3Quarter Lane is a series of 12 buildings, each one a charming addition to your own miniature village. The buildings come packaged flat with pre-cut chipboard and patterned paper pieces ready for you to assemble and create your own miniature village. True to the 3Quarter Designs brand, these kits give you three quarters — the basics — and you can expand on them using other items from your stash.
Part 8 — Once Upon a Time Book Shop is the most enchanting stop on 3Quarter Lane. This storybook-inspired building features an aged script and botanical paper facade, an ornate decorative chipboard gable, a circular porthole window, arched windows dressed with potted plants, a verandah with lattice railing, and a grand shopfront awning reading "Once upon a time...". Out front you'll find a green armchair, stacked books, a pedestal book stand, and a succulent — the perfect reading nook. The side walls tell their own story: one reads "Once upon a time" framed in florals, the other "And they lived Happily Ever After". The rear wall features a dramatic dark arched bookshelf window filled with rows of miniature books. But the real magic? Lift the building off its base to reveal a hidden mini album — with a stunning burgundy floral book spine cover, pink peonies, aged French script journaling pages, and a tiny companion Once Upon a Time mini album. Finished store is 9cm wide by 11cm tall by 7cm deep. Each base board has a jigsaw-type shape so they connect together — but if you're not doing the whole series, you can also cut this off to have a stand-alone piece.
This Kit Contains
Pre-cut Chipboard Pieces for the building, floor/base, and windows
Matching Laser/Die-cut embellishments and papers ready to assemble
3 printed A4 sheets that can be used for a mini album, cards, or other decorating
White scored paper strips for assembly
Chipboard & matching paper jigsaw piece floor
Make It Your Own
This is where the fun begins! Here are some ideas to take your Once Upon a Time Book Shop to the next level:
Use the included A4 papers to create the hidden mini album — fill it with journaling, photos, or favourite quotes
Add tiny book die-cuts or miniature title spines to the rear bookshelf window
Use glossy gel pen or Wink of Stella on the porthole window frame for a magical shimmer
Tuck a tiny dried flower or sprig into the potted plant die-cuts on the verandah
Ink or distress the aged script walls for an even more vintage, worn feel
Add a tiny fairy light string along the verandah railing for a warm glow effect
How to Assemble
New to 3Quarter Lane? Watch the assembly video on YouTube — filmed using the Over the Teacups kit but the process is the same for all 12 buildings.
Complete the Full Set
Want to build the entire village? Grab the 3Quarter Lane Village bundle — all 12 buildings for just $300 (save $96).
