It’s been a while since my last post—about four months, in fact! Summer was busy, but I’m back in the craft room and excited to share my latest build: a simple Tudor-inspired stable.
This project was meant to help me ease back into crafting after the break, so I kept it straightforward but still added a few creative touches to make it interesting. Here’s how it came together:
Planning & Sketching
I started with preliminary sketches to get a feel for the design. Once I had an idea of the layout, I cut wall shapes out of ready board foam, pinned them together with pushpins, and made adjustments until everything fit nicely.
Adding Texture & Details
Before assembly, I added details to the walls:
- Stone texture pressed into foam with aluminum foil
- Brick patterns drawn with a ballpoint pen for deep impressions
- Tudor-style wooden strips crafted from thin XPS foam, textured with a comb for extra depth
I assembled the walls and added foam beams to the corners to give the structure more shape and definition.
Roof Construction
The roof was a lot of trial and error! I experimented with angles until I got a clean fit that wasn’t too obvious at the seams. To hide the join, I added some XPS trim. Since I wanted the roof to be removable for easy access to the interior, I disguised the seam with decorative ridges and tile details along the top.
I also decided that the walls looked a little bare at this point and added some extra details with a ball point pen. I liked the idea of being able to see through the outer layer of wall to the brickwork beneath.
Painting & Weathering
Once assembled, I coated the build with black Mod Podge to seal and prime it. Then came the painting process.
To add soot and grime, I ground up black pastels into dust and applied it with a brush. The effect gave the stable a gritty, weathered look I’m really happy with.
Final Touches
Inside, I added stalls and a hayloft for extra character. The end result is a grimy Tudor stable that looks like it’s been through tough times but is still standing strong.
I’m thrilled with how this project turned out, and it was the perfect way to get back into the swing of crafting.
Thanks for reading, and as always—happy crafting!
