My FIRST EVER DIY PLANT

This is NOT a tutorial dolly friends. It didn't go so well this week, but now I have something to strive for. 🤣 Please watch the linked videos if you want to make great plants for your dolls house. Welcome all new and existing subscribers and visitors! My name is Dot and I usually upload videos on Wednesdays between 9am and 9pm Pacific Time. I occasionally post more frequently as time permits. I'm so happy you're here! Please leave a comment if you'd like to share something. Join me for weekly content on dolls, dollhouses and miniatures, as well as occasional animation. I am new to the doll and miniature world. If you enjoyed this video I hope you will subscribe to my channel.
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Cartoon music by:
Slow Talker.mp3 by Clameria -- freesound.org/... -- License: Creative Commons 0
Fern illustrations from the 1850s can be found in the online
biodiversity heritage library
#dolls #dollhouses #miniatures #dollanimation #thedollcupboard #miniatures #minis #diyminis

[@Siennaflower]

I had ferns growing outside my door in Hawaii! They were so interesting how they started out all curled up, and then opened into the leaves! ❤ It's never a waste of time to try new things. You always learn something from it. What a great idea to use real leaves! ❤

[@thedollcupboard]

Thanks Siennaflower🤗 You are right- never a waste of time to try new things. I'm a believer! I tried to read the Wikipedia on ferns thinking it would be simple🤣 I'm hard at work in a re-ferning process at the moment. I can only imagine the beauty of ferns in Hawaii! I wish I had the wherewithal to keep ferns in my house. 🥰✨

[@jakea1035]

It is so possible to learn from other people's work. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@thedollcupboard]

I agree J🤗 I wouldn't know a thing if not for others- not even which type of glue to use 😄😍✨

[@wendycarter5973]

Thier fine Dot “ nothing ventured nothing gained “ ! ♥️xxx

[@thedollcupboard]

Absolutely Wendy! 🤗 I don't feel bad for doing it, I just feel bad for showing it. LOL 😂 No, not really. Everyone is so encouraging and has good ideas for me. I'm already embarking on fern.2 🥰✨

[@vickinoeske1154]

Dot, I love your paper ferns.

[@thedollcupboard]

Aw so kind of you! 🤗 Wish I loved it too🤣 I like it better than the wax ones but I'm redoing it. I enjoy the process..now to improve the result! 🥰✨

[@vickinoeske1154]

@@thedollcupboard Can't wait to see what you come up with. You're always so inventive. 😊❤️💕

[@marialadybug6261]

I think the fern of paper turned out really good! You don't have to excuse your self when you're working. The things you're making are very good.

[@thedollcupboard]

Oh thanks so much Maria🤗 I guess I was just feeling pretty inadequate with this project. I'm already in process of doing them over, I'm just not happy with them. 🥰✨

[@jenpink4298]

When I was little I made a patchwork quilt out of beautiful leaves and flower petals. I was so proud of it when I put it into my dollhouse. The colors were so pretty that I was even able to ignore my rather Frankenstein-ish stitching. What I was not prepared for was for the whole thing to dry up and fall apart overnight. I was devastated. And I think that was the last time I tried to sew anything. I think your ferns look really nice! Maybe not the wax ones quite so much, although they have their own strangely prehistoric charm. I would try a little more variation in the color for the green. You’re off to a great start!

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Jen🤗 Aww this is such a sweet, sad story.🥹 What an utterly beautiful idea❤️ I'm already busy on my second go around with both paper and leaves. You are so right about the color! I need more variation and depth. What ever was I thinking?! 🤔 I like experimenting. 🥰✨

[@daphnerobichaux-overton3571]

For winging it you did a fabulous job! 😍

[@thedollcupboard]

Thanks Daphne🤗 I re did them with a bit of improvement 😍✨

[@KimGibsonfiberlover]

Experimentation is so important! I have preserved leaves by putting a cut stem in glycerin...I don't know if it would work for cutting a fern, but maybe. Remember though, even a negative result is still data, so it is never wasted effort. The paper ones look great, too!

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Kim🤗 Yesss! Data! I obtained lots of data during this project. I never mind the process, even when it doesn't work out. Others have mentioned glycerine. I'll have to give it a try. I'm already snipping away anew! 🌿🥰✨

[@suzanne529]

Both attempts look good to me! I pulled up some green moss from my yard and stuffed it in a little pitcher and called it a "fern". lol

[@thedollcupboard]

Suzanne!🤗 Well that is the cleverest, most resourceful thing to do, methods which I evidently didn't employ here! 😂 I kept thinking of your comment while I was out walking. Nothing appropriate, but I'll keep looking. I bet it looks *perfect*! 🤩🥰✨

[@evekankam6744]

They turned out great,I have rubbed castor oil on dry leaves to stop them drying out.Thanks for sharing.

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Eve🤗 Hmm I never considered oil. I'm going to keep trying different things until I'm satisfied. Plenty of leaves on the ground here. 🥰✨

[@susanamann1806]

Good Job

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Susan🤗 Nice of you to say so. I'm working on an improved version as we speak 🥰✨

[@sandyb4693]

What a cute idea. Ferns are such fascinating, ancient plants. I love your use of actual leaves. They have *look* that only nature can give. I don't know how easily the wax you used melts, but possibly sitting the plant in a sunny, hot window (or heating gently with a regular hair dryer) might be enough heat to melt the wax a bit on the surface. A piece of tissue on top can soak up the excess wax with no risk of fire😹. Just a thought. Leaving it as is, is fine as well. It (on my screen at least) gives the ferns a vintage kind of look. Another thought, have you thought of using glycerine instead of wax on the leaves. I've used it to make 'leather' out of paper bags. I thought it might work/help to make the leaves less brittle. (Your ferns have inspired me to try just this in the future to make plants 🤞😸) Thanks for sharing your projects. This one was definitely inspiring to me.

[@thedollcupboard]

Thank you so much for your great suggestions Sandy! 🤗 Another friend has mentioned glycerine. Yes, of course a hair dryer would work to soften that wax! I guess I was subconsciously thinking I should just burn the whole plant down 😂🔥. I'm already busy cutting up more leaves and paper to try again. Let me know how your ideas turn out for your projects. 🥰✨

[@sandyb4693]

@@thedollcupboard My project is still in the beginning stages (too much planning🤣) .... so plants are a ways off for me. I'll let you know though when I get there. Good luck with yours.

[@maryjeanderus74]

I'm your know it all friend, lol maybe try waxpaper and a towel with no steam?? You can just say you forgot to water the brown plant! Or take a hammer to the bottom of that copper to level it 😂

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Mary Jean🤗 I appreciate your knowledge friend! 😁 I considered wax paper ironing and might try again. I think it would definitely apply less wax than dipping😂 That piece of copper was solid and thick and was used for a gas line. No hammering I could do would flatten it. Ya, it totally looks like a diseased, dead plant. Lol. Talk about realistic. 😂😂😂🥰✨

[@vickinoeske1154]

I use fern fronds a lot when making pottery. They make the most beautiful impression in wet clay, especially the veins and spores.💚🌿🌿🌿

[@thedollcupboard]

Ohhh how utterly beautiful Vicki🤗 Send me some photos via email if you're so inclined. 🌿🥰✨

[@vickinoeske1154]

@@thedollcupboard If I can find any. I've sold most everything.🫠

[@papabear2515]

Dot, I think they turned out fabulously! We have tons of ferns here in our woods. I love their airy look! Have you ever eaten fiddleheads? Oh … so yummy, sautéed in butter. I made some ferns quite a long time ago and used masking tape folded onto itself and then cut it as you did. I squished floral foam into a basket and stuck the fronds in, as you did (I had put a thin wire inside the masking tape before I folded it to itself.). I colored the masking tape with various green markers including green watercolor markers. I then used dried coffee grounds for dirt. You have inspired me to do some more plants! I’ve been busy painting and painting and painting a 1:16 (1970’s built) dollhouse in Mary Engelbreit style, furniture, etc. I’m happy with it thus far - just so tedious for me as opposed to 1:12 scale! I ended up going back to the doll and dollhouse estate sale and got 2 houses I will keep and 2 that I will resell. One I’m keeping is a 1924-ish era Schoenhut and one I will be reselling is a 1917-1918 Schoenhut with its ORIGINAL GLASS WINDOWS and lithographed walls!! I would LOVE to keep it, but it’s quite large for my ever-shrinking space. I paid $30 for the 1924 one (!!?!) and I think $40 or $60 for the 1917 and it had furniture with it! (!!) Be still my heart! I almost fainted from shock and joy! Wish you could have been at the “sale of a lifetime!” We would have gone totally mad together! Haha! Thanks for this video and inspiration! my friend! ❤

[@thedollcupboard]

Oh wow Kathleen! So wonderful! Do you ship? 🤣 I missed out on the cutest Schoenhut last year. I keep thinking my hubby is going to by me a house..but he isn't! 😅 I'm already working on new ferns..I'm just not sure anymore. Wow! You can eat the fiddleheads?! What do I know! I've eaten dandelion greens.. There are not many ferns in my immediate vicinity but in nearby woods they can be found. They fascinate me! Your masking tape technique sounds doable! I didn't come across that technique at all. Please be sure to send me some photos of your ME house🥰✨

[@papabear2515]

@@thedollcupboard if I could ship the “monster, Schoenhut 2 story (!!) and as heavy as an elephant herd, I would indeed ship it to your doorstep, Dot! Since shipping it is really not an option, I’m very fortunate I have a nearby antique/vintage consignment shop that I frequently sell things at. (OK, and that I occasnally buy things at too!). I will take the Ginormous Schoenhut house there and also a Princess Petite house - with lots of furniture - some in their original boxes ((!!) that I also got at that sale. Girl! I SO wish we could have gone to that sale together! Can you imagine?! We would have been like hungry rabbits hopping around crazy, grabbing all the mini carrots! Hahahah! It would have been truly epic! I’m sorry you missed out in a cute Schoenhut!!!! Keep your eyes peeled! Another will come your way, I’m sure! I can’t wait to see how you transform your latest house! You’re n your way to a creating neighborhood, you know! 😉 I will send pics of the ME house when I’m “done”! ❤️

[@thedollcupboard]

@@papabear2515 Aww🥰 that's great you have a store where you can resell. I've done vintage resale both in antique stores and online. (vintage kitchen mainly)I gave it all up when I fell in love with dolls and minis. 😍😂Ya you and me and mini carrots 🥕🥕🥕 How fun would that have been? 😄I will just absorb your joy virtually! 🥰 Send as many pics as you want of your goodies. I am always searching online for dollshouses. The house in the short video is the one I bought last year! I've been trying to post short videos of longer videos I posted awhile ago in case people missed them or haven't seen my channel before. The longer video is linked. Thanks for being such a good friend! 🥰✨

[@papabear2515]

@@thedollcupboard I didn’t realize it was the same house! You’re still on your way to creating a neighborhood! I will take and send pics, my friend! ❤️

[@diane64yorks]

Hello Dot, I think you did really well for a first attempt, I'm sure you'll perfect a technique with practice 😊 I've never made plants before, I will attempt it at some point though, I've seen people use painted masking tape and wire, they looked quite effective. Have a lovely rest of the week. Best Wishes from Yorkshire, , England 🇬🇧 😊

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Diane🤗 I'm already cutting up more paper to try again. I never regret the process. I've seen so many different ways of flower, plant making, like you've said. I'm not likely to perfect this anytime soon but I'm going to be re-ferning asap. 🥰✨

[@serenata1736]

It is not easy making plants. I made most of the ones in Willowbrook, and would do some of the techniques different now. I think I linked to the video I used to guide me…I can’t remember and too lazy to have a look lol. 😊

[@thedollcupboard]

You always make me chuckle Lorraine🤗 We are quite alike! I admire your productive spirit and love all the work you've done on your houses. 🥰✨

[@serenata1736]

@@thedollcupboard I tried to make perfume bottles the other day. Goodness me what a trial and faff and many errors. Not sure the video will be worth showing, 😂

[@graceh8866]

You did an excellent job on these .🤩🤩🤩Pick a live fern dip it in the wax and then arrange it. This should work for that method. I think your other fern was top notch 🤩. I think it’s the monotone coloration that’s bothering you. 🤔Just paint the paper in different hues of green before you cut out the shapes and paint both sides. When you finally cut it out it will give you that natural look you want but everything else you did point on.Did you get the beaded flowers video I sent. Those would be sweet to try.,they are very Victorian era. Overall dot your better at this than you think ❤. Oh use a hammer to level out the copper plant holder. That should do the trick.😃💕💕💕

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Grace🤗 I've been mulling over your comment about the monotone color and I think you are exactly right! Why did I think this was a good idea??? I really felt meh about the outcome of this project. I love nature but I don't commune with it in that, "I love gardening" kind of way. I think this attitude came across in my project. I'm already working on version two of the ferns. I commune more with potato mashers and spatulas. LOL. (not sure about the video- did you email it?)🥰✨

[@graceh8866]

@@thedollcupboard Yes 😃check it out 💕I also sent you some of my most recent project . Hope you enjoy the videos I’m going to attempt the flowers myself. Oh using coffee filters are a great idea and I’ve never used glycerine before but the wax I’m familiar with.they all are great ideas from everyone. I agree with you the community is a great resources.

[@user-vo3md3mm1m]

Hallo Dot, loved the video and I wondered as you placed a fern in the living room did you make the chair that the naked little person was sitting in? I loved the look of it perhaps I missed a video of you making it? Loved seeing the person behind the voice too.

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Carol🤗 That chair is part of the very common Victorian parlour set with red velvet seats. I distressed the finish a bit and used bleach (straight up on a cotton swab) to fade the fabric. I did the sofa as well and really liked the look. I think I included me doing it in a video somewhere. I'll try to find it and send you the link. It makes me so happy when people notice these kinds of details. 🥰✨

[@thedollcupboard]

I found it Carol. Here's the video link. I work on the furniture toward the beginning of the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIHMdHyGdsyEsMUsi=AF_Oyeaw62Vsk_2M. Hope you find it helpful ☺️

[@user-vo3md3mm1m]

Thanks Dot so nice of you to find the video of aging the chair. I keep my eye out for any vintage furniture but often it’s in America and postage is totally prohibitive sooooo frustrating. I make my own but once in a while I like an authentic treasure however I’m lucky in lots of ways and have to remind myself of that. Take care from a fellow miniaturist.

[@marygatdula2744]

Actually, I think they turned out fine! But you're the one that has to be satisfied with them, so keep at it, I guess. Queen City Minis has a pretty good method, if you're interested. But I loke yours also, and I would be quite happy with them if they were mine. 🙂

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Mary🤗 Thanks so much! Ya, I'm not happy with these and I'm already busy cutting away. I love plants and flowers but in real life I have none in my house (unless I cut flowers and bring them in). I can't bear to have more things to take care of 🤣 I'm already re working a new batch of ferns- or maybe they're some other kind of plant? 🤔🥰✨

[@tammyhall6178]

Hi I wander what would happen if you sandwiched the leaf between two layers of wax paper and ironed them together? Not sure but maybe?

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Tammy🤗 I considered this also. It would probably be better than dipping in wax. I'll have to try it. 🥰✨

[@melindajones4079]

You might try glycerin on the real leaves. It seems to me that I read somewhere you could preserve leaves with glycerine. My mind just might be playing tricks. Hope not❤

[@melindajones4079]

I googled using glycerin for preserving plants and it can be done. 😂😂 😂

[@thedollcupboard]

Hi Melinda🤗 I think I've heard this too. Since I like to use sticks and leaves so much I should experiment with different ways to preserve them. I'm already snipping away at some new paper and leaves to try to improve what I've started here. 🥰✨