miniatures — Page 79

Computer Screens, Groundhogs, Flowers & Miniatures

August 13, 2015 at 8:53 am by Claudia

Now there’s an interesting post title, don’t you think?

The rain we had on Tuesday was very heavy – I’d use the word torrential. The ground and gardens and trees got a very good soaking, indeed. Now it’s sunny and quite lovely out there.

As you know, lately I’ve been reading first thing in the morning. I’m getting so much more accomplished in terms of my personal reading and the reading I must do for review books. And I feel more centered and calm as I start my day.

I am going to get my eyes examined, however, because lately my eyes feel very strained after working on the computer. Making the adjustment from screen to distance to book to whatever is not so easy as it used to be. So I’ve been limiting my time on the computer even more. And that’s a good thing anyway, isn’t it?

I bet there’s a whole new category of eye strain that is centered around looking at a computer screen for hours.

8-13 henry

Look who I saw the other evening. Henry. Or Henrietta. He spent a long time dining on the grass. I must admit it was good to see him again. I’m sure he’s suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome, since all the youngsters have gone off on their own.

8-13 big zinnia

A particularly lovely and larger zinnia from the chicken wire fence garden.

Don, Stop Here!

I did some more work on the Top Secret Project yesterday afternoon.

8-13 TSP siding

One side of the building has been board and battened (is there such a phrase?) and painted. But I’m out of the basswood strips I’m using for the batten, so that means another trip to Michael’s. I haven’t even touched the inside of the studio yet.

Can I have a life-sized version of this, please?

Happy Thursday.

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Top Secret Project Update

August 10, 2015 at 9:12 am by Claudia

Despite my level of exhaustion yesterday, or maybe because of it, I needed a little creative distraction. So, when Don was away for a few hours, I went upstairs to my little lair and worked on the Top Secret Project.

It goes without saying (but I will): Don, stop reading this post!

I had this vision of a board and batten look on the studio, so I purchased some basswood strips at Michael’s. I thought I had purchased enough for the look I wanted, but when I went back through my photos from Chautauqua, I realized that the battens were about a foot apart on most of the cottages, much closer together than I had originally planned. Since I’m working in 1:12 scale, that means the battens are an inch apart.

So I didn’t buy enough. But no matter, I can get started, right?

8-10 TSP wood pieces

I started with the front of the studio, since the battens here only need to reach the height of the windows and I had enough wood on hand to execute the look. Then I painted. Two coats.

8-10 TSP board&batten 1

I’m really happy with it. I started on this when Don was still here – with strict orders not to come upstairs – and I had to stop myself from asking him to come upstairs and “see what I’ve done!” I usually share the ongoing steps of these projects with him and now I can’t. But I can share them with you.

8-10 TSP board&batten 2

I had to close the sliding door. We do live in the country after all – a little critter might decide to visit.

What do you think?

We watched Strangers on a Train last night, one of my favorite Hitchcock movies. Perfect.

The obligatory flower photo:

8-10 zinnias

Cheery zinnias.

New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page – it’s a review of The Cairo Affair by Olen Steinhauer.

Happy Monday.

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Knock, Knock

August 8, 2015 at 9:36 am by Claudia

8-8 daylily

These day lilies in the side garden just keep blooming and blooming. They have a much longer bloom time than other day lilies on the property. And the plants have become very tall! It all makes for a strikingly sculptural look.

Lest you think I have been ignoring Hummingbird Cottage, let me assure you that I tweak it now and again. Yesterday, I was sorting through a bag of minis that someone had given me and I found a door knocker. (The sorting was happening because I have stuff stashed all over the house and it’s driving me crazy. Oh, for a separate room that is just for me! I can’t tell you how happy that would make me.)

Anyway. Upon discovering the door knocker, I thought that Caroline would appreciate it.

8-8 brassdoorknocker

But it was brass. I see that a lot in dollhouse miniatures, just as a lot of the wood furniture has a darkish finish, neither of which appeals to me all that much. So I got out some metallic silver paint.

8-8 silverdoorknocker

Much better.

8-8 knockerwbrassknob

Wait a minute. The doorknob is a brass jewelry fitting. And the knocker needs to be straightened a bit.

8-8 allfixed

A dab of paint and there you go.

This was just a little task to keep me occupied while I watched Scout like a hawk during the day. Over the past couple of years, Scout has suffered from seizures. They happen rarely, but they happen. And when they happen, our poor girl suffers and we are terrified. Our vet assures us that they are nothing to be unduly alarmed about, they’re part of being a very elderly dog. As they happen rarely, there is no sense medicating her. It’s been several months since one occurred. Yesterday, while Don was away in the city, she had another seizure – this time while she was outside.

When the seizure was over and I was able to get her back in the house, I settled her on the rug, called Don, and then proceeded to stay very close to her the rest of the day. By mid-afternoon, she was up and walking around and drinking a lot of water. By early evening, her appetite had returned and she was fine.

There are all sorts of changes due to her advanced age, but I don’t talk about them very much. I’m protective about that information, just as I was about my mother’s slow decline.

We simply adjust to each change and do everything we can to make her life as easy as possible.

Happy Saturday.

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Computer Screens, Groundhogs, Flowers & Miniatures

Top Secret Project Update

Knock, Knock

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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