Wednesday, November 8, 2017

New Project .... a Miniature House! Surely Not?

Dear All,


When you ask a best friend "what would you like for your birthday?" ... be prepared!



Elizabeth studioEminiatures.blogspot.com celebrated, in part, her birthday with us yesterday and when I asked her that question her answer was: "I want you to begin blogging again" and also ...

It is hard to say "no" to Elizabeth, yet alone NO!


I have finally begun a new miniature project. The French House took twenty years to complete. Handy husband gently suggested I should not plan on taking twenty years to finish this one.


My Miniteers friends had, for some time, been encouraging me to begin  - but begin what? That was my dilemma. Fatima & Elizabeth found me a very nicely-built dollhouse that I bought home and the thinking began in earnest

But it was so very blue! I am so good at procrastinating.





So handy husband painted it white so I could think easier or faster. (Trust me he is not reading the instructions - the brand new pressure tin nozzle was blocked.)



Then it did not look quite as the image I had for it. I am very good at delaying decisions.




So handy husband wielded the Dremel, the disk sander and the oscillating saw.




The house began to take shape. The balconies were removed. windows were raised and enlarged, walls modified, floor coverings removed, interior and exterior doors changed and



a little entry added to the front.




Looking better.


Elizabeth arrived, full of wonder at such amazing happenings. (That didn't last long. I could almost hear her thinking, but showing admirable restraint).  Then we had wine with lunch and she casually noted, "You realize of course one would hit ones head if you tried to walk up the stairs?".

Handy husband said "I knew that but I didn't mention it."

Out came the stairs for rebuilding.

Then we had dessert. "You realize that if you have a fireplace in the bedroom it will be too tight to walk around the bed?"

That is when I thought I should refocus the conversation and asked her what she would really like for her birthday.

"and an extra four inches on your project" she said quietly.



Elizabeth does not know handy husband as well as I do - almost before the words left her lips the saw and hammer were out and ....




Happy Birthday Elizabeth!  (Be careful what you wish for, I thought, but didn't say it out loud.)




Next Birthday lets go OUT for lunch!

Our other Miniteers, Fatima of Beauxminis and Linda lindasminiworld.blogspot.com could not be with us and I really missed their presence. They are so good at diverting the topic when they see that gleam in Elizabeth's eye. We know it can only mean more changes!


Would anyone like to attempt a guess at the "style" I am attempting? I hope someone can guess or I might have to make more changes.  Wait! handy husband ..... wait!




Thank you for visiting.

Janine





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26 comments:

  1. Yay! You have a new house and you’re blogging again! That’s great. (Does that mean you found an app?) Loving the new windows. I am thinking it may be Swedish or Scandinavian or similar, based on the front windows and entry. Am I way off??

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    1. Hi Shannon, Thank you, thank you.... perhaps I am on the right track.
      I am trying for a Swedish House with some Gustavian influences in the interior.
      BUT that is just a starting point. Who knows what direction the house may take me.
      I did not find an app to use for Blogger with my iPad and resorted to using our older iMac. I really appreciated your correspondence to try and help me with that problem.
      Regards Janine

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  2. That was such a FUN and Amazing Day Janine and Bruce and I Thank you both again for making my Birthday Wish Come True! :D
    Your _________ dollhouse is going to SPECTACULAR!

    elizabeth

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  3. How wonderful both to have a new project and a handy husband! It looks like it is going to be a wonderful house. Is it going to be a Victorian?
    I am so glad you are going to be doing more blogging. WE NEED YOU! ;-)
    I so wish I could have been there for Elizabeth's birthday. It feels a bit odd to say this on your blog but here goes... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH!!! Big hugs! XXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. Awwww Thanks for the Birthday Shout Out Catherine! :D

      And I agree with you re: our blogging community NEEDING MINWORKS, so all in favor say "aye"
      "AYE!" :D

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    2. Dear Catherine, So nice to hear from you. I always admire the way you undertake to learn the skills that enable you to create your wonderful miniatures.
      I know your flowermaking is tedious but your results compliment the amazing French buckets and watering cans perfectly.
      Thank you for being part of miniatures wonderful supportive community.
      Regards Janine

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  4. Hooray! So pleased to see your blog. One of these years I may get back to mine! I'm sure handy husband could be rented out. How about an extended "holiday" in Sydney? Can't wait to see the new project.
    Hugs, Linda

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    1. Hi Linda, I don’t think you need any help. I was with you when you bought a pill dispenser and next thing you had turned it into luxury seating in the dress shop!
      Looking forward to seeing you soon.
      Janine

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  5. Oooohhh, a New Project!!! Hooray!!! This house has humble beginnings... but it looks to be in great and creative hands.... it is already looking so much improved! I am so glad Elizabeth has convinced you to keep blogging... and building!!! Yippee!!!

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    1. Betsy, I can never get over how many projects you juggle. It is fun to share the process of building minis with the community. I simply felt I had nothing to tell.
      Perhaps you will see a bit more now something is underway,
      Have a great weekend,
      Regards Janine

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  6. I too love to see you back blogging.....I hate to see how we have lost so many by the way-side.....(or should that be to face-book?).
    You have made great progress on your new project.....but I fear you are letting your dear husband do the 'fun-stuff'......I think the exterior wood work is lots of fun to do. I look forward to more wonderful posts about your progress.

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    1. Hi Linda, I have noted that there are fewer miniaturists using the blogging platform. I do not use Facebook or anything else actually. I have no ideology about it but I presume people do it because it is a faster medium.
      I know it is not always usual for husbands to get involved in miniature projects. B is always interested in a challenge and cannot resist taking on a new one - as small as it may be!
      We enjoy working on projects together whether it be in full scale or mini. I also feel he wants me to gain momentum on this one so is turning my thoughts into reality in double quick time. It is best not to think aloud in this house.
      Regards Janine


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    2. It is lovely to see a husband who is interested enough to get in and give you a hand.....well done Bruce!
      I like to keep up with technology.....but I can live without Facebook.
      Enjoy your new project. X

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  7. Oh yes!!!!
    A new House ..I know the theme (I think) so I won't guess. Sad to have missed your the day with you and Elizabeth... Will definitely need a makeup session. However, Janine, I don't think that I could have diverted Elizabeth's resolve. I've seen it often while going through the build of mine. While I'm happy to have finished my house, now I'm having second thoughts. Or maybe not.. This is going to be an exceptional project I have no doubt. It will be wonderful to see it in progress. And Yes...welcome back to blogging.
    Big HUGS....fatima

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    1. Hi Fatima, Of course we missed you and we will get together again soon.
      What was that mention of second thoughts?
      Talk soon.
      Janine

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  8. Bonjour Janine, heureux de vous revoir avec un nouveau projet. Elizabet a eu une très bonne idée de vous "inviter" à commencer une nouvelle maison. A bientôt pour la suite.

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    1. Hi Jean-Claude, It is always a good idea to listed to Elizabeth’s advice!
      Sometimes though I just do not want to listen. I know she is right but I just know one thing leads to another!
      You will see what I mean. Thank you for dropping in.
      Regards Janine

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  9. Hello Janine,
    I love Elizabeth's present because we all got to enjoy this new post. The house is beautiful. I really love the alterations you've done so far. The entrance is such a great idea and I think will give the house a lot of character. I cannot wait to see more...I hope we will not have to wait too long for your next post.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Dear Giac, I was concerned that I would not remember how to blog!
      Now the days are shorter and we are not travelling and I am not in the garden (excuses, excuses) I think I will settle back into working on a hobby I really enjoy.
      Thank you for taking time to leave me a message. Very kind of you.
      Regards Janine

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  10. So awesome to see you working in minis again! :D I love the entryway. The transformation so far is marvelous.

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  11. What a good idea Elizabeth had to ask for such a present, it's great to see you with a new project. I wil be waiting for your future posts... You are very lucky to have such a husband. I like very much what you and he have made to this house, it's true that the way it looked as you got it asked for changes.
    After having met you it's lovely to see a picture of Elizabeth.
    Geneviève

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    1. Dear Genevieve, Elizabeth does not like to have her photo taken! I think she took about a week to get over the pic appearing in this blog. She was so happy when B took the side off the house to create that extra space.
      She always pushes me to do better. Isn’t that what friends are for?
      Regards Janine

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  12. This post was a pleasure to read and see (great pictures) It sounds like you two have a lot of fun. I'm glad to see your husband getting in on the fun. I am looking forward to your next post - Troy

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    1. Hi Troy, You are right, we do have a lot of fun together. B. Is always supportive and enthusiastic about my endeavours. More photos soon I hope.
      Regards and thank you for leaving a comment.

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  13. Hello, Janine! Welcome back to the minis! You have a wonderful husband and wonderful friends. The house promises so much space for creativity! I wish you inspiration! Hugs, Julia

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