To help put
this feature together we have enlisted the help of Annette "Netty"
Baker who manages our Dorking
shop. However, she is also responsible for the window features
in all 3 of our outlets.
Her miniature creations are
a wonder to behold and draw admiring comments from all passers-by.
Children in particular drag their parents to the shop window
to see what Annette has conjured up this time.
The ideas, which could be included
in this feature, are endless but we hope by giving you a few
of them it will help stimulate your own creative juices into
producing your own ideas in addition to Annette's. Maybe next
time you are near one of our shops you can pass by and check
out her latest creation and see some of Annette's work for yourself.
Dolls House Parade stocks most
of the items required for your garden
such as grass, soil, trees, shrubs and plants - but you may want
to try making a few for yourself, or do what Annette does and
use the products available but then add to or enhance them with
these "tricks of the trade"
So, without further ado, here
are a few ideas to set you on your way:
1. Earth / Soil
There are many ways to create
earth, but here are just a few:
a. Mix PVA
glue with tea leaves.
b. Mix PVA glue with semolina
or sand.
c. Mix bathroom sealant (brown)
with semolina so that you get a dry consistency. Leave for 5-10
minutes then rub through your fingers to create crumbs. If the
mix is still sticky wait a little longer before rubbing through
fingers - this produces a very fine soil (perfect for your bedding
plants).
d. Mix bathroom sealant (brown)
with pudding rice - this produces a "clumped earth"
effect (perfect for the bed that needs digging).
Netty's Tip: Please remember
that the sealant begins to go off (harden) after approximately
15 to 20 minutes, so if you want to plant flowers you must do
so before it sets completely - unfortunately, unlike the real
garden you will not be able to just dig it over again.
2. Turf
To create rolls of turf, do
the following:
a. Cut grass strips measuring
1.5" x 12" (approx 4cms x 30cms) from a grass
sheet. Then cut unto 3" (8cms) lengths.
b. Roll the strips up, inside
out leaving a small flat piece at the end.
c. Place a small amount of
tacky glue on the edge of the roll and press firmly until stuck
together - like a Swiss roll.
d. Create additional rolls
and arrange in a pile at the edge of the lawn - or an area of
soil - as if they are waiting for the gardener to lay them.
3. Paths
Paving materials are available from our stores - but if you want
to make your own here is an example for you:
a. Use a piece of foam core
board. This is available at good art shops or stationery suppliers.
Cut your board to the required length and shape - for instance
you can create a curved path.
b. Now you must "distress"
it to make it look more realistic. By scoring the board lightly
with a sharp craft knife you can create the required pattern.
This may be crazy paving (random patterns) or paving slabs by
creating more symmetrical patterns.
c. Now the path can be painted
with an acrylic paint to the desired colour. Lay a base colour
over the entire path but then you can "age" the path
by dabbing (with a nearly dry brush) gently, in patches, a slightly
darker colour.
d. Next make a few holes with
a darning needle or a small nail. Then glue small pieces of grass
into the holes and hey presto you now have a charming country
cottage path - which unfortunately needs weeding.
4. Trees
If you buy a topiary
tree made from plaster - and want to make it look a
bit more realistic just do the following:
a. Paint the whole of the foliage
part of the tree with glue.
b. Sprinkle loose grass or
lichen
(available from model shops) over the entire area and let it
dry.
5. Garden Hose
Every garden has a hosepipe
and even though you will not have to water your dolls house garden,
a hose will add a little touch of reality. These can easily be
made from modelling clay such as Fimo, Sculpey or Premo.
a. Decide on the colour you
want.
Netty's Tip: I find the
best colour is achieved by mixing a small ball of green clay
with a smaller ball of brown. Mix the two together well. This
gives a nice weathered look to your hose. If you use just the
green it will look brand new!
b. Roll the clay into a long
sausage - making sure it is an even diameter through its length.
c. Arrange the sausage into the shape
you want. It can be made into a snake to go around the garden
(as if you are watering it), or looped so that it can be hung
on a wall, or a mixture of both.
Netty's Tip: I would
recommend that you plan your design before you start working
with the clay itself.
d. Now you must create the
ends. The best things for these are either the back of an earring
or a shaped bead.
Netty's Tip: if you use
a bead it must be metal otherwise it will not survive the baking
process.
e. Once you have the shape
you want your hose must be baked in the oven - following the
clay manufacturers instructions.
We hope this helps and inspires
you to create your own garden. And don't forget this is the ultimate
in low maintenance gardens - one that will give you hours of
pleasure without the need for any hard work at all. No need to
worry about the weather either - it keeps looking perfect, come
rain or shine and it will even survive those frosty nights.
If - having read this feature
- you are not sure about doing all these things yourself, there
is a great selection of products in our Garden
Section which will allow you to create a wonderful garden
without the need to get your hands dirty.
If you have any queries that
have not been answered by this feature please contact us on
Tel:
020 8295 0688 or Fax: 020 8295 1061
e-mail:
info@dolls-house-parade.co.uk
We will do our best to answer
your questions with the help of "Netty" our own expert
gardener.
If you need any other help or advice, or have any suggestions
for topics you would like to see featured in the future, or you
have your own hints and tips you would like to share with your
fellow miniaturists, please e-mail us at:
enquiries@dollshouseparade.co.uk
