New Hobbit Holes 10

 

The next two Hobbit Hole facias are just about done.

I've tried to disguise them from the earlier originals.

The upper one has all the brickwork exposed,

not covered in planks and the heavy timbers are grey (old, worn),

not brown, as in the very first one.

The lower one has grey timbers as opposed to brown

and the plasterwork is heavily inscribed and dark.

The main remaining task are the 'tiles'.

I've tried all sorts of things to produce a similar dormer

 to the GW one on the right.

Finally I went for coffee stirrers (not overlapping)

and filled the face with heavy card. 

The window will just have to be perched on it

rather than set into it as GW.

So now they are shaping up.

With 3 grey ones I can release two GW dormers.

This means I can put an extra window into two of the earlier Holes.

I've had complaints by residents that the interiors are gloomy.

The extra window will allow much more light inside.

I'll still have to concoct some chimneys

I've also knocked up

(after the usual run of mistakes)

a rear door.

(FutureForgeOnline door on brick-look plastic)

I've set it with the planks running horizontally.

The new windows are a real jump up in size.

New Hobbit Holes 9

 

I think I'm just about done with this one.

I've added a simple rope 'gate' and a post box,

glued in the flower pot and handed over the keys.

They'll move in next Thursday.

New Hobbit Holes 8

Foundations for a rockery.

Card cut to shape and scrap foam board added,

then covered in Brown Earth and 'rocks' pushed in.

Now all planted up after the rocks were dry brushed.

Plants are purchased tufts but also

crushed pine cone, a small pine cone and a grape stalk.

Side view.

My order from Future Forge via Etsy has arrived.

The doors are excellent, as are the chimneys

but I've raised an issue with these Hobbit fascias.

Heaps cheaper than GW though.

 

New Hobbit Holes 7

 

This one is now starting to shape up.

However, I'm not at all happy with the grass.

I've used 6mm 'Spring' which is very different in colour to 2mm,

as well as needing another haircut.

The remaining fence posts have to go in as well.

The fence is complete and they have a garden seat and flower trough.

The fence horizontals are cord and the name escapes me.

(Those spiky sticks used for pigs in blankets)

Are there a couple of ducks in the pond already?

Yes. Mallards.

I'm a bit stumped on the garden path for the other house.

I wanted the soil between the cobles to be the same as the rest of it.

However, after a dry brush it again has a purple hue.

I think I prefer the grey as if they are cemented in.

Now there is a post box and a gate which can swing open.

Unfortunately, the gate stop, the branched log,

has been causing problems.

Gandalf has torn his cloak on it twice

and it nearly had Gimli's eye out 'It was deliberate'

after a heavy night at The Bird and Baby.

Remember, we're at Michel Delving, not Hobbiton!

There, near enough done

with the bench and flowers in the right place.

New Hobbit Holes 6

 

I had three stabs at a bench for a Hobbit to sit on.

The first, on the right here, was OK for a Bree cottage

or a stable in Rohan but it was too big for a Hobbit Hole.

The one next to it, I made using balsa

but I thought it too small.

The third one I made, also from balsa, was perfect.

However, just then, this little girl bounced in singing,

waving her goldilocks about, sat on it and kaboom!

The result is in the foreground.

Now I've got some grass laid but it's another cock up by the planning department.

The roof grass is 6mm autumn and is clearly too long.

Sam had a go at hacking it back with his sheers but it was taking too long.

In the end, I asked Saruman if he could come up with something

with his mind of metal and wheels.

He suggested using my electric shaver. Perfect!

The grass under the replacement bench is

WWScenics 2mm Spring which is much better for the lawn.

Perhaps 4mm for the roof?

The Reed Mace, in the foreground, are just Greenstuff

on garden wire and bristles from a bass broom.

The leaves and painted paper cut to shape.

Bull rushes of Reed Mace placed,

bench and flower trough in situ.

Still no sign of the planning people sending the remaining fence posts.

(Actually, the planning department are so bad

that I'm starting to think they are a figment of my imagination)

New Hobbit Holes 5

I was hoping to produce my own spare chimneys and windows

but I'm finding it more difficult than I expected.

The lopsided Greenstuff chimney is proof.

The crazy paving path is not looking as I wanted either.

It's card with John's magic mix applied

then, when dry, scratched for the gaps between stones.

I painted using Deathclaw brown, then dry brushed  grey.

Finally a wash with Agrax Earthshade.

It has ended up looking purple!

I guess it looks up OK though.

Then another cock up by the planning dept.

The chaps came along and erected some of the fence posts

 without the painters doing their job first.

The pond deepens.