I am shocked at the degree to which time just slips away from me this past year. No excuses. Suffice to say that many times since December 10th, when I'd look at the roofing left to be completed on both Vera and Virgil's cottages, I'd say "tomorrow". There were at least Twenty~Two Tomorrows... But finally, the roofing is finished!
In looking at the last dozen of my mini projects, I managed to avoid using traditional wooden shingles on nine of them. There's no denying I have an aversion to them - probably because I am hyper critical of my results and therefore try to come up with any other kind of roofing that will do the job. If I need accountability, I look no farther than my "leftover shingles" drawer. There are at least four giant bags of various kinds in there to choose from, all from projects where I managed to avoid using them in favor of a metal roof, Paperclay tiles, or simply no roof at all. But this time, I faced my fears and made a deal with myself to accept and love the results no matter the outcome. It turns out I actually really enjoyed the process this time! Take the judgement out and I reconnect to the fun of mini building.
Now what's left on the cottages are the furnishings, the little details and to make a final decision on how I want to incorporate the plug strips for the wiring. These I can do as the urge to make furniture kits or cleverly hide wiring inspire me. Like with the bakery or the Storybook cottage, I hope that inspiration to finish them comes sometime. Until then, as is my true MO, I have started on a new project that has me captivated. I'll share more on that in my next post. Hopefully, it won;t be so long until the next one.
Stay safe, hopeful and patient, my friends.
xo xo,
Jodi
The shingles look great, Jodi. I also have an aversion to store-bought shingles because I so often think that what is billed as 1:12 scale looks too large when used. However, these shingles you used look perfectly in proportion and I love the rich wood tones of the finished look. I am also excited to see what direction you're going in next, knowing that you won't entirely abandon Vera and Virgil until they have some furnishings. *smile* Big hugs - Marilyn D., New Brunswick, Canada
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn! I agree - sometimes the 1/12 shingles just look a little too large in scale compared to the other elements of the house. I think often 1/24 scale shingles are more cohesive. But luckily, in the case of this type of whimsical build, they worked great! I love how thin they were, too. Some shingles are really chunky and hard to work with. 😊
DeleteBeautiful roofs and floor, Jodi!
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about crafting your own miniatures is that you can take your time making them.
It's nice to know you are here, safe and healthy.
Hugs, Drora
Thanks Drora! It's nice to be able to begin on new things without feeling guilty for not quite finishing the last ones. I hope you are safe and well, and I can't wait to catch up and see what your creative soul has been working on lately! 💗
DeleteI suspect my "tomorrows" run into double figures! The roofs look lovely Jodi, you have done a great job.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only procrastinator, Polly! Thanks for your encouragement! 💗
DeleteThe roof is amazing! And, I loved the floor. So many inspiring ideas! Joy
ReplyDeleteThanks Joy! If only we had the time to indulge in all that inspires us! 💗
DeleteMy procrastinating has become an art form in itself this last year. I have reached the acceptance of never finishing Daltonhouse.... with a little hopeful voice saying I might surprise myself. Your jumping back in was sooooo worth it. Nothing says 'home' in our builds more than the moment when the roof goes on. Luckily being in the UK I don't have to do battle with wooden shingles. i get to do slate or tiled roofs...much less challenging..... no staining and curling etc etc. Your work as always is perfect. I love the guttering and ridge shingling....is that even a word? Keep on keeping on. I can't wait to see that fabulous kitchen come to life.
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn! I believe that you will finish Dalton House. You will walk by one day and fall in love all over again and off you'll go! I have yet to try a slate roof and I thank you for the excellent idea! 💗
DeleteHi Jodi, it's good to see a new blog post of you.
ReplyDeleteyour two mini neighbour houses have become wonderful.
I can't wait how the furniture will look like, but I'll be patient and wait for whenever you'll show some of it on your blog.
Your new project looks promising already, as this floor is beautiful.
Stay safe, take care, Jodi.
Hugs, Ilona
Thank you, Ilona! I am so glad to have finally done enough to share a post! 💗
DeleteWell Well that is a beautiful roof. Us crafters do give ourselves a hard time. We love to create but sad to say we give alot of love to the project. I love the blue house color. Pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stephanie! I truly believe that the reward of seeing our projects complete feels so great because we do work so carefully and mindfully! That's why we can appreciate so much more the work of other crafty people! 😊
DeleteA mi, el tejado me parece precioso.
ReplyDelete¡Estás trabajando mucho con ese suelo¡
¡Gracias Isabel! Estoy tan aliviado de haber terminado los techos. ¡Ahora puedo jugar con el interior cuando se me ocurre una idea creativa o divertida! 💗
DeleteAhhh. Ditto all. Roofing is chore and so stressful. I procrastinated on the Bellingham for a couple of years and I still have work to finish on it, but I'm on to the next project. Your shingles always look so impeccably perfect--a steady hand and a good eye. Can't wait to see your next project. BTW, I've been channeling you as I design the new kitchen by studying the New Orleans. I love that house! You are my go-to girl. Seems that when I search for a tutorial, you pop up. You are our treasure, Jodi.
ReplyDeleteAwww Ann! Thank you! You are really inspiring to me, as well! A lady after my own heart! No idea is too grand and when an idea takes hold of us, we will definitely find a way to make it happen! I am so excited about your new project and can't wait to catch up on all your posts! 💗
Deleteesas casitas han quedado espectaculares, no sé cual me gusta más ...
ReplyDelete¡Gracias Carmen! ¡Tampoco puedo elegir un favorito! Ha sido muy divertido trabajar con ambos estilos, ¡y estoy emocionado de tener todavía los interiores que esperar! 😊
DeleteI’ll bet Vera and Virgil are squeaking with joy, their cottages are so cheerful and look so cozy with their new roofs. I’m intrigued with your use of round wire. I went from the copper tape in the 1970s to battery powered LEDs in the 2000s. My next project will use round wire if for no other reason to learn it’s pros and cons. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sherrill! It's a great feeling to have the roofing complete! There are advantages to both tape wire and round wire, and weighing them is important based on every projects particular challenges. I have begun to trend more toward using the round wire, only because in my case it has been more reliable. Especially when working with MDF. Like all aspects of mini building, planning is the key to success, and you are an excellent planner! I know that both methods will work beautifully for you! 💗
DeleteWonderful roofs and floor. These cottages are magnificent.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Faby! It makes me so happy that you like them! 💗
DeleteOooohhh!!! me encanta el tejado,te ha quedado precioso y ese color en contraste,hace que luzca aún mucho más! Que bonito trabajo Jodi!!
ReplyDeleteYa me tienes "enganchada" con tu nuevo proyecto,adelante!!
Besos.
¡Gracias Pilar! Estas tejas eran delgadas, de color claro y realmente agradable para trabajar. ¡Estoy tan feliz de que te guste cómo salieron!
Delete¡El nuevo proyecto me tiene tan emocionado como lo está para mi hija y ella está contribuyendo con ideas y elecciones para la construcción! ¡Es lindo tener una actividad para compartir con ella!
Unas casas preciosas y ver las dos juntas es un placer para la vista, el tejado fantástico . Impaciente en ver el nterios, besos,cuídate
ReplyDelete¡Gracias, Rosa María! Todavía estoy tratando de encontrar una manera de mostrarlos juntos aquí en la casa para que puedan estar juntos y girar para ver fácilmente el interior. ¡Parece que tendré que convertir una habitación en un museo!
DeleteNice to get something done that you have been procrastinating on - especially when it turns out so nicely. And that floor is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteemjay
Definitely, Emjay! Especially when you can move on to a new dream relatively guilt free, lol! I'm glad you like the floor! 😊
DeleteAdorable Jodi! The cottages look great! I share your aversion to shingles, but the result was worth it. And I can’t wait to see what is coming next!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shannon! The shingling was probably worse in my imagination, and once I accepted the time commitment and just got on with it, it went fine. I'm just a whiner, I guess! 🤣
DeleteI know it is now February, but Happy New Year Jodi ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe shingles look great! I love the all the different shades that shows up after they have been varnished - just perfect for the cottages.
The new project looks super intriguing... I look forward to follow along.
Anna X
Thank you, Anna! I hope that 2021 is off to a Happy start for you, too!
DeleteFor Vera's cottage, I used a Cherry Minwax stain pen. For Virgil, I used Oak, Provincial and Early American. The shingles themselves were pretty light, and offered about four different variants of shading so that was helpful. I also used hot glue to apply them, so it went pretty quickly. Certainly not the worst roofing experience I've ever had, thank goodness! 💗
Los techos y las casas son una preciosidad, y el suelo de ese nuevo proyecto es espectacular !!!
ReplyDelete¡Gracias Eloisa! ¡Estoy feliz de haber terminado el techo y de estar avanzando en el nuevo proyecto! El suelo de espina de pescado ha sido muy divertido, ¡más de lo que esperaba!
DeleteLas casitas han quedado maravillosas y estoy deseando que comiences el interior. Seguro que será espectacular.
ReplyDeleteEl tejado me encanta con todas esas tonalidades, les va muy bien a las casitas.
Un nuevo proyecto siempre ilusiona y si además lo compartes con tu hija será maravilloso.
¡Gracias por tu apoyo, Marian! ¡Es un placer tenerte conmigo en todas estas aventuras! 💗
DeleteIt's so good to see a new post from you... and to see you're fine and even better: Facing your nemesis! I'm with you when it comes to shingles, I too try to avoid them... the only times I made some were for my cottages in scale 1:48. However my method of avoiding shingles in 1:12 is even crazier and more work consuming and is called "thatched roof" *aaaahrrrrggghhhh" Don't ask how long it took to make the roofs for Strawberry and Flower Cottage as well as for the Witchs Sales Booth... but at least... no shingles were involved. *LOL*
ReplyDeleteYou made a wonderful job with these roofs, they look stunning and I too love the warm wooden tones (I've read in your comments how you stained them, the result is awesome). I also admire the way you've covered the edges/corners/gables (pick one to get what I'm trying to say) - Vera and Virgil must be the happiest mousies in the whole wide world. And regarding they already have a base version of furniture in their darling homes they will gladly wait for you to work for them again and will follow your progress on your new project. And so will I... a new Jodi-project... yippiiiiieeeeee!!! Have fun and keep on crafting! ;O)
Hugs
Birgit
(Who is really grumpy about U.S. mail... I've shipped my Christmas packages (including yours) to the U.S. very early November 13th (!) and still none of them seems to have arrived yet... but I still have hope that customs will finally manage to work through their piles of boxes soon)
Hi Birgit! It is wonderful to connect with you, too! 💗
DeleteA thatched roof sounds like it requires a lot more bravery than I have but also seems like the perfect material for the cottages and the booth! Luckily, you are both brave and very skilled so the work was no match for you! I am glad that the shingling is over with, and I hope I can avoid it again for a good, long time! 😋
I tucked Vera and Virgil in their lovely little cushioned box just before Christmas. Each time I have checked on them since then, they appear to be sleeping! Could it be that they hibernate for the winter? I do hope so, as this will help me avoid the guilty feelings of, once again, setting the cottage completions aside in favor of other fads and activities. And also, they will not lose faith in me. 😜
Oh Birgit how maddening to have so diligently and early sent the Christmas gifts only to still be waiting in February!!! There is definitely something foul within the USPS, only with all of our other craziness, there is no room for it to be highlighted and investigated through the news!!! Not only packages, but First Class Mail, as well! My instincts tell me it has something to do with the Trump appointed Post Master General that was installed last summer. At any rate, I can't wait to finally get your thoughtful and wonderful gift and will let you know right away when it shows up. Hugs!!! 💗💗💗
Dear Jodi, I almost missed this post altogether because it didn't move up in my blog list... which they usually do! So I will add my voice to the others saying "hurray! another post from Jodi!" :) The shingles look wonderful, and it makes the cottages look like homes... and furniture doesn't count that much if you are little mice! They already have kitchens with food cooking and warm fireplaces to sit by... no problem! (This is not intended to make you feel guilty about leaving them without sweet little beds with just the right pillows and comforters.... believe me, I know inspiration can run away in other directions at the drop of a pin!!!)
ReplyDeleteBut now I am really curious about the new project and can't wait to hear more about it... and the herringbone flooring is awesome!!! So please.... take as many tomorrows as you need.... but don't forget to keep coming back! :):):) (And in comment about Birgit's comment... I am relieved to know I am not the only one over here still waiting on delivery! I'm trying to keep the Faith! :))
Thanks Betsy! And thanks for letting me know about the post not moving up - looks like it is keeping a publish date from 4 weeks ago when I created and started the post rather than the actual publish date. Good to know!
DeleteI mentioned to Birgit above that Vera and Virgil appear to be hibernating! This is such a great relief so that I can avoid disappointing them a little longer while I get busy on the new project. I have a deadline of July 22nd on that one, so no worry that I'll not get it done. too!
What is going on with USPS? Even the first class mail is slow or missing, but all the annoying and unsolicited ads and junk mail keep filling up my box like clockwork!!!
Hi Jodi! Now your post has moved up my blog roll! (I looked for it way down and couldn't find it and panicked for a minute!)
DeleteI think the USPS problems have to do with the "changes" made last summer by the new Postmaster General Trump appointed. They took out sorting machines in some big hubs - like Boston_ and took away all overtime work. Add in that there are way more packages being shipped because of Covid and then the staffing shortages because of sick employees and you have trouble on a huge scale! They had to stop the removing of sorting machines, but they didn't have to put them back. I have no idea when any of this will be fixed.... ! But we can Hope that our packages are in a pile somewhere waiting to be sorted! Stay well and keep making minis! :):)
I think you are right about all of the factors with USPS. I had to send a package to my dad in AZ for his birthday. I used Priority Mail and insured it for over $100. It got there in 2 days! Maybe putting insurance on things is the secret to getting actual priority service? I am going to try the same thing with my mom's birthday package this month!
DeleteHello Jodi,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your post!
Roofing and electrical are the bane of my mini existence. Yours turned out great. Congratulations, now you can work on that kitchen...Can't wait to see what happens next! No pressure ;) hugs!
Hi Carrie! Thank you and I am with you on the electrical nerves, too! Slow and steady, as they say... 💗
DeleteI love how the roofs turned out! I know what you mean about wooden shingles... I use them so rarely for the same reasons. They just never look real.
ReplyDeleteBut yours are wonderful.
I know what you mean about tomorrows...they do seem to just stack up on us when we're not looking don't they?
Ooh...love that flooring and looks like a kitchen roombox? Can't wait to see more.
Glad to hear from you and know that you're doing all right.
Thanks Sheila! I always love everyone else's but pick on my own! I am glad it's done!
DeleteTime is going by way too fast and I just don't seem to get as much done as I used to. Guess everything our grandparents said was true, lol!
Thanks for the encouragement! It's good to be back! 💗
We all have that thing we don't like to do. You've excelled at roof shingles this time, I can't see anything to fault.
ReplyDeleteThe little cottages are too sweet for words.
I'm excited to see what you're working on next. Here, no big projects are on the cards. I've just about got my new website working, and what a huge job that was. In between I'm looking after my menagerie and making the odd miniature.
Glad to know that you are well, even if you haven't been talking to us ;-)
Thanks, Megan! Russ has pointed out some mistakes and given me some pointers but at least I'll have the knowledge for the next dreaded shingle job, lol!
DeleteOh my gosh a new website is so much work but I bet it is an amazing feeling of accomplishment now that it is all up and running!
Your menagerie takes a lot of love and care, too, but I know is wonderfully rewarding for you! I have been keeping my son's puppy during the week while he and his girlfriend work so that she won't be alone and lonely. So much work to have a puppy around again, but so much fun, too! Much less work gets accomplished, though!
I have taken a step back from all of the online activities just to reset my mental health. It is so nice to begin coming back to minis and my mini friends again. So happy to know you are well, too! 💗