Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for dollhouse

With Deep Sympathy

September 23, 2011 at 11:29 am by Claudia

I have to take a moment to write about loss. Sometimes I am hit with news that stops me in my tracks. That happened this week when I read the latest post by my blogging friend, Jayne. Jayne is a talented miniaturist who has the most generous of hearts. You’ve seen one of Jayne’s creations quite often on this blog.

Jayne created the lovely statue with flowers on the right.

What you might not know is that Jayne sent me a wonderful package with all sorts of miniatures, including this statue, simply because she likes giving to others and I was new to the dollhouse world – because her heart is a giving one.

Jayne and her husband, Mick, are British and live in California. They bought a home last year and had been working on it together.  Last week, Mick suddenly died of a heart attack at the age of 51. He was on his way home on his motorcycle. Jayne wrote eloquently about Mick and shared with us what a wonderful and kind man he was.

My heart breaks for Jayne and her family. I am not writing this in order for you to go to her post and leave a comment. I’m writing this because Jayne is part of my blogging life and has touched my heart with her kindness in the past. I have shown that statue in many photos over the past week. To show it and not acknowledge the heartbreak and loss this lovely woman is going through feels wrong.

We can be here one day and gone the next. Life is precious beyond belief. As Jayne says so movingly in her post, “tell your family you love them each time you are saying goodbye.”

Dear Jayne, may you be enveloped in the love of your family and friends and may peace and healing find their way to your heart.

Filed Under: dollhouse, Fellow bloggers, miniatures 28 Comments

A Diamond In The Rough – The Dollhouse

September 20, 2011 at 10:24 am by Claudia

I painted the dollhouse porch floor. Since the surface was already rough (remember, this is a used dollhouse) I thought this diamond pattern might end up looking like a painted stone floor. At the very least, it adds interest and a wee bit of character.

Now I must work on the inside. I’m not sure where to start, so much has to be done.

My mantra: Just a little bit, every day.

Filed Under: dollhouse 30 Comments

A New Door (For The Dollhouse)

September 18, 2011 at 8:47 am by Claudia

What do you think?

I don’t have a good photo of the original door, but it was boring and too narrow and wouldn’t stay shut. I’ve had this one for quite a while but since it was wider and taller, I knew changing the door would involve measuring and sawing. In a teeny tiny space. My friend Casey generously sent me instructions several months ago. I kept putting it off.

Saturday, I woke up and was ready to tackle the changeover. Maybe the crisp fall air helped?

First I had to pry off the old door and it didn’t come out without a fight. Let’s just say I’ve worked my arm muscles, whatever they’re called…biceps?  Then I marked where the cuts needed to be, but sawing through particleboard isn’t easy! Every time I thought I had made the opening big enough, I discovered it wasn’t quite right. I sawed, I sanded, I sawed again. A long time and piles of sawdust later, the door finally fit. A few coats of paint and the new door is in.

I used a bead for the doorknob. I’m thinking of painting the porch floor in a diamond design: gray and white.

Shot in the late afternoon sun.

When I look inside the dollhouse, I am overwhelmed by all that needs to be done. But there’s no timetable except the one in my head. The fun is in the doing.

Why this photo of my legs and little Scout’s ear?

Flannel pajamas! Yes, I broke them out last night because it’s been downright nippy here and I refuse to use the heat this early in September.

As those of you who are longtime readers of this blog know, I am happiest when in my flannel pajamas. When not forced to don clothes and work for a living, I am fully capable of staying in them all day. In the winter, as soon as I get home from work, on they go.

Sigh.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: dollhouse 33 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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