Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Day One Hundred Seventeen

July 8, 2020 at 9:37 am by Claudia

Both Don and I were in dark moods yesterday. Funny how that happens – sort of retreating from each other and the world, yet obsessed by the news. That’s where we were. We talked about it later in the day and gave ourselves permission to feel down, to feel rage, to feel worried. (We should always be kind to ourselves, especially during such tumultuous times.)

We’re better for talking it through because we helped each other put into words what we were wrestling with during the course of the day and there’s comfort in knowing you’re not alone. We’re much better today.

Though it is gray and oppressive out there and if the weather forecast (and this time, the radar) are to believed we may get some severe storms this morning and afternoon. Even though it’s only supposed to reach the low eighties, there’s a heat advisory because there’s so much humidity out there. So I’d better stay in. I’d planned on doing a little garden cleanup but that can wait a couple of days.

In the middle of the day yesterday, I went upstairs to the office and finished my furniture kit. It’s a little too big for the Folk Art Dollhouse, though I could probably make it work. But it’s perfect for the bedroom of Dove Cottage.

There’s hardware included, but I don’t particularly like it so I will probably order something else.

These kits are fun to put together – sometimes frustrating as well! But I’m happy with this one. I think I’ll finish it in some sort of pine stain. I don’t want layers of paint because the drawers will be hard to close. A thin layer of stain will do the trick. Of course, I don’t have that on hand and money is tight, so this will go on my ‘wish list.’ I’m going to re-glue and clamp the upper left edge. I think the inserts are causing it to lift. I did that with the opposite edge and it worked.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: dollhouse, life, miniatures, social distancing 36 Comments

Day One Hundred Twelve

July 3, 2020 at 9:30 am by Claudia

I’ve thought each of the last four days was Friday and now it’s truly Friday.

Lots of rain and storms headed our way today. Don is currently out running errands. He’s picking up some hair clippers we ordered so I can cut his hair today, as well as stopping to get some produce. Exciting, right? (These days this kind of thing is  exciting.)

I did a lot of work on the dollhouse yesterday, finishing one of the side walls:

One more side to go. I also have to ‘grout’ the blocks of stone and seal the whole thing. I like the way it’s turning out. It all depends on my attitude. If I’m not as patient as I would like to be, it seems to take forever. Yesterday, I was calm and patient and it flowed beautifully. But it is tedious, nonetheless.

This arrived yesterday for the kitchen:

It’s the same as the one in Hummingbird Cottage, but in green. I’ve been visualizing this stove on the same wall as the mustard-colored Welsh dresser. This little cottage will have plenty of color. I’m going for a slightly cluttered and cozy cottage, the kind the British do so well.

Today is my sister Meredith’s birthday. I am forever grateful for her presence in my life. She is an extraordinary person and I love her with all my heart. Happy Birthday, Mere!

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: dollhouse, Meredith, miniatures 26 Comments

Day One Hundred Nine

June 30, 2020 at 10:03 am by Claudia

It took over three hours to make, paint, and glue this section of the dollhouse. The stones are necessary for the look of the house but tedious in the making! Anyway, I couldn’t get to it yesterday, but I’m going to do some work today.

Doing that video of Hummingbird Cottage helped to motivate me. Through rediscovering that house, I remembered how much I love renovating a discarded and badly constructed dollhouse and I’m excited about the process once again. But I have to finish the stone work before I can move on to the fun stuff inside.

Hummingbird Cottage was a real learning experience and there is much I would do differently if I could do it again: narrower and less bulky baseboards and trim (I made those improvements when I made Don’s studio;) a different method of installing wallpaper, especially on an old, used dollhouse with uneven wall texture; that kind of thing. I learn something new every time I work on one of these structures and I have much, much more to learn. But I was taught a valuable lesson many years ago when I was a beginning quilter. I took an introductory class and my teacher made a comment that stuck with me: “You have an issue with perfection, don’t you?”

Bingo. She was right. I didn’t like to make mistakes. I didn’t like to be wrong. I wanted everything to be perfect. Some of that is just me. Some is due to control issues from being the Adult Child of an Alcoholic. That kind of insistence on perfection needs a big dash of humility. Otherwise, it’s a recipe for taking any joy out of the process. I still struggle with these issues and probably always will to some degree, but what I love about any creative endeavor is the process. And if I love the process, I’d darned well better cut myself some slack so that I can enjoy it. I thank that teacher to this day for what was the perfect observation at the perfect time.

So my quilts are beautiful, but I can show you exactly where the imperfections are and I’m fine with that. Same with the dollhouses. I remember as a kid wanting to cut and run if something I was learning seemed like it was going to be too difficult for me. That’s a very strong memory. I’m glad I’ve moved beyond that.

Don’s appointment went well yesterday – no pain, lots of rinsing, and he’s doing well. I’m glad I drove him there and back. He took it easy for the rest of the day and now – of course – he’s eager to get back to his trails and his hoe.

We had huge thunderstorms throughout the afternoon; big, loud, and wonderful. It looks like more are coming this afternoon and every afternoon except for Thursday. Big summer weather.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: dollhouse, Don, miniatures 24 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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