Well its been a few busy weeks with work but I finally had a few hours spare to work on the chimney for my Victorian House.
From my last post you might remember that I decided to try my own technique to make miniature bricks. After cutting up a few hundred coffee stirrers and sticking them down I have an almost complete chimney. It needs two extra parts to be added to heighten the whole chimney so that it will be just above the roofline.
Now for a big decision. Should I used these technique for the basement or should I make it look rendered? I probably will brick around the top part of the basement in places like below the bay window and veranda. But if I start it means hours and hours of cutting and gluing and will it look over the top?
Readers I'd appreciate your advice!
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| 3 part chimney |
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| HOW TO: A few people asked how did I do it so here is a quick how to. STEP 1: Measure starting from the top of your item lines that are 7mm apart using a lead pencil. STEP 2: Measure your coffee stirrers. I made my bricks 20mm or 2cm. To be to scale they should be slightly smaller but with 1000's to cut, an easier measurement saves time. STEP 3: (Optional) If you have a cutter like my Easy cutter, you can place a piece of strong tape on it as a marker. (This trick my boyfriend came up with after looking at me measuring and cutting and measuring and cutting) STEP 4: Check the cut edges, some might need a quick sand. STEP 5: Start at top of piece, glue your first 20mm piece, use an old credit card or store card as a spacer. Place it between your two pieces. STEP 5: When you get to an area where your 20mm piece is too big, cut a piece to fit. STEP 6: You can decide on how you stagger your bricks, you might it to be uniform or slightly more staggered. STEP 7: Coat your finished product with a mixture of wood glue and water. This well help to seal your bricks. Well readers, I'm off to decide on the next step. Don't forget to comment on what you think I should do for the basement. I would love to hear what your ideas are. |
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| Easy cutter with tape. |
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| 7mm spaces. |
LOOKS FAB! Oftentimes the brick was just a veneer so it would look great on the foundation, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks John, So that is one vote for brick foundations!
DeleteTe ha quedado genial!!! Realmente es muchísimo trabajo,pero vale la pena!!!
ReplyDeleteBesos.
Thanks Pilar for your kind comment.
DeleteHello Indy Poppy,
ReplyDeleteI think the chimney looks fantastic. Great work! I think bricks on the foundation could look good. Maybe you can find wider coffee sticks and make a stone or concrete block foundation? I look forward to seeing what you decide.
big hug,
Giac
Good idea Giac, I actually purchased some wider sticks that I thought I might use as quoin stones, but I might experiment with them and see if they would work.
DeleteGreat work! I really like your chimney.
ReplyDeleteThanks Faby.
DeleteI have got to get me one of those :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Marisa
Do you mean the cutter Marisa? It has been one of the most useful tools I have ever purchased. I'd hate to think how many cuts I have done with them and they are still super sharp.
DeleteWhat a lot of work, but the chimney looks great! I agree with Giac and John for bricks on the foundation :)!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Ilona
Thanks llona, thats now 3 votes for bricks.
DeleteHas hecho un magnifico trabajo con la chimenea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment Isabel.
DeleteHi Indy Poppy,
ReplyDeleteI tried to leave a comment yesterday, but it would not take.
You have done a fantastic job here... I love the chimney! What a boat load of work that must have been.. I also think bricks on the foundation would be great.
fondly,
Penny
Hi Penny, (4 votes for bricks now!) It was a lot of work, but I'm happy with the results. It was a fairly cheap project. I still have heaps of coffee sticks left so it probably only cost me $4. Probably the cheapest mini project I have done so far.
DeleteHi Indy-Poppy! I am going to have to agree with the others, because I too think that the foundation should agree with the the chimney.... And What A Chimney! I love your solution! It may have been work but it was definitely worth it! I also like your idea of sealing it with glue and water as a primer so that it doesn't dry unevenly when you apply the color. Have you decided yet on the exterior colors for the house and the brickwork?
ReplyDeleteelizabeth
5 votes for bricks! Elizabeth, I'm finding it really hard to decide on colours. The bricks are going to be almost a sandstone colour I think, so I will go with a light rather than dark colour. I'd love to hear what colours you would suggest. :)
DeleteYour chimney looks fantastic. Bricks on the foundation sounds fantastic. I like Giac's idea of making a larger concrete block foundation. It will be less work but will still look amazing! xo Jennifer
ReplyDeleteThanks Plushpussycat for your kind comments. I think I will test out Giac's idea. It would definitely save some time, a few less cuts!
DeleteThe chimney looks really great! Your hard work has paid off =) I look forward on seeing what you decide on the foundation.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hello again Indy-Poppy,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry I just realized I forgot to answer your question about where I got the ceiling panels for my breakfast room. They were a gift given to me by a friend. He worked on a roombox years ago and these were leftovers he thought would work in the manner. I don't they were produced for sale, but only for their project. Sorry I don't have more information. If I get any more information about where you can get them I'll send you another message.
Big hug,
Giac
All that painstaking work for the bricks was well worth it! It looks phenomenal and I can't wait to see it all painted and finished!
ReplyDelete