Giving Barbie a Cozy Christmas

I've been slowly making things for the eventual doll house I want to put together for my own doll scenes. One thing I have always wanted was a fireplace. I love fireplaces! That is one of the downsides to the house we bought. It has no fireplace!! So, the dolls will have one instead. I pulled out various wood pieces that I had stocked in my crafting bin. My husband engineered them together to give me a gorgeous fireplace. 

I knew I wanted a ledge to serve as a seat. The closest we got to making it work was this. I covered this with printed out brick patterned paper. It reminded me of a fireplace we had at one of the homes my parents had bought.

After we had this built as the base, I used some Dollar Tree wood cubes on the sides to make depth. I had originally thought this would be painted to look sorta like bricks, but it came out a bit messier than I planned. These blocks are not even close to all being the same size.

So I ended up covering it with the brick paper as well. It worked out so much better this way! There also had to be a mantel on this creation. After all, where would I hang those stockings and set up decorations?

Pillars on either side were a beautiful bonus. My husband even made it realistic with a chimney piece on top. It has depth so that I can add some faux wood and maybe even an electric tealight candle. Underneath, I can store more wood pieces. 

Lastly, I painted the front piece a lighter color for contrast, the inner part is a darker color that resembles soot.

I love the end product! Now, I have the perfect place to hang stockings and decorate for the winter time. 

From a Simple Frame to a Treasured Shadow Box

My dad has been checking out things I've made recently. The shadow boxes, in particular, were a favorite. At 35 years old, I'm still learning things about my dad - like the fact that he loves shadow boxes! Like me, he thinks they are magical. Which is why he has requested that I make one for him to display a part that he made. He is a machinist and takes pride in the parts he designs and/or makes. He didn't just ask for any kind of shadow box though. He wanted a Steampunk one! My specialty! 

Step One

I had to go get a frame. The one I originally planned on using fell apart. So off to WallyWorld to get this one. I chose a 4x6 oak wood photo frame. This was $2.76. I wanted something that would be pretty sturdy. After all, it will have to withstand some changes while also display something. 

Step Two

Time to dismantle the frame! After removing the back, I trace the outline onto foam board piece. This is the back that I will reattach the frame backing to so that my dad can hang it up. 

Then I measure out the sides that will give me a 1 1/2 inch depth for the box. 

This will give me enough room to decorate the box and then still have an open space in the middle for him to add his part to it.

As you can see, I'm not able to make perfect lines. I struggle hard with that! But I make it as straight as I can and do as best I can to secure them. 

Step Three

Next part was to paint the inside orange. I had to go buy some because mixing my own did NOT work at all. I almost ended up with a purple color after mixing yellow and red with a touch of black. My husband said I defied logic on that one. I then covered the 'box' with some brown felt material. This helped to hide the unsightly edges as well as give it a bit more character. 

Now, for the finale! 

On my part at least. I can't complete the project 100% as my dad has the part that will be the crowning glory for this project. I added in some gears that my husband cut for me just for this.

I had picked up these packs of gear decorations from Hobby Lobby. See the missing place in the pack? It was a half gear. My husband cut that one into half, giving me corner pieces.

Now that I have finished it, to the best of my ability, it is time to mail it out. I'm sending this and the instructions that once he has installed the part he made, he can then attach the glass cover permanently to the box.

And now, you can see it in use! I think it was spectacular and so much fun building this for my dad.

From Discarded Tray to Doll Display

This old wooden tray was given to me by a friend. It has clearly had quite the life. But that life isn't over yet. So... I got to thinking. What about making it a shelf that will hang and be used as a display that I might even be able to use as a doll backdrop?? My Froggy Stuff creates these small displays quite often. Mostly from foam board. And they are so cute! This one is of equal size, but already built! So win-win for me. It will also be one less thing to end up in a landfill. 

First things first

I had to get it cleaned up and re-glue one of the notched corners. This old tray has been through a lot.

It measures about 10 1/4" wide and about 15" long. After the glue dried, I painted on a base coat so that I can paint it when I design the 'room' look later.

I had tried to make orange paint for a shadow box that I was putting together for my dad. But no matter how I tried, the paint color wouldn't come out right. I ended up with this taupe-like color. Farthest thing from orange! My husband said I defied logic with that one. I decided to make this the coat for the building front I planned to make in this display. But after painting, I had a sudden idea. Instead of making an apartment building front, I wanted to make a closet wall scene. My husband recently bought me these Mini Brands Fashion packs from Ross. And I realized that I need a closet! To show them off. It would make an elegant back drop too. Later, I even want my husband to hang it on the wall for me. 

So, that is when I switched to gluing in some card stock pages to look like a fancy maroon wallpaper. I used a white marble printed page to make the floor look better. Still thinking about my ceiling options. But I'm liking where this is going. 

Or at least I was...

Then disaster struck. I attempted to use doll packaging to make shelves. You know how Rainbow High dolls come with each accessory in those built-in boxes? I thought I could use that to hold the purses at the top of this display. But it was too warped and the purses kept falling out. So... I ripped it out. Which ripped out the paper it was glued to. I decided to give this closet a two-toned wall look instead. I glued in a white card stock, painted cut craft sticks and glued them in to give a border, and now we have a more refined look! 

The clothing rod is made from bits of wood that came in a craft kit my kids didn't want from Home Depot. I just gave them a dark wood paint job and glued them in. I was pretty impressed with how they came out. 

Next, we need shelving. After all, I have purses and hats to show off. I used balsa wood from kits. I 3D printed the cube shelf. I think it works well for shoes.

The silver rack was one from a Dollar Tree set I picked up. I just gave it a paint job. It holds the many necklaces I have right now.

I'm pretty happy with the effect! I think it came out great for a spur-of-the-moment build. What do you think? What would you have done differently? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

Doll-Sized Christmas Celebrations!

Christmas is one holiday I don't mind celebrating. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite, but Christmas comes in second. Of course, that means that I want to create doll-sized fun as well.

Creating the tree

My daughters have wanted a Christmas tree. Especially since my husband bought me the Legend of Zelda one that I use for my doll room. But those doll-sized trees can be SO pricey! Thankfully, we found one at Hobby Lobby that was only $3.50 during a half off sale. My first thought was that it was very much a Charlie Brown Christmas tree! But my oldest daughter fell in love with it. 

We had been given these decorations, mostly for Valentine's Day, but there was one with clear stars hanging from it. I pulled one of the stars off and attached it to the top of the tree. My husband fixed it when he saw that it was "crooked" and nearly "upside down".

Included in those decorations were these little foam balls, covered in red glitter. I was able to add little twine hooks so they could hang them, but my daughter also wanted to just shove some in between the branches. Turns out, they only work with the hooks, when they hang from the bottom. 

 

Next, we grabbed this mini string of bulbs from Michaels. Normally priced at $3.99, they had an online coupon for 25% off that brought them to $1.79. It is a yard long and we managed to wrap it around the tree pretty nicely. 

And finally, my daughter created this 'skirt' to go around her tree with a scrap of shiny red material.

Tiny lanterns for the dark winter

I picked up these tiny lanterns that were also half off. They are ornaments, but if you tighten the string, it is the perfect size for the dolls! And to make things better, my engineer husband wants to attempt to make them actually light up. I told him I would be so excited if he can manage that! So we will see. But the pack had 4 lanterns for $4.99 (but they were half off when I bought them). I laughed when I read the warning at the bottom: Decorative use only - Not a toy.

They haven't met Barbie collectors and photographers! These are perfect "toys" for us.

                  What goes under the tree? 

I can't afford to buy a bunch of those Mini Brands Toys capsules. So the idea came to me... why not make some? I had been looking at toy packaging that the kids were ripping open. There was a tiny LEGO logo. So I printed out a box outline that I folded into shape. I painted it blue and cut out LEGO themed things from a magazine that came in the mail. Voila! We have a LEGO set for Christmas. 

But you don't typically put unwrapped gifts under the tree anyhow. So I printed multiple box templates out that were of a variety of sizes. I printed them on recycled paper, but then I cut cardboard from packaging to make it more solid. Then, after they are put together in the box shape, I decorate them. Scraps of wrapping paper can be glued on. 

I found this cute bag template I could print out too. I had some tissue paper that came from the Shadow/Rainbow High Fashion packs that can be stuffed into the top to look like a wrapped gift. Or even wrapped around a tiny jewelry box.

My daughters thought that wreaths were a great thing to have around Christmas. So they made some! You can use pipe cleaners and beads or I found these gift tags that came as miniature wreaths and added some beads with hot glue. I think they came out really well.

I have a few other ideas percolating. Stockings to hang. Maybe a fireplace with a mantle to hang them? And if I'm really adventurous, I might attempt to make them some Christmas hats! But for now, I leave you with some ideas to try on your own. Enjoy!

Creating Doorables Shadowbox Displays

Watching My Froggy Stuff on YouTube can be so dangerous! Toya comes up with some crazy cool ideas. One of her most recent ones that has my attention was creating shadow bow displays for her Disney Doorables collection. While I have a grand total of just 2 so far, I would like to get others one day as they make great dolls for the dolls. And they are cute. My first one was an Ariel that I think we got from Five Below. But then we found out that Walmart has them at the checkout lanes for $1.98 each.  A single figure comes in that pack. This is how I got the Honey Lemon from Big Hero 6. She is too cute! And I decided to go through my odds and ends to make her a shadow box display. 

I had this box without a lid that came from packaging. I decided to use it as my first trial. And I'm pretty happy with the results! I painted the outside to be like a bronze frame. On the inside I tried to create a city scene. I painted the 2 sides to look like buildings. Don't laugh, I'm no good with drawing or painting.

The inner top was a sky. I just smeared blue and pink paints to try my best to copy sort of a cloud look. Though I think the blue ate the pink up.

The bottom was where I wanted a sidewalk with the rocks from a craft kit my daughter didn't need as rubble from the battle! 

In the background, I printed a city scene from the movie. I think the end product was just right! It is aDoorable *pun totally intended*. And if I get future Doorables, I plan to make others. For now, this was a much quicker craft to put together. See you next time!

The Making of a Steampunk Chapeau

I love creating new cosplay pieces. Especially when I get to do so in my Steampunk styles. I have a couple extra hats that have been waiting for more, and I decided it was high time to get started. 

My husband has wonderful ideas! When I'm wanting to be creative, but my mind is flooded and I can't seem to find my kick-off, he is usually there with a great idea to jog my abilities. This time was no different. I wanted something unique. More than just a couple gears and some goggles. Steampunk has all kinds of designs though. And one can get lost in the rabbit hole! He said, "What if you did one with a cuckoo clock on the front?"

Well, there is something I don't think I have ever seen! I went searching online, with no luck. I also had difficulty finding tiny clocks. Thankfully, Thingiverse came into play with a 3D printable version that I thought would work just fine. Check out this one!

I printed one and set about to painting. The tiny details are so cool, but made for quite the challenge. Overall, I'm proud of it.

Of course, this one isn't complete without a clock on the front. Not a real one - that would take my husband's engineering skills to accomplish. Instead you could use a charm version. Or maybe a tiny bird... Like this one that I printed at 30% its original file size. I decided I preferred a bird instead. How adorable is this?!

I attached this to the front of the hat. It would be my centerpiece for this one.

I decided to find some feathers for this one. I mean after all, what glorious top hat doesn't have feathers? Who would have thought it would be difficult to find normal-looking feathers though?? I found these at the local Hobby Lobby for about $3. They were in the faux floral department. I trimmed the stem they came with and inserted them through the ribbon, as well as added some glue to keep them from falling out. Now that I have gotten to the end of decorating this particular hat, I have decided that I'm going to go get one more of these for the other side.

As you can see, I've also added in the gears that are ever so loved by Steampunk fans. But let's face it, I'm a lady. I want to show some bling. And what is more classic than pearls? So I took an old string of pearls that was a necklace (clasp broke), and added it to the brim.

It wasn't long enough to go around the entire brim, though. So I sewed on some single beads I had. I added pearls above the little chimney to look like smoke puffing out.

And finally, on the back of the hat, I added this piece that came off a headband we were given. No matter which angle you see me, it will be stylish!

While that one was waiting for more pieces...

I decided to go ahead and start the second hat. I wanted a nautical theme. So back to the 3D printer I went. This one came with goggles attached to it already. So, I knew I would be working around those.

I printed off this tiny pirate ship and set about to giving it a paint job. After all, black on black is hard to see.The ship and masts are a golden brown wood color now!

Then I printed this ships' wheel with a mermaid figure emerging from it. I painted it brown to be as wood. Then gave her some silver scales scattered on her tail. But Steampunk needs some futuristic aspect, so I wanted a flying pirate ship too. Or something like a Yules Verne Nautilus submarine. So I chose this! 

Each piece received help staying in place by tacking them down with needle and thread. I would absolutely be devastated if while bowing the head, a piece fell off!

I used some of the glue to hold it steady, then thread and needle to actually tack it into place more firmly. As with the other hat, I needed to add some bling. So I took a pearl headband that didn't fit so well on my head, and attached it to the brim of the hat.

Then I added some gears with a rhinestone sewn in for good measure.

The only thing missing now are the feathers! Well, maybe some tulle at the back. Actually.... yeah, that sounds like a fitting finish. What do you think? Is there anything else I should have added or taken away even? Leave me a comment below! I'd love to get your insight. Until next time!