Sometimes you just have to make some practical things. Today I made a mattress for the iron bed. Not that it will ever be seen after the bed is dressed. Yancey (Button's brother) and the cat had to see if it was going to be comfortable. ;-)
It took me forever to paint the bed with oil paints. Paint hates me and it is mutual!!! I can't even get the top off before I have it all over me and many times everything in the vicinity. I added all the brass medallion findings to the head and foot boards (56 of them if I remember correctly.
I bought the fabrics and some lace in Chicago. So this week I hope I will be able to find time to dress the bed (another first)
I am STILL stuck on Federal Jury Duty until the end of the month.
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI too have this bed, one in the petite maison that I painted white with the brass (coloured paint in my case) and I also have a single bed that I painted about 4 years ago, this one is black with the brass (paint)....they are fabulous bed, but they do require a lot of work to get the right effect....I too HATE paint!!!
Yancey and the cat look very much at home there! Isn't it amazing how many miniature things that we do actually make that are never seen ie, the matress...I guess it's just like a real home....I have things in the cupboards in the petite maison that you would never see unless you were told they were there...lol, they say we miniaturists are a 'mad' lot!!!
Linda x
That is a beautiful bed. Its nearly the same as my own full size one that I sleep in every night..LOL
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I don't know what it is about me but both paint and glue despise me, LOL. Fabric and thread too.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was a big PITA to paint the bed, but as usual, you did an outstanding job! I have no idea how you managed to make that mattress (I'm sure fabric and thread were involved), but it looks amazing.
I know you made the dog and cat too, and I know you can do just about everything - so I'm curious, is there anything in those photos that you DIDN'T make yourself?
Kristy,
ReplyDeleteI didn't make the teapot, the book (treefeathers), the toby mug or the lamp (Scott Hughes). The chair is a Chrysnbon kit. I happen to really like the shape of it. I am sure I will replace it with something else at some point. My miniatures like my real house get up graded as I find things I like and money allows. The bed is a Phonenix model kit I bought, it came from England. I covered up the designs that were a part of the bed with the brass jewelry findings. Not much of a change but they stick out now instead of going in. I bet that is clear as mud... huh?
I like glue, paint I HATE with a passion!
I appreciate your attention to details. Even though the mattress probably won't be seen, you'll know that it is done correctly :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks great Catherine, both bed and mattress, I started to make one but made a mess instead, will try again though. I like that it is all 'buttoned' like real ones. The dog and cat have made it theirs I think so it must be good.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I should do one to Poe house, but have been avoiding it big time :D I'll probably will be lazy and use glue...
ReplyDeleteI have the same bed and it's half painted, I used acrylics as I love how fast they dry :) And welcome to the club, I paint myself more than the items that are supposed to be painted :D
I love your cute animals as always;) The bed looks great and the mattress is something I have never done yet so I can purely admire your work :)The fabrics are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely scene, Yancey and the cat seem to be good friends. The bed is superb and the mattress seems very comfortable.
ReplyDeleteGeneviève
The mattress and the bed look beautiful but Yancey and the cat make the scene perfect!
ReplyDeleteMercedes
Fab bed and mattress!!
ReplyDeleteThe trouble with paint is that it is 1:1, always too thick for 1:12. That's what I keep telling myself to excuse my messes!! :))
The difference between a beautifully made bed and (never to be seen) mattress and a not-so-well made one is the difference between "good" and "great"....it is all in the details. The things you have presented to us to see have always been "great" catagory. :-)
ReplyDeleteI observed every detail of your pictures (in addition to the mattress, of course!) And I'm not tired yet, it's all perfect! Two hairy "cousins" seem quite happy to test the fabulous bed :-)
ReplyDeleteJust lovely
Cats and dogs always think bed making is special fun intended just for their amusement.
ReplyDeleteYour paint job looks great. As to how I would have done the job...
I would have spray painted the bed with Duplicolor brand paints from the car parts store. Or I would have airbrushed it with the paint you used. Other than cleanup time for the airbrush it is an almost painless process.
The bed is gorgeous and the fabrics are beautiful. It will be fine.
ReplyDeleteI too have made this kit, some years back. Though I painted mine black (enamel) and I gave it gold wheels, because it was for my impoverished shop keeper, so gold bits would have looked too rich for her! lol I've never heard of anyone painting metal with oil paints before, I am surprised it set! I only ever use enamel paints on metal. What I absolutely hated about this kit was the tiniest lip it gave you to attach the wooden bed base (not supplied with the kit) too! I think I used tape and super glue in the end!
ReplyDeleteAll my dollshoues mattresses are authentic too, complete with indentations and made of that blue and white fabric that Victorian mattresses were made of (mostly).
I love this bedroom it all looks so real and I love the pets! :o)))
Michelle xx
Thanks Everyone!
ReplyDeleteKarin I used Humbrol oil paints. That was what was recommended by some model painters I asked about it. I would have LOVED to use an air brush!!! I thought about it too but I don't have one and didn't want to buy one for this project.
the bed and the matress looks just perfect and comfortable. You did use nice colors and even as you dislike painting you did a great job! My compliments!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right!!! Those tabs are not long enough to glue the bed board to.
I think the reason they made them so short is because the metal is so soft that longer ones would have bent so easily and caused more problems for the kit makers. All you have to do is breathe on that metal and it bends. It's like butter.
Nice thing about Humbrol model paints is it comes in tiny little cans with just enough for small jobs so you don't end up trashing chemicals.
ReplyDeleteAirbrush is a good investment if you are going to keep on making miniatures. Or get the slightly larger Binks type of spray paint tools. Ask around about brands and see what people prefer before you buy one. All sprayers are not created equal.
EXCELLENT work, Catherine!! I love the little quilted look you gave that mattress. See, now I can't do stuff like this :-/. I love the kitty and doggie on the bed, too!!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, the mattress is so cushy looking. :)
ReplyDeleteYou did a fabulous job on the bed. :)
I recognised the Toby mug! I used to work in an antique store and had never heard of them before.
It all looks fabulous, you have excellent tastes and skills. :)
It looks great and the jewellery findings look like they should always have been there. :)
ReplyDeleteI have noticed from my blog that you should have another post about apothecary items(?) yet when I race over to read it, it is not here...Is that the disappearing post?
El colchon parece muy comodo, y cuando vista la cama creo que quedara preciosa, las telas son muy bonitas
ReplyDeleteOh! I am so sorry you deleted the post about the apothecary so soon - all I can see now is a little little picture;) I am pretty sure it was a great interior to see and be inspired :)Hugs:)
ReplyDeletelove the bed and the cute cat and dog!
ReplyDeleteEl colchón parece confortable. Ahora tienes que vestirla con las telas que compraste en Chicago. La pintura mucho esfuerzo pero buen resultado. Besos Clara
ReplyDelete