Watch the video here.

This
week I decided to cover a side of what I am calling my Exterior
Siding Cube 2.0. I talked a while back about the fact that the
original cube got damaged so I had to toss it. I really liked it so I
decided I was going to do another one. I asked if you guys wanted to
see me create the new one and I get enough positive responses to go
ahead and share the process. I decided that I while some of the sides
will be the same or similar to the old cube I will try to add some
new ideas this time around also. I would love your input on what to
add so if you have ideas let me know.

Also
if this video seems rushed I apologize, I had actually planned to do
another project today but there is one key component that I couldn’t
get my hands on so I had to scramble to come up with a project for
today.

If
you haven’t seen the tutorial where I made the cube I am using here is a link to that one. These are super simple cubes made from foam
core which I demonstrate a different technique on each of the 6
faces. We have one that when finished will have 6 different ways to
create dollhouse miniature porch, patio, or deck floor. This one will
be ideas for the exterior walls of your dollhouse projects. I also
have plans to start a roof cube soon too. I have also played with the
idea of doing cubes that are devoted to different decorating styles.
For instance maybe a mid-century modern cube that would have 8
different surfaces related to that style, or Art Deco, or Victorian,
or whatever. Those would have a combination of wall, roof, and
ceiling ideas/textures/finishes that might be a mix of indoor and
exterior. Also cubes devoted to interior finishes could be fun too.

These
cubes are decorative but also inspirational, I find looking at the
different sides does spark ideas for projects. I have my flooring
cube in my living room and guests have been fascinated by it and it
has sparked conversations so it is fun for that also.

Now
on to today’s project.

For
this first side I am going to do a “stucco” type finish. This
happens to be my favorite way to get this look. It is also really
easy and really cheap to do (even if you are covering an entire
dollhouse with it) I used this finish on most of the exterior way back
when I built my Harrison dollhouse. I think the tour of that
dollhouse was either the very first or second video on the channel so
that was a looooong time ago.

All
you need to do this technique besides the surface you are covering
are whatever paint you wish to use and some facial tissue (make sure
it is the kind that is smooth without any designs stamped in the
surface)

To
start peel the layers apart if the brand you are using has more than
1 layer and tear the tissue into smaller pieces.

The
paint for this layer is basically a primer coat so even if you are
using a latex paint for the final coat just use a craft paint for
this layer.

Paint
a small area of you surface with a generous coat of the paint.

Then
lay a piece of the tissue on top of the paint.

Use
your loaded paint brush to move the tissue to give you the amount of
wrinkles and lumps you want. Keep in mind that after you add the
topcoat of paint at the end it will even out the look so make it
slightly more lumpy than you want in the end. Make sure the tissue
starts as a single layer because otherwise I find the paint doesn’t
soak through as well and bubbles will result.

 If
you see areas where it looks like there is air trapped just mash the
area with the paint loaded brush and mash it down. You really want to
coat this with plenty of paint.

Allow
this to dry completely, overnight is best for this step.

Normally
I use interior latex paint from the hardware store but I don’t have
any in the cream color I wanted for this project so I am using just
plain old craft paint. I would not recommend using craft paint for
the exterior of a dollhouse but if you need to be sure you use enough
coats to give a good finish and follow up with a topcoat of a clear
mat or satin sealer (like Mod Podge) The cream color I am using I had
to mix for another project so I made extra to use here. It is just
mostly a white acrylic craft paint with a few drops of the palest
yellow craft paint I had on hand. I just wanted something like a
cream/ivory color. Just brush whatever paint you are using over the
surface and allow it to dry. You might need 2 (or more) coats
depending on the paint you use. Allow the paint to dry.

Since
my goal on this side of the cube was to create a really old, dirty
wall I wanted to add a dirty wash. If you making a newer wall you can
skip this part or just do a tiny bit. For this step no matter what
type of paint my main wall color is I would use an acrylic craft
paint. I started by mixing a brown color that looked like mud. You
can use a ready made color or mix one like I did. Then I added a lot
of water. My paint barely covered the bottom of the small container I
used then I added water to be about 1/8” deep. We are really just
going to use the colored water not paint in this step.

To
add the wash use a large brush and add a good amount of the wash to a
small area. For this step of the project I am stirring the
paint/water mixture each time I put my brush into it. Layer on a good
layer of the wash and let is sit for a few seconds up to a couple of
minutes depending on the look you are after. On a dollhouse you will
have to lay it down so the surface you are painting is horizontal for
this. After the wash sits use paper towels to blot off the excess.
You should have just a stain of color. Go over the surface repeating
these steps and then let it dry. It will lighten up in color as it
dries. When you have the level of grunge on the surface that you like
you can move on to the details.

Next
I added a layer of just the water from the top of the wash container
around the edges. On a dollhouse I would do this at the bottoms of
walls where they were in contact with the ground. Where mud and such
would splash/seep up. The more you add the older and grungier your
wall will look. If you have window openings add drips coming from the
corners. The only place you want to avoid adding too much is in areas
that would be protected, places like just under the roof eaves, leave
that fairly clean and add more grunge closer the bottom of the wall.
Just have fun and make it as old or new as you wish.

Since
I dd use craft paint now was the time to add that sealer coat. I just
used some mat Mod Podge since I am after an old grungy look. For a
newer looking wall use a satin sealer. Allow this to dry.

As
always I do want to sincerely thank all of you for watching my videos
and reading my blog posts. It means so much to me that you are
supporting me in this way. If I could ask you all to do just a bit
more by subscribing to the channel and liking the videos and leaving
comments. Those help more than you can imagine. Also if you could
pass the links on to your friends I would appreciate it so much.