Hasenpfeffer Renovations

It all started when I received a dolls house which was garbage picked by a friend. I created this Tumblr, so I could post updates and photos about this latest obsession, I mean, hobby...

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41 Dollhouses That Will Make you Want To Be A Tiny Doll

http://www.buzzfeed.com/morganshanahan/dollhouses-that-will-make-you-want-to-be-a-tiny-doll

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WW1 Ambulance Project Part 10 July 14th, 2014 I have finally put the pieces together and I'm pretty pleased with the way this project has turned out. I'm sure I could still add a few more things to it, but as the deadline for this competition is tomorrow, it will have to wait.

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WW1 Ambulance Project 
Part 9 June 28th-July 9, 2014 Remember way back in part 2 of this series, I decided that I wasn’t going to make a diorama out of this and just work on the ambulance itself…well…I changed my mind…

I decided to draw another sketch, with approximate dimensions of the size it was going to be, so the Ambulance Wagon would fit. (Top photo). The shorter wall ended up on the opposite side due to a cutting error, but no matter… I cut the pieces I needed for the walls and ground out of foam-core board ( A most underrated art supply, in my humble opinion.). I then prepped it by painting the wall portion with an off white colour, as I was going to cover the shorter portion of the wall with “brick tape”, as well as putting it on the bottom of the taller wall. I painted the ground piece grey. I also cut the door and window out of the wall piece. (Photo 2, left) Using a palette knife I spread a mixture of coarse acrylic pumice that was mixed with grey acrylic paint across the wall pieces. The leftover I spread across the ground piece for some extra texture. (Photo 3, right) I immediately removed the brick tape. The coarse pumice gives a nice looking brick effect. When it dried, I went over the bricks and wall with a bit of acrylic gel medium mixed with a bit of brown acrylic paint so it wasn’t so “grey”. I added medium ballast to parts of the ground piece as well. (Photo 4, left) I added the door frame pieces, then the window. All this was stained before hand. (Photo 5, right) Lastly, I added WW1 posters, downloaded off the internet and a photo of a Canadian nurse, as I am Canadian, so it just seemed right to me. I really wanted to make a “nurse” doll, but I was running short on time to learn a new skill at this point. I also added some greenery to the ground area as well, again to add a bit of colour. (Photo 5, Bottom) Now the fun part. Where I get to put it all together.

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WW1 Ambulance Project Part 8

Today is July 10th, which means I have less then 5 days to complete this project in order to submit it to the Dollhouse And Miniature Scene competition…not too sure whether or not this will happen, but in the meantime, let’s set the way back machine for… May 18th-June 1st, 2014: I spent quite a bit of time working on the frame. Originally, I just used kebab skewers; the pointy ends fit nicely into the small holes that were drilled into the wagon. But, I discovered that they were kind of flimsy, so I ended up shoring up the frame with coffee stir sticks from my favourite local café (they won’t miss them). Nice and sturdy now! (Photo 1) I was speaking to one of the members of the Miniaturist Club that I belong to (The Willowdale Mini Makers), who had suggested that the tea dyed canvas would be too heavy for the frame and would probably crush it. Not a good thing. She suggested I get a piece of linen instead as it was lighter in weight, which is exactly what I did, as good advice is always a welcome thing. So, I tea dyed the linen and cut it to size, using a pattern I created out of paper first to make sure it would fit over the frame. (Photo 2) After I cut the linen to size, I carefully created hems at the bottom and sides, using an Aileen’s material glue to hold them in place. It all fitted pretty perfectly. Big sigh of relief. (Photo 3) The tea dyed canvas did not go to waste as I pulled threads from it and used them as “ties” to keep the linen covering in place. It worked really well and it gave me the option of being able to remove the cover easily, if I needed to. I used some of the extra linen off cut to make a seat for the wagon. (Photo 4) More to come…

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WW1 Ambulance Project Part 7

May 6-14, 2014 I started to get materials together to make a stretcher and the Red Cross flag. I cut and stained a few skewers to size. (Top photo) I used some of the tea dyed canvas for the stretcher. I had some linen for the flag, which I drew the Red Cross on with a red sharpie marker. I used a small red bead for the top of the flag. (Photo 2) Next, I decided to make a gas mask. It’s based on a project that was posted online by Dollshouse And Miniature Scene Magazine. But, since I had none of the materials they suggested, I did it in my own special way as usual… Help me… (Photo 3, left) You can see all the “fails”. I decided that it would be easier to not cut out eye holes, and just draw them in with a black sharpie in the end. I also used more of that wonderful tea dyed canvas, instead of leather as suggested.  (Photo 4, right) The finished products. Two views. (Bottom photo)

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This came up on one of my news feeds this morning and I felt it was too good not to share. So, now we can all have our own weeping angels. Happy Wednesday!

[hasenpfefferrenovations]

WW1 Ambulance Project Part 6 Today is July 1st, which means it's Canada Day. It also means I have 15 days left to finish this project. Hmmmm... Well, in the meantime, here is my diary entry from... May 4, 2014 Today, I bought some brass wire for the canvas covering. I got it at Canadian Tire. It's called "hare snare" wire. I guess that's why it was found in the sportsman section...funny that. I also glued in the seats in the back of the ambulance. I started to think about some of the miniature props that will need to be added such as a stretcher, medical bag/box, Red Cross flag, bandages, etc. I think I'll get on to it tomorrow...

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WW1 Ambulance Project Part 5 May 3rd, 2014

I glued the wheels in place. Hmmm…it kind of looks like a toy wagon… ( Top Left and Right Photos )

I started to build front seat of the ambulance using some scrap wood bits and this pretty cardboard… ( Bottom Left )

…and attached the seat to the carriage. Thats better. I think I’m going to have to “dirty” it up a bit to make it look more war torn… ( Bottom Right )

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WW1 Ambulance Project Part 4 May 2, 2014 My husband helped me drill and attached the movable front end ( I'm still learning that power tools are my friend. But, sometimes it's best to leave it to the experts.). This way the front wheels can actually turn left or right.

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WW1 Ambulance Project Part 3 Wagon Wheels

April 27, 2014

Ok. I admit I got really distracted by other things over the winter months and ended up leaving this project on the back burner.  Anyway, with Spring in the air ( and a deadline looming), I got excited by this project once again. Back to it!

I painted the wheels and added ballast to get a dusty/rocky road type of effect. Then I re-painted over the ballast, so it wasn’t too stark and kind of blended in with the painted wheels.

[hasenpfefferrenovations]

WW1 Ambulance Project Part 2

Nov. 7th, 2013

(Top Left) After a lot of thought, I’ve decided to just make the ambulance. I’ve gotten some photo reference together to work from. 

(Top Right) I also got together the supplies that I will probably need. Scraps of balsa; architectural trim that I got at the Real Good Toys warehouse; 4 wagon wheels I picked up at the MET show; a small wooden tray from the dollar store; canvas; wire and some paint. It’s a start.

(Centre) I cut the architectural trim to size as it will be used to hold the wheels in place. Painted it all a steel grey, similar to the resource photo.

(Bottom Left) In the meantime, I started to tea dye the canvas using a mix of the mornings left over coffee and some tea (Red Rose!). I will probably leave it soak for a few hours…or days…

(Bottom Right)

This is how the tea dying looked after about 4 hours. Sweet!

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WW1 Ambulance Project Part 1

Last September, one of my favourite magazines, Dollhouse And Miniature Scene announced their 2014 competition theme would be the “100 Year Anniversary of WW1”. Anyway, the following posts will be of my “diary” of my attempt to see if I can actually do this and in time as the due date is July 15th, 2014. By the way, I’m still working on it…let’s begin at the beginning, way back on…

September 20, 2013 I collected photographs and web articles from the internet for inspiration. I decided to do my project about the Red Cross during WWI and build a horse drawn ambulance. I drew a simple sketch of what it might look like and what size it might be. This is the first sketch. I will probably do a few more as I’m not sure about building the Caravan Ambulance from scratch.

I will probably have to look at some more photo reference for this project.

*Here is a link for more info on this competition: http://www.collectors-club-of-great-britain.co.uk/Information/DHMS

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Would you believe this is made from cardboard? Incredible! Read more about it here: http://www.amusingplanet.com/2012/10/andy-rudaks-cardboard-cities.html

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Creepy Cool. Here’s an interesting article that my pals, Terry and Jennifer, posted on my FB timeline this morning called “Murder In Miniature”:

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/06/nutshell_dioramas_of_death_frances_glessner_lee_forensic_science_and_training.html

I had read about these dioramas before, but not about their creator, Frances Glessner Lee. It really is quite fascinating that her talent for making miniatures and love of Sherlock Holmes stories was the beginnings of what was to become a staple in the process of solving crimes.

[louisek938]

WW1Gas Mask done in #miniature for the Dollhouse And Miniature Scene comp. #showyourwork

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I originally meant to post this piece here...but never mind...

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A medical stretcher and Red Cross flag I made for a new #miniature project that I have been working on...

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This is so ingenious and tasteful, I just had to share it. Great for all ages and with a pretty reasonable price point. If one wants to have a dolls house without feeling overwhelmed by any long term commitment, it could be a good place to start as it's kind of like both room-box and dolls house in one. I, for one, am very tempted ;^)