Dollhouse Scaled Castle Roombox

I know it's been a while since I blogged. I've been doing minis and I've been finishing up several projects (some from years ago that are way past the halfway finished mark). 

One thing that they all have in common is the fact that they are mostly all castle themed items. I love Castles and Tudor styled cottages so it's been fun to get back to doing some things with that theme. 

A group I belonged to decided to do a summer project. The theme selected was based off of a "Gothic" theme. Each of us had a different idea of what Gothic meant to us, so it was great to see so many projects revealed. Each were so different and unique.

This Castle Roombox pictured below shows one of the projects I worked on. It was a great way to do something small but still be active with my mini projects. I had so much fun with this project and even decided to dress it up with some items I received from Swaps over the past several years. It is 1" scale and I used an air dry clay on this one to create the stone finish. 

The torch (by Judith Andraka)  and fireplace is lit and there is a hole in the floor (between the grout lines) so that a Candle Stand can be hooked up to the electric underneath. It was something I added later on because I like a lot of lights in our Miniature settings.

 

 This is the room box while empty

This is the outsides of the roombox

I'm working on a few more smaller miniature projects and will post about those too soon. Thank You for stopping by to view my Blog!

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Mckinley Dollhouse Build Blog (Fireplace & Tower)

May 24 2008
Posted by Minis On The Edge
Fireplace & Tower Alterations

This is the close up of how high the attic wall would have been. You can see where I added the extension here:

This is the way the stairs & fireplace originally look. 

I decided to add an extra wood storage shelf I also added stones on the fireplace:

My next change was to alter the look of the Mckinley's front door. I did this by using 2 strips of wood that is 1/16" x 1/4" x 36" . I used the actual door but used the strips of wood to alter the door design and not add the windows. I then added a lion head knocker to it that I hand made.
 

After that I started trying to figure out where to add the porch light. I found out that the area is too tight to add a light next to the door but, you can add the light above the door. 

I also wanted to make a pointy tower roof as i had with my Pierce that I built last year so I did this by cutting wood in long triangle shapes to make the roof pointy I would have added a weather vane but decided that a tower cap would look good too.

 I hope these changes help you to realized that the picture on the kit box is just that. A Picture. A few alterations and already this kit is looking different. Don't be afraid to have fun with your kit.

Westville Dollhouse Build (Day 6 - 11)

30 September 2006 (Day six)
Posted by Minis On The Edge

"Houston, we have a problem"

Well, I talked to my customer on the phone and she did not picture the trim to be Hunter green around the windows. She wants it white. I am so worried because too many coats of paint can make an item look sloppy and because the green IS dark, I will have multiple layers on painted to prime and cover the dark color .

She only wants the shutters Hunter Green Well, I guess I missed that detail so today I started doing that. I also decided to add the shutters to the house (That's right more punching out wood pieces and sanding them and painting them) but the effect is WONDERFUL!! I Love the stark white background and then the shutters on top  

She also wanted me to make a wood fireplace for the living room and she wants window seats where the bays are. I think it will really add that special touch to this house!

I added paperclay and sculpted the bricks for the inside of the fireplace.

30 September 2006 (Day Seven)
Posted by Minis On The Edge

Fireplace Completed

Well today I painted the fireplace and I also added burning embers to it so that there will be a nice warm glow! 

 Here is one of it lit up

I also added the roof parts today! I am as a little busy bee

I don't like the gaps showing up in between the roof line and the siding. Though it is glued down correctly, it just don't look clean I can't have that So I added some wood strips. You can see one on the left side and the right side has not been added yet. I will paint this white too.  

30 September 2006 (Days 8 & 9)
Posted by Minis On The Edge

I have an Owie

My hobby knife decided to bite me hard today on my right thumb!!! Sheesh, why does these things happen when I cannot afford a delay? I also spent a while the other day in the doctors office with Rachel because she has strep throat again! The doctor treated me for it too so we are both on meds .

Moving right along anyway, I took a day off and waited a day to start working back on the house. I did this because I was feeling lousy and it takes 24 hours after you start meds to not be contagious.  I added window seats, the stair rail and more trim (to make the wallpapered rooms look more manicured ) and the closet door & front door and trim Ohh my!

I even started on the shingles! I have decided to move the position of the chimney since the fireplace is in between the two living room windows, I thought the chimney should be there also. My customer says so far she is so pleased with the house. She has no idea how much she is encouraging me! Every night I go to bed, I look at the list of things that still need to be done and I feel I will NEVER get it done in time!! The good thing is normally, I work well under pressure.

I only blogged this because I wanted to show everyone what determination can lead you too. Besides going crazy, you can end up with a fully completed house built, painted, electrified AND wallpapered with a base in a matter of days (not weeks or months or years)

This shot show the inside. 

I am pleased at the time of taking this picture . When I downloaded it on the computer, I noticed the walls look unfinished and shabby! I can't have that happening now, so do I run to hobby lobby AGAIN? Of course!

The window seats are removable just in case my customer wants to change the fabric.

 Shingles were started before I dozed off to sleep

I also decided to Check to be sure that all of the lights are still working before I go to sleep.

30 September 2006 (Day 10)
Posted by Minis On The Edge

Calling All Shingles

 I added all of the shingles today and added clay to the foundation of the house (Three sides) I fed all of the wires to the bottom of the house so that a Power strip could be used OR you could add a strip of tape wire and solder the hardwire to the tape wire (I will show this on my next house). For this house, I used a power strip because of the time constraints . I am loving it though! I also added the Chimney! Notice in the picture that some of the shingles are different colors naturally. This will not be a problem once they are stained. You will see that in the end.

30 September 2006 (Day 11)
Posted by Minis On The Edge

The Base and Touch Ups

  Well today is a challenge! I still have the base to do. My Customer wants this house to have the appearance of a lawn on the base and I am thinking up a good way to create this effect using paper clay.

Mean while, I did touch up paint, checked all lights again and stained all of the shingles! I have to have this house at the Pack N Mail place on Friday! I think I will have it done on time  

I could sit and stare in the house all night! Lights make the house look so real!

I even started playing with my dolls just to see what it would look like with "life" added to the house

This is Anna coming up the stairs (which is carpeted with plush hunter green carpet)

On the porch

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by toppdollar

Arthur Dollhouse Kit How 2 Make Burning Embers

Today has been one of those days for me. Some of you may know but I have Graves disease and sometimes I just feel "not so good". Today just so happen to be one of those days for me, I only did a small thing. 

I made burning embers for my fireplace. Let's get started!!! First off, you can not burn your self You need 1 Red Straw, 1 small tree branch, a tooth pick, Train ballast, Clear "Liquid Nails" (or clear silicon sealer) and a Small piece of wax paper.

Take the straw and with your scissors, cut a 1" piece and a 1/2" piece.

Second, cut a small circle (or triangle) into the middle of the 1" straw piece.

Third, take the small 1/2" sized straw piece and insert it into the bigger 1" sized straw.

Fourth, Take your straw and put it on top of the wax paper. Take you clear Silicone (or liquid nails) and put a squirt on top of the straw (be sure none cover the 3 holes (one on each side and one in the back).

Fifth, Cut your logs in 1" sizes (varying a little) be sure they will fit inside your fireplace!! Take your logs and position them as they would look in a fireplace. Use your toothpick to shape spikes so it will look like flames licking the logs. Sprinkle some ballast on top of this so some will rest on the logs and under the front of the logs.

Let this dry for about 2 - 3 hours Sixth, Add a dry brush of black paint over the logs and ballast to make them look burnt. Insert the back opening over the light bulb in your fireplace.

Now turn on your light and enjoy your burning embers 

Let this dry for about 2 - 3 hours Sixth, Add a dry brush of black paint over the logs and ballast to make them look burnt. Insert the back opening over the light bulb in your fireplace.

Now turn on your light and enjoy the look of your burning embers!!