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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Sweet Christmas Cottage - Last Room Completed

I surprised myself and whipped through the bedroom in record time! It was a fairly simple room to do, because I only had to make up a couple things. The rest were made ahead while working on other similar things, purchased, or made for me by talented mini friends!


I began last weekend making up a spray paint booth from an Amazon box, scrap of stair stringer and some wire. I needed to paint the pot metal bed frame from Phoenix Models. I'd show you photos, but after installing an iPhone update, five of my photos just disappeared. I'm grateful that was all I lost.


I sprayed several coats of black, then several more of ivory. Then sanded a few worn spots. Then I carefully painted the tiny wheels and castors. You could really do a lot of fancy detailing on this frame if you want to spend the time.


Next, I covered the frame board in fabric just in case you ever need to look under the bed. Then a made a dust ruffle and attached it.


Then I made a mattress out of foam board and batting, covering it in an off-white "fitted sheet"


I made all of the rest of the bedding from cotton fabric. All glue and no sewing, including the bed pillows. I didn't even have to pull out my machine! I left rubber bands on it overnight to help shape the sheet and comforter to the mattress.


I would love to shrink myself down and take a nap here for a while. I think it would be a good long time before anyone in our house discovered me here!


Did you notice the gorgeous hand embroidered pillows? They are the handy work of Kat from Kitty and Kat Miniatures! Aren't they wonderful! And they go so perfectly with the bedding fabric!



All of the little things on Jim & Ellie's nightstands were purchases, including the nightstands. There are some good Christmastime reads, alarm clock and pocket watch, glasses, hand lotion and some festive snowpeople.


The bathrobes are ready to wrap themselves into after a nice hot bath. Jim really gets into the season, and looks forward to wearing his Santa robe.


 and more Christmas gifts are waiting on the chair to be placed under the tree. The chair is a good old quick and easy Chrysnbon kit.


For now, Ellie and Jim have all they need to celebrate Christmas in their Sweet Christmas Cottage. Although middle of the night trips to the bathroom could be a little dangerous, Jim is an adventurous man and doesn't mind for now. A hinged stairway floor door is on his To-Do list for the future, along with a small dresser to store clothing.

You'll get to meet Jim and see Ellie again enjoying the season sometime during December. Speaking of December - be sure to stop by sometime December 1st. I have a few little Christmas goodies to give away to someone who needs a little challenge and a little love!

Back soon,
xo xo,
Jodi

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Sweet Christmas Cottage - Gingerbread Exterior


It has been such fun to watch the exterior evolve. Each layer getting closer to the sweet vision I imagined.


When It was time to click the lights on, I held my breath. Then, seeing each one glowing, I squealed with delight!






I made the post and porch lights by drilling out clear resin gumdrops for globes and candy cane pieces for poles. The little peppermints made perfect spacers!










For the porch posts, I drilled holes into candy canes and gum drops bases, then used resin to anchor the pins to make them sturdy.



I couldn't resist making a cookie cutter wind chime for the front porch!







The chimney is removable for access in case of wiring issues. Let's hope I never have to remove it though.


The other side was calling for some Tudor style frosting covered timbers.


I just love how the interior lights shine through the candy windows!




As usual, when viewing the photos I see opportunities to add more things. I recon I will, but the main focus will be to get the bedroom finished up in time for Christmas.

Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of everything to be thankful for!

xo xo,
Jodi

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Sweet Christmas Cottage - And The Next Layer...

Getting on the next set of layers has been fun and fiddly...


I love the collage clay, though my piping skills are still a bit shakey...


The flower boxes filled with candy flowers and fudgy chocolate soil...


Gumdrop goodness in a rainbow of colors...


Candy Cane support columns for the porch...


What will the next layers bring? I'll have to figure that out in my Sugarplum Visions and Dreams...

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Sweet Christmas Cottage - The Next Layer


Although I am happy with the look of the paperclay cookie roof tiles, it was a real slog getting them done. At times the endlessness of rolling, cutting, smoothing edges and gluing them on had me fantasizing about other new projects. Thanks to the encouragement of the fine group of fellow miniaturists over on the Greenleaf Forum, I hunkered down and finally finished. I ended up using a total of five 16 oz packages of Creative Paperclay. Thank goodness it doesn't weigh 5 lbs when dry, or I'd have needed extra structural support!


The next step then was to get them painted. I had made my mind up on Moroccan Spice from the color samples, but once the roof was painted, I had a nagging doubt each time I looked at it.


True to form, I ignored my doubts and kept moving ahead, painting the rest of the structure. I guess I was succumbing to the pressure of the fast approaching self imposed holiday deadline.



But finally, I had to face the fact that I was looking at a Big, Spicy Turd. :o(


I must have mixed and painted on at least three colors until I found my ideal "gingerbread". First, I added the whole sample jar of Nugget Gold to the Moroccan Spice. After 2 coats it was still too dark. Then, I added in a good amount of Warm White acrylic.


Once I liked the body color, I toiled still about the cookie roof. Finally, laying awake and running options through my mind, I remembered that I'd originally wanted a lighter color for the roof. That made the decision easier. I just added in the Fudge Truffle, more Warm White, and had a base for the roof I could live with. I actually love it now. I should know by now that nagging voices nag you for a reason.


I quickly threw together the small base - just a piece of 1/2" plywood with simple 3/4" basswood trim on the edges. It is only 15" x 20" to save time on landscaping, or in this case candy-scaping, and make holiday display less intrusive. Having not accounted for the full depth of the porch, it will stick out a bit from the front. I'll try to turn this from and oops to a "I totally meant to do that". Hopefully, I've managed to convey the graham cracker planking.


Next, I built windows, making candy and frosting "stained glass",  added shutters with candy cane hinges, and began turning plywood gingerbread trim into gingerbread house gingerbread trim.







The chimney's gotten it's first outline in "mortar"...


And next I'll be working on adding layer upon layer of collage clay frosting, peppermints, candy canes, gum drops, frosted fences, cookie shrubbery and any other idea that fills the Sugarplum Visions in my dreams each night.



With just over a week until Thanksgiving, I am hoping the great winds generated by the speed with which I'm working continue to fan the flames of inspiration! And that in spite of no experience, I take quickly to piping "frosting"!

xo xo,
Jodi