Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Socks, Puzzles, and Miniatures

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Warning: If you’re offended by cuss words, I’m giving you a heads up. (I’m not, and I have a salty tongue that is in use regularly, just not on the blog.)

As you know, I was very down yesterday and I felt that way all day long. I feel much better today. I got a good night’s sleep, it’s a beautiful and cool fall morning and my back is a wee bit better. Don was out running errands. When he returned he came into the den with a gift bag.

In it was a card with a lovely note from him, a Cavallini jigsaw puzzle (theme: houseplants,) and a pair of socks that made me laugh out loud.

I’m in love.

It’s as if they were made for me – and every other avid reader in the world.

It was just what I needed, that belly laugh.

I was supposed to coach today, but the stage manager asked if I could do it next Wednesday instead. So I get a bit of a breather and that means I can rest my back. I find that when I’m sitting in my chair while zoom coaching, I often sit forward in the chair and my back tenses up. I’m not even aware of it until I start to feel pain.

Today? Reading. Maybe with my new socks on. Dressing a couple of dolls. Crocheting a hat.

I managed to wash the sheets yesterday but I needed Don’s help putting them on the bed. After a few skirmishes, we successfully completed our task and we had fresh bedding last night.

It’s the little things.

We’re entering the season where a new Michael Connelly and a new Louise Penny are published. I can’t wait. I need to buckle down, let go of all of the things that take my attention away, and read. Don’t get me wrong, I am reading, but I’m not reading in big chunks and that isn’t satisfying. Today, I hope to do that.

And I’m eyeing the next doll house project. Speaking of miniatures, the IGMA show is in a week. It’s just outside of Hartford. I’m wondering if I will go or not. I’d like to. I was reading the program this morning and I was so saddened to read that Barbara Vajnar passed away in July. I’ve mentioned her several times on this blog because I have a few pieces of her furniture. She retired a couple of years ago.

She made this:

And this:

Her work was exquisite. When she announced her retirement, she put her pieces up for sale on eBay, a few at a time. Most of them went for far more than I could afford, but I did manage to snag this corner cupboard. It will go in the Beacon Hill.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Barbara and her husband as I dithered about buying the mustard colored cupboard. They were endlessly patient and kind.

Rest in Peace, Barbara.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Where to Put the Table?

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I’ve been “miniature thinking.” When I purchased that incredible Arts & Crafts style table at the IGMA show, my thoughts went immediately to the antique dollhouse. It seemed like it might be the ideal fit for such a piece, mainly because of this:

The fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases. This is exactly like the fireplace/bookcase combo we had in our Craftsman bungalow rental in San Diego. The only thing missing is the glass doors on the bookcases. It even matches the fir used on all the woodwork in that house.

By the way, I had to retake this photo this morning because I had placed the painting upside down.

So, late in the day yesterday, I climbed up on the ottoman and turned the house around. It sits on top of the china cabinet in the den. I think I found a good place for the table.

Isn’t it perfect there? I really love it. It’s a keeper.

When Don came downstairs, I called him over and asked his opinion. He loves it. (Honestly, I couldn’t have a more dollhouse/miniature-supportive husband.) He suggested a lamp for the living room as well as turning the dollhouse around so we can see into the rooms. I took him up on his suggestion. I do this periodically with Hummingbird Cottage, as well. It’s most often turned with the exterior facing outward, but every once in a while I turn it around so I can see all the details.

The next hour was spent with various camera lenses and settings, playing with finding the best way to photograph the rooms. It’s very tricky, but fun. You just have to be in the mood.

This wallpaper is temporary. I cut it quickly and I attached it with tacky wax. I may go for something a bit more permanent. I’ve also briefly considered painting the walls. But that seems too rash. I don’t want to lose the natural wood used by the maker of this house.

However, I am entirely capable of cutting the wallpaper a bit more accurately and maybe even using some in the other rooms, though the bedroom is almost inaccessible. I’ll have to play with that.

The more I work with this house, the more I fall in love with it. It’s so charming. You know, I brought it to the counter at the antique shop without really seeing the fireplace and bookshelves. I just knew I wanted it. When I took it out to the car and looked more closely, I gasped. What a bonus!

Imagine all the loving care that went into this little abode.

Once, I accidentally dropped something down the chimney top on the roof. Believe me, the opening goes clear down to the hearth. Amazing.

I did a lot of work around the life-sized house yesterday, which I find helps me in battling anxiety. If I have a chore to focus on, I don’t have any symptoms. So today might involve a little mowing and/or work on the rescued dollhouse that is sitting in my office/workroom/studio (I never know what the heck to call it.)

Happy Wednesday.

 

The IGMA Show

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Hello! I’m back from the IGMA show and want to share some of it with you.

But first, I think I wasn’t clear when I spoke about Don saying he would go with me. That was in reference to the November show in Philadelphia, not yesterday’s show. Don had to be in the city yesterday. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I went on my own. It takes 2½ hours to get there, as it’s actually north of Hartford. And I stopped at Trader Joe’s on the way back to grab a bouquet of flowers and something to eat. So it was a long day, but a good one.

The show was great. Some of my favorite vendors were missing, but there was plenty to see. It’s rather overwhelming when you first get there, so I take a 1st stab at seeing all the booths, then I go back and look more closely. And then a third time, to narrow down what I want to purchase.

I ran into 3 readers of this blog, which was absolutely lovely! First, Barbara and Janet, sisters who read the blog and who love dollhouses and miniatures. As I was looking at something or other, I heard “Claudia?” and it was Barbara, who had left a comment on the blog saying they would be there yesterday morning. We had a great chat and I so enjoyed talking to them; seeing photos of their dollhouses and their adorable dogs, talking about travel, and taking their picture.

Then, later, as I was walking around I heard another “Claudia?” I looked up and there was another Barbara, this time from NJ, who reads the blog, as well. We had a chance to chat a bit, though I was remiss in taking a picture. Sorry! Barbara, it was so nice to meet you and your friend. Thank you for reading the blog!

(Insecurity: I always worry that the “reality” of me will be disappointing to those blog readers that I actually meet. Hopefully, that’s not the case. I’m not fishing for a compliment, just being honest.)

Anyway, on with the show. I didn’t get as many photos as I would like, but here are a few.

Bubba’s Country Cupboards. I purchased that mustard-colored hutch from them last year. Their work is impeccable. Such incredible detail.

More from Bubba’s.

Hand turned wooden bowls, among many other gorgeous pieces, by Bill Studebaker of Studebaker Miniatures. Some of the woods he uses are exotic and gorgeous. Incredible work.

Some amazing miniatures from Tiny Doll House in New York City. They are located on the Upper East Side. I’ve been there once, but it was several years ago, and they’ve recently remodeled. Their display was fantastic and full of handmade originals by well-known miniaturists and many of the items were quite pricey. But, in the larger picture, I can see why. I see things there that I don’t see anywhere else. Check out the Alice and Wonderland table, the little theaters (do you know how much I wanted one?) the amazing handmade pottery.

This miniature set of a Clarice Cliff-inspired teapot, sugar, creamer, and plates had me salivating. You don’t want to know the price. I had a nice chat with one of the proprietors and am now going to make sure I get there sometime this fall.

Also part of the display by Tiny Doll House, this fireplace and urns – handmade in England. Oh my heavens. The chair on the right is extraordinary. It rocks back and forth.

More from Tiny Doll House: Some of these pieces are by Paris Renfroe, a well-known miniaturist who works in a modern style. I find this inspiring, as I’m now thinking of adding a fireplace to my modern dollhouse.

Just stop. These are so adorable.

There were so many miniaturists there and such excellence everywhere I turned. It’s an honor to see it all. I was there about two hours and then I headed home with my purchases.

Do you want to see them? I made them with my current projects in mind.

This Arts and Crafts/Craftsman table was made by Keenderson Miniatures. I was much taken with their work last year and regretted the fact that I didn’t buy a piece then and there. So I was happy to see Glen’s booth.  Glen lives in Canada and we talked a lot about Craftsman style houses, which are rare in that country. You remember that Don and I lived in a Craftsman bungalow in San Diego.

Isn’t this amazing? I can see it in either my little rescued dollhouse or in the antique dollhouse that’s in the den.

This covered cheese plate was made in England by Veronique Cornish. I found it in The Little Dollhouse Company booth. They are a well-known shop in Toronto. I can see this on the counter in my former-dump-rescue-soon-to-be-English-cottage.

Also from the same booth:

Two pastel bowls and two Christmas tree toppers. I’m thrilled about the toppers because my past efforts to fashion one on my own were a dismal failure.

From McBay Miniatures:

For my English cottage – this beautiful piece. How could I resist sheep?

And two larger-sized rugs, which are hard to find.

I love them.

And finally, from Maddie Gerig Shelly –

This gorgeous piece. You may recall that I bought a modern vase from her last year. I was quite taken with her work. She is the niece of the great miniature pottery artisan, Janet Graber. Janet wasn’t here this year as she is preparing for a show of her pottery.

This will go in the modern dollhouse.

There are plenty of things that I buy and make for my dollhouses that are inexpensive and do the trick. But I do like to collect the works of true artisans, as well. Having a signed piece with a story just adds another layer to the work. And you know I like stories!

There you go. A long post, but I hope an interesting one.

Happy Sunday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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