Welcome, Garfield!

Last night, in my craigslist perusing with James, I  stumbled across a Garfield kit that was partially started, for only $35.  !!!!  And it was still available this morning.  :) So I went and got it, of course.  The people whom were selling it are some of the sweetest elderly souls I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.  Dorothy seemed quite pleased that someone of my age was not only excited to buy this house, but also had an already crazily large collection at home.  We chatted for a while about dolhouses, crafting, kids and the importance of time.  She was sad that she never got to get around to fixing up this house, but I assured her that I would send pictures of its progress.  Unfortunately, I will not be getting around to this house for quite a while, so I will have to send pictures of other builds until then.

So, in case you weren't quite believing Greenleaf when they stated that this house is huge, let me reiterate.  This. House. Is. Huge.  Oh my goodness! What have I gotten myself into?!  When I first started building dollhouses two years ago (yes you read that correctly) I immediately wanted a Garfield.  Now, even with my bit of prowess now, I can see that this house will greatly improve my erm, naughty language vocabulary.

There are sooooooooo many pieces to this house.  The first owner (not the people I bought it from) had started the foundation and the staircases.  And all I can say is ICK.  I will have a bit of undoing before I can start the actual doing.  The stuff that IS put together was done with hot glue.... Feel free to collectively groan with me.  Then, the main staircase, which is one of my favorite features in the Garfield, is painted entirely silver with these weird glass rock things glued to the stingers.... ???? Wha??!  So that will be going.... painted a proper color and carpeted, perhaps.  The other staircase is.... red velvet cake... red.  Yes, you read that correctly, too.  *shudder*  I have already pulled up the floor that was also glued in with hot glue.

So, here it is. In pictures.  My $35 score.  Even with the mistakes that need to be rectified, I am so stoked.

The BOX is as wide as the door....

and it's nearly door knob height.  And HEAVY.

Here is the started foundation.  The tile is hot glued to a piece of cardboard and then hotglued to the foundation.
The wood floor is nice, but streaky.  I will see if I can salvage it.  There are apparently more parts for this in my tub  o' pieces.

The tiles that this is sitting on are 8" tiles.... rough idea of size there.

The parquet is beautiful, but all uneven because of HOT GLUE. *sigh*

The tub o' parts.  :)

The stairs with their eclectic decorating.

SO, there is some work to do, but the fun will start soon.  But, I need to finish the ___________ first.  And the Orchid.... and the rehab for a little girl's birthday.  Oi!  Not to mention the Westville rehab, the Tennyson rehab... the Washington to build, the Walmer Shoppe to rehab, the Glencroft to build, the Thornhill to rehab.... the Rosehill Cottage and a Beauty and the Beast library for my sister.  Aaaaaah!  Better get started, eh?!