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Sunday, April 18, 2010

Playing Dress Up.....

I made a trip back to Dollar Tree this morning. I couldn't afford to pass up a few more of the little shadow boxes. There are so many ways to dress them up.

I took one of the nine section ones and proceeded to fancy it up a bit. I used crown molding, half inch scale door and window casing and four little bun feet made from the biscuits, that people fill screw holes in real furniture with.

First I stained all of the pieces with Minwax Red Mahogany. Then I mitered three pieces of the crown molding to fit around the top of the shelf.

Then I proceeded to the bottom and cut pieces of the half scale door and window molding to fit around the bottom.

Then I cut four pieces of the same stuff to the length of the sides and stretchers from top to bottom, to fit between the crown molding and the bottom molding.

I glued everything together and let it dry.

The original gluing job was not bad, but there is a bit of white showing in the corners. That can be easily fixed with a little brown acrylic stain.

By the time I had finished, Tessie had laid claim to it, with Mookie a close second. I think he wanted it for a chew toy.

Here's what it looks like against the wall of the bedroom. The proportions are just about perfect. I only have to spray it with Deft Satin finish and it will be done. How simple was that?

I now have seven more in my stash. If I went out and bought finished miniature bookcases, just think what it would have cost me!

I am thinking that one done up in white or black would look good if Tessie still wants 60s. Who knows? Maybe tomorrow she will be back to "Restoration Victorian".

I have the feeling that this is going to be a project with lots of twists and turns......

See you tomorrow.

10 comments:

Deni said...

Oh they are perdect and when you dress them up they end up a really a wonderful cupboard!
Great JOB!!!!!

Julie S said...

Looks fabulous! I wish I was that creative ...

De said...

I'm gonna have to get to a couple of the local Dollar Tree stores soon. I love the finished book/display case, Casey.

Margaret said...

That is a great transformation, the result is a very stylish piece of furniture. Well done!

The Dangerous Mezzo said...

I'm so glad you went back for more of the units -- they're too good to pass up, especially when you can make them look that great!

Maia's Twinkle Miniatures said...

It looks wonderful, you are so creative. :) I can't wait to see how you finish the others.
I once bought one that is in the form of a house and you have given me ideas of how to make it pretty!
Maia

Chris P's Minis and More said...

This is so adorable and are they made of wood? i have not seen these yet at the Dollar store. I iwll have to get over there and take a look where about are they in the store..frames,crafts?
Thanks for sharing your greaT ideas!

onbeingaminimum said...

Fantastic buys. I wish we had Dollar Stores in England, they seem to have great bargains.
Regards,
Janice

beyondbaffled said...

Casey this is so good. I love finding cheap ways to make minis. Thank you for sharing this!

Sasha said...

Thanks for that. i was given one of those units (now I know how cheap my friend is!!!). I had no idea what I wanted to do with it... but lots of ideas now! Thank you!