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Tuesday, February 9, 2016

All decked out...

Today was one of those days where I was able to focus a good deal of time on doing what I love to do: Make Progress On A Mini Project! And, it was one of those days where the concepts came easily, and the implementations manifested just like I had them worked out in my head. For me, those days are farther and fewer between than I'd like. So while all of this good juju was happening today, I was thoroughly enjoying myself!

I started out trying to remedy the fact that I did not install or run the wires to the exterior porch light behind the siding like I should have. Luckily, I had recently read Brae's post about concealing her wiring for Milo Valley Farm behind channel molding. Hey! That's a great idea! I installed the porch light on top of the channel molding (kind of gives it an 80's vibe), then ran the molding with the wires tucked inside all of the way around the back to the power strip. I'll get better photos once I have all of the wiring tidied up.




While running the channel molding, I thought I'd better just get Alki Point attached to it's base. Then there'd be more glue contact surface for the molding and therefore a better hold. Russ was kind enough to pick me up a 4'x8' piece of 1/4" plywood on his last trip to Home Depot, and he even cut the base piece out for me! A perfect 25"x18". Just what I needed! Have I mentioned that he's not only kind and handy - he's still pretty hot for a 51 year old! :O)

I marked out where I wanted the house to sit, traced it out in pencil, took the house back off the base, then ran a fat bead of tacky glue on the pencil line. I sat the house back on the base over the glue, then cleaned up the excess glue with the best tool my dad taught me about for glue and caulking - my finger!



Once the house was attached to the base, it was time to start framing out the decking. I used 1/4"x1/4" basswood as the outer frame and interior brace pieces. I glued them and clamped them, then when they were dry I applied a coat of the vinegar and steel wool stain.



While everything was drying, I stained about 24 pieces of 1/2"x1/16" deck board with the same stain. Then it was just a matter of letting them dry, then cutting them to length.



I used the same deck board to cover the ugly edge of the plywood on this side. I'll do the same to the other three sides as I begin the landscaping.



I had to weigh the boards down because they wanted to curl up. Also, the spacing between the deck boards was a challenge because not all of the deck boards were straight. I essentially had to eyeball it... Not too bad though. I really like the color variation in the boards, and any imperfections can be hidden with the planters and landscaping.



Not bad for a day's work, and good days like this only make me long for more of them. I hope the landscaping and the rest of the wiring go just as cooperatively!




21 comments:

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    1. Thank you! I LOVE your Undersized Urbanite entry, and the videos you make are really well done, too!

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  2. Hi Jodi! This is the first time that I have seen the entire exterior of you Alki Point cottage and I have to say that I LOVE your color scheme as well as the ENTIRE look of the exterior. The Deck is proving to be PERFECT! I think that the color variations of the deck boards give the extra bit of interest and any imperfections can be considered as entirely natural. Also the way that you are hiding the wiring is a wonderful solution. (That Miss Brae, she thinks of everything! )
    Don't you just love it when EVERYTHING falls into place so quickly and without all of the usual drama?
    Time for a Well Deserved Happy Dance for you! :D

    elizabeth

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    1. Hey again Jodi! I just noticed the stack of dollhouse kits in the background of the last photo, and What a collection!!!! I LOVE Greenleaf kits and so I hope that your intention is to build those too!
      or are they just a "teaser" ? :D

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    2. Thanks E! Bashing these kits is really a stretch for me and my experience/skill level, but I can't seem to leave well enough alone! I am so grateful for all of the victories and the failures. I have really learned a lot this last year, mostly from going out on a limb and not being afraid to try!

      I do intend to get to all of those kits this year. Debra from DollhouseLady has inspired me to try the Greenleaf Village kit. I just want to have more eye candy surrounding me every day, and these seemed like a quick, simple and space saving way to achieve that. I "accidentally" bought two kits, so if I screw up too badly, I have a safety net.

      The Sugarplum will be my main project in 2016, as I plan to stretch my skills again and attempt to make a lot of new things. I won't start on it until I've done a couple of the village houses, as I kind of need something less challenging for a while.

      Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement! It really does give me courage to try more and go further! :O)

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    3. Uh, oh, I feel an idea coming on...your 1/4 scale village could be a bigfoot (littlefoot?) village! Hee! Hee! (Ducking and running!)

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    4. See? You just have so many creative ideas! I could still use Enoch in the background, and he'd be a giant bigfoot! I think the village houses would only reach his belly button!

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  3. this is looking good, love the way the colours compliment themselves,

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    1. Thank you for the kind comment, Debbie! I love all of the creative things you make, and your lamp turned out really cool!

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  4. Looking good! I have got to try that steel wool and vinegar stain on something soon...maybe I'll make a wooden crate so I have something to experiment with.

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    1. Thanks Keli! Maybe you can incorporate it in your 2016 contest build! Karen Corbin left a post saying different woods would turn out in varying shades depending on the amount of tannins in them, but I only have basswood so far.

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  5. Hi Jodi I use a much smaller system for round wiring. Take a look at Small World Products. I promise i am not selling their stuff just having found it I want everyone to. You could get rid of the big white socket with all the plugs in and hide their power strip much more easily. Email me if you want to mormson@gmail.com. Marilyn

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    1. It is so timely that you shared this resource, Marilyn! I have been looking at so many lighting options lately. I have smaller projects planned, and it seems like everything out there is overkill! I saw that they have a downloadable catalog, so I'll take a look and see if there might be a better option. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  6. Hello Jodi,
    That was a great way to conceal the wires and I love the deck. It's all coming together beautifully.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Thanks Giac! You are such a very kind and supportive person! I'm so glad that you care enough to read my blog. Big hugs back! :O)

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  7. Thanks for the detailed photos. Now I understand why the door had a gap at the bottom. The deck looks great. Glad you had a very good mini day, wishing you many more.

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    1. The progress photos often do look like things are one big hot mess, right! I's nice when you can see the end product and it's not as big a trainwreck as it seeded, lol! One of my dear friends came to our last house right in the middle of our kitchen remodel. She was so worried and said she was glad that I had the vision for it, because she just couldn't see it. She loved the results after it was finished, but said she would never remodel a house!

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  8. Looking good! I love the slight shade differences in the decking boards. The whole thing looks great!

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    1. Thanks Cyd! I am really liking it, too! It's really fun to try new things and then like the way they turn out!

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  9. Looks fabulous! Just added your blog to my favorite blog list.... :-)

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    1. Thanks Marion! It seems we have very similar passions! I really enjoy your blog!

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