I filled in the rest of the siding. Ran out of quarter-inch stock before reaching the roof trim, so I cut down some wider boards. The top row on the railing curve split along the uneven grain when I was trimming it to height :(
Hoping the railing top and stain will hide the gap.
Here is the siding stained, with the half-inch wide top railing glued on. I used two lengths of strip wood for the straight parts, then etched the shape of the curve on paper (like gravestone rubbings) and cut it from 1/16-inch stock. It overhangs the railing a bit on either side.
Railing top joints and edges sanded smooth, and stained. You can also see the paper templates drawn in Illustrator taped to the slider window to guide placement of the cross bars. I’m slacking on painting trim once again.
But, the rocks have been calling to me.
I’m using acrylic paint, matte gel medium and water for a second glaze of medium warms and one cool tone. I got into all the dry crack crevasses with color, so the “granite” veins will (hopefully) look organic.
Switching to water color, I painted the undersides of these laser-cut fern leaves. I think these will be for indoor plants, to help the air quality in the wood-fired warming hut interior. In the language of flowers, ferns bring magic, fascination, shelter and confidence. We could all enjoy more than a bit of those qualities.
nancyland.com 
Such progress! Thank you for sharing your methods & materials – inspiring as well as informative. Did you make the containers (pencil holders?) on your worktable? Very nice.
Yay progress (I was having a lull in work projects :)
And yes, the containers are recycled cans with various popsicle sticks glued on, then sanded and varnished. Sometimes a tiny clothespin added. It all started when I used to make structures for my family of mouse girls’ habitat. I have open cubby storage in my studio/office, so the similar cups help make thinks look tidy.
Wow, I love what you have done with this kit. I have been following for a while now and I am amazed at the progress you have made. This is phenomenal!! Thanks for sharing your process.
Thank you, MC! I took a peak at your site, and agree with the others that your mad search skillz have uncovered the full size inspiration for this kit. It’s *so* interesting and informative to see what everyone is doing with it.
I really like how the grey stain took to the siding. Very natural looking. I can’t wait to see the finished rocks.
Thanks, Kat. The excess glue that escaped my rigorous wiping and resisted the stain can be ascribed to all kinds of normal marine effects :)
I just love your Sea House!! Beautiful work!
Thank you. It seems we are kindred miniaturists in our inspirations :)
It’s looking great! So very modern and authentic, maybe something we’d see in Malibu. ;)
Bennie, thanks! Although… as a Northern California girl, I have to take exception to your SoCal reference ;)