Happy Valentine's Day

There's not much to be said about Valentine's Day around my house.  My husband doesn't believe in Hallmark holidays.  So there are no flowers and no chocolates.  No romantic dinner out.  And even though he doesn't celebrate the holiday, I did get a gift.  Something even better than flowers, chocolates or dinner.  A table saw!!  If you're a miniature DIYer, you appreciate what an awesome gift this is!

No more wrestling with a utility knife for me!  I've already put the saw to use cutting down some half inch trim for the dormer windows and cutting a sub-floor for the conservatory.  I was even able to cut the acrylic for the conservatory to size.  Yahoo!!

If you're starting out with building a dollhouse and plan on bashing, or are even contemplating building your own dollhouse from scratch, I highly suggest one of these babies.

While I was fitting and cutting the conservatory floor and decided on what to do about the dormer window trim, Brian was busy shingling the left side of the Mansard roof.  He finished it off yesterday and again, he did an awesome job.  He installed two rosettes on either side of the dormer window and they look spectacular.  Only the left side and the right side front are left to do.

And lastly, my custom order from Ruthellen's Dollhouse Miniatures came on Saturday.  She is a master at her craft.  She created a custom bed for the little girl's room which is absolutely beautiful, along with a matching bedside table.  I love it!  I found curtains on Etsy and they are at the post office ready to be picked up.  I'm loving bringing this little girl's room to life . . . now I just need the little girl!

Ruthellen created these gorgeous custom drapes for the main boudoir.  They match the bed suite that I had purchased from her back in 2009.  She also created a swag and jabot for the French door, but I had given her the wrong measurement, so she's making new ones.  My bad.  I had measured the door, but forgot to measure to include the trim.  I was just going to live with it, but dear hubby, who knows me so well, said to "get it right".  Gotta love a man like that!

Today I'll be finishing up the trim on the dormer windows, adding corbels to the porch and if my back allows, will start on the siding.  And then there's that turret at the end of the porch . . .

Dollhouse Mash Up

Here are a few odds and ends that I've finished up over the last week . . .

I've decided that instead of Reginauld's bedroom, that little space at the top of the stairs on the third floor is going to be the family chapel.  I purchased this sweet little kit from Arjen at ArjenSpinhovenMinat on Etsy.  I'm going to try and stain it, but if that doesn't work I'll paint it.  There were no directions with the kit, but it went together fairly easily.  A little bit of glue at each joint held it together beautifully.

I finally was able to permanently install the Jacqueline chandelier from JGetzan Miniatures in the dining room.  It's beautiful!  I could just sit and look at the chandeliers in the main floor rooms all night.  The crystals twinkle in the soft light and it's mezmerizing!

Since the chandelier was installed in the dining room, I was able to finish the bathroom floor and finish all the trim.

I pondered what to do on the flat roof tops of the manor and decided on going with sandpaper.  I'd seen it somewhere and thought it was a great idea.  I ordered black 60 grit black sandpaper from Amazon, cut it to size and glued it on.  I like the effect.  I also painted all the cranberry trim and  because I had to cut the sandpaper to fit, you could see the wood in between the cuts.  To hide this, I painted black on the wood at each seam.  This hid the cuts beautifully.

Most of the finish trim (baseboards, crown molding, et cetera) is finished.  All that's left is trim around two French doors and finishing the baseboards around them.  And that will do it for the interior of the house!

All that's left on the exterior is siding, applying trim over the wiring at the back of the house, applying egg shell brick to the foundation, and shingling the mansard roof.  I hope my contractor has cleared his calendar for this coming weekend!

I've Reached the Tower!

I've made a lot of progress on the manor over the last four days and must thank my dear husband, Brian, for his patience and help.  He's been a constant source of support and encouragement, especially with the additions I made.  If I was a builder/contractor, I'd have been fired by now!  But all is well in the end!

I was able to get the mansard roof on without any difficulty.  It was actually quite a breeze!  The most difficult part was waiting for the glue to dry (insert jeopardy jingle here).  All that's needed now are shingles which will come later.  I've already enlisted the help of my expert puzzle maker, Brian!

I also got the tower (aka the attic) done.  I didn't want this space to go to waste and seeing so many inspirational attics on the internet, I decided to go for it.  It turned out quite nice and I have big plans for this small place.  All that's left is to put on the mansard roof panels which I plan on doing today.

I'm also starting work on the porch today.  I glued together the posts (three in total to make one hefty post) and will paint the pieces today before I put it all together.  I told Brian my plan, he asked if I had the paint yet, I said no, he took me to Menard's where I got the four colors I'm going to be painting the house.  I couldn't decided on the main color, having four to choose from, and on the way we decided on which color it was to be.  I'm really excited to see how it turns out!

I also wanted to share my newest miniature gem.  This pantry cupboard was made by Mollysue Miniatures.  It is so sweet and it arrived on my anniversary!  I haven't decided exactly where it will go, in the kitchen or butler's pantry, but for now it's sitting prettily in the kitchen.  Thank you to my husband of 28 years for such a wonderful present!

Oh My Aching Muscles!

After a very long two days the breakfast room/conservatory and bath/dining room additions are finally put together and installed.  And not without some heavy handed maneuvering.  I had glued the breakfast room together only to discover that the overhang didn't allow for the two sections of window to come together at the right angles.  As I was extremely frustrated at this point, Brian took over taking the breakfast room apart and cutting the new piece.  He's such a team player!!

After more trimming adjustments, everything finally went together and I was able to glue it, clamp it using masking tape, and leave it set up.  I also installed the window panels that came with the kit so everything is finally complete on this side.  Well, except for siding, painting and the like.

The dining room side came together fairly well, except that I didn't allow for the one and a half inch extra space needed on the new panel I made.  Instead of tearing everything apart (of course I glued it together before I realized this!!) I opted to cut a piece to size and glue it in.  It will be covered with wallpaper and siding, so no one will be the wiser (except for you and me!  Ha!).

I'm well pleased with how the rooms have come together and how everything seems to be esthetically balanced.  I put together the bow windows on the breakfast room addition and at the front of the house.  The foundation pieces went together fine on the parlor window, but I had to do some finagling on the breakfast room window as I had added a half inch border around the outside of the room.  Rather than have the whole piece angled, I opted to cut it and place the two inside pieces parallel to the underside of the room.  It looks much better and I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

Today I'll be adding the roof.  I've been dreading this part but the manor must have a roof and after what I went through to add the additions, it should be a piece of cake . . . she says rather optimistically.