It All Starts Here

Sometimes our ideas flow from an existing kit to bash, a house style to scratch (aka custom) build, or from an interesting doll who needs a place to live. Our settings are always modern-day (ca. 2001 when we started this hobby). We try to create things that will make people smile and feel good.

We think that if we had to build the same house twice, we literally could not do it! Fortunately, we have very unique little people who have definite opinions and so far, no one has wanted a house “like so-and-so” has.

We work as a family unit: my wonderful husband, my beautiful sister, and I. We don't always agree as to the direction of the build, but I think that we end up with a better dollhouse because of all our grumblings -- and we do have a lot of fun!

The Purpose of this Blog

We needed a place for all we wanted to say about the background of the build and the nuts and bolts of the design and build process. Thus this blog.

All our dolls' homes have families living in them and a story is built around their personalities and lifestyles. This story is an integral part of our building process. We would like to share these stories -- actually, the little people insist upon it!

Many of our houses are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia because that is my sister's favorite place.

Also, we have started a Rouges' Gallery with photos of our little people and information about the dolls.

If you would like to start with the dollhouse that "started it all", it is the Original Rowbottom Manse; if you would like to see the scratch-built Georgian that our first build gave us the confidence (or fool-hardiness) to do, it is Sunnybrook Farm.

Let the stories begin!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday, January 22, 2012

More on framing

Well, some of  my framimg experiments have worked out and some have been a real trial. I really want to get a technique so that I can make a good frame and not have to recut nor take forever to do it!
HBS framing lumber #4185. That little "lip" that I thought would be so helpful for holding the picture, wasn't!
I did make a frame from "official" framing lumber from HBS. They have a few styles and sizes. Interestingly, something that gave me a lot of trouble, was the "lip" in the frame into which one puts the picture. I didn't make the frame with the "underframe" so I had a difficult time having the frame hold together at the mitered cormers (little area for glue) when I tried fitting the picture into the frame. I finally got it but the frame was definitely weak at the corners. Fortunately, I had planned to completely cover the back (picture and frame) with sturdy card, so this firmed up everything.
HBS framing lumber frame for The Hay Wain by Constable. Unfortunately, the flash makes it hard to see the paintng. This is the Library at Sunnybrook Farm.
Home Depot small detail moulding -- one of many styles. These are great since they come in four-foot lengths and are great for crown/cornice moulding.
I have also made a good frame from some very small detail moulding I found at Home Depot. I made this frame with the underframe and it worked well to make good corners. I also made a simple frame from baseboard moulding. I thought I had pictures of these but since I can't find them, I guess I have yet to take them, but they are hanging in the family dining room at Sunnybrook Farm.

I have a number of Chinese paintings I clipped/scanned from books and magazines that I want to frame and hang at Sunnybrook Farm in the dining, living, and music rooms. All these will need frames and I have decided on a simple gold frame made from HBS chair rail #81424.

HBS chair rail #81424 for simple frames for my Chinese paintings.

HBS chair rail #81424 made into simple frame, and even my miters were good!

Frame underside, braving made without an underframe.

Look how well it looks!
It's time for a break but I will be back later with some more ideas about making frames, besides the thought that I will skip any "lip-making" frames!
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)