May 31, 2019

A Beginner's Guide to making Journals - part 1 - recycled book covers

I like book boxes for miniature rooms. Want to try doing this with a real book.




The frame - want to try this.

May 28, 2019

#Paris #Miniature Project 16: Painting!


Painting & More Painting!

Greetings again!  For the U.S. followers, I hope your Memorial Day weekend was safe and hopefully dry. I did get one day of the three-day weekend to work on minis!

 

Paint, paint, and painted some more!  As you can see the shop front is ready for the stucco.  


The door is ready and I found a Fleur-de-Lis that looks like it might work. I also finished painting the two windows, the French doors, and all the trim for the third floor. 

Like I said, paint...paint…paint. I also painted the tops and bottoms of the shutter; the door frame and the “iron” scroll of the forthcoming door for the second floor entrance.


The two little “iron” works (above) are also painted which will be decorative items in the shop. (Liking the look of this already!--Chris)



I also painted the cabinet for the shop in a soft red which matches the design in the floor. So far, it has taken three coats.  I may need another coat of paint,, too!



Finally, the third floor floors (three walls) are getting ready for wallpaper, just need to sand first. As you can see from the picture, the lines in blue are the added pieces of wood to make the rooftop flat as opposed to the original angle. The red lines indicate where there used to be windows on the side walls. I first put on Kilz primer, then the wood was glued onto the walls and open window spaces, and filled with light joint compound. The next step is to sand to make it is a smooth finish and then I can apply the wallpaper.

So, the next step is to see if the items painted in black and the cabinet need another coat of paint. Once the cabinet is done I'll varnish to give it a shine and assemble the item (the top has shelves with a mirrored back).


Also, on my list is the shop floor and the windowpanes for the shop front. Then I can put up the four walls and see where I want things to go to be able to glue on shelves, etc. before permanently gluing the walls together. It’s so much easier to have everything hung, etc. before putting it together.
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The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's  Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 
(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 15.)
 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
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It's moving along! Until the next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi



May 21, 2019

#Paris #Miniature Project 15: What's New?

Lots new this week!!



The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's  Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 
(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 14.)
 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.


Although there is progress, it seems like a lot of little things have been done. But once all the little things come together, like puzzle pieces, the bigger picture appears. 

I'm excited to share the latest update. I completed more kits from Artofmini.com which are the posters, books, and the new door for the shop. Originally, I had a different shop door, but it was just too plain. (See top photo.)


I came across the door kit also from ArtofMini.com in my stash.  It consists of three pieces (all the same size). The kit comes together like a sandwich with the “iron” window panel in the middle. I first painted the “iron” window, then cut a “glass” window from a clear plastic container and assembled the pieces.The door just needs the door handle and a decorative touch on the bottom panel. I also painted the trim above the door and window black. (LOVE that door panel. Really gives it the perfect "look."--Chris)


The tedious work on painting has begun. Two windows from the third floor are done. The four shutters for the second floor are done. The other pieces are the two windows that will be in front of the second floor. The next pieces to be worked on are the second painting of the store cabinet (reddish color), the black scroll works from Artofmini.com, along with the tops and bottoms of the shutters, and there is my list which includes doing a gray-wash on the shutters to “age” them.


I am asking again for your valued feedback.  


The door in the middle was what I was thinking of using for the second floor entrance (on the left side accessible from the outside staircase). At the right is the door I can substitute. It is similar to the front shop door, but with a different “iron” pattern. It will be in a different color than the green shop door.  What do you think?  Let me know.

(I like the door at right as it's similar in style with the iron work and the panels. What does everyone else think?--Chris)

Also, if you have not done so already, see last week's posting on the colors for the outside.

Moving right along!! Thanks for coming along on the journey with me! Until the next time. Happy Creating!--Gigi

May 14, 2019

#Paris #Miniature Project 14: All About COLOR!

COLOR!!

The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi Nephew's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 
(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 12.)
 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
I'm baaaaack!!


Finally, another update on my beloved Paris Project.  Finished up the class with the paper that was way too long for “just an assignment.” Today, I started a new class and what a breath of relief as there are lots of assignments, but they are bite-sized so to speak which means more mini time!

All the remaining walls, ceilings and floors have been covered with Kilz (primer). I am done wallpapering the second floor also.The third floor's three walls need to be sanded and a little work done to the walls to make it a flat roof  (plan B implemented for easier wallpapering) so once this is done I will provide before and after pics of the walls.


So, here are some progress pictures.  The outside stairs arrived from China (ordered them through Wish.com), and I prepared them with Kilz. Yes, what you see is a toilet with the pull string (also from Wish.com) which will be incorporated into the second floor…still noodling that idea because of small space. As you can see, the picture shows two of the walls from the shop with some completed items.  (Love it!! It all fits and looks great!--Chris)

The storage cabinet (lower half is a kit from Artofmini.com) and the glass shelving on top came like that. he idea is to have these urns with beautiful flowers on each side and the cabinets filled with lots of goodies to buy. In front is a French side table and on top is a small suitcase and a box with pictures (all three items were kits from Artofmini.com).  So, pretty sweet, four kits I bought last month at the miniature shows are already put together.

Another reason for showing you the walls of the shop is that I am asking you for input on what color to use on the outside. The three stories will have “stucco” (plaster) which I want to paint a white-wash color (faintly, not heavy) to provide some interest. In looking online at Paris shops, the shops are in all colors, while the floors above are one more color. Here is a close-up picture of the green I am thinking of using as an accent color on the outside of the store for the trim. (Looks nice. I like the green!--Chris)
  




Now it is your turn.  What color or colors do you suggest?  See above for the available colors.  Remember, it will be a diluted application for the second and third story (which will have white window trim and a black iron balcony). The first story can be different than the second and third story. Please submit your suggestions in the comments box. Thank you in advance!!!! Happy Creating!!--Gigi


(My two cents; I like the sage or Cape Cod Blue. The Arroyo Red could look nice, too. The white is well, white, and doesn't show well here. ha!--Chris)

May 07, 2019

#Paris #Miniature Project: Lucky 13 Planning!


Ta-Dah! Today is the Lucky 13th Day for the #Paris #Miniature Project Blog!


The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi Nephew's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 
(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 12.)
 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
 Today also is Teacher’s Appreciation Day, so if you are a teacher, Thank You! I still fondly remember some of my teachers who made a big impact on me. 

Speaking of teachers, a great teacher was my Oma (grandmother) who taught me so many wonderful things during the summers I went to visit her in Germany. It’s because of her that I learned my numbers, colors, and even read a few words in German before first grade, which made it easier to learn English. It’s because of Oma, that I love to sew and do crafts.  She taught me to make something out of nothing.

Well, today I am just going to talk about my next plans for the Paris Project.  I am in my final week (of eight week courses) - and this course has --five-- assignments due this Friday (as opposed to Sundays). So, needless to say, I have to make it my priority. ☹

The courses are for the master’s in teaching Secondary Education as I want to teach middle school and high school students. It’s my second career after being in business/project management over 30 years, and quite honestly, less stressful, less hours, and less corporate junk (if you get my meaning).


So, onto the Paris Project plans. After these "lovely" assignments are completed, I want to finish putting on Kilz (primer) on the fourth walls (and all the floor) , then I can glue the wedge to make a flat roof (as the original kit has an angled roof). Then I can wallpaper that floor.


Next, I want to age the glass roof and put the “glass” (sheet plastic) in. (See previous post comments on Day 12 (link at top) if you have questions about the ideas for that process.) Then I can put together the first floor, but I need to figure out the color trim and base. I plan on having the outside walls stuccoed to make it look a little older. In keeping with my vow to use what I have on hand, I'll next be pulling out possible paint colors.  Hopefully by Friday, I hope to ask you,  the readers and followers, for your input to the color combination.  Chris will be posting pics for me to have you vote and decide what looks best.

Well, onto the homework pile.  Until the next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi

May 03, 2019

#Paris #Miniature Project 12: Le Decor!

Wow, Day 12 of the Paris Miniature Project! 

The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi Nephew's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 
(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 11.)
 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.


If you like to decorate then this is for you!

April showers bring May flowers…so what do May showers bring?  I think winter is hanging on too tight…enough of the rain please!  So, to hide from the rain when I got home today from substituting at my son’s school, I worked on the Paris Project. 
Since Tuesday’s update, I painted the trim and the inside of the openings (door and windows) as this is a lot easier to do now, then when the wallpaper is on.
Last night I had to “Kilz” (primer) the walls before papering…totally forgot this process… I hate doing this, but it is so much better when wallpapering!  Then I put on the wallpaper and noticed that I forgot a wall of the second floor to apply Kilz  on (far left three walls).  The good news is that the first floor store walls are all done. Now I can at least start putting them together and then work on the floor of the shop! (Looks good! Can't wait to see it go together!!--Chris)
It’s a short update this time as I have to get ready to substitute tomorrow again for a different teacher. I am not used to having to get dressed up and going into work!  I have not done it in over a 1½ years!
Until the next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi