Monday, March 24, 2014

Climbing The Walls.....




Every Little Step Counts....

The Process of gluing these steps to the Tower is one that requires Patience, Dear Readers, because the only thing holding the step in place is the glue, and the step below it.... which must be thoroughly dry before you attempt to rest another step upon it or they all slide down the walls! So I glue a step and then I walk away and do something else for  awhile.. and then come back and check the glue and press it more firmly against the wall... and walk away again.


If I get absorbed in my Other projects.... 
then it just takes longer before I glue the next step in place.... ! 
So it was that it took several evenings and days 
to glue enough stairs to sort of reach the next floor of the Tower. 
I say Sort of.... 
because the steps reach a balcony level.... 
and have to circle around the Tower to the entrance.....


And I think that some of the steps must have sagged a little while gluing.... 
because the balcony needed to slant upwards a little to reach the floor level....
But you can't cut that piece until you know exactly where the steps will end up....
You just have to go One step at a time!

Here you can see I am adding the cardboard for the second set of stairs....
as well as adding yet another Oatmeal box section to the Tower!

 And here you can clearly see the "stone" corbels I am using to help support the balcony sections.

And while that was Agonizingly slow construction....
The Library shelves were a Whole other kind of Tricky Fidgety Wall climbing challenge!
To begin with Dear Readers, you must realize that I am building inside a circular shape.....


So all the shelf sections had to follow the curve of the inside of the wall....
Part of which had a layer of "stone" on it.....
and it is really tricky to get anything "squared" in a circle!

I sort of just had to start gluing at the bottom and work my way up...
adding shelves and trimming them as best I could for each section...
I set it on top of a piece of paper because I didn't want it to glue to the floor...
I wanted it removable in case it needed more painting or other alteration...

And I had to wait for each shelf to dry before trying to glue the next one.....
Here you can see I am also starting to fit the desk...
Another incredibly fidgety fit.....
While waiting for the shelves to dry....

And Another part I worked on while waiting for glue to dry...
Making some Books!

They are non-opening books... 
just chunks of balsa wood with leather glued on for the covers.
Can you believe it, Dear Readers, 
that I have never before used this method for making books?
I wish I had thinner leather.... and will try to vary the thickness more....
but I think it will be a successful way to fill most of the shelves!

Here you can see I have also added legs to the desk....
I want it free standing for now.....
It will get a coat of paint.....
But first I had to test some of the books in place....

They do look a bit crude... 
I need to add labels and titles....
But it was getting late.....

Even with the little lamp lit... 
it was getting hard to see...
And I'd had enough of Climbing walls!
But I think you'll agree Dear Readers,
Every little step counts!

18 comments:

  1. What a great technique! I was sitting here trying to think of a way I could use it. But don't think I would do it as much justice as you have. So I will just watch you build yours! lol Thanks for sharing!

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  2. All your time and patience to glue each step and to make furniture to fit curved rooms is so worth it. It is all looking fabulous.

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  3. Oh my! The tower is higher and higher! ;)
    I love your library! The shelving and desk look fantastic! I always loved simple non opening books and yours are great!
    Hugs

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  4. Your books are so perfect fit so well with your very Speciel library. Always lovely to see your progress.
    Hugs
    Wyrna

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  5. I really like how this is coming along

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  6. THREE oatmeal boxes. Will Rapunzel live in the third one? Or the ghost of Rapunzel, since this is the beary home? Your patience IS amazing. Dedication to authenticity. Looks lovely.
    Love,
    Mom

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  7. I really like your tower. I worked on a real life round library. Curves are a lot of work!
    your is going to be great. The books are nice too!

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  8. Your patience and talent are amazing. I love your desk and shelves. Great job with the books. Your building is always so interesting to watch :)
    Hugs Maria

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  9. Every single step it takes you is another piece of fun for me watching your progress and newest additions... ;O) The library is already incredible and your books look great, I think even for you it's okay to make them non-opening. Beorn will be able to open them using fairy magic, don't worry about that. Have you ever tried suedine (ultra suede) for book covers - that's a special and cheap fabric bear-makers use for paws of miniature bears... it's thinner as the leather you've used and has an appearance like (guess what) suede...

    Hugs
    Birgit (who is going to do the happy dance now because there will be a third floor... woohoooo...)

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  10. Step by step we will climb on the stairway to........heaven ;), Betsy?! Wow, you are so patient and clever in finding out how to do the things. Well, well, you started even a third floor.....oh dear, where will it all end ;)?
    Hugs, Ilona

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  11. Hi Betsy,
    It really seems like getting all of those steps in place and decorating a round room is tedious, but your results are so beautiful. I am really enjoying watching your progress and learning from you. You have come so far and it is really taking shape. Thank you for sharing your beautiful project.
    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  12. Ta tour est magnifique ! Bravo cette realisation et ta patience !
    Amicalement

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  13. Love the stairs! And I admire you for your patience :-)

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  14. Wonderful tower!
    I like your book on the shelves.

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  15. Thanks for the word in English: salt or pepper mills (or grinder) :)
    You have done and amazing job with this tower and you have lots of patience :)

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  16. I like the tower! I haven't been able to keep up to date with all your miniatures, I thought when I began to read this that it was part of the tree house, but realised soon afterwards that it was a different project altogether!!

    hugs
    Andy

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  17. Hello from Spain: Great job. Keep in touch

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