SPRING FLING

I know its been too long since I've posted. First the blizzard, then health issues and then

Valentine's Day

Saint Paddy's Day, Easter, Daughters Birthday, 

Then of course I had to make cupcakes to fill my liners from True2Scale, assemble a couple of 1/144 kits for my Thornhill Dollhouse Dollhouse, AND whip up a wheel barrel kit.

I make some of the greeting cards too, so time gets away from me.

Between now and July 4th, I have my recovery anniversary, Mom's Day, my birthday, the girls wedding anniversary, my daughter in law's birthday, Dad's Day. Then I think I get to breathe (minis) until October. 

While I envy you all your BEAUTIFUL families, I don't know HOW you do it all. There are only 4 of us, and I get overwhelmed from Halloween until July 4th. 

I'll be back later with CURTAINS.

HAPPY SPRING!

BOSTONIAN PROGRESS

This house will probably take much longer than my typical 12 years. All the doors and windows come in a million parts that have to be assembled. Then of course is all the sanding and several coats of paint.

I was not happy with the doors that came in the kit, so I purchased new ones (already assembled), and I  added a porthole window. I also changed up the floor plans a bit by adding a 1/2 bath on the first floor, and a full bath on the third floor. 

I drilled a hole in the ceiling under the tower, to enable more light to come in.

Readying for shingles

12 DIVIDED BY 12

https://picasaweb.google.com/KalRon29/RECOVERYBOXES#

STILL IN CHURCH

My challenges go beyond bad products, poor instructions, and incorrect order fills.
Making nice minis using "asthma friendly" products seems a contradiction in terms. Set backs (health and mini wise) get me down and tempt me to just give up. Just sit in the rocker and knit?
NOT!
The "water based" varnish ruined my faux stain on the pews and pulpit. I had to sand and scrape and start over.

As it turns out, I like the final color much better > so that is a GOOD THING. I'll use a water based  "minwax" poly for the final coat. This will have to wait for spring when I can mini outside. 

In the meantime, I unpacked all of the items I already have and displayed them. After 2 years it was nice to see some of my favorite things. The beautiful bride is by Joann Roberts. 

CHURCH PROGRESS

OR NOT!
It's been another never ending saga in the pursuit of finishing anything in miniature. I installed all of my hanging fixtures, and grabbed my husband to help me unearth this VERY large, VERY heavy building, so that I could connect all my wiring under it. I proceeded to add the spot lights. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR, the "spot lights" were nothing but bulbs. The store sent me the wrong items. (last October) Too late to do anything about it now. YES! I SHOULD have checked the order better. OK > So I finished with the fixtures I do have. I tried some battery operated lights that I have on hand, but they're not bright enough. The spot lights will have to wait until later. Then the building will then need to be turned over again. :-(

When I come up against bad products, or incorrect orders, I usually walk away and lose my mojo for months or years on end. But I pushed myself to proceed.
I mixed my homemade stain (safe for breathing) and set out to finish the pews I purchased a dozen years ago. OMG! There is so much glue on these pews, staining has made them look HORRIFIC. It will take weeks of scraping and sanding to get them any where near half decent. It would have saved a lot of time if I made them myself.
Now I need to step back for a while. Just for a few days. I'm still determined!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

I finished the ornaments in time. YAY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS RENO CONTINUES

This year I removed all the ornaments, so that I could add tree lights.

I also made a gingerbread house for the mantle. 

Now I have to redecorate the tree. See you soon. :-)

(Ginger bread house started as a kit from MINICRIS Christina Minischetti)

A LATE THANKSGIVING

This was my mini Thanksgiving Centerpiece. I know its late, but it is still football season :-)