Create Year Long Challenge 2023 - A to L
Participants are in alphabetical order by last name. Participants with a last name starting with A-L are on this page.
Participants with a last name starting with M-Z can be found here.
Suzie Aguilar
I have so many projects to choose from, but I finally decided on this one I’ve been trying the longest to complete. It is a 1/12 scale house for Santa and Noel Claus. I began over 25 years ago. Many life events have caused this to drag on but my inability to make decisions and then stick to them is probably the biggest slow down. The bathroom is the only room that has pieces glued in place and it still needs lighting to be done. The attic is going to be Santa’s workshop office. I worked on it a bit this December. I hope this challenge helps me get it finished this year!
March
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September
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Barb Antol
I’ll be working on a Quarter Scale Gypsy Caravan Scene. This is a project I’ve wanted to do for some time, so this challenge seems like the perfect opportunity for me to finally get it done. The scene will be mounted atop a round filigree cake stand and will feature 3 or 4 little Gypsy Caravan Wagons (all different). I have various kits from BJ Minis, Seaside Miniatures, and others, so I will build them and see which ones work best. One of the most fun parts of this project will be deciding on the color scheme for each of the wagons. I’ve been collecting photos of caravan wagons and I find them so beautiful and colorful. To complete the scene, I have three little Gypsy figures I commissioned from Sally Reader. I also have several little Gypsy Vanner and Friesian horse figures which will be part of the scene. I’m really looking forward to this project.
March
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June
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September
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Brandi Bacon
My goal is to finish my Disney scene. I started it a few years ago as a tribute to my kids and my mom. I made the Bippidii Boppidi Boutique. It's the girls favorite thing at DisneyLand and my mom makes them costumes. It is almost finished, lol. But THEN .... I bought samples from Sue Herber at a miniature show and while I used a lot for kids' projects, I could clearly see them as Disney Stores. And so began Fantasy Land. So now I have finished a Disney Pumpkin photo spot, a Mickey Mouse playground is almost finished, a Mad Hatter House, and A Winnie the Pooh photo spot and shop. When it is finished it is going to be all the FantasyLand shops -- the Mad Hatter's hat shop, the Villain's Lair, BBB, a Christmas Store, a Disney Store, and multiple other stores.
March
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June
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September
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Alice Barber
It was hard to pick just one unfinished project but this is what I’d like to do-Ruth Stewart’s Yule Log House and furnishings. As you can see, nothing has been started yet.
March
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June
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September
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Cassidy Beeman
I am hoping to start and complete a Real Good Toys 1:24 scale farmhouse kit. I plan on making it more modern and trying new techniques. I build most of the furniture from scratch because it can be difficult to find pieces that will work. I enjoy the smaller scale because I don’t have a lot of space and this allows me to have a few houses to try different styles on
March
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June
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September
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Jene Bondi
My year long project is a cactus boot. It was given to me 10 years ago. My fellow club member bought it in April of 1999. I have never done anything with it as nothing really ever appealed to me as I don't like to do "normal" in an unusual container. I was talking to another mini friend and she gave me some great ideas. It will be decorated inside and landscaped as well.
March
Oops! I'm falling behind again. I got 2 1/2 months done. These little rooms are really time-consuming but I love learning new things so well worth it.
June
Another 3 boxes are done in my calendar of twelve drawers: a secret space behind shelves of books, a two-sided room, and memoirs hidden behind clothes. Six more to go…
September
I’m keeping on track. I finished 2 rooms and the drawers a month ahead of time. Yay. These 2 rooms are so cute!!!
Final
I finished!! It was a super fun project which gave me lots of ideas for future projects.
Cindy Bottasso
I’d like to attempt to finish something each deadline. I like to build houses and never finish them/decorate them.
Betterley's Petalstone -- it’s missing pieces so I need to laser cut the sunroom and finish furniture.
March
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June
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September
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Barbara Bower
Bramble Wood from Indy Houseparty
March
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June
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September
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Jackie Browder
My husband's family once owned a house of some small fame. Built in 1872, the outside of the house was the filming location for a movie in the 1970s, and was the subject of a painting by a distant cousin of some artistic renown. All we have left of the house is an artist's print hanging on our wall, a commemorative plate illustrating the house, a mantle clock that once lived inside the house, and clips from the movie. The house is now gone, and so are the memories of its interior. I have drawn a rough interior floorplan in a manner that will function as a dollhouse with fifteen rooms. I have NO kit, and NO cut pattern for this house. My goal for this year to to draw a dollhouse pattern, hire someone to laser cut the pieces (or cut them myself), and assemble the house (no furnishings, out buildings, or landscaping).
March
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June
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June
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Brenda Colby
A miniaturist friend gave me a half scale unfinished house that she no longer wanted. Because I love this scale, I was happy to give it a home. Thank you, Pat! I disassembled the original structure and will add a floor or so to what will be a Charleston style house. I hope to finish it (mostly) during this challenge!
March
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June
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September
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Debbie Colombo
I have been working on this together with Alician Pearce, on and off for 2 years!!!
March
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June
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September
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Tai Corraggio
I'm attempting to build a 1:24 scale model of the Popular Mechanic's Famous Concrete Block House, using as many real materials as possible, including real concrete. It isn't very far along yet, since I just started making blocks at the beginning of the year, and it takes about 24 hours to make one batch.
March
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June
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September
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Pat Creagh
I have been putting this 1” scale project off for a long time. It is the Twin Shops designed by Connie Reagan. I need to build it, choose all design elements and fill it. Here is a picture of my newly opened kit.
March
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June
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September
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Judy Doe
I plan to build, furnish and hopefully landscape the Hart’s Desire Miniatures St. Beckham Gothic Victorian house kit. It is still in the box. Having just been in Galveston Texas at Christmas, and seen the beautiful Victorian homes there I plan to make it a Galveston Seaside Mansion from the late 1800’s.
March
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June
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September
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Pam Doran
I would like to complete this roombox inside and out as a bookstore. I started with making some bookshelves a few years ago and then stalled from there. This challenge (and especially the quarterly “reports”) is the push I need to continue to work on it throughout the year and finish it.
March
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June
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September
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Carolyn Eiche
I'm going to work on my Debbie Young Lemonade and Lace house. I started it last year and stalled out when I had a problem with the bathroom walls. It needs all the furniture, accessories and possibly landscaping.
March
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June
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September
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Cathy Ellison
I will be assembling a Magic Wand Shop.
March
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June
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September
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Kellie Ellison
I will be assembling a witch’s cottage in 1/4 scale.
March
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June
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September
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Jean Ellsworth
My project is a 1:12 scale replica of the Dollhouse/Miniature Shop I owned from 1976 - 1982 in Madeira, Ohio. It was called Manor House Miniatures. Two local men made the room boxes I sold in the shop. They made me a replica of my shop. I kept the unfinished shop box safely put away for 40-45 years. In the spring of 2021, before my move, I got it out and painted the outside. It is time to get it finished. Hopefully the challenge will encourage me to accomplish that goal.
March
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June
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September
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Barb Engel
I just inherited this kit from a dear friend. She envisioned it as an elegant home, not haunted or enchanted. During the year there will be much kit bashing to get to my vision and her vision for the project.
March
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June
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September
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Kirsten Enzinger
1. Remake 3 horses plus English tack for one. One will be a replica of my daughter’s horse, another a replica of a friend’s horse, and then to try to remake the 1/4 scale horse (its so tiny!}.
2. My other big project for the year will be to finish my tiki bar. Will it be on a base, or in a room box? I don’t know yet. I will have to dress and wig two dolls representing me and my husband on our diving vacations. Needs a thatched roof table, lounge chairs, drinks – lots of drinks! Lots of plants need to be made – palm tree, hibiscus, etc. I have lots of ideas, now just need the time!
3. The contemporary furniture set was bought many years ago, waiting to go in a doll house. I still don’t have a dollhouse and I’ve been in miniatures for over 30 years!! So, I’ve decided to make room boxes instead. I hope to make a roombox for this furniture set but will not plan to complete the scene this year. Next year’s project!
4. And Heather wants her room finished too! This is the other roombox I want to make this year, and again I’m not sure I can manage anything besides getting the box made. Decisions still need to be made about electrifying or not, plexiglass lid or wood lid, etc. before the design of the boxes can be made.
Whew! It’s going to be a busy year!
March
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June
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September
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Diane Fisher
I rarely do challenges, but this one sounds engaging. I just started Petite Properties Turrim Castle. This is what my project looks like at the beginning.
March
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June
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September
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Bev Fleming
I want to finish my unfinished kits from the 2022 calendar club. Here is what I have left to do -- the last six buildings and the first four months furnishings only The first four buildings are done.
March
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June
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September
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Paula Francis
Thirty-two years ago at a local flea market, I noticed the saddest of sad dollhouses sitting in the back of a truck. Since I can never pass by a once loved dollhouse, I instantly bought it. It has been silently sitting in my basement all these many years, waiting to be loved again. This challenge is the perfect time to bring it back to life.
March
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June
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September
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Carol Gambrill
My big project for 2023 is to construct and furnish my Pickett Pond kit. Attached is a picture of the furniture and accessory kits in their pristine packages. It will take me a few days to unearth my kit for the Pickett Pond structure, also still in a box, so I’m just sending the one picture.
March
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June
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September
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Jean Gibson
I love this concept and would like to enter two items. They are two complete house kits that I have been meaning to do but the process is a long one and I haven't taken the time. Now I have to! One is the Veranda house including a garden, and the other is the Pocket babyhouse.
March
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June
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September
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Ruth Goodger
I’ve had the kit since before the pandemic and then could not find the paint I wanted. I have it now, so time to move on it.
March
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June
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September
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Sandra Hambley
I have my childhood dollhouse made by my dad (55 years ago). Thought I’d aim for renovating the whole house but it was daunting to think about. I think I will aim for just redoing the living room. It needs it!
March
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June
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September
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Pat Hartman
Well, nothing like a deadline for motivation so, I’m up for the challenge. I’ve been planning to do one more large project and this is the perfect opportunity.
I’ve been collecting (for a long time) to make a Santa’s workshop based on a picture I saw of a Christmas window display in Toronto, Canada. Primarily it is in a very large box in its current condition🤪
March
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June
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September
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Eileen Herrstrom
After losing my big dollhouse in a fire, I thought about buying another kit. Lo and behold, a friend has an old dollhouse looking for a new home. My project for the 2024 CYLC will be to clean and renovate this house. I’d like to wire it, but we’ll see.
March
I started my dollhouse renovation with a thorough washing and began removing damaged wallpaper. Top: original state of front porch and its appearance after cleaning. Bottom: peeling wallpaper in living room and mid-removal in bedroom. I’ve decided to refer to this as the Hug House; Hug is the surname of the friend who gave me this house and conveys the coziness I intend for it to show someday.
June
I have completely repainted the exterior of my dollhouse, as shown by the before and after pictures. The damaged wallpaper has been stripped from two rooms and replaced with new. Finally and most excitingly, this house is now wired for electricity; it’s my first time using round wire instead of tapewire because the wallpaper was already in place. I still have to hide the wires.
September
I salvaged almost all these furnishings from my old dollhouse after the fire. I did have to make another cross-stitched bedspread and Lord’s Prayer, sew more throw pillows and repaint the white bookcase. However, the needlepoint rugs and chair cushion washed clean, as shown. All the frames and their pictures or diplomas are new, as well as the books in the bedroom. The other books remain darkened by soot; I may redo them later. Among the furniture, only the bed and the mirror top on the vanity were purchased for specifically for the Hug House.
Final Update
I furnished the last two rooms in quarter 4: music room and kitchen. The front and the back views show the completely renovated dollhouse. I appreciate the motivational deadlines provided by this challenge!
Carol Johnson
I have chosen the Carpathian Cottage kit and the interior furnishings for my 2024 Create Year Long Challenge. Looking forward to another fun year of minis! 😊 ❤
March
My Create Year Long Challenge the Carpathian Cottage is almost complete. I have the shingling and landscaping to finish on it. The interior accessories are finished. This is the first time I have ever done lighting in a 1:48 house – it was fun!
June
I still have the base and the landscaping to complete on my Carpathian Cottage. 😊
September
I still have the base and the landscaping to complete on my Carpathian Cottage. 😊
Final Update
I did not totally complete my 2024 Year Long Challenge. The Carpathian Cottage just needs the landscaping to be completed. That is my goal for 2025!
Julie Johnson
I will be working on the outside. Big plans!
March
I’ve been working on the front porch.
June
My entry has moved back where it came from. Not much completed with the move involved. But here is my update since I doubt there will be any progress for awhile. lol
September
I’ve been working on the front porch. Couldn’t resist setting up the kitchen though!
Final Update
I’m still not finished, a long way from it, haha. It’s taking years but I am enjoying the process.
Laura Johnson
I plan to make the interior a jewelry shop this year.
March
I’m still not finished, a long way from it, haha. It’s taking years but I am enjoying the process.
June
Here is a picture of shelves on one side of my jewelry shop. I have been busy making jewelry.
September
Jewelry on the shelves. Chair cushions covered. Chest ready to marbleize the top.
Final Update
I finished! Happy New Year!
Tina Kase
By the end of 2024: 1. Complete the whole of this tree structure, including: (1a) making spaces for future room boxes and secret dioramas. (1b) attach removable (some with child proof locks) or hinged panels to 5 dollhouses and all secret diorama and future roombox spaces. (1c) add tree bark texture and paint. 2. Decorate and furnish the 5 dollhouses with scratch built or modified store bought playable furniture. 3. Complete 4-5 of the other spaces. 4. Add lights in 1 dollhouse.
March
Very happy with progress this first update. Tree structure is complete. Some bits even have bark! Made all the spaces for the future mini rooms with hinged doors. I only made one miniature which was a wizard shop kit. I also made the walls through which the shop will be seen, after its put inside the tree. The "secret" plug that needs to be removed in order to view the hp diorama is also made, but not visible in photo. It's really getting exciting now.
June
I've been very busy and made a lot, however the only complete thing is the rabbits house. (photo) Really enjoyed furnishing this. (Though the kitchen furniture is purchased, and the bathroom furniture is remodeled dollar store furniture.) Love the "finished" feeling! They also have lights and so does the full size playhouse. The lights appear bluer in the photo than they actually are. A lot of remodeling on the left side of the tree, including all the "bark" texture and 2x dollhouse fronts and 2x secret spaces fronts precise fitting.
September
So excited by my progress this quarter, even though it's huge ... not miniature at all! But the outsides of 4 of the dollhouses have been given their own "personalities" and just await finer details. The front of the three bears' home is almost complete.
Final Update
No time to take any up to date photos as I've been living with my daughter and being a full time Nana. This will continue for at least another month. I've completed bits of furniture and a few rooms since September. I'm so grateful to this challenge it really helped me get to the stage I'm at so (relatively) quickly. It's now "finished" enough to start as a "forever project" as my grandkids and I build on to it over the years. Once again a big thank you to this community and the organizers of the challenge.
Mindy Kelly
I am submitting for the year challenge this whole dollhouse build and fully finish by years end. Currently it is still in the box. Good to have accountability and motivation, thanks for organizing!
March
A thousand distractions, two room boxes, and facilitating three workshops put the dollhouse on the back burner a bit. Happy to report the structure is standing, wallpaper is up and color palette is decided. Deciding on wallpaper and palette was the biggest challenge so far as I have only done single room boxes prior to this build. I created a little under the stairs cabinet using my Cricut to cut it out from heavy chipboard. Currently working on light fixtures and the windows and doors as next steps. I am choosing to build the vast majority of the items inside the dollhouse so some of those are also currently in process. Yay for spring and progress!
June
Various other projects have made this farmhouse dollhouse project a back burner project for this most recent update. I did manage to get the windows and shutters and front door painted and put on the house. Started work on the faux metal roof by adding thin wood strips. Did not make any further progress on interior. After the convention, I should have much more time to get this project buttoned up and planning on doing all the decorating in the fourth quarter.
September
Finally got back to the dollhouse after a bit on the back burner thanks to wonderful projects for and from Convention. I used iron-on birch wood veneer strips for the porch and decided to leave off the railing as I thought it updated the look. The main 2 floors are fully floored and wallpapered. The attic is an undecided just yet. I am happy with how the roof turned out. I am awaiting “tile” and kitchen cabinets from an online order to complete the shower in the bathroom and get a start on the kitchen. I plan on finishing strong with furnishings and accessories just in time to welcome guests for the holidays!
Final Update
The dollhouse did not get as done as I would have hoped thanks to a rough couple of months in the health department combined with a 2 month home renovation project. I will happily still keep working on the interior details in the coming year. I have some random furniture as place holders as I create bespoke pieces for the house. At least it’s built and the rest is the fun stuff!
Kathy Koons
My CYLC for this year will be to complete Robin Betterley's 2023 calendar club, Secret Spaces. December's kit has not yet arrived, but, as you can see, none of the others have even been started! This has got to be easier for me than the goal I'd set for 2023!
March
I was going to wait until Sunday and see if I could get the April kit from Robin Betterley's Secret Spaces finished, but whom am I kidding? I'm just happy to have the first 3 months of the 12 finished!
June
I am on track! I completed the April, May, and June kits from Robin Betterley's 2023 Secret Spaces. You can also see the year-to-date progress in the picture of the outside of the whole project.
September
These are the July, August, and September kits for the Robin Betterley Miniatures Secret Spaces 2023 calendar club. They are "Seaside Memories", "A Little Bath", and "Hidden Secrets". I'm thrilled to have kept on track in spite of many family health challenges.
Final Update
I finished! An Advent calendar that involved building a building slowed me down this month, but I finished the last room, December, in time.
Debra Kuckkuck
I’m so excited that Debbie Colombo and the Create team are willing to do this again this year! Like many long-time miniaturists, I find myself with boxes of random miniatures I bought in my early years, just because I liked them. I also have this set of three pastry domes.
I pulled out all my miscellaneous boxes of minis and organized them by calendar month. This year I’m going to try to make as many sets of three domes as I can, with the plan to change them monthly. The third photo shows one of the domes I’ve finished: an Easter dome showing Easter baskets being made.
March
My first set of monthly domes, just in time for Easter! #1: Dying Easter eggs; #2: Making Easter baskets; #3: Easter egg hunt in the morning
June
Ugh, I’m so bummed that life didn’t allow for crafting this past quarter. I’m very hopeful that next quarter will be a different story!
September
APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS. I did petitpoint the pillow on 40 count silk gauze. And the tray and book in the first dome, plus all the pieces in the last dome, were made in our “All Things Lavender” Create class in June.
SPRINGTIME IN PARIS. I made all the food in classes by Carl Bronsdon. The wine bottle is still full of real French wine, from a trip to France 40 years ago!
Final Update
I wish I had made more progress on my Year Long Challenge this year. I loved the plan, but life disagreed.
If the great group at Create is willing to herd us all through this again in 2025, I’ll try to finish that challenge this time!
In the meantime, just for the fun of including a photo instead of just some words, here’s one of the projects that derailed my plans. It was a nursery vignette for my niece’s baby shower.
Sherri Lackey
Pictured are the 4 kits I need to complete for my Wandlyn Way from Petworth Miniatures. I will complete 2 of these inside and out. You’ll need to wait until March to find out which 2 as I haven’t decided yet. The other 2 are bonus builds or maybe to be done in 2025! 😂😂😂
March
I decided to do the Crystal Cat and the Green Man (on the left) and the Warped Web (R). Coming along nicely!
June
Finished the outside of The Crystal Cat and The Green Man. Not much done on the Warped Web.
September
Worked on some furniture but structures are still the same.
Final Update
I was unable to finish this year. I had to recut some floors in the Warped Web. When I finished and was putting in the furniture I found that I had misplaced the finished wall units to the Warped Web and the Crystal Cat. I had to reorder both from Petworth. Guess I will finish them next year!
Lesia Lennex
I'm encouraged by having finished a tedious and difficult build for the CYLC 2023 -- so I'll take the plunge on another CYLC for 2024. I'm really torn about what to do as I have several projects I'd like to complete. The one that's going to be the most challenging for me is the 2023 Betterley calendar. I've not started any of it! I've wanted to all year and have not had a chance. So this is it. I'll start and finish all the 2023 Betterley calendar. The photo shows 11 of the packages, still mint, and #12 will be along soon in the mail.
Nick's Cottage, the back half, has been sitting untouched in its box -- with all the furniture -- since January 2017. Seeing a theme here? Pickett Pond was purchased in 2017 also. I really would like to build this half of the house. I created the front half at Greenville 2016. I love this house!!! I've attached a photo of the kits. I'll really try to finish all the 2023 calendar AND Nick's Cottage, back half, this year!
March
I've finished the March and September 2023 calendar elements and am in progress with January. I've also finished several of the furniture pieces for the back half of Nick's cottage. It's a great word, "finished!"
June
I'm moving right along with the calendar and am about ready to start Nick's cottage, back half, proper. All the furniture is now complete.
September
I finished one of my CYLC! I completed the entire #RBM 2023 calendar! I enjoyed making this project. Every room has its own featured technique. It's been creative and, when finished, just beautiful. A favorite part of this project is in the very last room, May's Refresh in the lower right-hand corner behind the window. My RL cat Saturn tries everything possible to obtain the snake plant in my house. I've added him to the scene -- about to jump onto the plant.
I'll continue working on Nick's Cottage, back half, in the hope it'll be completed by Dec 31. All the furniture is completed.
Final Update
I successfully finished the 2023 #RBM calendar, but not my second project. I'm making progress on Nick's Cottage, the back half. I've completed the first floor, prepped the landscaping, porch, chimneys, windows, and some of the upstairs wallpapering. I've also completed the first level exterior shingling/painting and the openings are cut for the downstairs lights. I don't know if I'll keep the carpets in it but they're in the right time frame if I do.
Doreen Lindsay
I have decided to make Debbie Young’s Pink Lemonade house and 1/4” Bungalow Vignette for the 2024 Year Long Challenge.
March
A couple more things to add to the shelves, pillows and pets and the 1/4” Bungalow is done. Now working on Pink Lemonade.
June
I have finished my Pink Lemonade house completing my year long challenge. Now working on Visions of Sugarplums which is my third house this year.
Final Update
Finished my third house ... Visions of Sugarplums ... completing my year long challenge.
Sally Lonn
I can't find project 4 but it is in the closet somewhere. All are one inch except number 4.
Box number 1, unfinished Whitledge-Burgess class kitchen
Box number 2, unfinished Carl Bronsdon's 1900's pastry shop
Box number 3, unfinished Carl Bronsdon's Tea shop
Box number 4, (when I find it) Debbie Young's Caribbean House 1/4 scale
March
Out of town again and another partial fall of sorts, I couldn't finish because it was so hard to get teacups. And they just arrived. I've been in therapy since Jan. Now another MRI, so I will mail you a picture of what I have started.
June
We are almost out of here for Denver for Gabi's Bat Mitzvah and she begged me to finish this for her in March, and I promised to bring it. This is a labor of love. The puzzle on the table spells out her name, the artwork on the wall on the left is hers from about 4-6 years old. There are treasures to love for sure, especially her love for Unicorns. I've made some kits and collected toys for some time. This was a gift from the convention in Louisville, I think. It has been repainted with many, many coats and would you believe I have the quarter scale one too!
September
I have been home for almost 8 weeks with this knee replacement. So I can't get out just yet and know I need a base for my House of Holidays. I had such fun decorating the trees and the shop is only 1.5 inches deep. The shelves are loaded. This is a donation to my club and our yearly Christmas Centerpiece.
The Candy Shop box was given to our club, oh what to do in a small space? The shelf unit just fit and a square frame fit on the outside. I filled most of the jars and made all of the candy bars. Tough working with photo paper. The doll is by Fern Vasi and dressed in a workshop by me.
Final Update
I love Carl Brondson's shop so much. Mine houses a few of my many collected teapots and some lovely teacups. I still think it could use some green plants ... but we will see.
My House of Holidays is mounted and finished at last. This will be a centerpiece at our Christmas party and will be a raffle item at our show in March. I had such fun working on this and can now say I am finished. The narrow shop was designed by Desiree Hall and finished by me.
My holiday gift to a surprise winner is this lovely 8.5 inch tree, lit and the base is decorated with many tiny toys that I collected over the years. Many are wood. The tree has tiny bows, candy canes, tiny ornaments that I made, and jewelry pieces. Each time I looked, it needed more ... so I can say it is really loaded.
