Next Up? ~ Books!

This project has been a lot of fun and I'm nearing the finish line and ready to move on.  I'm going to take a bit of a break and clean up my tools and supplies, because you know it's a mess!

Left on my list:  Hanging a chandelier and placing a table lamp; Books, books and more books (I'm making them); Hanging the herb drying thing and making the herbs to hang on it; Adding the bubbles to the cauldron; finishing the roof and exterior walls; drapes?; and a picture for over the mantle.

It's the little things that take the longest!  Anyway, here is where I'm at . . .

Waiting for Paint to Dry

Ever wonder why it takes so long to get any mini-ing done?  In case you didn't know . . . it's because we're always waiting for paint to dry!  Miniatures really do mimic life.

Waiting for the paint to dry on the ceiling/roof before I can install them. 
I used anaglypta wallpaper for texture.

I will also dry brush some silver metallic paint on the ceiling like I did on the furniture and around the room . . .

Anyway, I'm nearing the finish line of the build on BellaDonna's Apothecary.  I'm just waiting for the roof pieces to dry before I can install them and then the interior is pretty much done, albeit I have to install all the "littles" like making a ton of books, maybe (and I say this with much trepidation) b-r-e-a-k-i-n-g furniture and whatever else my mind conjures up.

And I just have to share this cute little thing!  I was a little worried about the size after I ordered it, but it's perfect!  And it's real cast iron! Every "good" apothecarist needs a cauldron!

I was using my glue gun on my room box build and at the end of the day I found this goop of glue!  It will be perfect for the cauldron after I paint it.  I might add some more to it too!

I won't get the exterior of the room box done in time for our Downtown Fall Fest tomorrow, but I'm planning on adding a thatched roof and stone to the walls.  It will be a little thatched/stone cottage in the woods!

 . . . still waiting for paint to dry . . .

Here's what BellaDonna's Apothecary looks like almost finished!

Paint and Wallpaper

I'm really enjoying this project!  It's fun to be messy for a change of pace.  Albeit controlled messiness!  LOL!

Today I painted the bookcases, fireplace and windows with a 50/50 mixture of black paint and Mod Podge.  I learned this from Ara at Bentley House Minis.  It's great for painting and sealing the paper all in one step!  Who knew!  I also painted the cardstock I'm using to back the wallpaper.  Speaking of . . . what fun that was!  I also painted the furniture I have so far for this project.

Once the wallpaper is dry I'm going to install it in the room box.  For now, I'm going to move onto the floor and figure out what to do with the ceiling.  I just had the thought to use some anaglypta wallpaper I have and paint it black.  It has a popcorn ceiling effect which I think will work well.

I'm really liking the effect of all the black.  It's turning out just I had envisioned and BellaDonna really stands out amongst it!

I made the wallpaper by first painting the cardstock black (half paint/half Mod Podge), cutting strips of "wallpaper" (a printout from a shop on Etsy), and using a mixture of glue, water and a dollop of black paint.  I soaked the paper in the mixture and applied it to the cardstock.  Then I used a pointy stick thing (not sure what it's really called) to mess up the wallpaper.

Waiting for wallpaper to dry before installing it in the room box.

I had so much fun "messing" up this wallpaper!

I painted the window frames, bookcases and fireplace with the paint/Mod Podge mixture.

BellaDonna dropped in to see the progress.

I used watered down paint to "dirty" the windows.  This was REALLY outside my comfort zone, but I love the effect.

Dryfitting the wallpaper.  I also painted the furniture I have so far for this room.  It's having the desired effect because BellaDonna really stands out!

So that's where I'm at so far . . . off to do some more work!