Monday, April 8, 2013

Kit Success


Hello everyone, 

A big welcome to my new followers, my apologies to you all for being a bit quiet of late. I would like to say a big thank you to all those who left their lovely comments on my last post, I am sorry I didn't get to reply as I normally do. I have been welcoming in the new season by getting busy with my RL house, it was way to hot to do much work inside or out so I have been enjoying the cooler days and sprucing up the place.

As you can see I have had a go at assembling the kits I posted about some weeks ago and I am quite pleased with the results. I chose the easiest ones to do first and I must say following the advice you were all kind enough to leave made a world of difference. Yes Elga, it really does work when you read step one....do it...then proceed to step two...read that..... do it...... and so on and so forth.  Andy, I am so glad you gave me all your tips as it made it all so much more hassle free. Although I did forget to make the holes for the handles before I glued. So instead I glued the brass plates on and then added a little beed for a knob and I think it looks quite nice. You should be able to see them in the photo below although you cant see the brass plated very well.



I replaced the other Hall table I originally had with this one as I think it looks nicer, I prefer the walnut tone you can see how it looked earlier here. I have added the Faux Bronze figure which I purchased from the The Dollhouse although it is a Warwick painted figure. I painted some moss on the pot of the Orchid to make it look a little more authentic and if anyone has any suggestions on what to do about the ugly plug I would most appreciate it. I recall Andy mentioning some no show flat plugs? I left a hole in the wainscot but the plug looks so ghastly. 



This is the candle stand with the lovely little candle and holder Ilona sent me some time ago and on the mat is my lovely Dog Twiggy I had made for Mia by Patricia from Wollytales Miniatures Beside Twiggy stands Hero, her big Uncle who guards Ambrosia place. You can see him in the photo below where I have shown the Kitchen and Hall as they are placed next to each other with the twins room to the right I am currently working on.


Happy minis to you all and thank you for your helpful advice, it has made such a difference!

Much Love, Fi XXX



45 comments:

  1. Hi doll,

    Isn't it odd how the change of the seasons brings out the nesting instincts? You did a great job on your HOM kits! I have the same candle stand in my music room but I think Ilona's candle looks better on yours! (My candelabra is perhaps a little too cha-cha, but hey --consider the source). Wish I could give you some electrical advice, but gurrrl! I don't want to be responsible for causing a big ol' fire! I ran all the wires out the back of my house so there are no plugs 'up front' but you should SEE the back! Spaghetti mother-f*****g Junction! It ain't pretty but it WORKS so don't judge!

    Ohhhh, Twiggy looks just like my boyhood pooch, Rusty: the Best Dog in the World. She's a beaut!

    XOXO,
    John


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  2. Hey you!

    I thought the same thing when I read your post, it is good to get a fresh start with a new season, we rush through Christmas and then busy with Summer/winter.

    I am in no position to judge!! Me and electrical's suck!! I would like to change a lot of the light fittings to something a little more glamorous than my original choices but the thought of mucking around with work already done scares me, they are going to have to stay as is.

    XXX

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  3. Great job on the kits, Fi, and I love your photos--your scenes look so REAL. The house is looking great. Good to hear from you. Hope your next post is soon. :-) xo Jennifer

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    1. Thanks lovey!! I have to pop over soon and see what the girls are up to...; )

      XXX

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  4. Hello from Spain: the hall table with the lamp is very elegant. The candlestick, the dog ... I like all your pieces. Great job. Very inspiring. Keep in touch

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    1. Thanks Marta, it was a lot of fun putting it all together.

      ML Fi xx

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  5. Bonjour,
    Je ne pense jamais a faire des kits . C est dommage car je trouve que celui que vous avez fait est très bien . La teinte que vous avez choisie apporte beaucoup de charme . J'aime beaucoup l'ambiance avec la lumière allumée. Je déteste les prises et du coup , je mets tous mes fils électriques derrière la maison . L arrière n est pas beau du tout a voir . Il n y a pas de solition miracle .
    Peut être de mettre un objet au sol devant pour cacher ce gros carré blanc...

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    1. Bonjour Catherine,
        Nous vous remercions pour leurs commentaires et bienvenue. Oui, l'idée de faire des kits est venu de Linda Carswell qui fait beaucoup d'entre eux. Je suis surpris que je les ai apprécié autant que moi. Je suis d'accord, peut-être quelque chose à cacher la fiche si tout le reste échoue. Quand vous regardez dans de standing vous ne pouvez pas le voir, mais descendre bas avec l'appareil photo, il est ver obviouse.

      Hugs, Fi xxx

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  6. I bet you so enjoyed making your kits....you will be looking for them every where now....I adore kit furniture!!!!!

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    1. Hi Linda,

      Yes, I did love making them they were fun as you said they would be. I have to admit to my complete surprise I am looking forward to making some more!!

      Fi xx

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  7. Hi Fiona, how nice to see another post of you! Yes, sometimes real life drags us away from the doll's house world....but most of us always return as soon as possible :D
    Your kit is a succes indeed; such beautiful pieces. And they fit well in the hall; the sphere you created in there is very nice (partly due to the soft green on the walls and all the delicate details you added, I guess...) By the way: I love the dogs; they're really cute.
    As for the electricity plug; I have this problem too; it's the only drawback of the coppertape-system, I think. I usually try to hide them by placing an object in front of them....not very elegant....
    Hugs, Liduina. xxx

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    1. Hi Liduina,

      Thank you my dear, I'm glad you like! The Dogs are for Mia, as you can imagine she's mad about animals so they must be part of the house.

      As for the plug, if Andy doesn't have any suggestions, I will have to find something to put there, a new spot for the boots.

      Hugs, Fi XXX

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  8. Your kit furniture looks wonderful, FI, glad the read and do step by step worked for you :-)

    Your house looks great, I do all my wiring in such a way that nothing is fixed permanently, the wires all run loose in grooves cut in the floor above the light fixture, I always worry that one light fitting might blow and leave a room in the dark. You can see how I do it here, the highboy in the photos was made from an HOM kit and lives with Andy now.

    http://elgakoster.blogspot.com/2011/10/victorian-dollhouse-study.html

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  9. Wow Elga!!
    You are so organised, it's amazing to see where all your wires are hidden. I will keep all of this in mind as I do the rest of my house, most of the lights are in but i will be adding lamps as I go and I will have to come up with an ingenious method to hide them as you have.

    ML Fi xx

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    1. Yes, highboy does indeed live with me, and I am very pleased to have it! ;)

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  10. Well done Fi!!! Everything looks perfect on its place and the little dogs... are really cute!!!

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    1. Thanks Pau, you know last time I tried I couldn't access your blog. I will try again now and hope it works.

      Fi x

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  11. Hi Fi,
    Your miniatures arew a feast for the eyes. First of all, terrific job on the kits. they look so rich and elegant. The finish is fabulous and your assembly is perfect. Every detail is just spot on. Bravo my dear friend! Secondly, I cannot say it enough, your rooms are just enchanting. You reach a level of realism, warmth and beauty that is exceptional.
    There are many greata rtist I admire out there, but your work really inspires me. You have a very special touch and are a very gifted miniaturist Fi. It is a privilege to follow your blog.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Oh Giac,

      I am completely blushing and feel it is extremely high praise coming from you who I admire so much. Thank you, thank you, your words mean so much, although I do feel unworthy of them and I can only say your attention to detail and dedication inspires me no end.

      Any one else want to join the mutual admiration society???.....hehe!

      Much love and big hugs, Fi XXX

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  12. Beautifully made and wonderful scenes! :D

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    1. Hi Brae,

      Thank you for stopping by, I'm glad you like it.

      ML Fi xx

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  13. Hi Fi! You have done a marvelous job on your kits. They could not be more perfect. I love your dogs. These are pure breds, right? Because they look like the dog my eldest granddaughter and her husband have. I love those dogs. They named theirs Diesel. I must say I am in love with your kitchen! I like your little scene with the boots next to the table. Looks like you've been working in your garden! It's a nice little touch!

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    1. Hi Lucille,

      Yes they are pure breeds. They are Hungarian Vizslas which are a hunting breed or a Gun dog you would classify them as. They love the water and are very much companion dogs. They have a very lively nature and sometimes seem like puppies well into adulthood. They are sometimes nick named velcro dogs as they never leave your side which I think is the most lovely part of their character. I think Diesel is a great name, my kids named our dogs....perhaps I would have chosen something else??

      ML Fi xx

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    2. Fi, I called my granddaughter and she confirmed that Diesel is a Vizsla. I love Diesel so much. He's everything you said they are!

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    3. Well you did a great job picking the breed, Patricia does make them very life like. Knowing Deisel is a Vizsla I bet he loves being part of your Granddaughters family.

      XX

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  14. Hi, dearie, you did it, I knew it and the finish is gorgeous :D! So the kits aren't that horrible as you thought ;)?
    The photos you've made are stunning, just like in real life. Patricia makes amazing realistic animals, real artworks, enjoy your purchases, dear friend.
    My canal house is not finished, I built it 12 years ago :(, but I can learn now from the difficulties who others have with their lighting. I also bought the copper wire system years ago, but I don't think I'll use it.....
    Much love to all of you down under, Ilona

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    1. Hello my dear,

      yes I did it....much to my amazement and I actually enjoyed it. More kits on the way!!

      I'm glad you like my photos, I really need to get on with the floor in the twins room....almost done!

      Yep, I'm starting to think I should have done the other wirering, I'm thinking about ways I can change it as we speak.

      I hope your weather has improved, it's lovely here at the moment, just the way I like it!!

      ML Fi xx

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  15. Beautiful rooms you have created Fi, the furniture turned out really well they look like antiques, and I love your hounds guarding the house.

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  16. Hi Margret,

    Thank you! The hounds are a special part of the house, my daughter is so attached to our dogs, when I saw what Patricia could do I knew I had to get them for her.

    ML Fi xx

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  17. Your funiture came out so nice you just might inspire me to tackle all of those kits I have been dreading. LOL That dog of yours is precious!

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    1. Well I strongly recommend doing those kits you have in the draw and if you follow Andy and Elgas tips on my Kit Noob post you will be fine!

      Fi Xx

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  18. You did an excellent work. The scene with your table in the hall is really gorgeous. I love it.
    Geneviève

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    1. Thanks Genevieve, I'm glad you like it!

      ML Fi x

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  19. You've made a lovely job of your little kits - confident enough to do more now? I love kits.

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  20. Hi Fi! Your kits look really lovely!!! I LOVE seeing your house with more than one room at a time so you can see how they are positioned in relation to each other! I keep thinking I should try some kits for furniture.... I still haven't finished a bureau I started thirty five years ago! LOL! I think I still have the drawer hardware somewhere... and I couldn't decide what kind of finish to use on it!!! Maybe I will dig it out and finish it now...!

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    1. Yes, I think you should dig it out and give it a go!

      XX

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  21. Hello Fi, sorry for such a late reply!

    Firstly, the big chunky plugs fitted to your lamp can be removed, so that you can drill holes in the house to feed the wire through, and then reattach the plug to the wire and fix into a socket on the rear of the house, there are smaller plugs available, which I have used on my pub project, but you need to have copper tape-wire and a special small socket for them. All these are made and available from Cir-Kit. I have had (slightly) better results from feeding wires to the rear of my dolls house, then when using lamp adaptors, which are a little touch and go! There are also battery powered lamps available on the market, which might work, though I think they look a little clumsy sometimes.

    The kits all look great! You've done a good job with those! Pleased that you found my tips useful! Here's to the next kit!!

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    1. Hi Andy,

      I have used the copper wire so I can use the smaller plugs, so I guess I'll just google Cir-Kit plugs and I should find them. I am thinking about re- wiring the next floor to my house....it's just so frustrating to think about re doing a job that is already done but I am worried about the copper tape corroding.

      Thanks for your tips.

      ML Fi xx

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  22. Hi Fi,

    As usual, you are just terrific! The kits are charming and your rooms always look so inviting! I shall be stopping by for a cuppa!

    It's a bit of work, but I now "brad" my lights. I wrap each wire around a brad and then gently hammer the brads into the tape wire.

    I like Andy's approach also -- must try it.

    Cheers,
    Iris

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    1. That sounds like a good idea too, I will have to do a bit of experementing.

      ML Fi x

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  23. Long time no see!
    I'm sorry.
    What a wonderful blog you have made I love your new lay-out.
    The kits are charming and your rooms look so real, it is wonderful to come here and see what you have made.

    Hugs, Alexandra

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    1. Hi Alexandra,

      Great to see you!

      I think you must have been one of the first to see the change, I'm glad you like it.

      ML Fi xx

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  24. Love your little doggies! I am having such a hard time finding realistic mini animals at an affordable price.

    toddlindsey.com

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