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Gonna make a little girls Christmas this year. I gave her an Orchid that I had made several years ago that was mostly sitting around gathering dust. She wanted a dollhouse for Christmas and I just happened to have one. Threw in some furniture and a family and a hodge-podge of other stuff from my stash; a Christmas tree, Santa bear, etc. I like making them, even a little decorating, but don't play with them so what the hey! The space where it was sure seems empty but I am sure her heart will be full! I know mine is! Merry Christmas to all my mini friends and peace to you and yours!

Since we have fallen on hard times ourselves in the past and been recipients of assistance, we try very hard to focus on others at this time of year. I have the grandchildren go shopping with me for all the things we give so it is their input into styles and likes and such. I feel it gives them more of a sense of reality of what others live like and do without. This year we have done 5 shoebox gifts to the Operation Christmas Child organization in November for kids overseas in need. We made a monetary donation to Twinkle's school project for Christmas Cheer (gifts to families in her school that are in need) and a clothing and toy donation to Wisterias school for the gifts to families in her school. This week we are turning in anonymous clothing gifts for 3 local children. They requested top, pants and shoes but we decided to add socks to 2 of them and "girly" belts to go with one of the girls pants. We are so blessed and it is such a blessing to be able to share. The 3 grands that live here all requested less this year so we could do these last 3 children. I was fairly bursting inside at their insight.

That was such a wonderful thing to do, Perry! And you, too, Stacey and Selkie! Blondie, life will get better, have faith. You don't have to give to a local charity to be giving... stop by a nursing home and visit with an elderly person for a few minutes...take an elderly neighbor shopping or out for tea... or volunteer some time at your local Red Cross... or donate a can or 2 of veggies/soup to the local food shelf. There are a hundred ways to give without shorting yourself. And the recipients are usually immensely grateful. It is always nice to share. I have never had much and have even less now, but I have always tried to share what I have with others. I raised my kids the same way. For my daughters 6th birthday party, she requested that gifts for families effected by Hurricane Katrina be brought if anyone was going to think about getting her anything because she didn't want any gifts, just for her friends to be there. Only one family didn't come to that party and we sent many gift cards and books and school supplies down South that year. We still help others in many ways, all year long, when we can. My only regret is that I can't do more to help others. It is so good to know this community is such a caring group, even beyond this forum. I am so glad I joined and glad you are all part of it, too.

I started my Orchid! Did I say I wasn't going to start my Orchid until AFTER Christmas? Well folks, every time I walked past the table where the box was laying it kept calling me over........so this afternoon I opened the box, took out the sheets and started labeling the parts and pieces.....yikes there seems to be many of them!!! Back, Front, Right, Left, Top, Bottom.....wore my little pencil down to a stub poor thing! :waycon: I need a break!

I adopted a family with a little girl for Christmas and am giving her a dollhouse and all the fixings , along with some other things . Hoping it will give her many hours of enjoyment and a merrier Christmas .

Already on it as far the other house. I started out with nothing and still have most of it!

I was just thinking - there is one more special thing we do at Christmas time and it doesn't cost anything in dollars and cents. Each night after supper we light advent candles and talk about a different topic each week for the 4 weeks before Christmas. The first week is about God's Promises, the second week is about Light, the third week is about Love, and the last week is about Hope. During that time we draw names each week to be Secret Pals with another family member. We do things like sneak around and do someone's chores for them, leave a Hershey kiss on their pillow, draw a picture, write a thank you to them, fix a cup of coffee for your pal, bake a favorite cookie, play someone's favorite game with them, and so on - you get the idea. Then we trade names for the next week and on Christmas we reveal who we had after folks have tried to guess. So the 6 of us keep our thinking caps on for silly, fun, meaningful things to do for each other - just because ....

Lindsey,you made me tear up-that is one of the best things anyone can do-any time of year-go visit a nursing home,or an elderly neighbor/friend/relative. They need us!! You are also giving the nieces such a wonderful gift,the chance to learn compassion and empathy-something we all need more of! As a caregiver to the elderly,I personally thank you for that gift! Perry,Stacey,Selkie,Vicki,and all of the others who are giving so generously to others-thank you so much for your inspirational sweetness! I'm with you,Blondie and Morgan-not able to give donations or gifts I'd like to this year,even to my own grown boys or my mother. But the love is there and will sustain us. We are maybe too hard on ourselves-for sure I know that you 2 and many others have given much to those around you,just by how you come across on the Forum! We are so blessed to have this freedom of expression and a place to share what we love!! ^_^

I will give by taking special time to talk with some of my friends who I know need extra love right now. Thank you for the encouragement!

At the nursing home I work they have a tree for the elderly who either need items or don't have families that visit, we normally give to a few people as well as while the nieces are off from school I take them to work with me to spend time with everyone. Both the kids and elderly really seem to enjoy it.

Last night we drew up our gift list. The few folks who usually received monetary gifts will this year be receiving gift cards that tell them a donation has been made in their name to either Kiva or Heifer International.

To Everyone: I jump on and off this forum, every day. I do it because I KNOW it is a positive escape. I would not trade it, do not get me wrong, but my real life is so completely overwhelming (nothing I can do about it but what I already do) that socializing in person is nearly impossible and too rare to count on. Coming here is me experiencing the gift of all of your time. We talk about what we can and can't do this Christmas. When I read Blondie's comment above, all I could see is that everyone here takes time for others on a regular basis, right here. I am a recipient of that gift and I thank every one of you for that. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Best Wishes & whatever else it takes to respect everyones new fascination with political correctness for December 25 & January 1, it is a time of year we need to say Thank You All! Morgan

Here is a copy of the image that I saved to my inspiration album. My apologies to the builder as I don't remember who did this house, but I've always thought it was a beauty. It's somewhere here on the forum.

There really is a Santa Claus Perry! How nice! You too Stacey and everyone who has such a kind heart! I gave a little girl my Jefferson years ago. She wasn't poor by any means......I would say more neglected by parents who could probably buy her anything but didn't have the time or take the effort to be with her. She spent all her time at my house....very sad for those parents.

I had a great development yesterday. About 4 years ago I was sent to Tampa to attend a deposition. It was meant primarily as a learning experience to expand my skills as a paralegal. While I was there I basically shorthanded the deponent's responses and made footnotes of inconsistencies and outright lies he told. I was also able to send a few quick notes to the attorney on our side that helped with her questioning. Apparently that one encounter made an impression. She contacted me last night after hearing that I was looking for work. Her firm is too small to hire me (which she said she would do if there was enough work), but was going to contact attorneys she is close with here in Gainesville and around Tampa.

I got some wood from Blick recently so I cut and glued it together to make three corner trims. Gina added a piece to the long back wall, but I'll be leaving that one off. I gave them the first coat of paint last night, and they'll need a couple more. My goal for today is to squeeze in sanding the little brackets that go along the fascia over my lunch break. Gina recommended gluing them on as-is if you are using the same color as the fascia, so I think I'll do that. Then I'll paint them later. The brackets are the last completely unstarted element I have for the outside of the house. It feels really good to NOT have little stacks of naked wood all over the house any morel Sweet relief! Boing boing!!

I only make scratch built houses. The options are limitless, but a mock up is key if you're not comfortable with a 2-dimensional blueprint. My current project is wired for 18 circuits. I can turn on all of the lights or a single desk lamp. It really does allow you to set the mood in a room. I don't decorate houses or observe holidays, but my modern Tudor is set so that the owner could plug in just a lit Christmas tree, the fireplace and maybe a table lamp for a cozy evening for two in the living room. Running multiple circuits in a solid wall house will probably be difficult, but I'm sure there are other members of the GL family who have found ways around that problem. I prefer wood framing like a real house, but that does add a bit of work to the build. On the other hand, I have built two houses without any large power tools. Only a rotary tool and a soldering iron for the wiring were needed. Before wall panels and exteriors are added, the house might look like this: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php?app=gallery&image=57757 I haven't attempted to finish a room with the ceiling attached as this would seem like a small space for my large hands, so I always finish the rooms on each floor before adding the ceiling / next floor to the house. I am a bit envious. You have so many examples of architecture that predates what we have here in the U.S. Do take lots of pictures of your progress. We like seeing houses take shape.

We may be separated by a common language, Tom, but we all speak miniature.

Mike's right about the Spackle. That's a US brand name for what you may know as polyfilla.

Here's a pretty good starter site: click Also go here for lots of info: click And of course right here at the GL forum! I think a Bosch jigsaw is a versatile tool for dollhouse building & a very good investment. Read the details & reviews for the smallest one JS260. $99 new, ~ $60 refurbished. With a jigsaw & a straight-edge you can cut out walls, (at angles & compound angles) plus window & door openings in various thicknesses of plywood. Roof angles: With a 45 degree pitch the peak angle is 90 degrees, which means you can do a simple butt joint at the ridge. The dormer angle is about 55 degrees. Oh, gaps can be filled with spackle, (your best friend.) Good luck on your new adventure Claire!

I got "almost" all of the inner windows in. The big bay front window needs help because the wallpaper isn't creased in the right corner -- more like curved -- so the window doesn't want to stick. I'll figure out a way to fix it. I glued on the shutters tonight. Next up: CUSTOM CORNER TRIM! :bounce:

Yes, you will. I had a hard time envisioning it as well, even after reading stuff here. So I punched out parts for one window,laid them out on the table, then went "OHHHHH!!!" You'll get it!

Thanks Roxy , I polished off the bag of mini M&M's , now I'm waiting for sugar cookie dough to chill . And Selkie , hope you had your stuff brought down and you're doing some serious decorating .

Claire, what a wonderful project ahead of you! I have a few suggestions. You may want to do a mock-up using foam core board and / or corrugated cardboard with long pins to hold it together. When you get it the way you want it, you'll have templates for cutting the permanent material. I'd suggest 1/8" plywood if it is available. Solid wood sheets may have more of a tendency to warp. MDF contains some nasty chemicals and requires the use of a rebreather when cutting or sanding. You don't want to be inhaling that toxic dust. Holly's suggestion to find a woodworking or carpentry class to cut the main pieces is a good one. If your dad has tools to lend, might he instead lend his expertise and do the main cutting for you? In another thread, it was suggested that a scroll saw is useful. Most of the rest can be done with hand tools.

Kat, thank you for summing up my feelings perfectly. Perry and Stacie, thank you for renewing my faith in human compassion this holiday season. Vickie, Selkie, and Lindsey, it is so heartwarming to read how you shared the joy of giving with your daughter, grandchildren, and nieces. You each gave your family members much more than what they could have received in a package. Blondie, you are a reminder that we can give much more than monetary gifts, and Kathie, you found a way of giving where it can do the most good while also acknowledging your friends. Roxy, I think it is important to note that a person doesn't have to be financially needy in order to be lacking, so thank you for recognizing a need in the little girl you mentioned. And Morgan you are right in reminding yourself of everything you do rather than the things we can't do. I have a feeling your scale is tipped more on the giving side than you can imagine. I hope everyone on this site has a blessed holiday season, and thank you all for sharing your hobby, pictures, thoughts, and comments with me.

Janet and Roxy,I am so sorry for the sadness y'all are both going through! Hopefully you'll have lots of time left to hug and cuddle your little friends. They know you love them,I'm sure! Hugs to you both,Kat

My Orchid has arrived! She's beautiful. I have to name her, what I'm not sure, but I have to name her.

Oh Roxy I am sorry to hear about your Annie- I do hope she will be alright! As for me- once again it is almost Christmas and I find myself in a race against time to finish a dollhouse for a client! Sheesh! When will I EVER learn to say NO!!????

Hello to all of you out there, My name is Tom and I'm quite old,a great grandfather in fact.It's a good job this isn't a dating site!Tom jones is the same age though and we are both going strong! Apart from a shared interest in miniatures with my wife we love to dance( Ballroom,line and jive) but only once a week now.Another hobby where I'm outnumbered by ladies with whom I dance,sometimes 5 or 6 in an evening.We enjoy holidays (vacations!) in the UK now that travel insurance is so expensive for seniors. Best Wishes, Tom.

Janet and Roxy I am so sorry to hear about Matilda and Annie's illnesses, I can only imagine how you both feel right now and my thoughts and prayers are with you both. Roxy - looks like we posted at the same time, she is adorable. Big hugs to you.

Here's Annie.....9 lbs of cuteness!

That is IAK's white orchid http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php?app=gallery&image=7795

I don't expect you'll have to be unemployed for long.

I never install windows until after everything else on the wall is done.

Past tense, Amy; Greenleaf made a plastic version in a limited run of a few hundred. A few years ago Dean made the last of them available to Forum members. Here is what I did with mine: There used to be an album of all the White Orchids we built, but I see it has vanished along with all the other "upgrade" glitches. Here is Peggi's version, for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php?app=gallery&album=977 As Tinkerbell's cottage: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php?app=gallery&album=644 And my personal favorite version: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/index.php?app=gallery&album=553 I just went to the Gallery and searched on "White Orchid"; not nearly as satisfying as when we used to have the album, but there you are.

Clear sanding sealer will also seal your wood. Dremel is a brand of rotary tool that, with stable mounts, can be used to drill, cut and rout your wood; handheld it sands, shapes or carves. I make everything that goes into my houses, so I also play with DH's belt and disc sander, a scrollsaw and a lathe.

Ron, I understand the shaky hand syndrome. Have you thought about painting some of the trim before you install it?

We have our Tree up.... we downsized considerably... its a 2 foot treee, sitting on a tv stand with the tree skirt drapped around it.! It sure looks weird but it works...... We havent done any Christmas shopping yet...... I personally dont like shopping... I hate grocery shopping and dont care to shop for anything else.... kellee

Me, too--my main tool for the long cuts is a jigsaw--but again, ask your dad about his tools/will he cut the long/big pieces? No EZ cutter, but a good utility knife work for many cuts. I also use plywood, hate MDF's cut edges and the dust, weight.

I scratch build. Scroll Saw. Dremel tool. EZ Cutter. That's all you'll ever need. Seal the wood. It means use primer or another paint product. The different brand craft paints usually have a clear sealer you can use under and over paint. This should prevent moisture/warping issues down the road. Have fun!

Thank you Kat, and so glad you enjoyed it! A lady at the mall on Saturday was asking me about the team, and what they were doing there. I did a little explaining on who they were, and about that time they had a musical break during Feliz Navidad, where they come down into the audience and shake hands, greet people, etc. Then she looked at me and said, "They just make people feel happy!" And I said, and THAT'S the reason they are here! This group and Lawson's involvement in it has been such a blessing, in so many ways. I am so thankful he became a part of it.

We too, love giving at Christmas. This year, our level of monthly giving prevents it and I have to keep reminding myself of what we do every day.

Claire, I think Houseworks components are made to work with 5/8" stock. Check your dimensions when you get your "test" order. There's LOTS of math involved1 Stuff the math, follow Kathie's suggestion about making a mock up and cut it the way you want (you know how to strike verticals?) Once you get the look you want, let the geometry take care of itself. Once you have your cardboard or foamcore templates the way you want them, then you can go back and measure angles, etc. It seems to me that a lot of the dh roofs I've built met at a 60-degree angle, if that helps.

Claire, I love your inspiration photo. All of the brick and stone can be done with paperclay or egg carton for a very realistic look. I agree with Kathie; don't use MDF. Under "Getting Started" there have been several threads about tools and supplies, but look for a good all purpose carpenters wood glue. I use white glue for most gluing on my houses. I don't know what is available in Ireland, but I'm sure there is something comparable. There are also several members here who do wonderful scratch builds. Hopefully they will chime in soon

Sounds like you're raising some awesome grand kids Selkie .

Sounds fun:) Someone else did a very moody atmospheric Orchid recently. Not sure if the intent was for it to be haunted but if anyone knows which house/builder Im referring too, Amy may get some further inspiration from those photos. I have a love/hate relationship with the Orchid, I love it built I just don't like building it. I wish you the best of luck and cant wait to see your progress!

Something like this, the roof. This is one of the inspiration pics. Another important question: the running order? I'm thinking I do the whole shell, then the wiring, then the exterior and then the interior. Is that right? Gosh, the wiring is going to be a whole other headache! I'd like more than one switch, so that I could have some lights on or all, rather than all or nothing.

Your generosity toward others is warming my heart. Bless you. :wub: I'm unable to give to our local charity this year, but I look forward to doing it again next year if I can. It really does feel good all around.

Morgan, I just made one of those Wilton GB Houses! They don't give you enough icing and candy in my opinion but it was fun to play with! I just got home from the dentist and for being a good girl I treated myself to building stuff for my Orchid. I am stocking up in supplies so when I want to start I have it all there and ready! Stacey I think you need a hug or chocolate or both!!! Be safe driving in the snow!!! :hug:

Ron, I am old and have shaky hands, too; masking tape works for me.