hamsters

our lastest cardboard project... a hamster cage.

cardboard challenge

at Tinker Lab found via Artful Parent

"...I asked them (and their children!) to create anything they like using at least one cardboard box. The project would be executed by children, but grown-ups were welcome to facilitate and/or collaborate if the mood struck. Links to my twenty-two collaborators can be found at the end of this post, and I’d encourage you to do a little blog hopping today (or save this for when you have some time) and bookmark those posts that inspire YOU."

from Tinker Lab

adventures in cardboard

My previous cardboard creations are here.  My newest one is based on this schematic at What I Made.  This blog is amazingly illustrated and NOT cute (in a good way!)

 

I made some modifications - I removed the gun turret, added more windows and some hinges so Four Year Old could play inside it too, she also requested stairs.  The secret slide exit is a triumphant - held in place with a paper fastener. 

I love it!  Four Year Old seems to like it too  - especially the flat roof and slide.  But its not a fort... "its a farmhouse Mummy!"

 

Cardboard house - another one

inspired by the house at ikat bag.

Its shoddy and the tape is already unsticking but I love the concept.  With a bit more time and care it could be a keeper.

open

closed

back

It needs a roof and a ladder (and a lot more TLC) but Four Year Old couldn't wait any longer...  If I 'get it back' I'll add some extras.  Those square windows need curtains and we need door handles!

The balcony is genius and even Daddy Pig can fit...

Cardboard House - part 5

Ongoing project

We added some 'flowers' cut from a plant catalogue.

we still need to paint the 'trees' and add some windowsills, and then its on to the interior...

I have a vision of little button and bead flowers in window boxes...

Cardboard House - part 4

ongoing project...

Little Reindeer said she would paint it grey (she loves black paint).  I said, "Really?  Do you not want to use another colour?"  Thinking that grey was a rather depressing colour to paint a cardboard dollshouse...

She then decided to use all her colours...  I tried to impose a pattern and let each colour dry before adding another as she can often end up with brown... and she seemed quite taken with the idea of stripes (although she has never kept within the lines)

So the house is looking a little psychedelic... maybe grey would have been a better option (or brown).

I also cut out some tree shapes on the back flaps.

Cardboard House - part 3

Ongoing cardboard dolls house project...

Windows and doors cut and the box covered in gummed tape.

Which rather than making it stronger and tidier has made it rather shambolic looking...

Cardboard House - part 2

the basic design is over two floors, with two bedrooms and bathroom upstairs and kitchen/diner/lounge dowsnstairs.

back windows and back door cut out, side windows and 'front' windows still to be cut.

Little Reindeer checked out who would fit through the back door...

Cardboard House - part 1

Little Reindeer (aka Big Girl) would like 3 dolls houses.  I'm not sure why...

She has a wooden one, and a small shelving unit that she uses as a playgroup.  Since she doesn't actually need a dolls house I'm loathe to buy one, but these ones did catch me eye...

Recycled cardboard dollhouse which uses magazine and catalogue cuttings for decor

This from Oxfam (now half price!!!)

This one has a downloadable pattern.

These from Vertbaudet

I of course couldn't resist the challenge to create one with her...

Cardboard kitchen - summary

• I bought the plans from fortytworoads on etsy. Cost £4.30
• collected cardboard and glued some together to get required strength
• cut out shapes and notches
• assemble
• cover with gummed tape to tidy edges etc. Cost £1.50
• cut hole in oven door and use a poly pocket as window, use handle from old drawer unit
• add square baking tin as 'sink'
• add knobs. Cost £6
• add hob plates (cardboard with string painted black)
• add curtain wire and make curtain from tea towel. Cost £0.75
• paint and decorate using leftover emulsion paint
  

total cost £12.55

Cardboard kitchen - finished!

I was still painting and gluing at 11pm on Christmas Eve but it was all finished and secure by the time Toddler Girl came downstairs on Christmas morning.

The oven door is still abit wonky, but the velcro works well. It only catches a little so she can open and close the door with minimal effort. I was abit worried that she could pull the whole door off trying to open it.

It has so far survived a very large water spill - inside the oven and all around the sink.

I will need to seal the edges of the hole I cut for the 'sink' as any water spillage will weaken the exposed cardboard. I'm also not sure how long the cardboard hinge will last on the oven door.

But so far so good....

The big test will come when she makes 'cakes' using all the new cooking equipment she got for Christmas...

Cardboard kitchen - update

I've had to add an extra bit to the oven door as it was very very squint, so its abit behind schedule. It does have a window and a hinge.

I also had a problem with the hook for the curtain under the sink and I had to secure it with glue, hence no curtain in this picture.

The hob plates are stuck down. And all the knobs are screwed in place and are turnable.

Still to do

1. repaint oven door and add handle and secure
2. add H for Hot and C for Cold on the taps and maybe something on hob knobs
3. add oven knob on front panel
   
4. decorate utensils tin and suitcases
5. add bunting!
   
6. add further decoration... panels of colour or flowers...

Studio Journal - cupcakes

My colour scheme for the cupcake shelf on Toddler Girl's cardboard kitchen.

Cardboard kitchen - update

The cardboard kitchen has been taking up most of my creative time. That and another cold and a Toddler Girl who no longer takes an afternoon nap no matter how tired she is. Oh, and online Christmas shopping and now wrapping....

So, its white...

I have decided to place the hob knobs on top of the cooker and just place the oven knob on the front panel.

I hummed and hawed over whether to fit a sink. I tried a round deep pie tin but was unconvinced. Then I tried a square cake tin and it looked better. I am worried I have limited the work surface space but as Karen, the professional artist, pointed out she can still make stuff in the 'sink'.

so...

I have started the oven door. I have cut a window and will fit a clear plastic 'window' (a poly pocket!) I think I will use cardboard to make a hinge and I need to fit some velcro to keep it up.

I started to make a little curtain for under the sink, but I found some cupcake tea towels in Woolworths (I will really miss it when its gone) and I have used half a tea towel to make a curtain and also as inspiration for the decoration...

I also used some paper string to make hob plates and then painted them black.

so...

a close up of the cupcake shelf...


So...

Still to do

1. finish oven door by fitting window, hinges and painting inside white and securing
2. paint hob knobs green and oven knob green and fit (allowing for turning!)
3. glue down hob plates
4. secure blue taps and add H for Hot and C for Cold
5. paint cupcake shelf
6. create a utensils tin in matching colour scheme
7. add tea towel holder
8. think about a clock?
9. add further decoration... panels of colour or flowers...

Cardboard kitchen - update

I've used gummed paper to tidy up all the edges. I do like the look of corrugated cardboard but because I had to glue board together to get strength and thickness the edges looked untidy. The gummed paper works really well. I also used it to tidy up the joins. It has given it even more strength.

I added a panel for the hob knobs and I still need to work out how to strengthen and fix the oven door. I want to cut a window in it too. I need a handle as well...

I also need a 'sink' and I think I will paint the two large wooden knobs silver for the taps.

The cupboard under the 'sink' needs a curtain.

and of course the whole thing needs painted...

Since these photos were taken, I have covered the whole thing with gummed tape. I hope this will give an even surface on which to paint.


It is slightly higgledy piggledy but I think it adds to the charm.

I want to get it all finished for Toddler Girl's Christmas...

How many days until Christmas?

Cardboard kitchen - update

I need to get this project going again.

To do:-

1. cut lower cardboard piece
2. strengthen middle section
3. strengthen shelf
4. make oven door - include a window
5. acquire 'sink' and cut hole
6. make curtain
7. decide on hob plates and taps
8. paint the whole thing! Think I'll do it in white.
   
9. install 'sink', taps and hob plates
10. hang curtain
11. blackboard on side?
12. hanging hooks for utensils?

a really long list - update

1. Complete Half a Mile to Pittenweem for Fife Art Exhibition (1st Nov - 28th Nov at Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery). Completed!
2. Work through my colour wheel exercises (using my watercolour pencils and stranded cottons). Doing it.
3. Apply for a Visual Arts Award. Deadlines 3rd Oct 08 and 6 Feb 09. Nope, couldn't think of what to apply for. I need time not materials.
4.Write my Christmas list - one where I spend no money, one where I spend a little money. Only 6 presents to go.
5. Make some cards using materials I have to hand and do 2 things - talk to a local shop re selling them and photograph them and list them on Etsy. Nope.
6. Rework 3 pieces from my recent exhibition, i.e. take them out the frame. Nope.
7. Knit or sew some clothes for Toddler Girls babies. Nope.
8. Read through all my bookmarked business links and make another list of things to do! Yep.
9. Plant the 325 free spring bulbs I've just ordered and clear the garden of the summer annuals. 100 planted, 225 to go.
10. Make a cardboard kitchen for Toddler Girl. Nearly built, need to think about decorating it.
11. Knit a pair of socks. I have wool.
12. Perfect the art of mineral powder foundation. Think it looks ok...
13. Help Hubby set up his business! On going!
14. Complete a marketing course through Aberdeen College. Starting this week.
15. Finish knitting Toddler Girls shrug and hoodie. Gave up on hoodie, shrug on going.
16. Use my Procion Dye! Nope.

Cardboard kitchen - update

Cardboard kitchen

After a couple of months collecting boxes, I've cut out all the bits to make Toddler Girl her cardboard kitchen.


I now need a stanley knife to cut out all the notches...