Heaven Sent

It's amazing how a simple hobby can change your life. Minis have always ignited something in me, but it was only in the last six years or so that I've been able to fully explore this passion. How can something so trivial fill up one's soul so much? I don't know the answer, I just know I've never done anything that excites me this way, and allows me to be so creative.

One of the most incredible aspects of being involved in this hobby is getting to connect with so many others who feel the same way. You don't need to explain minis to another miniaturist, they just get you. And connecting with so many kindred souls has been amazing. I have learned so much and been so inspired by others who, like me, are compelled to share every dream and idea with like minded and passionate people. One of the most incredibly talented and inspiring people that I've had the privilege to meet is Elizabeth Shinn. I'm sure you all know the stunning work that she shares on her own blog, Studio E.

In addition to being incredibly creative with things like turning everyday objects into works of art, using masterful crafting techniques and compounds to create incredible texture and age to things, and making amazing miniature food and flowers, Elizabeth is an extraordinarily kind and generous person. I am sure many of you have seen or been encouraged by  the numerous comments she leaves for others. She always takes the time to leave such thoughtful and insightful words. I look forward to her comments on every post! Because of that generous spirit, Elizabeth is one of my heroes in the miniature world.

So you can only imagine my excitement when I received a message from Elizabeth asking for my address! You see, she had made perfume bottles and thought I might like some for the cottage! Yes! Yes, please!

I retrieved my package this morning, and was gobsmacked by all the incredible things inside! Not just perfume bottles, but so, so much more!

I am amazed at the intricacies and detailed elements Elizabeth has managed to include on these bottles! They are truly beautiful, and I wish the camera could capture how some of them sparkle! I don't know how she knows just what to use and how to design them or manage to glue these tiny pieces, but they are perfect! I can't wait to display them in the cottage bedroom and bathroom! And there are so many!

These jars and tray and towels and soap are just incredibly delicate and pretty! The glass tray even has feet! Every little thing is embellished with something special, all in perfect scale and completely realistic!

Just look at the detail in this tray of cookies! It must have taken so much time to make each of these. They look so real, and incredibly delicious!  If I went to afternoon tea, I'd have to have one of each kind! I think these will be perfect displayed in the living room right next to the Ina Williams tea set!

I am getting so hungry just looking at these amazing foods! Look at the fruit on top! Who can do this? Elizabeth can! This combination of green and pink will look lovely in the cottage's kitchen!

And this one? Topped with chocolate and macaroons? This wouldn't last a day in my real life house! I have a special cake stand just for this one!

Elizabeth bought this pitcher for herself from an artisan in Italy. Because of it's colors (and her giant heart) she has passed it on to me! The flowers are made by Elizabeth, and are so realistic in color and texture that a good photo could fool you into thinking they are "real"! I am so excited to have them joined together in the cottage!

And last but certainly not least, she sent along some fabric that she thought might match the color scheme and wallpapers. She nailed it! Look forward to seeing cushions, pillows and bedding soon!

And most exciting of all, Elizabeth said that she's still working on Villa Leone, and in spite of some battles, will post some progress soon. I'm looking so forward to that!

Thank you so much Elizabeth, for your generosity, thoughtfulness, kindness and most especially your friendship. I value that above all!

xo xo,
Jodi

Age Old Storybook

How old is too old and when does "weathered" become decrepit? This week's focus has been an attempt to give some age and character to the Storybook Cottage. As I was adding each layer of grime, wear and evidence of the elements, I had keep asking myself these questions. I didn't really know where the aging process would take me, so I just kind of went with any idea that seemed like a good one. I think I like the way things are going. Time will tell.

I wanted to age the copper roofs, but how much and how? I didn't want complete patina, but I wanted "well on it's way". I started by rubbing on Gilders Paste Wax in copper, then blended in some patina here and there.

The copper leafing pen layer was the base.

After first layer of copper gilders paste. Just a bit darker and richer.

After applying patina gilders paste.

You can also see in this photo that I added some fascia detail using the Dresden, and an apex decoration with a bee charm. The photos may be a bit out of order. I didn't always remember to take photos during every process. Please forgive...

I also felt that the shingles needed some work. In spite of using two different colored stain pens, it still felt kind of one dimensional and looked a little too oily for an old roof. So, I used some chalk pastels to highlight certain areas and knock down some of the shine.

The roof after only the stain pen application.

Chalk colors used to highlight the shingless.

After several layers of chalk.

I thought about how a lot of older shingle roofs accumulate moss over time, so I used more chalk to create some mossy-ness in certain areas.

I mixed the limited green chalks I had with yellow, teal and brown to create varied green shades.

After adding some chalk moss.

I got out my landscape/project board to decide on a layout. How large a footprint do I want this cottage to take up? I have a display table in mind, so not too large. While trying to figure this out, I noticed that my stonework needed something. If it's old, things have grown in the cracks. That's when I got out the MBS Fine Loose Grass I've had leftover since the Encounters project in 2012. It's got a really fine texture, and a nice variety of green shades.

I traced all the grout lines in glue, then sprinkled on the "moss". I had to lay the house down on each of the sides for the application so that the "moss" wouldn't fall off before the glue took hold. Once it did, I gently brushed away the excess, recovered all of the loose moss, and moved on to another side.

It was an impactful change to the look of the cottage, and I think makes it more "real". I think I like it, but only time and the addition of the next layers of detail will tell.

You may also have noticed that the exterior got a good aging. I diluted FolkArt Home Decor Wax in antique (which is dark brown) with clear wax to get a lighter shade of "antique". I used a brush and outlined or highlighted certain areas. There were places that looked a little too "antique", so I went over those with the white wax to tone it down.

I also added some three dimensional stickers to add interest to the plain sides of the dormers.

The roofs received a few clumps of moss here and there. Too much? Not enough?

So tell me what you think - Has the cottage aged well? I may still have to live with it for a while before I decide.

In the human sized home improvement department, I did my best to bring back some youth and vitality. I finished all but the final touch up painting in all of the areas where Russ needs to install the flooring. I also repainted a cabinet for the guest bath. I worked really hard for several days to get ahead of him, so I could enjoy the reward of some free time to work on the cottage. Once the flooring is laid, I'll have more homework. :o)

Hope your summer's been one for the ages!

xo xo,
Jodi

Storybook Cottage Gets A Roof!

I had to look at the calendar three times until it sunk in that it's been three weeks since my last post! Boy time flies when you're ~B~U~S~Y~! Work on the human scale renovations is moving along, but things always take longer than I seem to realize. The two spare bedrooms have been cleared, spackled, primed, had carpeting (and carpet tack and staples) removed and ceiling, trim and wall paint completed. I'm supposed to be working on the hall, landing and guest bath, too, but I just really needed a mini fix!

First bedroom in mid-chaos!

The next step on the cottage to-do list was the roof shingles. I chose to go with Greenleaf half scale speed shingles, because they are faster and seem more in scale on a small structure. Though getting them applied seemed anything but speedy! I thought the hex shaped variety was fitting for a tea loving resident, because they look just like honeycomb!

There were many interesting angles to contend with, so I employed the use of a paper template. Remind me to make templates of the roof sections before I attach them next time, would you? Anyway, I'd draw the line for the top of the next row of speed shingles...

Transfer the mark to the paper template...

Draw a line across the template using the square...

Line up the speed shingle strip and position the ruler at the angle...

Then cut. It worked beautifully ALMOST every time! :O)

Every chance I got between coats of paint or scrubbing or reorganizing the linen closet or tupperware cupboard, I added a few rows...

And eventually, in spite of a few setbacks and mistakes, I was finished!!!

I used Minwax stain markers, Provincial and Cherry, to stain the shingles.

And eventually, I finished that, too. I'll likely keep adding additional coats until I get the depth I'm after, because the shingles seem to drink it up and lighten a bit after they dry.

Now the question was: How to cap the roof and tie in the back shed dormer to the shingled roof? I wonder how many of life's mysteries have been solved over a bowl of cereal? Mine was solved using a cereal box.

Two roof ridges and one shed dormer meet.

I measured how far down I wanted the roof cap to cover the shingles, doubled that (to cover each side) then added another quarter inch just for good measure. Then I cut a strip for the long main roof ridge and one for the shorter front roof ridge. Then I folded them in half lengthwise and creased 'em good with my bone folder.

I gave them a good dry fit and made cuts and adjustments for where the two ridges met and for the variance in angle caused by the gable and shed dormer. I also made notches for where the small dormer roofs met the ridge cap. I noticed that a lot of copper roofs have a strip of copper that is welded on top of where two pieces meet, so I cut 1/8" strips to provide this detail. Then everything got a first coat of copper leafing marker.

I used hot melt glue to attach it to the roof for instant grab and the ability to quickly mold it to the shape of the roof. It came out mostly good.

Using the cereal box cardboard again, I continued the strips from the ridge cap onto the shed dormer.

Everything's going to need several more coats and touch-ups, but I am happy that the roofing questions are answered, and the shingling is (mostly) done!

Russ will start the flooring install on the human sized rooms this weekend, then the ball is back in my court. More painting, more cleaning, more organizing, and loads of fun decor type stuff to make for one guest room. I'll share photos of that stuff as it gets more interesting.

Enjoy your last couple weeks of August, and I hope to see you again real soon!

xo xo,
Jodi