Sunday, October 28, 2018

I'm Of Mixed Opinions...

…About this weekend.

We are not going live with the new accounting program Thursday morning so I didn't have to work on Saturday.

With everything that happened it might have been better if I worked.

It started out well enough. I was fooling around with the fabric for the bed curtains.  The pleats take away from the pattern as you saw in Saturday's post so I'll be using some aluminum foil and glue and other methods to give them some dimension.

I did figure out some trim to hide the curtain rods so at least I don't have to worry about making everything perfect.

I also added some trim to the bottom of the bed.  Here's a quick picture of it before.


It's not super noticeable but I like it.



I stained the other pieces but I won't add them until after the curtains are up.

Then I started to move the house around so I could mess with the wiring.  Catastrophe struck.  I'll spare you the play by play and just show you the result.  I'm sure you can imagine the cursing that went on during this.


The cats pretty much stayed away from me after that.  It wasn't their fault, wasn't even anything they did.  But I don't get mad like that often enough that they're blasé about it.

I spent the next portion of my day putting the tower back together.


Notice it is well away from the rest of the house so I can't tip it over again.  I just hope it isn't crooked.

Once I managed to fix what I broke I started to figure out the lighting/furniture placement for the bedroom.




I wasn't sure where to put the pile of books, but I decided on the spot next to the fireplace would make more sense.

The tapestries stayed up, so that was a bright spot.



I added a shelf and some jars to the kitchen chimney.


I figured out where I wanted to place the kitchen table so I could drill a hole in the floor for the wires.



Even if I want to slant it a bit I didn't glue it down so I can move it slightly.

And I tested my lights.  And they worked which is nice.



 
And a nice view of the ceiling.  

I put the house on it's side and extended the wires so they'd go out the back.  That's always fun.



I got my base built and decided that I'd put off gluing the house to it long enough.  And maybe it the tower was glued to something I wouldn't be able to topple it over and break it again.

Of course the minute I got the area cleared on the table and the house glued to the base someone had to look around.

Tali Zorah Vas'Normandy, aka The Building Inspector peaking around the corner of the house.



 Thankfully she didn't try to climb inside.  But this is the reason the dollhouse gets closed up each time I'm done with the work on it.

So the next step is to make the hallway between the stair tower and the rooms.  I got that mostly done for the first floor.




I used the brick paper from the inside of the tower and some plaster to give it the same look.  And I got started on the floor for the second floor hall.   I'll work on the rest of that next weekend.  Hopefully I'll have an update on the bed curtains then too.

The last thing I did was glue the front step in place.



Is it me or does the tower look crooked?

It's going to drive me crazy, I can tell.

But for now I'm done.

Hope everyone else's weekend went more smoothly!


A saltbox (Keli)
Clogs (Keli) 
A still (might be able to do this with Kris's 'paper pottery')
Sausages on a string (ordered)

Drill & Route out channels for lighting wires.
Finish shutters & interior trim for all windows on main cottage.
         First Floor          
         Second Floor
Build Fireplaces & chimneys
        First Floor
        Second Floor
Cut bricks and stone for outside of lower walls and tower.
(Test Magic Brik) - in progress
Add brick/stone to fireplaces.
        First Floor         
        Second Floor
Age fireplaces
        First Floor
        Second Floor
Build base for house
        Get the wiring for the bottom floor extended to go out the back (must be done before attaching            cottage to base.
Get cottage on base
Attach Tower to Main Cottage
        Doorway Finishes
        Hall Stone?-Brick
        Floors.
Bedroom mantle
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.
          Dormer ceiling supports
          Add final supports to desk alcove
Second floor Ceiling finish?
Ceiling beams and roof support for the tower.
Stain purchased furniture
          Bedroom
          Kitchen
          Stillroom
          Weaving/workroom
Build furniture:
          Make sink
          Make curved table for tower room
          Make loom
          Adjust tables for lab
          Make stool
          Make telescope 1/2 done
          Make orrey 1/4 done
          Make tapestry
          Make rush mats
          Make bedding
          Make books & scrolls
          Make paper pottery
Stillroom paraphernalia
          Potions? (some bottles made)
          Cage with spider (on the loose)
          Cage with mice
          Cauldron floating spoon? (testing)
Workroom
          Wool cards (make)
          Drying rack ?
          Hanging died wool
          Carded wool in baskets
          Finished fabric on shelves (some folded maybe? rolled instead)
          Second spinning wheel w/straw to gold? Might look too crowded.
Kitchen
          Put food in baskets
          Add food & utensils to table
          Make lantern
          Hang sausages
Furniture in place finalize lights.
          Make sconce
          Make candelabras
                 Standing Candelabra
                 2 small Candelabras
                              Remove candles from extra and add to stillroom table.
Add flooring
Plaster inside walls
Create 'slate' roof
Bargeboards/trim for roof gables.
Create front garden
          Make tree?
          Make stream?
          Make lake/river to go alongside house
          Make stone wall to go around garden
          Iron front gate. 

26 comments:

  1. Seeing the entire house as a single unit gives me an even Greater Appreciation for all of the Amazing Modifications you have done and continue to do with this project! And given the challenges you've already over-come, I'm certain that it's just a matter of time before your bed-curtains will also fall gently into place.
    Your tower does look a bit crooked however the body of the house looks Solid and Exactly like one would expect an old Tudor home to look- BRAVO AGAIN Sheila!

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth! I need to do something to straighten the top room of the tower now that I know it's not just me. Some shims maybe...

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  2. Only a little bit of straightening, which now that you are calmer can get fixed. I love this project and enjoy looking at your work.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thanks Drora! Yeah calmer is definitely better for working on something I've broken.

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  3. Hello Sheila,
    I am sorry about the catastrophe, but I am glad you were able to fix it. It does look just a tad crooked, but I am sure you will be able to fix that. The house is really a beautiful project.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac! Thanks, I can use all the hugs I can get. I think a few adjustments and I can get it even again. Hopefully.

      Hugs back!

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  4. I'm so sorry! Catastrophe like this can be really frustraiting. I would curse, for sure. And cry, probably.
    The most important is you fixed it.
    Unfortunatelly I think the tower is a bit crooked. But I'm sure you will figure it out.
    Love your Building Inspector. :)
    Seeing the whole house in one piece is something absolutely amazing. You did incredible job. I love watching progress. All the dietails. Everything is perfect.
    I love how the fireplace looks.

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    1. Thanks Kamelia! Building Inspector cleverly waited until the glue was dry before coming anywhere near the house. Not a stupid cat.

      Crooked I can manage even if it means more glue and work.

      I'll admit, it is a relief to get it on the base.

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  5. One step back - two steps forward. everything is coming together nicely. Keep the big picture of things in mind. It really is a great project!

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    1. Thanks Troy! I'm hopeful that even if I can't do a river or water feature I'll be able to make a front garden of some sort.

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  6. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to scoot or move the table I am working on and the horrible thought that the house will fall causes that terrible sinking in the pit of my stomach feeling! I am so sorry you had to go through that trauma, and I'm so happy that you were able to make the repairs! I can't tell if it looks crooked, but if it does, I can only imagine that it will add to the charm of the structure.
    I love the new shelf in the kitchen, and the fireplaces all lit up are so, so charming! The base was such a big hurdle to get over, and it has to feel so good to make that happen and to see your To-Do's dwindling fast! Thank goodness for getting time back we thought we wouldn't have! The hallway looks enchanting, and I love when you look into a room and see only part of what's in there! So even with the tower door closed, it will look really neat! The rope molding on the doorway is wonderful, too! Great work, and I'm sending good thoughts that the bedding fabric will come together easily for you!

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    1. Thanks Jodi! I'd been worried all along that it would get knocked over and at least I know I can put it back together again. I'm going to fiddle with it a bit and see if I can get it 'uncrooked' But we'll see.

      Once I get the upstairs hallway done I can close that area off completely. And then it's just a matter of roofing and landscaping. And the front garden if I can manage it. Then a few things like the bed curtains and odds and ends for the kitchen and astronomy tower.

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  7. OH NO! I would have cried. I am so happy it was repairable.

    Seeing the whole cottage together is massively impressive.

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    1. Thanks Keli! I honestly was too mad at myself to cry. I just couldn't believe I'd done that. Thank God for glue! Now to get it plumb again.

      I'm feeling a bit of relief now that every thing is glued down.

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  8. Tu proyecto es fantástico, la cama me ha encantado ; seguro que las cortinas que la pongas lograrás dominarlas. Me alegro que los destrozos hayan tenido arreglo, yo me pondría de los nervios viendo a tu gatito por entre todo tu trabajo. La torre si que se ve un poco torcida en la foto. Buenas noches:-)

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  9. Oooh nooo, what a catastrophe, Sheila, I'm glad that I wasn't near you while the cursing was going on and I fully can understand your cats: go away as far as you can leave the boss ;O! But I love the picture of your Building Inspector despite all, it's a beatiful cat ;).
    Happy to read that the lighting was okay and that the damage is restricted, at least as far as you think it is. I love seeing your pictures of your awesome house, it's absolutely wonderful.
    I see you're still doubting of how you'll make the bed curtains, yes, this heavy but wonderful fabric isn't easy to work with...
    Regarding the tower......old towers are often crooked, so I don't think it will disturb this old house...??
    At the end I am so happy the damage at the house was repairable, you've done a fantastic job!!
    Big hug, Ilona

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    1. Thanks Ilona! I'm going to fiddle with the tower a bit more this weekend, see if I can get it to straighten, otherwise I'll have to live with it.

      Tali is so curious about the houses, she'd crawl inside if she could.

      Bed curtains... I'm going to try and work on the a bit tomorrow night and this coming weekend. Crossing my fingers on that one.

      Hugs back and thanks again!

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  10. Oh, noes!! :[ Yeah, I've totally been a butterfingers myself. Always a sinking feeling. I'm glad you were able to repair it.

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    1. Thanks Brae! It could have been worse. It looks a bit crooked but I think I can fix that and then it'll be good as new.

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  11. I am sorry about the catastrophe, but I am glad you were able to fix it. The house is really a beautiful project and your Building Inspector is soo cute :)
    Big hugs

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    1. Thank you! I'm really grateful it was fixable. I can't imagine doing that all over again.

      Building Inspector is adorable and she knows it. She gets away with so much because of it.
      Hugs back!

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  12. Hi Sheila! I am so sorry for your Tower Collapse:( That is so aggravating! It is good to know it was possible to put it back together again. Even if it is not perfectly level... that sort of thing happens with Age anyway! LOL! The work you accomplished on the base and the wiring is so well done and doesn't it feel great to have the house on the base? I LOVE the Building Inspector... she is so pretty and clearly just wants to "help"! LOL! I think you got a huge amount done... and so much was the technical and not much fun stuff... so BRAVO for keeping at it in spite of set-backs! I think this project is so wonderful! And the glimpse of the hall passage to the Tower is just Perfect!!! I look forward to seeing more! :)

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I was aggravated. But at the same time glad I could put it together. I was able to use a brace and adjust the supports to level the tower a bit.

      Working on the upstairs 'hallway' now and once that's drying I'm hoping to play with the bed curtains some more.

      Building Inspector thinks she's welcome anywhere she goes. Jess calls it her 'multipass' so she can go anywhere. Universal passport. LOL

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  13. My boyfriend asked what was so funny I was laughing so hard the minute I saw the photo of the building inspector back on the scene! I can totally relate to that "I'm so close to the end, and it all falls apart" catastrophe! Last year 2 weeks before deadline all the walls caved in! I'm so so happy to know you were able to salvage everything and I'm sure you're even further along after today. The bedroom looks so good and everything is seamless in it's style. You've added so much weathering and aging every where to perfection. This is going to be a masterpiece Sheila!

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    1. Thanks Kristine! Honestly, the table wasn't clear for more than ten minutes before she was 'inspecting' the build.

      I would never have guessed your walls fell in last year. Thankfully this weekend I was able to level out the tower after the 'reconstruction' and it's been glued down now so no more falling over. (Crossing my fingers.)

      I'm really hoping it comes out as well as you all believe. I'm working hard!

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