Storybook Mini Multi-Tasking

Our camping trip was wonderful - the skies were blue, the sun was shining and the daytime temperatures were in the high 70's with a pleasant breeze. Nothing like enjoying a campfire under the stars on a warm spring night...

Though it was a short week, I managed to get quite a bit accomplished on the Storybook by having several tasks going at once. While paint, stain and glue dried, I had something else queued up to work on. I guess that's called Mini Multi-Tasking! Russ was back up north for work, so aside from the puppies giving me dirty looks, staying up late to work was guilt free.

I finished installing the interior window trim and front door, then permanently affixed the stairwell, front and left walls to the first floor. While this was setting up and drying, I made the pattern for and stained the wood floor for the living and dining rooms.

During it's drying time, I began to make the tiles for the kitchen floor. I wanted to get a glazed saltillo tile sort of look using illustration art board, paint and glaze. It's amazing how the board curls up when wet, then dries completely flat. Once it was dry, I began cutting 1/2" x 1/2" tiles.

I drew lines from corner to corner to find the center of the room, then began laying the tiles on the diagonal using 1/16" spacer boards and securing each tile with Tacky Glue.

While that set, I installed baseboard and other trims into the living room.

To make sure none of the tile's white edges would show after grouting, I gave the entire floor another glaze and paint treatment. Then I sealed with a heavy coat of semi-gloss glaze and let that dry overnight.

The next evening, the floor was completely sealed, dry, and ready for grout. I mixed about two teaspoons of Vintage White in with about a half a cup of DAP DryDex Spackle and pushed it into the cracks with my finger. Several times during the application, I removed the excess spackle on top of the tiles with a sponge and a soft touch. In the past, using Mod Podge as a sealer over egg carton stones, I had issues with moisture penetrating through the sealer. Wiping the spackle removed the top layer on the stones and left it nearly ruined. From now on, I am using a gloss or semi-gloss glaze or varnish to seal before I grout. It leaves a tougher, non porous shell. Then once the grouting is done, I can seal again with the finish sheen of my choosing.

Since I wanted the glazed saltillo tile look, I sealed with a good coat of Triple Thick and let that sit nearly 24 hours. I love the way they came out, though it is hard to get a good photo of the shine.

Meanwhile, during all that drying time, I printed some art work I've been collecting, as well as some patterns and matting for frames. I had a variety of frames, some finished, some pot metal and some plastic, all of which got a treatment of gold paint marker. I made some art hangings using chipboard tea pots and laser cut letters. I assembled art work and installed them in places that will be too difficult to reach once the structure is permanently assembled.

I have so many more wall decor items to make, including clocks, flower swags and signs, but with Russ home for the weekend I wanted to put them aside for now.

I did begin the stairwell... Just the wood floor and stained trim pieces. I am looking forward to trying a decoupaged look on the stair treads, and have many things to make for the stairwell wall.

Russ will be away again, this time for a week. I'm fortunate to have plenty to keep me busy, because missing him is slightly tempered if my mind is very occupied. Hopefully, I'll make the most of my free time, and have more mini goodness to share this week!

xo xo,
Jodi

Storybook Cottage Preparations

I didn't get my regular amount of mini time this week to work on the Storybook Cottage, so I didn't really finish anything. But I did solidify some ideas, and got some things prepared for the next tasks at hand.

I settled on the layout and elements for the bathroom. One of them was the built in unit with a faux cabinet door and two open basket shelves. Another was that the clawfoot tub would be surrounded with beadboard. The last was that I'd add legs to the front of the sink.

I made the built in unit in the same way as the other elements so far - a combination of Cricut designed and cut chipboard front and wood construction on the rest.

Once I had the bathroom figured out, I realized that none of it could be installed until soooo much else was finished. So, I had to rethink what the next, most ideal order of operations would be. I realized that it is just about time to begin permanent wall assembly. Almost... First, though, I needed to finish all the interior window frames on the walls.

This is where the Cricut saved the day again. Remember how I'd added new arched window openings to the new stairwell wall that I added? And remember how I changed the kit windows from their original triangular top shapes to arched, as well? I needed to make the frames for all of them.

Thank goodness for the Cricut, because if I had to cut all these frames myself, interior and exterior, let's just say they wouldn't be as neat!

So, along with the kit's actual wood frames, I sanded, filled, sanded...

Then painted and painted... And here is where I got.

My next steps will be to get the frames installed onto the walls, and then glue the three main walls and stairwell section to the first floor. But that, my friends, will have to be delayed until next week's mini time. This Memorial Day weekend is designated for family camping, where minis aren't allowed. I'll miss them, but will have this view to console me:

Mt. Adams

To those of you in the US, who get to enjoy an extra day off work, remember those who fought and continue to work towards freedom everywhere. To everyone, everywhere, remember to take time to make special memories with the ones and things you love.

xo xo,
Jodi

Storybook Dreaming and Doing

I decided while I had the cabinet building fresh in my mind, I better continue getting the built in stuff made.

To refresh your memory, here's what I am working with in the Storybook's layout...

I bought the resin fireplace because of it's detail and super slender 5/8" depth, knowing I'd build a breast for it to sit in front of.

I wanted a built in bookshelf next to the fireplace, so I got out the graph paper again and drew the concept I'd been mulling in my mind. Then, I employed the Cricut Design Space again to help me get the arched openings right.

I made the side and center supports, top and shelves out of 3/4" basswood, then made a hearth and mantle top.

The hearth and mantle got the same "stone" treatment as the kitchen countertops, but in softer shades of vintage white, cameo blush and sandstone.

I added more dimensional stickers and moldings before I painted it vintage white. If you notice in the firebox, you can still see the striped wallpaper. That's because my little lady doesn't like messy wood or coal. She wanted to keep the fireplace and the cottage feel, but we are going to be placing a radiator in the recess. Still warm, no mess! :O)

If you notice in the background of the above photo, you can see the "built in" cupboard with drawer under the stairs. For these elements, I also employed the Cricut. To make them more interesting, I added some metal embellishments, another dimensional sticker and more aged bronze hardware including the half scale door plate and knob. You may notice that most everything, built ins and trim, will be vintage white. All the wallpaper is colorful enough!

The window seat got backrest and sides, then a few coats of paint. Can't wait to make the butt cushion, pillows and baskets for the cubbies!

Next I moved upstairs to the landing where both Sheila and Keli suggested I make a built in window seat. To make this one, I did it the old fashioned way with wood and lots of swearing - no, just kidding. Once I made a template to get the right angles, then drew out the design, it went very quick and easy.

During construction I checked it against the pattern several times to make sure it wasn't going awry. Like my hillbilly scaffolding? It was easier to glue against a brace on one side then add the angled end panels last. To keep it tied into the rest of the built ins, I added lace shelf edging, dimensional stickers, crown/cornice trim and aged bronze hardware, then painted it vintage white.

I did another partial dry fit of the upstairs to make sure it all fit. I like it - thanks for the suggestion ladies! More butt cushions and pillows on the way!

I added some trim and a little shelf to the weird little recess created from the stairs in the dining room - something small can sit on the shelf with a framed picture behind it.

I also started on a shelf for across the front wall. This is as far as I got because I am not 100% sure about the size of those brackets, and, I just need a little break from painting.

Once I had the ceiling over the rooms, I got excited. I just love the feel that is happening here.

So much nicer than what it looks like with my harsh overhead lights...

I don't anticipate making any built ins for the bedroom - just the bed that came with the kit and a couple furniture kits I've had saved away for a while now. I am not solid on any ideas for how to outfit the bathroom yet, so I can't do anything in there. In other words, who knows what I will do with my mini time next week. This weekend both my house and my husband will get all of my attention, leaving time to mull it over.

Hope your weekend is full of dreaming and doing!

xo xo,
Jodi