Inexpensive and Easy Dollhouse Furnishings and Accents

Printables Are Accessories and Furnishings that Are Meant to Be Printed Out from a Printer and Folded and Glued into Shape

Jennifer N., Yahoo! Contributor Network
Mar 15, 2007 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

Are you looking to furnish your dollhouse or your child's dollhouse inexpensively? Are you looking for nice, realistic items to add? If you answered yes to the above, than maybe printables are the solution for you.

Printables are accessories and furnishings that are meant to be printed out from a printer and folded and glued into shape. They are nice, inexpensive and fairly easy to make.

If you have no printer and would like to use printables anyway

I found myself in a bit of a dilemma when I decided to use printables. I had no printer ink, nor the cash to buy any. So out necessity I came up with an alternate plan that works spectacularly. I pasted the printables I wanted to use into a 8 x 10 image in Paint Shop Pro (any image program should work fine so long as it saves things with good clarity.) I then filled in the spaces as much as possible utilizing all the areas I could leaving a small area between each to cut them apart.

I have a memory card reader installed on my PC, so I put my memory card in the slot and saved my image right to the card. I then went to Wal-Mart's photo kiosk and made an 8x10 printout of the image.

The sizes of the printables were slightly reduced, but it works perfectly. The color won't wipe off like it could on print paper and the thick weight is both a good thing for durability and a bit of a hindrance when it comes to folding and construction. You also would no longer need to spray them if done on photograph paper.

What items can you find as printables?

You can find just about anything under the sun as a printable. I've seen money, office supplies, furniture, frames, tea, plates, candy bars, junk foods, crooking supplies, toys, holiday decorations, clothing labels, holiday card, gift bags, gift boxes and more.

Printables without having to print anything out

If you don't want to or cannot print anything out there's another option to use as well. I've found some great images in magazines and catalogs that could be used as pirntables for your dollhouse.

Some disposable children's plates ads have mini plates on them to show the variety of designs. Clip these plates out and glue them to cardstock or something of similar weight. Turn up the edges a bit so they have a three dimensional look.

Paintings in catalogs often are about the right scale for a dollhouse as well. Some already have nice frames around them and are ready to use. For a glassy look to your framed printable paintings try using the clear plastic inserts on food or toy packages. Remove the insert carefully so as not to dent it and glue or tape it to your faux painting.

I've also found dollhouse sized bibs, toys, videos, undergarments, drinks and food, books and magazines in catalogs and magazine ads. All you need to do is look around a bit.

Organizing your printables

After a while you'll find your self with a stack of printables to make and magazine clippings to use as printables as well. How do you organize them for storage while you slowly make them? I use a simple ziplock baggie system. One bag per category of: Animals, toys, food, art, office supplies, magazines and books, clothing food and drink and a miscellaneous bag.

Where to find printables

There are several sites offering free printables for your personal use. You however are not allowed to sell or profit from them. It is advised that you use a heavier stock paper to print them on for durability. It is also recommended that you spray your printables to make them less likely to smudge or smear with use and playing.

Here's a partial list of printable sites

Printable floorboards, Dog houses, wall coverings and more.

Printable Christmas lantern.

Printable candy box, and mini magazines to make.

Tutorial for making printable projects and more.

How to make up Printables.

4th of July printables.

Fruit Crate Labels.

Vintage Cigar Box Labels.

Harry Potter printable potion labels.

Quarter Inch Scale Brick Wall.

Offering printables and cross stitch/crochet projects.