I've been busily sewing a dress for an upcoming holiday party, so mini work has been sparse this week.  I did install one of the last two outer walls - the one on the side of the kitchen.  I used a trick I learned on the Greenleaf forum of putting a couple drops of super glue (I used the gel kind) to hold pieces in place while the regular glue dries.  Ingenious!  The wall had a bit of a warp to it, and the super glue held it better than masking tape.

I also began working on the dining area flooring.  Here is what it looked like out of the package.

Lyssa wanted raised floorboards in my old house, so I cut the paper between a few of the pieces.  This should allow for enough give for the wood to warp and lift.

I used Minwax Plantation Walnut stain on the walnut floor, and it worked well for a start.

I then added a few dark washes of black and brown acrylic paint.  Now we're getting somewhere - all those years of grime.  ;]

I sprayed the floor with matte sealer and once dry I sanded the hell out of it.  I brushed on a thin coat of satin varnish, which I wiped away before it dried.  I'll mess with the finish more when I install it, but it is at least the basic color I was looking for.  The table is a House of Miniatures kit - assembled but not yet finished.  I am awaiting the chairs I hope will work with it.

The darker floor works better with the checkered floor.

I finished up another batch of books for the house, sixteen more for the collection.

I even included some coffee table books on lacemaking, birds and the Great Barrier Reef.  :D

And, in other news, there is now another kit in the house!  :O  I used part of my Greenleaf winnings for the Glencroft.  I assured Jasper this one won't be started while the Heritage is under construction.  I just couldn't pass up the 25% off sale since I'd like to build the Glencroft next.

I have some fab ideas for it, but you'll just have to wait and see.  Maybe around this time next year?