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This project has kept me occupied for the last two years - obviously something lacking in my childhood??
Of course none of it would have been possible (financially!)
without eBay!
In February 2005 I bought a kit and made it up. It was then painted outside, decorated inside and furnished - a bit at a time!
without eBay!
In February 2005 I bought a kit and made it up. It was then painted outside, decorated inside and furnished -
I made the wallpaper and floorings etc on the computer and laminated the sheets where appropriate - either gloss or matt.
(A tip - for window “glass” just laminate nothing = fairly strong clear film.)
I think the setting is vaguely Edwardian / Victorian - but not strictly so!
So then, of course, the house was ready to be inhabited!
By now it was March.
By now it was March.
I decided to go for porcelain, poseable dolls so that I would be able to dress them. All of my dolls have porcelain heads, lower arms and lower legs (the rest of the bodies consist of pipe-cleaners and padding.) First of all I bought Mum and Dad. I didn’t much like the first Dad that I bought (in fact he was re-incarnated as the son of the house!).
Mum has stayed much the same (and now has a vast wardrobe!)
Then came Nanny and a little boy.
I’m afraid the little boy was sent back as he was not what I ordered.
(If you have delved into this dolls’ house market at all you may have spotted that the female dolls are for the most part fairly good-looking (and tall!), but the men and boys leave a lot to be desired!! -
and also that most of the dolls have very clumpy feet!)
Then came Nanny and a little boy.
I’m afraid the little boy was sent back as he was not what I ordered.
(If you have delved into this dolls’ house market at all you may have spotted that the female dolls are for the most part fairly good-
I then set to and made Henry - the son - from the first Dad. I shortened his body and his arms and made new Fimo legs. My artist’s acrylic paints have come into their own again for painting hair and features etc.
I quite like Henry!
Now for the daughter, Lucy - I bought a baby girl (no legs under her gown!).
After the hassle of ungluing her clothes, she was recreated as a toddler-type baby girl - with new Fimo hair and soft legs.
Then I spied a new Dad - he’s got a really nice face but has very big feet AND a slightly deformed hand! I think he is probably a gentleman of leisure. (He now looks much younger as his hair is no longer grey!)
That seemed to be the house and family complete - BUT - what about servants?
That seemed to be the house and family complete -
I found a nice old lady doll who actually arrived dressed to the nines but was in for a bit of a disappointment as she was rapidly stripped of her finery and became the resident cook.
After her the maid arrived - she came with her illegitimate son, but was accepted by the family as she was known to the cook who was already proving her worth.
After her the maid arrived -
Now, if there are pets there should also be a garden!!! So May was given over to creating a garden for them.
Then - what about the servants? - where are they going to live?
It’s OK for Nanny - she lives in the nursery with the children, but the cook, maid and son have nowhere to rest their heads!
So - a small extension appeared in the garden to accommodate them.
So -
At this point the family had the chance of moving to a larger house - ie I bought another kit and, with a great deal of sawing and joining together managed to create a beautiful, large and symmetrical house. The whole family was delighted with the new roomier house.
We’re into April now and time to set about lighting the house. At this point, rather than drive my better half potty, I learned to solder!!!
Also at this time I met via eBay a fantastically gifted lady of like mind (mad!) who makes wonderful dogs for dolls’ houses, and so began the influx of pets!