Samen knutselen / Crafting together - Mei

Two days ago Jolinda and Wil came over for our montly crafting afternoon, or in this case morning.
We'd start with the door and see how far we'd come that morning.
I started with the door itself, and Wil - having the same roombox, followed my lead ;) Jolinda, who has a larger roombox, and a different idea for the door in mind, started with the frame.
Since I'd recently made the four windows for the cottage and already had started with a door, I found it relatively easy to build the door without a tutorial.
After three hours the door was almost done. I only need to make the two small panels, and after that start with the frame.

The door will be put in  the corner instead of flat against the wall, which will safe space, and also give the opportunity to put a little crochet curtain for the window ;)

Crochet shawl

I enjoyed learning the waffle stitch, which is great for cushions, blankets and throws. But I always want to learn something new and challenge myself just a bit.
So yesterday I found this (Dutch) pattern on Wolplein.nl for a 1:1 shawl and I decided to give it a try ;)
I assumed I needed to addapt the pattern a bit for a 1:12 version, but I didn't.
Using DMC Perle Cotton Thread Ball Size 8 no 781 and my 0.60 mm crochet needle it turned out to be the perfect size. Well, I only did 14 rows instead of 34 rows, but I followed the pattern itself.
Love making this one, so there probably will be more in the future :)

More about windows

For the glass I used a sheet of gelatine. Very easy, very cheap (10 eurocent/glass ^^) and it looks very nice for this kind of window imo. I just glued it with Tacky glue to the already stained frame.

The outer frames, cut, glued and stained :)

First window is done!

I'm going to add a 2 cm sill on the inside.

On to the next windows. I decided to cut the parts for two windows at the same time. Should've known better though; the third window - on the other wall - was just a few mm smaller, so I had to adjust all my frames.

Didn't save me any time, but it would have if I had checked the handy template I've made for the different frames before just cutting the wood (a)

After taping the parts together to keep them as straight as possible, I glued them without removing the tape :)

And then it's time to sand and stain.

So, after a week, the windows for both sidewalls are finished. There will be two smaller windows in the back, and appox. 5-7 in the front, but that's something I'll do at a later stadium ;)
The window tutorial is from Jenn's Mini Worlds.

Also, I have to purchase Balsa wood again soon, since I'm almost out of the 1,5 mm strips. And I'm sure I'll need it sooner then later because now it's time to start with making doors. Oh my ;)
I buy my Balsa at Het Hobbyhuis, who delivers the wood fast and safe.

Preparing the cottage walls for the windows

After I had removed the masking tape that had held the walls together I've been working on the cottage for the last three days.
First I cut out all the openings for the windows and door, so there can be no more changing those plans now, won't there? ;)

Then I gave all the walls a primer coat with Gesso.

I even tried the lighting system from Nalladris to see how easy it is :D It's not nearly as bright in reality though.

After marking the right spots for the fireplaces and the ceiling lights (in the middle of each room) I got the serious tools out ghe ghe
I must be getting used to them already because the 9 holes were drilled in no time. And of course I checked them all.

So yesterday I could finally start with the windows. I'm following this great tutorial from Jenn's Mini Worlds! Because it's such precise work - I'm almost touching the table with my nose while measuring and cutting - I can't do it for more than ten minutes at the time, and even then ...
My whole body ached when I woke up today :')

But one strip of wood (of Balsa) at the time still makes one sash frame.

Even with those itsy bitsy 1,5 mm mullions :)

So, after only one day (a) I could stain the window sash frame.

When the stain will be completely dry, I can insert the glass. Also, there will be a window back frame, an outer frame, inner frame and sill ... oh my :')
But then ... well, then I have to make ten more windows :)

More waffles :)

I've just learned to crochet the waffle stitch. It's fun to do and much easier than it looks :) I already showed you the first things I made but they were not done.
Since then I sewed a faux sheet to the bedcover and finished the cushions.

I really should finish the matrasses for the beds (a)

One of the lovely fabrics I bought at the fair in Rijswijk last week. This one is from Jan van den Doel. Bianca now has two cushions for the price of one ;)

Yesterday I tried to make another very tiny cushion with the last of this brown embroidery thread I've been given, but it just wasn't enough. And so I came up with the idea to make a cosy candle holder instead :D

This may be a good way to use every last bit of thread I have. So ... ;)

Update on Hogsmeade house

It's long overdue, but I finally have figured out how to solve the different problems that kept popping up :) Or that's what I hope.

I figured that I could better change plans now, before the walls would be glued together. In the end it will be just a little bump along the road, right?
First there was the problem with the stairs.

 

Having solved that, I discovered that the doors on the attic landing would be very small and a bit too low, though that could probably work since it's a cottage, right? ;)
Also I thought it might be very hard to fit two beds in the room, with that roof above.

 It's exciting to see it in 3D once in a while 
(after 2 days the masking tape will come loose).

Due to all the problems that roof was bringing, I'd got the idea to make the lower part of the attic walls straight for about 10 cm, so there wwould be more room. For the beds, the doors and any other similar problems the bathroom would have. Kind of like the picture below. The floor between the two levels would be the yellow or red line.
I'd had to buy new wood, saw/cut new walls, and of course, made new plan drawings (a)

When I finally found the time and courage to work out this new idea, I came across a next challenge. One a more expierenced builder could have easily managed, but seemed too big for me :')

I'd forgotten the fact that a dolls' house is supposed to get open once in a while, and while I'd figured out how to do that in the first plan, I got stuck everytime I tried to figure it out with this latest idea :(

So, two days ago, I spend hours on the internet searching for other solutions. Got a new idea (a), made new plan drawings, and brainstormed with my friend Kim about it. She is my go to girl for all cottage related issues after all ^^

The idea is something like the picture below though my house will be twice as deep as this one.

The gable end (side) of the house would be;

Blue lines instead of red

So having finally figured out what to do, I woke up yesterday at 4 am, too exited to start to stay in bed :) I drew and measured, cut and glued, and when it was noon I was ready to get the masking tape (again ^^) and put it all together.
Tadaa!

The bedroom will still be small for two single beds but after all the cottage is supposed to represent the one I describe in my story; a tiny house in Hogsmeade they rent just for the summer holidays untill Penny will go to Hogwarts on September 1st, and maybe mother Bianca, as the new professor, as well. So, they'll just have to make do ;)
I'm thinking of keeping the beds on either side of the fireplace though. That way I can put the door in the middle of the wall, right across the fire place and have place on both sides of the wall for cupboards or cabinets. Maybe even trunks by the end of the beds ^^

The stairs are now placed on the other side, and against the back wall. Being able to see the stairs is a plus, but it also gives more room on both levels.

So the next thing will be to check every wall, floor and roof panel for (measuring or cutting)  errors and mark out where exactly the opening for the doors and windows will come before  I'll remove the tape :)

The fair in Rijswijk - part 2

Part 1

When I headed towards Marike (at the fair), I had to make a stop at Stella Que Passa first because I saw those Fimo canes I was curious of. I bought one cane to make slices of lemon, and three for making flowers (I hope ^^). Can't wait to try!
I also found the wood dye I was looking for. Jolinda has the walnut version, so we'd decided that I would buy a lighter dye and we would swap a part so we'll both have two kinds of dye :)

At Marike's I watched her stand for a little while so she could take a break and get some food. She also took the opportunity to visit Georgia and offers her a little break ;) Meanwhile I could sit next to a fabulous house of Poppen(T)huis she had and rest my feet; a win win situation (a)
When Marike came back, I headed towards the entrance hall because it was nearly half past twelve and I would meet Wendy and her mother Ada (from Magical Minds, FB group). It's nice to be able to come across people you only know from the internet, and it was really great to spend some time with them. Wendy and I showed each other lot's of photo's of previously made crafts and I enjoyed the company very much!

The rest of the afternoon I wondered around lots and lots of great stands with beautiful doll's houses and miniatures. I took a some photo's of of the stands but that was obviously only the tip of the iceberg. I met Louise again from Gweaneth's Dream, we talked for awhile and I admired her gorgeous crocheted bedcovers.

The Dolls House Builder

The Dolls House Builder

Omgardens

Will Werson Miniaturen

Elinekes Design 

(everything was soo much more gorgeous than the photo shows!)

I've forgotten where I saw this. Anyone who knows?

The same goes here, and I want to know 

because I'd love one or two of 

those turquiose pots/vases some day <3

My last money I spent on these lovely fabrics from Jan van den Doel. I saw them early on and had to restrain myself quite a bit (a)

One of the fun parts is coming home after a two hour train journey, relax on the sofa and getting all these bags and packages, and re-discover the things you already had forgotten you'd bought :)

All my pretties!! :D

 

 Of course it would be impossible to mention all the things I saw - and there's also a lot I didn't this time - but I hope I gave you all an impression of the awesome day I had.

Gave me lots of inspiration, and motivation, and I'm sure I'll be just as excited when October arrives and the next fair in Rijswijk is getting closer.