Today is the last day for my etsy shop coupon: Enjoy 10% off all items using the OTTERINEBDAY2011 coupon code. more »

One of the nicer elements of the Heritage dollhouse is the inclusion of the bay windows (well, now one window in my case).  But, straight out of the box, they are somewhat lacking in pizzazz. I did a bit of sleuthing around the internet and found the… more »

And, the birthday just keeps going!  :D  This kit was another item in the lovely gift from my boyfriend.  This was my first time working with a Phoenix Model kit, though I had heard of them and had seen many other miniaturists make wonderful things from… more »

I did end up having time to pop back over to the show for a few more items.  click images to enlarge From The Little Dollhouse Company: a glass perfume bottle along with some beautiful laser cut brass minis by le mini de Pierluigi (a pocket watch and s… more »

After a couple of setbacks, I was finally able to get all of the lights I wanted, minus one on backorder and one I have yet to order since I'm not sure I will need it.  I ended up getting these from Nana's Miniatures, though there was a long lead time f… more »

And, now on to the goodies from the show!  :D  Here's what I bought for the haunted Heritage (plus a few extras) - I've tried to include vendors where possible.  I am sometimes bad with keeping track of what came from where so I made a point to be mor… more »

The autumn Bishop show is being held in my area this weekend, and tonight I had the pleasure of meeting my until-now online friend Keli (see her blog iseecerulean).  I met Keli and her nephew at a local pizza place before the show, and she had made a wo… more »

Now, this is fun!  My porch bench was featured in an etsy treasury of all real life size furniture!  :D  It's called The furniture in our home and garden.  What a nice compliment! click image to enlarge more »

I was pleasantly surprised to see my aquarium featured in an etsy treasury: Little things that make you think "Wow!"!  :D  Lots of great items in this grouping, and I am honored to be included. click image to enlarge Don't forget I'm offering 10% off… more »

In between cutting what seems to be an endless amount of bricks for the chimney I have planned, I've been continuing to work on the exterior.   I have only the front of the foundation covered in bricks, but I painted it to see how the coloration was g… more »

The new front stairs for the Heritage are made from a 1/2" thick foam core base. I had considered using paperclay for the stone texture, but I then remembered I already had 50 granite pavers in my stash of mini supplies.  These can be easily cut with… more »

Well, yes you can!  :D  The effect is less obvious than if you use a high contrast color under your exterior color, but it still works. It just makes it look like old paint, which is actually what I was striving for.  In a way, it looks a bit like bu… more »

The casement window in the kitchen is a Houseworks component, and as such requires a deeper opening than the Heritage walls have.  To get the window to fit properly, I added a border of 1/8" thick strip wood under the outer frame.  Here you can see the… more »

Before I cut the hole for the new casement window above the sink, I decided to dig out a Daisy House Wall Hutch kit I had in my stash and dry fit it to the wall. click image to enlarge Here's the casement window setup. click image to enlarge Or, I… more »

In sad news for this particular build, I won't be able to use those fabulous stairs inspired by the Heartland Hollow house.  The front door and side room with the front bay window just don't allow for a good configuration of these stairs.  I made a mock… more »

I've added a few new items to my etsy shop, including some custom order items. Saltwater aquarium - custom order Oly Studio Ichibad Side Table - custom order Snake Plant Spice rack - custom order Silver metal settee with purple cushion an… more »

And, I love it!!!  Don't you?  :D Like the sink shown previously, this metal Monitor Top Refrigerator was designed by Jacqueline Kerr Deiber. I love the shelves and the ice box.  :D Furthering my 1920s inspired kitchen is another recent acquisi… more »

Since we were already going to be in Denver for a friend's wedding, my boyfriend and I spent a few days in the Rocky Mountains to celebrate my birthday.  We attended a Japanese tea ceremony at the Denver Botanical Gardens.  We "climbed" the 14,oooft Mou… more »

After figuring out the layout I wanted for the front steps and surrounding wrought iron fence, I decided the railing sample I had in my mockup was too pretty for the aged and haunted look I wanted.  So, I bought these from The Dolls House Emporium. cl… more »

I used some 1/2" foam core board and drawing paper rolled into a tube to make a quick mockup of the chimney I want to recreate. click image to enlarge I used the spare bay window parts for the detailing since they had the right shape. I still need… more »

The first order of business in eliminating the side bay window was fixing the foundation.  I had glued the bay window floor on with wood glue, but it still came off pretty easily.  I then used scraps from the die-cut boards to fill in the open space and… more »

...is to attempt a variation on this W E Masonry chimney for the haunted Heritage. I will build the base from foam core board and cover it in egg carton bricks. Am I now forgiven for removing that side bay window?  :D more »

Hurray!  The results for the Greenleaf 2011 Spring Fling contest are in and Baxter Pointe Villa has taken 3rd place! You must check out the 1st and 2nd place winners!  Both top notch works of art.  Here is a full gallery of the entries.  So many fabu… more »

I've added something creepy (but kinda exciting) to the Heritage.  Click images to enlarge The egg carton brick foundation is turning out well, but I was glad it was slow going since in the meantime I found this inspiration photo.  :O  Don't go in th… more »

The results of my first ever giveaway are in, the winners have been contacted and they have selected their prizes!  There were 90 participants, and I wish I could send you all a prize! The first name drawn was Daphne, who chose the second group: a… more »

I really want a 1920s inspired kitchen in the Heritage, but that side bay window just isn't having any of that.  With my new planned staircase in the middle, the large window off the front porch and the side bay window taking up the better part of the t… more »

I bought another item for the haunted Heritage: a 1920s porcelain Kohler kitchen sink by Jacqueline Kerr Deiber.  I've always liked the look of this sink but never thought I'd build a house to use one in since I usually make modern minis.  I thought abo… more »

I've been doing small things in preparation for when some additional supplies arrive.  I've been cutting egg carton bricks a little at a time and tried out the color I bought for the foundation: Liquitex Burnt Sienna.  This is a thicker artist color ac… more »

If any of you have ever poked around on otterine.com (where I host my blog), you've discovered I am also a photography enthusiast.  My website is hopelessly outdated and since I have a regular job in addition to my sewing and miniature hobbies, it langu… more »

My dear friend and twin pea Lyssa sent me a care package with some lovely minis she made. click image to enlarge Let me tell you...those baskets are simply spectacular in person!  Such fine detail. The other items she sent after I had expressed admi… more »

I have two possible entryway designs to choose from, and I'd love your opinions.  Click images to enlarge. I didn't mind the original front steps of the Heritage kit, but once I found this inspiration photo they didn't stand a chance.  I love these sto… more »

I spent some time tonight gluing on the egg carton bricks, starting with the area under the bay window that I fit the other night.  I love it, as expected.  :D  There will be trim between the bottom of the siding and the top of the bricks. In keeping… more »

I'm very pleased with the results of my half-scale speed shingle experiment.  I think it looks more like the real Victorian houses in my area than it would have with the kit's oversize shingles. I absolutely love the shape of the gable windows, too! … more »

The three large gables are supposed to be shingled above the windows according to the instructions.  The kit even includes fancy shingles for this purpose. But, I think something about it is off.  First, I think the shingles are too large.  Second, a… more »