I was commissioned by one gentleman to make this custom engagement ring box. His girlfriend and now fiancee is a big fan of movie “Up” and all Disney related. I thought he has a great idea so I crafted it for him. I used the design of my first miniature in scale 1:160. Its modified a little so it opens at the bottom. It is made of cardboard with red fabric inside. The ring on the picture is not an engagement ring, its the biggest ring I could find in my girlfriends drawer just for this presentation. The box was shipped to USA safely and they are already engaged.
I wish you Gennady and Maggie all the best, long and happy life together. Have a great wedding!!!
I didn’t update this site for a long time. I’ve been very busy on a new project. This is a bigger version of Carl’s house from brilliant Disney/Pixar animation “UP”. I built it in victorian dollhouse scale 1:48 ( 1/4 inch ). The floor plan is 180mm by 180mm wide and it stands 210mm heigh to top of the chimney.
I had already prepared drawings for my previous project in scale 1:160. Bigger model gave me the oportunity to create more realistic and detailed windows, so I had to modify my drawings to suit new scale. I was also able to sculpt railing to the porch and create interiors. Living room can be accessed by openable side wall. It allows to fully appreciate Carl’s living room with his fireplace and have a view to the staircase with his collection of photographs on the wall. There is an option to look into the hallway through front door and window. In the movie there was some difference in size between interiors and exterior of the house. I couldn’t fit kitchen at the end of corridor, but I indicated it with closed door and created little green room under the stairs which can be viewed through rear window. A great help with that were sketches and pictures found on donshank.com blog.
Like previously I started with laser cut rigid 1.5mm plywood as my main construction with another 0.8mm layer containing some of the window details. I was able to see fast progress at this stage. It all slowed later when I had to trim with the knife panels for elevations, and stick them one by one. Repeat this process with shingles for the roof. The tricky part with them was warping after I put glue on it. Its because wood grain goes in shorter direction, the stripe with shingles absorbs moisture and bends before glue sets. I had to lay two stripes and clamp it for 15 minutes until glue dryes. When all parts were in place, I spraypainted them with base colours. I couldn’t buy exact colours in cans so I refined them with selection of acrylic paints from valleyo and games workshop to get the right tint. I used various techniques like drybrushing and washes, I also painted wood grains with very fine brush in some places. It took me more time than I expected, but I was pleased with the effect. After that I sprayed everything with two protective coats of matt varnish and then added transparent windows at the end. I didn’t forget about tiny mailbox this time 
Carl’s house is now ready, and waiting for some more furnitures in the living room. I enjoyed building it and I hope you will like it.
Dollhouse Kits on Ebay
Here you have few photos of my weekend project. I prepared my drawings a while ago, and decided to cut it now. It is my new master for resin casting. Its made of cardboard, bricks and some war damage is engraved on surface. I will patch few places with putty, add more cracks and texture to plaster, add some details like broken glass, timber joists and a little plush teddy bear on the floor
Then I will sand it in some places, prime it and its ready for silicone mould. Anybody wants one?
Its all laser cut from 1.5mm and 0.5mm cardboard. Bricks are made in two passes : first is engraving for about 0.4mm deep, then mortar line is cut for another 0.4mm. Floors are cut from one 1.5mm cardboard (the shape with joists) than on top of it is a 0.5mm paper layer with timber boards. Bottom side is again timber boards and another layer with peeling plaster ceiling.
Buy Flames of War terrain here.