Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Christmas Early

This all came about because I went with the girls to play at the mall and we wound up entertaining Katelyn for 3 hours straight with the dollhouse on display there. Potterybarn Kids Dollhouse is not exactly in our budget so I decided to take matters into my own hands...Michaels had a super great deal for the shell of a dollhouse at $20. I purchased a few strips of balsa wood, some paint, and scrapbooking materials. I sprayed the outer shell with fleckstone to make it appear stucco-ish. Next I stained the hardwood floors inside. Next cut each balsa strip in half lengthwise and made 1 inch markings to make the shingles. I used spray adhesive (3M) to tack things down and good ol' white elmer's glue to make it permanent. I cut out the wallpaper from scapbooking paper and adheared with spray adhesive (be careful, you only have one shot at it). For the outer shell I again used an exacto knife and balsa wood to create the look of the trim, door, and windows. They are attached with Elmer's glue and a staple gun. The window openings are laminated fabric to look like curtains and the doorknob is a brad. Some fun scrapbooking embellishments like maps, banners are the wall decorations. I have mini pictures of the family laminated awaiting there "frames". Grandma and Grandpa supplied the furniture. I am still working on getting the right stones for a rock fireplace but eventually it will get in there. A fun teapot from a previous co-worker is the centerpiece of the living room. There is more to complete but plenty to entertain Katelyn with. She takes the dolls and makes sure they are in bed when she goes to bed or takes a nap. The Daddy doll leaves the dollhouse when our Daddy goes to work. We've had tea parties with the dolls (thanks mom for the darling tea set...there will be more photos) and I am sure we will find lots more to do with them in the future.
My favorite Dollhouse book while growing up was When the Dolls Awoke. I think it's like $2 through Amazon or something. Nate's not sure if this early Christmas is for me or the girls...I guess you can decide!





"The Family is One of Nature's Masterpieces" Georges Santana

Katelyn's First Braids!

Don't mind the messy house. That's what it takes to get braids in Katelyn's hair.

14 comments:

Jessica D. said...

Wow, that is fantastic! Great job, I love everything about it.

Our Bitter Sweet Life with T1D said...

Wow, Stace you are so talented and creative. What a darling gift that she will cherish so much because it is uniquely special since you made it for her, or them, since I guess eventually it will be played with by both your girls.

Amy said...

It turned out GORGEOUS. I will be revisiting this page when I have a daughter.

adventure knitter said...

that's darling! are you taking orders so that my girls can have one?

kate said...

that is so fabulous! i may have to try to do the same! how creative and sweet.

Angela Hill said...

nice doll house!! you're an amazing mom!!

Anonymous said...

Stacey you are amazing. That doll house is so cute. I love my boys, but it would be nice to have a girl too so I can do all the girlie stuff with her.
Deborah Talbot

Starley Family said...

Thanks for the support guys! It has been so much fun to make. I would totally recommend doing it yourself because then you can have some real fun. You can always take an old bookshelf from goodwill or something and add two boards at an angle for the roof. It's tempting to buy a second one and some hinges to make more rooms and then it could close...

Amber said...

What a fun project! It looks like little Katelyn is having a blast. So cute!

Nanci said...

I am so impressed. I like the scrapbook paper walls the best. Ella really likes doll houses as well, but I don't think I could pull off such creativity.

The Long Family said...

Of course you made a doll house! You are so amazingly talented! Good work!

April said...

Dang girl you should make those and sell them. So so cute, I wished you lived closer so you could make Ruby one. Love it and the furniture so cute.

Sjauna said...

Wow! I think we've decided to get Evelynn a dollhouse for Christmas, but I didn't even think of making it! Pottery Barn isn't in our budget either, so I think we're going with Fisher Price. I know everyone else already said this, but you really are talented and amazing!

Becky said...

Wow Stace! That is SO cute and detailed! I'm impressed! Lucky girlies you have!