Despite my level of exhaustion yesterday, or maybe because of it, I needed a little creative distraction. So, when Don was away for a few hours, I went upstairs to my little lair and worked on the Top Secret Project.
It goes without saying (but I will): Don, stop reading this post!
I had this vision of a board and batten look on the studio, so I purchased some basswood strips at Michael’s. I thought I had purchased enough for the look I wanted, but when I went back through my photos from Chautauqua, I realized that the battens were about a foot apart on most of the cottages, much closer together than I had originally planned. Since I’m working in 1:12 scale, that means the battens are an inch apart.
So I didn’t buy enough. But no matter, I can get started, right?
I started with the front of the studio, since the battens here only need to reach the height of the windows and I had enough wood on hand to execute the look. Then I painted. Two coats.
I’m really happy with it. I started on this when Don was still here – with strict orders not to come upstairs – and I had to stop myself from asking him to come upstairs and “see what I’ve done!” I usually share the ongoing steps of these projects with him and now I can’t. But I can share them with you.
I had to close the sliding door. We do live in the country after all – a little critter might decide to visit.
What do you think?
We watched Strangers on a Train last night, one of my favorite Hitchcock movies. Perfect.
The obligatory flower photo:
Cheery zinnias.
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page – it’s a review of The Cairo Affair by Olen Steinhauer.
Happy Monday.
Hi Claudia, I am so enjoying watching your creation unfold. It is beautiful so far. Congratulations! Caught up on your weekend posts and I’m so glad Dame Scout is feeling better. Give her a little scratch behind the ears from me.
I will, Vera. Thank you!
Glad to hear that Scout is doing okay. I have been thinking about her and you both. Enjoying your Top Secret Project – Don will love it! We watched Strangers on a Train last night too.
It’s such a wonderful movie – with a chilling performance by Robert Walker!
Oh the studio is going to look great. I really like the red and white. Don is going to be so surprised. Can’t wait to see it finished.
hugs
It will be a while, Nancy! Thanks for the positive feedback!
Don will be able to see the evolution of his she’d via your blog and photos after the big reveal. Then, you can share with him the details.
I watched Her Highness and the Bellboy yesterday afternoon…a Robert Walker day for both of us!
I haven’t seen that one – I’ll have to watch it someday!
Hedy Lamarr was such a sweet Princess. June Allyson was a bit over the top as the hapless victim of her own imagination. Robert Walker exuded boyish innocence with his crush on the Princess who showed him kindness. It was a good movie that I just happened upon, not knowing that it even existed. I love cat sitting at my friend’s house…she has a more expensive cable option than I do and gets a lot of old movies!
A contrast from the cold-blooded killer in Strangers on a Train!
The studio is looking great!
Thanks, Kathy!
Love that shade of red!
Thank you, Sylvia!
Claudia, the studio is looking good. It is amazing how the details bring it to life. Doris
Thank you, Doris!
Oh…it looks spiffy! I’m sure Don is gonna love it! ;)
I hope so!
That looks AWESOME! So meant to be.
(Are you quite sure you don’t want to turn it into ‘Henri’s Bistro & Blues Bar’?)
Not that I don’t love Henri/Henry but I think we’ll stay with Don’s studio!
Studio’s looking great! Love that red! Zinnias looking great; I’m enjoying ours, have some on the dining table brightening our meals. “Strangers on a Train,” great film. A lot of it was filmed in my home town. I was alive and walking around on the planet then, and even knew who Hitchcock was, but have no memory of what must have been a pretty big deal. Robert Walker had such a short, sad life, didn’t he?
A very sad life. He was so talented. Where’s your hometown, Margaret?
Danbury, Connecticut.
Ah, not far from us. I’m in Danbury fairly regularly!
Maybe you’ll bump into my sister. She lives in New Milford but works in Danbury and Bethel.
Ah, yes…that’s a beautiful red. Will you have mini flowers planted outside? :D
I just might – or at the very least, I’ll have some pots and flowers on the deck. I have some kit sunflowers I need to assemble!
So….the question is…will you be able to wait until Christmas to gift Don w/ this lovely?? Oh, it will be difficult! I’m pretty sure I would cave.
Hope your Monday is progressing happily!! Really humid here. We are still wishing and hoping for rain.
With budgetary constraints, it might take me until Christmas to furnish it, Chris.
We’re supposed to get heavy thundershowers tomorrow. Maybe an inch of rain…we need it.
I LOVE IT!!!…really Claudia..it looks so good…I can hardly wait to see all that you do with the inside…Oh how I wish this was a real studio sitting in my backyard…lol..
And I wish it was in my backyard as well! How I’d love my own separate space. So would Don. We’d retreat to our individual creative spaces and then meet up at dinnertime!
I’m loving the secret project updates.
I’m glad! They’re fun to post, Pat. Plus, I have to let all of you in on the process, right?
I love zinnias. It’s a very, very early memory I have…must have been a wee tot…of Mother and I planting zinnias in a sunny patch by the backyard gate. I think they’re kid-friendly!
The secret project is looking fantastic! You are very talented and I can’t wait to see the final outcome.
Zinnias are old-fashioned, cheery flowers. I think they’re kid-friendly, too.
Claudia I love how this looks! This is such a cool project and I am enjoying it as you create a perfect surprise for Don!
hugs,
Linda
Thank you, Linda!
RED is one of my Very Favorite colors especially this barn red that you have selected for your TOP SECRET project. The battens have completely changed the look by adding an interesting texture and the red highlights it Beautifully. I Love the crisp white trims too! :D
Ah, thank you, Elizabeth! I’m quite happy with it so far…now to get some more of the basswood so I can finish up the outside.
The “obligatory flower photo” – yes! Please, always feel this way… that you must include flower photos. We love them! :>) PS – I watched “Strangers on a Train” too and wasn’t it great? Had never seen that particular Hitchcock film before. Now I think there are only a couple of the American ones I haven’t seen – I think “The Wrong Man,” “The Paradine Case” and oddly enough, the last one “Family Plot.” We’ve been getting a drenching, windowpane-tapping rain here for several hours. How about you guys?
We’re getting one now, Janet. It started overnight and it’s been very heavy all morning. We need it!
I love it. I’ve been gone for awhile, so I’ll have to go back and play catch up on your posts, but I sure like the board and batten look. I bet Don will too. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you, Betsy!
This was so much fun to see. We are building a real wee cabin in Mn. and it will be red with white trim! We are using blackish shingles. I had thought grey but they are too pale. What will you use?
I don’t think I’m going to be using shingles – the roof that comes with the kit can be customized and I have an idea or two about what I want to do with it.