Late in the day yesterday, the sun came out. We were quite happy to see it.
I walked down to the mailbox and then, on my way back, I took this picture.
Today is also sunny, we’ll get some rain tomorrow and then, for the rest of the week, colder temps with a fairly dry stretch which will free us up to clean out the shed. Whoo hoo!
I was immersed in some household chores yesterday. Later, when the sun came out, I had the urge to photograph the dollhouse. The office/studio gets strong late day sun, so I turned the house around so that the interior faced the windows. I added a few accessories here and there -just as filler – in order for me to see stuff, if you know what I mean.
Heavens, I love playing house with my dollhouse projects!
Taking photos of miniatures and dollhouse interiors is notoriously difficult, but cell phones have made it easier. Nevertheless, you have to shove the phone inside the room and pray that you get a realistic and detailed close-up.
You’ll be happy to know that seeing these photos this morning has convinced me that this was the right wallpaper choice. I really like it now.
I’m still not sure how to finish the island. I have to deal with that soon. What color? I’m trying to use what I have on hand. For instance, the beams were made with scrap wood that I had in my stash and the number of beams was determined by the available wood. I painted the ceiling with paint that I had on hand and the stain for the floors was used in Hummingbird Cottage. Likewise, the trim paint used on the windows and doors was in my stash.
I’ve ordered some plates from Sofia at Twelve Times More Teeny, an Etsy shop. She makes them to order, so it will be while until I see them in the mail. I ordered several pieces from her for Hummingbird Cottage and, thankfully, she’s still selling on Etsy. Several miniaturists that I have ordered from in the past are no longer there and that makes me sad.
Okay, friends. I’m going to get going here. I think I’ll take a nice walk in our woods today.
306 Electoral Votes. Enough said.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
Did you see Trump’s press conference yesterday about the vaccine?
He said there wouldn’t be another lockdown then stumbled a bit about who knows if there will be a different administration.
As close as we will get to a concession speech but I think it’s starting to sink in.
All those little details are what I think is so fun about miniatures. How about some aqua for the island?
I saw part of it. He knows he’s lost.
I’m staying away from aqua as that featured strongly in Hummingbird Cottage and I want this to be different.
Thanks, Marilyn!
Stay safe.
Enough said indeed! Lovely interior inside your tiny home! Have a great day, Claudia. xo
Thank you, April!
Stay safe!
Love the photos and it really is coming together. I’m doing laundry today with whatever energy I have. I’ll also cook dinner I think. Usually Mom cooks but I try to once in awhile. Enjoy your weekend and sunshine. Hugs!
I will, though I’m a bit under the weather with sinus problems. Laying low today.
Stay safe, Linda!
I love to see your dolls houses Caudia. Can I also say thank you for introducing me to the Louise Penny. I’m reading the first book in the Chief Inspector Gamache series and I love it! Have bought the next 4 to read. Just what I need now we’re in our 2nd lockdown here in England.
You’re welcome! One of my favorite things is to pass on the wonders of Louise Penny. So glad you’re enjoying Still Life!
I fear we’re headed for another lockdown as well. It won’t come from Trump, unfortunately, but it will definitely come from our Governor.
Stay safe, Val!
You too Claudia.
You take the best photos! I’m going to try some of your tips for photographing miniatures. What about a two-tone finish for the island? I have a couple of pieces I really like from Julie Warren that are a matte darker cream on the bottom and a wood stain on top. Julie generously offers all sorts of tutorials on her Youtube channel about her finishing techniques.
My daughter’s cat will make a great alarm clock backup if the power goes out this winter. 5:30 a.m. town crier without fail if we’re not already up. I just wish he could figure out the days of the week. The early start means the housework is done, so it’s on to the week’s baking. At least I can take a power nap this afternoon! Enjoy your Saturday.
I’ve decided on a wood stain on the top, but I think cream will stand out too much. Plus, the windows and the door are cream. But two-tone is what I’ve been thinking of.
Thanks, Barbara!
Stay safe.
There are so many gentle colors in the wallpaper that would work well on the sides of the island and be harmonious with the sofa. . Will the top simulate something like a butcher block or painted all the way through? It’s such fun — so beautiful and so realistic. You are doing a remarkable job!
Sunny and beautiful here, too. Once the bread is out of the oven I’m headed for a walk!
Good afternoon! The dollhouse is coming along so wonderfully. The sunshine pics are perfect. So many choices!!
Hubby and I watched The Queens Gambit last night. Great recommendation. Funny, when I saw it come up on the Nexflix teaser I thought it was going to be another YA queen/king faux history story. Very surprised it’s about chess!! And, as usual, the things that went on in those time periods. Yikes!
I started rereading Louise Penny’s books this spring as well. I don’t know where the time goes, but I suddenly realized how many books are in the series now. It’s wonderful to start over and meet all the wonderful characters once again.
It’s 45 deg here today, but the birds are in the birdbath trying to make me believe otherwise. Eesk. Have a lovely day.
It’s wonderful to know that you have a lot of Penny books to reread, Verna!
I kept reading about people binge watching The Queen’s Gambit during election week and everyone was raving about it.
Stay safe!
The doll house’s rooms are already just wonderful. I love the books on the shelves of the cupboard.
I just managed to climb to the top of our hillside behind the house and, oh boy, is our hill and rear yard a mess. We need our landscaping team but my husband says, nope, gotta save money and keep distanced from people; so, he’ll do it. It’s too much for one (older) person. Sigh.
But it’s a beautiful Saturday morning; sunny and still nicely cool. A bit hazy but at least blue sky. We went on an early mail run to pick up our mail at the post office, so made a small journey around town to see if my fave trees are turning color yet. Not really; one is still completely green, so I imagine it’s Christmas in California before I see the autumn oranges and yellows amid everyone’s red & green Christmas decorations in their yards. An odd mix!
We had these giant sunflowers atop the hill … a ‘forest’ of them … and they’ve gone to ‘seed’, making the strangest-looking, still-towering stalks of these great, nodding ‘pods’, making me feel as if I’m on an alien planet (it’s like they have ‘faces’!!), but we’d also let the kale just sort of ‘go’ and it’s amazing how huge it is, like 6-ft tall; quite woody. The thing about those sunflowers is that, as they’ve dried out, there’s a pile of actual sunflower seeds in the hull on the ground, so I’d think that’s nice for the birds as long as the seeds don’t attract rats/mice.
And, wow, are we about to have a lot of oranges from our trees; mandarin, blood orange, navels. It’s nice for winter to have the citrus. (Reminds me of my Dutch grandfather telling my mom when she was a little girl, how the whole immigrant/large family in upstate New York only had, at one Christmas, one navel orange as their sole holiday gift, so that the orange was passed around the table as each kid and family member got one orange segment each. [Which reminds me to never complain about my own Christmases when we have a life of plenty.])
I’ve heard stories like that from my relatives as well.
Stay safe, Vicki!
I love that first photo of your home in the bright sunshine. Your work on the dollhouse is coming along nicely. What a calming, creative hobby that can keep you distracted from any crazy political news! Stay safe!
Thank you, Ellen.
You, too!
It all looks so lovely! Again, and I know I say it time and time again, but I would never know those were miniatures if I just came across the pictures on their own. So amazing that people have the ability to craft like that.
We started out with a lovely sunshine day, which had turned into a cloudy rainy day. Tomorrow supposed to have 50mph winds. Oh, joy. How I hate that!!
My hubs watched all of The Queen’s Gambit during election week as well. Funny that so many did. He loved it. Hope you were able to get your walk in today. Have a good evening!!
We’re getting rain later today. Hopefully, no winds, because I feel the same way you do about winds.
Stay safe, Chris!
What about a gray for the island? Looks like there’s a gray shade in the wallpaper. Course, it might be a light blue or green, depending on my screen. But gray would complement those beautiful golden tones in the floor.
It’s become a gray day here…cold and rainy. Good day to hibernate. 306! Yes indeedy! Stay safe! ;)
I’m not sure about gray. Frankly, I’m not sure about anything!
Stay safe, Donna.
LOL! You’ll figure it out! ;)
hope you are feeling better–sinus issues no fun. love the doll house–I’m not a fan of wallpaper but really like it for those walls. AND absolutely love, love that bookcase!! hopefully, all of us will live until Jan 20 then we can really celebrate. How about the new hair color ???? my sister (in her 80s) said, “It did not improve his looks at all!!!) haha!! stay safe and healthy
He apparently didn’t want to spray his hair orange that day!
Stay safe, Linda.
i’m glad you’re pleased with your choice of that wallpaper (because it’s lovely and you did a great job of installing it). sometimes it just takes time and, as you said, things in place to finalize a decision.
as to a color for the island, though i’m sure you’ll pick something great, i thought it was already done!
am sure it is tricky taking photos/videos inside the dollhouses, but these photos are great, as usual. and the bottom photo gave me an idea of where i can put a crock that holds loose change. thanks.
306 electoral votes now?!? maybe i will check the news online. been a while …
i was very happy to see some of my family today and deliver all but two things on their grocery/miscellaneous supply lists (couldn’t find them anywhere). now am home, trying to get comfortable. starting a different medication today (per my doctor), one i take three times a day instead of just one at night, to help my back. otherwise doing okay, all things considered. hope you all are, too. and stay safe!
kathy in iowa
Enjoy your weekend Kathy!
Stay safe.
I LOVE the doll house. I want to live there! Goldenrod yellow for the island?
306!!!
Thanks for the suggestion, Betsy! I have no idea yet what I want to do yet!
Stay safe.
The light was perfect to show off the details of the interior. You have such special pieces such as the tin in the Welsh dresser, and the big pottery jug. This house has a very different personality from your other projects. Stay safe!
Thank you, Nora.
You, too!