Something New and Different: A Dollhouse

My wife has long lamented that I can paint plaid on kilts on figures an inch high, or obtain smooth finishes on scale cars, but can't seem to find the motivation to pick up a brush to do any painting on the 1:1 scale house.

Well, how about a 1":1' house?

She actually spotted this on a table at a church rummage sale Friday evening. I'd long thought about doing something like this for our girls, so at $8, it was a bargain we couldn't pass up.

Now, about $75 in paint and accessories later, maybe we should have!

Nah, just kidding. It has actually been a fun project, and one the girls have been able to help out with a bit. They picked the colors, but I did all the painting, just to avoid the mess. Kate is particularly anxious to get this done, and hasn't been so patient with all the prep work. I've actually rushed through it, and haven't done as good a job as I should sanding and such, but it is turning out OK.

So far I have gotten paint on the exterior and most of the interior, and hope to get it assembled tonight. Well, at least the main walls. Then there are stairs, detail trim, the roof...

I can see how this could be another addictive hobby. We're already plotting our next build, but my wife says not until the 1:1 scale car in the garage is finished. So maybe Santa will bring us one.

Rebels

I've been a Star Wars fan since seeing that star destroyer sweep across the screen in 1977. Now, I really am big on the animated series Rebels. I like it even better than Clone Wars. And my daughters are right there next to me on the couch to watch.

So I've been buying the toys for my kids.... Oh, who am I kidding. They are for me. Actually, some of them my wife even bought for me for Christmas!

I recently picked up some base stands for these figures, which makes them easier to display. And it has even given me an idea to use them in a game, like Pulp Alley. In addition to the crew of the Ghost here, I also have the "bad guys," including Darth Vader, the Inquisitor, Agent Kallus and the gang.

Terrain could be an interesting challenge. I don't have any of the spaceships in this scale. But it could be fun! And that's what it's supposed to be about, right?

A Look Ahead

Just a little something I've been working on. Anyone who says Viking shields are tough should try Aztecs. And no LBMS transfers here!

This guy is from Eureka, and I really like the figure itself. The shields don't attach too well, so will have to be careful if/when these see the tabletop. I'm bouncing around between using Saga, Dux Rampant or some homebrew rules. One of the main reason this project has languished for, oh, 20 years is I have never found a set of rules that I feel really represents Mesoamerican warfare. It's a different beast, to be sure. I'm open to suggestions!

I have a number of these going right now, but wanted to share a glimpse. Watch this space.