Thursday, July 25, 2013

1: 144 Scale Half Timbered Cottage


I have been side tracked by a new project. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Ever since I added half timbered additions to the nutshell houses  I have wanted to do a 1: 144 scale cottage.

I wanted to use twigs  because I thought they looked great on the other pieces I made. (I buy twigs at Michaels in the floral dept. They are six feet long, all I can use are the tips.) And.... I wanted to fill between those "timbers" with a super fine sand & glue mixture I make. I thought it looked much more realistic/ interesting then just having a flat painted background. It is a bit tedious... more than a bit actually. You have to be so careful not to get the thick sandy glue on the "timbers".  I push it around with the point of a toothpick and pat it all into place between the twigs with a damp finger.

The end of the pin is black from burning off the Zap-a-Gap glue off it. If it gets up your  nose it can make your eyeballs CROSS!

It is not going to be finished for a week or more. I am waiting for shingles and some more windows. I want to operate on those so the inside will have a finished look around the windows.
I was going to paint the double front doors white but now I am leaning toward a sort of barn red. Which might compliment the roof if I try to simulate a reddish tile look.

Where is everyone??? Taking the summer off from blogging I suppose. :-)

25 comments:

  1. I'm right here :) And I love your little house, it is coming out GREAT! So exciting, I can't wait to see more, it's gonna be awesome. I can't imagine all he work that goes into building up the sand between the timbers---

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your little house is lovely with beautiful detail for something so small. Look forward to seeing more.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello! You never fail to amaze me, timbers in 1:144????!??? You must have the patience of an angel, but the result looks wonderful. The red doors will look great. Will you also make the inside?
    Hugs, Sandra

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not sure about finishing the inside yet. If I sell the house it will more than double the price if the inside is finished.

      Delete
  4. Your little house is gorgeous. I hope you use a fan or something when you burn your glue, it contains cyanide, dangerous stuff! Bill Robertson told us to very careful when we heat metal to get superglue off and to make sure that we never breathe in the fumes

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hello Catherine, your house is really tiny, I can hardly believe you manage to work on such a small scale. And it looks so good, full of charm and it isn't even finished yet. Hope to see more of it soon, take care! Liduina.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Youhoo Catherine, we are right here...............but I guess a lot of bloggers are on holiday :D! I've noticed it too....
    This tiny house is stunning work, sooo tiny and timbered too! I can't wait to see more.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Catherine! As a kid I remember modelling aircraft in 1:144 scale which I found almost impossible to do (I'm sooooo ham-fisted!!) So I can fully appreciate the patience, calmness and skill needed to produce something so gorgeous and tiny as your house! I look forward to updates! Kind regards, Brian.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello Catherine,
    That is just wonderful. I don't think I would enjoy working on a house that small to begin with, but the level of detail and the quality of your work in such a small scale leaves me in awe. You are a superb artist and always take my breath away.
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm here too!!! But I have been on holiday, taking a class, spending time outside now summer has finally arrived, working in my garden, laying a new floor in my work room....so pretty busy with little time on the computer. I just noticed today that it has been a month since I have posted anything on my blog. Time flies!

    Your little cottage is lovely. I have made a 144th scale house once so I know how much they try your patience. It wasn't really my thing but when I see yours I think I may make one again one day.

    I am assuming Zap a Gap is some sort of superglue? Just last weekend Bill Robertson told us that if you heat/burn superglue it releases cyanide!!!!! So please be very careful with that!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your house is very tiny, but very detailed. I'm curious to see more.
    Greetings, Faby

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello Catherine! I think that you have made a challenge for yourself that I find daunting even just thinking about it! I applaud the effect and efforts of plastering in between the timbers. I have recently tried the same in 1/12 th and the difficulty was keeping the timbers clean and I see that in you teeny tiny house the problem would be MAGNIFIED a hundredfold!!! You are Fearless But, I am certain, given the high standards that you set for yourself, that the finished product will be Fantastic! Waiting to see how it develops .......

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks Everyone! I am having a lot of fun with this one.

    Thank you also to Elga and Josje for the heads up about the cyanide gases that are produced from burning super glues off of metals.

    I have had to be careful with that in the my shop too. There are several techniques(and combined chemicals) that can produce hydrogen cyanide in a metal shop.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Catherine, a little late but here also.

    This is a stunning little cottage and your dedication and patience is impressive, its so tiny. The twigs are a beautiful effect, it gives it a lovely uniqueness and I think the red door will be just the thing. I can't wait to see it finished.

    ML Fi xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Catherine! What an amazing little creation. I love the windows. They provide a fairy tale aspect. You are so patient. I would never want to try something this small. I look forward to seeing it when you're finished!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, I LOVE your Tiny Tiny houses, Catherine! You always go the extra length to make them Perfect! The detail of making the windows look good from the inside too.... I am just so impressed! The twigs look just right for the timbers! I can't wait to see more!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What an amazing piece of work, so detailed on that scale and so realistic. A red door will look good. I am looking forward to seeing more of the work in progress.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Catherine, love your tiny house, the twigs will give it added realism I am sure. The comments re cyanide gas are a bit of a worry, must be careful 'when' I get back to metal work too. Yes I think a lot of you northern hemis are making the most of your summer, things have been a bit quiet. Love to see it finished.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have come to love this scale =) And your house looks great! So beautiful!
    Hannah

    ReplyDelete
  19. ooh my! That's way too small for me... Very impressed with it. No doubt the 'grouting' in between is fiddly... I'm going crazy just thinking about it *D But it looks lovely already. I think the red doors will be a great choice color-wise.

    I was about to tell you bout the cyanide too, but you're already warned. And no, i'm still here too! Last week I did the same class as Josje, and am now happily wilting away again on the console table. With your gorgeous and cute nuthouse dangling just next too me :)))))))

    ReplyDelete
  20. It is looking great, nice job.

    Crafter's Pick glue "the ultimate" dries quickly enough to do your timber job. It is thick enough to fill the gaps.

    Let me know if you want me to cut you some shingles. Don will be back with his laser cutter in a few days. Just send me the dimensions you want.

    I can also send you some thatching material that works in 1:144 scale. And the instructions for it. You will have no problem thatching since you can fur animals to perfection :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh WOW thank you Karin! I would LOVE to have some thatching material. I have ordered some shingles from Rusty Stumps. I like those a lot. Thanks for offering to laser cut some for me though.

      I am LOVING making these houses. I have learned a few things. So the next ones will be better.

      Delete
  21. Yes, summer is certainly a deterrent to blogging for me: a thousand things to do every day, out of the house, away from the computer and from the various timber ...
    Currently, I have no plans as ambitious as yours, but I love to see how you get on well: it seems that the smaller the scale, the greater your ability :-)
    My friend, even if distant and silent, I am always here :-)
    Ciao,
    Flora

    ReplyDelete