Working on the little things

I looked through several old issues of American Miniaturist searching for inspiration for details in the farmhouse.

I found a printable plant book.

I made a basket for firewood from a plastic thingy I found in my junk drawer.

Another AM had some doilies that I cut out and used in several places. I also found a tiny wedding photo in one of them. I framed it and put it on the hutch. The time period looks about right to be Louise and John's wedding.

Every detail makes the house more cozy and lived in looking. My work here is nearly done.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

At last they have a roof!

I'm sorry I've been away so soon after coming back but daughter #1 got engaged and married all in about 2 months. She always told me she would have a short engagement after a broken engagement in college. I'm thankful I am creative because I did a whole lot of diy projects in that 2 months, lol. The wedding was pretty and the bride was gorgeous. We gained a wonderful new son-in-law, too.

I had Friday and today off school due to weather so I finally had time to work on the farmhouse roof. After a bit of research I decided on the shape of my shingles. I already knew I wanted them to be green.  I found a good base green in my paper drawer then dabbed on various colors to get the look I wanted. Once the paint was dry I used a ruler to mark one inch lines from one narrow end to the other on each paper so I would know where to cut to separate shingles.

 Then I cut the papers into 1 1/4" strips the length of the paper long.

 Next I trimmed the corners of each shingle then glued the strips to the roof.

It is good to have all of the structural work done. This was such a cobbed together old house that there is no way to make the exterior perfect. Part of its charm is that it was homemade. All that is left are a few accessories and then I will have to find a new project.

It isn't much

But the kitchen shelves are stocked. Life has prevented any big changes. The exterior is still waiting.

Things are heating up!

 And the fire is burning nicely, too. Louise and John are looking quite cuddly by the fire.

The flames were made with hot glue then painted with glass paint. I made the flames on a sheet of aluminum foil. The glue would not peel off the foil so I had to cut them out. They still look good, though.

Ready for winter

 While I still need to make some sort of fire guard, John and Louise now have a fireplace in addition to their cook stove. They should stay cozy once the temperature begins to drop. I carved the fireplace from a block of balsa and then added trim. The simple brick style suits the farmhouse.

 In the overview of the downstairs you can see that I couldn't live with the thumbtack curtain tie backs. I just used bits of ribbon instead.

John's pocketwatch is in a bowl on the nightstand. At this point it is the only clock in the house. Maybe I should make one for the mantel...

It's time for the little things!

 The bedroom is essentially finished. I added artwork and a few personal items and I am so pleased with the results. The curtains here, as in the lower level, are the ones that came with the house. I used dowel curtain rods here, though, as there weren't enough intact panels to cross them as they originally did.

 I looked at countless linoleum ads from the 20s and 30s before deciding on the art for the bedroom.

 Louise's hair brush used to be a My Little Pony brush. I cut off the bristles, gave it a coat of gold paint, and added Velcro bristles.

The dining area got a framed print and some silverware. I want to add more to the hutch shelves as well as the kitchen shelves. The sitting area needs a fireplace. That will mostly finish the interior. I need to paint the exterior trim dark green and shingle the roof. I don't think I will do much more than that as I want to keep the simple charm from the original builder.

I think I like the slower pace of my projects now. When I was younger I would power through a project with lots of late nights. The slower pace leads to fewer changes of plan. Whether fast or slow, mini projects are the best therapy I know!

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

A place to lay my head

Well, for Louise and John, anyway. Between rounds of canning mountains of carrots and sweet potatoes yesterday I finally got the bedroom put together.

 I need to add finishing details like art and personal items but the room is finished.

 I added a few details downstairs, too. I moved the rocking chair up to Louise's sewing corner which gets the most natural light in the house. I need opinions on whether I need more furniture in the downstairs sitting room area.

And here's the proof on the canning. The garden was very productive this year. I will appreciate these more this winter when my hands no longer hurt from peeling and cutting, lol.

Have a wonderful, blessing filled day!