This was another weekend of waiting for things to dry. Part of me doesn't mind because I've been on a real writing kick lately and waiting for things to dry means that I can work on a few other things besides minis.
I try not to do that too often because I really can't work to much on minis during the week so I try to do the writing then. But sometimes it just happens.
I needed to get all the stone on the fireplace and painted.
I like to paint once the stone is on the build because I can adjust the colors so they look more varied. Then I coat the painted stone with a satin polyurethane to protect it from the grout.
I'd bought a resin Tudor fireplace for the bedroom and to give it a little more texture so it would look more like stone I added some of the sugar paste to it. Mostly on the hearth and the brick backing but a little on the front carving.
Once I painted it I added the satin polyurethane to it as well.
The grout I like to use is the Greenleaf Stucco and a little can go a long way so I've been trying to not mix up too much at once.
I wiped of most of the grout but I needed to let it dry overnight so in the morning I got a wet cloth and wiped more of it off the stone so the stone didn't look so pale. Then there's another coat of the satin polyurethane.
Waiting for that to dry I decided to work on my sconces.
The more I looked at the sconces I'd bought the less I liked them. The description said 'Tudor' but they looked too modern to me. I took them apart and used the candles but made some new holders for them with drippy wax.
So they'd be more in keeping with the first floor of the cottage I made them out of wood and metal, similar to the standing candelabra.
With the glue still drying I decided to add the pot arm to the fireplace. And got out a few things I'd bought or it to show them off.
The idea is to have the fire behind the spit. I need to make a couple of little holders to place pots and kettles on for the little oven holes in front of the chimney but I'm not in a rush to do that yet.
The glue was mostly dry on the sconces so I decided to test them. And yes! They all work.
Then I picked two and attached them to the chimney.
I'm going to wait on the glue to dry before I add the chimney to the fireplace. So far I like how everything looks.
I have some jewelry findings and one of them would fit perfectly between the sconces on the fireplace. I really like how it looks but I'm concerned that with the drying rack over the table that the kitchen will get too busy visually. What do all of you think?
That's pretty much my weekend. Hope everyone else is doing well. I don't get to cross much off my list this time but I'll take every bit of progress I can get.
Build Fireplaces & chimneys
Plaster upper walls and third floor of tower.
Add timber to upper walls and third floor of tower. (testing)
Paint stone.
Add grout to stone and brick.
Ceiling beams on first floor.
Ceiling beams and roof support for lofted ceiling on second floor.
Ceiling beams and roof support for the tower.
Build furniture:
Make loom
Make stool
Make tapestry
Make rush mats
Make bedding
Make books & scrolls
Make paper pottery
Furniture in place finalize lights.
Make candelabras
2 small Candelabras
Add flooring
Add flooring
Plaster inside walls
Inside window trim & shutters
Build base for house.
Create 'slate' roof
Create front garden
Make tree?
Make stream?
Make lake/river to go alongside house
Make stone wall to go around garden
Iron front gate.
If not in the kitchen, would the deer head work on the fireplace chimney on the bedroom side? I like it, though it feels a little to fresh and clean as it is now, like it needs some aging or some rub and buff on it or something.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I agree, it would need to be aged somewhat. The bedroom side is going to have a tapestry over the fireplace so I couldn't use it there. I'm already working on my tapestry so I'm reluctant to give it up.
DeleteHOw far do the antlers stick out? It's probably not ideal, but I just pictured using it.... somewhere as a robe/cloak/dressing gown holder
DeleteThey don't stick out at all really. The head sticks out a bit but the antlers and all that design is flat. So I don't think it would work as a clothes hanger.
DeleteThe brick work looks so good, highly realistic! The sconces are much better, they did look too smooth and modern before, although before you made new ones I hadn't noticed, but now I do. The spit is a great accessory :-).
ReplyDeleteAbout the deer head, maybe you can wait until the kitchen is ready to see if it would work, or would that be too late?
Thank you! I'm pleased the sconces look so much better than the other ones.
DeleteMy big concern would be getting it to stay up if I don't use nails.
I have mixed feelings about the deer. It think it would look better in some other room than in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteEverything else is absolutely wonderful! I liked scones before, but now they are just perfect. And I love how you painted stones.
Yeah, I'm not sure about the deer. That's part of why I was asking for opinions.
DeleteThank you!
The stones and the fireplaces came out great! And I do like the sconces you made much better than the cookie cutter originals! I hope you continue to be inspired this week in both the writing and the minis!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm hoping to start on the floor this weekend!
DeleteYour scones look far better than the bought ones. I am not sure about the deer's head, maybe less dark, bronze color? It's a lovely ornamental piece. The fireplaces are stunning!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Drora
Thank you! Yeah I'm not sure about the deer head either.
DeleteHi Sheila! I think your fireplace looks wonderful! The sconces are way better the way you built them than the original ones! I agree that they looked too modern! As for the deer head over the fireplace... maybe if you made it the color of the stone... as if it were carved of stone... then it would be there but not stand out too much? Then again... this is a Fairy tale cottage.... so you can make it any way you like! I think it is looking wonderful so far! You are making a truly magical place!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm still debating the deer head. I want it to be a working kitchen and I'm not sure that fits in. I'll have to think about it some more.
DeleteHi Sheila, maybe the deer head could go on the tower door somewhere? I know it can be a challenge when you want to use a decoration and can't find its "place" lol!
DeleteIt's also sort of an extra that isn't really necessary. I might be able to put it in the stillroom/laboratory since that also has a big fireplace.
Delete