Abingdon Branch Blog

The sun has finally arrived and the gazebo has been put over the patio with table and chairs underneath.  With the cloth sides on to keep out the drafts it makes for perfect alfresco modelling.  The first set of cottages have been installed,  although they still need some details adding to finish them off,  so it was time to start on the gardens.  Having build a couple of garden sheds and an Anderson Shelter thoughts moved to a green house.  Initially I called into the model shop to buy a kit with the intention of butchering it.  With the weekend approaching I returned home somewhat disappointed at being unable to purchase one.  A search through my plasticard and bits and pieces box inspired me to try to use up some of the bits of waste plastic and have a go at building a greenhouse.  As with every building I have built I always draw my idea out on paper first.  This helps me to see with my eyes what I have created in my mind.  It also ensures that I can work out all the measurements.  Having  done this it is then transferred onto the plasticard ready for cutting out.  I started with the base walls which are one piece of plasticard sandwiched between two bits of brick embossed plastic, leaving a small lip at the bottom to allow it to be sunk into the baseboard.  At the door end of the building the middle of the sandwich also formed the basis for the door.  The next stage was to create the glass windows.  Clear plastice was cut to size and all the frames made from thin plastic glued to both sides of the clear plastic.  All the sections were then assembled along with a rear supporting wall.  As it is going to be up against a large garden wall constructed of random stone, the first part of the rear wall has had embossed random stone pasticard with a brick top to simulate a brick extension to the top of the existing garden wall.  The roof was made in the same way as the glazed sides complete with small boarding around the edge and the door details are made from thin plastic.  With the brick work painted and allowed to dry weathering powders were applied to tone it all down.  The whole greenhouse has been made from scraps of plasticard found in my recycle box and I am very pleased with the result.  The next stage is to construct the interior with tomato plants and various plant pots etc.  Now there’s a challenge!!