Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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A Recital

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Today, the warm up begins. I could hear a bird singing this morning. I know it’s way too early, but I have spring fever. So does Don. And so begins the next month or so, when I think everything I see and hear means spring is coming and then we get snow. Or ice.

Madeleine is preparing for her recital. (She’s a soprano.) Imogen is directing the whole thing. No information yet as to when it will take place, but we’re all looking forward to it.

More views of the living room in the English Cottage:

When decorating each of my dollhouses, I’ve been inspired by a special piece of furniture. With this cottage, it was the sofa, which I purchased during the early demolition stage. And the mustard colored cupboard, which I already had.

In Hummingbird Cottage, I was also inspired by the sofa.

And with Don’s studio, it was also the sofa.

I guess the sofa is key, just as in a real life house.

I made a lot of progress with the puzzle yesterday. I’ll take a picture of it today.

It’s supposed to reach 57 degrees tomorrow, so we’re going to take a drive in the afternoon. Maybe we’ll stop by an antique shop or a bookstore. We just need to give ourselves a mini-adventure so we don’t go crazy. A bit of fresh air and a different perspective – always important.

Also: Johnny Weir (commentator on Figure Skating) in his outfit yesterday, and Don, as Malvolio in Twelfth Night:

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Some Greenery

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One more day of extremely cold weather and things should start to improve around here. It can’t come soon enough!

I always envisioned a large potted plant in this corner and I’ve had my eye on this one for several months. It’s from TinyDollHouseNYC. Anyway, I finally ordered it on Saturday. It arrived yesterday. Since I’m so used to Etsy orders taking a long time to reach my mailbox (simply because of the geographic location) an order arriving that quickly was a shock. But then again, we’re not that far up the road from NYC.

It’s more beautiful than I had imagined it to be. Doesn’t it look great in that corner? The fronds are made from paper. It also picks up the green in the Strawberry Thief  fabric on the sofa – not that I thought of that when I ordered it. And unlike my houseplants, it doesn’t need watering! I’ll take a wider shot later today when I have more light in the studio.

I want a very narrow table for that spot under the painting and haven’t been able to find one yet. You know, a place to toss mail and keys, with a vase full of flowers. I’ll keep searching.

As I start to add the final details, I am so grateful for my IG followers that urged me to go back to the dump where I had seen this house on display and ignored it because ‘the last thing I need is another dollhouse,’ and GET THE HOUSE!!

They were right. For me, this experience has been the most challenging and creative of any of my dollhouses. I really disliked the house as it was. It was in terrible shape, as well. The porch and windows and window frames were missing. A sloppy glue job. There was much to undo and much to add back. This is the first time that I completely reimagined the exterior and interior of a house. Hummingbird Cottage’s exterior is basically the same as it was when I found it – windows were correctly repositioned, new shutters, new paint job – but that’s it – except for the addition of the roof garden. Don’s mini studio was a made from a kit and with that project I started to be a bit more creative. I added the board and batten look to the exterior, which completely changed the basic look of the house. So I guess it makes sense that I would go even further with this dump-dollhouse rescue. I added stones to the exterior. I got rid of the stairs and an interior wall as well. I passed on a bathroom this time and chose to make what would have been the bathroom the art studio. I was thinking outside the box and it was fun.

I’m really proud of what I’ve done on this one.

I’m also slightly overwhelmed by the enormity of the Beacon Hill project. It’s nearly time to start in on that behemoth. As Don and I say to each other on a regular basis:”The adventure continues!”

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

 

Some Details and a Valentine

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Happy Valentines Day.

It took me a while to realize it was Valentines Day. Once the coffee kicked in, I remembered. I hope you have a lovely day. I think our most important Valentine is ourself. So give yourself a Valentine treat today – a hug, a bubble bath, some chocolate, a nap, some cocoa, or just a little time to yourself – even if it’s five minutes.

The figurine was created by VintageByCrystal on Etsy.

It’s frigid today. We went from about 55 degrees on Saturday to snow on Sunday to wind chills of below zero today. By Wednesday, we’ll be back up in the 40s. It looks like we’ll stay that way until the end of February.

I’m working on a puzzle by the makers of the all the “World of…” puzzles I’ve been doing lately. This one is, surprisingly for me, The World of Dracula. I love it. I’ll share more when I have a bit more of it put together. The illustration is fabulous.

Are you tired of dollhouse photos? I hope not, because here are some more with some details about where I purchased some of these pieces:

I added a book and a cup of tea to the bedside table. The lamp is just a place marker until I find one I like – this one is from the Petite Princess line of minis from my childhood. (I have some bed pillows on order.) The teacup was a gift from Barbara, the book is from LandauHouse on Etsy (It’s an Agatha Christie.) The quilt was also a gift from Barbara and the handkerchief used as bed linen was a gift from Martha.

The wicker table was a purchase from the IGMA Show a couple of years ago; made by Uncle Ciggie’s Miniatures. I love it. The bed was made by TinyIronMiniatures on Etsy. Rug was found at the IGMA show.

Boots, boot tray, and umbrella stand. The lovely print is from MiniMyEye on Etsy – it’s called Les Muses. Boots are from miniatures(dot)com, tray from LavandeHouse on Etsy. The umbrella, walking cane, and umbrella stand were purchased through TinyDollHouseNYC. (Don gave me the umbrella stand as a gift.)

The teacup and saucer are from LavandeHouse on Etsy. Her creations appear everywhere in this house and in my very first dollhouse. The teapot is from TinyDollHouseNYC on Etsy. The chair was also purchased at TinyDollHouse – it was made by June Clinkscales and I cannot tell you how much I treasure it. June is a rockstar in the world of miniaturists. Sofa by my dear ArlettesMiniatures in England (on Etsy.) Rug is from TinyHomeGoods on Etsy. The table was also from Etsy. I copied the link for Don and he purchased it as a gift. So I can’t remember the shop’s name. Sorry.

Another view of the living room. I have to thrust my iPhone inside, point it, and hope it comes out.

Bookshelves. Most of the books, if not all, came from LandauHouse. I have more on order. The seashell is one I found on the beach. I can’t remember where I got the candlesticks – maybe from Barbara? The vase on the floor is from Maddie Gerig Shelly. I got it at the IGMA show. The stone piece on the shelf was a purchase made long ago at a dollhouse shop in Chautauqua. The clock was one of the miniatures Ben gave me at the end of filming. The shelves themselves were a custom order made by Cinen on Etsy. I love, love, love them.

Most of the plates are from TwelveTimesMoreTeeny and LavandeHouse on Etsy. The blue pitcher and matching plate were a gift from Barbara, as was the tin. The white bowls/cups were purchased in Paris – I thought they were egg cups but they’re out of scale, so now they’re dessert bowls. The butter crock is by Jane Graber – purchased on eBay, I believe. The domed cake plate was purchased at the IGMA show – it was made by Veronique Cornish who lives in England. The tiny egg cups were made VictoriaFasken on Etsy. The cupboard – one of my prized miniatures – was made by Bubba’s Miniatures, aka Barbara Vajnar, who has since retired, making this even more precious.

A closer look.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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