Create Year Long Challenge 2025 - 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.
Barb Antol
First up is the New York Style Building kit from Cornel’s Creations. I’m doing this one as a tribute to our rescue kitty, Bella Donna, who came from Brooklyn. I’ve wondered what her life would have been like if she hadn’t been sent to the shelter, but had lived her whole life happily in Brooklyn. This brick style building is where I imagine she shared a loving home with her original person.
The second is The Hermitage kit from Petworth Miniatures. This is a quirky little building which I plan to do in Steampunk style. I’m going to use all the kits I had gathered for the Neverwas project. (For me, it sadly never was 😔). It will be home to the little Steampunk couple that I bought from Sally Reader.
The plastic bins underneath each kit have all the accessory and furniture kits I have to build for each project, so I will be busy 🥰 Both are 1:48 scale.
March
I completed part 1 of my CYLC 2025 plan. I used Cornel Gheorgheasa’s 1:48 scale NY City apartment building kit to construct “Bella’s House”. Bella is a black cat who lives here with her person -- a female architect whose family has owned this Brooklyn building for multiple generations. The brick building is furnished with a mix of new pieces and family heirlooms, all built from kits in my stash. The top floor is her person’s home office decorated with Brooklyn Dodgers memorabilia and there’s even a rooftop patio garden. I had so much fun working on this project. The building style is unique and different from any other projects plus it’s a special tribute to our rescue kitty Bella Donna who came from Brooklyn.
June
Part 2 of my CYLC2025 is the Hermitage Kit from Petworth Miniatures. This is a unique quarter scale kit which I’ve wanted to do for awhile. It will be home to this little Steampunk couple I got from Sally Reader. I’ve completed the structure and landscaping, but still have to complete the furnishings. I’m planning to use some of the kits purchased for the Neverwas project, which for me “never was”.
September
This is my September update on the Hermitage. For September, I completed Part 2 of my year long challenge plans. This is “The Hermitage”, a quarter scale kit from Petworth Miniatures. I decided to decorate it in steampunk decor. It was a good place to use all the kits I had gathered for the Neverwas, which unfortunately never worked out for me. It is now home to the Captain & Missus, a wonderful pair of steampunk dolls I got from Sally Reader. The Captain and Missus are enjoying a night of celestial viewing through their telescope atop the tower.
Final Update
I completed parts 1 & 2 of my planned year long challenge work for 2025. I know it’s early. I really thought these would both take longer to complete, but they were both so much fun and once I started working on them, I couldn’t stop 😂. Both projects are quarter scale. Part 1 is Bella’s House, a tribute to our rescue kitty Bella Donna who comes from Brooklyn, NY. I used the NY style apartment building kit from Cornel’s Creations (UK). Part 2 is The Hermitage, a kit from Petworth Creations (Canada). I decorated it in steam punk style and it is now home to The Captain & Missus, a beautiful pair of steampunk dolls I got from Sally Reader (UK). Once again, I’ve enjoyed the Create Challenge. I plan to use the remainder of the year to work on a bunch of smaller UFO’s.
Marie Arighi
I plan to turn this $7.00 thrift store dollhouse into an Italian Villa - inspired by my 1st trip to Italy this past November.
March
I painted the outside of my house white and then sprayed a textured color over it to give it a stone look. I think it turned out good. Can’t wait to see the final outcome.
June
I have completed the top story. The walls and floors are both complete. Only thing left is to decorate it.
September
I have completed the inside of the Italian Villa. I will finalizing the outside soon.
Final Update
My Italian Villa is complete 🇮🇹✨After a full year of dreaming, designing, tweaking, and tenderly placing every tiny detail … this Italian Villa is officially finished. Inspired by my unforgettable trip to Italy in November 2024.
Mary Barrett
The dream is a grove of trees with a series of tents nestled among the branches, one tent to act as a living area, another for cooking, one for sleeping and more to be added, if need be. I am so excited to start working on my "tree house". I started it in 2024. I am going to finish it this year.
March
June
Where has the year gone??? Getting the basic tree done but rethinking some of the branches!!! Having fun, making a mess, but fun nonetheless....
September
No September Update
Final Update
Not done, but looking forward to finishing next year ....
Cassidy Beeman
I’m planning on making the Potter half scale kit from Amy of littlevintagelane. I’m going to complete the inside and outside, making it a home decor shop.
March
Progress continues on the half scale potter house. I hand painted the floor in a harlequin pattern and made the large bookcase for the shop. Also got a great battery operated light fixture from TheModernDollhouse Etsy shop.
June
Work continues on the half scale potter house. I started bringing in accessories and made a large display table. Really liking the colors and am looking forward to filling it with furniture pieces and decor items.
September
Made some small furniture pieces for the half scale potter house. A card catalog, chair, small table, and bench help fill out the space. Added some accessories to the area too including a tiny primitive dollhouse. Will be wrapping everything up soon!
Final Update
The half scale potter house is complete. I added a few more items including some delft tiles. I was inspired by a trip we took this summer to Amsterdam and I thought having a few of these tiles would be perfect for the shop. The outside is all decorated for fall so I need to get some cute evergreen garland and maybe some red bows to decorate for the holidays.
Cindy Bottasso
I’m joining the group of people making Debbie Young’s Sweet Rose Cottage. I plan to make all the furniture myself as I’m learning about my laser cutter. Also I want to finish my Halloween house by the Stewart’s.
March
I have a lot to do. The Sweet Rose is gradually awakening.
June
Working on a reading nook with a stained-glass window.
September
I completed the interior of the rose cottage. I'm not sure how it became filled with cats. Now, I need to finish the landscaping.
Final Update
Yeah!! It's finished after a year of changing and fussing. I'm a beekeeper, so that's me in the front. Audrey’s garden, named after the plant from Little Shop of Horrors (and incidentally my daughter's name — haha), has trumpet flowers that I have failed to make bloom in my own garden for three years. The interior is a nod to cats, which I'm very allergic to. It was fun to place them everywhere because they own everything in a house. I also improved at making handmade pottery and displayed them all over the house, even in the bathroom sink and kitchen mixer. My favorite creation is the booknook — a special reading spot under the stairs. I installed books from floor to ceiling on all three walls and added large comfy pillows to lounge on. What a fun house!
Jessica Boyd
For my 2025 Year Long Project, I would like to complete this Christmas dollhouse so it’s ready for display next Christmas! 🎅🏻
March
I have cleaned out the dollhouse and have found some items that I plan to use in the house along with a Christmas baby picture of myself!
June
My update for this quarter is that I have not done anything for the Christmas dollhouse. I’m thinking that as the holidays get closer I will feel more motivated to work on it for decoration. I hope so. I have not given up yet.
September
My project update is that I got these street lamps for the house!
Final Update
The Christmas House is DONE!!!!!
Jene Bondi
I hope I don't flood like I did last year. I want to finish a few projects but I'm only going to choose 1. This is my Witch Shop that I got for a steal of $50.00 at my local dollhouse store for my birthday. I absolutely love the colors!!! It is 1/12 scale. First thing first is I got to cut away the 2nd floor. It's going to be called Wobblewand & Hootwhistle.
March
Well I wasn't able to get much done as I got the flu and it took me down hard. But here are some of the items I've collected for my witch store. And signs have been ordered as well, I just have zero clue where I put them ...
June
My life the last 12 weeks went to hell in a hand basket. Nothing got done.
September
I am a day late and a dollar short. I have not worked on my Halloween house at all. Life is still quite the roller coaster ride. I am, however, checking in.
Final Update
Well here she sits. Decorated. The hounds of hell have been nipping at my heels all year. Thank God this year is almost over.
Maybe next year I'll undress her and try again.
Jackie Browder
My YLC 2025 is to complete Debbie Young's Sweet Rose Cottage kit. The whole thing: house, landscaping, furnishings, and display case (if needed). I am trying to not get 95% done, and move on to another project! The furnishings will be a little difficult, since I did not buy the furniture kits, and I will be furnishing the house by using my swap stash, and by making my own furnishings.
March
I am not finished with my Rose Cottage, but it is moving along. Some real life household projects have distracted me. My Rose Cottage takes a little longer to make, since all the furniture (such as the kitchen parts shown in the photo) is DIY and not made from the Debbie Young kits. I have sofa and bed fabric on order, and several clear case options are in my craft room.
Final (May) Update
My YLP is finished! Rose Cottage was a wonderful kit which I finished with my own furniture and accessories.
Susan Buffaloe
Over the past few years my family has gifted me these room box kits for birthdays and Christmases. My year long challenge is to customize and complete these 4 kits.
March
This is my detective room box using the Rolife Mose's Detective Agency kit. I’m still working on it with my own touches. I decided to have a back story to give me inspiration. The detective is a woman. Her father was a cop. His watch is on the crate. He was murdered many years ago and the case is unsolved. When she isn’t on an active case she is still working on her dad’s case. She loves her cats and they even help out with her work from time to time. 😉
June
I have finished my Mose's Detective Agency including my personal touches. I am now working on the next project Duplex Apartment by Reducio. It looked like an easy build at first but I see several of the pieces arrived broken. No problem. I’ll just have to add some distressing to this “old” building.
September
My second project was The Duplex Apartment by Reducio. It’s a charming kit which you can hang on the wall. I decided to distress it a bit, replace some of the window scenes with illustrations from the Hulu show Only Murders in the Building and added a little pig. He needs a collar leash (if you’ve seen the show, you will know). The light posts will light up when I’m done. The next project will be the Friends Cafe by Reducio.
Final Update
I think I attempted more projects than I had time and energy for! I am happy with the 2 I finished. The Moses Detective Agency and the Apartment Building complex.
Brenda Colby
A favorite travel destination of mine is Quebec City, and one of my favorite restaurants there is Le Lapin Sauté. I started construction many years ago on Suzanne and Andrew’s Miniatures quarter scale (1:48) project representing buildings in Quebec City. Technology has moved on since beginning this project, so I have partially disassembled it and will begin anew by replacing the 12V lighting system with a 3V one. My goal is to finish the exteriors of these three structures, plus a fourth, and to complete the surrounding landscaping in 2025. Any completed interiors will be a bonus.
March
All structure exteriors are complete. I will now focus on facades and landscaping.
June
Let there be light! The new lights are installed in my quarter scale project, and the building exteriors and sidewalks are mostly finished. Now comes the fun part of accessorizing the exteriors and completing the vibrant street scene. See you in September!
September
Le Lapin Sauté is a jewel of farm to table restaurants. This miniature exterior emphasizes its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients in its dishes - as the exterior does in real life. My goal is to complete the street scene by the December update.
Final Update
I have completed my quarter scale rendition of a vibrant street scene in Old Quebéc City. This scene is reminiscent of a number of quaint shops and restaurants in the historic city, including the following: Le Lapin Sauté (bkgrd), a farm to table restaurant in Lower Town, and Aux Anciens Canadiens (rt), a historic restaurant housed in Maison Jacquet, one of the Upper Town's oldest buildings. I have taken artistic license and placed both restaurants, Le Lapin and Aux Canadiens in the same Lower Town location. While rich in history, the scene is also rich with memories, including one of my then young son having a moment of fun chasing pigeons standing on the sidewalk.
Debbie Colombo
Over the past few years my family has gifted me these room box kits for birthdays and Christmases. My year long challenge is to customize and complete these 4 kits.
March
June
This is what it looks like at the end of the quarter, didn't get much done as i would have liked, I had to wait for more stone to come in.
September
Final Update
JoAnne Cutting
Given my incomplete results for the last two years, I'm downgrading my expectations for 2025. I have boxes of unopened kits that have been set aside "until I get time." Well, I'm retired and life seems to be settling down some so Now is The Time. My goal is to finish six kits, chosen at random from the two boxes I grabbed this week. If I complete more, that'll be terrific, but since I've already proven my slow-as-a-sloth progress, I don't want to set the bar too high. Maybe the third time will be the charm! Ever in hope!
March
Success!!! I have met my goal for the quarter by completing two kits from my stash. Both are newer kits from the top of the pile: Castle Crafts Dantessa Chair and The Banshee Keen's Little Lending Library Kit that I think came from the Cape Cod Convention. I have no idea what I'm going to do with either one but they're done. It's a good feeling.
June
It's been a busy Spring, with travel and life commitments, but I'm determined to stick with this challenge no matter what. I started this flower kit in April in Florida and finished it in June in Massachusetts. So I'm halfway to my six-kit goal right on schedule. Plus I'm working on #4 now, waiting for paint to dry as I write this. Accomplishment feels good.
September
It's been a busy summer but I'm happy to report that I've met my goal of completing two kits this quarter. The first was a delightful book from a kit I bought at the Kensington Dollhouse Show in London last May: "Alice in Wonderland" in 1/12th scale on the thinnest paper I've ever handled. It was quite fiddly but I'm really happy how it turned out.
The second project isn't technically a kit, but a Mystery Box challenge for my NAME club, the Nutmeg Mini-Makers. A few months ago, we each brought in an unfinished room box filled with odds and ends of decor and swapped; mine came with wallpaper, two chairs, a table, a rug, and candlesticks, a book, a plate and a vase of flowers. Everything else came from my stash - Halloween was my late mother's favorite holiday so I have a lot to work with! I'm happy with how well "Mr. Bones' Reading Room" turned out.
It's looking like I just may complete my yearlong challenge with flying colors!!!
Final Update
I am thrilled to report that I've completed my goal of six kits in 2025. Attached is the photo of the set of Christmas Books in 4 scales that I finished this quarter, the second kit I bought at the Kensington show in May. I'm so happy with how they came out! My tiny library is growing nicely. I have two more in progress, one of which I might finish tonight but I didn't want to wait until almost midnight to send this update in. So here's to completing challenges and looking ahead to new ones in 2026!
Diana DeWalt
I'm submitting my John Wesley project to be completed this year. It's been sitting in this state for quite some time. I need a push.
March
Well not a whole lot done, sort of sidetracked by a few other projects. Put roof together including electrical. I need to furnish upstairs before it goes on. Staircases and railing pieces are stained and ready. I did electrify the back of downstairs staircase. Also painted and put together porch pieces. The next step needs to furnish the inside so all these extraneous pieces can be put on.
June
Playing around making furniture and deciding what I want where in John Wesley.
September
Here is my "progress" for 3rd quarter. A bit of furniture work on third floor. Also tying off and joining electric wires. Still a slow go.
Final Update
Hard to believe trim and posts can take so long to put together and paint. Not a lot of progress and certainly not finished yet. Maybe 2026 will be the year.
Crystal Dezenosky
I mainly work in 1:48 scale but realized I miss working in 1:12 so I bought this Beachside Bungalow on Facebook Marketplace and I have decided that will be my year long challenge. It is still in the box, never been opened. I am hoping that by the end of the year it will be built, painted, lit, decorated and furnished. Hopefully if I have time left over, I will put it on a base and landscape it as well. Looking forward to seeing if I have what it takes to get it all done in a year. Normally in the past it takes me many years to complete something like this.
March
Well 3 months down and not a lot of progress made. I’ve had so many other commitments that all I have done is open the box and make sure all the pieces are there! Hopefully I can get more done in the next few months.
June
6 months in and finally making some progress. I’ve got everything painted inside and out and most of the house built.
September
I suppose I could blame it on the summer but let’s be real…. I got lazy. The only thing that I got done in the last 3 months is put another coat of paint on the outside!
Final Update
Well I made it just under the wire! I have the house built. Only thing missing is the door! It’s drying! Unfortunately the porch rails did not fit (they were too small) so I might do something else but I need to think on that.
Well I didn’t do everything that I set out to do but at least I got the house built. I’m thankful for the challenge ... without it this house would surely still be sitting in the box.
Carolyn Eiche
For this year's CYLC I've decided to finish up 10-13 unfinished projects.
Some are partially built, some need their finishing accessories or furniture built, landscaping done. A couple others are 90-95% finished and just need that final thing done to complete it entirely. All were put aside at some point to start something new because I hit a roadblock on finishing. In no particular order:
1) Debbie Young Around the World spice shop
2) True2Scale Garden Arbor
3) Robin Betterley's Briarwood kit
4) Robin Betterley's 1/144" Cafe
5) Pet shop made from Debbie Young kit, I kitbashed
6) 2023 NAME DAY project
7) 2023 Camp Make-A-Mini Shepherd's hut
8) Mini Cousins Hot Dog Stand
9) 2024 Camp Make-A-Mini building
10) May room from Robin Betterley's 2023 club project
Not pictured, but hope to finish off:
Landscaping of the Bed and Breakfast from 2024 National and my Pink Lemonade house. 2021 Camp Make-A-Mini Cabin finishing touches.
March
So far this year I have completed 4 of my 12 listed Challenge projects. I completed the last room from the Betterley’s 2023 Secret Spaces cabinet. I've also completed my Mini Cousins pop-up Hot Dog Stand, 2023's NAME Day project, and Debbie Young's Spice Traders shop from the Around the World in 8 Days online Houseparty.
June
The first page of pictures are of my completed Robin Betterley 1/144th scale Blue Sky Cafe and Bunny Burrow.
The second page is of my finished Puppy Empawrium (it's spelled wrong on purpose) and my Shepherd's Hut from CMAM 2023.
It feels really good to have these projects done. Some of them have been languishing in my unfinished pile for years! Eight projects down, five to go. Yippee!
September
It's been a busy time around here and I have only managed to complete the True2scale garden scene this quarter. I put it in a small plastic box and added the hose, mower, wheelbarrow and tools to make a little scene. Notice the little hedgehog 🦔 visiting the garden.
Final Update
While I was hoping to finish up landscaping two other projects this year I am really happy with everything I did get accomplished.
I finished 11 of my 13 pieces this year. Some of these unfinished projects had been languishing for years. Feels so good to finally finish them. Now I need to find space to display them!
These last two pieces are my Arts and Crafts cabin from Camp Make-A-Mini 2024, an artist's studio, and my landscaped Pink Lemonade house, part of my original CYLC from 2023.
Beverly Fleming
I'm going to try & finish Sweet Rose house w/Debbie.
March
I didn't get much done this quarter. I've been working on Sweet Rose.
June
Didn't get much done this quarter just exterior windows. Hope to get more done next time.
September
Here's a picture for 3rd quarter. I haven't done anything this quarter. I've been away a lot, but I'm going to try & finish #9 anyway in 4th qtr.
Final Update
I didn't get anything done on my #9 of Traveling Village, but I'm checking in.
Jean Gibson
Here are 20-plus projects that I am going to be working on for this 2025 challenge. Large projects include a baby house along with a tiny baby house and Noah's Arc. Also, there are some theaters, cuckoo clocks, some new items, and some catchup ones as well. Good luck to all!
March
Here are my first challenge pieces of 2025. The two large cuckoo clocks are 1/12th scale. The smallest one is 1/4 scale, and was a very challenging kit to complete.
June
Three 144 scale kits: Spring Theater, Children's Theater, and Castle Theater. There is a wheel on the back that rotates the little round "stage".
September
Final Update
Thank you for encouraging us to complete these tasks. The first house is a 288-scale Volker Arnold kit that took longer than I expected. I am pleased with the results. The blue house is a kit that has been hiding in a tote for a very long time. The lighting is helpful for the final look, and I look forward to conquering more lighting projects next year.
Laura Goerzen
My challenge is to complete the structure, trim, and wallpaper of this RGT Allison Jr. dollhouse so that it is playable for my daughter. I also hope to finish it with enough flexibility so that I can change and add to it when she's done playing with it. The topping on the cake of this challenge would be to have an official spot for the dollhouse in our house other than our guest room floor!
March
Slow and steady. In the last three months I've painted, wallpapered, and assembled the third floor of my Allison Jr. Dollhouse.
June
My Allison Jr. is almost done! Just some shingles and final pieces of trim to go. And my daughter has already moved in.
September
Progress has slowed, but still coming along. Just the dormer roofs, window boxes, and a few other pieces of trim to go!
Final Update
I've met my goal of finishing all the interior and exterior walls, doors, trim, etc, AND finding a place for this house to live in our basement. My daughter's play and my own interior styling of this house will continue for years to come. Calico critters currently have the run of the place. I'm particularly proud of the cut-out window from the living room to kitchen, the door onto the balcony, and the ladder up to the attic. Thank you for this opportunity to participate in my first year long challenge!
Bonnie Helterhoff
This is small building I started long ago. I have decided to use the Autumn Pantry I found on Pinterest as my inspiration. My building is a different shape but I think having the porch area will lend itself well to this concept. I suspect I will be repainting as the red just isn’t right.
March
This quarter I repainted the shop building and antiqued it. Stained shingles and shingled the roofs for the porch. Need to stain more shingles to be able to finish the main roof. Found new paper for the inside and built a shelving unit. Have a good start on a checkout and bakery case. Cut some beams. Haven't attached the inside paper or beams as I am debating on adding lights.
June
WOW! What a month! I made the decision to change the building for my Autumn Market... My original inspiration was found on Pinterest and was a crowded country store look and the building I began with was just too big to create the right look. I had played a major part in creating this building for my clubs Fun day project and decided it would work much better. And once I got into working on it I couldn't stop! So after a few very intensive weeks- it's done!!! Ta da!!! The only things that I remember going out to buy is the lettering on the sign. The jelly jars were a class I taught recently. I sell the candle jars so had a lot. Made the many many sunflowers!! I use coffee filters painted and punched; cut the leaves by hand as I didn't have the right punch and used rough sandpaper for the middle of the flower. This one was really fun and now I still have half a year to tackle something else!!
September
I finished my first project for the second update so started another -- Storybook Cottage from Greenleaf that will be done in lavender/purples as a remembrance of my mom whose name was Violet and loved to wear purple. The lady who posts as Miniature Madness had done a storybook cottage that I really loved.... mine will not have the additions hers did and my garden will be much more simple but I am using the floor plan she did. I got the cottage together; sided some and used Creative paperclay to make some stone walls. Have the roof shingled and the interior wallpapered and floors done. And got kitchen cabinets made from illustration board (still need burners and a faucet...) Having fun with this one!
Final Update
Finished the house; added furniture. Made the sofa; fireplace; bed; kitchen cabinets from scratch. Made a gazilion flowers for the front yard. Sewed up some curtains. Added accessories. The puzzle on the coffee table is something I’ve had for probably 20-30 years waiting for the right place… Pretty happy with the way it came out. Now to decide what’s next…
Eileen Herrstrom
I will build and furnish a conservatory as an adjunct to the 1” scale dollhouse I completed in 2024. This will be a replacement for the greenhouse attached to my dollhouse that I lost to a fire in 2023 (left). I rescued most of the accessories and will reuse them in the new building (right).
March
I have assembled the basic structure of the conservatory and given all pieces the first coat of paint.
June
I’ve not made as much progress as I had hoped, but neither have I ceased completely. The roof needs only to have the acrylic shell glued to the wooden support structure. The walls and window frames are ready for the second coat of paint.
September
I have finished building the greenhouse! This includes exterior siding that matches the main house and interior wall tiles and flooring.
Final Update
I have completed the furnishing of the greenhouse. It contains a lighted potting bench and a bistro set. The lower shelves hold bonsai, and and the top shelf is filled with flats of seedlings. The bottom middle picture shows the greenhouse next to the main house.
Lisa Holm
Going to attempt to commit to this idea. First picture is of a 3 story San Francisco house (where I stopped when the electricity got challenging, but I’m better at soldering now) and the second picture is project number 2, finishing the 2023(?) Betterley secret calendar….
March
For the Betterley calendar one (March and April).
June
Betterley secret calendar - May and June completed.
San Francisco house - I think I took more apart than I put together, but first floor completely redone so I can move on to second floor…(and outside repainted again!)
September
Two more Betterley houses done ... and the ongoing saga of the Victorian (wait until you see the crazy ceilings underway!)
Final Update
Not quite finished but very happy with it!
Carol Johnson
For 2025 my goal is to finish the following projects: Birdhouse Bluff, Montana Homestead, Creekside Cottage, 2023 Secret Spaces, Camp Make A Mini, Stump house, Carpathian Cottage, Pickett Hill, and Debbie Young's three Shepherds Huts. It will be a fun year! 💕
March
So far for the 2025 Year Long Challenge I completed the June through December 2023 Secret Spaces so that project is finished. I also have the Camp Make-A-Mini Shepherds Huts The Middling and The Pocket Size built and just have a few furnishings to complete each of them. This yearly challenge is a wonderful way to keep projects on track and be completed.
June
I have nothing new to report and no updated photos since the March update.
September
Moved to a new workspace and still getting everything organized so nothing new to report.
Final Update
I did not complete any more miniatures on my list for this quarter/year. Looking forward to more time spent enjoying miniatures in 2026! ❤
Laura Johnson
This is my new challenge. I have assembled most of the structure. it is the B & B Thursday Night Project (by Debbie Young) from the 2025 convention.
March
I am not very far along. Hope to have a lot more done next time!
June
Here is a picture of my B&B.
September
Here are a couple of pictures of my Debbie Young B & B.
Final Update
Here is my Debbie Young bed and breakfast from two years ago. I still have a bit to go on the landscaping.
Shirley Kerasiotis
My ambition is to build Birdhouse Bluff, make all the furniture and landscape the base but I will be very happy if I can at least get the house built. Attached is a photo showing all the kits and parts for Birdhouse Bluff.
March
I decided to start the base first (backwards, I know). I have completed the shed with lighting and started on the picket fencing.
June
So I thought I would be further along but real life has a way of creeping in.
I do have the house painted, the floors and stairs stained and now I'm ready to start assembling the house.
September
For this quarter, I have assembled the house. The shingles are ready for both the house and roof and all the windows are painted and ready to go in but before I can do that I need to put in the lights first. After that I can work on finishing up the base and landscaping.
Final Update
I didn't get everything done that I set out to do at the beginning of the year but I am very happy with what I have gotten done. The house is assembled all the lights are in and shingling is done. The shed and the base are also done.
Kathy Koons
2024 was incredibly difficult for my family due to health problems and losses. Christmas is the one season that always gives me joy, even in 2024, when we couldn't decorate. So, I've decided to make 2025 a year of joy, by completing the Christmas kits in the photo. It turns out that there are far more True2Scale micro gingerbread kits in my stash than I expected, too.
March
Thanks to a total knee replacement in January, I had time to divert myself with these minis. When I was in less pain, the Sweet Rose project kept me from making more headway toward my goal. But, that's almost finished and I can get back to the Challenge.
June
I did not realize what a Christmas market stall kick I've been on this quarter. The stalls are from Jane Harrop, an unknown maker, Robin Betterley and Mini Cousins.
September
The Camp Make-A-Mini house and trips took up a lot of this quarter. But, I did finish this house. Both it and the living room furnishings were in my things to accomplish this year.
Final Update
While I didn't finish all of the projects I had lined up for the year, I did get most of them done. And, considering the fact that I built a house, a service & repair garage Advent Calendar, made two centerpieces, and traveled a lot, I'm pretty pleased with what I accomplished.
Lesia Lennex
My goal is to finish Nick's Cottage in 2025. I think it can be done! I made the shell in 2016 at Gals, Gangsters, and Gatsby. I then spent another 6 months on finishing the shell and making furniture. It's good to take our time and finish things the right way! 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.
March
I've attached my progress photo on Nick's Cottage, back half. It's moving right along!
June
Still a work-in-progress but it's coming along! Attached are my update photos for the back half of Nick's Cottage from Great Gatsby. It's roughed in to show how it'll look.
Final Update
I'm finished!!! Nick's Cottage is done and in a display case. Whew! It's been nine long years but it's finally come together. I've attached front and back photos. The detail is just incredible. I think this is the most involved build I've ever attempted. Somewhere among the finicky stained floor boards and woodwork, the exacting exterior shingles, and the challenging roof line, I learned how to leave paint alone and let glue dry. I took apart many pieces and re-glued as well as repainted. It was worth it. I am thrilled with how beautiful both halves of the house look. The house, the interior, the furnishings and foods, the landscaping, just perfect. The fireplace in the back half -- my CYLC -- is stunning. The kitchen/dining area in the front half is amazing. I am so very happy with Nick's Cottage. I've been inspired to mini and share through CYLC. I hope others are too!
