Progress on various (too many) projects

 Hi all. After a very stressful and tiring year so far, I am having a week off to work on my mini projects to get a few things done. I really want to get some projects ticked off this year (you know, as finished as my projects will ever be). So today I have been working on my 1:48 Nob Hill from Suzanne and Andrews Minis. No I haven't mentioned that one before.... I didn't intend buying it, but I adored it and have worked on it in spits and spurts. I am pretty close to completing the structure so will post some photos soon.

Also I worked on my French reno today. I 3d printed some balustrade I designed and cut my own staircase (it is basically just stacked layers of wood/MDF - although it probably looks a little fancier than it is). So I rearranged the rooms a bit. The stairs are now in the entry which was part of the shop. The kitchen is through that back door.

And a side view

The salon in progress:

The other wall of the salon with a French fireplace by Halls Miniature Clocks:

The shop truncated (this will be a sort of craft room):

And the upstairs stair hall with the salon to the right:

Not sure about the wall colour, but it will do.

Here is my new little buddy, a beautiful Jack Russell Terrier by Ewelina Hasnik, which I purchased at the online Kensington mini show. I loved her and wasn't sure so decided if she as still there next morning, it was meant to be. Well, she was still there, soooo.....

And I have finally fixed almost all the lights in my Duddingwells! With my husband's help. So here is the shop as it is. Lots of accessories needed obviously.

And the front, landscaping done:

And the sitting room:

Lots of accessories still needed. I couldn't get this room to work and then one day recently I decided to swap the sofa to the right and table and chairs to the left and I liked it. I have birds for the cage too.

And bedroom:

I have aged the table a bit, so now I need to right the lamp..... currently not a good look!

Teapot not staying. Lots of bits needed yet, but I like it.

And that's it for today. I will try to post again this week and show more progress. It's good to feel like I am getting somewhere. And like anything, starting is the hardest part. After that, it's much easier. Hope you are all well everyone, and getting some sunshine (or rain if you need it!). xx

Hi all. I haven't posted much this year, and for that I apologise. I will try to get myself organised and post some of the things I have been working on. For now, I wanted to post some pics of the interior of my Duddingwells.

Starting in the shop part, I don't know that much has changed, other than hooking up all the lights (even the ones I broke). I have cut parts for a display shelf over the left window and some trays for the goods inside the cabinet, but they all need finishing. I added a top to the counter as the way it was constructed, there was a very large lip around the edge of the top so nothing sat neatly on there. The one in the pic is just the cardboard stand-in.

Next is the sitting/living area. You can't tell from the photo, but the left wall look terrible as I buggered the wiring in the wall sconce. Anyways, I need something to cover the mess but not worked out what yet. It needs to be tall but not block sight lines. I bought the beautiful Cynthia Howe birdcage kit, but it is too large for the room. In fact, I have tried lots of options in here and nothing is working for me. Hence it will stay naked for a little longer.

Dining chairs need cushions:

A painting I did the old fashioned way (underpainting with a little glaze to add colour). It was my first real attempt at a proper mini painting, and I am pretty happy with it, and my painting teacher was pretty happy with it, so that is good enough for me (for now anyway). You can see it hanging about the sofa.

Lastly the bedroom. I love this space. Without a doubt a favourite of all the things I've done. looking at the photos, I think it needs a little something above the window.

The bed. I made everything except the throw. Well, I didn't make the bed; it is a painted and reupholstered Dollshouse Emporium one.

Hope you enjoyed looking at my photos. I will try not to leave it too long between posts next time. I am determined to get some projects 'finished' this year (you know, they always need little details added, or you find stuff at shows, but I mean largely finished with the structure complete and most of the furniture). I think I am making a little progress on that! Have a great week everyone. 

Lazy Sunday

Hello everyone. I am hoping to get a little more done on my minis today, but I still have to help my husband in the garden digging holes for a little bit (trying to get a little landscaping done after too many years of doing enough in the garden). 

The mini landscaping for Duddingwell's has progresseed a little. Some mosses and lichens and grass were added, as well as some gravel. Once done, I will add some more dirt/colour to the rocks. The trough has not been attached yet, as it is awaiting its water, plants, etc. I made some espaliered shrubs but they are all too wide. I will need to trim one back or make another I think, as I really want one on this build.

I have finished the initial part of painting the French Robert Dawson panels (with the exception of the doors). I will need to do a little touching up of the paint where I've slopped over the greens, marbling the skirting and fireplace and now debating over aging the whole thing. I quite like it as it is, but thinking that might change!

The photo wasn't good to start with, as the light was too low in my craft room, but you get the idea. 

And lastly, I have put together a few Lisa Engler kits. They are very easy and really cute - a great project for a tired weeknight in front of the TV! I included this photo as it is really good/clear/crisp as a bit of a test to see how it appears on my blog.....

Hmmmm, so far in draft form, it is not coming out well.  *sigh*

I am nearly finished with the prototype for my little French art nouveau shop. So I am hoping to get it laser cut in the next couple of weeks! When I have all the pieces cut from card and stuck together, I will post some pics so you will have an idea of how it is going to look. That will hopefully be by tonight. Enjoy your day everyone!

Nothing finished but some progress at least!

TDo you ever feel like you work and work and work and nothing ever gets finished? I suppose when you have lots of projects on the go at once, and then you keep changing your mind on things, then that's what happens.

So firstly some Mountfield updates. The bathroom isn't far off done. I still want a table or small cabinet for here (a wall that can't be seen in this pic) and some accessories, and contemplating trying to antique the tiles a little, but I think I am reasonably happy with it as it is.

The laundry still needs accessories, including a vintage washing machine. And I haven't quite figured out how I will age the tiles, but I definitely think they're too white.

And this is a clock kit that I made from a Cynthia Howe kit. It was super fine pieces and I actually broke a piece of the decoration, but managed to glue it back on so you can't tell. But it was crazy TINY!!!!

I am still playing with the kitchen a lot, rearranging accessories. Not sure that I am happy with it but I will keep playing!

And on Duddingwell's, I have done most of the paperclaying and started on landscaping. This is a real learning process for me. Not so much techniques, but just having the courage to start something and not worry about how it is going to look. I am trying to push my inner perfectionist aside. I keep telling her that if I don't like it, I will be able to fix it.

There is a little trough on a pile of rocks which I will fill with some water and a plant or two (and maybe fish?). I have since aged the stucco a little, painted the stones and pavers, started with bits of moss and grass and some gravel and dirt as well. I will need to get motivated to make lots of plants though. 

And lastly, some little pictures from the French shop. I have been looking over this with a critical eye of late and thinking about some little changes or additions. Here is a shot from the sewing room:

I used this soft air-dry clay on this house and it has yellowed over time. I do like aspects of it, but some parts, like the exterior, I'm not so sure about. So I am considering a few detail changes, but then I don't want to start from scratch, and I don't think this sort of clay is very changeable. Anyway, keep thinking.... Maybe some vines? Ivy? Cover up half of it with ivy would look good!

And here is a corner of the shop. Just trialling accessories for now. I do love how the red display table turned out, and my home-made boxes underneath. The thread cabinet is a Lisa Engler kit. I might've shown it previously?

Anyway, hope you enjoy your weekend. We have stunning weather, and I am itching to get back to my little houses! After the household chores of course.... Sigh....