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Making treehouse dollhouses with branches - questions!  

post #1 of 67
10/3/06 at 1:24pm
Thread Starter 
Hey there -

I see all these neat treehouse dollhouses in waldorfian catalogs that are built of branches & log slices. They're about $100 each, and I thought I would try my hand at building one since it would be essentially free. Anyone made one? Have any advice or suggestions before I jump into the project?
post #2 of 67
10/3/06 at 10:09pm
I did it! It was harder than I expected, but certainly do-able. I used a jigsaw to cut 1/2" plywood into more organic shapes, and screwed branches on to attach the shapes. (Making parallel cuts on the branches was tricky- probably easier if you have access to a compound miter saw.) I covered up the places where the screws showed by gluing bark on top.
post #3 of 67
10/4/06 at 10:21pm
I did it also. It is VERY hard to get the log uprights parallel. I was thinking a band saw would do the trick. What is difficult is that your top and bottom cuts have to be at the same plane or it doesn't fit together well. This part took me forever.

I didn't use screws, I drilled holes in the logs and the floors and used dowels to connect the pieces--so the kids could take it apart and reassemble it how they liked.

I also made mine bigger than the ones in the catalogs--all 1/2" I think. I wanted dd to be able to use her 5" fairy dolls and 1" scale log furniture.

I also used a router for the edges of the floor/ceiling pieces and it was very easy and looks cool.

My kids like the treehouse, but I think they like equally or more the basket of sanded log pieces we also made.
post #4 of 67
10/9/06 at 1:26pm
I am just in the final stages of finishing up one of these for Maya. I actually used a tree as the base, not just branches. I think it's coming out really well if I do say so myself but then again I am really geeky when it comes to things like this.

I'll post a picture when I 'm finished.
post #5 of 67
10/9/06 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lupineperriwinkle View Post

I'll post a picture when I 'm finished.
Sounds fabulous! I'd love to see it!
post #6 of 67
10/9/06 at 4:48pm
Well, I went out to finsh this and it turns out the center of the stump wa rotten... a PERFACT place for me to hollow out at the base of the "home" and make a nice cave for animals.
post #7 of 67
10/9/06 at 9:11pm
oh i cant wait to see a picture!

id love to make something like this for my girls
post #8 of 67
10/10/06 at 7:07pm
Here are the almost finished pictures. I still have things to add like a door, another level, stairs and a pulley system. after the pictures I added a clothesline and a doorbell.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/100_3014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/100_3015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/100_3016.jpg
post #9 of 67
10/11/06 at 12:52am
the bark on the base is gorgeous
I, um, I mean, my dd needs one too
Heather, you are so incredibley talented!!!!!!!!!!
maya is soooooooooo lucky
post #10 of 67
10/11/06 at 12:57am
Thats beautiful!!
post #11 of 67
10/11/06 at 8:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Staceyhsmom1 View Post
the bark on the base is gorgeous
I, um, I mean, my dd needs one too
Heather, you are so incredibley talented!!!!!!!!!!
maya is soooooooooo lucky

I'm not making you one Stacey so you can stop kissing up. I mean, I had to do something for the poor girl. When she see Meagan's new dollhouse she will "need" one for herself!
post #12 of 67
10/11/06 at 10:30am
Thread Starter 
Well, if you're taking orders, I have this little girl who would LOVE... :-) :-)
post #13 of 67
10/11/06 at 10:38am
I forgot to note that this is about 3 feet tall so not exactly shipable
post #14 of 67
10/11/06 at 11:02am
wow that is gorgeous!
you are so talented Heather!
post #15 of 67
10/11/06 at 11:21am
That is wonderful! Great job
post #16 of 67
10/13/06 at 3:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by melamama View Post
I did it also. It is VERY hard to get the log uprights parallel. I was thinking a band saw would do the trick. What is difficult is that your top and bottom cuts have to be at the same plane or it doesn't fit together well. This part took me forever.

I was wondering - would a laser level work well for this? Make your bottom cut, then place it on a level surface, and use the laser level line to mark where to make th other cut? Hmmm.... I should try it.
post #17 of 67
10/13/06 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by isaberg View Post
I was wondering - would a laser level work well for this? Make your bottom cut, then place it on a level surface, and use the laser level line to mark where to make th other cut? Hmmm.... I should try it.

I would do that if I had the laser level. My setup was a bit different though so I just used 2 levels
post #18 of 67
10/23/06 at 11:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lupineperriwinkle View Post
Here are the almost finished pictures. I still have things to add like a door, another level, stairs and a pulley system. after the pictures I added a clothesline and a doorbell.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/100_3014.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/100_3015.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/100_3016.jpg
HOLY SMOKES MAMA!! That is incredibly beautiful!

I've been planning on making one of these for my DS and have been trying to figure out how to make exact length branches etc but what you came up with is pure genius and really eliminates all that tricky cutting.

I need to go for a hike in my woods now to find a fallen tree like this!
post #19 of 67
10/26/06 at 5:17pm
Heather that is awesome!! Dh and I are planning on making one for my nieces/nephews for Christmas and i will make little characters to go with it. I can only hope it turns out so well. That is so totally cool!
post #20 of 67
10/26/06 at 5:30pm
thanks for all of the compliments. it truly was easy - even though I know it looks imposing!

I was directed to some Ryan's Room lamps if anyone is interested in lighting their houses. I did add a light in the base inside the little room there as well as an outside light but the ryan's room stuff has lamps and ceiling lights that run on batteries. Sure, the batteries won't last long in this house but I feel safer than electrifying the whole thing at this stage Like Maya wants me to do
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