Lucy wondering: “What the heck is Valentines Day??” I didn’t pose these two, Lucy’s head was already tilted this way. By the way, I just remembered that Zoe’s dress was originally Lucy’s. That’s what Lucy was dressed in when she arrived here at the cottage.
Hmmm. Maybe Lucy is wondering why Lucy is wearing her dress.
Today: Blythes, if only because that’s what I was working on most of the day yesterday. Actually, I was working on this ↓
That darned hat.
It was the most frustrating day. This yarn is very fine, full of varying thicknesses, and – for me – incredibly hard to crochet with. I’ve been wanting to store the yarn I have in the den, but I had yet to make a hat from this. So that was my project yesterday. It took me at least two hours longer than it would normally. I was cussing up a storm. It stretches too much and, often, attempts to hook the yarn are fruitless. On and on it went. And then, as I was getting close to the end of the pattern, I grabbed Katie to check on the fit and my suspicions that it was much too big were confirmed. It’s the same weight as the other yarns I’ve been using, but as all knitters and crocheters know, that ‘weight’ and gauge can vary. What to do? I did another two rows of decrease and prayed it would work. It did, but just barely.
It’s very pretty yarn and it is part silk/part mohair, so it’s very soft. But it’s a pain in the tush to work with. This little endeavor, which was supposed to go quickly, took up the entire afternoon.
She looks cute, though.
We’ve been watching The Last of Us – episodes are being released weekly – a dystopian series about what happens after a fungal infection kills the vast majority of the population (it’s excellent) and Station Eleven, a series based on the book written by Emily St. John Mandel, which I raved about on this blog when it was first published. It’s also dystopian; this time it’s the flu that is the culprit. Normally, I don’t watch series based on favorite books, as you know, but several years have passed since I read Station Eleven, and I couldn’t remember the details any longer, so we went for it. Both series are very, very good. Tonight, we’ll watch the final episode of Station Eleven. By the way, both series are on HBO Max, which we get on a monthly basis (can cancel at any time) through Amazon Prime.
The temperature hit 65 degrees yesterday! But it was very windy, as it often is when the weather is unseasonably warm. Today: 60 degrees with a low of 48. Tomorrow, the low plunges down to 22 degrees. Crazy weather! It will get colder next week, with a chance of snow. Earlier, the prediction was for substantial snow fall. Now, it’s been changed to snow showers mostly; maybe some accumulation on one day. But I bet that changes.
Okay. I’ve been thinking about some other way to display my girls, but there are constraints. They have to be in the same place they are now – that little niche in the den. If I buy a narrow cabinet from IKEA, where do I put the music cabinet? I can’t see any other place in the house where that piece will fit. If I find something with deep and tall enough shelves that can fit on top of the cabinet, it has to be just perfect, like the egg cup cubby was perfect. If I install shelves on the wall, then they have to be be deep enough so the girls don’t slide off. Every time we come down the stairs to the den, there’s a bit of vibration and I don’t want it to cause any of these girls to slip and fall.
Any ideas?
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
We had some shelves with a very thin piece of wood glued to the front edge, but standing up enough to make a rim so that dishes, plates, etc would not be vibrated and slide off the front. You are so handy with your miniature houses, perhaps you could customize wall mounted shelves in that way?
Ceci
I thought about that, but I think their legs would be a problem – they’d have to fit over that edge. Hmmm..
Thanks, Ceci.
Stay safe.
Your weather is typical for this time of year maybe. I just cannot get into Dystopian novels. Never have. I did teach a series to a group of seniors who took fifth block…either repeating from other teachers or wanting to be I. My class and my daytime classes were full.
They loved it. Hope you have a good good day.
Not at all typical for this time of year. We’re usually much colder and have a lot of snow.
Stay safe, Brenda.
I had a friend who went to garage sales and bought old dressers…..removed the drawers and used them as display cabinets….She hung them on the wall after painting and papering the inside. It was imaginative and unique. You will come up with something I am sure. By the way…she stored her doll outfits in a looseleaf binder with each item in its own little pouch. Organized chaos she would say.
Have a good day ……love love love your sunny kitchen. YOU live in a doll house. I am jealous.
Maria
I saw that the other day in a shop. But the wall area I have available is narrow. I’m not sure it would work.
Thanks so much, Maria!
Stay safe.
What a neat idea to store the doll clothes in a binder in plastic sleeves, everything handy. Thanks for the idea, Maria. Hugs, Elaine
I thought so too….I wish I could do it with my own clothes…..if we put our heads together….we can go on Shark tank.
Just kidding.
Maria
your persistence paid off … the hat looks great!
i am not into dystopian/science fiction books, tv shows or movies, but can appreciate how such (a new world) could be engrossing. enjoy!
to your question about where to display the girls … i looked at all your posts marked “den” to read the history, see changes you’ve made over time, hear your thoughts about such a cozy space. ideas … how about on the top step in the den/along the door that you keep closed? on the lowest shelf (visible) to the left of the sofa? or take the door off the music cabinet, install temporary shelves in it for the girls and have some on top of it, too? maybe a shelf above the doors (seconding ceci’s idea to have a ‘lip’ on any such shelves to help keep things in place)? you could see the girls in any of those spots from your chair, right? whatever you choose, it will be great.
it’s been snowing here for about five hours … beautiful. and it’s predicted to continue for another five hours … great, because we need the moisture and as long as everyone is safe.
hope everyone has a good day. stay safe.
kathy
You are so thoughtful to look at all those photos, Kathy! I don’t want to mess with the music cabinet because it actually does what it’s supposed to – it holds my sheet music. The top step along the door is too narrow and would vibrate any time I went up and down the stairs. I’m loathe to use the bookshelves for the dolls because they’re meant to hold books and, as it is, we have more books than shelves in this house. All of the floor area below that bottom shelf also holds stacks of books. The step near the shelves holds my camera equipment. See? Everything already holds something or other and I have no other place to put those things. The door has no space above it. It is flush with the ceiling.
So I’m faced with coming up with something right above the music cabinet. Sigh.
It ain’t easy!
Stay safe, Kathy
i have the same issue … closets and cupboards that are martha-stewart-level organized (though also fuller than she’d probably approve of), a living room ringed with furniture and no place to put other things that i love or need to keep. that’s another reason i think of moving … to have a second bedroom or a den. anyway, it’s hard sometimes living in a small space, but we’ll figure stuff out!
also, here’s another idea for your girls: move the floral painting (with that wonderful scalloped frame) up a bit and put a shelf just above the sofa/below that print and window. but there’s a part to this idea that i don’t think you’d like … moving up the art won’t leave room for the “return book” piece and you’ll just have to sell it to me. haha … and just kidding. that is a neat piece and perfect with your books.
you will find a perfect place for it all. :)
kathy
Well. we sit there and the shelf (and the safety of the dolls) would be an issue!
oh, i thought it looked like there might be enough room to put a shelf. oops.
shelves above the music cabinet? or one in the den above the doors?
you will find the best place for them!
kathy
The doors go right up to the ceiling.
xo
the blythe girls setting spot mystery continues. :)
hope you have a nice night!
kathy
It does continue!
xo
That beret is really darling….bet it feels so soft…lucky girls! Brrr…cold morning here…glad you’re getting some warmth today!
That cold is headed our way!
Thanks, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Could you hang a small old wooden chair above the cabinet, or set it atop the cabinet? One with arms could also hold a small shelf or tray above the seat and you’d have two levels for the girls to occupy…? Just throwing stuff out there. In my house I’d have a bunch of small/old chairs to choose from because I’m a bit of a chair hoarder—especially bentwoods.
Well, they already have two levels to occupy but because there are 12 of them, they’re rather crammed together. Sigh.
Thanks, Shanna!
Stay safe.
Katy looks ever so cute in her new hat and she’ll be nice and warm when the cold weather returns. Kudos to you for persevering. Do you have any wall space where you could “hang” the girls on the wall? And I mean that in the nicest way possible, lol. I love just looking at Jessie and Walter sitting in their rocking chair together or in their new Adirondack chair so I know how much you must enjoy being able to see the girls as you go about your day. Hugs, Elaine
Very little wall space, and not enough for 12 Blythes!
Stay safe, Elaine.
Oh gosh, I can’t think of any good display ideas, I’m sorry; but one thing I know is that you always work it out perfectly. I sigh every time I see a photo of the egg-cup cabinet; it’s so perfect and in a perfect place in your home. (I guess I like the word ‘perfect’ today, but it fits.)
The hat is wonderful, Claudia; I can almost feel the fuzzy softness.
Thank you so much, Vicki.
Stay safe.
okay…..how about this…..I use an over the door shoe rack with plastic see thru pockets and store my paint brushes and art supplies. I have it hanging over one of my french doors that leads to the sun porch. It is inexpensive and practical and I think could work.
Maria
Yes, it would, but it’s not the way I want to display them. I want to make it more interesting visually. I may have an idea…we’ll see!
Thank you, Maria.
Stay safe.