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Thursday, March 5, 2020

Pound Cake: Paper Tile Flooring Finished!

In my last post I had cut and assembled the bakery's second floor paper tile flooring and left it to be sealed/varnished when I returned home from my mom's 70th birthday trip. Since this was my first paper tile floor, I didn't know what product or method I would use. I pondered my options on the trip, eliminating the option to brush anything on. I had a couple spray options, but some testing was going to be necessary.


As soon as I returned home, I got busy. I thought I'd better make a sample piece to fool with so I made one using left over scrap tiles and "grout".  I tried both Krylon Triple Thick and Liquitex Satin spray varnish. I liked the coverage and sheen of the Liquitex satin better (not too shiny), but my nozzle, in spite of repeated attempts to clean it, kept clogging. The Krylon definitely took several heavy coats (due to the absorption from several layers of paper), but it looks very nicely finished. It took three heavy coats over three days to allow for thorough drying time. Sorry I can't seem to get a better photo of the sheen.

Sample Tile

After Two Coats

Restroom Tile Floor
Before my daughter and I left for Arizona (by way of Las Vegas), I was able to get the bakery's kitchen windows on the second floor cut and installed. I replaced the kit's acetate windows with Lexan and installed them on the exterior window trim as I had for the windows in the first floor. I also had time to try out the first dry fit of the roof pieces.



The instructions and I are having a disagreement. They want me to put the dormer roofs in place, leave them loose, and then glue the roof on. I am going to do it my way by attaching the dormer roofs and then adjusting the roof piece to pop on and off. Having the dormers glued on and leaving the roof removable will make fitting the interior walls, and all of the trim, a much easier (and hopefully more successful) job. Once the interior is finished, I can permanently attach the roof, filling in any gaps and tab slots. This will require several fittings, but I have enlisted the help of my handy husband because four eyes and four hands are always better than two!


The glue bottle is so that you can get a feel for the size of the second floor space in the kit. It feels rather large inside now, and I hope that once I add walls and appliances, it will still feel like ample space.


Here are all the tile floors, dried, trimmed and attached to the sub floor. Where you see wood is where the 3/16" foam core walls will be installed. In the bathroom and in the back of the sink side (left) of the kitchen (where the gaps are wider), I have left extra room. The kitchen side will likely have a built in cabinet to cover the extra gap and the bathroom will have a built in plumbing cabinet behind the toilet.


One thing of note here is that the restroom floor has a bit of a yellowish tone. This is the floor that has the Liquitex varnish applied. The Liquitex is not as clear as the Krylon, and luckily, in this bathroom, won't have a negative impact. But every product is right for a different circumstance. If I wanted a more aged looking floor, the Liquatex would be good. For a crystal clear finish, the Krylon is preferable.

Once the subfloor with tile was installed, I was able to add the slim side walls to the opening side of the structure.


For now, until I actually start on the exterior, I have painted the side walls licorice. It just makes everything look less rugged and helps me to visualize the finished facade. I have also added a 1/8" x 3/4" piece of trim between the floors and underpainted the dormer roofs. Eventually, I hope to make them faux lead metal roofs.


All of the roof support pieces have been added. Once the roof is on permanently, only the underside of these will be seen. My next steps will be to fit the roof and make adjustments until it pretty easily slips on and off. Then I can take accurate measurements and begin cutting and fitting the interior walls.



Another thing to note about the tile floors; I used a total of twelve sheets of Cricut Kraft Board to make the floors. For what I paid in material, including the shipping, the entire second floor cost less than $8.00 to make. Pretty economical, though you also have to consider that they were pretty labor intensive. This information may help some of you who are still sitting on the fence about buying a Cricut Maker. If you like coming up with your own creative solutions (which cost next to nothing), and you enjoy a little tedious work, the Maker may just be the tool for you.

And if you're wondering how mom's birthday was, I will only show this picture and tell you that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! ;O)


Arizona was wonderful, and it was just so great having time with some of my favorite people! As you can see, my mom, even at 70, is fun loving and loves to have fun!

Hopefully, back next week with more bakery progress!

xo xo,
Jodi

46 comments:

  1. Everything is looking terrific Jodi.
    Happy Birthday to your Mom. She is adorable!

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    1. Thanks Carrie! It's great to be getting finished up on the foundational stuff so that the fun part can begin!

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  2. Great pics and information. Thanks! I am enjoying watching your progress.

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    1. Thanks Troy! Hope in the next post or two to have more than just some flooring to share! :O)

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  3. The flooring looks just great and you’ve made great progress on the windows. I like the Krylon products, they always work for me. Go Mom!

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    1. Thanks Sherrill! Why I had four spray cans of matte sealer and only one empty gloss and one clogged up satin is proof of my failing inventory management, lol! I must do better in 2020!

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  4. Your attention to detail--the sightly yellowed and aged floor in the bathroom--another feature that makes your work exceptional. The bake shop will be adorable when you finish and I can't wait to see the roof. What sport you mom is and she will remember this birthday for a long time.

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    1. Thanks Ann! I am glad to be finished with the flooring and starting the walls! This is when the years long visualizing finally shows it's merit! I hope it's as fun and interesting when it comes to life as it has been to dream about!

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  5. Los suelos han quedado fantásticos Jodi,todo encaja tan bien y se ve tan hermoso!!
    Ya veo que lo pasasteis estupendamente en el cumpleaños de tu mamá,se la ve muy jovial y divertida!!
    Besos.

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    1. Gracias Pilar! ¡Estoy tan aliviado de que los pisos funcionen y que pueda pasar a las paredes!
      ¡Mi mamá es un personaje y es muy divertido celebrarlo! ¡Ella no es tímida, pero a menudo me hace sonrojar!

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  6. The tiles are absolutely perfect in every way. As usual your attention to detail paid off. I love watching your builds not least because of the care and thought that goes into each process. It has taken me until now to realise we will be viewing this one from the side - nothing if not slow on the uptake. I am so glad to see the furniture makers are still around. Was your mom ordering a nice chair for her 70th? 😊

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! I am so relieved that the tile idea worked and that I can move on with the walls! That's when my dreams for this kit will finally begin to take shape.
      The cabinet makers, lol! My mom would certainly love to have one in every style and does not let her age hinder her imagination, lol!

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  7. It is always very interesting to see how others build dollhouses. I ordered a Greenleaf Cocentry Cottage from USA years ago, and it was so hard to build. I think it is a neverending story for me... I love your black&white colors. Happy Birthday to your mother. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks Melli! When I think of old time soda shops and such I imagine them in black and white so it seemed apropos. I know what you mean about the kits being difficult. The tabs and slots do not always meet properly and the photos and instructions leave a lot for one to figure out. At times it is better to ignore the instructions and just play with the pieces until the light bulb comes on. And for really creative people such as you, a kit is not necessary because you build your own structures beautifully!

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  8. Love the detail of the shop! The black and white theme is really working well.
    I have a Cricut Maker and love it for making minis (though I wish I could find more SVGs).

    Marilyn

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! It sure makes it easy to choose colors this way! I think with folks like Spellbound Miniatures and Barclay's Miniatures we will begin to see more svg's available. I hope to make mine available for free download once I am sure I know what I am doing. We're all on the cusp of something really good for minis!

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  9. This shop and home is coming along nicely. It is so informative to read about the trials you make. I am happy that the results are so promising. Always a pleasure to read up on your exploits.

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    1. Thanks Huibrecht! I hope to be getting to the more visually exciting stuff soon!

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  10. Me encanta como va quedando.La combinación de pared y suelo muy bonita.

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    1. Gracias isabel ¡Me alegra saber que te gusta hacia dónde se dirige la panadería!

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  11. The floor looks great, Jodi, and what great progress on the windows. I love seeing all of the added details of this shop, all of it makes it stylish and elegant in B&W!!
    Your Mom has had a birthday for never to forget....I assume, hehehe ;)!! Loved seeing this fun picture!!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Thanks Ilona! It feels good to have another section of the kit's instructions checked off - progress! And I am so grateful that the floors turned out to be a good idea. You never know until you've already invested all of the time and materials! Phew!
      Having Natasha and I fly down to celebrate her birthday made my mom feel important, loved and still significant! I am so happy that we got to celebrate with her and that she had such a fun time to remember! The only activity we did not have the right timing for was karaoke but we'll make that a priority next time!

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  12. I am as always in awe of how much mini-ing you manage to fit in, Jodi. If I could do just a quarter of this I would be a happy girl.
    The floor looks amazing, even if you don't feel the photography does not do it full justice.
    It is all coming together so beautifully.
    Anna x

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    1. Thanks Anna! I am so happy that you like the floors! I will let you in on one of my secrets... I cook a big meal two times a week and then make quick and easy leftovers with it for days! Russ enjoys it and it makes my kitchen duties as carefree as possible! :O) More time for the mini room activities!

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  13. I love how this building is coming together. Jodi. Thank you for the tip on the "yellowing" of one finish over the other. It will be good to keep in mind for future projects. Looks like a good time was had by all for your Mom's birthday.
    I do have a question" Instructions?? You mean people actually read instructions?? And here I thought everyone followed the same "fly by the seat of your pants" method that I use. Who knew?? Cheers - Marilyn D, a.k.a. Marilyn #3

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    1. Thank you Marilyn! On the projects that I have been able to make look aging and worn, I enjoyed the process so much! I really need to plan another so that I can employ all of these fun findings. I am usually not brave enough to purposely wreck a project unless I decide to make it that way before I start or it will be an inexpensive experiment.
      As for the instructions... I am a rebel and have my own ideas that don't usually fit with the plan! I say all is well that ends well so do what's fun and right for you! Mistakes are just opportunities in disguise!

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  14. Dear Jodi, you really know how to work at "warp" speed with your builds... (which has nothing to do with warped wood, I must add!) even when you are away on vacation you get a lot done! :) The flooring "trials" have turned out for the best... the older floor in a darker corner will look just right! The rest of the floor looks pristine and beautiful! Wow! This building is going to be a Graphic Delight! I am really enjoying seeing the design come together with all your well thought-out patterns, and features! The dormers are so charming and look really pretty (I know how challenging it can be to get all their pieces to fit correctly!) The little "side wall" pieces on these kits have always bothered me... (I narrowed the ones on my Willowcrest) but it looks like there is enough open space to not inhibit the view too much in this building. It is all looking Fantastic!
    And speaking of Fantastic.... ooh-la-la... your Mom looks like she is having a blast in that picture! :):):)

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    1. Thank you, Betsy! You encourage me so and especially after I had not posted in two weeks! I felt as though I was dragging my feet to try out the varnishes because I was a tad scared about having to start all over again! Luckily, the first try worked!!!
      These kits are a challenge and even in this laser cut type the tabs and slots do not line up and the fit is too loose or too tight. And they are so inter-reliant on other pieces that to eliminate one means you'll have to engineer a solution for others. Luckily, we have the tools and the will to make it work!
      My mom has always been boy crazy, especially for athletes, and it has not faded in her golden years, lol! She is not shy which makes me blush and that spurs her on even more!!! She is fearless, and it apparently skipped a generation because my daughter is just as confident and outgoing when she's singing karaoke! They are so fun to be with, especially to prim observers like me!

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  15. I love how the floors came out! And it sounds like you and your mom had a great time. Dormers always make me insane but you've got them figured out!

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I'm so glad the idea worked and am looking forward to other fun tile floors in future projects! The whole roof part of this kit is nerve wracking and I am crossing my fingers that I haven't forgotten to think of all the factors!

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  16. ¡Que gran trabajo! se ven los avances perfectos, Se ve que disfrutaron mucho su madre y tu en la fiesta.Buen domingo,Besos:-)

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    1. Gracias rosa maria! ¡Espero que la suerte continúe con el resto del segundo piso!

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  17. Looks like you can not only dress her up but you can take your mom ANYWHERE! :D
    How Great to be able to enjoy your 'Boy Crazy" mom's company and celebrate her birthday in Chippendale style; and as for your POUND CAKE....
    I am giving you ANOTHER HIGH 5 for how WONDERFUL it is looking Jodi!
    You get a real sense of Miss Modern meeting Mr. Historic and it's LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! Your clever use of graphic tiles in this old timey building are Definitely a match made in heaven!

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth! Ha ha! Mom is no longer allowed in Portland, especially when my daughter is there and my dad is not! It's a long and funny story that I will share one day when we finally meet face to face! :O)
      I am so happy that you like the tiles and the scheme for the bakery! I hope my luck will last while I continue to try new ways to employ the help of the Cricut!

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  18. Hello Jodi, I am glad that you had a good time with your mom. We surely can see it!! With regards to your cake shop it´s looking magnificent, it has a nostalgia kind of vibe, which I love. The floors are stunning. I am sure you will blow my mind away with the final result. No doubt!

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    1. Thank you, Alex! I am so happy that you like the floors and I hope my next progress post will please you, as well! It is always so hard to pick between all of the choices one has for the design, especially when trying out new methods.What I had originally planned for the space had to change and so I am working with a whole new set of ideas. Fingers crossed!

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  19. A fun and unforgettable birthday for your mother!
    Your floors look amazing and very real. I really like the structure and colors of the Pound Cake.

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    1. Thank you, Faby! I hope each layer of detail will come together really well in the end and fulfill the vision I have been working toward for so long! There is still so much to do!

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  20. Again, I'm amazed by how great your building skills are. Looks like the Cricut Maker was especially invented for you. The floors are beautiful and perfectly in style with the rest of the interior. (When lazy me wants shiny floors I just cover them with an acetate sheet.)
    I love the way you celebrated your mom's birthday. What fun!That's the way to keep young.
    Hugs, Drora
    I love the way you celebrated your mom's birthday

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    1. Thank you Drora but you are too kind when you say my "building skills" because it is more accurate to say the floors were an experiment and angels must have been with me and brought luck with them! And hooray for the Cricut so that I can avoid cutting hundreds of tiny egg carton tiles! I love your acetate trick for shiny floors and will file that one away to use in a smaller project one day!
      We have celebrated some incredibly fun years with my mom and I am so grateful that she is still here and able to kick her heels up! We are all in cahoots to make her 75th even more fun! :O)

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  21. Those floors look fabulous! It was very interesting to hear about the finishes and what worked best. Sounds as though Krylon is the way to go. It is so much fun seeing your progress on this build. And your mom is a hoot! So glad you both enjoyed your time with each other. :-)

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    1. Thanks Deb! It's been fun to do some experimenting with the Cricut and I am not sure what I would have done in this build without it! Hope you are getting some opportunities to play with your Cameo, too!

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  22. Haha, if certain things which happened in Vegas have to stay in Vegas it must have been without any doubt a birthday to remember. It was so lovely to "meet" your Mom and to see that she had tons of fun at her special day.

    And wow, I really admire what you've achieved despite your special birthday experiences. It looks so fabulous and what a well deserved lucky coincidence that the spray paint which caused a more vintage effect was just used for the bathroom floor. To me it was especially amazing to see once more the difference a bit of trim can make. The decorative strips at the sides and over the floor boards really make a difference - from "under construction" to "So much wonderful progress - soon the fun part aka decorating can start"! ;O)

    Hugs
    Birgit (who is finally able to write from her own computer again... hooray!)

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    1. Hooray for having your computer back!!!
      Thank you, Birgit! Mom has a very unique way of pressing those slot machine buttons and boy does she get excited when she wins!!! Natasha and I are content just to sit and watch her play!
      I am glad you are enjoying the progress and it really does feel encouraging just to cover up some of the construction mess with neat trims!
      Hope while your computer was in the shop you got to make some progress on all your projects, too!

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  23. Preciosa combinación de paredes y suelos, está quedando preciosa !!!!

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    1. Gracias Eloisa! ¡Me alegra que te guste el blanco y negro y tu aliento significa mucho para mí!

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