New Beginnings

Posted by: Paulette

I've started a new set of dolls. These are smaller than I've ever sculpted before. I've always been amazed by doll artists who are able to work at such a small scale. I've discovered that it's actually easier. Less clay, means shorter baking times, and being able to hold the piece for longer periods of time without your hand cramping.

 

Getting good pictures with my crappy camera, on a rainy day is another story.

This is Joseph's head for the new nativity. We collect nativities, and have lost a few over the years through breakage. Our very first nativity was a gift from myself to Dave. It's interesting to see how my skills ave changed over the years. I think I'm really going to like this one. Hopefully I can get it done before Christmas.

Dollhouse

Posted by: Paulette

I finished the bookshelf dollhouse today. In all, it took about 3 weeks of work.

I got the white bookshelf from Goodwill for $3.50 on their half off Saturday. The furniture is made from cardboard, mostly from diaper boxes, newspaper, glue (TONS OF GLUE), fabric, felt and paint.

Bedroom

The furniture was put together as boxes. Rectangles glued together with hot glue, and the covered all over with school glue and newspaper. When dry, I added the details, like tiny buttons for drawer/cabinet pulls etc. And then painted them with acrylic craft paints.

The linens are sewn in miniature. And the headboard was tufted with tiny buttons. The lamps are made from a scrap of lace, dowel and a button. The flooring and wallpaper in this room were done with scrapbook papers.

Livingroom

 

The fireplace was made of cardboard and newspaper. The couch was made of cardboard, layers of felt, and fabric, all hot glued to the cardboard. The planters next to the fireplace are spools from thread, and the "candles" on the fireplace are beads.
I didn't buy anything except the bookshelf for this project. It was made from things I already had. I guess that's a great argument for hoarding, right?
The curtain rod is made from a bamboo skewer, and the finials on the end are pearl beads.

Kitchen right

Everything is hot glued into the house, so that the furniture isn't lost or destroyed by water. The rug was made of strips of fabric, crocheted into a chain and then sewn into a circle. When I started making the appliances for the kitchen, I thought it would be fun to give it a retro look. And I've always loved cherries.
 The EAT and utensils on the wall are made from
cardboard that was painted to look like zinc.

Kitchen, left

Bathroom

By the time I'd gotten to putting the bathroom together, I realized that it would be easier to make the faucets from oven bake clay, than paper mache. So they look more realistic in the shower. I made some boo boos, while putting the furniture into this room and scratched the paint. You can see where I tried to match the color and failed. All houses have imperfections. Why not this one?

It was a failure keeping the dollhouse a secret. So the girls know about it already and have attempted to play with it already.
All of the furniture is Barbie size. Thank goodness I don't have to make the dolls too!
One more present down and I don't want to think about how many more to go. It's 2 weeks until Christmas, and we have house guests coming. Aaaaak!

Gift Plans for Christmas

Posted by: Paulette

When I asked Katie (4years) what she wanted for Christmas, she said, "a play stove and a pink house."
So, being the good little crafty mommy that I am, I started doing "research." 
This means looking at Pinterest for ideas. If you'd like to follow me I'm here. I've found so many good ones. I was able to purchase a book case for $3.50 at Goodwill this weekend, and  this is my inspiration picture:

 

 

The book shelf I bought isn't as large, and will only have 4 rooms; a master bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room. I'm making the furniture Barbie size with cardboard, paint and fabrics. I can't wait to show you when it's finished. Time to pull out the scrapbook papers and paints!

The kitchen will be made from an entertainment center that I got for $7.50 on the same Goodwill trip. Here are my inspiration pics for that project:

I haven't decided on the color yet, and I have to draw my design and gather some supplies, a big bowl for the sink, some knobs for the stove, and a kitchen faucet. I'm looking on Craig's list for one. I may just end up using the one that's on our kitchen sink right now, and replace that one, since it needs to be replaced. Merry Christmas to me, right? Just what I've always wanted for Christmas, a new kitchen faucet!
Oh, well, sometimes the magic of Christmas is all used up by the time you make and buy gifts for all 5 kids.
Speaking of...
I've also been looking on Pinterest for ideas for the boys. Shhh! Don't tell. I've told them that I'm not making anything for them this year. That they're just getting gift cards.
Here are some of the ideas:

Flag blanket

 Made from flannel and denim. Easy! And it would go with their bedroom. This would just be one that they could use to curl up with and read a good book. My boys spend a lot of time of their bedroom floor reading.

stand up swing

 

 I love this idea. We have two large trees in the front yard that they a re always climbing. I think it would be great fun to have a couple of these. I bet the neighbor kids would love them too. I'm on the lookout for a couple of used skateboards.

Marshmallow shooters

I recently had a Pack meeting with the cub scouts where we had an indoor snowball fight using marshmallows. It was a blast!
So, those are my ideas. I just hope there's enough time to execute them. I usually start crafting for Christmas aroud Halloween, but, I've just had a hard time getting into the spirit this year. I don't know if it's because my boys are getting older, or what.
So, what are your crafty plans?