Diary of a Mad Miniaturist: 29 October 2000

29 October 2000:  Greetings from Gulf Shores, Alabama!  I have indeed found many shells for the doll house.  I'm even toying with the idea of a "shell wall" in the Mud Room.  Or if it's going to be a Sun Room. . . well, perhaps a shell wall would work there as well, or perhaps in the Roof Top Garden?  I'll have to give that further thought.

New items of interest - I "rediscovered" a lovely doily in the house the other day (Thursday?) and I've purchased two more here - at Nigel's urging no less! He found them and suggested I use them as "rugs"!  I was so pleased that he took an interest.  But the best is yet to come!

Some time later, when we'd been through so many shops I'd lost track and I was all for giving up but Nigel kept insisting we stay.....we found a bookstore.  I went in and found a spot to browse, then I saw Nigel in the Craft Section, looking for something.  The next thing I know, he's gone and I start to look through the books in that area - to see if I could find any about - what else - doll houses.  Then I hear him calling my name and motioning for me to join him.  I have to admit I was a little exasperated because I didn't want to leave my search just yet.  But I gave in and went over to him.  That's when he presented me with a book on doll houses!  He said it was the only one he could find and he hoped I didn't already have it.

I was so proud of him and so thoughtfully touched by his sweet gesture.  It still makes me smile inside! I think he approves! Or at least he acknowledges that I have a keen interest in this.....and I will do for some time to come!

P.S.  I have no idea if the book is any good. But I was so pleased with Nigel's interest that even if I already had the book, I don't think I would have told him!


Until the next post.
May God Bless, Jan

Diary of a Mad Miniaturist: 22 October 2000

22 October 2000:  I found a white picket fence and an arbor to walk under!  They'll be stunning in the rooftop garden, with greenery and perhaps roses entertwined!

24 October 2000:  A new development! A stitched quilt-pattern rug for the dining room! It's a piece of 12 quilt block patterns I cross stitched years ago - in 1993 to be exact.  When completed though, I never cared for the piece.  Now it will serve the dining room well.  All I have to do is stitch along the edge of the design, then fray the edges to resemble a rug.

Completed "rug".  It looks great, even if I do say so myself!

26 October 2000:  My glass faceted door knobs have come in and - after some fiddling with them on my part - they are now in place.  A trifle large, but pretty nonetheless!  I've also decided (at least I think I've decided) to distress the overall outside finish.


Last evening, we went to the Public Library where not only did I find several books on the subject of doll houses, I actually saw a real doll house on display!  If truth be told, I believe I've seen it before, but having no particular interest in the subject at the time, I failed to truly appreciate it then. 


I've also been given the telephone number of a lady here in Huntsville who apparently is "chairperson" of a local miniaturist club!  I haven't called her yet.  Perhaps when we return from our trip to Gulf Shores (Nigel and I).


Today, I found what appears to be a good Internet address for doll accessories.  The items on view were extraordinary!! Garden furniture, food, kitchenware, etc.  Perhaps if there is a local club, they'll know where best to shop!


And while in Gulf Shores, I hope (at a minimum) to collect baby shells for projects later on.  Maybe a shell encrusted mirror frame, or covered box or chest?  Or just some shells to display!


I almost forgot!!  I've painted and assembled the staircase!  Green, burgundy, camel and walnut - with a flower design painted on the risers.  I must say - it looks rather grand.  And I plan not to attach it permanently so I can rearrange it whenever I wish.

I'm enjoying myself quite a lot as you can see.  At least it keeps my mind occupied most of the time.  There are some days however when I shouldn't spend so much time on it (when Nigel is actually home!)  But it's very hard to break the habit once started.  I suppose there are far worse things I could be doing!


Until next post.....May God Bless,
Jan

Diary of a Mad Miniaturist: 21 October 2000

Up until now, I've told you about how the current Mulberry Cottage got it's start in 2000.  Now I'm going to share with you my journal entries over the years since concerning the dolls house!  Hope you enjoy them as much as I did, getting to re-read them!


21 October 2000:  Here are the rooms and their lay-out inside the cabinet:

Yes, I have given it a lot of thought.  It's almost an obsession with me lately.  Even led to me having this journal, as well as a detailed "workbook" of ideas, plans, etc. 


There are times when I think I'll go crazy, trying to sort it all out in my head.  But those are few and far between.  The best moments are when I think of all the possibilities, all the fun I'll have, all the "oohs and aahs" I'll have! For it is my plan to have a show piece, if you will, albeit a loved and cared for show piece.


Perhaps this week I'll be carrying it upstairs to my "currently evolving" studio.  Then I think I'll start to work on that staircase!


P.S.  Yes, this is my mid-life crisis Nigel.  But you have to admit - there are far worse things I could be doing!


P.S. P.S.  As for the jewelry cabinet - I've already sanded off the old finish.  It's about 18" tall, with 2 doors opening in the center.  It also has a bottom drawer.  I think it might make a lovely shop or two - perhaps an English bakery and a flower shop.  A tea room?!?  You can see the possibilities are endless! 


Jan Fursdon, Madison, Alabama


 21 October 2000:  I think my first project - now I have the cabinet house upstairs - will be the stairs.  I'm painting them,  perhaps with a design on each tread?  Then stain the wood over it.  I just hope I can follow the instructions when putting the banister and rails up.  Before I do anything though, I need to take photographs.  And buy some decent colored paint.

View of completed staircase.  The right side (without the railing) goes up against the wall in the Foyer.

I haven't decided if I'm happy with the high gloss white on the exterior of the cabinet.  I may distress it, but then again......the difficulty is trying to picture how the cabinet will look with hardwood floors and other furniture that will eventually be in the rooms - also painted.


I think the best thing to do at this point is to step back and wait . . . . . not easy for me as you well know!


I do like the interior I've painted - a pale tan (masking tape color).


Till the next post....
May God Bless, Jan