Are you pinching pennies? And your lovely daughter crying for a doll house? Then the simplest solution is making one out of a cardboard box. In my last post I had mentioned that I will be designing a knitted doll from a story book, instead decided to go wild with paper and give some rest for my knitting needles and yarn.
I had a strong and sturdy cardboard box measuring appox 15 by 18" and did not feel like throwing that so I decided to make a doll house out of it. I have been reading doll house books lately by Jean Nisbett and Kath Dalmeny. I want to collect miniatures and doll houses in my near future, but I wanted to make my first doll house in an amateur way.
Even though I love period style decoration and furniture I have not followed any Victorian, Tudor, Edwardian or any other period style. But I would love to make them in future.
I wanted to make a tutorial but this was a very big project hence decided otherwise.
I just shaped one side of the cardboard to form the roof. In the front I cut the cardboard like a door. Also made windows and the front loft to keep the potted plants. I just stuck a small rectangular cardboard box for the front loft and slightly bigger rectangular box for the balcany.
The potted plants are knitted from Jeangreenhowe's pattern. I used a pair of smaller needles and thin yarn to get this miniature size.
I used scrapbook paper and some patterned papers for the entire house. I used a paper doily for the carpet.
Inside the house I made two floors and four windows.I used sheer cloth for the window curtains.
The front door window curtains are made out of the patterned paper.
On the top floor I have made two non operating doors. A basic doll house consists of a staircase but sometimes omitted in a small two room house to save space. In this case you can give the impression that there is a staircase out of sight by fitting a non- operating door to the inside wall. This trick I learnt from Jean Nisbett's book. This trick can be applied for any room. The other door on the top floor leads to a balcony or it can be assumed that there is a hallway behind the door which leads to another room if the balcany is not shown.
I have used a paper resembling wood for the balcany and similarly the back wall is a brick wall which is a paper again.
Once the house is built 'people' are essential for a doll house. So I decided to make some Inhabitants out of paper. I enjoyed making these dolls and these are my version of peg dolls.
Below picture consists of a nurse maid, the butler, cook and the maid servant.
These dolls were inspired by the peg dolls I saw in Jean Nisbett's book.
This is the method to make a basic doll.
For men I just painted two wooden dowels and glued them on doll's shoes. I taped the dowels near the waist and then made a shirt and the jacket and hands and glued a wooden bead for the head.
Sheer ribbon, satin cloth etc can be used to give a rich and fancy look. Women measures approx 5 " and men 6" in height. These dolls are perfect for standard doll house scale(1/12).
Using Barbie doll acceceries on these dolls is an excellent idea. For example the lady is wearing a pair of Barbie shoes and a wristlet. I cut two 3" wooden dowels and placed inside the shoes. I placed these dowels under the lady's skirt. To make this permanent these dowels can be taped while making the skirt in the very first step.
These Barbie accessories are available in Walmart, Target etc and are very inexpensive.
The baby is just a wooden bead wrapped in a pattern paper. Alternatively scraps of cloth, ribbon, lace etc can be used.
Over all I did have a lot of fun making these paper dolls. It was indeed a pleasant and a nice change.
To extend my happiness I made some scenes with these dolls which will be continued in my next post.
Stay tuned :)
Just sharing some comments that we exchanged on my knitting forum.
You certainly have been busy. Very creative. Just, Jynx | |
Mar 5, 14 20:36:09 | |
a regular here  Joined: Jul 31, 11 Messages: 9107 Feedback: 24/100.0% Location: The Narrow Way | It's story time....delightful!!! http://www.laurelarts.etsy.com http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/534923 http://www.ravelry.com/stores/laurel-lane-knits What you BELIEVE determines how you BEHAVE. |
Mar 5, 14 22:49:28 | |
a regular here  Joined: May 22, 11 Messages: 18954 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Sultan, WA | Wow, that is very intricate! For those who understand no explanation is necessary, for those who don't no explanation is possible. |
Mar 5, 14 23:30:15 | |
a regular here  Joined: May 30, 11 Messages: 2268 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: USA | You could really have some drama there! A handsome rascal, a conniving servant... nitchik |
Mar 5, 14 23:43:09 | |
 Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | Thanks everyone. Had a wonderful time indeed. Revathi akshay |
Mar 5, 14 23:43:39 | |
Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | nitchik wrote: You could really have some drama there! A handsome rascal, a conniving servant... Yes that's a fantastic idea  Revathi akshay |
Mar 5, 14 23:45:04 | |
Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | I have some tips, instructions and ideas on my blog www.revathiakshay.blogspot.com Revathi akshay |
Mar 6, 14 07:32:57 | |
a regular here  Joined: Jul 21, 11 Messages: 5259 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Australia | They all look amazing,very talented lady. Valjean |
Mar 6, 14 07:34:02 | |
a regular here  Joined: Apr 17, 13 Messages: 1781 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: S. E. Wisconsin, USA | Wow, great job! To be kind is more important than to be right, many times what people need is not a brilliant mind speaks, but a special hear that listens. |
Mar 6, 14 07:55:43 | |
a regular here Joined: Oct 25, 11 Messages: 1794 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Willis, Michigan | So cool! johannecw |
Mar 6, 14 08:13:02 | |
Joined: Sep 5, 11 Messages: 1813 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Washington, Pa | what creativity !! dotcarp2000 |
Mar 6, 14 08:15:48 | |
 Joined: Feb 7, 11 Messages: 938 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Santa Fe New Mexico | Santa Fe NM has a folk art museum... and these would just fit so nicely in this museum... they are all lovely! Miss Piggy says "Never eat more than you can lift" |
Mar 6, 14 08:57:37 | |
a regular here  Joined: Dec 12, 11 Messages: 1071 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Florida | how wonderful....you are very creative and patient! Blessings amberdragon plays with yarn and beads. |
Mar 6, 14 09:05:27 | |
a regular here  Joined: Jan 21, 11 Messages: 15047 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Oregon | Oh you had some fun.... that looks like you really enjoyed doing this... I love it! thanks for sharing. Same Ronie... New avatar. Patterson Bridge in my town.. it is beautiful all lit up at night. http://www.pinterest.com/ronie111/pins/ |
Cardboard box doll house and paper dolls
| Author | Message |
Mar 6, 14 09:15:29 | |
a regular here  Joined: May 6, 12 Messages: 1281 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Very creative and fun! Nice work. Live your life on purpose! |
Mar 6, 14 09:26:12 | |
Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | leslie41447 wrote: Santa Fe NM has a folk art museum... and these would just fit so nicely in this museum... they are all lovely! Oh that's so nice. Where is it ? I live in Dallas . Revathi akshay |
Mar 6, 14 09:27:35 | |
Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | I did have lot of fun but it was exhausting at one point but I am happy with the results. Thanks for all your wonderful comments everyone. Revathi akshay |
Mar 6, 14 11:43:13 | |
 Joined: Aug 11, 11 Messages: 124 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: livermore,ca | WOW. Very creative and you are a very talented lady! |
Mar 6, 14 12:12:22 | |
a regular here  Joined: May 25, 12 Messages: 2332 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Virginia Beachh, VA | very creative,lovely. Love to knit |
Mar 6, 14 15:29:10 | |
Joined: Jan 15, 13 Messages: 11 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) | You are so creative - all your own, no pattern, just a really creative mind. I think you could produce something like this even if you were on a desert island. Well Done You! What next? Pamela Hawthorne |
Mar 6, 14 17:13:17 | |
Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | Hawthorne wrote: You are so creative - all your own, no pattern, just a really creative mind. I think you could produce something like this even if you were on a desert island. Well Done You! What next? Pamela Thanks a lot Pamela. What a wonderful comment. I think I am planning to knit a doll from Jeangreenhowe's book. I have a blog you can visit my blog if you like. www.revathiakshay.blogspot.com Revathi... Revathi akshay |
Mar 6, 14 17:42:57 | |
a regular here  Joined: Jan 23, 12 Messages: 1981 Feedback: 1/100.0% Location: Bklyn, New York | Wonderful work, very industrious! I hadn't planned on going out for a run this morning but that cop came out of nowhere! |
Mar 6, 14 17:44:42 | |
a regular here  Joined: Aug 30, 11 Messages: 2643 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Buckinghamshire Online | Heavens!! You have the patience of a saint. Every thing is so lovely. Clever you. TRICIA Lord Keep your arm over my shoulder and your hand over my mouth. Amen |
Mar 6, 14 19:52:35 | |
Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | I did Lose patience at one point. I wanted to make chandelier , may be next time . Thanks a lot though. Love to read all your comments.Revathi akshay |
Mar 6, 14 21:43:57 | |
 Joined: Nov 6, 11 Messages: 487 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Fair banks, Ak | so cute, ha ha. I enjoyed this! train |
Mar 7, 14 01:34:25 | |
Joined: Jan 8, 14 Messages: 46 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Texas | So cute, and your story made it more fun! Janicesei |
Mar 7, 14 06:44:31 | |
a regular here  Joined: Nov 16, 13 Messages: 1221 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: Florida | lots of work and FUN stuff!!!! Keep swell,Cindi |
Mar 13, 14 10:05:24 | |
a regular here  Joined: Jul 30, 12 Messages: 1372 Feedback: 4/100.0% Location: Cape Cod Massachusetts Online | Memories, i used shoe boxes and lots of cardboard boxes and kleenexes for mine. Wow i could spend days and weeks creating...thanks for the memories The cure for anything is salt water....sweat, tears or the sea. |
Mar 13, 14 16:06:55 | |
Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | cathie02664 wrote: Memories, i used shoe boxes and lots of cardboard boxes and kleenexes for mine. Wow i could spend days and weeks creating...thanks for the memories How nice. I guess you should share some pics of your doll house. Thanks for your comment Revathi akshay |
Revathi akshay wrote: How nice. I guess you should share some pics of your doll house. Thanks for your comment We made them when we were kids we would have 2or 3 and carry them tied together(condos before there time )We would make each box a different room. I remember hat boxes were oh the greatest very rarely did we get one but ooh when we did it was so much fun. The cure for anything is salt water....sweat, tears or the sea. | |
Mar 13, 14 18:26:32 | |
Joined: Jun 26, 12 Messages: 333 Feedback: 0/0.0% Location: in hiding :) Online | cathie02664 wrote: We made them when we were kids we would have 2or 3 and carry them tied together(condos before there time )We would make each box a different room. I remember hat boxes were oh the greatest very rarely did we get one but ooh when we did it was so much fun. I sense so much happiness in your comments. I am glad I brought back your wonderful childhood memories . Thus is my first doll house Revathi akshay |
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