Too Many To-Dos!

Hi Guys! Russ and I are just back from a wonderful and heart filling trip to see family, friends and some awe inspiring parts of the American West! So many things ignited my mini passion that I came home filled with inspiration and motivation to tackle everything on my To-Do and Wish lists. The only obstacle has been... knowing where to start! I should probably do the laundry first!

Before we left I had so much excited, nervous energy that I was having trouble sleeping. I took advantage of the extra hours and started on the Lawbre Potting Shed and Greenhouse. The greenhouse structure is built totally from stick lumber and has to be constructed on a foam panel and held in place with "T" pins until the glue is dried.

The potting shed portion is comprised of 3/8" particle board and is easy to assemble, so I begin with that.

Because I have a vested interest in reducing the "stuff" in my work room, I dug around in my wood stash to find something I could use for both the interior and exterior wall cladding. I found a couple different sized bead board sheets and luckily had plenty! I applied it horizontally to look like clapboard.

I also had a couple sheets of vintage white brick to use as flooring. I picked a few colors of acrylic paint and randomly painted, then whitewashed the bricks. I used OneTime spackle for grout and will age everything with washes or chalk dust once the roof is on and the window is in.

I'm hoping to start on the greenhouse walls this week but I can't give the project my full attention for several weeks. You see, we have to turn our attention back to the real life house renos now that Russ' crazy work project is finished. With a bit of smooth progress and renewed motivation we should have the family room wrapped up in a few weeks. Then I have some new tools to set up in my workroom, more mini stuff to list on eBay and a side project for a friend. See? Too many To-Dos!

But one last exciting thing...

Auntie Em's in Glendale Arizona just happens to be right on the way from my parent's house in Lake Havasu to our friends' house in Carefree. If I had the time I could spend days (and soooo many $$$) in there! It is absolutely jam packed with amazing minis! Emily, the vivacious and friendly owner (who is in her 80's) is still there to talk minis! I always seem to find something on my wish list, and this time was no different! 

I know, I know! I need another project like I need a hole in my head but come on! How can I resist a Sid Cooke?????? It'll go on the dream shelf to tempt me with all my other treasures until inspiration wipes out my common sense. 😊

Progress on all my dreams might come slow, but knowing that I am working on something everyday is comforting! I'll be back to share some kind of progress soon!

xo xo,

Jodi

A New Spring Project...

Hello Friends! For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is in full force. In the Northwest corner of the United States, that means dreary, gray, often wet skies. Chilly mornings force extra layers, dark evenings hasten bedtime and yards full of slowly growing twigs await nature's transformation. The air crackles with an electric longing as the huddled masses at bus stops gird their loins until the first signs of spring. I'll know it's here when, upon awakening, I am greeted by a bright morning full of birdsong. That's when my annual store of hope and joy will fully burst open! Until then, I am orchestrating plans in my mini workshop for a new spring project.

More will be announced, right here, soon. But first, I need to make the loop to the Southwestern United States to check on the family elders. They are much wiser and live where the winters aren't so tough to survive. Hopefully, while there, I'll absorb enough sunshine to tide me through the last dreary days of winter back home.

Stay warm! See you soon! 

xo xo,

Jodi

Decommissioning A Dream

Happy New Years, everyone! I realize that title makes it sound like I am doing a bad thing. On the contrary! It is a very happy thing! For both my future in minis and for another dreamer who is also an admirer of my projects. 

Enough with all the hyperbole - here is the scoop: I have sold on the New Orleans Dollhouse!  The buyer, a local follower and lovely woman, is also an absolute dollhouse nut just like us. 

She wanted the dollhouse, mostly for the kitchen (who can blame her?), so I set about pulling everything out that wasn't nailed down. That means... More eBay Auctions! 

It has been quite a process to lovingly remove each carefully curated (or created) piece. It has been wonderful to reminisce on all the memories of how this beautiful dollhouse was brought to life from kit to dream come true! I am so grateful to have the blog which chronicled so much of the process. It makes me proud of the challenges I had to overcome and gives me confidence that whatever dream I try to tackle in the future, with inspiration and determination, I believe they'll come true!

As much as I love the New Orleans' contents, I simply can't hang on to everything if I want to keep dreaming and making new things. Hopefully, all the stuff will find its way to new homes with dreamers just like me. Maybe it's you!

The auctions, all eleven of them, have been broken down by room and are being sold in massive lots. All the bidding starts at $.99 cents with no reserve, buyers will only pay for the actual shipping charges to their address, and if the total exceeds USPS insurance I will pony up for the extra coverage, no charge.

My Miniature Madness eBay Store

Bidding starts on Thursday, January 15th and goes through Sunday, January 25th. There's nothing to lose so go have a look! I hope you'll at least find some inspiration for your own projects!

Hope the New Year has been good to all of you and that it only continues to get better!

Happy Bidding!

xo xo,

Jodi