Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Door and Much More


Much has happened since the last time I wrote. We bought a house ... a life-size house, not a dollhouse ... the Garfield Manor survived the move. The exterior still needs a lot of work, but decorating the new house took precedence.

Over the winter break, I was able to work on my Garfield a little. Not major things ... a trim here, a molding there. My favorite has to be the front door. I found the easiest way to work with the doors is to glue the hinge onto the door first, then glue the vertical door frame to the hinges ... then, glue the door frame (along with the door) onto the body of the house. The bar that creates the horizontal door frame goes on last. The doors needed a lot of sanding, and do not fit the opening exactly. But they are opening/shutting fine and I could not be happier with them!

Indoors, I added curtains to almost all the windows on the first and second floor. I love the elegance created by the floor-to-ceiling curtains ... and am doubly glad that the fabric came already pleated when I bought it! I think Dev quite likes them too!

8 comments:

Sans! said...

Sumaiya, that's quite a feat, moving the unfinished Garfield to its new home. But so exciting as well! So lucky my mail reached you? Since I didn't know you have moved. How's your new house?

Your progress is so interesting to watch, because you have done the interior before finishing the exterior. I see now that can be done. I love your door. Did you make it yourself? The interior is so well done too although the pics are slightly dark so I couldn't see the details too much. :) Please show more when you can :):)!

O yes, the links to old India is precious! I am going to use them too!

rosanna said...

Really impressive and elegant. Best wishes for your new house Rosanna

Kathy Calhoun said...

Your magic fingers have done more beautiful effects on Garfield. You should be proud. I'm almost sorry I didn't use the kit's doors now. As always, exquisite!!

Theodosia Pixietwist said...

I love the neutral tones, the parlour is so soothing. Dev looks relaxed in his kingdom! Thanks for sharing the update.

Clairajane said...

Hi, my name is Claire and I'm in snowy England, I had my Garfield shipped over at the end of last year, and I finally opened the box this week..... what a task I have ahead of me, and what an inspiration your blog (and you other ladies) are!! I have completed the foundations and the stair cases, and am about to start laying individual floorboards thoughout the entire ground floor, I wish I had more time to sit and work on it, however, with a full time job I feel progress may be slow!!!! Your house looks beautiful, as yet I have only had time to skim read through your older entries, however I'm glad I'm not the only one who has found the instructions a little confusing!!! Having already completed 2 houses and a shop, this is by far the most complicated kit I've ever seen..... wish me luck!!!!!!

Sumaiya Mehreen said...

Hello Claire!
You simply must take photos of your progress and start a blog. Then we can be Garfield-blog-Sisters! :D
I would say, don't worry about the slow progress of the construction. Rather, savor each moment you are working on this dollhouse. :)
Do email me at smehreen@gmail.com to discuss your experience...
Love,
Sumaiya.

Unknown said...

Hello,
I have purchased the Garfield kit. I am apprehensive about how to start constuction. I was looking online for advice and ran across one blog where the author stated "the house cannot be moved once it is built it will not fit through a doorway". Now I am really concerned because I may be transferring with my job in the not so distant future. Can anyone offer me any advice??
Thanks so much,
Gwen

Kathy Calhoun said...

Gwen, I measured the my Garfield across the front and it's about 29-30 inches, which will just barely squeak though a common door...I'd suggest the door be removed. It's touchy, but will work with careful effort. I'd suggest that all glue be well bonded and would tape it all around for extra strength, but I think it'll work. Good luck.

My own blog can be found through this sweet Sumaiya's site, but I've not done much lately...well, for a year actually.