We are going to make the small crown moulding at the top of the upper cabinets. I am showing one length being made. You will need two. Make the lengths at least 8" long.
Cut three strips of mat board 1" wide.
Glue two of the strips together.
Round off one long edge on each piece.
Cut the single layer 3/16" wide. Set this aside.
Round off a long edge on the left over single piece.
Cut another strip that's 5/32" wide.
I am sorry about that measurement. Keep your pencils and blades sharp.
Cut a strip of the doubled piece of mat board 1/8" wide. That's on the right.
The pieces cut from the single piece are on the left.
Glue the 5/32" piece onto the 3/16" piece. Those are the two single layers.
Now, glue the 1/8" wide piece, that's the mat board that's been glued double, onto the 5/32" piece.
Keep the back flat, you should be able to see four layers on the back. If you don't, reposition the pieces.
Can you see the shape? See what you can do with mat board!!
Glue to strips of card stock together.
Cut a strip 1/4" wide.
Glue the card stock strip to the back of the assembly you have glued together.
Make another length.
Isn't this nice? Think about it, you could make a bigger crown mould, you could make base board, too. I'm not saying to do a whole doll house, but certainly room boxes or small projects.
This is a picture I drew of the valance that goes over the sink.
The top is 3/8" wide and 2-1/2" long. You draw this out, too, you are going to make a pattern. The sides are 1/4" wide and 1-1/2" long. Use a compass to draw the curve. I've left 1/4" of space in the center at the top and 3/4" at the sides.
Cut from mat board 2 pieces 3/8" x 2-1/2", glue these together. Cut 4 pieces 1/4" x 1-1/2", glue these together, 2 each.
Go back to your pattern and cut out the curve.
Use this pattern to trace onto mat board your curved piece.
Cut out 2 and glue them together.
Glue the top and sides together.
Mark the center and mark 3/16" on either side and continue marking 3/16" until you have 13 marks.
To transfer your marks slide the curved piece into the valance. Use a square or ruler to transfer the marks.
Use a "T" to make holes in the center of the mat board. This will make it easier to start your drill bit where it should be. Do this for the top and the bottom curved piece.
For the spindles we are going to use 18 gauge bright florist's wire, that's the unwrapped silver colored kind. I used tooth picks to try this out but they were too big and klunky looking.
It's easier to start with a small bit and work up to the size of bit diameter you need for the wire. When you are drilling, squeeze the mat board together.
Cut the wire at about 1-1/4" and glue into the top piece. I used wood glue for this. Once the bottom is glued in the pieces have no where to go.
Slip your bottom in, keep it even with the bottom of the sides.
Use a marker to trace where the top of the curve is.
Trim the wire leaving a little extra to go into the bottom piece.
You can dry fit and if all is well glue the wires and the sides together.
Your valance is done.
We are making 2 upper cabinets.
Cut 2 pieces of mat board 1-1/2" x 2-3/4". These are the cabinet faces.
Measure and mark from the outside edges 1/2" down from the top, one short side and 1/4" from the other 3 sides.
Cut this center out.
The sides are 15/16" x 2-3/4", cut 4.
Glue the sides onto the fronts.
The sides are glued to the back of the fronts, see how the cut side of the front is showing.
The backs are 1-3/8" x 2-3/4". Cut 2
Glue these between the sides.
Cut the bottoms and tops 7/8" x 1-3/8", cut 4.
Glue the tops and bottoms into the
cabinets.
*Note: Upper cabinets are usually a foot deep, 1 inch to us.
The bottom layer of the doors are 1-1/4" x 2-1/4". Cut 2.
The top layer of the doors are 1-1/8" x 2-1/8". Cut 2.
Measure and mark 3/16" in from all four edges on the 4 pieces you just cut.
Use an oval template to mark a curve on the 1-1/8" x 2-1/8" pieces.
Round using sand paper all four of the edges on all four pieces.
Cut the center out of the layers.
Center and glue the smaller layer, the one with the curved top, onto the larger bottom layer.
These are your upper cabinet doors. To finish these we will glue in some acrylic and then some pretty curtains.
Hey, guys, I'm worn out! Next month I'll write about how I finished the cabinet. I'll show you how I made the hardware, too.
Until next month,
HAVE FUN, EXPAND ON IT, MAKE BETTER . . . . . . JUST KEEP MAKING MINIS
