Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Tree House Progress!






Back to Work!

With a Three day weekend devoted mostly to Minis, Dear Readers, I have made some Wonderful progress on the Tree House Kitchen and all it's tiny furnishings! To begin with, I have made a tiny "Leaded glass" window with diamond panes for the Kitchen opening wall. Here below you can see the window looking into the lighted room from the outside.....

I made the "leaded window" by painting some scraps of gold mesh netting with dark gray acrylic paint
as you can see here below...

And here you can see that I have glued the painted mesh to the window pane cut from clear plastic packaging.... except that you almost can't SEE the window...! I generously covered the window in a layer of Aleen's tacky glue and pressed the mesh onto it. I did this for Both sides of the pane... being sure to carefully align the mesh pattern. I think the layer of glue over the "glass" adds to the "wrinkly old glass pane" feel of the window.


And then I glued it in place over the hole in the front wall panel.... 
after I had built the Window seat on the inside...
(Actually I stained the wood Before I attached the window pane....!)

Like This....... dark walnut stain.......


Then I sewed a plush blue velvet seat cushion......

And then I made one of these.....
"What is this ?" you ask....


Why it's a little Pillow for the Window seat.... of Course!


And I couldn't stop with just one! 
They are each about one quarter of an inch square!


But That is not all I have been making, Dear Readers..... 
I have tried my hand at building tiny furniture for the kitchen....
Using wooden matchsticks.......
I started with a table....
Here you can see the underside of the framework....

And here you see it right side up....
 the top is the punched-out piece from the smallest windows on "The Folly"
(First rule of a mini-maker is NEVER throw those little pieces out!)

And if you have a Table you Must have a chair.... 
so here I have started the chair....
(I am gluing the pieces together on top of a piece of plastic so the glued pieces won't stick to the plastic...)

And here you can see the framework of the chair completed....
It was really quite tricky because the front section is wider than the back (as it should be) so the angles are NOT right angles where they meet the sides! 

And once it was stained a lovely light maple color.....
I started "weaving" the seat from embroidery floss......!

It turned out BETTER than I had hoped!!!
I think I am in LOVE with this little chair!!!!!

And I had to add some placemats and bowls to the table......
filled with tiny golden "cheerios" (beads!)

And once I got started on accessorizing.....
I made cups from sections of coffee stirrer straws....
(collected on my recent travels...!)
And made micro spoons cut from a disposable aluminum pie pan....!!!
Here you can see it all with my INDISPENSABLE Tweezers......
Without which I would accomplish Nothing in this scale!

I have also added some potted plants on the window sill.....
(lumpy pots made from sculpey.... and one Cloisonne bead)

And if you look Closely you can see I have added the dishwashing soap on the sink.... 
and a scrubbing brush hanging from the shelf.... 
and a woven "Rag" rug on the floor......

And here you can see the table and chair in place.....
just not glued down yet......
in case I need to adjust anything Behind them first.....!

But all in all I'd say I made some Great (I mean Tiny)
Tree House Progress!



44 comments:

  1. Oh, I love it! That little chair is absolutely amazing and the room as a whole looks so cozy and somehow just what you'd expect to see in the roots of a tree!

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    1. Thanks, Alennka! It is exactly that "Dream" House I think I am trying to make! I'm glad you like it!

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  2. Impressive! The window is brilliant, it looks so magical in the dark with the light shining through :)

    I can't wait to see more.

    Hugs,
    Victoria

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    1. Thanks, Victoria! I Love looking in through the windows...! More is Definitely coming!

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  3. Love the window seat. And the window looks great!!! The room looks very cozy :-)

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    1. Thanks, Margriet! I think it turned out better than I thought.... the tiny pillows surprised even ME!!!

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  4. this is lovely, lots of detail and so small, love it

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! The tiny scale is what makes it so much more magical, I think! I'm glad you love it!

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  5. I love the tiny chair! This is enchanting..

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    1. Thanks, -P-!
      I didn't think I would ever love such a chair so much....!

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    1. Welcome to my blog, Mama! Forgive me that I do not know the Greek language... I need to learn to use the translator!
      Thank you for commenting!

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  7. Que fantastico trabajo, parece mentira que se puedan ver tantos detalles ne una escala tan pequeña.
    Me encanta ver los pasos de todo el proceso, genial.
    besitos ascension

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    1. Thank you, Ascension! I am glad you like it!

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  8. Straight out of a fairy tale! I adore your matchbook chair with its woven seat, and your clever clever use, as always, of ordinary materials that have no magic in themselves. You make magic with them. Who could imagine mesh becoming a leaded glass window?

    So true about the tiny pieces! Isn't it amazing how a tiny scrap or splinter of wood can be exactly what you need at a later moment? Like ideas that you file away that seem like nothing that usefull at the time, that bloom into a whole new direction some time down the road. That's why nothing is unimportant.

    Your tree house is like watching a story unfold, I can already see the beings inside, settling in for the night.

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    1. Thank you, Amy... you who make magic with ordinary materials on a daily basis! I agree that it is that Fairy Tale Element here that is allowing me to delve into the Imaginary World more than in the other Doll Houses... and I surprise even myself with the ideas! I think they have been filed away for all my life.... waiting for ME to catch up with them!

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  9. Oh gosh!!! I am in shock!!! Betsy!! I don't know how you do it but I have a feeling you really love these small small scales much more than 1:12!!!AMAZING!! This chair with weaved seat!!!! WOW!!! Everything is just Fantastic!!! You must be a very patient Lady, Betsy! I can only imagine my swearing while working on something soooooo small.LOL!

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    1. Ewa, I think you must be right! I DO love these Tiny scales MUCH MORE than I thought I would! Although why that should Surprise me is a good question... given that I have ADORED the Tiniest Medieval Miniature paintings ever since I can remember.... with their Tiny Worlds portrayed so minutely.... Yes...I think I can say that I LOVE making things... the tinier the better! (And it makes me swear sometimes too!)

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  10. your work is wonderful...so beautiful, great ideas! I love the window!!

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  11. I love your work and you've given me an idea for forks and spoons thank you :)

    Love
    Marisa :)

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    1. Thank you, Marisa! I am glad you like it!
      And I am only too Happy to inspire you!

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  12. Cute cute cute, I am sorry , I have little words lately but I absolutely love your teeny house.Rosanna

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    1. Thank you, Rosanna! Your little words are music to my ears! It is good to see your comment here! I am thrilled to give you Happiness!

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  13. your house is looking great! I love the seat and cushions.

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    1. Thank you, Lucy! Welcome to my blog! I am glad you like my cushions! (I LOVE your tiny people!)

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  14. the mesh you used on the window is inspired, it looks perfect!! I like the plants on the window ledge and lovely little chairs and table too!!

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    1. Thanks, Andy! I was so Happy that the mesh idea worked! I think it is just the right size panes for the tiny scale! I am having a lot of fun inventing these tiny things!

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  15. Great accomplishments, Betsy! I was inspired particularly by the chair seat --great job!

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    1. You know, John, I ALMOST chickened out of weaving the seat and used cloth instead! But then I thought I should at least TRY the weaving... I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get the needle in around the corners of the legs.... but it turned out to be easier than I expected! I'm SO glad I tried!

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  16. This is really stunning... you're working miracles in this tiny scale. The window seat, the table and that gorgeous chair. I even admire the pillows - I'm already swearing when it comes to turning my bear's ears... ;O)

    Greetings
    Birgit

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    1. Thank you, Birgit! I have been in AWE of your tiny Bears already! The pillows were Very straightforward, if Tiny.... but nothing fancy! But I will admit it is a challenge to see how tiny I can make something! I am glad you like it!

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  17. I am agog. The chair is a particular prize!
    I'm wondering when you will have to make a dolls house for the dolls house!
    Lots of love,
    Mom

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    1. Ha Ha, Mom.... Don't get me Started!!! (it is already on my LIST to make one..... but not until I have finished... at least ONE of the Houses I am already working on!!!)
      I am in love with the chair myself.... I want to bring it with me everywhere I go!

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  18. I love all these cute pieces! I think I am in love with that little chair too! -ara

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    1. Thank you, Ara!
      It surprised ME how much I love the little chair!
      Thank you for your comment!

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  19. I can see why everyone's raving about your tree house and why they are loving that chair. You never stop amazing us, Betsy. I have seen veteran artisans working on smaller scale and I appreciate how hard it is to make them look as good. Yours are right up there, Bets!

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    1. Thank you, Sans! Here I ma thinking that I can get away with less "perfect" work in this scale!!! Because it is so tiny... the mis-matched bits are not as obvious.... or people are just nicer because it is so small they are willing to overlook the oddities! I have surprised myself how much I am enjoying working in this Tiny scale!

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  20. Betsie,
    Have I ever told you just how much you inspire me. Everything you need, you manage to make. And not just make, but make well. Everything is just wonderful, but the Window is wonderful and very clever.
    As always, you have my respect.
    Big hugs,
    Giac

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    1. Thank you, Giac! It is Wonderful to be a source of inspiration! I just LOVE to make things.... and I know that I have a great deal of room for improvement in my techniques... and I am constantly learning from other people's ideas! I am just having too much FUN to worry about whether an idea is going to work.... so I am willing to try all sorts of nutty ideas! Some of them turn out to be just perfect!

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  21. Terrific work, and very inspiring to see all the steps you took. Glad to have discovered your blog.

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    1. Thank you, Junkthief! Welcome to my blog! I'm glad you like it! Thanks for commenting!

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  22. Fantastic work, Betsy!! Everything is perfect! I love that little window with the windowseat. The chair is lovely as everything is ;)
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Thanks, Ilona! I Love that little window seat too... especially the color of the velvet cushion...!
      I'm glad you like it!

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