Well, we had a mix up at the mechanics yesterday morning and the parts hadn’t arrived yet. So I came back home and I’ll be going back there early this morning.
When I got home I decided to do some work on the dollhouse. Whenever I feel stressed, I find it really helps to concentrate on something creative. It’s my very own crafty version of “Calgon, take me away!” Since Spring is here and I can’t do anything with my garden yet (May 1st is the magic date here in the Northeast) I thought I’d springify (my new word) Hummingbird Cottage.
How about some flowers in the window boxes?
One…..
Two….
Three.
And on to another little dollhouse project. Remember that I told you I had plans for the tower at the top of the house? Don came up with the initial idea. He’s awfully creative, that guy. Well, today I started on it. That room is going to be a potting shed of sorts. And I’m going to eventually have a little rooftop garden.
But first, the beginning of the potting shed.
I started out painting the walls a pale aqua. But it didn’t turn out as pale as I wanted it to. So I wiped some of it off and the uneven surface on the walls brought out an interesting texture. Then I thought about this being some attic room at one point that the owner had turned into a potting shed, so I aged the walls a bit.
Then, after considering floor possibilities and not being in the mood to cut sticks and paint them individually, I decided to paint some left over beadboard a vivid red. It was sort of a ‘what the heck’ moment.
And I find I like it!
The sink was the top part of a bathroom sink unit that was out of scale for the dollhouse. It was too tall. So I took it apart and just used the sink. Then I attached some legs. I removed one of the faucets and, you can sort of see it here, attached it to the outside wall. I’m going to figure out how to make a hose.
By the way, the cherub artifact on the wall should NOT have a red nose. I have to sand that red paint off. I think it got there when I was painting the floor.
Unless the cherub is a clown cherub…
Eventually, I’m going to add some pots and a bench and some tools (rakes, trowels, etc.) I ordered a few things today from a supplier and I’m excited about adding them to the room. Maybe some hooks to hang the tools from?
I’m excited about this new space.
Hummingbird Cottage has a potting shed!
Where is Mockingbird Hill Cottage’s potting shed?
Happy Thursday.
Brilliant idea it looks so charming :) Hope the car gets fixed today.
It did, Dawn.
What a clever idea! Absolutely perfect that Hummingbird Cottage would have a potting area. I have three attic-ish rooms in my dollhouse. One will be a bathroom, but can’t seem to settle on a plan for the other two – so many options! I don’t like dealing with car issues, I hope yours is a fast and easy fix.
It was Debbie, thank you.
Fresh and tidy and ready for spring! Every time I see your dollhouse I want to go pull mine out of storage. But alas, there’s no room right now.
Someday soon.
Go for it, Leslie Anne!
Glad you explained the red nose. I was wondering why I didn’t “get it”
It’s all fixed now, Carolyn Marie.
I need a potting shed and your dollhouse has one that I love from the walls to the floor. And that table is wonderful. Glad you explained the nose…I was wondering if there was a story there.
Blessings,
Betsy
I painted over the red yesterday, Betsy. She looks a lot better now.
I just finished catching up with your last few posts. I am sorry to hear of Scouts struggles. When the weather warms up it will probably be easier on her joints. Regarding your Mom ~ my thoughts and prayers are with you. The most important thing right now is that she is comfortable. Stay strong dear friend.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Scout seems to be a lot better the past couple of days, Susan.
Absolutely Loving it! Let’s just call it like it is,You and Don are two Extremely gifted, creative,people!
-Judy A-
Aw thanks, Judy!
I love it all but especially the window boxes. What a pop of color they give the ouside of the playhouse. Tell me Claudia do you and Don work well together if say you’re doing a home impovement project of some sort? Carl & I have been married 40 years and bless his heart he’s always willing to help me do anything but he gets frustrated very easily and seems to think that because I’m a woman he knows more about building anything than I do. I get frustrated because my step dad was a great carpenter and I often helped him so I do know a little more than Carl does. We love each other dearly but I’m a “lets get started and get it over with” type of gal and he’s a “lets put it off till tomorrow ” sort of fellow. What about you and Don?
We work fairly well together though Don would happily ignore most things if I didn’t bug him about them!
Oh, I do love the window boxes! And the red floor….. well, it is like having red shoes!! :-) Love the idea of a potting shed. And wouldn’t it be fun if MHC had one, too? Have fun playing today!
Yes, just like red shoes! I wish MHC had one just like it.
I love ‘what the heck’ moments! A potting shed is a great idea. As far as your real one…it’s probably in the same dimension as mine! Your flower boxes look lovely….do you have real ones on your cottage? I can’t remember. Our planting dates at the earliest might be Mother’s Day…but this year who knows. My mom and I used to plant lots of flowers together on Mother’s Day…that was our thing…gosh I miss that. Hope your car makes a full recovery! ;)
We have two flower boxes on the shed, but not on the cottage.
I can always feel the fun you have working on your dollhouse. Love the potting shed! The floor really is perfect in red! Not so much the Cherub!!
hugs, Linda
Cherub has been repaired, Linda. All is well.
Adorable, Claudia! When will we get to see a “whole house” view? My curiosity knows no bounds, apparently.
Over your past few posts, I have identified strongly with your struggles. Our dog, Kitty, is 14 years old, and having the same issues as Scout. She keeps trying to walk her old routes in the house, and has fallen down the stairs 3 times. The house is now an obstacle course of blockades to keep her away from stairs. And, our mom died a year ago. And I have a(n untended) dollhouse. And I’m 60. Etc. etc…
I feel you are my friend, except I know you, but you don’t know me!
I know you will have a joyous reunion with your sweetheart.
You’ll get the whole house view when the rooms are a bit more finished, Gail. I promise.
Thank you for your kind words – I feel you are my friend, too!
I love that red floor, Claudia! Such a sweet space. As for he red-nosed Cherub… perhaps she has a spring cold….? :)
Or allergies like mine?
I think a rooftop garden is an inspired idea! Which makes this a city house, I guess? Love the teeny windowboxes – and the red floor. A bit of serendipity that turned out great. It’s such fun to watch you decorate your dollhouse, Claudia…. :>)
Yes, I’ve always thought of it as a city house, Janet.
What a creative idea..the red floor brightens up the whole room..I can’t wait to see what you ordered for in there..also love the flower boxes..
Thanks, Nancy. I’m back in dollhouse mode which means pouring over the listings on Etsy and wishing I had lots of spare cash!
I’m doing a bit of “springifying” myself and need to get serious about tackling some projects that need attention. At least I don’t have a second home to tend to as well. :)
Karen
Yes, having a second home isn’t easy, Karen!
If I ever got ‘shrink-ed, I would want to live there. At your house, in that house!!! Thanks for adding the potting shed. I’m sure I would be using that a lot. :))))) I LOVE your little dollhouse Claudia!
sending hugs…
You can move in any time, June!
I love that red floor!! The flowers in the flower boxes are perfect for spring. Your miniature world is such a pleasant place to spend some time. :-)
I love it – truly.
Oh, I love your new potting shed! What a fun space!
It makes me smile, Debi!
I think a widow’s walk on top would be cute. It could be a seaside cottage. ;-)
XOXO,
Connie
I was thinking the same thing or at least some ornate edging along the roof to enclose the rooftop space.
Hi Claudia, it is delightful. The potting shed is really an addition that is fitting for you-an excellent gardener. We had our first hummingbird last week and now they are coming easily onto the deck to feed. xo, olive
Oh lucky you! We are getting so much more birdsong in the mornings and that makes me happy!
I love the shed.. I have a little pine cabinet on my dollhouse porch that I’ve put a bunch of clay pots on.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
I’ve ordered more clay pots, Teresa – can’t wait to get them!
Claudia, I was watching “Meet Me in St. Louis” the other night and the family’s home reminded me of Hummingbird Cottage. Similar style and period, just more modest. What do you think?
Check out those climbing roses on the porch columns….
http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/12/13/meet-me-in-st-louis-the-victorian-on-kensington-ave/
Yes, I’ve seen that movie many, many times and I do think it looks like my dollhouse, Nancy!