How to Make Siding for a Doll House

* Thin balsa wood (1/16" or 3mm thick)

* Craft knife or utility knife

* Cutting board

* Ruler

* Pencil

* Sandpaper

* Wood stain or paint (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut the balsa wood into strips that are 1/4" (6mm) wide and the length you need for your siding.

2. Sand the edges of the strips to smooth them out.

3. If desired, stain or paint the siding strips. Allow them to dry completely before continuing.

4. To install the siding, hold a strip against the wall of the dollhouse, with the top edge of the strip aligned with the top of the wall.

5. Use a sharp pencil to mark where the edges of the strip will overlap with the other siding pieces.

6. Cut the siding strip along the marks.

7. Apply a small amount of glue to the back of the siding strip and press it against the wall of the dollhouse, aligning the edges with the marks you made.

8. Repeat steps 4-7 until the wall is covered with siding.

9. Allow the glue to dry completely before moving on to the next wall.

Tips

* If you are using a utility knife to cut the siding strips, be sure to use a cutting board to protect your work surface.

* When sanding the edges of the siding strips, use a fine-grit sandpaper to avoid damaging the wood.

* If you are staining or painting the siding strips, be sure to work in a well-ventilated area.

* Allow the siding to dry completely before gluing it to the dollhouse.

* If you want the siding to appear weathered, you can use a wire brush to roughen up the surface of the wood before staining or painting it.