Monday, March 3, 2014

Paper, Scissors, Rocks...




And Just a Little Light....

I Feel as though hardly anything got done in my Mini Worlds this past weekend, Dear Readers, but that is probably because the Weekend just felt so Short in comparison with the previous Vacation week! And Of Course, while I was on Vacation I had some Time to spend ordering various Supplies and Treasures for the many projects I have under way! And because My Birthday was last week I felt justified in ordering all sorts of Wonderful things.... most of which arrived This week! The little blue and white China Lamp is one of these treasures!

It is particularly Wonderful because 
it Perfectly matches the decor of the Cloud Palace.....
And also because it is Battery Operated!!!
You see, I have decided, Dear Readers, 
that I am NOT doing regular wiring in the Cloud Palace!
It is one of those kits with impossibly thin walls... 
where would the wires Go?
So the only option is battery lights, 
and fortunately for me they are becoming 
more popular and more varied in their designs!
You can see that Brother Beorn is having a fine time 
reading up on his Herbal Lore..... 
when he is not staring off into Space and Dreaming of Spring...!

And Meanwhile I have been adding more 
paper Egg Carton Rocks to the Fireplace....

Along with a Wooden Mantlepiece 
which I shall paint to look like rock....

And I cut out the Floor section for the Third floor of the Tower...
Still just loosely stacked here.... 
but I needed to see how the stairs would wind around the next level 
and connect to the house...or not!
Because they enter the Tower above roof level... 
they will not connect to the roof.
I also cut out the cardboard wall for the outside of the stairs....

Taking advantage of the ribbed corrugations of the cardboard.....
I folded them so the cardboard would curve around the Tower stairs....

And carefully glued it in place.

It is cutaway around the front... 
only covering the steps....
I made it two layers thick....
It is Very sturdy!

The surfaces will be covered in Egg Carton Rocks....
Paper Rocks.....!
 Like the ones I fitted around 
the Window opening in the Kitchen...

I really like the way Egg Carton Rocks look!
 
And I painted more on the Kitchen Hearth.....

First I coated it in primer, then a Light Gray Latex Wallpaint....
followed by a layer of Dark Gray brushed into the cracks then rubbed off.
This causes the texture to stand out very nicely!

Then I added a whole lot of black washes and details...
Especially darkening the inside of the Hearth...
And where the smoke would leave soot...

Here I am testing the fit of the painted Hearth....
It took quite a lot of testing and careful cutting of the pieces to 
make it fit inside the curve of the Tower!

But it fits Snugly!
And is starting to look the way I Imagined it would!
I just have an Awful lot of Cutting to do with my Scissors...
But I think I will follow Brother Beorn's example....

And pull up a Cloud chair with my Favorite books...
And Just a Little Light, Dear Readers....
I'll leave the Scissors and Paper Rocks for Another Day!
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

37 comments:

  1. The grandmommyMarch 3, 2014 at 11:14 PM

    It is amazing how you have made so many parts without using wood!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:04 PM

      This Cloud Palace is supposed to be small and light... it is already growing bigger than I had thought it would! I am trying to use scraps of what I have to hand.... and I have to confess I have ALWAYS wanted to use the Oatmeal boxes for Dollhouse Towers! LOL! Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  2. 12CreateMarch 4, 2014 at 2:09 AM

    It is looking fabulous. Love the stone fireplace and the way the stairs are winding around.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownMarch 4, 2014 at 2:50 AM

    I love looking at how you create minis, you make it look so easy,the winding stairs look fantastic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:10 PM

      Thanks Debbie! I hope I can inspire others to jump in and try out their ideas! I used to get bogged down with the idea of Perfection.... now I know I'd much rather just play! LOL! Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  4. The Old MaidMarch 4, 2014 at 2:58 AM

    Belated Happy Birthday dear Betsy!:)
    I love the little lamp - for a moment I thought it has a delicate pattern on the shade! But it looks perfect in white.:)
    The fireplace is looking great! It suits so well in that corner.:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:13 PM

      Thank you, Ewa! I had a very happy day! And I bought some lovely minis... more to show soon! Your comment about the lampshade reminded me that I originally planned to redo the shade..... I have some fabric in black and white... we shall see! I agree that the delicate pattern looks really sweet!
      I am glad you like the fireplace.... that space is tiny! I have no idea how I am going to make a sink for this tiny kitchen ! LOL!

      Delete
  5. IlonaMarch 4, 2014 at 3:38 AM

    Happy belated Birthday, Betsy :D!
    This house is going to become fabulous, the fireplace is wonderful just as the stairs are. And all is made of corrugated cardboard?!
    The lamp is a treasure, I thought the same as Ewa: that there was a pattern on the lamp shade, but the I saw it was painted on the window glass ;)!
    Hugs, Ilona

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:19 PM

      Hi Ilona! Thanks for the Birthday wishes!
      The steps are made with pink builders foam insulation... it comes in large panels and is easy to cut and very lightweight. I find I am using it for the base of a lot of my bricks and stones! The Tower itself is a cereal box.... very thin cardboard in a tube shape! It is an old fashioned design.... and the Quaker Oats company still uses it!

      Delete
  6. elizabeth sMarch 4, 2014 at 4:30 AM

    Hi Betsy! I am just Amazed at how you have constructed the stairs to wind around the tower! When you first showed the oatmeal box, I thought that you were going to make the stairs to run Inside the cylinder and wasn't sure how tight that would end up being. Now I can see just how your plan is so beautifully unfolding. The fireplace at ground level, is an unexpected extra bit of eye candy to go along with Marvelous exterior staircase. The way that you have faced the fireplace with the egg carton stone, is Delightful! But I am so JEALOUS of how expertly you have done your staircase, Betsy.:)) I always knew that you are an ARTIST, but now I think that Carpentry and Engineering must also be your calling. :D
    Everything is looking Heavenly in your Cloud Palace!

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:21 PM

      Thanks Elizabeth! I get the engineering skills from my Daddy who is an Architectural Engineer! My carpentry skills are very rough..... but I hope to improve with practice! LOL! :)

      Delete
  7. ElianaMarch 4, 2014 at 8:05 AM

    The luminaires are beautiful! Loved the fireplace and the railing of the stairs is a great idea! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Mini AddictionsMarch 4, 2014 at 8:34 AM

    Happy Belated Birthday! It's amazing how the fireplace changed with your paint technique. It is so realistic. The cardboard over the outer stairs make the steps seem not as high as they first appeared. Perhaps the fairies will not have to fly as high? :-) I love seeing the progress on this project so thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:26 PM

      Thanks, Lisa! I love how the egg cartons work for bricks and stone! They look so real... and they are essentially recycled paper!!! Light weight and cheap and easy to work with! The painting is a learning process.... I think there are lots of tutorials out there showing the layering and touch-up techniques. I didn't do anything very fancy to this. My rule of thumb is a minimum of three shades of color are needed to show texture and depth.

      Delete
  9. MarisaMarch 4, 2014 at 9:18 AM

    Betsy I love the stairs and the fire place they're both just wonderful and Happy Belated Birthday

    Mini Hugs
    Marisa :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. afairytalecometruewyrnaMarch 4, 2014 at 11:06 AM

    Congratulations on your birthday, it's so nice to be able to shop with a good conscience.
    I love to keep track of your project, it's so exciting.
    Hugs
    Wyrna

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:28 PM

      Thank you Wyrna! I agree that it is fun to shop when you have a good excuse! No guilt!!! I am so glad you are enjoying this project! Thank you for commenting!

      Delete
  11. BiWuBärMarch 4, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    Happy Belated Birthday! Best wishes to you...and above all plenty of time to work your miniature miracles! I truly love how the hearth turned out after you've painted it and your stairs' solution is sooooo clever... just the Betsy-way for sure. And I'm glad you've treated yourself to buy this beautiful lamp, it's perfect for this house... and apparently perfect for Brother Beorn and his most favourite book... ;O)

    Hugs
    Birgit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:32 PM

      Thank you, Birgit! I had a fun birthday! And I am Always wishing for plenty of Time to work with my minis! I was very excited when I saw the lamp... it just seemed Perfect for this Cloud Palace! And no Wires!!! I think I am going to have to make a small Library in the Cloud Palace.... Brother Beorn is probably collecting more books even as we speak! LOL!

      Delete
  12. Drora's minimundoMarch 4, 2014 at 12:20 PM

    Happy Birthday! Best wishes. Wow! I love the stairs and the fireplace is fantastic.
    Brilliant work!
    Hugs, Drora

    ReplyDelete
  13. FabiolaMarch 4, 2014 at 1:06 PM

    Happy birthday!
    The fireplace is amazing. I really like the railing of the stairs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:33 PM

      Thank you Faby! I am glad you like it! Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  14. Maria IrelandMarch 4, 2014 at 3:22 PM

    Happy belated birthday wishes. I love your fireplace. Fantastic job. Wonderful stairs. I like the lamp :-D
    Hugs Maria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:37 PM

      Thank you, Maria!
      Didn't I see that lamp somewhere on blogland??? LOL! It really is a lovely lamp... so versatile... goes with so many different decors! It looks great at your house too!

      Delete
  15. MargaretMarch 4, 2014 at 9:18 PM

    Happy Birthday and congratulations on spending your money wisely (on minis!). Your construction skills are amazing, love that spiral staircase and the rocky fireplace, can't wait to see more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:39 PM

      Thank you Margaret! It's good to see you here again! I agree about spending money wisely!!! :) Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  16. UnknownMarch 4, 2014 at 9:24 PM

    Happy Belated Birthday Betsy! Hope it was a happy one! Love the new lamp, and the fireplace is simply amazing, as are the tower stairs! You are sooooo talented!
    Hugs,
    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:41 PM

      Thank you Vicki! I had a fun day! And it is always great to invest in more minis! LOL!

      Delete
  17. Sans!March 4, 2014 at 10:20 PM

    My dear Betsy,

    Has it "only" been 2 months that I was away? Felt like ages looking at all the things you have accomplished. Cloud palace, wow! (I especially love all your trompe l'oeil like the lavender. And the bearies...their distinctive noses ..i bet I know who their maker is.

    My dear friend, your last come-a-knocking message was the impetus for my last post. Thank you for a great homecoming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:50 PM

      Dear Sans, welcome back! It has been almost three months.... you can't possibly read all my posts! It would take you hours!:) And yes... I got into another project without completing the other new projects.... it was Birgit's fault... she created Blue the Blue Fairy Bear and then I had to make her a Cloud Palace...! And then she needed some friends to come live with her....! But I Promise... I have not given up on the other projects! I might even be solving some of my design problems in the Cupboard House! I hope you will keep coming to visit... you have been greatly missed! But I understand if Time Away is what you need! I did not mean to pressure you.... well, maybe only a little teeny bit... just a nudge...! :)

      Delete
  18. HarrietMarch 5, 2014 at 10:24 AM

    Batteries are going to save you a lot of time. And the lamp looks great. When am I going to get to see the little sewing machine?
    Those beareys have a lovely little home.
    Love,
    Mom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DaydreamerMarch 5, 2014 at 9:53 PM

      Hi Mom! The sewing machine is coming soon...! I have to pull together the setting...... so much to make!
      Love to you too!

      Delete
  19. MargrietMarch 6, 2014 at 2:03 AM

    The hearth looks great, where would we be without egg cartons :-) I want to sit beside brother Beorn and read with him in the light of that lovely lamp!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownMarch 23, 2014 at 12:59 PM

    I hope you had a great birthday and by the look of it, it seems you did. Well done in treating yourself with miniatures after the hard work you put in every project, you surely deserve it!!! I really love the fireplace: it does look real!! It must be thanks to the type of carton you used. Great job!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)