Happy Sunday everyone.
I have started a new house with a Spanish type design. My inspiration for this house is from a book of small house designs from the 1920's. I will be using some of Pete's die cut window frames for the arched openings. The windows and door are set back into the house using 3/16 dowel rod. I will post more pictures as it progresses...

lee...

just when i think i have seen every design in the book...i haven't!...

keep us posted with progress pictures...give us a hint of the color scheme...i especially like the window details, entry porch and side gate with the curved detail...heck...i like everything about the house!...

my very best regards...howard...

Howard,
Thank you for the praise!
I am going to try create a tile roof look using the underside of some cup insulators from an International Coffee vendor. The roof will be a terra cotta red... Other than that I am still deciding... and also trying to decide how to light this little house.

lee...go here for an education on LEDs...look at the small battery powered units..."coin cell"...

http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/

my very best regards...howard...

Lee, that looks like its going to be an Awesome house! I love the Spanish style, can't wait to see how it turns out. Are you going to be doing a stucco finish on the walls? Smooth or Gritty? GREAT start and super neat idea!!!

Howard, thanks for the tip!

Brian,
Thank you. I am planning to use very fine sand on the finish... I don't want it to be too rough... I'm also not sure if I will be using evergreens for the yard either... decisions, decisions...

Does anyone have any advice for something I can use to create a gate for the garden entrance on the side?

RE: the gate on the side--it might be more more effective to just print something instead?

Or you just might find some inspiration here http://archive.org/stream/designsforiro ... 3/mode/2up

Maria,
Thank you for the suggestion. I love the iron work designs in that book!

Lee, A suggestion for landscaping...instead of evergreens consider loofah painted green cut in cactus type shapes. Soaking it first makes it more pliable and easy to cut.

Love the design... lived in one similar to it for 33 years!!!

Re: Cactus for garden
You might find these links useful
http://www.amazon.com/Inch-Mini-Plastic ... B00C5T29SA
http://www.tapirback.com/tapirgal/gifts ... -f1518.htm

Paul has a great article on his site about trashbashing playskool pieces for desert scenes

I'll try to find it later

Also take a look around silvercrowcreations.com