KatCal

I had the same problem-I wrote to the company and they sent me copies...you can also get extra parts from them at a small cost

April, the tower is not as tricky as it seems..it basically just stands there, held together with glue, with just a few tab and slots at the floor levels. I have filled mine in ( after the glue ) with spackle for a smoother surface. I invite you to my blog at http://www.kathycalhoun.blogspot.com and know you're welcome to e-mail me at kcalhoun@bresnan.net for questions. It's a daunting task, but not one that's impossible.

HAHAHA...Holly, you have such delightful philosophies!!!

What a delightful name, Apple....I can't begin to count the mistakes I've made, or almost made, and they come with the kit, just no directions to those things. I actually think they make things all the most interesting. One of my favorite things to do is just sit and stare at my Garfield and let it talk to me...it says a lot if I just keep myself quiet. Always happy to help here..........just enjoy what you're doing and listen to what the house has to say. Each one is different. Kathy

Hi, Sarah, I know how excited you are having the Garfield. It's tons of fun, but just as much work. Before you begin, make sure you'll have it in a place you can move it around. My own will never leave this room, unless it's dismantled somehow, which is okay with me. It's huge and not easily moved. Both Sumaiya and I have blogs at blogspot ( and we are accessible from each other's blog ) and we'll be happy to offer advice any time. By all means, e-mail me directly if you need to...I tend to just drop in at the forum occassionally. The best thing I can say is to read carefully and don't hurry.Get lots of sandpaper!!! Many places will need to be decorated before you move on to the next step. I have felt like I've built the house from the inside out. I have never felt so attached to a house as I feel with The Garfield. Somewhere, inside this house , my heart beats. Kathy http://kathycalhoun.blogspot.com/ kcalhoun@bresnan.net

Yes, Kristine, there are many "ifs" when building the Garfield. I suggest you put the siding and shingles in a box for later; they'll just be in the way. You're a l-o-n-g way from needing them. Thank, Sumaiya for posting my address and you are welcome to e-mail me direct for advice or questions. As I keep saying, I'm building from the inside out, decorating as I go. This house is an interesting thing to put together. You've received some excellent advise from those ahead of me and I don't disagree with any of it, especially the part about patience. This baby won't be done any time soon and will keep you thinking and, sometimes, totally confused. When I feel "lost", I just sit there and stare it until the answer comes to me...and there are many answers. Have fun....that's the important thing. Kathy

Ellen, As Holly mentioned, I, too, am building the Garfield, though I'm on a Holiday break. You can get to it through Sumaiya's site or go to http://www.kathycalhoun.blogspot.com My advise is to read, read, read and go slow with anything that you do while building ( any ). The instructions have thrown me off many times and I have changed the plans more than once. There are places that need decorating before you move to the next step or you'll never be able to reach them later. I feel like I'm building my Garfield from the inside out. You are always more than welcome to e-mail me directly for questions or help. kcalhoun@bresnan.net I do know Sumaiya would help also, as will any in the community here. We love to talk about our ideas and, especially, our frustrations. Patience, dear Ellen, and never work when you're frustrated. The Garfield is an exquisite house and it has been a joy to work on. I know that it will be the same for you. Kathy

Well, I've dropped into this pretty late, but haven't been to the forum for a while. I get wrapped up in doing and don't do much reading. I've done several things with the flooring in my Garfield. I've used the parquet flooring paper and varnished it; I've used the precut flooring stuck on the paper: I've used a thin mahagony veneer in the dining room, bought from the hardware store, and I've simply finished the wood already given to me. Except for the paper floor, sanding was so very important and multiple coats of the stain..I used Varathane's Cabernet. Each tye received 3 coats of Bullseye shellac mixed with denatured alcohol...a 50/50 mix. I plan on using a tile look paintable paper for my tower and still haven't decided about some things. In the dining room, I used scrpbooking decals for the floor design. That was fun. The more sanding the better...the richer the stain the better and multiple coats are that secret, and good varnish treatment is important too. And patience, patience, ptience. Kathy Calhoun www.kathycalhoun.blogspot.com

No, Holly, only one other person has mentioned, but with no knowledge. The tag on it at the antique store had a question mark and military medal and another question mark, but that was it. It is stamped with "AGNEW" on the back and the online research found and "Agnew Jewelers" in Birmingham, AL. My Aunt Faye lives there and I've been thinking of getting their phone ## and calling them. I probably wouldn't change my plans for using it as a ceiling medallion, but my curiousity would sure like to know. Kathy www.kathycalhoun.blogspot.com

Obviously, I'm coming into this late. There's not a thing I can add to what everyone else has said except I hope you have a garden or something close to it outside. Go buy an autumn flower and dig the biggest hole you can manage, even if you have only a spoon. While you're digging, bury some of those stresses ( and a few people ) and plop that flower on top and fill it in with dirt. I can't tell you how often that time alone and fretting over a pile of dirt has helped me....and there are PLENTY of people "buried" among my plants. Bless your heart. Kathy in Grand Junction, CO

A few new photos and additions to the blog in the past few days. Thank you for your visits and comments. It helps me learn. Kathy www.kathycalhoun.blogspot.com

Margarita...build your Garfield...it's fun..it's tough..it's a challenge...it IS fun Kathy

Irene, I have always admired YOUR Garfield. It was you who gave me the thought of moving the fireplace to the outer wall, though I closed up the one window to give me a little extra room. AND, I used your idea of putting the window seat in the entry bay instead of in the Parlor tower. I'd not noticed until today that you used your closets for shelves, but I did remember how you turned that nook into a closet. You've done beautiful work on yours and I thank you for some of the inspirations. Thank you for your compliments....kind words DO mean a lot. Kathy www.kathycalhoun.blogspot.com

Respecting your opinions, and I include Shar's Daddy here, I will no longer feel awkward "tooting my own horn" as my husband feels I should. I AM so proud of my house and I really do enjoy sharing it with others, especially all of you who do understand that it's not really just a toy, but something that holds my heart. I suppose I could say I'm lucky that I don't work ( disability from the world of medical job related injuries ) and I have the time to work/play with this and other miniature projects. I do appreciate your telling me that you read my blog. I would have felt odd writing it and knowing no one was there...I will try to update more often and further expound on the Garfield adventures. I'm not all that active here in this forum, but I assure you that I go to your photo sites and blogs. You all teach me so many things and some amuse me more than I can say. Casey, your Mookie is a hoot ! Again and again, thank you for your kind words and friendship. How I wish I could uncover the missing miniaturists in Grand Junction and be able to get together live and in living color, but it's so nice to know I have the rest of the world helping me. You are good friends. Kathy www.kathycalhoun.blogspot.com

Thanks, Ladies, I KNEW you'd understand !!! Ann, I peek at your photos often. It helps to see where I'm going or understand what a piece of wood is supposed to do ( as opposed to what I'm trying to do with it! ) It keeps my confusion down, especially with these crazy directions. And, Gina, your Victorian sites send my imagination to many places and give me some fun ideas.