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Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Back To The Grind...

Hello friends! I'm back home in the northwest, safe and sound, and mom's new place is adorable! Arizona was beautiful and although very hot (108 was the highest temp in Lake Havasu City while I was there), not at all intolerable. Stepping outside from the air conditioning felt like getting into a warm tub and my 48 year old joints felt like they were wrapped in a heating pad! Just one day back in our moist climate has reminded me why lots of people retire to the southwest. Hello again arthritis...


There was lots of moving, lifting, unpacking and shopping for mom's new home. In between and while waiting for the moving truck to arrive, we toured the surrounding areas and got a taste of all the southwest has to offer. I think mom is going to love discovering her new city, and adopting a new routine will be a great adventure for her and my dad.

One of the fun excursions we enjoyed was a trip to the Mesa swap meet. Mom had seen some pottery cut out back-lit scene lamps there last year and knew she had to have them. Can you believe I didn't remember to take a picture? Well, they look something like this, only hers has a saguaro cactus, a jar and a wagon wheel. I have a feeling I may just come home with an empty one on a future visit - imagine the mini scene you could create inside!


Mom also bought her first two pairs of sandals - ever! Yep, she's never owned a pair and now she'll be living in them. Needless to say, we also had pedicures. Her tiny feet and newly painted toes looked stylish and adorable in them! Again, no photo - where was my head?

I got to stop at Auntie Em's in Glendale, and this time we got there early enough so that I could see everything! I made myself right at home, and methodically went through every box and basket of vintage and clearance miniatures. While sitting on the floor in between the pegged lighting displays, another shopper stopped by to ask where the picture frames could be found. She thought I worked there, and oddly enough, I knew right where they were! I found several unique fixtures for the Glencroft kit (third project in line as of this writing)...


And nearly cleaned out a basket of fixtures marked down to $2.50 each. I am thinking these will work well for Brimble's, although starting it is nowhere on the radar at the moment.


I found a mate to the window I picked up there in February - now I have two. I am thinking they will work in the Glencroft's stairwell. There I go cutting walls again! I can't seem to leave well enough alone. The little jug is slated for this build, too.


I found a couple unique doors made by Timberbrook - no idea on their age but I liked that they were unique and marked down. The third door has no makers mark but I loved the shape. If I make a pattern from it I can use it again and again on future builds.


I liked the look of this balcony kit, and although I don't have a dollhouse kit that it will work for, I thought it would make a neat stand alone and space saving little scene backdrop. Sometimes it's nice to have a quick build idea on hand when the big projects become a little mundane.



I found a couple packs of newel posts for the New Orleans stair balcony and a couple carved wall panels that I might use on the upstairs doors. For Brimble's, I found a kit to make a hot dog warmer and condiments.


The next build in the queue is a Christmas cottage. I'll be using the Dura-Craft Columbian kit and I think I've got pretty much everything I need. I was going to build a sink and cabinets, but when I saw these I just couldn't resist them. I want to go totally cutsie with this build, so we'll see where that leads. With less than six months to go until the holidays, I may need to get started on it concurrently with the New Orleans.


And just to prove that I am indeed mad for miniatures and am also an optimistic soul who will apparently be living a long time and be healthy enough to complete several more dollhouse projects before I die, I came home to the kit below which I had purchased using the eBay app on my iPad from Arizona. It was way too easy.


I had been thinking about looking for a Dura-Craft Heritage, but when I've seen them available, I didn't like the asking price or the shipping. $50 for the unopened Linfield was just too good to pass up. And what will I do with it now?


Add it to the pile of future hopes and dreams. :0P

Last but not least, I am woefully behind on my blog reading and commenting. I am going through withdrawal! It is amazing how a 67 year old senior citizen can keep you from sitting longer than 5 minutes at a stretch. Let's just say that it's good to be home with my butt in a chair and so many good blog posts to catch up on!

Back to the grind :0),

Jodi

22 comments:

  1. Wow, you have had fun! I love the Dura-Craft houses, they have so much character so I am sure you will do wonders with your Linfield. And I like the start of you Christmas cottage. Look forward to seeing it one day!

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    1. It is all fun and games until the credit card statement arrives, lol! The Columbian will be my very first Dura-Craft kit, and I am really excited to see how they go together. The first challenge for the Linfield will be building a stairway alcove to the left of the living room to make more space inside. It will be fun to bash it up a bit! And it will be way more fun knowing that you're coming along for the ride! :O)

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  2. Welcome back! You really have had fun at that shop! Can't wait to see how you use all of your finds.

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I am really eager to get glue on my fingers again!

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  3. Welcome back! You know I love a good shopping trip that involves new old stock! Fabulous finds. :D

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    1. Thanks, Brae! One day we need to organize a month long "mini archaeology" group road trip across the country. We'll visit all the old shops and scour Craigslist ads and eBay listings in every city we visit! Now that would be a vacation to remember!

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  4. Wow, you really made the most of your trip. Love all your purchases, so much potential. It seems that you have all your free time booked for the next 20 years! Enjoy :)

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    1. Thanks, Alexandra! I was hoping to find an old obscure kit, but somebody beat me to them! I have a lot on the docket already, now if I can just find more time!

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  5. Hello Jodi,
    Welcome back! Your moms new home is beautiful! I'll bet it would make a terrific miniature project ;)I am glad all is well and wish her much happiness in her new home...and sandals! You found some amazing pieces at some amazing prices. the lights are wonderful. I love the pieces for the kitchen and as for those wonderful windows, walls are made to be cut...at least in miniature. Enjoy getting back into your routine.
    A big hug to you and to your mom,
    Giac

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    1. Thanks, Giac! One of the wonderful features in her house is that the living room and kitchen walls have a shelf that runs around them - imagine all that display space for mini projects! And thank you for the encouragement about personalizing the kits! If you've taught me anything, it's don't be afraid to change what isn't setting your heart aflutter! Big hugs back!

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  6. Welcome home. I'm glad you got to enjoy some time settling your parents in, and do a little shopping. Great finds!

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    1. Thanks, Keli! I am glad to have had the time with mom to see a 35 year old dream coming true for her! This weekend I'm helping them paint the interior of the WA house so they can get it on the market. One more load down and they are all finished. It still seems unreal...

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  7. Hi Jodi! We missed you Heaps but I think that your helping your mom and dad to move and get settled into their new home was Very Important. Moving is a big job at any time, but to move to a new state and away from what has been familiar to them for so long is a GIANT Leap, and your emotional as well as your physical help and support, must have been a great blessing to your parents.
    And I remember quite well that when my arthritic mother and I, spent a couple of weeks in Mesa, she NEVER felt better in her life so it is no wonder that the northern snowbirds make their way down to Arizona and often stay. ;P

    I am excited for you that you had the time to visit Auntie Em's in Glendale, because I LOVE your collection of vintage light fixtures- What a SCOOP! Love your new house kit and your doors, furniture and building supplies, your ideas for all of them sound Very Intriguing. :)
    With your many skills and talents, I KNOW that each of your new minis have found the RIGHT OWNER :D
    Welcome Home Jodi!

    elizabeth

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    1. You are so awesome, Elizabeth! Thanks so much for the kind words and supporting my mini dreams! It makes it so much more special to have you along as I go...

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  8. Glad you're home safe and well, and with enough mini goodies for the next decade :0D If there is a shortage of mini kits, I know where to come :0P

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  9. Thanks, Pepper! Me too! There really is no place like home!
    You are absolutely invited when the apocalypse happens. I've got mini supplies in hoards, neatly organized of course, and would love your creative company! We've even got a generator, which will be handy for all the power tools unless of course we've also experienced the dreaded solar flare!

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  10. Great post! Glad you got your Mum settled into her new home. I'm sure she'll create many happy memories there and as you said, the warm dry air will be kind to more mature bones. :)
    I love new old stock, I wish we had those kind of stores in Australia! I want in on that "mini archaeology"group road trip too! Sounds like a great excuse for a vacation to me.. I'm bringing an empty suitcase for purchases. :D

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    1. You are totally in, and if I should happen to win the lottery, I'll organize and spring for everything! I think we might need a big passenger van and a large trailer to tow behind. Then we could all fill a couple large trunks instead!

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  11. Oh, forgot to mention.. I love Duracraft kits.. and the Linfield is a good one. :)

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    1. I almost started on The Columbian this week! It might be a good plan for when I get stuck or frustrated on the New Orleans!

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  12. Seguro que todas esas compras van a ser de gran utilidad.

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