mystic Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Hello everyone, my name is Linda. I just received my first dollhouse, The Washington 2.0. Any advice will be greatly appreciated especially since the instructions are confusing and no picture illustrations. My husband is going to help putting it together but I still feel overwhelmed by all the pieces. He's already put together two walls and the base floor. He wants to use an electric sander so that it comes out nice and smooth. So that's where we are right now. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 HI Linda, I'm new to this too, but I have put a couple of houses together. The one thing that I found that helps me is to do an inventory of the parts, reread the directions knowing what pieces are being talked about, and do dry fits first. Oh... and invest in wood putty. You might be able to go online to see a picture of your house. More then likely you will find it on here all dolled up. There are plenty of AMAZING houses here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janet Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hi, Linda, and welcome to the group! Someone here is bound to have the advice you need. :welcome; Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Welcome to the little family, Linda & hubby. Read over the instructions with the schematics sheet in one hand, to see what the parts talked about look like. Use masking tape to put it together (what we call the dry fit) and see how it goes. Do NOT use hot glue to assemble the kit, carpenter's WOOD glue will work just fine. An electric sander? I tried mine on one of my houses and went back to using my sanding block and emeryboards; the electric sander seemed like overkill. A heavy-duty Stanley stapler works wonders for reinforcing connections. I find it helps me to find parts faster if I stack the plywood sheets into numerical order. Another advantage of the dry fit is that you can see which parts of the house will be difficult to decorate if you wait until the house is together. Also, you might want to wait until after the house is together and decorated to install the doors and windows, especially the transparent acetate inserts. I have a Washington 2.0 still in its box that wants to become a WWII era farmhouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
judithfa Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hi Linda, and :welcome: to the forum! I know you and your husband will enjoy building this dollhouse. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 Thanks for the warm welcome I did alot of reading in this forum while I was waiting for the dollhouse to arrive and I'm so glad I did. I've learned quite alot especially the do's and don't's. As far as hubby is concerned, I'll be working solo for awhile because he injured his back this morning at a job site (he's in construction). It's OK though, for now I have some sanding to do and then I'll be able to start painting some pieces. I hope that mine can come out at least half as nice as the ones I've seen on this site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hi Linda, and :welcome: to the forum. If the sanding doesn't provide the smooth surface you seek, try wiping the piece with a skim coat of Spackle or joint compound/wallboard mud. Either one will fill in the slight irregularities in the surface and give a beautifully smooth surface ready for the primer that you'll want to use on all of the pieces except those that will be stained. (You can paint over stain but can't stain over paint.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 Thanks for the tip Kathie.. I should have joint compound at home, my husband said he would give me something to fill the irregularities so maybe that's what he was talking about. It's really funny how much he's into this house building. And I'm so glad because I think it would take me forever to put it all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Spirit Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hi Linda, welcome to the forum! I hope your husband isn't hurt badly - backs can be tricky. As you go about the build, you may have questions - this is definitely the place to bring them. No matter how small, large, or odd. ;) Chances are, someone here has the answer - or several optional answers - or knows where to find the answer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kari-n-miniland Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Welcome from one newbie to another, Linda! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic Posted December 17, 2011 Author Share Posted December 17, 2011 Thank you very much! And hubby is feeling a bit better. I have already started sanding the house and am really feeling excited! I plan to take my time about putting things together. Thank you all for such a nice warm welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oelewrosc Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Glad to be a part of this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheckMouse Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 WELCOME to the Greenleafmini-family, Linda and Hubby – so glad you joined us! We love to share news, pictures, and ideas on all things miniature! So nice that you have your husband to work with you on your mini-projects. My sweet man hasn't yet figured out why in the world I like miniatures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Thank you so much! At first my hubby thought I was nuts when I mentioned it to him, but then he totally changed and was more excited than me when the house arrived. He actually sat outside waiting for the UPS guy. He has plans about making a nice base for it. So it's reaaly nice that he's involved especially since I need his help in putting the parts together, lol Thank you for such nice warm welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Med Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Waving hello Linda, welcome to the group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Thank you! It' s nice to be a part of this community Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Welcome to the forum Linda! There are several beautiful washingtons in the gallery. I'll post pictures of my favorite one online shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minis On The Edge Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Here is the link. It has a primrose addition on it too http://www.engfant.com/madiganhouse/new_washington_house.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Wow, so beautiful! Thank you for sending me the link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Tracy, I LOVE how that one turned out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLyn M. Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Hi Linda and Hubby..(hope his back is better!) Just catching up with my "Hellos"..Hope you're enjoying this site!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenannediva Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Hello and welcome Linda, know you are going to love it here! Valerie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 Thank you Valerie. Everyone has been so helpful. I've been really enjoying the whole process except for the sanding, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mystic Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 (edited) Thanks for asking about hubby Llyn, he's doing much better. Edited January 9, 2012 by mystic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandystar Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Welcome, Linda, and a warm welcome to your husband as well. It's just wonderful that he's working with you. If you run into any problems or have questions (as we all do, I assure you), just give a holler here and you're sure to get answers! Nice to have some more Floridians on board ;-)!c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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