Here are the participants in the Create Year Long Challenge (CYLC2025).
Participants are in alphabetical order by last name. Participants with a last name starting with Q-Z are on this page.
Participants with a last name starting with A-C can be found here.
Participants with a last name starting with D-K can be found here.
Participants with a last name starting with L-P can be found here.
Completed projects can be found here.
From Kelle Risoli:
My goal this year is to re-work the Fantasy Cottage (a 2022 E-3 Retreat Project) into a new version I am calling the "King's Scribe" a gothic theme in 1/2". Here is the original Fantasy Cottage that is inspiring the whole project and another reference pic for the finished room.
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March Update:
This quarter I have designed my "King's Scribe" project which was inspired by the 2022 E3-Fantasy Cottage. The main display is half-inch scale while the lower level will be quarter-inch. The structure is laser cut and engraved (inside and out) using 1/8" (3mm) birch plywood. Lots of painting ahead as well as the interior and accessories. Hope I can keep up the progress so I can actually finish this year!
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June Update:
Here is my June update for the Yearly Challenge, my King's Scribe project. I managed to get the furniture done except dressing the bed. There needs to be more hours in the day and more days in the week :-)
No picture attached
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Jeffrey Ritter:
Well, I did not realize I could re-initiate by completing what I failed to complete last year. So, I'm in to complete my Vermeer Residence in 2025. 80% complete on structure and 70% or more on interior furnishings. Biggest challenge is hand-painting in 1:48 4 or 5 Vermeer painting in process. With the publication of my work as the cover story in the Gazette this month (which project kept me from finishing Vermeer, I still call 2024 a success.
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March Update:
Probably 80% of the furnishings and decor for the nine rooms are completed, final assembly of the structure will be completed in the next week or so, and the detailed 1:48 reproductions of Vermeer's paintings (and the related props in his paintings) will follow. These pics show the layout of the furnishings. Christine McIntyre-Hammon has been helping me learn painting techniques. Great fun.
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June Update:
Here is evidence of 2nd quarter progress.Spent May learning sculpture and fresco and gold leaf painting in Florence. Vermeer house now wired and constructed. Starting on studios and roof now.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Neal Rogness:
I plan on doing/completing the following four NAME-related projects throughout 2025:
* Debbie Young’s Sweet Rose QC Cottage kit (including furniture kits and added-in lighting)
* One Star Away A Christmas Story House kit (exterior only but with added-in lighting)
* Quarter scale centerpiece for NAME 2025 It’s a Small World convention in Cincinnati
* Robin Betterley’s Miniatures Ravenwo
The bin is holding various supplies that will be used for the NAME convention centerpiece.
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March Update:
* Debbie Young’s Sweet Rose QC Cottage kits (
* One Star Away A Christmas Story House kit (exterior of house is complete; kit included heavy cardboard walls and some wood trim; I painted, added in additional window treatments and paper shingled the roof; porch lighting completed; more lighting will be added including some snow and icicles)
* Quarter scale centerpiece for NAME 2025 It’s a Small World convention in Cincinnati (98% completed; no supporting pic)
* Robin Betterley’s Miniatures Ravenwo
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June Update:
Here is my first quarter update for the Create Year Long Challenge 2025 (with attached pics in support, where appropriate).
* Debbie Young’s Sweet Rose QC Cottage kits (finished including all furniture kits, added-in lighting, and landscaping)
* One Star Away A Christmas Story House kit (exterior of house is complete; kit included heavy cardboard walls and some wood trim; I painted, added in additional window treatments and paper shingled the roof; porch lighting completed; more lighting will be added including some snow and icicles)
* Quarter scale centerpiece for NAME 2025 It’s a Small World convention in Cincinnati (98% completed; no supporting pic)
* Robin Betterley’s Miniatures Ravenwood kit (house has been completed; currently working on furniture/furnishings kits; some form of exterior landscaping is also planned)
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Carin Shapiro:
This year I will focus on renovation of a vintage dollhouse. It is missing a backwall, I will wallpaper the house and furnish with my existing vintage and antique dollhouse and accessories.
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March Update:
This quarter I repaired broken antique furniture, made structural repairs to my antique house, and made progress regarding wall paper. I am most proud of the hand painted tile kitchen floor.
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June Update:
This quarter I completed one bedroom, added a brick wall and shelving to the kitchen, and completed the parlor. I also took a lot if time looking for antique dollhouse wallpaper and ultimately found 2 borders to use in the last bedroom and upstairs hallway. I found a local printer who can make me high quality color copies 11x17" for $2 a page and he has helped me out a lot with this project. I have most of the furniture and antique dolls already, so I cannot wait to finish this project so I can put them in their completed house that they have waited approximately years for.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Melissa Simmons:
This will be my first CYLC. I want to make a large craft room for me and my mom, who passed away last year. Crafting was so important to her and always has been to me as well. I've never made a house or room box that wasn't from a kit, so this structure is going to be completely custom-made from foam board. It will also be challenging because I work full-time and I'm in school full-time for my master's degree. I even had dolls custom made to look like me and my mom.
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March Update:
I managed to get both sides of the flooring and the wallpaper and bottom trim finished. I decided I wanted a bay window so I cut out one wall and installed that. I've made the curtains and rods (which took 3 attempts!), a whole lot of pattern envelopes with patterns inside them, spools of thread and ribbon, the bookshelf with so many pieces of fabric, the little baskets sitting on the shelves of the bookshelf, the coffee table, the butcher block cutting table with pegboard sides, the little wastebasket complete with some trash in it, the butter cookie tin with sewing supplies, the cross-stitched pillow and framed picture on the wall, and the other 3 throw pillows on the seat of the window. I still have a long way to go and so many pieces to still make to encompass all the different crafts my mom and I enjoyed.
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June Update:
I feel like I haven't made very much progress on my craft room. I'm beginning to worry that due to all my work and school obligations, I won't get this room finished by the end of the year. I'm going to keep plugging along and fingers crossed!
I made a bunch of cross-stitch pictures and made frames for them. I've built a workshop bench from looking at a picture of a real-life-sized one, and also made some custom fluorescent lighting to go under the upper cabinets out of EL wire, clear heat shrink tubing, and aluminum tape. I've 3D printed quite a lot of things that will eventually make it into the room after they've been painted and finished.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Susan Skinner:
My goal for 2025 is to fully furnish my Federal style house and paint the exterior.
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March Update:
For the first quarter of the year long challenge I've been shopping my furniture and accessory stash and putting together several kits including the master bed and upper cabinet in the master bedroom. Right now it's a gathering and rearranging of things to start filling out the rooms.
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Kirsten Smolensky:
For 2025, I would love to finally start and complete a “standard Victorian roombox” by Goliath Miniatures that I won at the NAME Winter Wonderland conference in Indianapolis 2 1/2 years ago. I am imagining a contemporary art gallery in a quaint touristy town with a Victorian storefront. I’ve been collecting things for years, but I need a place to put them! And then I will probably also create some artistic additions of my own.
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March Update:
No progress. It’s been a rough start to 2025. I did at least pick out the floor I want to use. :)
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Helen Sparks:
Looking forward to participating again this year. I have three projects this time. The first is a half scale version of the Ivy Cottage project by Cat Wingler that was in the Miniature Gazette in 2003-04. One of my clubs is doing the project, but we are working at our own pace so some folks have already finished theirs! The second is a simple vignette box project from Small World Miniature Club. There was no theme, although we did get laser cut window, chair and table. We are supposed to display these at our Show at the end of March, so I will be focusing on this one first. My third project is the Old Southern Charm Bed and Breakfast from the last NAME Convention. You can tell from the picture that it will be my biggest challenge!
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March Update:
I’m having a productive year so far but the hardest project is yet to come. I finished the Small World Miniature Club vignette box in time for our Show at the end of this month. The birthday table was a Chrysnbon display piece which had everything on it, even tiny mint cups and party blowers! I also finished the basic structure of the Half Scale Ivy Cottage - I just need to fill the cart with flowers and it will be complete. I “cheated” and ordered some premade flowers, but they are taking quite awhile to come from Thailand! (A friend recommended the site, so I’m not worried.😉)
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June Update:
I finished my Courtyard with a flower cart, so that one is complete. I have been working diligently on the Bed and Breakfast. Some colorful language along the way as my fingers are just too big for quarter inch! I have the porch roof and posts ready to install but thought I should wait until I finished furnishing the rooms to give myself better access.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Christiane Starks:
I decided a “Challenge” is just what I need to finish this lovely Robin Betterley cabinet. I keep putting it aside in favor of other projects! I plan to get together with two mini friends during the year (they need to finish their cabinets as well). Thank you for organizing this YLC!
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March Update:
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June Update:
My update for the second quarter is minimal. I am working on the little kitchen to the Secret Cabinet. My hands are not cooperating lately, so everything I do has to be slowed down - a true test of my patience. Thanks to my son, I started working with rubber tipped tweezers! They are fabulous for holding on to the tiny bits.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Jodi St Pierre:
This 50+ year old dollhouse spent the last 30-ish years in the back corner of a garage (not climate controlled).
It was in use as a nursery for a squirrel family for a few seasons, and also suffered some water damage ... and the effects of time. For 2025, I hope to finish all the decorating and furnish inside and out!
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March Update:
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Julie Stuckmeyer:
I plan to finish Brooke Tucker's Golden Christmas in 1:144 and in 1:24 scales. If I happen to be more organized than last year (finishing on December 31) I will switch to other Christmas themed minis. I'm going to emulated Barb Antol and have a CYLC that is themed.
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March Update:
I've done a lot with lighting my 1:24 Golden Christmas and pretty much finished my 1:144 -- I just need to do the exterior of my 1:144 and possibly tie the electric of all three together.
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June Update:
I've managed to work on my Half Scale Brooke Tucker Golden Christmas a bit this quarter. I'm waiting to get my lighting stuff from Evans in order to light my Christmas Tree. Progress!!
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Fran Sussman:
Two more rooms to fill — this year I really will finish!!
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March Update:
Withdrew March 2025.
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Leslie Swager:
My first plan is the Wonky house with the boat underneath. I got the kit 3 1/2 years ago but still have a lot to do as you can tell by the picture. The second one (in case I finish the wonky house) is a workshop from the Charleston, SC convention. I haven't done anything on it since I left there. I'm really planning on getting them done! I guess we will see!
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March Update:
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Janet Swanson:
I’m going to try to work on another level of my Maitlin Smith bar cabinet. I need to finish first floor first. 😊
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March Update:
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Julia Tchikine:
This year, I want to find a final layout for my dollhouse, set it up, and make progress on at least six roomboxes, and hopefully finish them! Making progress on more than six roomboxes would be nice, but six is my goal!
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March Update:
It's been a very busy first quarter! I have found a final layout for my dollhouse (which is massive - 37 rooms - I have four finished :-D), and I have set it up. I have also made some progress on three roomboxes (shown in picture), and hope to continue this productivity in the next quarter!
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June Update:
Unfortunately I haven't made as much progress as I would have liked on the six roomboxes this quarter. Ideally I'd have had one or two completed by now, but there is always next quarter! However, I have completed a lot of work on two of them, and I should have it done by the next quarter.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Barbara Thornton-Hill:
My 2025 submission may be the same as someone else’s. It is to make the Sweet Rose house by Debbie Young and furnish it.
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March Update:
From the box to this far!
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June Update:
I am in the same place I was in March - see pics from March.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Terry Unnold:
Well 2024 was definitely a bust for doing much with my project so I’m going to have to roll it over again into 2025 and hopefully have a better year health and family wise to work on it! Here’s my inspiration from the Museum of Miniatures in Carmel.
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March Update:
It was a busy first quarter working on Sweet Rose and the Cincinnati Convention favors and swaps, but I did manage to complete some furniture for my CYLC. Just two night tables and a dresser for the bedroom and a hanging cabinet and small table for the living room. Still making decisions about walls and floors. Maybe full ”Barbie” hot pink with black, gold and mirror in the bedroom or maybe not …
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June Update:
My dollhouse sized Barbie and Ken have discovered online shopping and Miniverse Appliances! Now I need a lot of shelves and cupboards for their kitchen. Wonder what’s in all those other boxes? At least they got a vacuum!
How can I make any progress when they keep buying more stuff for their house?
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Donna Vanaselja:
I wish to build and complete the Sweet Rose Cottage from Debbie Young and actually finish last year's project of Snow White and the Seven Dwarf's cottage. Thanks for all you do.
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March Update:
Thanks to Debbie Young’s 5 zoom classes, my structure is 80% finished. I am working on the rest of the furnishings every day.
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June Update:
Though I want to add more, I think my Sweet Rose is finished. This was a joy to put together. Most of the small details were made by me. I purchased kits and 3d printed furniture from QC vendors.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Marcie Van Deren:
I so enjoyed the 2024 challenge! I finished several projects! For 2025, I am going to complete the Bakery-a project from Lisa’s Little Things, a Coffee shop, and the 1/4” Scale Garden Shoppe which was a class in 2019 in Nashville.
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March Update:
The Soda Shoppe has not had any work done on it yet. The 1/4 scale Desert Garden shop from 2019 Nashville is at least out of the box. The Bakery Shop has some cakes now. Made in Ruth Stewart’s March 1, Zoom class. I’ll get more done!
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June Update:
It has been much harder to work on these this year. But a little at a time!
Working on the grass around the rv pad. I just have to finish it.
The garden shop in 144th is a continuing project. A little gets done.
And the bistro/ bakery, well some baked items are being made.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Wanda Waterfield:
Figured I would jump in again this year and try and complete this house that I started to renovate two years ago. I had to move it out to the center of the room again to be able to access all sides of the project. Here goes!
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March Update:
Here’s my first quarter progress. Completed the curtains in the bathroom, started the flooring on the third floor, and tested out furniture placement in the master bedroom.
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June Update:
It’s been a little crazy quarter. We’ve sold our real house and are moving to a condo. So only started a little work on my CYLC.
Started carving the stonework for the fence around the house.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Sandra Whipple:
My project this year is to finish decorating the interior of my half-scale Victorian house. It is unique in that it opens on all sides.
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March Update:
I measured and cut flooring for each room in my half-scale house, and I selected furniture for the kitchen and bedroom. I’m still working on the color scheme so I can begin wallpapering.
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June Update:
This quarter I have been collecting and preparing furniture for my half scale Victorian dollhouse.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Celeste Wiley:
I've been trying to restore/remodel the dollhouse my father built for me 45 years ago. It languished in my parents' uninsulated attic for decades, which caused the glue to dessicate and the house to implode on itself. I brought the remaining pieces to my home last year but I've struggled to stay on track with the project. I feel like the Challenge would be a great way to motive me to stay on top of it. There is a lot to be done and my goal is to complete the entire first floor this year.
I'm attaching two photo collages. The first shows (clockwise from the top left): How the remaining pieces arrived, pieces precariously stacked to show what the house looks like, digital sketch showing what the front facade originally looked like, digital sketch of what the interior layout looked like. The second photo is the current state of the exterior and interior of the first floor.
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March Update:
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Dot Winchell:
This is a dollhouse I received ~1980ish. I’m hoping to get at least 4 rooms rehabbed this year.
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March Update:
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June Update:
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Cat Wingler:
I want to finish and furnish my mill from Unicoi. The structure is built and partially landscaped. I want to finish the landscape and furnish the mill as a cider mill and country store.
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March Update:
This is my Cider Mill, started several years ago in one of the Unicoi events. I worked on furnishing the shop part of the Mill, using a few items robbed from other projects, as well as a few made especially for the Mill. Since this is a cider mill, there are a lot of apples for sale.
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June Update:
This quarter I added more to the store part of the mill and started on the living quarters. I started building the cider press and things for the basement. I still need to finish the living quarters and basement next quarter.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Tammy Witthaus:
1 - I want to complete Petalstone. This is the hard part -- furnishing the remainder of the rooms for which I don't have kits. The conservatory, exterior, and landscaping also needs to be done.
2 - 1" scale Gingerbread Train from Stewart Miniatures - I am cross stitching a gingerbread train and want to put both in a shadowbox.
3 - Ginger Landon Siegel's Teddy Bear Shop - I had started to cut out pieces many moons ago, but need to get back to this project and complete.
4 - Frostie Fashions Paper Tole Kit that I bought a very long time ago that I will be layering and embellishing similar to what Ginger does with her kits.
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March Update:
Petalstone - a majority of the interior is complete but still need to add some items here and there. All of the lights are in and work. I have shingled the roof and sided the house. Still need to work on windows, doors, and conservatory.
1" scale Gingerbread Train from Stewart Miniatures - Completed the cross stitch and started working on the gingerbread train.
Completed Ginger Landon Siegel's Teddy Bear Shop
I have started to cut out Frostie Fashions Paper Tole Kit but not pictured as not much to see yet.
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June Update:
This quarter I just about finished this Frostie Fashions paper tole kit that I purchased a long time ago. I didn't care for the instructions and wanted to make it my own. I embellished with fabric, glitter snow, wire, embroidery thread, lace, ribbon, flocking, landscaping material, beads, and LEDs. The only thing left is framing.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Marty Young:
This year I am going to work on my first project. This is a Hofco Victorian Farmhouse which I started many years ago. As Ron’s was closing, I purchased furniture and lighting in the sales. The outside needs refreshed after many years and then onto the windows and the interior. Should be a very challenging year!
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March Update:
All I managed to accomplish this quarter was to get sliders so I can move the house and cabinet around. Need to be able to move it so I can work on all sides. I also selected the paint so I can sand and repaint. Life got in the way this quarter. Next quarter I plan to do better.
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June Update:
I still want work on my yearlong project but have not made any progress this quarter.
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September Update:
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Final Update:
From Ellen Yunker:
For 2025, I chose a less involved project, as I have some big demands on my time this year. I’m thrilled that our Louisville contemporary art museum, KMAC Museum, is mounting a “Getting Small in Kentucky” exhibit, featuring dollhouse miniatures plus scale models, fantasy builds, and basically anything small! So I’m making an artist’s loft to submit, using the easel, paint box, and stool I made in a Create class with Belinda McWilliams. I’m excited for another completed project!! Thanks, Create team!
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March Update:
Okay, barely started, but at least I put on the first coat of paint! This artist’s studio is on the beach - lucky artist! - and I’m looking forward to finishing the inside as well as landscaping the exterior with some fun beachy looks. I’m torn between leaving the roof shakes as is, or trying for a more weathered, silvery finish. We’ll have to see what works best!
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June Update:
I got more coats of paint on my artist’s retreat, now called “Sea Glass Studio”, with a shell on the door to identify it. I’ve added porch railings and am making flowers to fill a pot there. Tried stained glass in the dormer but didn’t like it, so more to come on that. I’ve finished one “canvas” and plan many more, as well as more paints and brushes. I’m having a great time and plan to finish it for a local exhibition in November!
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September Update:
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Final Update:
