This kit is for personal use ONLY. Please do not copy, distribute, or sell any part of this design or the instructions without my permission. Pre-Cut & Digital Brookside Manor @2022 Jacqueline Smith
Once again, I based this design upon a real house, but this time I could not identify it as the picture was from Pinterest and there were no other identifying features.
Please read all instructions prior to beginning the project. If you are new to making houses, make sure you read and understand each step before placing your glue.
I consider this an advanced kit.
Before you start your new kit, think about how you will want to decorate it. You can paint the house, paint the house and glitter it, glitter just parts of the house like the roof, use the kit pieces as a guide to cut out decorative paper that you can glue onto the house, or just leave the building white for a modern look. If you leave any portion of the house as unpainted cardboard, I suggest spraying with a matte acrylic sealer like Krylon or Modge Podge Sealer.
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Suggested Material List . . .
- Pre-cut kit has been cut from White Kraft Board. This is equivalent to 120 lb cover cardstock or cardboard. Several pieces are cut from 100 lb cover cardstock where the 120 lb is too thick to make delicate folds. I also use 65 lb cardstock for the white sashes around the windows.
- Materials for Digital version: White Kraft Board, Cardboard or Quality Cardstock.
- Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue. I put it in a bottle with a thin metal tip. If you are new to making kits, you may want to use Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue as this allows more time for you to reposition your pieces if you make a mistake.
- Bone Folder – A bone folder helps you make sharp folds when you are using cardstock or cardboard. While the kit comes pre-scored, I strongly suggest you make the scoring deeper with a bone folder.
- Multi-surface satin finish acrylic paints in your color choices. Two coats are usually required.
- To glitter the house: Extra fine glitter or extra fine iridescent glitter and Spectra Glitter Sparkling Crystals (mixed 50/50) and Modge Podge. I like to apply the Modge Podge with a foam brush to one side of the building at a time, glitter, then move on to the next side. You may like your building glittered with only the extra fine glitter, but I liked adding a slightly chunkier glitter to it too.
- To make the snow: Woodland Flex Paste, Woodland Soft Flake Snow, and Hemway White Ultra Sparkle Glitter. Apply the flex paste and sprinkle a combination of the soft flake snow and Ultra sparkle glitter over it while it is wet. Use a little Modge Podge on a brush to add more of the snow mixture once the flex paste is dry.
NOTES . . . (read before starting)
- Due to variations by each builder you may find a trim piece a tad longer than needed. If this happens, simply trim it down to fit.
- DO use the cutting guide below to identify all of the pieces! It’s always a good idea to lay out all of the pieces before you start so that you have everything in the correct place. I include a few extra window frames in the kit.
Cutting Guide for Brookside Manor …
Your kit will include either the Regular Back and Regular Bottom Insert, and 6 windows and trim, OR the Putz Back, Putz Bottom Insert, and a strengthening ring for the Putz hole, depending on which option you chose when you purchased the kit.
I cut double of the number of porch railings, stair rails, and widow’s walk than I need. Glue two of each of the pieces together to make thicker and sturdier parts.
Let’s get started . . .
The following instructions are to show you how the building should be constructed. I show the order of construction without any paint or glitter. Think about how you will finish the building and if any parts will need to be painted or finished before being glued in place.
There is no wrong way to paint, glitter and glue. Personally, I like to paint the trim and walls when flat, then glue the trim onto the building, add the vellum, and then glue the building together. I then glitter the completed building. However, I know people who glitter the building while flat before gluing it together. I suggest you try different methods until you find out what works best for you. Tutorials for various ways to decorate your house can be found on this website.
Constructing the Building
1. Fold each of the body pieces towards the back or inside (mountain folds), except the Front Left and Front Right pieces, which will have both mountain and valley folds, as shown below. Note that you do not fold the score line on the right of the Front Left piece. That score line is used for placement when you glue the two front pieces together.
2. Glue all window frames and the doors in place.
3. Glue the windows sashes onto the inside of the buildings if are using them. The Window Sashes can be very delicate. if you inadvertently break one use a dab of glue to join it back together.
4. Glue the vellum in place if you are using it.
5. Glue together the Front Right 2nd floor, then glue the Front Right piece onto the Front Left piece.
6. Glue the body together. Glue the sides together first, then the roof flaps. Don’t glue the middle roof flaps together yet.
7. Check the fit of the Bottom Insert piece, adjusting any of the fold lines as necessary. You may need to trim the corners. Glue in the Bottom Insert piece now as it will help to help to stiffen and square the walls of the building. I like to lower it in from the top. Once I know the fit is right, I run the needle tip of my glue bottle between the Bottom Insert and the sides, making sure each side is glued securely before moving on to the next.
8. Glue together the front and back roof stabilization pieces. I find it is best to lay the building on its back and let gravity square up the front before I overlap the pieces and glue.
9. Fold the Bay Window. If you are using a paper front on the Bay Window glue it on now. Add the window frames and window sashes.
10. Glue the vellum into the back side with the sides folded so the vellum lies smoothly. Glue the Bay Window top and bottom pieces to the body.
11. Glue the Bay Window to the front of the building,
12. Glue the Flat Roof onto the right side of the building, then glue down the Peaked Roof. Note the notch for the chimney is on the outside towards the back.
13. Fold the Bay Window Roof. Glue the Peaked Bay Window Roof onto the Flat Bay Window Roof, matching the edges. Glue on the Bay Window Roof.
14. Fold the Front Triangle Roof piece and glue on the Triangle Trim. Glue into the Porch Roof. Set aside.
15. Fold the stair piece by accordioning the stairs. Glue each of the stairs to the sides. I find it easiest to glue one stair at a time.
16. Fold and glue the Porch onto the front of the building. Glue the stairs onto the front of the porch. Also glue in the columns and the porch railing. The taller columns go under the triangular part of the porch roof. You may need to trim them down slightly. Glue on the Porch Roof, centering the peak of the triangle under the the oval window. I slanted the porch roof slightly to the front.
Note that I have cut double of the porch railings, stair rails, and widow’s walk. Glue two of each of the pieces together to make thicker and sturdier parts.
17. Fold and glue together the stair posts. Glue the stair rails between the columns flanking the doors and the stair posts.
18. Fold the two chimney pieces. Glue the narrower chimney piece into the larger piece. Glue onto the side of the building fitting the chimney into the notch in the roof. You may need to expand the notch a little if you add stenciled bricks like I did.
19. Glue the trim to the top and the bottom of the building. I made it a little long so trim to fit at the corners and at the chimney. Glue the Gable Peak trim onto the peaked roof. Lastly, glue the Widow’s Walk pieces together and glue onto the flat roof. I have given you extra-long pieces so that you can decide how large you want your Widow’s Walk to be.
Use the included cardboard to make a base. I made my base 6″ x 7″.
This building can be finished with any method you are used to. Don’t worry about it being perfect. Just have fun and enjoy the process!
Enjoy making your Brookside Manor!! I would love to see your finished buildings. Please share a photo with me by emailing me at Jackie@acottageintheforest.com.
Examples for Inspiration
