From no activity on the dollhouse for almost 5 years to lots of work for three days in a row. I will admit that I am hooked on this hobby once again. (But I do have to take a break today – too much overstimulation!)
I managed to wallpaper the wall on the left and another section of that same wall on Monday. This involved contorting my body while shoving a piece of copy paper into this section in order to trace the proportions and the doorway – because I can’t see it from my chair. I end up using that piece of paper as a pattern for cutting out the wallpaper. But I check and recheck because it’s all too easy to get it wrong and I had exactly one sheet left of this pattern. Amazingly, with very little tweaking, it worked. But since this particular brand of wallpaper is so thick, I had to put a book against the wall to make sure it stuck.
This is the other section that I completed.
Had to put some “Roseville”on that mantel.
Yesterday, I decided to hold off on laying down a floor in order to build a one day project. This took place at the kitchen table so I could chitchat with Don as I worked. I’ve had this kit on hand for a few years and it was time to tackle it.
The piano. It was tricky and messy, but I did it.
I’m so, so happy with it! Isn’t it cool?
It’s a kit from Mini Mundus, a German family-owned company that just recently announced their retirement. I would say “Why does this keep happening??” (my favorite miniature supply shop just went through the same thing) but then again, what are Don and I facing right now? Same thing. Anyway, they make beautiful kits and, thankfully, you can still find their products on eBay.
Lots of fiddly work, but very clear directions. I ended up changing out the fabric on the bench to this pattern.
Whoo, hoo! I’m just tickled by the way it came out. At the end of the day, I was so overstimulated that I couldn’t quite calm down. Today is cold and sunny and I’m going to think about the dollhouse but I’m not doing anything with it. Except maybe clean up a bit because it looks like a tornado hit my tiny little work area.
I have lots of ideas, but virtually no budget for any of this – the problems with the economy/tariffs have hit us very hard, as I’m sure is the case for everyone – and neither of us has work. In the next month or so, I have to pay for plants for the porch as well as the cost of renewing my blog host/server for one more year. So, I need to be imaginative and do this as inexpensively as possible. I’ll buy wallpaper as needed. And I have some more kits on hand that will be fun to put together.
Anyway, there you go – the latest on the Beacon Hill.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Looks lovely!
Thank you, Ellen.
Stay safe.
The house is coming together so beautifully! You are amazing!
Thanks so much, Betsy!
Stay safe.
you said about the latest dollhouse wallpapering, “amazingly, with very little tweaking, it worked.”
i say, “not amazing at all … just your usual creativity, eye for detail, perseverance, and some contortionistic maneuvering that hopefully doesn’t cause you any problems.”
great work, claudia … it’s beautiful! the piano, too. am especially glad you’re having fun with it again.
lots of knitting needed here, but have to do other things, too. best i get going.
happy, safe days to everyone.
kathy
Thank you for your kind words, Kathy!
I’m having fun.
Stay safe.
This is just fantastic, Claudia. I love the Roseville on the mantel with that wallpaper and the chair upholstery, too. The piano is a wee miracle. Perfect bench cushion covering and the music is wonderful. This is really coming into its own and you sound so happy with it. Makes me smile.
Happy day to you!
Thank you, Jeanie!
There are lots of challenges ahead, but it will fun!
Stay safe.
The piano is wonderful! Love the wallpaper too. It’s starting to come together. I’m excited for you!
Enjoy!
Thank you so much, Marilyn!
Stay safe.
I really enjoy seeing your work on the dollhouse. The wallpaper makes me happy. So much work but it can take you away from all the awful news going on in this crazy world. Take care!
It is a lot of work – but the kind where I can see results that make me happy. And boy, do I need that!
Stay safe, Linda.
“I love it when a plan comes together.” So fun to look at your photos for Beacon Hill. May I request that you also show some photos of the process, in addition to the finished product? For instance, the piano pieces laid out or how it looks mid-build. I’m very process-oriented and I love seeing how things come together.
There was a miniatures shop about 15 minutes drive from my then house. I was awfully tempted to buy a little house to build and furnish but got too busy for anything once the babies arrived. Then the shop sadly closed. No more miniatures shops anywhere within even a 2-hour drive.
Continue having fun. Delighted you’ve unearthed your miniatures passion again.
I can’t guarantee anything, Wendy. I maintain the blog and also film videos for my YouTube account. The truth is, when I’m in the middle of a project, I don’t always think of stopping along the way to show the process.
Miniature shops are few and far between these days. There was one near us when we first moved here, but it went out of business within a couple of years. There’s a nice one south of us in NJ but it’s too far to drive, unfortunately.
Thanks so much!
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — Altho I am not a wallpaper “person”, really like this pattern — the piano is very lovely — we have a full size one that is nearly exact to your mini — have had it 40+ years!!
very sunny here today wpromises to get warmer this week — maybe spring has sprung ???? stay safe/healthy
We have no wallpaper in our actual house, but it works well in dollhouses.
Thanks so much, Linda.
Stay safe.
You did a beautiful job on the piano. Your girls will be wanting piano lessons. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks, Elaine!
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — Did you all hear about the Dirty Easter Egg Hunt?? It was hosted by
the Dust Bunny !! Life is short — laugh every day!!
Ha! Very cute!
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia! I am so glad you are having fun! It is the most important part about a hobby (or most things too)! The Roseville piece looks made for this room! (Your collection will pour into these rooms now that you have opened the “door”!) I love it that a kit was such an inspiration and so fun to make. That’s the best part of this hobby, in my opinion, just the hands on inspiring making of small stuff! And being able to use ordinary stuff like cereal boxes and coffee stirrers… really it should be just fun. (I have a tendency to get too hung up on the “right” choice…. so things take me forever to finish while I try to figure out what is right!) But when that feeling of “coming together” is there it is so exciting! Keep up the fun!!
It absolutely should be fun, Betsy!
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Stay safe.
It is so amazing and beautiful. You do wonderful work, you are a multi talented woman.
I admire you,.
Take Care,
Kaye
Ah, thank you so very much, Kaye.
Stay safe.
Love the Beacon Hill, and the piano is wonderful!
Thank you so much, Judy.
Stay safe.
Wow, the wallpaper and piano are just beautiful!
We live on a small fixed income, so totally empathize with you. Everything is so expensive these days and that makes things hard…
Take care,
Lily
It is very hard right now, Lily. I feel for you. We are definitely struggling.
Thanks so very much.
Stay safe.