shawn32671 Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Well I've finally started my build of "The Orchid" dollhouse. I haven't really gotten very far yet. So far I've spent time removing all of the die cut pieces and labeling and bagging them (I sanded both sides of the diecut sheets first). Today I spent several hours sanding the edges of every part and will hopefully begin assembly this evening. More updates with pictures to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Shawn, if some of the edges that will show (window frames, roof trim, etc.) are particularly rough, you can smooth on a bit of Spackle or wall board mud/joint compound to fill in the tiny hollows. Smooth with your fingertip dampened with a touch of water. I've found it works better than wood putty for these tiny pieces. A quick lick with an emery board when it's completely dry finishes the job and it's ready for painting. This won't work on bits you might want to stain, but for the painted pieces, it gives a smooth, craftsmanlike finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 Thanks Kathie for the tip, I have a container of balsa wood filler here somewhere that should do the trick nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgansmith Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 There are wood putty's you can stain as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 balsa filler is stainable 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Shawn,didn't you say you have experience doing plastic and wood models? Looks like we are going to learn alot of good stuff from you as well as anything you learn here. Looking forward to seeing what colors and interior set-up you come up with,especially placement of the divider walls. Hope you had a chance to browse around at the galleries,just for fun. Everyone seems to come up with something so unique with each Orchid build! Looking fwd to the pix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 Yep, some of my work can be viewed on my youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/maverick50616/videos I've browsed around here a bit over the past few days and am amazed at what others have done with these little houses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I used to remove and label all the kit pieces when I first began to build dh kits. After having not a few of the wee ones sprout legs and escape I wait until I need them to remove them as I dry fit. I hope you have better luck with the "stainable" wood putty that I did... I finally gave it us and make my own. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 (edited) Be sure you check out the Gallery for "Abloom"/Andrea's recent Orchid bash.Pretty cool! Whoops,I meant abloom is Andrea's profile name.Love it,though! Edited August 23, 2013 by kat57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 (edited) I searched the gallery but couldn't find anything called abloom edit: found it Edited August 23, 2013 by shawn32671 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 I plan to finally begin building my Orchid house today but researching a few ways of painting certain parts first. I will post more once I get myself in gear. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie2 Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Be careful painting places you want to glue! I like to paint pieces before I assemble and I can't tell you How many times this gets me into trouble with glue not holding! I know you know this but I never learn apparently 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 I think I will assemble most if not all of the dollhouse first then try to do some kind of weathered siding and figure out what I'd like to do for inside after that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Shawn,Just be sure you read and heed the Orchid blogs and other Orchid builders' advice;I haven't started my Orchid yet,but I think it may be a bit difficult to paper the dormers after fully assembling-if you go with papering,that is. I'm doing a smaller,unrelated house with dormers that I spackle-stuccoed rather than fight papering the dormer corners and such,because I was forewarned by a forum member,but then I'm a bit of a chicken still! Anxious to see your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Shawn, if you wait to attach the roof after you have finished decorating the inside, I have built more than one Orchid and decorated my first one twice after it was together. Easy-peasy! with the roof off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 I've cut some different wall paper patterns already for the difficult areas so there shouldn't be much of a problem slipping them in and gluing...or so I hope and thanks for the tip to leave the roof off until later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 That's one of the hints I read in the archives just today-to fit and precut the paper or patterns for the dormers-presumably on the dry fit. I wasn't knowledgable or practical enough to do that with my Ashley at the time,but that's what's great about watching and learning from others' builds now,so we get it right the next time! Do you know yet if you're going to use the interior walls/partitions or have a more open floor plan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 I'm planning to have at least the one large room then a smaller room for bathroom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 That bathroom is what I can't wait to tackle! Instead of trying to squeeze a full tub into that space,I want to put in a shower stall. I've seen one done in an Orchid,by somebody on the forum,so I know it's possible...And there's lots of creative ways to install the stairs,besides the original plans,unless you decide to leave them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 ...creative ways to install the stairs,besides the original plans,unless you decide to leave them out. Peggi made her Orchid into the Seven Dwarves' cottage and put spiral stairs in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirlPiper Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 I used the stairs in another house as they took up so much space in the Orchid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share Posted September 1, 2013 Im actually thinking of trying to figure out a way to build a spiral staircase in mine to save space Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Shawn, there are a number of good tutorials online: http://www.miniature.net/smallstuff/spiral_staircase.htm and our own Don makes lovely spiral stair kits (which I still have not gotten made up for Mildred, mea culpa!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn32671 Posted September 1, 2013 Author Share Posted September 1, 2013 awesome thanks for that Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kat57 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Yes, I've seen a couple with lovely spiral stairs using the plastic fan blades!-didn't you suggest that one,Holly-? I need to go back and figure out who it was,but there's one that has a shelf unit or entertainment center built into the stairs. Very modern looking! Also, I believe KathieB made a cool stone or brick stairway in one of hers-was it a Christmas elf house? I've looked at so many Orchids here they are blending together!Here I go again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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