Spring Cleaning!

Well, Jason and I decided to clean house today. I've had a lot of craft stuff all over the dining room table and through the living room, and it was time to get it all organized. Clear plastic shoeboxes are my best friend, as I used these to sort and store all my mini/dollhouse supplies. :) The Glencroft-in-progress is also placed next to the Herb Shop (still needs a name!) on the hope chest while it's not being built.

Here's a glimpse into our life today. :)

Organized minis and building supplies!



The Glencroft-in-progress next to the Shop.


Oh my, it looks like we have customers!
Jan Pu is entertaining the kitty as a catgirl...

...while Yasuna and Ayuki came all the way from Japan (and still in their school uniforms!) to shop for items of interest! :)


That's it for now! I plan to do some planning for another mini project I'd like to start in the near future. After the Glencroft is done, of course. ;)

Glencroft Day 4

I worked on the Glencroft during the evening, and finished the beams. I also painted the fireplace wall on both floors. Also, I put the bay window in on the right side.

I will have a lot of touch-up to do, but I am glad most of the painting is done. Some of the beams were difficult to shove into the slots, but I made them fit. *ahem* The camera really brings out some discoloration you can't really see with the naked eye, or at least with the lighting in my living room...it actually looks a bit cleaner than in these photos. Oh well. It's like standing in the dressing room of a department store under fluorescent lights. Every flaw is illuminated. Yuck.

Next, I will be tackling the roof!

Anyway, here are those photos...

Glencroft Day 3

Well, today I came back to the Glencroft, put on the outside left wall and chimney. I touched up some of the interior paint and added wallpaper (from scrapbook paper) in the bedroom and bathroom.

I've started the beams. They are taking a lot longer than I thought they would.

Unfortunately, I need to charge my camera battery, but when I do, I'll get some pics.

I have some business to finish up today, so I am taking the day off from building my Glencroft, but I thought I would list my dream dollhouses here. Someone on the Greenleaf forum posted their progress in building the Harrison. I'd love to get my paws on one of those. I wonder how much time it takes to build relative to the Glencroft.


As you can tell, I love the Tudor style. Ever since I was a little kid, I loved the half-timbered look and wanted to live in such a house.

My dollhouse obsession has also allowed me to appreciate other forms of architecture. One of my favorites is Carpenter Gothic. Thanks to the Westville by Greenleaf, I am smitten with steeply pitched roofs, gothic windows and gingerbread.


Here is a great link to photographs of real carpenter gothic homes, including the real Westville!
Carpenter Gothic Database

As you can see, I have other homes listed on the right hand side of this blog that I would love to have, but these top the list.

If you have favorites that you've built or dream homes on your wishlist, what are they?

Glencroft Day 2

Well, I got a LOT done today, including most of the front wall, the fireplaces, and the stairs. I am letting the glue dry, for the next step requires me to flip the house on the right wall and I don't want pieces flying off wall I am putting on the chimney and outer left wall. I am happy with my progress, but I know I won't have it done 'til after I return from DC next week. Oh well. It will give me something to look forward to on these cold long winter evenings.

Anyway, pictures:

Okay, so I decided to take pictures and have made more progress today. I have the inner left wall up and most of the front wall. I have one more piece (M and N, specifically, which must be pre-assembled first) for the front wall, and then it's time to do the staircases.





Here you can see the turquoise. I decided to hold off painting the outside til I am done with the shell and before I add the trim.

My Glencroft Day 1

Oi. I started building my Glencroft today. I am now covered in paint and, seemingly, with tiny pieces of plywood. Well I got as far as putting the second floor in, which was a bit of a bear. I hope I am doing this right. I am using wood glue to put together the shell as recommended by a few different sources. It does take a while to dry, and I am learning a lot about patience.

My color scheme is all about bright, cheery, fun and unusual. The main body color will be Turquoise (Apple Barrel, specifically). The timbering will be white, and the trim will be a dark chocolate brown. I love blue and brown together!

No pictures tonight. I am feeling a little disheartened by the progress and worried I am going to screw it up somehow. The second floor was such a difficulty. One of the tabs got bent while trying to pop it in. Yikes. It is easy to hide though...but still a little disheartening. Oh well...let's hope for a more successful endeavor for the rest of the build.

Herb shop update!

I finished a lot of details on the herb shop! I have all the photos in Flickr, but here are some teasers!!

The Open sign is hung in the window! :) It looks good!












The resident feline poses while remaining cozy on the armchair!














Stickers from fill bowls on the shelves!

Miniature Festival!

I plan on going to the Sturbridge Miniature Festival!

Here are the details from mollycromwell.com:

~ JUNE 6 & 7 ~
STURBRIDGE MINIATURES FESTIVAL
~ Sturbridge, Massachusetts ~
Sturbridge Host Hotel
366 Main Street
Room Block & Directions (508) 347-7393

Saturday Night June 6 Pre-Registered Preview 6-9 pm
~ Post-Preview Dealers Pizza Party ~
General Admission Sunday, June 7, 10-4

Dealer Set up Noon on Saturday, June 6

The Most Popular Show in New England! Customers love this show! Well Located at Junction of Mass Turnpike and I 84 Exit 3B
Flying in? Arrive Logan Airport/Boston, MA or Bradley Airport/Hartford, CT
This show attracts customers and collectors from Canada to California!

Arrive early and enjoy The Host's picturesque setting on Cedar Lake
*Visit Olde Sturbridge Village
*Antique Shops

I've actually made progresson the mini shop. I have shingles on the small roof, some books on the bookshelf, a Chrysnbon potbelly stove put together and added, as well as a few more things on the shelf (including tiny bottles of PeaceCrafted Products bath salts)! I need to charge the batteries to my camera so I can show you.

I've been having a difficult time with putting together the rocking chair from the same Chrysnbon kit though. *sigh* The cement I've used just doesn't want to hold...I am considering using super glue, which I need to test on a scrap piece of the plastic first. I don't want to melt the thing.