Haunted Heritage chimney, part 1

Continuing work on the chimney. Here’s a refresher on what the original looks like, by W E Masonry.

In order to get the same dimensional design with egg carton bricks as the original, I built up the foam core base with layers of cardboard. Using the wood pieces I had cut from the original kit’s bay window pieces as guides, I cut two whole front pieces from thick cardboard with the design portion removed. Once I am done building up the cardboard, the wood pieces will sit on top of the layers.

Unlike my normal process of just starting the bricks at the bottom and measuring evenly as I go, this time I opted for guidelines. The design requires different depths and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to end up with half bricks somewhere along the top where the pattern is most obvious. So, I started from the top and worked my way down.

At the top of the lower section, I used strips of cardboard to build up the levels. These will not be glued in place until I start applying bricks. This way I have some room to move if my guidelines are off.

For the herringbone brickwork, I glued the 1/4″ by 3/4″ bricks to a piece of graph paper. I didn’t follow the boxes exactly, but the lines made it easier to keep a consistent pattern. By putting it on paper instead of directly on the foam core base, I was able to move the wood frame piece over the herringbone to find the best possible design.

I traced the outline and then cut the herringbone piece to fit under the bottom layer of cardboard. I then glued that piece in place on the foam core frame.

Since I didn’t need to brick this whole layer but needed to match the thickness of it, I added random bits of egg carton filler to the rest of this layer.

I then added the next cardboard layer on top, matching up the outline on the herringbone bricks.

I cut out one row on the top layer of cardboard to allow for a slightly indented vertical row, as in the original. I glued the two pieces in place, following the herringbone frame outline.

Next, I built up the sides, also leaving space for the indented vertical row.

Since the original photos don’t show much of the ground portion, I had to wing it. I figured a straight shot to the ground might look top heavy, so I added just a bit more weight to the very bottom where it sits with the foundation by adding some 1/4″ thick foam core board the same height as the bricks on the foundation.

So far, so good.

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
September 1, 2011 | 0 comments

Heritage – front bay window, part 2

One of the nicer elements of the Heritage dollhouse is the inclusion of the bay windows (well, now one window in my case). But, straight out of the box, they are somewhat lacking in pizzazz.

I did a bit of sleuthing around the internet and found the lovely B Street House Bed & Breakfast in Virginia City, Nevada, which has very nice details.

Well, this is what it looked like before restoration.

Whoa! Now, that’s an awesome inspiration for my old haunted Heritage! In order to capture some of this essence, I modified existing pieces and added some laser cut trims. I first removed the excess framed bottoms from the kit window pieces. It’s amazing how just cutting off some clunky trim can make such a huge difference. I will add the small frame detail under the windows similar to the inspiration house later since I don’t have any thin strip wood on hand.

I swapped out the old corbel brackets for Laser Tech fancy corbels (purchased from Manchester Woodworks).

These come two to a pack and needed to be assembled.

I added some Laser Tech fancy roof trim purchased from Green Gables Dollhouse to the upper flat portion of the window walls. I added a more decorative molding along the upper edge that sits just under the roof piece. Nothing here is glued; the gaps seen will be gone once it’s all put together. I’ll also be finishing off that terrible (non-laser-cut) plywood edge.

I absolutely love it! I need to cut the excess roof down, too, but I love it!!!! :D

I think once it’s painted and aged it will really bring out that certain melancholy of times gone by.

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
August 29, 2011 | 0 comments

Bishop Show, day 2 – Aug 2011

I did end up having time to pop back over to the show for a few more items. 

The Little Dollhouse Company: a glass perfume bottle along with some beautiful laser cut brass minis by le mini de Pierluigi (a pocket watch and spider web).

It might be a little ‘modern’ for the haunted Heritage, but I liked the pocket watch well enough to take it anyway.  I can always use it in a more modern build later on.

The spider web is super delicate.

I also bought a companion for the mouse I bought in Denver.  This one’s been taking his multivitamins.  :D  It was made by the same artist who made the griffin candlesticks: Don Henry.

More from Wright Guide Miniatures: some vintage cleaning products and a broom.

Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
August 28, 2011 | 0 comments

Bishop Show, day 1 – Aug 2011

I’ve tried to include vendors where possible.  I am sometimes bad with keeping track of what came from where so I made a point to be more diligent this time around.

From Wright Guide Miniatures: matches, shoe polish, and a cobalt bottle I’ll make a label for before using.  They have a set of awesome vignettes on display using their items – just wonderful stuff!

A pair of pedestals from Carol’s Bloomers to finish off the front steps.  I’ll paint them to coordinate better with the stone.

A frame for above the fireplace from Small Talk (no web address), shown here with a quick printout of my original artwork titled Favored Knight.  I will change the coloration so it’s not so bright and shiny.

From the same vendor, I bought several colors of tiny punched Impatiens flower shapes (not for the Heritage).  I’ve looked at these many times at shows, never bought them and always wished I had.  :]  I have some flower punches of my own, but nothing that makes shapes as small as these.

From Mini-Tiques: a pewter sugar bowl that looks like an urn, a wine bottle with removable cork, a pewter ring holder, and several packages of Grandt Line widow’s walk in 1:48 scale (look at the new penny design!).

One of the finest (and most expensive) miniature purchases to date: a pair of sterling silver griffin candlesticks.  These are crafted by Don Henry for Small Treasures Miniatures.

The detailing on them is incredible.  They stand just 15/16″ tall without the candles.

Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
August 27, 2011 | 0 comments

Hoosier cabinet from Keli

The autumn Bishop show is being held in my area this weekend, and tonight I had the pleasure of meeting Keli in person. I met Keli and her nephew at a local pizza place before the show, and she had made a wonderful surprise for me for the haunted Heritage: an old, well-loved Hoosier cabinet.

I just adore it! There are so many wonderful details to it, from the perfectly crackled green paint that will go so well with the wallpaper to the tiny pink piggy bank inside one of the glass front cabinets. I think that piggy bank is just the cutest! She has also included a stack of bowls, a can and some liquor bottles.

She said she was glad I liked it so much since it is hard to make things for others. That is so true. But, this is really the sort of thing I had planned to do with the space next to the Roper stove – only with a wall hutch and a butcher block top floor cabinet. It was as though she read my mind.

She thought I was going more for an old vibe than kitschy and macabre on the interior, and she’s exactly right. I think of an old woman living in the house she’s always loved, though it has fallen into disrepair on the outside. On the inside, it is warm and cozy, just old but well-loved. I love that she included some liquor bottles in the cabinet. I said, “Grandma likes her liquor,” and we had a laugh. Grandma doesn’t even make an attempt to hide it – it’s right there in the glass-door cabinet when she wants it! :D

The aging she added is superb – the cutting board showing its wear. It’s even fitting that it sticks a bit trying to slide it in and out, just like any antique wood cabinet is bound to do over the years. She even included some loose pencils she made (the cookbook I already had but thought it looked right at home here). The ceramic knobs are a fun vintage touch as is the flour sifter.

It fits perfectly next to the Roper range. I needed something substantial in the space since the stove is so large. This cabinet really balances out the visual weight of the stove.

Keli also gave me a laser cut double gate. She had bought two and gave me the extra.

Thank you, Keli, not only for the cabinet and the gate but for the enjoyable evening out at the show. 

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
August 27, 2011 | 0 comments