A fellow miniaturist from Nova Scotia recently posted that she found a Primrose dollhouse at a local charity sale.  (a very nice one, I might add).  I told her that I made one of those kits (only $19.99 on our site) into a gingerbread cottage and promised to post photos of it.  I figure this is the easiest way to show them all, so here goes.............

This is not totally finished but it is on my list of projects that I want to get at soon.  Take a look at the snow.  I made that by mixing half shaving cream and half Weldbond glue and it is still looking good after about 5 years.  (yes, I admit, it has been that long waiting to be finished.........)

I was fortunate to be able to attend the Chicago International Show in April of this year with a group of amazing friends.  5 of us attended a workshop called The Acorn Cottage presented by Jill Castoral and Pat Holstram from Florida, USA.  Here are some photos of the work in progress and what I have done since I got home.  This project is so much fun and I look forward to having more time to spend on finishing it.  Actually, I don't want to finish it........I don't want the fun to end.  This project is in 1/2" scale.

Unfortunately, I did not take any photos of the shell that was provided for us.  However, I have to say that the prep work these ladies did for this workshop was phenomenal!

The chimney was a cast resin piece that we painted in different colours and attached to the front of the house.  We painted the front steps and added egg carton sides and bottom to differentiate from the hill.  The white clay on the trees is Delight Clay.  It works really well and does not shrink like Paperclay does.

We covered tree forms on three sides of the structure with the Delight Clay and added texture as we saw fit.  I found the roots to be the most difficult part.  Heaven only knows why.

This fireplace is also made of resin.  We painted it and finished it with gel stain.

The inside walls got painted a cream colour and then antiquing stain was blended in when wet.

We scored, painted and aged the door and shutters in a colour of our choice.  I liked the green that was on their sample so I went with it.  I think that most people did the same.

This is the side shown earlier, after the gel stain was applied.

Same side and front (also shown earlier) with gel stain applied.  It really brings out the details in the trees!

Close up of the front after gel stain.

Once again, I forgot to take pictures during the next few steps of the project.  :-(  However, last week, I was able to start on the landscaping so I will share those photos with you now.

The little raccon peeking out of the hole in the tree was sculpted and painted by Jill and included with the workshop.  I love him!  I made the fence with sticks and added the flowers.  I still need to add more but I am happy with the progress so far.  The tall pink plant in the middle next to the house are actually weeds that were growing near the road in front of our house.  Love them!

BTW, the grass is static grass.  I like the effect of the standing grass.  Nice stuff!  This is just the beginning of the landscaping in the front.  I filled in cracks in the staircase and added a few coloured plants by the tree and the front door (bought this at the Three Blind Mice show in Chicago).  I purchased the gnome from Spencer's Nook at the Chicago Int. show as well.  I have lots more to go in this space but ran out of time.  

I am excited to do more landscaping.  I also made an acorn Welcome Mat for the front entry but you will have to wait til next time to see it.  

Til next post.........happy mini-ing!

~Liz~

Every September, my husband and I venture east to Cornwallis, NS to attend Camp Mini Ha Ha.  It is an amazing "camp" for miniaturists that happens every year.  It is run by a wonderful rotating group of volunteers and is an experience like no other for miniaturists and crazies like me.

Details can be found here www.campminihaha.com.  A few years ago, we made a castle room and I would love to share my finished box wit you.  I made it into a mad scientist's lab and it is inhabited by the monkey gatekeeper and his family.  I hope you enjoy this.

Room overview

The lights are all battery powered.

Evidence of the madness of the inhabitant is in the fireplace.  The mice who live there don't seem to mind though.

This is the monkey gatekeeper.  I found him at the local Goodwill and I love him.  His son is playing on the floor beside him with a mini mini castle.  His lantern and the candle on the window ledge are batter powered but not turned on for this photo.

Lots of spell books on the shelves.

Mr. Dragon guards the castle while the mad scientist is away.

The door at the stairs leads to.............

Lots of book and weird ingredients for the spells and experiments line the table.

This box of scrolls was made by Sherry Parker of Nova Scotia.  She is a fellow camper and does lovely work.  I won this in one of the nightly giftie swaps!

The old hound dog is a faithful companion (made by my friend, Karl Blindheim)

What exactly is in that back jar????

I love to make clutter in mini!

More evidence of the madness of the inhabitant is in the garbage pail.

This is a close up of the fireplace and the mouse house.  The fireplace started out as a regular wooden fireplace.  I added the gargoyles on the front, paper clay stones all over and then painted it all with grey paint mixed with sand.  It was great fun.  There are flickering bulbs in the fireplace as well.

I hope you enjoyed my castle and please check out the Camp Mini Ha Ha site.  It is such fun!!

The new store is up and running!  I am so happy to have it all set up and looking so good.  Here are the new digs.