I decided to do this because I got a box from an office supply store that was the exact size as the one I used to make the entryway for my previous house. I cut along the red lines to split the box in half.
The old entryway had its top cut off, but I left it on the new ones so they would be more sturdy. Besides, I had no idea what I was doing last time, but now I do!
I recycled the red poster board from the old house and taped it to one corner of each box. I want the scrapbook paper I bought to last awhile so I'm putting it in place using HandiTak ($1.50 BigLots). I don't recommend HandiTak because it leaves a stain and that's why I put some tape on the back of the paper first. The back of the boxes are clipped together with binder clips.
This is the basic structure and the two types of paper I'll be using; brick and grass from Joann's. This doesn't have to be the only configuration. Put all the boxes side-by-side, change the entry door, remove the stairs and you've got a business front. Stack them on top of one another and you've got a triplex. Endless possibilities!
Add some foliage, furniture and accessories and you've got a freakin' urban development. Before I go any further, a big, HUGE shout out to Jewel Snake for giving me the idea to use a solar light to fashion my street lamp. Excellent suggestion!
So, let's take a tour, shall we?
All the small foliage is from Michaels. The green table bottom and colored lights are from LIV. The white table top is from the Friends Boutique. The base of the street light is an old desk lamp and the solar light is from Walmart. The little side table is from Just Dreamz. The entry door lights are from Big Lots. The stairs and black fence are Tech Deck. I made the chairs, benches and windows.
And now some scale photos:
And there you have it. Another dwelling designed by Muff. Cardboard and paper, man. That's some awesome stuff.
Hello from Spain: without words!!!!. A stunning home. I really like the facade, stairs, the streetlight ... I like everything. The photos are beautiful. Characters seem real ... The clothes they are wearing are very cool. You are inspiring to me. I love your cardboard house .... Great idea! Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteHi, Marta and thanks so much for such a great comment! ^__^ Cardboard is my friend.
DeleteYour creativity amazes me, Muff. Your urban dwelling has such realism. The construct alone is wonderful but the exterior details--bricking, sidewalk, lawn, foliage, lighting, etc.--add to the realism. Great job and thanks for sharing how it was done.
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My pleasure, Debbie! I love seeing how people put their stuff together so I'm always happy to share how I made something.
DeleteAmazing! So realistic. You and your cardboard and paper rock! I love your park. I want to come hang out there. Great job on the foliage. I see there's a new hottie in town. I'd say more, but I'm on the tablet.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vanessa! Cardboard and paper are the man. I'm amazed how much you can do with them.
DeleteWow, Muff, that does not look like cardboard and paper - that looks real. And like a good, friendly neighbourhood to live in.
ReplyDeleteHi, Carrickters! The neighborhood is in the historic, artistic part of town. It's modeled after a real area of my town actually.
DeleteEres impresionante, con dos cartones¡¡ haces maravillas¡¡¡ realmente me he quedado alucinada¡¡ felicidades¡¡¡¡
ReplyDeleteSarai, muchas gracias por tu comentario! Cosas Wonderous se puede hacer con cartón.
DeleteI'm literally sitting here trying to find the words to say about how incredible this looks. It's beautiful. It looks so real and very cozy too. Your dolls all look like they're having a lovely time there.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alura and thank you! It is a friendly little neighborhood.
DeleteStunning accomplishment. Absolutely enthralled with your craftiness!
ReplyDeleteRoville, that's a huge deal coming from you. Thank you very much!
DeleteMuff you are killing me! What an inspiration! I plan on stealing heavily from you in the future. ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Vita. Please steal away. ^__^
DeleteIm pretty sure in the english dictionary there is word for how awesome this is ................ maybe Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Jay! Yeah, buddy, I be getting my Mary Poppins on!
DeleteOk, this is just fantastic!!! It looks so wonderful... and it's amazing it's just a box and paper. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteHi, Heather and thanks so much!
DeletePS, where is that awesome little lamp post from?
ReplyDeleteHeather, if you mean the street light, I got both the original desk lamp base and the solar light from Walmart. If you mean the doorway sconces those clip lights came from BigLots.
DeleteThis looks absolutely amazing Muff!! It reminds me of my old neighborhood when I was a kid, wow...very, very creative. The best part is the amount of money you DIDN'T spend to create such a cool place. Thank you for sharing your ideas and tutorials with us. :)
ReplyDeleteTracy, I designed this based on the Riverside area of my town. Lots of old brick houses, brick streets and greenery abound. And yep, the best part is making stuff for less! The paper and foliage was on sale and the box was free, lol.
Deletei love it!the whole park is amazing!i love the black park cahairs with a table.what did you make it with?
ReplyDeleteHiya, Jassica joe and thanks! The green and black chairs are made from file folders, contact paper and duct tape. You can see the post about them here.
DeleteOMG, OMG!!!! Wonderful job! I'm taking notes like a mad, your new house is great, I wish I could do something like that! Thanks for sharing, your work always inspires me.
ReplyDeleteRossetti, you have done something like that, lol! I love your wonderful dios and creations. So, thanks for the compliment and I return it back to you.
Delete@.@ I'm speachless! wow, just wow! This home is amazing! And it's whole surrounding! Stunning! To say that you're talented it's simply not enough!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy I could help anyhow!
Yay, Jewel Snake! I'm glad you like it and thanks again for such a cool idea!
DeleteWonderful diorama, Muff! Love the grass and the foliage and the people. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dana! I really didn't like that grass paper and it still looks funky close up, but in the distance of photos, it looks quite real.
DeleteAWESOME, It is so hard to believe you got all this depth from paper and cardboard YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mustiwait! I kind of cheated depth wise, because the depth is actual. This thing has a huge foot print and is covering my entire breakfast bar. I even have a human size ficus a few feet behind it to cover up my doorways and living room.
DeleteWow!!!!! Muff, you did an awesome job creating a "very" realistic urban neighborhood. I LOVE IT! I am amazed at the products you used to create this awesome scene...stunning!
ReplyDeleteI have to go back and take this all in again...AMAZING!
Thanks so much, Georgia Girl! I'm surprised myself how well and simply it came together.
DeleteLove love love it all! Great job Muff! This came out perfect. The pictures are great. Everything looks so real. Im with Georgia Girl, I need to go back and take it all in again. Thanks for the inspiration yet again ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Chynadoll! ^__^
DeleteOmg Muff, this is freaking amazing!
ReplyDeleteLot's of love went into building this house and it shows! It's perfect, I admire you talent.
It's amazing to see what you can create out of cardboard, paper and hard work.
Hi, Tali. Having used stuff from previous projects it came together rather well.
DeleteI'm so obsessed with your blog!! This is my first time commenting, and but I just had to ask what type of camera you use?? The photos are stunning!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, J BooGie! I use Canon cameras; Xti, T2i and 40D. For my Blog I only shoot with the Canon T2i. Sometimes I use a 50mm or 100mm micro, but mostly I use the 18-55mm that came with the camera. It gets the job done. Any photos inside a store or at a location other than my place were taken with my iPhone. I use a very, very old Photoshop 7 for editing. These photos in particular were well lit but most of the ones I take just use existing ambient light. Hope this helps!
DeleteNow that what I call freakin' AWESOME!! I really need to step my game up!!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Brini, thanks, but I'm positive you and the Dotsons are up to the challenge.
DeleteWow, it's great !!! You have very interesting ideas :) And you take beautiful photos. Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Poland ;)
Hi, Marille and thanks so much for commenting!
DeleteThis..is..awesome!! I love it. One question.... How did u change you Sulu's pants? Lol
ReplyDeleteHi, Toni and thanks! You have to take Sulu's boots off and I did it the wrong way because I broke one of the pegs. Many people have said to do it damage free you have to heat the boot with a blow dryer and then pull it gently. I was just yanking on the sucker. Once you get it out, shave a small portion of the peg off and then you can take the boots on and off with ease.
DeleteThat vid was awesome I love how she stayed cold with it!
ReplyDeleteHiya, Tinisha and thanks! You've got to stop those exes cold if you don't want them to keep coming back.
DeleteWOOOW! I missed this one! You did such a great job with this. My dolls would love a space like this to hang out. I didn't know you could take Sulu's boots off? I will have to try that. You used just the right touches of color in you dio.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ms. Leo! Yes, Sulu's boots can come off, but it's difficult.
DeleteHi. I love your site! Can you tell me the brand name of the bald male barbie with the dog tags around his neck? I'd love to get one like him!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Zieglerzoo! That doll is made by Power Team. They produce a line of articulated male action figures. That one in particular is from their World Peacekeepers line. They are mostly sold at Big Lots. Here is a link to their website.
DeleteI see why your dios take a bit, Perfection cannot be rushed. FYI I've recently discovered your blog which I liken to discovering a great show on Netflix with 6 seasons and binge watching in a weeks time :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Val, thanks so much but please do take a break and hydrate during your binging!
DeleteI do enjoy trying to perfect something, but I will admit that it mainly takes me a long to complete a project because I am easily distracted.