The House That Jack Built-The Rose Marie

RAWWWWWWWRG!  Okay, so this house is fantastic-IF you get it already assembled.  The headaches, shouts and colorful language that this house caused are almost not worth it.  Such a pain.  It's made out of baltic birch and is meant to be nailed together as well as glued.  And you have to do it this way, because the wood just soaks up the glue.  AND most of it is too big for clamps. AND the wood is the one, seemingly rare, type that doesn't allow masking tape to stick to it very well.  BAAH.

Anyway, after lots of hoots and hollers, I finally got  the thing together (still need to put the roof on though).  I started playing around with a layout and wall setup.  This house will feature my first open concept living-dining-kitchen area, as well as a laundry room, couple of nooks, large master with sitting area, bathroom, and a large attic area that will be finished-but unfurnished.  This baby is just for selling.  It will come with some furniture, but not much.  It won't be electrified though.  I'm trying to set it up to be tolerant of a 9 year old or so.  Sturdy furniture and decor, but easily filled with more and an heirloom for the ages.

I LOVED the flooring in Cyd's Citadel, so I wrote to her to get the info on the laminate she used.  You can order it straight from 180FX.  Here is her post with the info on it: 180FX Samples for you.  We both used the sample called petrified wood.  It looks amazing.  I love, love, love it.

 The stairs are not permanently attached yet.  I have to pick a wallpaper.  I'm thinking of going with grey and maybe a board and batten bottom third. :)

 The balusters also need to be painted... I'm thinking good ol' Bittersweet Chocolate, by Americana.

 Look how fancy!

I will be back with more updates, soon!  And it looks like my side project is going to be a quarter scale art studio.  Along with some food and plants. :)  Thanks for the input, community!

Remember to enter the giveaway, if you haven't yet!  Do that here.

Recent Minis

So I have a little collection of things that I have been working on recently-and a few projects that I have been gathering ideas for.  One of them involves eating a LOT of baked beans.  :)

Anyway, I thought I would share a few of them with you all-and then I have to hop back to it.  I have things that I am working on for friends-and I am so, so behind on that!!!

A refinished chair!  I love it now!  It used to be a mahogany finish with blue "leather" cushions.  I pulled all those off, recovered them in this fun chevron print, and painted the chair white.  Then I attached all the cushions again and distressed the wood a teeeeeeny bit.  LOVE.

 Then I did a couple tiny pieces.  I'm doing some experimenting with watercolor and ink.... working on a children's book in real life and I think I like this style for illustrating it....

 Bunnies.  :)

 And then I ordered this tub a bit ago, from Ebay, to refinish and eventually use in my modernized Beacon Hill.  I want it to look like one of the refurbished Victorians that you see on HGTV, using all the old parts, but with modern finishes.

 The plan is to turn this brass tub into a more of a cast iron with ceramic interior look. :)  Very excited, I am.

And that's all I have for right now.  Currently, the debate is on which kit to open....or if I should get started on my Creatin' Contest kit already...... decisions, decisions......

And in case you didn't hear, I'm doing a 4 year blogging giveaway!  See the details, here:

http://lyssaheartsdollhouses.blogspot.com/2014/07/summer-giveaway.html?showComment=1405547193292#c3778668928567554113

Summer Giveaway!

I have been doing this for four years now!  Good grief!  What a ride it has been.  And I have learned, so, so much from my fellow miniaturists.

I want to give back with a small giveaway.  It will start now, end on July 31st at 11:59 pm (EST) and I will announce a winner on August 1st.
All you have to do is:

1) Be a follower of the blog-if you aren't right now, then join!
2) Comment on this post and tell me something that you would like to see me try to make in the coming months.
3)Share it and pass it on!  Link it to your blog or other social media site.  This isn't necessary, but our little hobby is very much word of mouth for learning and discovering other artists.

This particular giveaway will include a multi color rocking chaise, basket, 3 books, 1 piece of art, a roll or toilet paper and a roll of paper towel.

Good luck, y'all!!!