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You are here: Home / Archives for dollhouse

She’s Strangely Competitive

September 15, 2015 at 9:05 am by Claudia

It was bound to happen.

Upon reading yesterday’s post, Caroline had a request. She wanted some ‘As Is’ photos of her  house. Pronto.

No matter that I wasn’t feeling well, that I was constantly blowing my nose and sucking on lozenges. She would not be deterred. Finally, simply to put an end to constant chatter coming from Hummingbird Cottage, I got out the camera.

Here you go. Caroline’s house. As Is.

9-15 dh livingroom

9-15 dh ottoman

9-15 dh porch

9-15 dh bedroom

9-15 dh fireplace

9-15 dh studio

9-15 dh coffeetable

9-15 dh kitchen

9-15 dh parrish

Actually, Caroline and I had a couple of spats yesterday. I was under the weather, tired, and not very patient. She was in a strangely argumentative mood.

The first was over Maxfield Parrish. She said, and rightly, that she had her very own Maxfield Parrish print before I did. I agreed. However, I had to remind her that without my long-held love of Parrish’s work, she wouldn’t have known about him. I was the one who suggested Parrish to her. I told her all about his work as a painter and illustrator. Consequently, she grew to love his work. Since Caroline had more money in the bank than I did at the time, she bought the print and I hung it for her.

The second was over the watermark on my photos. She thought that it should read: Hummingbird Cottage. I explained that the watermark has less to do with the subject matter of the photos, i.e., her cottage, than with the blog itself. She pressed further. No, I said, the watermark has to do with the name of the blog (and the photographer), not the name of your house. And yes, the name of the blog is the same as the name of my house.

As you can imagine, this got Caroline thinking about creating her own blog. Have at it, I said. But when she realized how much work was involved in maintaining a blog, she backed off. She’s far too busy for that, she said.

Crisis averted.

• On another note, if you followed the wildly popular blog, Young House Love (they stopped blogging just about a year ago,) you might be interested in this podcast interview with them. I listened to it yesterday. It’s about an hour long, but if you have the time, I think you’ll enjoy it. Much is said about the quality of life, where blogging leaves off and real life begins, and the sometimes frustrating exercise of trying to please a demanding blog readership. They are admirable people.

New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: dollhouse, miniatures 37 Comments

Midweek Check-in

September 9, 2015 at 8:57 am by Claudia

Two new tires on old car. Check.

Inspection on newer car to be done today. Almost check.

Dollhouse photos submitted to British magazine. Check.

Two nights in a row of too little sleep. Check.

9-9 funkypatio

But it’s sunny and beautiful outside and the flowers are still blooming. I miss seeing birds in the birdbath. Every year about mid-August, I notice the lack of activity out there and it makes me sad. I get such pleasure from watching them frolic in the water. I feel like a mom whose kids have left the nest. Come back, little birds! (It should be the title of a play.)

9-9 roses

The Lady Elsie May roses are doing well. I cut them back severely this spring. There were so many dead canes that the whole bush needed a haircut. Now, I have to decide what to do about its neighbor – the Julia Child rose. It had leaves this year, but no rosebuds. Do I get rid of it? Or do I give it one last chance with a haircut?

9-9 journalfromtammy

I’ve been the lucky recipient of a couple of gifts lately. Tammy, one of my longtime blogging friends who lives in Kuwait, sent me this beautiful journal that she made, along with a crocheted heart. Isn’t it lovely?

Thank you, Tammy!

And Barbara sent some goodies for the Top Secret Project. DON: Stop here!

9-9 minibaseballcards

Some teeny-tiny baseball cards from L. Delaney.

9-9 miniabbeyroad

And a mini record album, complete with record – Abbey Road, of course. Barbara must have read my mind. I’m going to have a turntable in the studio, along with a record album collection. This Beatles album is the perfect start. As you know, Don is a huge Beatles fan.

The album is also by L. Delaney. I’ve ordered from her before and she has a wonderful Etsy shop.

Thank you, Barbara!

By the way, the article about the dollhouse will most likely be in the January issue. I’ll let you know more about it in a few months.

Happy Wednesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: dollhouse, flowers, garden, gifts, miniatures 24 Comments

Still: Blooming, Dealing with Cars, and Taking Dollhouse Photos

September 8, 2015 at 8:36 am by Claudia

The saga of the dollhouse photos continues. Today is the deadline, so whatever I’ve come up with will have to do, I guess. When I look at all the photos, including many close-ups, I’m struck by how many things I would do differently, that don’t look professionally finished.

The crop tool is a wonderful invention, isn’t it? I’ve sure been appreciating it lately.

I’ll be sorting through them this morning and then sending them on to the editor of the magazine.

Fingers crossed.

9-8 purplephlox

The phlox is still going strong. Not only does it smell heavenly, it’s a real workhorse in the garden. And it self-seeds!

9-8 whitephlox

I have to go into NYC on Thursday and on another day (can’t remember the date) next week. I’m helping an old friend with a new project he’s producing, which is a one-man show about C. S. Lewis. Thank goodness for old friends who extend an offer for some work! Normally, I would be in Hartford right now working on Shakespeare, as early fall is its usual slot in the season. But this year, it’s not scheduled to start rehearsals until right after Christmas because the theater is being renovated. Totally understandable.

First of all, that means I have to be in Hartford in the winter. Yuck. But more importantly, I’m missing out on badly needed income that I’ve come to count on at this time of year and that’s been stressful.

Ah well. That’ll teach me!

So, my friend’s offer of two days of work is very welcome indeed. And I haven’t been in the city for a while…I’d say I’ll get a cupcake when I’m there, but I’m on a diet. Hopefully, there will not be a Magnolia Bakery nearby to tempt me with its scrumptiousness.

9-8 hollyhock

This shot of a hollyhock turned out to be rather Impressionistic in style. The hollyhock is also still blooming.

The newish car has to be inspected this week. The oldish car needs to get two new tires, and then I can renew the registration.

Hopefully, that will be the end of the car chronicles for a while.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

Filed Under: dollhouse, flowers, garden. grass, photography, theater 38 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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