I guess it was inevitable that I would reach a limit to my abilities, especially under the limitations I have to face. I don't have a wood working shop (table saw, band saw, sander, etc.) so I have to make all of my cuts by hand. I figured I would be able to build the kitchen cabinets with the skills I got from working in a cabinet shop back in 2000. The cabinet bodies and doors are acceptable, but without the right hinges, impossible to assemble. I was hoping to find a different kind of hinge or at least find out what technique the professionals use while I was at Ron's Miniatures. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that the "professionals" don't use hinges at all, but pins! While it may look relatively clean, the fact is, cabinet doors aren't flush with the cabinets in real life, and shouldn't in mini (if you want a realistic look).

My only option was to order pinned cabinets from Houseworks. I'll still use my counter tops and kitchen sink, but the rest will be manufactured.

The other failure was the fireplace mantle. I haven't done mini mould making, so I don't have the skills to produce a truly worthy fireplace mantle for the Tudor house. I bought a resin mantle at Ron's that not only looks great, but fits very nicely. I just need to find out who the manufacturer is so I can give credit where credit is due.

Hopefully I'll have 60% of the Tudor's 1st floor complete by the time I get to Chicago on April 8th.