Followers

Thursday, December 16, 2010

2011 is on it's way.

This is the time of year when I start thinking about New Year's resolutions and reviewing the old year. Some resolutions I will make again, even knowing the same ones made every year are broken within days, but maybe 2011 will be the successful year! 

For the magic of New Year's resolutions to work though, I have to get everything tidy from the current year, so it is a time of pulling out old projects and finishing them - not the dollshouse, much to my husband's disappointment, but some of the unfinished furnishings came from their takeaway containers to be worked on.



With the larder still waiting for materials, the kitchen table was the obvious piece to pull out. It is semi based on our real life kitchen table. I have always loved the square turned legs on it and used to puzzle over how they were made. A needle file and half a dozen emery boards later and I now know. Possibly the real life craftsman 100 years ago used different tools.



 I've always wanted a drawer in our table so could add one here instead and I love the cutlery which were a pack of jewellery charms - a complete set for 50 cents on a sale table! With the rings filed off and the knife handles painted cream, they were just what I wanted. Even though the drawer will generally be kept closed, I like knowing they are there.


Pip, the eldest boy in my dollshouse family, finally got a desk, maybe one day he will have a bedroom to put it in!  After the war materials were in short supply and a 1947 'Hobbies Weekly' magazine recommends using cardboard or black linen (blackout fabric?) to back a tallboy until ply became available. I can't imagine that in our time when materials of all kinds are so readily available. 

With that in mind, I decided a piece of furniture which looked 'repurposed' with a slap of post war brown paint would be perfect. The authenticity was increased when the cat knocked the drying piece off the desk and rather than replace the resulting broken leg, it seemed right to splint and paint it. Maybe it had been a broken washstand stored in the attic from an era when nothing was thrown away? I think when it is finally in place I will give him a crystal radio set to work on and I had to smile after doing the inkstains, when I realised that Pip must be left handed. How often these dolls houses take on their own life and build their own stories!



Last was Pip's toy chest, from an old blind slat and my first attempt at 'joining'. It is pretty rough (it was a very hard blind slat!), but I like the effect and as I imagine it as a chest used to bring treasures back from Istanbul/Constantinople where his father was on a dig before the war, it doesn't need to be a craftsman piece ...fortunately!

Pip's mat was done a while ago and was so much easier than the plaited methods I had been playing with. Crochet a chain of variegated thick wool and start winding into an oval. As you go, either ladder stitch it into shape across the bumps on the back or glue it to a piece of card, then press with a hot steamy iron and liberal amounts of spray starch until it is flattened.

A couple more bits to finish and I can start concentrating on Christmas!

Welcome to my new followers. As always it is lovely to see new faces and I hope you enjoy visiting.

From my last post is Patrisan and of course I remembered her after visiting another blog, as she has the most wonderful giveaway of teeny shoes! These are incredible! I don't often go in giveaways, but my name was down in Patrisan's post as soon as I saw her gorgeous offer. I have used the google translate link, so I hope it works, but if you visit her before the 18th, look for her giveaway post which she will be closing on that date. (if it doesn't work...that's more chances for me to win, hehehe) Congratulations Patrisan on your tiny new niece as well.

Drora Hed, Lady Jane and Beth Laverty aren't showing up with blogs, so please DO contact me if you have one we can share.

Edit - Lady Jane  left a comment on my last blog post, so I was able to track down her two blogs from there. I haven't had a chance for a full read yet, but have enjoyed what I have seen so far - another talented and creative homemaker.

Mandy  is another who wasn't showing up with a blog when I posted, then it clicked and I realised she is DHE friend. She is reasonably new to mini ing (I think) but has a wealth of talent from various crafts she has mastered,  before mini life, to draw upon.  

I noticed Lucky Little Fringer is following Mandy as well, still apparently blogless. As they were one of my first followers as well, I was intrigued. If you ever want to come from your quiet following corner, please let us know.

Another follower from my 'no picture' list is the Karen and Kevin team. I'm sorry I didn't notice you hidden away there. Karen and Kevin are building the most amazing Tudor dollshouse. I have to be careful when I call by and visit in case I come back full of discontent. The detail is amazing and it is truly a grand house, and enormous, even at 1:12 scale.

I'll see you all next time, stay safe and calm over this time.

13 comments:

  1. love the cricket bat and the table you did hope Pip gets a room for xmas lol

    merry xmas to you
    Gail

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a really interesting project Christine. I'm happy to have found your blog thru the comment you left on "Kilmouski and me".

    ReplyDelete
  3. He,He. Takeaway containers come in very handy. ;-D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I too don't like to go into the New Year with the Old Year's stuff (or dust!). I like the little table with the cutlery drawer (I love knowing there's bits hiding away as well) and the table with the ink stains is excellent along with it's wonky leg! Definitely a table with character.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good Morning Sweetie...
    What a beautiful share this morning. I love that little cricket bat and toy chest. Is that precious or what? Table is awesome.

    Lady Jane sent me over to meet you and I am so thrilled that she did. You have a beautiful blog home sweet friend. I am Country Wings in Phoenix your newest follower. I hope you will stop over and say hello. I love meeting new friends and sharing. I would love to have you as a follower as well.

    Have a beautiful Christmas. Country hugs and much love, Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  6. Uh oh! Resolutions!
    I love visiting your house it is like a vacation. May you have the best holiday and the happiest of New Year's to come! Cheers. CM

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for commenting on my post my cat tends to want to be involved with my collectable dolls if im changing them she tries to push between us lol

    I too used to collect postcards i find them fasniating

    hugs
    Gail

    ReplyDelete
  8. i can't think of a single new years resolution that i am likely to keep!! i love the set of cutlery and the knitted tea cosy... have a lovely xmas, best wishes to you and yours. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your table with the drawer of cutlery, Christine! It reminds me of the first table I bought.... I bought it from the tenant who was leaving the house I was to rent and the table drawer was full of cutlery! Some of my best knives and spoons - to this day I love them! Your furniture is all really nicely done and authentic to the period!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for sharing these photos of your wonderful work. I love the idea of your cutlery being tucked away in a drawer - out of sight but you know it's there. Your scenes are a visual delight!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you everyone for stopping by and leaving a comment. :D I love hearing your reminiscences and grin at the things we have in common. Welcome Norma, Sherry and Bev. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Christine
    Thanks for the mention :o) you have such a wonderfull blog and the things you make are amazing. Yours is one of the blogs we visit most.
    Hope you had a wonderfull xmas and a very Happy New Year to you and all your family and followers :o)

    Karen & Kevin x

    http://tudordollshouse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Christine, like so many others I too like the idea of drawers full of goodies that aren't obvious but we know they are there. I love your blog and follow with great interest. you inspire me to bring out my 1:12 scale treasures after I finish my current 1:48 scale projects.
    Sandra (Snippets from my Studio)

    ReplyDelete