tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75221890236590337862024-03-13T10:38:27.735-07:00Geppetta's Studiohelping others share the fun in dollhouse buildingMary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13542439385955870505noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522189023659033786.post-61126962223754480182011-05-30T09:24:00.001-07:002011-05-30T09:24:12.545-07:00It's HOT OutsideWell, we went from an extremely rainy Spring, to chilly May evenings, where I could get nothing done in my yard. Now... it's TOO HOT! It's time for a studio makeover.Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13542439385955870505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522189023659033786.post-78072371316303477852011-03-07T11:41:00.000-08:002011-03-07T11:51:58.861-08:00Switching Gears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DlGyuFV4Hzo/TXU28tE8UzI/AAAAAAAAAVM/J4D5UBd7LXA/s1600/Bungalow+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DlGyuFV4Hzo/TXU28tE8UzI/AAAAAAAAAVM/J4D5UBd7LXA/s1600/Bungalow+Front.jpg" /></a></div>Now that Mardi Gras is taken care of, I'm moving on to a bigger project. What I thought might be a log cabin, will turn into a princess cottage. I'm trying to decide which house I'll build for my granddaughter who arrives in August. All I know it will be filled with sugar and spice and everything nice. Anyone can chime in here.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out Real Good Toys' Blog here: <a href="http://blog.realgoodtoys.com/2010/04/15/having-fun-with-dollhouse-paint-colors/">http://blog.realgoodtoys.com/2010/04/15/having-fun-with-dollhouse-paint-colors/</a></div>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13542439385955870505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522189023659033786.post-88166693113361020472011-02-22T15:04:00.000-08:002011-02-22T15:06:24.646-08:00Mardi Gras Float ConstructionSo as the mind of a creative person would go, I change my mind once I get going on any project, not just this one. (This should be a lesson to everyone to JUST GET STARTED). <br />
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I first attached the painted wooden discs to the wooden CD holder, using Elmer's wood glue.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I covered a piece of foam core with green satin fabric using fabric glue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wanted the float to have a layer look of materials so I used the light purple fabric as the foundation of the float and attached it to the wooden crate using fabric glue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_YKdst1WQBc/TWQ8Cf9IECI/AAAAAAAAAUY/yKN6UkB0npE/s1600/100_1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_YKdst1WQBc/TWQ8Cf9IECI/AAAAAAAAAUY/yKN6UkB0npE/s320/100_1971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next I glued the top layer of fabric over the purple fabric. NOTE: Both pieces of fabric were turned under and using fabric glue created a hem. Glued the suede paper black butterflies to the gold ribbon and glued those to the top layer of fabric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ku1L2WsS83E/TWQ8dtEJ0BI/AAAAAAAAAUc/g6UUrO99cZY/s1600/100_1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ku1L2WsS83E/TWQ8dtEJ0BI/AAAAAAAAAUc/g6UUrO99cZY/s320/100_1973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then went into a trance trying to figure out how I would make the BACK of the float. It was too thin and flat with just the covered foam core. So I put a contrasting turquoise crinkle velour and glued more black butterflies to the fabric. Still, it wasn't what I really wanted. I attached this back board to the box with strips of glued velcro. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHVSyqeoOtk/TWQ-c_18AFI/AAAAAAAAAUg/Ps0YekNWAV8/s1600/100_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHVSyqeoOtk/TWQ-c_18AFI/AAAAAAAAAUg/Ps0YekNWAV8/s320/100_1974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The float was STILL lacking some dimension... so after adding the holders for the rider's beads (all floats have riders and all riders have beads) I decided to make something to attract the butterflies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aB88COch9w0/TWQ_h9C8RAI/AAAAAAAAAUk/iKAfeirutOE/s1600/100_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aB88COch9w0/TWQ_h9C8RAI/AAAAAAAAAUk/iKAfeirutOE/s320/100_1986.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a close up of the float with with the beads ready for riders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jiDBH7Fubwc/TWQ_qD96LWI/AAAAAAAAAUo/dmp-w0JSHLw/s1600/100_1984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jiDBH7Fubwc/TWQ_qD96LWI/AAAAAAAAAUo/dmp-w0JSHLw/s320/100_1984.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now for the beads - I nearly lost my vision, but I did manage to make 16 dozen of 2 1/2 inch and 3 inch Mardi Gras beads. THROW ME SUMPTIN' MISTA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13542439385955870505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522189023659033786.post-6580709949719947082011-02-02T09:25:00.000-08:002011-02-02T09:25:43.562-08:00Creating a Mardi Gras FloatIt's all about scale, or is it? In order for me to create a scale model Mardi Gras float the foundation would be approximately 13" by 40" - the size of a flat bed tractor trailer. So I did some thinking and since this will be part of a display and not for purchase, I have to make it eye-catching. <br />
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You will need the following:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmQ9CqPw0I/AAAAAAAAAT0/sGWCA2RSzWM/s1600/100_1948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmQ9CqPw0I/AAAAAAAAAT0/sGWCA2RSzWM/s320/100_1948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">wooden CD crate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmRNuCbA_I/AAAAAAAAAT4/7uEsM2bGSEA/s1600/100_1950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmRNuCbA_I/AAAAAAAAAT4/7uEsM2bGSEA/s320/100_1950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4 wooden discs for wheels I painted black</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmRlGoVitI/AAAAAAAAAT8/ZgJJWuT8n-0/s1600/100_1954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmRlGoVitI/AAAAAAAAAT8/ZgJJWuT8n-0/s320/100_1954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">assorted fabrics colors and textures to cover crate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You'll need to have a theme to accessorize the float. I picked my aunt's miniature shop, located on Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter, <a href="http://www.blackbutterfly.com/">The Black Butterfly</a>. I had to think about butterflies - they started off as caterpillars, so I will attempt to make a caterpillar from the green taffeta and place on the front of the float. Here are other items I will add to the float:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmStTqh5GI/AAAAAAAAAUE/k1xjjRvDG3A/s1600/100_1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmStTqh5GI/AAAAAAAAAUE/k1xjjRvDG3A/s320/100_1955.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">stick on flowers found in the kids craft section of JoAnn's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmS8flmGlI/AAAAAAAAAUI/wZb_QIH-J_0/s1600/100_1961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUmS8flmGlI/AAAAAAAAAUI/wZb_QIH-J_0/s320/100_1961.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">black suede scrapbooking paper and a butterfly punch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The project items cost about $35. Let's see how long it will take me to get creative!</div>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13542439385955870505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7522189023659033786.post-10574505209950237282011-02-01T16:59:00.000-08:002011-02-01T17:15:58.495-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUirlJZZ9DI/AAAAAAAAAS0/uaYLQY-aGdg/s1600/snow%252C+napa+easter+and+vines+214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__VkqWsGYt94/TUirlJZZ9DI/AAAAAAAAAS0/uaYLQY-aGdg/s320/snow%252C+napa+easter+and+vines+214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This proves that anyone can make a "scale" building. A 14 year old created this replica of the Shakespeare Theatre, including a stage. Remember it doesn't have to be exactly like the building. Don't stress for perfection, stress for ENJOYMENT.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week I attended the Cottage Industry Miniaturists Trade Association convention in Las Vegas. Lots of new accessories to add to my houses. Attending was successful in getting my inspiration going. I've started a miniature Mardi Gras float for The Black Butterfly miniature shop in New Orleans. I'll be posting pictures this week as it goes through it's stages. </span></div>Mary Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13542439385955870505noreply@blogger.com0