Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for miniatures

Zinnias, Goldfinches and a Question or Two

August 5, 2012 at 9:23 am by Claudia

 

My first zinnia has bloomed. Yes, I know it’s a bit late but I seem to forget to put the seeds in the ground until late in the spring. I also planted some sunflower seeds. However, the plants that are coming up look suspiciously like the purple hyacinth bean vine that I planted in pots by the entrance to the dog corral.

I seem to have a problem with sunflowers.

Last year, a blogging friend sent me some giant sunflower seeds, which I excitedly planted. Whatever it was that came up was scrawny and I never saw a giant sunflower. Okay. So this year, I bought my own seeds and planted them. Something is coming up that bears no resemblance to the photo on the seed packet. In fact, yesterday I pulled out the seed packet (which I had saved in a drawer) to make sure that I had actually planted the seeds. I did. So what gives?

 

On another note: I caught a glimpse of this little goldfinch, who turned out to have a mate, flitting among the weeds on the edge of the property. I shot this through the mesh of the kitchen window screen, so it’s a bit fuzzy. He’d jump from flower to flower, sometimes hanging upside down. It was like watching a gymnastics competition.

Which brings me to a question I have about birds. In the last week or so, I no longer see birds at the birdbath. There was so much activity earlier in the summer and now….none. All of the rain and bird activity had dirtied up the birdbath, so I cleaned it out thoroughly, thinking that might be keeping them away. Still no birds. It’s so hot right now, I would think they’d be using the birdbath more than ever. And though I’m indoors a lot these humid days, I don’t even see them flying around. Where are they?

What gives? Does anyone out there have any information?

I miss them. That’s why I was so happy to see the goldfinches yesterday.

Other business: A few of you asked about the cabinets and plate rack I bought for the dollhouse kitchen. They are made by JBM Miniatures. I first discovered them on this site, but they no longer have them in 1″scale. They do still carry them in 1/2″scale. On checking the JBM site, I see they are also sold out. (This is why I decided to bite the bullet and purchase them the other day.) I found Grandma Holly’s House online and they had 2 left in stock. I just checked and there is still one available.

It’s a little more money than I would usually spend, but the units are so well made and are very high quality. The drawers open and are beautifully finished. To me, they were worth the investment. If you’re interested, I would click on that link as soon as possible. Good luck!

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: birds, flowers, miniatures 11 Comments

Work Resumes on the Dollhouse

July 19, 2012 at 10:40 am by Claudia

Most of the time, the outside of my dollhouse faces us as we sit in the living room. Since I’m in this room a great deal lately, watching over my Riley, I sauntered on over to it this morning and turned it so that the inside of the house was facing me.

Yikes.

I haven’t done any work on it for a long while. Some of the rooms are on their way to being finished, others are completely untouched and serve as a catchall for all my wood and trim scraps. I grabbed some paint and a paint brush and redid a side table that was very dark in its former incarnation.

There it is next to the chair. My friend, Heidi, gave me some furniture that was in a dollhouse she got at auction. Most of it is unusable, but a few pieces are just right – like the table.

The den is pretty much finished. I just have to add some crown molding and, of course, some decorations for the walls. (You can tell I was styling these photos – the same basket of flowers that was in the living room is now on top of the cabinet.)

The bedroom needs a bed. I’m envisioning something painted in a shabby white.

The kitchen has the Aga range and a table and chairs. It needs cupboards, a sink and a refrigerator.

The bathroom and the studio are completely unfinished.

Time to get cracking.

By the way, my darn camera has some dust under the top edge of the lens and I have to crop every photo around it. It’s not so much of an issue outdoors, but when I take photos inside the house, oh my goodness, is it annoying.

I want a new camera. I’ve said that before on this blog many times, but I thought I might take this opportunity to gently remind the universe.

Yesterday, I decided to mow the front part of the property and neglected to check the weather. 97 degrees with high humidity. Many hours later, with many breaks sandwiched in, it was finished. What was I thinking?

A little business: the winner of a copy of Night Watch never contacted me, so I drew another number and this time, the winner is Rosedel. Rosedel is a fairly frequent commenter on this blog, but I don’t have her email address. Rosedel, send me an email (look under Contact under my header) with your shipping address and I’ll forward it on to the folks at TLC Book Tours.

Don’t forget to check out my Connecticut Tourism post here. You have an opportunity to win $1000 to  put toward your very own trip to Connecticut!

Filed Under: dollhouse, giveaway, miniatures 11 Comments

Dollhouse: A Hardwood Floor

October 4, 2011 at 5:49 pm by Claudia

Today: I’m cutting popsicle-type sticks with my Easy Cutter. Why? I’m going to stain them and construct a floor for the living room. Cut, cut, cut….then stain. Cut, cut, cut some more….and stain some more. Here’s what it’s starting to look like:

I haven’t glued anything down yet. I’m going for a wide plank look to the floor with a dark stain. I tested it out by putting my little chest of drawers on the wood. I like it. Visualize some faded oriental rugs on that dark wood.

I’ve had such fun the last two days, pouring over my catalogues and looking at all the amazing dollhouse miniatures on Etsy. Since I have a budget of just about nothing, I’ve just bookmarked my favorites. I did order some wallpaper and beadboard, as well as some molding and trim for the windows. I’m going to tackle this house one room at a time.

With all the stress and worry concerning my mom and dad, I find that working on the dollhouse provides me with an escape of sorts. For a few hours, I am immersed in the creative process and it brings me great pleasure.

My friend Norma wanted to see a close-up of the chest of drawers:

A little grainy, but it will do. Let me tell you about this piece (which is one of my favorites.) When I was a little girl there was a line of mini furniture for girls called Petite Princess – Fantasy Furniture. This was during the sixties. I remember bugging my mom to buy them for me but she didn’t go for it. A few years ago, I found some pieces which were mint in the box at a nearby antique store. This is by far the neatest piece and it’s made of plastic. You’d never know it, would you? And I love the fact that it was Shabby Chic long before our current craze. It’s been distressed (not by me, it came that way) and has a faux marble top. The drawers open, as well. The scale is a little off on some of the other pieces, but this one fits in perfectly.

Don’t forget Reality Shot Thursday. I will most likely have the post up just after midnight on Thursday. I’d love to have you join me! If you’re so inclined, please spread the word about my little meme.

I just so happen to be looking at this week’s bit of reality as I sit here writing this post. I wonder what it will be?

Filed Under: dollhouse, miniatures 26 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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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

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