what2craftnow Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 After months of doing absolutely no mini-ing at all, I FINALLY got out my languishing 1/2 scale Chantilly (aka Gull Cottage from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir/1947 version) and began working on her again. YEA! I admit, I was totally fed up with trying to figure out the stonework that was necessary, and I absolutely bawked at doing paperclay. Yes, I have done paperclay before, in 1:12 and in 1:48 (although the 1:48 was REALLY rough looking..sigh), and I love the effects of paperclay, but quite honestly, I just wasn't up to the challenge, and so, I put the whole project off because I just didn't like ANYTHING that was out there. Then, HBS offered a new basalt paper with slightly raised brick design recently (which I actually purchased for a totally different 1:12 project), and lo and behold, it occurred to me...why not this? I decided that I could embellish and "emphasize" isolated bricks with thin cork drawer liner painted and cut in the shape of existing bricks, thereby giving a touch of added dimension to the whole look. It's not perfect, and certainly doesn't offer the realism that paperclay would, but it sure was a whole lot easier on this old gal, and still gives the look that I was craving...so overall, I am a happy camper. No..it isn't advertised as suitable for 1:24 scale, but I think it still is small enough that it is believable, and quite frankly..it's ON there now...so I'm callin' it a DONE DEAL..LOL Here's a couple pics of my progress at any rate..so ya'll can see what I'm ranting about. Oh, and those wayward vines were just hangin' out...I fully intend to 'nail' their little tentacles down once I get that far. ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nathaniel Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 What a gorgeous house!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparklepuppies Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Yes, and that paper looks amazing! I would have never guessed it was paper. Great job, I'm loving it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otterine Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 It looks fantastic! I see nothing wrong with the scale at all. It's a winner! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eliza Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 What a stunning house! I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what2craftnow Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Thanks ya'll. Hoping I get my HBS order today (more paper bricks) so I can finish that portion and start tackling that 2nd floor balcony (not sure how on earth I'm gonna pull THAT one off, but it'll get done somehow). Any ideas for something like chain-link fencing in 1/2 scale size that would be easily bent for that odd bow of the1st floor bay would be entirely welcome here. I have 6 posts that it will have to attach to..ugh! Here's a photo of the movie-set house to give an idea what I'm babbling about. As you can tell, my little place won't be an exact replica, but it will be close enough to suit me. Bashing isn't my strongest suit..lol Thanks in advance for any balcony fencing ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Chris, the stonework turned out wonderfully well! As for the balcony railing ... It appears to be vertical posts with thin horizontal bits. Could you not replicate it with square dowels or posts from HBS with 1/8" dowels for the horizontals (which I know have a proper name that is currently eluding me)? You don't really mean to put something resembling chain link fencing up there, do you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 For "chain link" what about stretching plastic mesh bag pieces such as onions or Bon Bell cheeses come in, and gluing them to the dowels as Kathie suggests? The basalt paper worked beautifully. There is no one single size of brick, and yours look just fine for 1:24. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what2craftnow Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 I'm not quite sure what I mean to put up there Kathie..LOL Here's a better photo of the production shot of balcony. It does have chain link, although I suppose I could make whatever the heck I want..who's gonna fight me on it anyway? :spar: (I mean, other than myself..lol) Holly, I tried the mesh stuff, and it works too, but is a little flimsier than I was comfortable with. I may revisit that idea again though. I really did like that it was less distracting looking. While rummaging around in my "stuff", I found some diamond patterned metal/mesh from a window screen insert. It might work, but I'm a-thinkin' it is just too 'busy' and detracts from the window patterns straight lines. (please forgive the photo's 'crooked' panes..I really must find a way to secure them without gumming up the acetate window..ugh) I don't know. After all these years, you'd think I could just make a decision without 'what if-ing" myself to death. (sigh) Thanks for all the support dear Greenleafer's. It is much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violet2Dawn Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I suggest Netting, like for bridal veils. You could stiffin it or stretch it taut to fit the shape you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I like the metal mesh you found. It's a good scale. I don't think it detracts, but if it bothers you, could you paint it (and the balcony rail and uprights) a pale gray instead of white? I think it won't detract from the white window/door trim quite so much and would blend nicely with the stone walls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otterine Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I like the railing you've used, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 The screen mesh works really well. Like Kathie, I think if you paint it a grayer shade you might like the effect better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what2craftnow Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Thank you Kathie! The gray did the trick. It was originally bright silver, so I sprayed it white, but you were spot on...the gray is perfect. And it is supposed to be a house on a cliff by the sea... how much luck would they have had with paint there around the turn of the century anyway...lol Again, thank you. Sometimes the obvious escapes me. Well, actually, it escapes ME a whole lot...but thats another tale in itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I'm glad it worked for you! I know how it gets when you're close to a project and not able to see the forest for the trees. An outside eye can be helpful or at least get you thinking in a different direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Med Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Chris your Gull Cottage is beautiful and the stonework looks amazing - hard to believe its paper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what2craftnow Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Thank you Jo! I'm pretty happy with it so far. I just watched the movie for the umpteen millionth time this morning and see loads of things I could have done to improve, but as the old saying goes..."tough!" LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrown Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Chris your house is beautiful. I watched the movie yesterday and fell in love with it. (The movie and the house), You did a beautiful job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KoalaSam Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 This house is gorgeous! The stonework looks really good. Yes, I am familiar with the "what if-ing" thing too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 It is sooo gorgeous, love the bricking work and the mesh looks superb frpm where I am sitting ;) looking forward to follow along your build!!! Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
what2craftnow Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thought I'd resurrect the old post rather than start new to ask opinions on roofing. I'm using Dresden paper lace (one of my absolute FAV things for SO many mini projects) for Gull Cottage's roof, however, have never tried it on scale houses.. up to now. Need honest opinions at this point from fellow miniaturists: Too ornate? Too unrealistic? Too 'chateau-like'? Too 'something' for a cottage by the sea???? Have I gone totally off my rocker? (highly likely..sigh) Ok, I know I'm WAY too far into the choice at this point to reverse course, but needed that outside opinion from those who actually do this too, not just family members wandering by and saying.."Yeah sure, looks great..whatever!" LOL Also, any color ideas welcome as well. I was thinking when all was said and done, I would use chalk to shade and highlight. So, with that all said...fire away! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
otterine Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 While it might not be completely realistic, I rather like the texture, shape and general feel of it. It's very creative and looks lovely. I works well with the stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I would grate a bit of white chalk and take a cotton ball, touch it to some of the chalk and lightly tap it onto a SAMPLE of your lace roofing material and then EXPERIMENT with another cotton ball, your finger, a soft paintbrush, etc, to see which effects you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drjones Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 Wow! This looks great. Congrats on your progress! Sometimes when I feel like I am running out of steam I look at more gallery pictures for ideas. That way I feel like I accomplished something..even if it's just learning or appreciating something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THmini2 Posted February 18, 2012 Share Posted February 18, 2012 I LOVE it! I would never of thought of paper lace. Of course it is ONE of the reasons I come on here. Besides all of the great people of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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