Latest Comments

In response to: Chimney from start to finish (well, 99% done)

Comment from: Carolyna Murillo [Visitor]
That’s super cool! Great job!
02/06/24 @ 04:26

In response to: Scratch built table lamps

Comment from: Susan [Visitor]
I use water bottle caps to keep it cheap. I also use wallpaper samples for the shades. I never thought of the last black bead. That really gives just enough height to look realistic. Thanks.
10/23/23 @ 14:22

In response to: Gutters and downspouts, part 1

Comment from: brae [Member]
I didn't use balsa for the downspouts, only the splash blocks. I formed the downspouts by cutting 1/8" x 1/4" basswood/strip wood, then sanding to shape.
08/14/23 @ 14:00

In response to: Gutters and downspouts, part 1

Comment from: Cascade Kim [Visitor]
Can I ask you what the dimensions are of the balsa wood used for the downspouts?
08/14/23 @ 13:56

In response to: Intermission - Best of the Newport

Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you so much! :>>
05/26/23 @ 16:53

In response to: Intermission - Best of the Newport

Comment from: Elusive Artisan [Visitor]  
I revisit your Newport house photos every few years. I have it bookmarked in my computer. Even after all these years it's still one of my favorite builds of a dollhouse ever. So lovely. :)
05/13/23 @ 14:47

In response to: Ivy Hollow, Rural Free Delivery Post Office - a pictorial review

Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you! :>> I'm glad you found me and my tiny post office. Good luck with your mini screen door!
11/30/22 @ 17:27

In response to: Ivy Hollow, Rural Free Delivery Post Office - a pictorial review

Comment from: Pamela Levy [Visitor]  
What an amazing job you did! The creative modifications you came up with make all the difference - I feel like I'm right there with Chester at the PO. Including the details of your process and links to vendors was incredibly interesting and helpful to me - and it will take me a while to follow all the links. I've been mulling over how to make a 1920 screen door for my roombox for months, so happening on your blog today couldn't be timed any better. I'm inspired. Thank you!
11/30/22 @ 16:24

In response to: The Aero Squadron Lounge - a pictorial review

Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you so much! :>> It's always a shame to see interesting places close down. :no:
09/02/22 @ 08:05

In response to: The Haunted Heritage - a pictorial recap

Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you so much! :>>
09/02/22 @ 08:01

In response to: The Aero Squadron Lounge - a pictorial review

Comment from: Elizzabeth [Visitor]
I'm sorry to say, the one in San Diego is now closed. I think COVID did it in. It was a fascinating place and you have done a remarkable job of capturing its spirit.
09/02/22 @ 04:28

In response to: The Haunted Heritage - a pictorial recap

Comment from: Kari DiBiaso [Visitor]  
I am in awe of how amazing this house is. I am new to miniatures and have taken on a big project for a haunted doll house. So many ideas! I know when it's finished that it won't even compare to yours but thank you for sharing!!
08/28/22 @ 13:32

In response to: Grandma's comfy chair - part 2

Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you! :>>
08/01/22 @ 08:48

In response to: Grandma's comfy chair - part 2

Comment from: Sandra [Visitor]  
Thank you for sharing. Have just bought a very similar kit, different company, and your step-by-step guide will be very helpful. Your finished chair looks lovely! (Australia)
07/07/22 @ 20:52

In response to: The Haunted Heritage - a pictorial recap

Comment from: brae [Member]
Thank you! :>>
04/14/22 @ 14:39

In response to: Kitchen sink

Comment from: Barbara [Visitor]  
Krylon also makes an Appliance White spray paint that I have use with great success for such projects.
02/14/22 @ 13:05

In response to: The Haunted Heritage - a pictorial recap

Comment from: Mary Beth Basu [Visitor]
I love this house in particular so much. The way you memorialized your memories of a childhood home really resonates with me, as we had a very old house in Pennsylvania that we were the last family to live in; it was demolished after my parents moved, and decades later, we still make pilgrimages to the site, where there is a grassy area to the side of a retirement village. Beautiful work!
01/19/22 @ 12:15

In response to: Cutting egg carton bricks plus links to finishing

Comment from: Ada Holloway [Visitor]  
Hi, I also make bricks from egg cartons. I thought you might like to learn how I use those "unusable" parts of the egg cartons. I tear the carton into thumbnail size pieces, put them into a blender, fill the blender with water, and blend until it is a mush. Then I drain out the water. I spread the mush on a wax paper, put another wax paper on top, and roll gently with a rolling pin to get them somewhat flat, and to the right thickness. Take off the paper and let dry! Gives you more bricks or stones! Wonderful info!!
01/09/22 @ 22:43

In response to: Punchneedle tips and tricks

Comment from: brae [Member]
No, I've not seen specific techniques on backgrounds. These aren't my designs as well. The small rug is designed by Teresa Layman (and it's French knot instead of punch needle), and the other two were taken from real life rug examples. I would think that varying your line direction in the background would change the dynamic of it somewhat. That does seem to happen with the French knot rugs...I never follow a straight line when doing the background on those, and I find the background ends up looking more realistic. :yes:
12/27/21 @ 13:08

In response to: Punchneedle tips and tricks

Comment from: Yvonne Duncan [Visitor]
I don't have a comment so much as a question. Do you have info availabale on techniques for punching backgrounds? I have seen some very creative backgrounds that add much to a punched design. So far I only have done straight line punching. If you don't have such info could you refer to a source? Thank you. I love your designs and, like some of your other followers, I am not so much into primitive designs. Thank you.
12/27/21 @ 13:00