dollhouse — Page 23

Miniature Paint Box

June 4, 2021 at 8:30 am by Claudia

Had to snap a picture this morning. These blooms last about three days and this is day two.

Gorgeous, aren’t they?

Wild roses, day lilies, yarrow – everything is suddenly in bloom. But it’s going to be stormy today. Then we head into 5 days of 90 degree weather. What?? This has been a crazy spring.

I meant to paint yesterday but I got diverted by an incredibly fiddly little project: making a small miniature from a kit. This particular kit is an artist’s paint box. A couple of hours and several curse words later, we have this:

The tubes of paint were a pain in the tush. I made some more, which are over on the bookcase.

A palette was included. Eventually I’ll add some blobs of paint.

There are also a couple of brushes made out of toothpicks which work for the moment. I’m going to search for more realistic mini paint brushes, though.

The easel is on its way from Denmark. I have some mini canvases to paint and stack in the room. I’ll add some mini art books, too.

I really love this little studio.

Stay safe,

Happy Friday.

Day Four Hundred Nine

April 26, 2021 at 9:59 am by Claudia

I’ll just get this out of the way: Best Actor and Best Actress should have been Chadwick Bozeman and Viola Davis.

I loved Nomadland. I wrote about how much I loved it here on this blog. And I am a huge fan of Frances McDormand. Everything she does is excellent. But I don’t think this particular performance was Oscar-worthy. Davis was brilliant. Take-your-breath-away brilliant.

I can’t speak to Anthony Hopkin’s performance, but I am absolutely sure it is excellent because…he’s Anthony Hopkins. But Chadwick Bozeman’s performance was incandescent. Stunning. Transformative. Heartbreaking in its brilliance. I don’t remember ever being that blown away by a performance and between my 40 year career in the theater and a lifetime of watching film, I’ve seen a lot of wonderful performances.

The ceremony itself? The less said about it, the better. They should have stuck with last year’s Virtual model, which was excellent. It either has to be grand and sparkling or, in the time of COVID, like the wonderful virtual show of 2020. Anything halfway in between doesn’t work. I would have much rather seen clips of the actors’ performances than hear a story about their first movie going experience. Anyway, I’m going on too long. The only reason we kept on watching is because we wanted to see the late, great Chadwick Bozeman’s win. Ah well.

Puzzle finished. Except for three missing pieces. So frustrating! Believe me, I didn’t lose them. When a piece falls to the floor, I know it because we have hardwood floors and I immediately pick it up. One missing piece? Possible. Three? Impossible. I really loved doing this gorgeous piece. It deserved better.

I finally started installing baseboard in the dollhouse. It’s tricky as the floors and walls are slightly wonky because it’s a rescue.

And I hung this oversize ‘ironstone’ platter above the AGA.

Today, I’m going to do a bit more clean-up work outside and tomorrow I’m going to buy some plants for my pots.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Day Four Hundred Six

April 23, 2021 at 9:31 am by Claudia

They’ve definitely moved in. At around 6 am, they emerged from inside the trailer – both of them – and sang. It was like a Disney movie in which the cottage door is flung open and the heroine sings. Back and forth, back and forth – they’ve been singing and flying in and out of the trailer for a few hours now. At first, we wondered if perhaps they were feeding babies, but then as it got lighter out, I saw nest-making materials in their beaks.

Christopher and Jenny are our new tenants. Chris and Jen, for short.

I’m endlessly fascinated with them.

I couldn’t resist sharing this rather blurry shot with you. One of them perched on the hubcap (is that still the name for it?) for about 10 minutes.

We’re so glad they chose our little trailer.

It was cold and windy yesterday and there was a frost warning overnight, but when I arose early this morning, I didn’t see any signs of frost. I think we dodged a bullet and I’m very grateful. We have warmer temperatures ahead, so I’m going to do a little raking this morning – the chicken wire fence gardens are full of leaves. Don is going to replace the chicken wire in a couple of days as it’s very, very rusty and looks terrible. Also, a little weed pulling is on the docket.

In a couple of days, I’ll trot off to the nursery and buy my porch and patio plants. I can’t wait!

I bought a turntable for the English Cottage, which will make it much easier to work on, as well as adjust for better photo lighting. I have three of them now; one for Hummingbird Cottage, one for the vintage dollhouse on top of the china cabinet in the den, and now, one for Dove Cottage. Turntables wouldn’t work with the big vintage dollhouse in the kitchen, or with the modern dollhouse. Nor with the Beacon Hill, if I ever get around to constructing it. It’s too big. Anyway, once I placed the dollhouse on the turntable, I wondered why I had waited so long to get one! When I want to secure it, I stick a Scrabble letter rack under it. It’s the perfect size.

Okay. Have to get a move on. It’s sunny, finally, and a good day to work outside!

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Miniature Paint Box

Day Four Hundred Nine

Day Four Hundred Six

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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