Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Making leaded windows.... so cool.

Welcome to Trimble Manor
'
I've finished the stonework on my front entrance.
  
 The bay windows provided  in this kit were pretty mundane.  The "glass" and window frames were not worthy of  Trimble Manor.
 Here is what came with the kit:

Thin sheets of acetate with diamond markings and thin strips of wood with blunt ends for the frames.
I'm going to upgrade these windows.
I have a roll of lead golfers tape which I've cut into thin strips sufficient to cover the white marks on the acetate.
Once I've stuck the tape to the surface of the acetate, I need to "work" it with my little stylus. I gently push it and shape it to create a more dimensional look.
 You can clearly see the difference after the tape has been worked.
 Next, I wanted to diminish  the silvery shine on these window panes, because aged lead windows would have more of a pewter color than silver. To do it, I used a black permanent marker to go over each strip of lead, one by one, immediately wiping it off with a damp Q-tip. This left a dull patina on my lead.
Next, as I did with my wooden windows, I created wavy old glass using the Triple Thick  gloss glaze carefully painted between each little diamond pane.
I made 12 of these windows.

 Next I made nice window frames using a beveled 1/2 molding found at Home Depot. Using my little mini miter saw, I cut the wood for each window AFTER I had painted and antiqued it.

  See here!

Add a window box..

Another substitution I made on this kit house, was the timber on the front and sides of the manor.


 Because this is a timber, plaster and stone building, I wanted the main timbers to look like they could actually support such a structure; they needed to look hefty and strong and as if they were cut with an ax , a mouse's ax of course.

  I want a slightly crook-edy and uneven look.

 The balcony that came in the kit was not my cuppa tea.
 Here it is before....
 I know the gingerbread is cute, but it isn't appropriate for my house, so I removed it. Maybe I will be able to use it elsewhere, for a fence or something.

Again, I want something more sturdy. I mean, what if a rat comes to visit and leans on that balcony? We don't want the entire railing to come crashing down, do we??!

 I made a better railing...
One that can't fail.


Even 3 mice could lean over this balcony at the same time!
  I ran out of window molding, need to take a trip to the store. In the meantime, I will finish the mortar work. Soon I will be plastering between the timbers.

30 comments:

  1. jeri, this is just amazing. when my kids were small i bought a dollhouse kit and did such an awful job on it i turned it into a haunted house. i think you got my share of patience because i sure have none. can't wait to see it finished!

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    1. It certainly requires patience, but for most people, it is a long term project. I'm working non-stop on the outside of the house, because I need to start drawing it for my book.

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  2. Incredible ! Do you have your builder's license ? You could teach a class ! Have you named your little mouse ?

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    1. I have my builders license for small dwellings only. My little mouse does have a full name. I will introduce her next week.

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  3. I bet your little mouse is getting impatient to move in. She is going to love it! I am envious! I have always wanted a bay window with a window seat.

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    1. My mom had a bay window, I always liked it. This house has 4 bay windows!

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  4. I can see why you had to improvise on those timbers. I would imagine that finding one of those tiny mouse axes would be very difficult.

    She's such a cutie. Does she have a name first yet?

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    1. You would be surprised at what is available in mouse sizes!. Yes, she has a first name, but I am waiting to reveal it until the next post.

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  5. Wonderful Windows!
    That's a neat tutorial. I can see doing that on a larger scale for a small bookshelf I have. Watching you build the manor is a real treat. Thank you!

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    1. The method works beautifully and you can purchase the Triple Glaze on Amazon or any art store. So glad I have your company whilst building The Manor!

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  6. The windows turned out perfect. I once used microscope slides for glass that was thin enough for what I needed. You can still order it. That is a big mouse house and you must really be having fun with it to get so far along.

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    1. Donna, I have some of that microscope glass left over from my pendant making days. It would make great windows, but even I don't have that much patience. I am determined to apply the final touch on the outside of the house by the end of the week. That will be the Thatch roofing.... I'm a bit scared of messing that up.

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  7. The little house is simply amazing. You are amazing! That is the cutest little mouse. I can't wait to meet her. Oh my goodness, what a lucky little mouse she is.

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    1. Henny, She is a clever and feisty little character, let me tell you!

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  8. It's coming together nicely. I want to live there!

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    1. I wouldn't mind living in the large room with the bay windows... or the attic, or the turret. It is all pretty nice!

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  9. What a fine home you are constructing! The leaded panes look so authentic! Your talents are never ending. ♥

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    1. I never had a dollhouse as a child, maybe I am making up for it!

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  10. It's really looking amazing! I especially like how you created the windows. It really made a big difference!

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    1. Thanks Kyra, I can imagine one of your characters really liking a house like this>

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  11. Hello fellow architect!!!!!!!!!!

    JERI LANDERS, I love your mind, I love your house......

    I am smiling from ear to ear understanding the detail with which you embellish this dwelling. I made a little house once with "lead" windows, but all I did was take some of that garden "fencing" you use to put around plants or trees to keep out the critters.....you know what I mean? Then I placed it in my little windows at a diagonal to get the diamond effect.

    Isn't it hilariously fun to make such things?

    BRAVO. Excellent job and so detailed, only a mouse will be able to see all the finery. WOWOOOWOOW!

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  12. Anita, Chicken wire??!! That would work really well, now that I think about it... Hilariously fun? YES! I just used acorn caps to top the bay window roof... I ran out before it was covered; this calls for a walk in the woods with my bucket. An architects job is never done!

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  13. Dear Jeri I love all your upgrades. I am certain that balcony is sturdy enough for three mice. Love the Windows too. Lots of work has went into this lovely project. Hope you have a delightful weekend. Hugs!

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    1. Thanks Deborah, I know that balcony will hold now! True, it's a lotta work, but I'm loving every minute!

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  14. Yes, there must not be a fallen RAT from the balcony! That would cause a stir-perhaps even a war!
    Jeri-this is so beautiful. I noticed how the pine cone roof looks perfect. Each little (what are they called?) 'shingle' is laid out so beautifully. It's so much fun to watch this process.

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    1. Debra, HA! It could cause even more trouble if that rat fell into the flower garden beneath, crushing all the flowers! Yes, those pine shingles fit together in a lovely way. The Acorn cap shingles on the bay roof are not quite so obliging.

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  15. Jeri,
    Mouse aside, I would love to live in this house. Such masterful work. I know you are loving every moment, it shows. I believe one of your greatest assets is your "persnickety" attention to details. It is coming along beautifully. I am loving the porch, and the window look great!

    Love your little mouse. Was that rendered on scratch board? I will keep my eyes open for your next post.

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    1. Penny, I'm nearly finished with the outside, plastered yesterday. Thatch roofing coming on today. I feel like I'm "restoring" a grand old house!
      I drew that little mouse in pencil, ink and yes, that rendering is scratchboard. I used it often in the old days, bet you did too. Now, she will finally be rendered in color for the first time.

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