whether it will be a Tudor Hall, Dragon's den or something else. It will probably be a Tudor Hall so I can add some miniature food.
Click on the tab to see what I have already done and plan to add.

Range opened

This is just to show how the cupboards and range look inside. The cupboard unit is not attached to the range, they are seperate items. The cupboard is a great place for me to store spare plates etc. for making the miniature food items for sale.

Range has been tiled

For a long time, I have been thinking about tiling around the range. I have eventually got around to it. The tiles are 1/2 inch square. I am pleased with the result. It is a lot less 'black' now.

Stafford Dolls House Fair

I visited Stafford Dolls House Fair on Sunday. My main aim was to collect a cupboard which has been specially made for me. It is for the dolls house shop. 

Of course I picked up a few necessary supplies and extras.

At the moment, my dolls house is in a mess. I decided to tile the range. I have eventually got round to buying some real miniature tiles and they arrived last week. I had to pull out the house to get to the back of it to un-solder wires. I am going to re-jig this in order to be able to remove the range for free standing display models. I had to practically demolish the pantry! I have decided to change it while I am in there. 

I will have the two shelving units for sale eventually.