Dolly Tower Houses - Halloween variations

Post by **Lucy** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 10:23 pm

When I saw the Dolly church pattern with the tower and 2 windows from Howard and Lynn, I thought that this is an inspired design. I love that the tower is an integral part of the structure and you don't have to glue it on top of the roof. Immediately, I started thinking of Halloween designs using this pattern.

I've finished one. It's a Purple Tower house. It's very purple. My photos are probably a little more purple than it is in real life. I may tone down the color a little. I always have to stare at it for awhile to decide.

The design on the house is from an embossing folder from Sizzix called Tiles. I embossed watercolor paper that I glued on the cardboard form. I used purple ink (Wilted Violet) and inked it across the raised surface and added a layer of black ink.

I'm making a Clock tower house now. I've got some in progress photos of the second Tower variation house.

Lucy

Post by **Lucy** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 10:40 pm

Here are a few photos of the next Tower house. I extended the front by 2 inches to make it taller. I painted the surface of the cardboard with a thick layer of black paint with a lot of sand in it. Then I stenciled stone using a lighter colored ink - Iced Spruce. It took a few tries to get the stencil to work because it's narrower than the width of the house. I had to paint over the house a couple of times. Then I highlighted each stone with an even lighter paint. I am pleased with how it looks.

A few notes on constructing the house. I noticed on the first house that the tower wanted to bend inward a little bit. Since I made the tower taller and cut out a circle for the clock, I added 3 layers of cardboard behind the tower part to keep it straight. I generally add at least one extra layer of cardboard for sturdiness, but on the tower I figured 3 would be prudent. I use Pete's dies to cut out my windows and doors with an arbor press so it's not hard to cut through the cardboard.

And the messy painting on the back is to paint the window and door edges black so naked cardboard won't show.

Post by **Lucy** » Sat Jul 22, 2017 10:45 pm

And here is the house in progress held together with clips. I will probably stick with a blue color for the door frame, window frames and a circle around the clock. I haven't decided on what I want to do for the roof shingles yet.

Thank you, Howard and Lynn. I love this pattern.
Lucy

Laney · Post by **Laney** » Sun Jul 23, 2017 9:13 am

Nice work Lucy! i saw the purple one on your blog just a little while ago. It's great! I love seeing your in progress pics of the second one you are working on as well. I agree that this is a fantastic pattern and I love how it goes together. As always your painting/inking/stenciling etc. skills are amazing. Thanks for sharing your inspiring work!

Post by **Lucy** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 3:41 am

A few more photos of the in progress house.

I used to use E6000 to glue the acetate (leftover packaging that I color with alcohol inks), but it's so messy. Now I just use a bunch of Aileen's tacky glue. I also smear a clear glue called Glossy Accents on the windows to make them look old and so you can't really see inside my messy house interiors. Also it obscures whatever light source you use.

You can see the rock work better on the second photo. I will be using this technique again. The bright color on the windows takes away a little bit from the rocks on the siding. I will use smaller windows and a more muted color next time. But I do like the blue roof.

Be sure to look at Will's variation on the Dolly Tower house. It's incredible. So many wonderful details for Halloween.

Lucy

https://paperglitterglue.com/stone-sten ... ock-house/

BurghGal · Post by **BurghGal** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:18 am

Love the trick with the glue on the windows, thanks for sharing that. I continue to be humbled by your level of talent and creativity.

Clinton · Post by **Clinton** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 10:30 am

Holy Halloween Lucy That's amazing.. I better have bat wings to fly with if I fall off of that tall tower! That surreal blue is beautiful. I'm following your blog too. The stone pattern is awesome as well!

Post by **Lynn** » Mon Jul 24, 2017 12:16 pm

Two more incredible Halloween houses!! I love to see the dolly patterns take on a whole new life!!

Post by **maria** » Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:34 am

love the texture of the "purple" house.

Post by **Lucy** » Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:55 pm

Just finished taking pictures of the Stone stenciled house based on the Dolly Tower pattern. I really love this pattern and I am tickled about this house came out.

Lucy

https://paperglitterglue.com/stone-sten ... ock-house/