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Thursday, July 26, 2018

Storybook's Story, Layer By Layer

I have less progress than I'd hoped for on the Storybook Cottage this week, but I'm going to have to get used to the idea. There is going to be some stiff competition for mini time in the coming weeks, but the competition is almost as exciting! Since Russ and I bought this home in January of 2008, we have only lived here alone for about a year of that time. Our daughter lived here at various points in between colleges and graduations, and has been really on her own since December of 2013. Our son Ande moved back in (again) September of 2014, but just moved on to start his new adventure the beginning of July. We decided it's a great opportunity for a refresh, and will install wood flooring upstairs, repaint, and do a little redecorating. We have family coming to visit from Texas in October, so the deadline is lighting a fire under our behinds. Getting to pick new decor for the real life house is almost as fun as doing it in miniature!

So here's what I was able to work on in the stolen mini moments this week...

Starting The Copper Roofs


All of the dormer roofs are going to be copper, so I started by adding an under layer of burnt sienna acrylic paint to the roofs. Then I used a Krylon Copper Leafing Pen to paint over the burnt sienna, and pre-painted sticks of 1/8" quarter round and 1/16" x 1/8" basswood for the edges and ridges. It seems to look better and better the more layers I add. Eventually, when I get to the exterior finishing details, I'll be adding verdigris, aging and vines, so the initial layers are only the base.





Details and Trim


I added the ridge cap molding over the shake shingle detail on the upper dormers. When it came time to trim the back opening of the cottage, I realized I'd need to make the long flower box that serves as the trim detail between the first and second floor before I could measure and cut trim.




So I took a little side adventure to make all of the flower boxes. Below is the raw wood structure of the long separator flower box. You have to imagine that if the fourth wall were there, the shed dormer would be all floor length windows.


There were seven other windows getting window boxes, and the two small stairwell windows needed pot shelves, so I set up an assembly line. I used half inch basswood and cut front, back, sides and bottoms using the MicroLux table saw. Cutting these with my miter box would have taken a LOT longer!


I added wainscot trim to the top front and sides to beef them up a bit, then used more of my go to White Dresden Borders as an accent around the bottoms. I've used a lot of these borders in this build and I LOVE them! It just seems to add such nice detail and texture to so many things. I also edged the pot shelves with it.


Once I had a few coats of Cameo Blush brushed on, it was time for their audition on the cottage.


Long flower box - now I can measure for and get to the back trims.


And temporarily attached under the rest of the windows. Being able to plant and arrange the future flowers prior to permanent installation just seems smart and way less dangerous to my window panes! You may also notice I've installed the fascia trim, though I have more border detail to add to them, as well.






And a few more photos of the copper roof progress. I am still debating with myself about whether to make the shed dormer copper, or shingle it along with the main roofs. Determining how the two shall meet is the question. And the flat copper roof on the bay needs a lot more detail, and maybe a couple downspouts.




So real life projects take precedence, and mini building will happen in stolen moments. Hopefully, I'll be back with more progress before too long!

xo xo,
Jodi

41 comments:

  1. You have a deadline for the 1:1 house, but it's great that you'll have visitors staying over, a great reason for renovation! Your little house looks so amazing already, I love the colours and the copper roof and everything inside so far :-).

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    1. Yes! And there is nothing like an approaching deadline to get your butt in gear! Having the house back to ourselves again has started a lovely new routine when Russ comes home Friday evenings. I think we may just impose a "no returning children" policy!
      I am so happy that you like the cottage! It is wanting to be as dollhouse-y as can be! :O)

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  2. I love all the flowerboxes and the copper is going to look amazing! Good luck with your life size projects.

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I hope my 49-1/2 year old body is up for the challenge of all the physical demands coming my way! Working in miniature is much less taxing!

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  3. Me gusta como quedan los tejados y cuando las jardineras estén con todas las flores se verán preciosas. ¡Qué se te de muy bien la decoración a gran escala!!!

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    1. Gracias Isabel! ¡Estoy realmente emocionado de ver flores en los jardineras y de ver cómo los espacios recién renovados se unen! ¡Mucho trabajo, pero también un montón de diversión!

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  4. Well, it looks to me like you’ve done a lot. It looks all sugar and spice, like a good witch lives there. And how exciting you are freshening up your real life home! That kind of work is so satisfying. Have fun with it!

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    1. Thanks Shannon! Sugar and spice is a great way to describe what's going on here! It's so much fun to indulge in it's sweetness!
      Once upon a time, I had a brand new house, beautifully decorated, easy to keep clean, and ready for company. I am very much looking forward to living that dream again!

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  5. 1:1 rehabs can be a lot of fun, too, and you can definitely enjoy them in a more concrete way.

    The flower boxes are lovely, and the copper roofs look great with the pink (and I have to check out that copper leafing pen!).

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    1. I think I am my happiest when everything is in it's place and I am ready for whatever life throws at me. It has been a very long time since I felt that way in my own home. So the 1:1 projects will be so satisfying on soooo many levels!
      I'm glad you like the flower boxes and copper roofs with the pink! The leafing pens are really awesome! The chrome one leaves a little to be desired, but chrome is a hard finish to achieve with any product. I love the gold one, too!

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  6. Gosh, I wish this was a real house so I could live in it! I love the color scheme and structure so much. I can't wait to see more updates! I am new to this blog, but even your small updates are very exciting! :)

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    1. Thanks Habu and welcome! I'd like to live here too! The idea for it came from my dream of having a place where I could get away from the boys and dogs I live with, have pretty and delicate things, and no bells to answer. If I could build one in real life, I truly would! I happy to have you here on the journey with me!

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  7. Your copper is amazing, and verdigris patina will be stunning with the cameo pink. I was wondering about the borders, thank you for sharing the link.

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    1. Thanks Carrie! I have to admit I am a little afraid of the verdigris, so I am glad I have time to work up to it! I often get ahead of myself and forget to share resources, so if I do, just tell me! I am happy to share any and all discoveries!

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  8. Boy Jodi, you certainly know how to make the most of a 'few stolen mini moments'. I love that long flower box on the open side of the house. What a fabulous way to make the most of a boring 'naked' edge and instead make it proper part of the whole house. Thanks for taking (finding) time to share your progress (again).
    Anna x

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement, Anna! It's amazing what having a little time to focus on something can do. The rest of the time, projects are always stewing in the back of my mind. By the time I get to doing them, I pretty much have a plan. That's often the hardest part for me - knowing what to do and how to go about it!

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  9. So much done in the little mini time. I love the flower boxes and the copper roofs will look stunning.
    Good luck with renovation. Try to have fun doing it. I wish I was able to do so in our apartment, especially after the exterior building renovation.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thanks Drora! The update will be fun to enjoy when it's all finished, but I am not looking forward to the chaos and sore muscles that are sure to be ahead of me! Yikes!
      It may be just the boost you need to do something small in the apartment. Sometimes just getting new towels or a soap dispenser for the bathroom gives you a new appreciation for the space. I hope you can do something fun, even if it's not a giant change! :O)

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  10. Oh My GOODNESS Jodi!!!
    The copper roof and the assorted flower boxes are ALL WONDERFUL!!!
    And I think that your idea of installing a long flower box is not only unique but very attractive and goes so well with your cottage.
    The various textured surfaces work seamlessly together which is really exciting to see, and although I realize your mini time will be sacrificed in favour of your RL Renos; even the little bits you do on this cottage have a BIG visual impact- so please Keep it coming!

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    1. Thanks so much Elizabeth! It makes me feel really good and as if I am making the right decisions for the cottage when I see your positive feedback! It's really tough not to be able to dive into the task at hand, and trying to find my flow again when I've been away from it for days.
      It will be so nice to have guest rooms again, and a guest bathroom! But the list of things to be done is so daunting! I only hope my pudgy muscles are up for the task!

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  11. All the details are just stunning!! Your finished work is always beautiful. I loooove the copper roof.

    What grabs me the most is all the visual interest. Nothing competes but your eye is drawn and discovers something new every time. I can’t wait to see your interiors!!

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    1. Thanks Kat! One of the challenges I gave to myself for this project is: Detail! Detail! Detail! That is what sets my heart aflutter in all of the projects I admire so much from the talented and creative members in our little community, and I just hope I don't miss any opportunities! Please let me know if I do!

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  12. Oooh la la!!! What lovely window boxes you built!!! They make such an amazing difference to the finished look of the exterior! I Love the pot shelves under the stairwell windows!! They are just so cute!!! The copper roof you are adding looks lovely too... and I am sure it will look even better when it is aged to perfection! :)I would never ever have thought to make a flower box along the opening between the floors! What a charming idea! You might not think you accomplished much, but it looks like tons from here! :)
    And the RL redecorating will be challenging... but the end results will be worth it! Don't we all love to decorate for real?!!! Any mini time you can "borrow" from RL will be the icing on the cake! :):)

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    1. Thanks so much, Betsy! I see an epic stretch of flower and plant making in my future, and I just hope I don't curse myself for making so many flower boxes to fill!
      The RL deconstruction has begun - what a mess! I am keeping my eye on the prize, though, and will have to pace myself for a long few weeks. Now off to Home Depot I go for more $upplie$! I hope my savings account will recover!

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  13. It seems that I finally will be able to post a comment on your recen entries. You post new entries faster than me making a single comment!! Sorry about that. But I promise you I read all your posts. Well, to the point. You go further than good, you strive for perfection and you certainly achieve it! Your lovely Storybook cottage is gorgeous, I am amazed of how you think of every little detail to make it just dreamy. I love the facade, all the different textures, trimmings and flower boxes. No doubt this cottage will be FANTASTIC! It is already :)

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    1. Thank you, Alex! And I apologize for not letting you catch up - It seems I work in floods or droughts! I love that you are sharing in this exploration with me, and I super love having your comments! They give me wings!
      It has been many days and I have only walked past the cottage on my way to do other household tasks, and my To-Do list for the week includes things like "cut in primer", "paint ceilings", "Paint walls", and "clean millwork". None of these is for miniatures, but for the two guest bedrooms! So the good news is, you are all caught up with posts, and I am unlikely to have any mini stuff to post about for a while. Here comes the drought. :o(

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  14. I am impressed how much you've been able to achieve during those few stolen moments for miniatures! ;O) Your copper roofs are amazing and the flower pots with the lace decorations are a wonderful addition to this charming house. I'm already looking forward to see all of this with flowers. Try to have loads of fun during your 1:1 house changes.

    Greetings
    Birgit

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    1. Hi Birgit! I suppose that crossing things off the list can be deceiving. Some items are quick little tasks and others are a major undertaking. This week, the flower boxes, trim work and copper leaf penning were quick ones! I love it when the quick things look like so much progress! Sadly, the cottage is at a standstill, but I am excited as I see the real life bedrooms' old paint colors disappear under primer, and am excited to see the new color go on the walls this week!

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  15. Hi, Jodi - What a big difference in my perception of how much you've accomplished and your own idea of how little progress you've made! But whether a lot or a little, it all looks absolutely wonderful. The beautiful copper on the dormer roofs is stunning; you've achieved an amazing realism on the copper finish. I love that long roof on the bay and am looking forward to seeing the additional detail that you plan for it. All the window boxes are lovely; I especially like the long "separator" box - that will be so incredibly pretty when all the flowers are in place. I love watching this cottage take shape and grow as you complete each construction phase. It reminds me of a delicious, sugary confection - it looks good enough to eat! Enjoy your RL decorating - such fun!
    Marjorie

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  16. Thanks Marjorie! I think I am just impatient and want the interior decorating to begin! I have so many special things that I've been collecting for so long, and so many things I am excited about making, that every step getting there seems long!
    The RL bedrooms are well on their way to being ready to fill with fun new decor! Maybe tomorrow I can even break into the wall color paint! Mom's coming up from AZ to visit on Thursday, so no weekend work of any kind will be allowed. Just lots of visiting and catching up!

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  17. Love the Cooper roofs and the window boxes and details!
    Have fun with the big house!
    Veronique

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    1. Thanks Veronique! little new progress on the cottage, but lots of progress on the big house. Hope you get some time for both this week!

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  18. Oh my gosh Jodi the copper roofs look fantastic! I agree the more you added the better it looked and I really like the addition of quarter round. It really gives it an authentic look. How cute are your flower boxes! And what a great idea to separate the floors with one be long one.. so clever! I can totally imagine a wall of leadlight windows there. How exciting to be updating your RL house! Totally understandable that mini's will take a back seat to this important project. :) I hope you'll show us some before and after pics! :D

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    1. Hi Sam! The RL reno has been kind of crazy - Russ doing the contractor type stuff on the weekends, me doing the stuff I can during the week (cleaning, painting, carpet tack and staple removal, ordering stuff). I am having a mini withdrawal crisis, so I busted butt over the weekend to have two of the rooms completely ready for the flooring install next weekend. Because of that, there is a window for some mini time this week! Now I just have to remember where I left off and hope I can find the mojo again! :O) I forgot to take before photos, but I'll share the in progress photos over the next few weeks! Hope all is still improving on your end of the globe!

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  19. Hi Jodi, I've just spent the last little bit catching up on all the progress I've missed! I think what really sticks out is just how much all your trim work really transforms this basic kit from the inside out! The flower boxes are adorable and I can't wait to see what plants go inside. And I really do like the way you only leaded the top of the windows. It's so great to still see inside.
    I know you are slugging through with those shingles, and I can't wait to see what they look like. I'm sure it will have a big effect on the whole look. :) Hope your summer is going well!

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    1. Hi Kristine! I hope you've been away doing something totally engrossing and fun with your build!
      I love the Greenleaf kits for that exact reason - you can pretty easily customize them into your vision, and add all the trims and details until your heart's content! Flower and plant making for the flower boxes and landscape is going to take a while, but what better time to do it than when we head into gloomy fall and winter!
      I'm so glad you like the cottage so far, and you are right - roofing is a slow go with all of the angles this kit has. I will just keep plugging away, and hope I make the right choice when it comes time for the color/finish!

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  20. Hello Jodi,
    More awesomeness! The copper roofing looks really good. I love all the different finishes and textures on this house. it is a designer's dream! The flowerboxes are really well done too and add a very nice level of detail to the structure. Good luck with the real life renovation projects.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Thanks Giac! I hope the look of the copper roofs improve when I add the verdigris and copper guilder's paste! Fingers crossed!
      It makes me happy that you like all of the details going onto the structure, and I hope I don't forget to take advantage of all the opportunities I can!
      Thanks for the well wishes on the RL reno, and thanks so much for your lovely comments!

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  21. Hi !
    Your work is so beautiful. Can I ask where you get plan for house ?
    Good luck for upcoming projects

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    1. Thank You! 💗

      For this build, I used the Storybook Cottage kit by Greenleaf. I bumped out walls, added dormers and lowered the second floor to make it a bit bigger. Here is the post about the changes, and you can click the Next Post link at the end of the comments to follow the progression.

      https://my-miniaturemadness.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-storybooks-new-facade.html

      Thanks for your nice comment!

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