I’ve been feeling under the weather for the past two days. One of those things that is almost like a cold, but really isn’t – it’s sinus congestion and general yuckyness. Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped me from noodling around with the dollhouse. Here are the latest Hummingbird Cottage updates:
I added these red shutters to the bathroom. That particular idea had been in my thoughts for about a week. I painted the shutters the day before yesterday but realized they were too long for the window. I cut them down in length yesterday.
I really love the pop of red in the back of the bathroom. It makes for a somewhat dramatic look and frankly, the pop of color is needed because this room is rather long and tunnel-like. They need a little tweaking, but I’m happy with the result.
The plank wall is finished. I really love it. I’m going to wallpaper the remaining walls, in fact, I ordered it yesterday. And that, my friends, will be the last time I have to deal with messy wallpaper paste. Wish me luck!
I made some artwork. In my own little amateurish way, I decided to try making a framed piece of art with what I had on hand. I got this idea when looking at mini frames and art on Etsy. One woman uses beautiful stamps from all over the world for her minis. I remembered that I had this Maxfield Parrish calendar upstairs in a drawer (Maxfield Parrish being one of my favorite artists) and I seemed to remember that the back of the calendar showed small versions of the prints that were going to be used each month. Sure enough, it did. I cut one out and grabbed some leftover trim that I use for the chair rail. Executing a mitered corner was beyond my current skill set, so I simply glued the pieces together the way you see them here. The chair rail trim was painted white and that wasn’t the look I was going for. I found some Rub n’ Buff in silver upstairs in my cabinet and I used that to create a silver frame. Glued the Parrish print on the back and then backed that with another piece of thin cardboard. It worked! (I also spayed the print with some matte sealer, hoping to take the glossiness down a notch.)
The living room furniture has been rearranged for the Holidays. Again, I used what I had on hand. I made this tree last year from one of the bottle brush trees I have stashed in a drawer. Admittedly, it’s a bit too short, but it works. Have you ever priced fully decorated miniature trees for a dollhouse? Too expensive for my taste, especially when I’m only going to use it for a week or two. The box that has been wrapped as a present is a bit too big, but maybe there’s something wonderful in it! The garland on the fireplace is courtesy of some trim that Elyse sent me. I ran across it yesterday and thought it would be perfect for the dollhouse. By the way, lots of the ‘ornaments’ are also from bits and bobs sent by Elyse.
I usually decorate the outside of the dollhouse but this year, since I’m doing so much work on the inside, I’m just going to decorate the living room.
Here’s the rest of the garland. Festive, no?
Can you see that animal on the dresser? Also from Elyse. I found it in another bag of Elyse treats. It’s a goat, technically, but I’m calling it a reindeer.
Works for me.
Happy Tuesday.
It looks wonderful! The red shutters add so much to that room. They made me wonder where I could do that in my real house. So funny that the furniture had to be rearranged for the Christmas tree, just like in a real house! I will be looking for a dollhouse of my own now, you make it look so fun.
Just like in a real house, for sure. In fact, we’ll have to rearrange our furniture in the den to accommodate a Christmas tree.
Good morning, Claudia! I LOVE the red shutters..so cheerful! I am having so much fun watching your dollhouse come together. Your use of the Maxfield Parrish print is inspired. Hope you start feeling better soon! xxoo, Martha
Thanks Martha! Snow is coming today, so I guess I’ll just hunker down here and blow my nose!
love the red shutters!
Thank you, Carolyn!
I’m enjoying my second cup of coffee and taking a break from crafting some teeny tiny felted mittens and stocking I’ve been creating. And while I’m enjoying what I’m doing, I couldn’t help but think of you yesterday and today as I’m working (playing?) . It’s not easy working with such small items and 60 year old eyes! Glasses on, glasses off, repeat….
I have a new appreciation for what you are doing in the dollhouse, believe me. You must have the patience of a saint to craft walls and floors and even picture frames and presents under the tree.
Hope you feel better soon.
It does take patience – some days I definitely don’t have patience, so I stay away from the dollhouse!
Every room looks adorable and great.
THANKS for sharing.
I hope you feel better soon.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Gosh, Claudia…you’re making me want a dollhouse! Who knew? I’ve actually been looking on Craigslist. Like I need another project. Please stop putting these thoughts into my already-overloaded-with-too-many-project-ideas head. Haha. I do enjoy these posts! :)
Feel better, sweet girl!
Oh good! Just my intention, to inspire you and my other readers to start in on a dollhouse!
Oh, the red shutters are perfect!! The garland is wonderful. Isn’t that feeling just amazing when you are pondering something you want to do ~~ and you remember something you have tucked away. For some reason you remember a little thing from that “bit or bob” and you KNOW it would be just perfect. And, off you run to find it in that specific place you last remember seeing it. My mind races when these things happen!! What a wonderful home you are making for the little people who reside within. :-)
Thank you, Chris! Yes, it is indeed wonderful – finding something tucked away in the house that will do the trick!
Your red shutters are the perfect touch in the bath. And the artwork is beautiful. This is why I couldn’t have a dollhouse. I would dither on and on about how I couldn’t afford artwork and never once think about the calendars I have stashed around. I simply don’t have much of an imagination on my own. I follow patterns well though, once someone tells me what to do! :-)
Blessings,
Betsy
Well, it takes a while, but after doing this off and on for four years, I’ve started to think ‘small.’
How festive the little cottage looks now all decked out for Christmas. I’m still working on my decorating a tiny bit but basically it’s finished. I love the house at Christmas but it tends to look a little blah once the decorations are put away. Hope you get a good snowfall today Claudia. My sister moved near Atlanta recently and it’s been cold and rainy there which aggravates her arthritis. It’s pleasant here today.
It’s snowing now, Janie, nice big flakes!
I was going to ask you where you got the tiny prints, but you answered my question. I would never have thought of the backs of my calendars! I used to put up the doll tea party under my tree at Christmas. I would wrap up dominos and dice for gifts. The dolls didn’t care.
Dolls are very understanding, Tana!
Your doll house is the most darling thing. What fun! I love the framed artwork and all the little touches.
Thank you, Lorrie!
Oh, and I hope you feel much better, very soon.
Thank you. So do I!
The red shutters just brightened up the whole room Claudia..and the Christmas decorations are so adorable!!
Thank you, Nancy!
Love the shutters…Makes the back of the room a focal point..Nice look..
Thanks, Missy!
Brava, Claudia! You’re doing such a great job – love the red shutters and your living room decor. Makes me want to look for my old dollhouse, but don’t need another distraction at this point. Stay warm, get well.
Gail
Thank you, Gail. I’m sipping hot chocolate as I write this.
I love the red shutters. Who would have thunk it to paint them red, but you Claudia. Yesterday I went to get coffee at our favorite little independent coffee/gift shop and as I focused my eyes upon a shelf right there in front of me was a bottle of Moxie! I swear, right there in all its glory. I thought, oh my, Claudia is channeling me. It’s so funny how far and wide the blogs spread! Well, gotta go wrap gifts for the mail!
Moxie! How neat, Annette!
You have a very workable tree, but if you are interested, I have you decorate it trees in my Etsy shop. Along with ornaments and treetoppers. You can buy ala carte or tell me what you want and I will make you a listing and give you a deal!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/fairiemoon
I have to say again, I am loving the dollhouse post. I especially love seeing your decorations!
Thank you, Erin. I’m going to go and check out your shop! xo
LOVE it! Cute idea with the garland.
Thanks, Karen!
I love the living room. It looks so magical. I never tire of the dollhouse posts just to let you know.
Since I have been wanting a dollhouse I have been thinking of the things I could make myself.
That’s a really good idea about the wall pictures. I never thought of stamps. Now I am picturing
making one room a craft room and using my Elvis stamp for a picture. I think the King would fit
right in that room.
I had never thought of stamps either. I wish I had some pretty ones hanging around the house.
Stamps for artwork…of course! Love those red shutters…a bit of pizzazz! ;)
Thanks, Donna – I’m loving the red shutters.
Charming, charming, charming. I could move right in. Are you familiar with Debbie at Ribbonwood Cottage? She loves miniatures, too, and she makes darling things which she sells on Etsy.
I think I’ve heard about her, Beverly. I’ll go check out her shop. Thanks!
Love it all Claudia! So sweet and festive! Hope you feel better soon.
Thank you, Debi.
Sorry your under the weather my friend:( But you have had some brilliant ideas while not feeling well. I love the artwork.. brilliant and the shutters….brilliant and the Christmas tree is so festive. I want to move right in:)
Thanks, my friend.
Creatively adorable & so comfortable to play in(…..feel better soon) Enjoying your decorating skills!
Thanks, Marcy Ray!
The inhabitant of Hummingbird Cottage has a much larger bathroom than mine, lucky woman!
Much larger than mine, as well!
Planked walls, wallpaper, mini Christmas tree……oh, this is just magical, Claudia! I’ve now got a vintage doll house on my bucket list!
Go for it, Vickie! You’ll have such fun!
Having so much fun “watching” you play with your dollhouse – it looks so charming in holiday mode. Bet your own house looks a lot like this. And I can’t get over that little [scale] tote bag. The cutest thing ever. I half-expect to see books, folders, a cell phone and its owner’s lunch come spilling out if it ever gets tipped over! Hope you feel better soon!
Now if I could just get my own house decorated for Christmas!