Operetta

Operetta's Musical Room

In the quest to be the best Aunt ever, I had recently decided to create a Monster High world for my 7yr old niece.  We are collecting these dolls together and we just love them.  On this page I will be showing you my nieces Operetta Room, and all of the things I've made for the inside.

Operetta Bed

Original design by Chad Alan:

You will need:

Foam Core Board
Exacto Knife
Writing Utensil
Left over or new Scrapbooking Paper
1/4 yrd of black fabric
Left over or new 1/2 inch foam
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks


Step 1:

I started by cutting out my pieces.

I used the base of the bed from a previously made one but found it was too long for my space,

so I took this opportunity to make it smaller

I used the base to determine how long I was going to need my sides to be, and then I used the ruler

to make them exactly 1" thick on all sides

I again used the base to trace out a pattern for my headboard and made it just a little bit wider.

Here you can see where I laid the ruler down and used the side of it for a guide

Step 2:

Now its time to decide on a side.

I had this fun music note paper already on hand.  It comes in black on white and white on black.

In Chris Alan's original design he drew out the sides and painted them.

I am not good at drawing out my own design so this is the route that worked for me.

The only concern when using this paper was to make sure the notes were going up and down.

Now I'm going to glue them on

At this point you are able to trim off the sides with a pair of scissors if you'd like to make sure they are a good fit.

Step 3:

Now I'm going to add a little color.

I had this fun metallic paper left over from the closet I am making to match

I wanted to add a little red to my music notes so I just cut out some thin strips to put on my sideboards

I wanted them to be in the middle of mine, but please feel free to play with how yours will look before gluing them on.

Step 4:

Now you can glue the sides to the base.

This is where I changed my mind on the footboard.

Instead of using the small one that you've seen, I went and cut out a new one using the headboard to trace it out and made it just tall enough to come above the dolls feet.

Step 5:

I had this striped paper left over from building a piano for Operetta's room

I used the headboard as a guide and left a little overlap around the sides to fold over

For the back I am just cutting out a piece that fits exactly 

Step 6:

To finish the edges on the headboard I'm going to cut out a few more strips of my red paper

These are going to be the width of the headboard, and I'm also going to cut out enough for the footboard which I know I'm going to want to match.

Step 7:

I am going to follow the same steps from creating the headboard to make the footboard.

Step 8:

Now I am going to attach the headboard and the footboard to the base of the bed

Step 9:

At this point I am really happy with how the bed looks

However, I want more of the cute red paper

So I cut a small square of it and center it on the headboard.

Step 10:

This the last step before creating the bedding.

The mattress.

I am going to use a solid black cotton to cover my foam this time.

(refer to Abbey's bed)

Bedding

You will need:

Red Fabric (I'm using a satin)

Black Fabric (I'm using the left over from covering the mattress

Stuffing

Thread

Sewing machine

Step 1:

I picked out this shimmery red tafeta because it screamed Operetta.

I'm going to use a solid black for the back side

and I found this wonderful small scale music note fabric for a pillow

Lay the fabric over the bed and adjust it until you get a fit that is right for you.

I wanted a little over lap 

I made a small snip where I wanted the fabric to fall 

and then I eyed it when I cut.

If you are not a skilled seamstress this is fine.

They make guides to help you, and a rotary cutter may make this simple for you.

Cut a piece of black fabric that is the same size for the back.

Step 2:

Pin the 2 pieces of fabric together and leave and opening in the one end

this is much like how you would create a pillow leaving space for stuffing it

By doing this for the comforter you are leaving space to turn the comforter right side out, and then I like to put a finishing stitch around the whole thing to make it look very polished.

Step 3:

I am now going to create a couple of small pillows

 by using the same method I used for the comforter

I am going to literally hold the fabric where I want to see it

mark if off with little snips and then cut them.

I used the music note fabric in the back

and I'm going to use the black as the little pillow in front

Step 4:

When you sew the pillows together make sure the right sides are together

this means turn the music notes inside and stitch on the back

When you turn it inside out the notes will be on the outside

leave enough space on the side to turn it right side out, 

and for you to stuff them.

Step 5:

With a needle and thread you will hand stitch the opening closed

with a similar thread

You can use any kind of stitch you like

I just use a simple one that closes it.

And TADA You're done.

My Finished Operetta Music Inspired Bed

Operetta's Organ Piano

Being someone who is so musically inclined it is very important they she have every opportunity to create music in a way that would also make you think "Phantom of the Opera."  I decided to create a grand organ styled piano based on the evil one from Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas.

You Will Need:

Foam Board

Solid Red Scrapbook Paper

Left over red music pages paper from the walls

Left over red metallic paper

Left over stripe Paper from the bed

Glitter Black Paper

Solid black paper

Left over white music note paper

Hot Glue Gun

Hot glue

Ruler

Exacto Knife

Scissors

Printed to scale Piano Keyboard X2  

*I found that you can print them in the 4x4 page of pictures and its a perfect size*

(or you can draw one, but I'm not artistically inclinded)

Here is a good one

(This is the one I used)

Step 1:

To create the back, I start by cutting 9 strips that are 

14" long by 1" wide

Step 2:

I used my quilting ruler to create an angle on one side

since there are 9 I started at the middle one (which is the 5th)

and angled the ruler down and cut

Step 3:

To recreate this on the other side

I laid the already cut side down and traced the line

and then cut again with my awesome quilting ruler 

(Totally worth the extra $)

Step 4:

I really want to use this awesome glitter paper I found at Michaels

to create the back layer of the piano

Step 5:

I'm going to mimic cutting out the strips on this paper

but I am going to add about 1/2" to the #1, and #9 pieces

so that when they are all glued together

I can fold it over and create a finished look on the sides

I used labels 1-9 to keep each piece straight

(make sure you label yours how you understand)

(I labeled one set of mine backwards)

GO ME!

Step 6:

Because this paper is only 12" long I'm going to use a solid black

paper to cover the small bit at the bottom

this is not going to be seen

Step 7:

When all of the pieces are covered

start on one end and move toward the other

drawing a bead of hot glue and securing them together

in order

Do not worry about the bottom

you will not see it by the time we are done

Step 8:

We used this striped paper in the Operetta bed

and now I am going to continue to use it as a detail here

I'm going to cut the white part of the stripe only

because we are going to use this to create the look of pipes with it

And here you have your finished back piece of the organ piano

for Operetta!

Step 9:

I cut out a square of the foam to act as a base

I wanted it to feel like she was stepping up onto the stage

to play this large organ piano

Now to make the next layer I eyeballed it

I cut a piece of the foam board that was much smaller

than the piece in the back and then covered it with the red solid paper

I then secured the first piece to my stage

and then the second piece

because now you have sort of a layered look.

I'm going to cut small 1/4" strips of the sparkly black and follow the lines

created with the striped paper down

(If you are a smart crafter, I should have covered the base before attaching the pieces

I covered it in the music note paper found in the room and the armoire)

Step 10:

To create the 3rd tier of this piano I really wanted a different shape

I cut out a piece of the foam board that was wider and taller than the red piece

and then following the design of the inspiration, I cut down and met in the center

cover this again in the black sparkly paper and finish off the edges with the same

Step 11:

I am going to secure it to the base before adding the red strip detail

I wanted it to look like the red from the middle section continued down into the 3rd

these are also 1/4" strips

Step 12:

Now I'm going to cut out the pieces for the actual piano

I originally cut out these 4 pieces but only ended up using 3

Top: 7"x 2"

Sides: 4.5" x 2"

Step 13:

I am going to cut and cover both sides of the piano with the solid black paper

Step 14:

Using the 1/4" strips of the glittery black paper I am going to finish my

raw edges on the front side of the piano and then attach it to the backing

and to the base

Step 15:

This is about where I ultimately realized I should have covered the base 

before gluing the piano parts into place

because now I am fitting and cutting it to fit around what's already there

(took way longer than it should have)

Step 16:

With the 1/4" black sparkly paper I am going back over all of the

edges and making sure they look good

I also had this fun left over triangle piece which 

I attached over the top of the red

to add a little contrast

and another layer to the piano

Step 17:

To create the keys that you would find on an organ piano

I started at google Images

I posted above the picture that I used

and I found that in the printer settings if you use the 4 to a page

it created the right size keys for my piano

You could also draw them in, like Chad Alan did in his bed tutorial

but honestly I am not that artistic.

So in order to make an organ style piano

you need to have 2 separate keyboards

one of them is usually a little higher than the other

so to do this, I'm going to cut out a piece of the foam board

to glue under one of the keyboards

finish the edges with the 1/4" black sparkle paper

and then glue it in the back on top of the table piece

then I am going to glue the other keyboard

directly to the base

Step 18:

Now I want a little more depth on the keyboard

so I am going to cut these 1/2 pieces and then 1/4 pieces

2 of each

and completely cover them with the glitter paper

Then I will glue them together

And glue them to the base with the small side facing inward

AND TADA!

The main part of the Organ piano is done!

Step 19:

The stool!

To determine the measurements I literally

sat my doll on the side of the desk and used my ruler

the sizes I came up with were as follows

Top: 4" x 1.5"

Sides: 3" x 1.5"

Back: 3.5" x 2.75"

I started by covering the sides, and back with the solid

red paper used in the piano

For the top I'm going to cover mine in the red music sheet paper

that I used on the walls

I am going to glue the 2 side pieces to the back

and then glue the top on

to cover the rough edges I am going to use the same

stripes that I used on the piano and the bed.

To add a little fun detail I used one of the Clefts from the music note paper

And VOILA!

Operetta's Armoire

You will Need:

Foam Board
Exacto Knife
Ruler
Left over music note paper
Left over lined scrapbook paper
Left over shiny Red paper
Clear Straws
Wooden dowel rods
Beads
Something to use for Knobs
Music Note stickers (I found at JoAnns but have also seen at walmart)

I used these ones

Step 1:

I'm going to start by cutting the back

sides, top and bottom

Back: 13" x 5"

Sides: 5" x 2.3/8"

Top/Bottom: 13" x 2. 3/8"

Step 2:

Using the left over striped paper from the doll bed

I am going to cover both the inside and outside of all 5 pieces

making sure the stripe is running up and down

Because the striped paper only comes in 12" length

you will have to add a little bit to the bottom of these 3 pieces

but when we put in the drawer you won't even see it

Step 3:

I am going to attach the top and bottom first because they are going on the inside

and the sides are going to go on the outside

This is what the final piece will look like put together

Step 4:

Using the shiny red paper that we used in the bed I am

going to use the 1/4" strips to finish off all of the edges including ones

on the top and bottom, and the back

I covered the line where the paper meets on the back

with the fun red paper also

Step 4:

Cutting out another piece that is 5" x 2.3/8"

I'm going to cover it in the red paper and glue it into the closet

just above where the paper cut is

and finish the front the same way we did the closet

Step 5:

Now I'm going to create a drawer

using the foam board I'm going to cut out a bottom and 2 sides

I use the opening we just made with the shelf to measure the size I will need

(Sorry I didn't take exact measurements here I was too excited)

I glue the sides onto the bottom and try sliding it into the opening

and then shave it down as needed

To create the front and back I am just cutting pieces from the red

Metallic paper for it

This made it light weight but just as sturdy

but also allowed for added space

Once I cover them in the paper I'm going to slide it in to test!

YAY! Perfect fit

I really wish I would have been able to find fun little music themed buttons

that I could have used for pulls

You will need 3 total

So instead I rolled some of the red paper into a small cylinder

and then cut out small squares to make a knob.

Step 6:

Now we need some clothing bars for all of Operetta's pretty dresses

I'm going to use a wooden dowel measure it inside 

leaving a small amount of room for the bead

I'm going to paint these black, but you could do red

Step 7:

To create the doors I cut 2 pieces of the foam board

that are about 2.5" wide by a little less than 10" long

I am going to cover these pieces in the music note paper

and then create a little inlay with the red paper

on the front of each of the doors

I am going to create knobs

the same way I did for the drawer

And I am going to add these fun music note stickers to the red paper

which I purchased at JoAnn's 

Step 8:

To create the hinges I am going to use the clear straws

and the wooden dowels

Cut 2 straws into small little pieces and glue them onto the end of the doors

leave enough space in between each one

Using the door as a guide

I am going to glue more straw pieces 

onto the closet in the gaps that we left in the door

Slide a painted black dowel rod through the straws on the door and closet

weaving them to attach the door to the closet

apply a little bit of glue to the top and bottom of each dowel rod and straw

After applying a bead to the end of each of the small

dowels for the inside, and then attach them inside the closet

TADA!

A finished closet with doors that really work!

Operetta's Canopy

You will need:

A very small embroidery Hoop

Sheer Fabric of Choice

Hot Glue Gun

Hot Glue

Pliers

Paint & Brushes

1/8" black ribbon

Step 1:

These small embroidery hoops are great for all kinds of things

I am going to be using this small one to make a canopy

The first step is to paint it

I'm going to paint mine black

It took 2 coats of paint

Step 2:

Unscrew the hoop and pull the 2 pieces apart

we're going to be using the small hoop in the inside first

I'm going to mark little sections on the hoop itself

the purpose is to create an opening

and not have to get out the sewing machine

Step 3:

I'm going to start at one of the marks

and on the outside of the hoop

draw a line of glue and then bunch and press the sheer fabric into it

For this piece of fabric I'm going to carry it all the way to the half way mark and then

pull it slightly over to create an overlap

Step 4:

Now that half of the hoop is covered 

I'm going to take the other piece of sheer fabric

Overlap slightly and then continue back to the beginning

making sure to leave the opening in the front

Now I'm going to slide the larger hoop back over the inside one

using the pliers to hold it together long enough to tighten

the screw back on

Step 5:

I am going to use ribbon to attach it to the ceiling

so cut 4 equal lengths of 1/8" black ribbon

by gluing them to the outside of the hoop

(looking back you can probably put them on the inside before tightening the outside hoop down)

I'm going to tie a knot in 2 of the strands and then loop

the other 2 through it and tie again to make it an even knot

I attach it to the ceiling above the bed

with a cute little bow I made to hide the glue.

And now you have a canopy!

Operetta Room

So I'm sure several of you may have recently seen the Monster High House that I have been working on. However I made this amazing closet for Frankie Stein and realized it wouldn't fit in the room.  Instead of being extremely irritated, I literally decided to start over.... On the house.  Yes that sounds unbelievably crazy but that's exactly what I did. 

As you have seen above I have been referring to some of Chad Alan's amazing Monster High Doll Designs, so yet again I am going to take a page from the "Chad Alan" playbook and make stand alone rooms which my niece will be able to move around and display how she likes.  It will hopefully end up being the house SHE imagines, with the rooms I created.

So here goes..... Room #1

You will need:

Foam board 3 sheets (this time I got mine at the Dollar Tree where they are each $1)

Music Note scrapbooking paper

Red Music Sheet scrapbooking paper

The black and white stripe paper we used for the bed

3 12x12 tiles of black flooring (Home Depot .87 cents each)

Hot Glue Gun

Hot Glue

Scissors

Exacto knife

Step 1

I started by using some of the doll furniture I had.
Since my original issue was with the closet

I pulled out my Frankie Stein bed, and closet
 and laid them out in a pattern on the table

and over one of the pieces of foam board
so that I could start by marking how

big I needed the floor of the room to be.

My pieces ended up as follows

Floor:

Sides x2:

Back:

*The small left overs from the back and floor*

 *are what I am going to use for the top of the room*

Step 2:

I now have 4 pieces

I'm going to set aside the walls

and focus on the flooring.

I wanted this to be very realistic

Which is why I purchased the actual flooring

I'm going to start in the corner because it will use a full tile

I'm just going to lay them down as is and cut them

You can feel free to cut them into a pattern, or squares

Step #3

I am going to use this great Music note paper

which we used for the bed, and closet

and a red music sheet paper which I found at JoAnn's

Step 4:

I'm going to start by folding the music note paper in half

make sure you are keeping the notes straight up and down

I fold it back and forth to create a crease

and then I am going to cut along the line

The I am going to fold it over the 2 pieces again

in the same way back and forth and then cutting

each piece will be turned into 4 pieces

Step 5:

Now that I have 4 pieces

I am going to glue one stripe across the bottoms

of each of the wall pieces

I am going to leave a slight over hang on the pieces

that will be in the front so we can fold them over the sides at the end

which will create a nice finished look

This is what it will look like before adding the red paper

Step 6:

Taking the red paper

I am going to center it, also leaving an overlap in the same way

I'm going to cover the inside of each wall piece

with the red Music Sheet paper

Step 7:

Using the striped paper

the same that we've used everywhere else

I'm going to cut the strips and use them to cover the seem between

the red paper and the white paper

and make it look like a finished boarder

Step 8:

All of my pieces are done and ready to be assembled

I'm going to attach the sides first, and

I'm using the wall while I wait for the glue to dry

Then I will attach the back

Now I can go back and fold over and glue the overlapped sides

to make them look nice and finished from the front

Step 9:

I would like to apologize because I did not take good pictures here on how I made the ceiling

But I will be posting really good ones for Spectra's room which

will be available shortly

But to create them,

I used the left over pieces from cutting out 

the back and the bottom of the room

I'm going to glue them together and then cut it to a perfect fit

 and cover the inside

with the solid red paper

To finish the edges  I'm going to use the striped black paper

and glue it along all of the unfinished pieces

Step 10:

It's time to create some Operetta Fabulous art!

I pulled some pictures from the internet

and used them, and some of the left over fabric to create some

very unique art

perfect for this Musician!

I used these Pictures

And Here is what it looks like in the room!

Step 11:

Start filling in the room with furniture!

Here is the room with all of the furniture

And the art

And VOILA!

Operetta enjoying her new room!

For "Daddy O" Longlegs bed Please visit the petbed page!

I really hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

My Niece Brooklyne was too surprised for words!