Cottage Cabinet

CABINET MINIATURE SERIES – 01

The Cabinet Miniatures “Cottage Cabinet” is the first in a new series of pattern tutorials I’ve created.  You can find it in both of my shops now, using the links above.

This series will include a variety of handmade cabinets, in half scale or quarter scale, that can be used as room boxes, mini houses, or to display your favorite mini pieces.  All made from medium weight chipboard, the projects could easily be made with wood and resized if you prefer.  Pattern tutorials, in the form of a downloaded PDF file or online version, include a list of materials, complete step-by-step instructions with tons of photos.

Chipboard is fantastic for these projects and very easy to work with.  You only need a craft knife and ruler for cutting.  Chipboard can be painted, stained, covered with paper or fabric easily and is very strong.

The Cottage Cabinet measures about 18″ high by 11″ wide and 8″ deep with front opening doors and a working storage drawer.  Most of the metals you see used on it are from the Tim Holtz Idea-Ology line.  Inside you’ll find two sections that can easily house two half scale full size rooms.  You could easily add two more dividers, creating four sections, and four mini scenes inside!  The drawer is a single space that could easily be sectioned off with dividers.

Here is a list of the main materials for completing the cabinet . . .

Materials . . .

• Medium weight chipboard (save money and buy the 25 sheet package on my “Need Supplies” list because we will be using a lot)  I prefer the white backed chipboard because it paints up nicely but you can mix both the white (on areas that will show a lot) with the natural color to save a bit of money.
• 1/4″ score tape
• 12×12 sheet or two of sturdy cardstock, not the thin stuff but good cardstock – white or kraft colored, based upon the color of your chipboard – for making construction strips
• 12×12 sheet of clear .020 plastic (I get mine at amazon. It’s perfect for windows or glass in furniture.)
• Americana Dura Clear Gloss Varnish for sealing the finished cabinet
• tacky quick dry glue
• Americana Mult-Surface satin finish paints
• (2) Metal Door/Drawer Pulls (I’ve used some from Tim Holtz but Kaisercraft also has some) – OR – you can use some type of latch on the front doors
• decorative metal pieces optional:  feet and knob on top, keyhole and button or knob for drawer

For those not familiar with my pattern tutorial projects, when purchased, you will get a zipped file to download which unzips into a PDF file.  Some products may include additional items for use with the project, inside the download, like printable papers or such.  With each project you will also receive a link to an online version of the pattern tutorial where you can find additional links to Bonus Tuts for decorating the inside of the project.  These bonus tutorials are only available to those who purchase the project pattern tutorial.

Watch my blog posts for more cabinets coming soon!

UPDATE . . . Finally found time to get back to this one.  Check out my post:  Use What You Have, under the “Free Tutorials” link tab above, to see what I’m doing with the inside of the cabinet.