Search My Blog!

Use the Search box below to find keywords that you're looking for quickly and easily!

Search Feature

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Pound Cake Begins...

I guess with a name like Pound Cake it was pretty easy to guess that my new project is a bakery! But it's oh so much more than a bakery! It's a shop I've been dreaming about and collecting ideas for, for years! Literally since the day I had to sell my sweet shop back in 2003.












This was my first miniatures project, aside from decorating my daughter's pre-built dollhouse, and my first ever kit. I was really proud of that little shop, so sad to see it go, and I always wonder if it still exists someplace...

But back to Pound Cake... I kept putting it off because it's such a BIG project. But when the adobe idea fell through I thought "Why not? You have so many supplies squirreled away! And you have collected so many neat minis for it over the years. Why not just take your time with it and enjoy it?". So, I cracked open the Brimble's Mercantile kit and I'm so excited to be on my way!



It's really quite a large kit with the bottom floor measuring out at 19" x 18". This is wonderful, as I'll be attempting to fit a bakery counter, bakery shelving, window displays, a back ice cream bar with ice cream cooler and counter, plus floor displays and a couple of tables and chairs. And that's just downstairs. Upstairs will house the kitchen and powder room.

First Dry Fit deciding whether or not
to reverse the back wall.

The first floor ceiling height is 10" tall.
The glue bottle gives a good space visual.
Did I mention I had been collecting for this project for a long time? The tile flooring that I purchased in May of 2017 was so long ago to me that I'd forgotten what the patterns looked like! I had to go sleuthing on the sellers web site to find my patterns and then try to remember what I'd had in mind! Luckily, it all came back to me and I still loved the idea!


But had I ordered enough back then?!? I looked again on the sellers web site to see where it listed how many square inches a pack of tiles covered. I could not find it there so I ended up at their eBay store instead. To make sure I had enough packs to cover the large floor area, I printed slips of paper that size - one for each pack of tiles, and laid them out. It looked like enough, but I had to lay things strategically just in case I ran short.


Since I had used these tiles (different pattern) in the New Orleans bathroom, I knew this time to paint the floor the color of one of the tiles.


It's surprising that the tile packs do not come with any instructions or illustrations for the patterns. I guess the seller figures that we must all be smart and tenacious people since we're doing miniatures!

I was able to look at gallery photos from the sellers web site to figure out how corners are laid out. Laying the tiles is a really slow go, especially when you reach areas where every tile has to be fit, cut and sanded before installation. The smallest tile is only 3/16"! And in spite of careful efforts, my work was not perfect.



I pulled up and reapplied the worst spots. I can live with the results knowing that a good deal of them will be covered by furnishings and fixtures. Russ wondered how I kept at it for so long without my eyes going cross from the pattern. It never bothered me at all!


Not even when I added the wall with striped wallpaper for a dry fit! I did have strange Bavarian music playing in my head, though!


I am spraying the floors with several light coats of gloss varnish, and may have to sand a little in between. While I'm waiting, I have plenty to do drawing up all of the fixtures and getting them ready to cut with the Cricut. That staircase angle is going to be tricky.



Planning how to incorporate all of the daydreams to make them work with the kit will be trickier still. But hopefully, God willing, I've got time.

I wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and Joy in doing all of the things that mean the most to you! To those who've gotten The Call, I hope you find some time for meaningful moments to reflect on the most tremendous gift of all time: A Love that knows no boundaries and that waits for us all.

xo xo,
Jodi

48 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas Jodi. Your project looks and sounds wonderful. I can't wait to watch you work your magic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carrie! I think this is going to be a fun one!!!

      Delete
  2. Que bonito proyecto Jodi,me gustan mucho las panaderías y si van acompañadas de dulces y helados aún más!
    El kit es precioso,que bonito ese porche en su entrada,estoy hasta nerviosa imaginando lo que crearás con tus manos mágicas!!!
    El comienzo ya me hechiza,esas losetas se ven encantadoras,adelante!!!!!!
    Que pases una maravillosa Navidad llena de amor y momentos inolvidables.
    Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gracias Pilar! ¡Espero poder llenar los espacios con cosas que te harán agua la boca! ¡Espero que su Navidad sea maravillosa y que controle su dolor de espalda antes de que termine el año!

      Delete
  3. Your first little shop was so sweet (pun intended). Oddly we have a real life one in our village called Pastel which looks a lot like it. Your next journey with Pound Cake is going to be so much more of course and I can't wait to see it. I actually like laying tiles for (mini) floors so wasn't too terrified by your complex and beautiful layout.... just thought.....what fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Marilyn! I am going to have to try very hard to remember how I made all of the ice cream and desserts, but it will be fun to try! And the tiles were actually very satisfying to do, especially once I had figured out the patterns and the best way to cut them!

      Delete
  4. I am not sure that my eyes would hold up laying tile, but your flooring looks so much better than the professional one laid in our real bathroom! I love the kit. You will work your magic and we will be awe as we watch you work, learning more than we knew possible and inspired to try new things. Have a joyous holiday season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ann! I have loved the Brimble's kit for so long and am so happy to finally have a chance with it! I'm so glad you'll be here with me to discover new methods and ideas!

      Delete
  5. El kit es precioso y en tus manos será una creación fantástica.
    Muy bonito el suelo.
    Feliz Navidad

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ¡Gracias por su amabilidad y voto de confianza, Eloisa!

      Delete
  6. I love the little shop and I have some of those barrels like your pink ones. Such a great idea for them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brandy! I might just have a couple barrels floating in a drawer myself! We'll see if they make it into the design! Hope you can do something fun with yours, too!

      Delete
  7. Me encanta este nuevo proyecto. Yo tengo una pastelería comenzada hace tiempo y cada día quiero añadir más y no hay más sitio.
    Estoy ansiosa de ver los avances.
    Feliz Navidad
    Un saludo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Una panadería desbordante suena deliciosa, ¡pero creo que deberías hacer una segunda panadería! Siempre es bueno para una empresa tener una pequeña competencia para mantener las cosas frescas: ¡dos panaderías serían algo maravilloso!

      Delete
  8. Your sold sweet shop is so lovely! No wonder you miss it. I'm sure your bakery will be no less fantastic. The floor looks stunning, a promise of what's coming next.
    Merry Christmas!
    Hugs, Drora

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Drora! I hope I can achieve all of what I have in mind for it! It's been a long time in the making in my mind!

      Delete
  9. I'm so excited for you to make your new shop! This is going to be wonderful to watch. And your floor......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sheila! I am excited to see you get back to the loft project now that the contest is finished!

      Delete
  10. Your sweet shop is amazing. And the new project will be fantastic; the floor is already perfect. Have fun!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Faby! Hope your Christmas is a lovely one, as well!

      Delete
  11. I am SO EXCITED to see that you are using the Brimble's Mercantile kit for your bakery because I think that this kit has never gotten its well-deserved share of attention.
    You are already off to a FANTASTIC start and the tiles you've selected for the floor is IDEAL! I would have to agree with Russ in that I would be going cross-eyed from concentration but I am glad that this has not been an issue for you Jodi and the results look AMAZING!
    Will there be room for a couple of tables and chairs so that the patrons can linger and enjoy their pound cake over a cup of coffee?
    Looking forward to seeing the next steps of the bakery, and may I add that I think that you have chosen a Marvellous way to replace the adobe house project as this one seems to have been ready and waiting in the wings for so long, that it was about time its number was finally called! :D

    And speaking of receiving The Call: an Amen to that too!❤️
    Wishing you Christmas Blessings to you, and on all your kin, in the name of THE KING

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you, Elizabeth! There are a lot of nicely finished Brimble's out there, but none that have taken full advantage of a particular era. I wish with all my heart that I can take the ideas in my head and make them translate well with my hands and my tools!
      I am so happy that you like the tiles and there will definitely be at least two tables with at least two chairs each. I know this because I have been saving them for a long time now, lol! I also hope to fit in at least two stools at the ice cream counter. Sitting in an old fashioned atmosphere to enjoy an old time treat is half the fun! Coffee is also a Must Have!
      May you be blessed abundantly dear Elizabeth!

      Delete
  12. I do hope your original sweet shop still exists somewhere. What a lovely little store, incredibly well stocked. The floor on your new shop looks amazing! Good tip on painting first. I am very excited to see what you do with this shop.

    Enjoy the holidays, and I hope you have a truly joyous new year, packed with minis!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Deb! It was such a fun project to do and I can trace my mini obsession back directly to it! It's so exciting to begin a second chance!
      I hope your New Year is also packed with exciting and fulfilling mini projects!

      Delete
  13. Your first project? That is amazing! It is so adorable, I don’t blame you for wanting to recreate it. I’m excited to tag along as you build Pound Cake. I’ll bet it will be even better than your sweet shoppe. Btw... the floor is looking great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sherrill! I loved being able to indulge in the pretty pink for the sweet shop, but I don't anticipate repeating the color this time! I'm so glad you'll be here to enjoy this one with me!

      Delete
  14. ¡Ese suelo es increíble!.Tu primera panadería es una delicia. Seguro que alguien estará disfrutando de ella.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gracias isabel ¡Estoy tan feliz de que te gusten los pisos y la vieja tienda de dulces! ¡Espero que todavía esté vivo y bien en algún lugar hoy!

      Delete
  15. Me encantan estas escenas, seguro que la persona que la tiene estará disfrutando de ella.Tu nuevo proyecto será espectacular , pues el suelo es una maravilla; así que estoy ansiosa de ver el resto.Felices fiestas,besos:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gracias rosa maria! ¡Es curioso lo unidos que estamos a nuestros proyectos, sin importar cuánto tiempo se hayan ido! Estoy tan feliz y agradecido de tener la oportunidad de crear algo que amo de nuevo. Tendrán que sacar esta de mis manos después de que me haya ido, ¡jaja!

      Delete
  16. You candy shop was a true miniature treasure, for the mini people, who love sweets, a true walhalla :)!! It must have been such a painful decision to sell it!!!
    This new kit certainly has many possibilities, Jodi, and I do understand why you couldn't resist it any longer and you had to crack it open ;). I'm glad for you that you now have lots of space for realising all of your plans for this bakery.
    The floor came wonderfully together, I can't wait to see more of this project.
    Have a joyous holiday season to you and yours: Merry Christmas!
    Ilona

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ilona! It was so hard to let it go, but we had goals to achieve as a family, and they were more important. I just hope it has survived and is loved by someone!
      It seems like the last two autumns in a row I have wanted to get started on the bakery, but I knew it was going to take such a long time to make it as I envisioned. I am finally ready to take it slowly and give it all the time it needs. Age benefits from patience!
      Have an amazing Christmas and New Year with your family and that precious new grandson!

      Delete
  17. Your sold sweet shop is so lovely! No wonder you miss it. You are lucky to have the old photos of it.
    I'm sure your bakery will be very fantastic. The floor looks stunning. Black and white are a good choise. I am very excited to see what you do with this shop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sirkka! I am so grateful to still have the photos all these years and many computers later! I am also so happy to have you along on this exciting project with me!

      Delete
  18. Your original sweet shop is so amazing. I thought you had just created it. I love all the details and the ice cream, but Pound Cake sounds like it's going to be even better. And what a great name! I love the floor and the kit looks exciting. I can't wait to see your progress with it. Merry Christmas and Happy 2020!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kathy! It was so much fun to build that shop and I just loved the challenge of figuring out how to make the ice cream cooler with zero experience building! The new shop will have a totally different feel, but I am so glad to have the chance to do something like this again!
      Hope you and your family have a blast together over Christmas break and make lots of wonderful memories!

      Delete
  19. Beautiful store looks very sweet, exciting to see your new home project.

    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dear Jodi, at first I thought those older pictures were your current project and I thought.... how have I missed all this?? LOL! I Know I am so far behind in everything (even at work it seems!) I don't know when I'll get caught up...! But I just had to come see the new project getting under way! The flooring is looking incredible!!!! And the Mercantile shop will surely be one you will enjoy for a long time! I am really looking forward to seeing your Pound Cake project develop!!! And Happy Holidays to you too! (Now back to my Christmas Card.... !):)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Betsy I know just how you feel! Life took a sharp left in mid October and I feel like I am being tumbled in a washer and will never find my way back out again! I want normal back, lol! But you have missed nothing, and I am getting much less mini time these days so I promise to take my posts and progress a lot slower! Just concentrate on making your wonderful and magical card for 2019!
      I am excited that you are excited about this shop too! I hope that 2020 will be kind to both of us and let us achieve our mini dreams with your doll shop and my bakery!
      Have a wonderful Christmas and good luck with the tiny painting! 💗

      Delete
  21. Jodi, that floor is STUNNING! It already sets the mood for your shop, I can picture it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Megan! Whenever I picture an old time bakery or sweet shop I always picture 30's deco tiles. I'm so happy that I was able to capture that idea with this floor!

      Delete
  22. Those first scenes have an special meaning don´t they? Your cake shop is beautiful, but with all that you have been able to make and learn during all these years I don´t doubt that this new one will be stunning. I love floors, I love experimenting with them... Jodi, this floor is GORGEOUS!!
    Have a lovely Christmas and may 2020 bring you and your family many blessings xxx.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alex! Our first successful mini projects really do hold a special place in our hearts! And they encourage us to keep exploring our ideas!
      I'm so happy that you like the tiles! Floors are a fun place to be creative in our builds and this bakery just had to have an interesting tile!
      Merry Christmas to you and your family, too! I have great hope that 2020 will be kind and generous to us all!

      Delete
  23. Oh my, I'm late… but not too late to enjoy this wonderful post. When I saw the first picture in my reading list I was really thinking "Is Jodi able to work with the speed of light? How can she already be done with Pound Cake regarding her RL renovations???" But then I understood that this was an old and even your first project and I thought: "This is Jodi's first project??? WoW!!!" Really, it doesn't look like a firstie at all and it's sad that you had to sell it... but on the other hand… that clears the way now for Pound Cake.

    The kit you've chosen looks very interesting and the tile floor is simply stunning! I'm already looking forward to see more!

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    Hugs
    Birgit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't feel bad dear Birgit! I seem to be late and never catch up lately, too! Life just has a way of pulling you by it's will in spite of our own wants and needs! I'm just glad to see your name and your wonderful words of encouragement!
      It was my "first love" and boy I sure do miss it! The second and third were the other two shops in the 'Street Of Shops' set. I made one into an antique store to display all my random minis purchased at garage sales and the last was a toy shop (so much fun to do!). I sold all of them but still have pictures! I'll share them all eventually.
      To have a second chance with this kit is a dream but finding quality time to work on it has been a real challenge. The universe seems to have other plans for me. But slowly, I will make Pound Cake a dream come true!
      Hugs and Merry Christmas!

      Delete
  24. Hi, Jodi - This is a very late comment, but I had to tell you how much I enjoyed the photos of your Sweet Shop. It's absolutely lovely, and so generously stocked! I have no doubt that it's still being enjoyed by someone with a very sweet tooth. Your Pound Cake project is off to a great start with that amazing floor - and it's also amazing that your vision hasn't been adversely affected! It's going to be exciting to watch the creation of Pound Cake. I'm happy, though, that you aren't in any hurry - the fun lasts longer that way.
    Marjorie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Marjorie! Not to worry - this is a very late reply, too! Just seems like there are more responsibilities and competition for so little time!
      I do hope you're right about the sweet shop still being enjoyed! Why do we get so attached to our projects? Pound Cake is having a slower liftoff than I'd hoped. I really need some 'mini time for mental health' but life is still so out of whack around here. Too much energy in the house to concentrate! Hope you are off to a great start to 2020!

      Delete