Rain, rain go away. Honestly, it’s so dark and rainy around here that we’re getting depressed! It’s also very cold for this time of year and we’ve had to turn the heat on. Next week will be better. The rain should stop after today and it will warm up starting on Monday. I feel water-logged even though I’m not out in the rain, if you know what I mean.
It’s hard to take any pictures when the house is dark as well. I did my best.
I spent a couple of hours going through the box that holds the unfinished version of the Beacon Hill. I was looking for replacement parts – window trims that are missing, the base for the kitchen window extension and the bay windows, and a few other things. Greenleaf dollhouses have a lot of detail, but they’re made with cheap plywood. The parts are on big sheets of plywood and there’s a schematic diagram that shows where things are. When you find the part, you have to punch it oh-so-carefully out of the plywood sheet or you’ll break it. Supposedly, all the plywood sheets are labeled by number, but my experience tells me that not every sheet is numbered. So I had to spend a lot of time looking at the schematics and then searching for the corresponding plywood sheet.
This is something I’ve had on my mental list of things to do for years. I think I have everything, but we’ll see. I can tell you this, putting this monster together would be a giant pain-in-the-tush and I’m so glad I changed my mind and purchased one that was already assembled.
Inside the modern dollhouse. That chair was made by Arlette of Arlette’s Minitures in England. I have several of her pieces. Alas, she retired last year. This particular Art Deco-ish chair was a gift from a reader of the blog. She purchased it and then realized she wasn’t going to use it and graciously passed it on to me.
The sofa is identical to the gray sofa in Don’s mini music studio. Made by an Australian miniaturist.
I got the coffee table at a miniature show. And the vase, as well.
Don has a gig this evening at one of his favorite venues.
And this will be Jessie’s sister. Eventually. I don’t have a body yet and it’s far too rainy to work on the faceup as I have to spray it several times during that work and let it dry outside. But soon.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
sounds like a very good choice about the beacon hills even though it meant a lot of slow, careful plywood-punching for you. like what you’ve put in the modern dollhouse, too. you’re on your way!
same for jessie’s sister. have you decided on a name yet?
best wishes with the weather and for don’s gig. would take your rain and cooler weather if i could!
continuing to sort, pack, bring over what i can from the apartment … so am glad it’s friday (no appointments or business calls on weekends). heading over to the apartment now to get more stuff and be back in time for “the waltons”. :)
hope you, don and everyone else have a good day and stay safe.
kathy
Thanks so much, Kathy. No name yet, it will be revealed when I see the final product.
Stay safe.
I love to see a person stay busy and you certainly do! I know people without hobbies or interests and don’t even read. How do they cope with the passage of time? When they’re too old to stay out all night clubbing, when the children become adults and move out, when, sadly, the friend group starts shrinking?
I hope to get back to my hobbies full-time, but the unpacking takes precedence. And, hurray, I decluttered when I packed my things up and find I’m decluttering as I unpack them.
I wonder the same thing!
Stay safe, Wendy.
waiting to give jessie’s sister a name makes sense. i did that with my two cats (a brother and sister) … waited until i could be sure they would be home with me. :) :) :)
happy, safe friday!
kathy
xo
We finally have some sunshine this weekend. I am tired of the rain myself. Love the new doll head and can’t wait to see her finished. I finally have a date for surgery, June 18th. So Not on my birthday (6/9) which makes me happy.
I will be praying for you on June 18th, Linda.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia! The Beacon Hill kit is even bigger than the Willowcrest… the biggest one I have assembled. I can sympathize with the crappy plywood problems…. I had to carefully re-glue some of the trims for the Willowcrest porch layers. At least they have layers and become stronger when the layers are all glued together. I think of it a bit like a puzzle… although you have to do it in the correct order or stuff won’t fit… it is a challenge! I think you are right that you made the best choice with the already assembled one, although some of the decorating will be more challenging that way too. I like to paint my walls and it is so much easier when they have not been attached. And I hope you did find all the pieces you need… I still am missing one or two small pieces from the Willowcrest attic stairs that I am sure I never saw….! At some point I will improvise…. but will search all the sheets again first.
I am glad you are adding a sister for Jessie… she already looks adorable!
The stairs will be more challenging, which is why I’ll leave them in their dark brown state. I usually wallpaper, but we’ll see what I come up with. All of my houses have been rescues so I’m used to working in this way.
Hope you find those pesky missing parts, Betsy!
Stay safe.
Oh, and I meant to add that I know you don’t usually add lights to your houses, but the new battery-powered led fixtures that are being made are extremely versatile. I haven’t electrified my smaller houses, but every now and then I put a “lantern” in the rooms at night, and it really can be magical! And there is nothing permanent about them, so it really can be a fun way to play around. Have fun anyway!
I do have battery lights in parts of Hummingbird Cottage and Dove Cottage. I already purchased one for the kitchen in the Beacon Hill and the hallway – through Miniatures.com. And they’ve greatly improved in the past few years – there are more possibilities.
xo
I love that miniature chair.
Our rain appears over for a bit. I hope so. I’m even seeng the start of some sun today and maybe up to the 60s. Well, 60 — 60s later. We’ll plant at the cemetery and I can unload those geraniums I bought a few weeks ago before the flowers all go! A friend is visiting. It should be good! Happy weekend.
Have fun with your friend, Jeanie. The rain has stopped but it’s still going to be cool today. Better tomorrow.
Stay safe.