Miniature Dollhouse Projects - Tips & How To's
Make a Miniature Bunka Rug:
I really like making these rugs. They are easy, fun and have the look of a fuzzy floor rug. I've included a rug here for a cake shop and a special Swapke rug for our Dutch friends! You can also just cover the name with Bunka if you prefer just a 'face' rug for a child's room.
I draw my own designs and included the color images so you can see how they look when done. (The finished cake rug is a different style from drawing.) Feel free, of course, to choose your own colors. (You can find other designs in my book, IN MINIATURE STYLE II or the first ebook, IN MINIATURE STYLE.)
**Materials needed: Tacky glue, toothpicks, sharp pin, wet cloth, light box cardboard (cereal box, tea box insert, etc.), colored pencils, Bunka thread in assorted colors.
1. Print out pattern and glue to light cardboard. Color picture lightly with colored pencils to match thread choice (so no white spaces show through.) 2. Unravel Bunka thread by snagging end with a pin and pulling until it unravels. When pulled, the cord will be "curly." 3. Work one area at a time. Be sure to cover small areas like the eyes and mouth first so you can work around them. 4. Cover area of rug with tacky glue, then spread curled thread over area. Make sure threads are close together; move in place with a toothpick. Keep adding more glue and more thread until design is done. Have fun!
( Right click rug pix to save. Designs: (c) C. Verstraete, for personal use only.)
Make a Printie Paper Rug:
Patriotic dollhouse miniatures room - C. Verstraete
For an easy alternative project, use a magazine image to make a rug. Very easy and a different effect! I used a paper rug in my Uncle Sam room, see pic below, and in the half-scale Candy Box Room.
1. Cut out picture of rug from a magazine or catalog. (If printing out a picture, seal with Krylon Matte Spray first.) Coat with Mod Podge Satin. Let dry.
2. Turn over, cover back with Gesso.
3. When dry, coat back with thinned Tacky Glue and press to paper towel for backing. Trim to fit.
4. Glue ribbon to back on each end for fringe. Pull thread to fringe. I also glue several rows of cross-stitch fabric to back, pull thread to fringe.
1. Cut out picture of rug from a magazine or catalog. (If printing out a picture, seal with Krylon Matte Spray first.) Coat with Mod Podge Satin. Let dry.
2. Turn over, cover back with Gesso.
3. When dry, coat back with thinned Tacky Glue and press to paper towel for backing. Trim to fit.
4. Glue ribbon to back on each end for fringe. Pull thread to fringe. I also glue several rows of cross-stitch fabric to back, pull thread to fringe.
Make Easy Baby Baskets
By Kitty Balke
MATERIALS:
* Plastic ICE CUBE container
* Lace * Ribbon * Fabric for towels, diapers -washcloths, soft cloth, etc.
* Small plastic tubing, pieces of wood dowel or soft wood for baby bottle and baby powder container * Beads for other bottles
* Printie baby container labels
TOOLS:
* Hobby cutting mat
* Craft knife * Scissors * Acrylic paints in desired colors * Paintbrushes
* Hobby glue * Clear nail polish * FIMO oven-bake clay
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut out "square" from the ice cube container. Trim with craft knife/scissors to desired height.
2. Paint container desired color. Samples use the standard baby colors, pink for a girl and blue for a boy. Let dry.
3. Glue piece of lace around top edge of basket. Form a ribbon bow and glue centered to front of basket.
TO FILL BASKET:
1. Fold and glue small pieces of fabric into basket for diapers, towels, clothing, washcloths, etc.
2. Make small bars of soap from pieces of FIMO. Bottles can be made by glueing various beads together.
3. A small piece of plastic tube or piece of dowel can be used to form baby bottle. Print, cut out and glue desired labels to bottle.
4. Cut out baby albums, birth cards or desired items. Varnish with clear nail polish for a glossy finish.
5. Arrange items in basket as desired and glue in place.
Photos/project: (c) K. Balke, Personal use only.
MATERIALS:
* Plastic ICE CUBE container
* Lace * Ribbon * Fabric for towels, diapers -washcloths, soft cloth, etc.
* Small plastic tubing, pieces of wood dowel or soft wood for baby bottle and baby powder container * Beads for other bottles
* Printie baby container labels
TOOLS:
* Hobby cutting mat
* Craft knife * Scissors * Acrylic paints in desired colors * Paintbrushes
* Hobby glue * Clear nail polish * FIMO oven-bake clay
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut out "square" from the ice cube container. Trim with craft knife/scissors to desired height.
2. Paint container desired color. Samples use the standard baby colors, pink for a girl and blue for a boy. Let dry.
3. Glue piece of lace around top edge of basket. Form a ribbon bow and glue centered to front of basket.
TO FILL BASKET:
1. Fold and glue small pieces of fabric into basket for diapers, towels, clothing, washcloths, etc.
2. Make small bars of soap from pieces of FIMO. Bottles can be made by glueing various beads together.
3. A small piece of plastic tube or piece of dowel can be used to form baby bottle. Print, cut out and glue desired labels to bottle.
4. Cut out baby albums, birth cards or desired items. Varnish with clear nail polish for a glossy finish.
5. Arrange items in basket as desired and glue in place.
Photos/project: (c) K. Balke, Personal use only.