More houses from Nan

Post by **Nan** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:55 pm

I haven't had such fun in a long time. Before Christmas I rehabbed my late MIL's seven old putzes and made a new one for my daughter; since then I have made seven new ones in addition to the minis (previous post). Right now I have three in process (one a shameless appropriation of Howard's wonderful barn design) and 5 in the design stage. The five houses (well, buildings) I'm sending right now are from the most recent set. One is a copy of a friend's old putz (which I have promised to rehabilitate for her)--it's my first attempt at using Pete's new coconut, and I like the effect (thanks, Pete, and PapaTed for the doors and windows and advice). Paul and Howard also deserve my thanks for their advice at various times--your web sites are magnificent. Anyway, the little pinkish hacienda type is a redo of my first awful effort at doing my own house. There is an imaginary train station and a neighbor's house--both seem to have weird colors that I can't explain. The last is a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) time and space machine, in case there are any other Dr. Who fans out there. (Whoops! I exceeded my limit. Will send the last two as a separate post. Sorry this is so long.

Post by **Nan** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 5:58 pm

Paul, I hope you can make these smaller (or tell me how to do it). Seems they are huge. Anyway, here at the last two, the Train Station and the TARDIS.

Post by **PutzinVT** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:15 pm

Wow great job.

Love the Dr who one.

Post by **maria** » Fri Apr 20, 2012 6:50 pm

THESE ARE WONDERFUL!

Post by **Lynn** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:33 pm

These are all so nice!! I am getting ready to apply Pete’s coconut on a house I am finishing up. Yours looks great was it difficult to apply? Any hints you could share?

Post by **les** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:24 pm

Great job, Nan. Love the windows on the pink hacienda!!

Post by **Nan** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:46 pm

It's pretty easy using Pete's coconut. I used white glue thinned with water, and then sprinkled (and in a few places, lightly patted) the coconut in place. Used a spoon to sprinkle it. I would suggest you start with the darkest or brightest color first, so that it's easier to brush it up. Having a few lighter flakes on darker doesn't seem as out of place as the other way around. Also do small patches at a time--thinned glue dries quickly. It's a good idea to let one color dry thoroughly, and for a long time, so you can shake off all the loose pieces before starting a second color. I work over a sheet of white printer paper on top of a larger sheet of white art paper that I happen to have a pad of, so that I can catch the excess coconut and slide it back into the baggie. (People my age learned how to do that years ago!) Good luck, Lynn.

Post by **paulrace** » Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:55 pm

Nan,
Thanks for the tips re: coconut. Also, Pete, if you see this, thanks for helping folks like Nan keep the dream alive.

Post by **Lynn** » Wed May 09, 2012 7:39 pm

I am just finishing up my first coconut house. The coconut does seem to be flaking a bit. Can this be sprayed to help eliminate this from happing? I believe someone mentioned something about this but I could not find it…

Thanks so much!!