Storybook Cottage Gets A Roof!

I had to look at the calendar three times until it sunk in that it's been three weeks since my last post! Boy time flies when you're ~B~U~S~Y~! Work on the human scale renovations is moving along, but things always take longer than I seem to realize. The two spare bedrooms have been cleared, spackled, primed, had carpeting (and carpet tack and staples) removed and ceiling, trim and wall paint completed. I'm supposed to be working on the hall, landing and guest bath, too, but I just really needed a mini fix!

First bedroom in mid-chaos!

The next step on the cottage to-do list was the roof shingles. I chose to go with Greenleaf half scale speed shingles, because they are faster and seem more in scale on a small structure. Though getting them applied seemed anything but speedy! I thought the hex shaped variety was fitting for a tea loving resident, because they look just like honeycomb!

There were many interesting angles to contend with, so I employed the use of a paper template. Remind me to make templates of the roof sections before I attach them next time, would you? Anyway, I'd draw the line for the top of the next row of speed shingles...

Transfer the mark to the paper template...

Draw a line across the template using the square...

Line up the speed shingle strip and position the ruler at the angle...

Then cut. It worked beautifully ALMOST every time! :O)

Every chance I got between coats of paint or scrubbing or reorganizing the linen closet or tupperware cupboard, I added a few rows...

And eventually, in spite of a few setbacks and mistakes, I was finished!!!

I used Minwax stain markers, Provincial and Cherry, to stain the shingles.

And eventually, I finished that, too. I'll likely keep adding additional coats until I get the depth I'm after, because the shingles seem to drink it up and lighten a bit after they dry.

Now the question was: How to cap the roof and tie in the back shed dormer to the shingled roof? I wonder how many of life's mysteries have been solved over a bowl of cereal? Mine was solved using a cereal box.

Two roof ridges and one shed dormer meet.

I measured how far down I wanted the roof cap to cover the shingles, doubled that (to cover each side) then added another quarter inch just for good measure. Then I cut a strip for the long main roof ridge and one for the shorter front roof ridge. Then I folded them in half lengthwise and creased 'em good with my bone folder.

I gave them a good dry fit and made cuts and adjustments for where the two ridges met and for the variance in angle caused by the gable and shed dormer. I also made notches for where the small dormer roofs met the ridge cap. I noticed that a lot of copper roofs have a strip of copper that is welded on top of where two pieces meet, so I cut 1/8" strips to provide this detail. Then everything got a first coat of copper leafing marker.

I used hot melt glue to attach it to the roof for instant grab and the ability to quickly mold it to the shape of the roof. It came out mostly good.

Using the cereal box cardboard again, I continued the strips from the ridge cap onto the shed dormer.

Everything's going to need several more coats and touch-ups, but I am happy that the roofing questions are answered, and the shingling is (mostly) done!

Russ will start the flooring install on the human sized rooms this weekend, then the ball is back in my court. More painting, more cleaning, more organizing, and loads of fun decor type stuff to make for one guest room. I'll share photos of that stuff as it gets more interesting.

Enjoy your last couple weeks of August, and I hope to see you again real soon!

xo xo,
Jodi

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

Is There A Moral To This Story?

After I have lived with the leaded glass windows, and been reassured by such thoughtful and encouraging comments (thank you all!), I decided that I really do like them after all. Well, almost. The stairwell windows, having done them in a completely filled diamond leaded pattern, totally blocked the view to the display shelf and clock hanging that I had worked so hard on. So there was really no choice but to try, try again. Below is the photo I took of the first attempt.

On the second try, I used only a portion of the pattern to create the leaded look at the top only. Here you see the new frames, plastic, lead and inner sandwich frames.

And here they are installed, lights on, display items and clock hanging visible as originally intended. Still imperfect, but much better!

I made a valiant effort to figure out how to cut the 22.5 and 45 degree angles on the crown molding for the top of the kitchen's bay window. A smart person knows her limitations, and so I enlisted the help of a very handsome man. He happens to be my husband, and also happens to be a skilled carpenter. I know! Lucky me! For the price of a rigatoni with sausage dinner, he made the cuts for me, explained that you have to cut crown molding upside down and backwards on your saw to make the angles meet correctly, and explained why my degrees were always off with my saw. Boy I wish he'd catch the mini bug! He'd make an awesome project partner!

I wanted the crown to look substantial, like you see on old buildings. Especially since the bay is going to have a flat roof. It needed some umph, you know? So, before we started making the cuts, I laminated a piece of the Houseworks 3/8" crown molding to a 3/8" x 3/8" piece of basswood.

We used my Miter Rite saw from Micro-Mark, which is perfect when you have to cut odd angles. The issue I was having, as Russ explained, is that the angle guide on the saw does not center at zero. So, you have to add or subtract the degrees from the markings on the sides. No wonder I was having such a hard time! Thanks again honey!

Just look at these gorgeous cuts!

Russ also shared a great tip if you find your saw blade binds up a bit when you're cutting. He took some Tri Flow silicone spray, sprayed a little on a paper towel, then wiped in onto the blade. What a difference it made! The blade did not bind up on the wood, so it was easier to hold in place, and actually made the cuts much smoother. Thanks again honey! BTW... The rigatoni turned out great, and he said he got the better end of the deal! :O)

With that challenge solved, I was able to move on to the bottom half of the bay window. I used the Cricut to cut chipboard frames for each of the three panels. I buy my chipboard through Joann's. I have recently discovered that using the Light Cardboard setting on the Cricut (under Custom materials), plus getting the cutting mat extra sticky with Aleene's Tack It Over And Over, helps to get perfect cuts. I still have to pass the Xacto blade through the cuts a few times, but using the Cricut helps me to do a way better job than I can do on my own.

I cut cardstock backer pieces for each of the panels, then assembled each panel with the leaf and pot embellishments (from Alpha Stamps) before affixing them to the bay window. I also used some wood scraps under the pots this time to add a little more depth. I used Fast Grab Tacky Glue for everything.

I added the lace detail around the sill, and keep filling and painting. Eventually, I'll get all of the gaps filled. I just love the look of the bay window, inside and out, and I can't wait to start filling it with plants and flowers!

So, I guess if there is a moral to this story, it is that things don't always go right the first time. But if you're lucky enough to have encouragement from caring friends, and you're willing to try again, it might just work out in the end. Oh! And it doesn't hurt to ask for help from handsome men! ;O)

Back soon with some roof progress!

xo xo,
Jodi