Sunday, May 26, 2019

Storybook Toy Store Renovation Nears Completion

We have another cool, cloudy day in Northern Colorado. which leaves us wondering if Spring will ever reach her full potential. With more rain in the forecast for tomorrow, I may just be inside working on the minis instead of out in the yard trying to get the flower beds looking pretty again.

We are hosting three parties this summer. In June my former colleagues from the University will gather hopefully NOT for one last time then in August we will host the "meet and greet" for my husband's 50th class reunion, and the next weekend we host a wedding in our barn. So we have lots to do, including getting my basement ready for company, which I means that I am trying to finish up my two current projects, the Toy Store and the Farmhouse.

I would like to say that the Toy Store is finished, but it is not; however, is any dollhouse really finished? I am going to put it on the shelf for now. The future plans include a climbing vine, an outside sign, but those will be winter projects.

Here then is a summary of the Storybook Toy Store:

If you remember, I found three houses at the local antique store just a few blocks away (it's a really little town), all made by the same lady and all dating probably to the '90s. All aged, faded, and once I got them home smelling badly of cigarette smoke. The toy store seems to have lost its odor, especially with the new wallpaper.


Before

With the first house of hers that I purchased, before I wasn't interested in miniatures--I just wanted a dollhouse--I had no desire to remodel, redo, or, renovated. Then the bug bit me.  I was, with this house, at first inclined to leave the exterior as is.




Even at first inspection, I was growing very attached to this little house. Given its age, I had to test the electrical system. I had already purchased one of this lady's houses, a giant Franklin Farmhouse and the electrical in that house worked, so I thought this should, too, but you never know.


The lights are on.


At first, I like the green exterior trim, but it began to look drab, so as I searched for Victorian shop fronts, many were bold looking, Dickens-like, so I gave myself permission to paint the exterior wood and I loved the transformation. 








It's fun  to see an empty house and to inspect it to see how it was assembled so that you can figure out how to disassemble it.



All fresh and clean. 


I began adding the toys that came with the house. There were so many.


The round table and the pink shelf are mine. These are only part of the original toys, and I began collecting more toys: Ebay, Esty, and other online shops, but the original builder had a really nice collection of toys, some handmade, signed and dated, indicating that she had gone to miniature shows, just as I do. It must have originally been a Teddy Bear Store, perhaps inspired by the one in Estes Park, a mountain resort and tourist destination--best known for Rocky Mountain National Park and even more so, perhaps, for The Stanley Inn, famous for Steven King's novel, The Shining, which it is said that he wrote it there, certainly the hotel's history of resident ghosts inspired his novel--anyway I digress--.

I had my own inspiration, a carousel full of toys. I love the print of the carousel on the divided wall. I still haven't really found a way to incorporate it, but I began playing with all sorts of ways to organize the store. I went on Pinterest and looked at miniature toy stores, some so beautiful and magical, but they were stocked with pricey (and beautiful) antique and vintage toys. I decided then that my store would be a combinations of vintage and new toys.

I also looked at retail toy stores to see how they are organized and how toys are displayed. Granted there are few brick and mortar toy stores left; there is one in Denver, but it's in an area where I seldom go, so I got some ideas from Pinterest.


The white counter came from my reject box. I originally built it for the Duracraft Farmhouse as a bathroom counter and sink, but didn't think that it was good enough, so I built another one. But it seems to fit in the toy store. I also build the little bookshelf, again sort of an experiment using balsa and bass wood. I purchased the display cabinet from Hobby Builders Supply, but I am disappointed in it for two reasons: I wish I had purchased a white one and the doors in the back don't stay closed.

Many of the real toys stores used cable ends as shelving. Some painted out, some natural, some decorated. I created mine using wood circles that I purchased at Hobby Lobby--they don't seem to be available there now--. The package came with a variety of sizes. I dug in my stash of sewing threads and found wooden spools. I have to tell you that I hated using those vintage wooden thread spools, but I did. They are not a rare find, so they got repurposed. And the jelly tub holds books nicely, too.


The work crew got really excited when the vintage Fisher Price school bus showed up on the premises, but it is a little big for the store, but I love it. I still have my girls' FP toys.

I have spent a lot of time playing with the store and making things, such as the printable barn, then I bought a kit from Dave and Wendy--some of you have met them as they are now traveling to the miniature stores around the country. Stop and say 'hi.'  I still have to make the barn, but I'll get around to it.

The original builder had such a lovely collection of vintage toys on display in the cabinet. The ones on top are mine. I think my favorites are Mickey and Minnie Mouse, barely an inch tall. I have searched Pinterest for these tiny metal toys and if I find them, they are very expensive. The detail, especially the faces, is so perfect. Some tiny minis have distorted facial features that sort of ruin the face.

I even considered making a wall to give the interior more interest, but decided that it took up too much space.


A wood railing would be nice, too, I thought, but again, it would take up too much room.


I moved things around.


The original builder must have been a Denver Broncos fan--this little doll, handmade, surely must be John Elway with his blond hair. Look a the tiny calculator. A more modern store would probably have an iPad. And Humpty Dumpty, another signed and original piece, as is the clown in the far corner. 


I made the basket during "I'm going to learn how to make baskets" phase. I also built the chair from a kit. My first. The little Raggedy Andy doll came from Dave and Wendy. It is handmade and online very expensive. I love the little bear with the book. He's a reader, always has a book in his hands, but his glasses give him trouble.


More play. Finding things in my stash, such as a vintage pair of chairs from The Littles.


These are a rare find, the Disney fairies from the series of movies dedicated to Tinker Bell. The spool table is just perfect, but the fairies are too big. The American Girl has taken Cinderella's shoe--again.


All the King's Men have suddenly appeared. (Left over form the room box that I did for my grandson). I love my phone box, purchased from Minimum World, shipped from England.


Given the age of the house, it is amazing that the lights still work, the only testament to copper tape wiring.


Well the lights sort of work, but then don't when you mess with them. I tried to unscrew the white cover to clean it, but it didn't screw off. Good news. The main piece is build so that it can be rebuilt.



I bought the cute hutch from Hobby Lobby. It fits nicely, adds needed shelving, but take the space where my carousel drawing would go. I have played with what I would put on it, and I think I will be rotating inventory because the toys look more interesting on the shelf. And the corner is dark with out the globe sconce, so I will add a button ceiling light.


Two projects were left. One was to paint the hutch. At first I thought that I would paint it white, but I decided on pink with white drawers and gold handles. I originally painted the legs white, but later I put gold on them and roughed it up. I will add water slide decals to the cupboard doors and maybe paint them white.


I thought I had a better photo of the super heroines along with the gnomes. They are actually buttons.  



Make sur to purchase your favorite bear. They are 40% off this week. More outside.


And I painted the cable end shelf white.




Barbie welcomes us in, declaring that she is open for business. Note that  she points to banner above the window to our right, Bears are 40% off.

The tea kettle is a jewelry charm. Cute and a bit large, but it fits.






I wanted an airplane, but only one I found that was very small was nearly twenty dollars, so I found two of these vintage airplanes at the antiques door here in town. Vintage perfect. Scuffed and well played with.





Pooh Bear and his friends are rare in mini scale, so these are craft buttons. The other little people my daughter found and gave to me.


Someone's in the Phone Booth. I wonder who?



Oh look who just coming out of the Phone Box. I hope she stops by the store.

And Thank You for stopping by. 







Friday, May 17, 2019

Wallpapering 2.0

I've joined a Face Book group, Dollhouse Miniatures, Tutorials, and DYI. It's a closed group, so those interested in joining have to request admission and then be accepted. There are rules, but basically members are supposed to only post their 'how-to' tutorials. Face Book is not particularly my forum, blogging is, but I get such good ideas and it's so much fun to share mine. One question those new to dollhouse building have is how to or when to wall paper, so here is a brief tutorial on how I wallpaper.

To begin: with a new build it is wise to make templates before you assemble the pieces. I use a roll of butcher paper because you can cut large pieces. You will get an accurate template of the house's walls.

If you are renovating a thrift store find (lucky you!) then I use computer paper and press it against the wall, running my finger around curves and widows and doors so that I have impressions then cut out what I need to, such as this template that has been pieced together and taped. Someone asked me why I didn't make templates when I started the house. I did. But I forgot where I put them. This house has been a three year project.

This is my attic room in the Bellingham Farmhouse. You can see that is a very difficult space.




Cutting: I use a metal ruler as a cutting edge and an Exact blade,  with a new blade. I also have used a rotary cutter, and my scrapbook paper cutter (like the one in you school's art room. Mine's a Martha Steward. Great for straight lines.) I've left the white border otherwise the sheet is too short. It will be covered with crown molding and base board. This is Itsy Bitsy. I like the company because the walloper is nice quality and the company offers coordinated patterns in nice collections.



 Now the paper is in place. I used Grandam Stover's Mucilage, a nice gooey paste that goes on nicely. I spread it on the back of the wallpaper and and put the piece in place. I use an old credit card to smooth out the air bubbles and the excess glue.  You can see that it laps over the the corned, covering up the gap in the corner--and there was a gap between the two walls. Add 1/2" inch on each side.


You will see that the side wallpaper will slide nicely right into the corner and you have a very clean corner where the two walls join.



Even on the right wall, I have a nice corner. Not sure if I will paper that far wall. It's an attic.


This just may my favorite room of the house, I think. 

Wallpapering can be daunting for new builders. Here are some suggestions:

  • Start with a simple room, a nice box. Make a a template; best before you assemble the house, but not always possible, especially if you are doing a remodel.
  • Measure twice or three times or how ever many you times need to get a perfect template, cut once.
  • Where to buy wallpaper: I use http://itsybitsymini.com because of their  variety of papers and and the quality. I also use scrapbook paper because there is such a great variety or patterns and it is cheap. In fact I used scrapbook paper in every room of the Bellingham Farmhouse, except for this attic room because I couldn't find anything I liked. Remember to keep the scale of your house in mind when you select a printed paper. 
  • I have made all of the mistakes, ripped, torn, cut too short, not ordered enough of a discontinued paper--a I found a very nice lady online who was able to find a piece. Bless her. Finger Tip Fantasies Dollhouse and Miniatures in Deleware. I've had to remove paper, because my wiring failed,  so buy a bit extra. 
  • How much wallpaper should you buy? I have found that even small rooms may require three sheets. Scrapbook paper will require more.
  • Keep a damp cloth handy to wipe away glue the has gotten on the wallpaper. Wipe gently because you will wipe away the ink. I spay the scrapbook paper with a sealer to strengthen it. 
  • Print your own? For me it takes too much printer ink and I've never tried to set the ink. I just wouldn't print wallpaper. Some do very successfully. 
  • In the end, you will do what works best for you based on these things: skill, desired results, budge. 
I read all kinds of suggestions for glue: hot glue, tacky glue, regular wallpaper glue for the real houses, but Friends it pays to buy quality products, so I use glues sold by wallpaper outlets because they spread nicely, clean up easily, and removed easily.


Good luck with your wallpaper projects.


Exciting New Finds!
If you are like me, you are always looking miniatures--everywhere. I found this soap dishes at the Garden Center. Perfect size for 1:12 bathrooms.



The Westville is scheduled to get a total remake. It didn't have a bathroom to begin with--now it has a bathtub. I will use a free standing faucet from Shape Ways if I can't make my own. Pink has to approved everything. She likes it. Thankfully.




I searched the Internet to see if these cute tubes are available anywhere else and they are. 

That's all I have. Thanks for visiting.


Thursday, May 9, 2019

Pitchers, Galore





Here is an easy project for a quiet evening in your miniature workshop: a vintage pitcher. Once you make one, you will want to make more. 

Before I begin, I must give credit to Tutorials for 1:12 Miniatures for her wonderful instructions and access to the images, so I'll direct you there to get the instructions and to find the pre printed patterns that all you have to do is to print the pattern--well a little more than that. You will download the image that you want. From your preview screen, copy the image in a Word document.

In the Word document, size your image by changing the original height size to 3 inches. You will find that tool in the upper right hand corner of your Word tool bar. Microsoft Word is not just a word processor; it has some very handy, limited and simple imagine editing tools, so get the know them and make your life simple. I do all of my minis editing in Word.  I also print my practice project on plain computer paper then print the final on either card stock or the free 4x6 photographic papers that come with the packet of photo paper.


I use a stylus that is specifically made to score paper, but if you don't have one, use a card maker bone folder, or another blunt tipped tool to crease along the fold line of the triangles that will be folded inward to provide a platform for the bottom of the pitcher to get a clean folding line.



I used Elmer's glue to glue pieces, holding them in place with clip style tweezers.




I am not sure why the pattern includes two handles, unless you want to glue them together so that underneath of the handle has the pattern on it instead of plain white.


Can I say that I am proud of my accomplishment. As a prototype, it turned out nicely. The tulips fit in the water pitcher nicely. I'll make the third Queen Ann's Lace flower to fill it out.



Sweet


I tried it out on the kitchen table. I like it. Originally the flowers were supposed to go in the attic bedroom that I am working on, but I like them in the kitchen. My final pitcher will be made out of card stock for a sturdier pitcher.


Tell me: Too many polka-dots?

Dishes found at Michael's in garden fairy section

Thanks for dropping by. 




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