Monday 21 April 2014

A Kitchen Prayer- Answered

A Kitchen prayer














Bless my little kitchen, Lord;










I love its every nook.









And bless me as I do my work,
Wash pots and pans and cook.
May the meals that I prepare
Be seasoned from above
With Your blessing and Your grace,
But most of all Your love 


























MY little kitchen minis have not had a permanent home for many,many years. Not since some real life rats decided to B&E ( break in and enter)  2 of my very poorly stored doll's houses that had been sitting idle in my garage.  They physically vandalize both of them, by chewing the wall-coverings  to shreds, including the walls of both of my doll's house kitchens.  When I  discovered what had happened, I had to empty out  Everything.  Anything that could be salvaged, was.  After I had cleaned it , and finally re-pack it, it all went right  back into the deep and dark recesses of the garage loft where it sat for more than 12 years, waiting and waiting and waiting....  
So I already had a lot of usable stuff, once I was able to find it all again, but no place to showcase any of it.  Then in the year 2012,  along came "the ARTHUR"; $19.99  found at the thrift store.  I soon got busy trying to turn it into an English style stone cottage using my FAVORITE ROMANTIC NOVEL as inspiration.  I call this house,  # 43 GREEN DOLPHIN STREET.
 
But here's the thing....,  for all of the kitchen knickknacks that I had, I really did NOT want to do this kitchen.   I had put it off for months, too afraid to move forward or even to start.  The room was so small and so very narrow and that staircase was, ( for me )  the permanent elephant in the room.  Everything about working on this kitchen scared me silly and froze me in place.  Initially it was the problem of the stairs and then it was how to cope with the meager scrap of leftover, available floor space. How could I make this room work?  What to keep, and what to forfeit?  I wanted certain items that I would probably have to sacrifice;  i.e. a refrigerator as well as, overhead cupboards and/or deep shelves.  I wanted them, but in order to have them, other more important things would be lost such as a work table and the valuable Air Space that I treasured.  A full set of cupboards would have swallowed the entire wall and closed in the beloved airiness of the room making it into a closet, so I had to compromise; but contrary to what I first believed, I am not sorry at all!  And this unworkable space has assumed the look of having always been worked in, AS it IS, which has surprised and pleased me to no end. :D
 So I think that I can safely say, that in this tackling this little kitchen, I have found

 that I have somehow managed,

(against all the odds ),

 to sincerely "love it's every nook"

And that to me really is a Seasoned Blessing from above!
thanks God!

so grab yourselves a cuppa either tea or coffee, and let me take you on a  rather long tour of what has now become

 my very favorite room

 an answered prayer indeed, when I stop to think about it
Here is the kitchen that I built
A look at the two sides together, still in the middle stages of "becoming"
 I begin with
The farmhouse sink
I used a tutorial by LESLEY SHEPHERD of ABOUT MINIATURES
as an outline on how to make a farmhouse sink.  The steps were detailed and very easy to follow. A sink was an absolute MUST HAVE, and I wanted one that would reflect the atmosphere of the vintage-style within this kitchen.  Atmosphere is usually of the utmost importance to me. 
one day
I just so happened to see this empty cookie tray, in my recycle bin.
Hmmmm ...?  "Who ate all these cookies and why didn't I get some?" :/

but wait.. are there
Possibilities?
Yes!
:))
I decided to see if I could use it for the sink detail.  I cut out sections of the thin ribbed acetate and glued it to the outside of the sink form, ( a miniature wooden crate from a former fridge magnet )
I used Quick Grip to secure the plastic to the sides
I only covered the 3 exposed sides of the sink and then I painted it all out with gesso.  Once that was dry, I puttied the entire piece, inside and out, with textured gel medium mixed with acrylic paint.  The back splash was done with Spackle and an over-lay of sand gel medium on foam board, to give it depth and the look of "stone".
When Fats and I were at the 2014 Seattle Miniature Show last March, I had purchased these two sink taps which looked 'farm-housey' to me.  They started out chrome colored and now they look as old as the ones over the bathtub in this doll's house.  I painted the tap handles with a  WHITE OUT paper correction fluid, then I glazed over that with clear nail enamel.  Then the last step was to age everything bit more, with wood toned gel paints which I also used on the sink bowl both inside and out.
I built a stand for the sink from balsa wood and painted, and aged the base with the same color as I used for the shelf over the stove.  I wanted a curtain to hide the pipes and the stuff underneath the sink but mainly to soften the hardness of the unit.  I used the same technique on this fabric skirt that, I used In my BED CURTAINS TUTORIAL.
 During the aging process, I made the curtain look a little too dirty.  Later, I decided to change it.  However the curtain
 didn't go to waste.   I transformed it into a dirty apron that I draped over the corner of the sink.
(see photos further down) 
 think Recycle

I hooked a homeless soap holder over the sink and found some hard-milled french soap blocks made from fimo, that Janine and I produced a way back in the 90's and I placed one inside the  holder.  I also added a sponge scrubbie that I found as a miniature tutorial ( can't find the source ) and decided to give it a try.  It was one of the easiest things to make, using a real thin sponge from the dollar store, that I painted with green acrylic chalkboard paint then cut down to size. 
  It is a cute mini detail. 
A side view of the sink.
and then
I needed a table
I was combing through my collection of "furniture in waiting" looking for something that might work as a table for this kitchen.  I thought that I would have to resort to cutting the length and the width of another table that  I had been seriously considering.  Then I found this piece.  It was a Christmas ornament from several years ago that had a checkerboard stenciled on the top and painted in  American Country colors of red and blue.  It has been sitting around a long time, just waiting for this moment.  It was the same depth as the sink and it comfortably filled in the remainder of the wall without over- crowding it.  I sanded it down and added the slats to the base, so that I could have some additional storage.  Then I painted and aged the table with the same blue color I used for the shelf above the stove and the sink base.  The bottom shelf I filled with a stack of pots, pans and bowls. I also included a big container of flour which sits at the back and a bowl of white and brown eggs that Janine made for me back in the 90's.  A bottle of sherry for cooking and an empty mason jar of salt, ( by me) that appears to need refilling, all of these little things share the lower portion of the work-table.


 I used a trick of Janine's taken from her MINWORKS Empire Bedroom.  I turned the little drawer upside-down; and it became a perfect sliding cutting board.

By adding two nails into the side of the table, I had some additional hanging storage for the grater (my tutorial) that I wanted to use, and for a whisk that has also been a "favorite mini kitchen thing"

The tablescape

IF I had my "druthers", I would have loved to have done a "baking table scape".  But for some reason or other, this kitchen wouldn't have it that way.

I found myself obliged to go savory rather than sweet.  The results were not what I had originally envisioned, but it works out far better this way.   I get to use ALL of the Mushrooms that I have; both the ones I bought and the ones I received as a gift, as well as the ones that I've made.  I chopped in some green 'herbs' and decided that marinated mushrooms or a cheese and mushroom pie, were what was on the menu!
A couple of  red onions and a garlic bulb rest on the blue and white china plate.  And what I Thought looked like 'butter' to me ( but Janine thought it looked more like cheese ), is on the wax paper.  Some olive oil in the bottle and poured into the measuring cup,is on standby so too is a bottle of red wine vinegar, salt and a pepper mill and paprika in a tiny spice jar as well as Fatima's  lemon,  a juicer, and a open can of salmon, (Seattle Show) which could go into the pie, ( or perhaps to the cats) all fill up the table top.

 to store the utensils; a tall blue vase and viola! 

I placed the table into the kitchen and liked the way it looked with all of the stuff on it

When I was viewing the sink and the table together, I was distracted by the naked window.
I had thought to leave the window bare so that it would be easy to see through it and yet it did not look the way I wanted it to.
 In the Parlor, the bedroom and in the bathroom, there are drapes.

Curtains would help to diffuse the glare and soften the atmosphere of the entire room

I started experimenting.
Here is the Parlor and the kitchen side by side.
The kitchen window is bare with glare
so
I tried this coral red and liked it until I got them hung up.
N. O.
they are visually, too strong.
they drew the eye to the window and not to the table where all of the "action" was.
PLUS
they look PINK when the light is behind them
(not good)

I dug out a lone drape that I made for the Bed Curtains tutorial but I didn't use it either.
I know the curtain is too long, but it IS TOILE!
  I love toile but this looks dowdy

 I DON'T LOVE THIS
:(

BUT I DO LOVE THIS!!!
I found this pretty little sprigged cotton in my box of fabrics but it was far too white.  I wet it and stained it with gel paint to tone down the white ground color and then used the gel glue to add some body.   I  used my own tutorial and fashioned the drapes onto the Pretty Pleat mat and used a blow dryer to set it.  I made a pocket for the brass rod and slipped the curtain onto it, and hung them with enough of the window uncovered above so that someone could still peek through.  The curtains diffuse the light and give such a soft warm glow to the walls.
The window latch is what is causing the curtain to bulge out which is an unexpected detail that I find rather intriguing.
Next to the window on the floor is a basket of french breads that I made from air dry clays next to an old  Realife kit Bedroom night stand which generously provides all of the needed kitchen drawer storage.  I have draped it with one of Ruth Stewart's laser cut doilies,( Seattle Show)I love her stuff!  The kitchen scale, also came from the Seattle Show, but it now has a shallow tin dish ( a cut down measuring spoon)  full of tiny metal cookie cutters, an idea that I 'stole' from Kim Saulter It's a Miniature life.  Jennifer, of Plushpussycat, sent me the heart-shaped cookie cutter as well as the little glass pitcher ( thanks again Jennifer :D ).   I have placed it on top of the  Realife spice drawers along with a tiny teapot that I purchased from potter
Jason Feltrope of Arkansas. 

 Fatima and I just Adore his pottery and what a genuinely friendly guy he is to speak to. 
and
his teapot can pour! 

BLUE AND WHITE CHINA
I have a very dear friend named BETTIE SMITH whom I have known for many, many years.
Last year, Bettie suffered a major stroke from which she is still valiantly trying to recover.  Bettie has been active in miniatures for decades, but now she is no longer able to participate in this hobby and it grieves her terribly.  She called me on the phone a few weeks ago and asked me to come over and take some things that she had wanted to give to me.  She was trying to down-size her Vast collection and needed me to help her do it.
I did go over and she and I went through several drawers of items with Bettie telling me to "Take this and take that".  This set of blue and white china were some of the many things she wished to pass my way.
I am so honored to have Bettie as a friend and the fact that these blue and white pieces are from her and now in Green Dolphin Street, keeps a part of her always with me but also in

 the Land of LILLIPUT that she so adores.
Thank you dear Bettie!
I originally blue tacked the china to the wall and liked the way that it looked.  I have blue and white china in varying combinations, in every room of this Arthur cottage, but in the kitchen, it has the most visual impact. However, I didn't just want it for display only, I also wanted to be able to use it.

So I made a plate rack just for Bettie's china and hung it above the table.


Whoops!  I nearly forgot to tell you about
 the laundry
I was scoping out a German blog ( that I shall try to find the name of again) and saw this clothesline idea.  I just so happened to have an appropriate weight of string that came from an old necklace and so I strung the line over the sink.  Then I had to make some towels for it. And after making the towels, I had to make some clothes pegs.

One of the benefits to having a clothes line, is that these 2 towels cut the glare from the light fixture right behind it.  They also draw the attention away from the fact that there are no overhead cupboards on the wall other than that one frugal little plate rack.  The clothes line fills out the air space without FILLING UP THE AIR SPACE!
Even with the lights off, the kitchen looks active
YES,I know that this is already a very long post and that you have seen the stove before
 but here it is again
 with more of the back wall visible since I removed the red sifter for this photo 
and changed the configuration of the products on the shelf above.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I rearranged this upper shelf over the stove but this is what it looks like now.  I made room for a silver biscuit tin ( West Coast Miniature Show) and also a box of "WEE OATS", placed in front of the tall jar of Spaghetti from my spaghetti tutorial and my jar of mustard made from a wooden bead with a great shape.  The varying heights and textures of paper, glass wood and metal, are now far more interesting for me to look at and enjoy. :))


                                                                             ***

So let's review....
 The right side of the kitchen

and what's Inside of the sink

What is Over the sink
 and what's Under the sink

All of the items On the table
 and an old photo On the wall
 How it looks Overall
 and how it connects being Next to the Parlor



AND NOW I'M DONE
















May the meals that I prepare
Be seasoned from above
With Your blessing and Your grace,
















But most of all Your love




















my thanks to everyone
elizabeth

90 comments:

  1. Thank you for taking me on that tour of your fabulous kitchen Elizabeth, it is a work of art as always. You really have a talent for making it look so alive and livable. Your sink and stand are perfect for the kitchen and the clothes line is a great little detail. Thankfully the rats didn't destroy everything!

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    1. Hi Margaret! Thank you for your lovely comment! :)) I must admit that the sink gave me a lot less anxiety that the stove did and yet there were certainly moments when I had to stop and question my own choices. Trying to make the kitchen come alive was the most fun part! The little clothes line was something that had marinated in my head from the moment that I saw it done, and I am so happy that this house was able to incorporate it and have it become so naturally a part of the decor. It delights me Margaret, that you really like it too! :))
      And yes, I am Very Thankful that the rats left me something more than just evidence of their 'weapons of mass destruction', namely... their teeth! ><

      elizabeth

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  2. Elizabeth, I had no doubt that despite your dread you would eventually create the most wonderful kitchen for No. 43. From the minute I saw the first picture I felt quite overwhelmed. It brought back memories of old kitchens I had visited in my childhood that while small were warm and homely. In your miniature you have created the atmosphere of some of those old kitchens and I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of years of cooking and baking that have seeped into the walls. While a confined space the lighting is wonderful and the kitchen looks lived in and cheerful and the space serves not only a kitchen but also as a laundry. I am not going to list all the items and techniques I love in your kitchen or this will be a very long comment indeed but needless to say there are many. It is the 'feel' of your work that I aspire to achieve in my miniatures one day. It is lovely that you have managed to incorporate Bettie's blue china in the kitchen. A very special kitchen indeed. "I love its every nook". I am sure the kitchen and parlour would combine in this house to be the heart of the home.

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    1. Thank You so much Sharee!!! You connection with this kitchen via a beloved memory of when you were a child, is such a special one. I really appreciate your sharing it with me too. My objective is always to make my projects look like they are being lived in and when people tell me that my work evokes a certain memory of recognition then I feel that I am Doubly Blessed! :D

      elizabeth

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  3. I've spent ages drinking in every detail of this kitchen, loving it and wanting to be the person who inhabits this space! You are amazing how you fill space to perfection and not a jot more or less than the perfect balance. Thank you for feeding my addiction ;)

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    1. Thank you so much Susan. Do you know that during the construction of this kitchen, your story about the old cast iron stove that you grew up with and learned to cook on and the associated memories that were so fondly
      remembered by you, well it influenced me in a subconscious but also a significant way. Your story helped me when constructing the stove, my second biggest challenge. So it is no wonder to me that you want to inhabit this space, Susan because truly you already do! :))

      elizabeth

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  4. Wonderful post, Elizabeth! I loved looking at every nook and cranny of your gorgeous, atmospheric kitchen. I'm glad you like the cookie cutter I made and that you've included it as well as the pitcher. :-) I love all of your precious details and will be back to look at the photos again. Bravo! xo Jennifer

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    1. Hello Jennifer! Thank you so much for your words of praise! It was so nice to win your Giveaway not so long ago and all of the delightful little miniature goodies that you included. I wish that I had more room just so I would be able to show off all of your pretty cakes and things. Nevertheless, the cutter is perfect in the bowl and the little pitcher has just the right proportions for that very small and narrow shelf. Thanks for your comment Jennifer and please do come back and as often as you like. The kettle is always on the stove for tea. :D

      elizabeth

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  5. I adore your wonderful kitchen. The sink you made is perfect for it. Everything you do has your style stamp on it and I love that. Rooms with a real atmosphere are always my favorite. I so much prefer those to sterile speck & span glamor.

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    1. Hello Catherine! Many many Thank Yous! I have to say that I am rather happy with the way the sink turned out too! :D I think that my "style" naturally leans more towards the grungy lived-in look, and even when I try to do something "Clean", I end up adding age spots and wear and tear. In my work this is "Me" but perhaps it's not for everyone. I see so many beautifully appointed and finished miniatures where spotless really is Spot On! :D

      elizabeth

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  6. Hi Elizabeth, Super atmosphere and use of space. Always enjoy your reasoning and explanations of why you have made certain choices. Eg. The colour of the curtain - showing us both treatments is a lesson in itself. Good work too on the plate shelf. I did like the way you had displayed the plates on the wall but the rack works better.
    Looking forward to visiting soon
    Janine

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    1. Hi Janine! Let me begin by saying "Welcome Back, Home Again"!!! Hooray!!! :D Even though we we talk fairly regularly on the phone, It is always such a treat to see your smiling face here on my blog! :))
      I Thank You, my friend, for your always interesting comments.
      I don't always like to show my mistakes, like the curtains, but when I do, it is because I feel that it helps explain the way my mind works.... that is.... I THINK my mind is working?.... ( well, maybe it's not but I like to think that it does every now and then ) hahahha
      Anyway, I don't always know why something works, but I Do seem to know when it doesn't. That is why it often takes me several wrong attempts to come up with something that feels right. I am glad that you like the plate rack, Janine. That was a first attempt for me and it was rather fun!
      And I just may try making some more.

      elizabeth

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  7. Poor rats.........I think their dentist must have done lots of repair work at their teeth...its their own fault :D LOL!!
    Thank you for this special long tour, Elizabeth, I enjoyed every minute sitting here with a cup of coffee (which I totally forgot whilst reading this engaging blog post ;)) and seeing how you did your magic into your kitchen, which looks so lifelike now. You solved the problem with the glare in a very clever way and because of my length I am not fond of having clothes lines in a kitchen, but yours is lovely ;)!
    It is so sweet of your friend that she gave you her blue and white dinner ware, you have displayed it so beautiful here.
    All in all I think it had to be, that the rats visited your dollhouses: you have created something quite special and new and it is very Elizabeths, so it is awesome!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Hello my dear Ilona! I hope that the dentist for rodents charged them a astronomical price for any dental work they may have had to do! Serves them right!!!! hahaha
      Thank You for your funny comment, Ilona! I Always enjoy reading your point of view! I can certainly agree with you in that a laundry line strung across My Real life kitchen would NOT sit well with me, either! :)) One of the perks of making miniatures is that you can live in a make believe world that has absolutely no relationship to your life in the real one, wouldn't you agree? (Hey, I could NEVER live without a fridge!) But I am glad that you like it and side with ME rather than the RATS!!!
      Loved your comment and Thank You very much for it. :D

      elizabeth

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  8. A beautiful prayer! And a beautiful kitchen!
    Off course the rats went straight to the kitchen.. I can see how they thought it would be very tasty.. I hope you can keep the rats away from now on! It would be a shame to destroy a nice kitchen like this!
    Hannah

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    1. Hi Hannah! Yes! Isn't that little prayer lovely? It kinda says it all for me. And you are right about where the rats sat and chewed the longest- IN THE KITCHEN! heehee
      But you don't have to worry about this house suffering the same fate as I plan to keep it right where I can see it and they can't! Besides, I still have the exterior to finish as well as the landscaping that needs to be done so there is still a lot left to do but the hardest parts are all now done, and that is something to HIGH FIVE about! :D
      Thank You Hannah for your welcomed comment and the lovely compliment that went with it!

      elizabeth

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  9. Браво! Этим словом сказано все! Это вершина искусства! Все реально. Реально до самой глубины души! Вы создали мгновение жизни. Все оживет, когда ветер шевельнет шторы. Полотенце закачается на веревке, прищепки закрутятся смешно . Вода наполнит стеклянный кувшин. Кто-то прибежит в освещенную солнцем кухню, остановится на мгновение и побежит по лестнице вверх. Я люблю эти моменты. Я с удовольствием рассматриваю ваши творения и люблю то ощущение, которое вы дарите!
    Великая работа!
    С уважением
    Татьяна

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    1. My dear Tatiana! How is it that you see things that even I forget about!?? Your powers of observation are as keen as "Google"! :D I forgot all about the water in the jug in the sink and didn't even think that it could be detected, something that only I would know about. How ever did you see it? The corner of the curtain, yes that too and the way the clothes pegs twist funny..... so many things that I recall also from my great grandmother when she strung her clothes on the line outside. It is amazing what stays locked inside our subconscious and resurfaces again when you least expect it. Thank You my dear lady for All of the appreciation that you have expressed to me towards this project and also for all of your other treasured comments from previous posts. You and I seem to always be on the same page!

      elizabeth

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  10. une cuisine chaleureuse avec tous ses accessoires, la lumière est parfaite, belle réussite

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    1. Hello Claude! Thank You for your compliment and for mentioning the light! I love the fact that the interior has lots of the electric lights but always the effect of sunlight filtered through the curtains or streaming in through a front door, is my Favorite effect! I think that it gives any space the Joy inside that we feel when the sun is shining outside! :D
      And even as I type this:
      I am sitting in front of my studio window
      enjoying the sunny blue sky,
      and clouds that may filled with rain overhead,
      are thankfully just passing by. :))

      elizabeth

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  11. ¡¡¡Maravillosa!!! Es una cocina cálida, acogedora y llena de vida. Me encanta. Los grifos paracen tan auténticos y reales que se diría que son de una pileta de verdad.
    Te felicito por tan buen trabajo y me alegro de que estés contenta, porque yo tambien lo estaría.
    Un abrazo
    Victoria

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    1. Thank You Victoria for such a Beautiful Comment! I really tried to make the most of this kitchen. What it lacks in space had to be made up for in "welcoming warmth"! :)) The sink turned out better than I expected. I had some different hardware in mind, prior to buying these old-fashioned sink taps. It was good to have options but, but I knew when I saw these. that the other ones were Out of the picture. :)) I enjoyed making the sink look old too.
      When I add age to anything it is with the idea in mind of making it appear like it is still in use! All the things that look too new are rarely handled. And I wanted Everything within this kitchen, to look like it was handled Everyday!

      elizabeth

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  12. Every teeny tiny detail is scrumptious. There is not a single element that's disappointing. You are so talented and create wonderful 'stories' in your work. Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring (to try harder!)

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    1. Hi Em! I always love it when you comment and what a full-bodied word
      "Scrumptious" is; Thank You!!! :D I love to tell stories as well as make them, I have Had to learn to edit myself in both areas, otherwise I could put folks to sleep! hahaha But it really thrills me when you, being a Professional Writer whose work I ADMIRE, and find INSPIRING, pays me such a great compliment. In fact it warms the cockles of my heart! :))
      Thanks Em!

      elizabeth

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  13. I want to live in that kitchen. Beautifully done!

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    1. Hi Casey! What a great idea and will you please bring Tessie and Zar along too? I am sure that there will be enough room for all 3 of you! :D
      Thank You very much Casey for the compliment! I hope that you know that I have been taking notes on your cottage roofing project and not to mention the egg carton stone finish that you have used on your front porch. Talk about INSPIRING!!! :D

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  14. What an amazing post, Elizabeth! Your kitchen looks lifelike. I love the curtains, the sink and the laundry are perfect and every detail is beautiful.

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    1. Hi Nono! Thank You and I am Delighted that you like it! :D I have surprised myself by how much fun it was once I got over the fear of the staircase, and I still can not believe that I have finally finished the inside of this house. I am sooo pleased that you like the curtains, Nono because I do too! When the light is filtered though them it fills the room with so much warmth and feels very friendly. The perfect atmosphere to have friends like you, over for a cup of tea! :))

      elizabeth

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  15. Oh Elizabeth Im going to have to borrrow Axel from The Middle to compliment your Kitchen *go ahead Axel*

    Axel: This Place Rocks! and Seniors Rule!

    that's enough Axel you can leave now

    Elizabeth
    I love how this turned out, it's just amazing to see it all come together..you even included Laundry? I had noticed something hanging over the kitchen sink and I kept wondering what the heck that was. well you nailed it..you have the perfect english kitchen all that missing are a pair of stockings (it reminds of "A Private Function" a black comedy about typical post war Britan) Well done Madame! Dame Agnes and I salute you.

    Hugs
    Marisa

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    1. Hahahahha!!!! You crack me UP, Marisa! But you are right.... Seniors Do Rule! hehehe
      Funny that you mention stockings. I actually DID think about them and may still consider them if I can find the right pair. Nylon stockings would be ideal because of their transparency..... hmmmm? The possibility may still exist
      Thank You for your compliment and... for the salute! heehee

      elizabeth

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    2. Oh and Thanks also to Axel!

      who ever he is..(Guns and Roses?)

      e

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  16. That kitchen is like a charming old fashioned space! I admire your creative energy which enables you to put together such inspiring scenes! So many endearing details which make it special! It certainly was worth the wait! You have fabulous accessories and they all add their special little touch! Truly, once again you have a winner! Have you ever thought of entering a contest because a talent like yours would be hard to beat!

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    1. Hi Lucille! What lovely words, Thank You!!! I have a whole lot of really pretty things, it is true; and most of them I bought in the 90's! There are memories attached as to when I bought them and who I bought them from, so they are kinda like old friends to me and friends always round out us as individuals, so I am sure that they do the same thing within a doll's house. Wouldn't you agree?
      I Have entered my work; in the local West Coast Miniature Club shows during the late 80's and 90's and also at the annual Pacific National Exhibition, and once at the Seattle Miniature Show and my doll's houses have won Best in Show all those places. Then I stopped being interested in miniatures for a long time and the doll's houses that won the ribbons, were the same ones that the rats trashed. So I am starting all over again. Last year, I was able to get my feet wet by entering my "Gothica" room box, in the West Coast Show, and I Won Again! After 12 years absent, it was like a shot of adrenaline! :D However, as satisfying as competition is, the MOST Gratifying is being able to freely express myself in the style that I love the most, and share it with my friends here on my blogs as well as learning from everyone else. To me this feels more important. But I do plan to have this house ready for the 2015 West Coast Miniature Show. I promised Fatima that I would as she is on the show committee. I need to keep that goal in sight just to keep me on track. I Still have the exterior to do and the chimney, and the garden......
      Pinterest... here I come!!! :))

      elizabeth

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  17. Oh Elizabeth, I love so much your style. I'm again speechless. Thanks for taking all these wonderful pictures. I would love to be able to move around in your kitchen, look, touch and cook.
    You are a true champion.
    Hugs
    Wyrna

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    Replies
    1. My dear Wyrna! I love your style too! And it gives me so much pleasure to read your comments and I Thank You very much! :D I don't know if you noticed, Wyrna, but there is a red stool close to the stove and a basket of peas that will need to be shelled..... but I think that I will just have to get you a cleaner apron than the one that is on the sink. :))


      elizabeth

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  18. Hello Elizabeth,
    A-MA-Zing! I think I would also have feared working in such a small space, but you succeeded brilliantly. I have said it before, you just know how, where, and how much to add to a space to make it look perfect. there is so much to look at and yet everything is highlighted. It is the most charming, warm and inviting room I have seen in miniature. I always say your great gift is creating atmosphere and again you have raised the bar sky high. I love all your hand made pieces and...I will just stop because I could mention every item in the room and we would be here forever. It is a stunning room Elizabeth. You truly are an incredible and talented miniaturist I look up to very much.
    Big hug my insanely talented lady,
    Giac

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    1. My dear Giac, You are making me Blush!!! What can I say except Thank You, my friend. You have always been so positive and encouraging towards me and my work and I can't help but be flattered by your words. Everything that you have said with regard to the atmosphere of the kitchen, I hold most dear, and the fact that you have found the kitchen "charming, warm and inviting" is truly music to my ears! :D
      A Very Big Hug Back!

      elizabeth

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  19. Has hecho una cocina acogedora y entrañable. Has jugado de maravilla con el poco espacio que tenias. Me encanta. Gracias por tus explicaciones. Me gusta como has hecho el fregadero y creo que las cortinas están perfectas.

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    1. Thank You Isabel for your wonderful compliments!!! :)) I am so glad that you liked the curtain explanations, because at first I was not going to include them. When I took the photos it was not for the blog but to see how they actually looked not how I thought that they looked. When I got the red curtains up, I was happy with them... until I took the photo! Then they had to Go! The camera really tells it like it is, doesn't it? It is a good thing too, because otherwise I would not have had these prettier ones. And I like them better and I am so glad that you do too! :D

      elizabeth

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  20. Wow! The kitchen is wonderful! So many precious details! I don't get tired of looking. Amazing!

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    1. Hello Eliana! There is the phrase that a world famous architect once said, and it is that " God is in the details" I do believe this to be true. The details help tell the story and the story gives LIFE to the art! So Thank You Eliana, Very Much! ... and I really like looking at the kitchen too! :))

      elizabeth

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  21. Elizabeth this is just beautiful! I love how lived in it is looking. Everything from the choice of curtains to the little clothes line is so well thought out and placed. I liked your farmers sink tutorial too, it looks very realistic. I think that is the biggest thing I notice in the scene, all the dirt and grime of a real older kitchen adds so much realism and a cosy feel. Everytime I look at a photo I see something new, you must have so many little mini items pack in there. Really really great work :)

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    1. Hi Kristine! Thank You for your lovely comment!:)) I owe the farmer's sink to Lesley Shepherd of Miniatures about com! She made her tutorial so easy to follow, and she had several sink styles to choose from. I needed it to be simple as I am hopeless with power tools ( and measuring ) and so I was able to use my razor saw for the wood pieces and that made me happy. As to the dirt and the grime... I can often get carried away in my over- enthusiasm for it. hahaha Oftentimes, "Less is More" but in miniature it can easily be More is Better!! :D

      elizabeth

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  22. Dear Elizabeth, what a Fantastic kitchen!!! I LOVE Every Single detail!!! You have surpassed my wildest imaginings for how you could fit it all in the small space! And every single detail is so appropriate! You let the room and the pieces lead you to the best possible conclusion! It all looks so wonderfully real... I could step right in there and be completely at home!!! I think the Piece de resistance is your wall rack for the plates! And you would not have thought of doing that before you tried putting the china on the wall! Isn't it amazing how these projects evolve!!! Bravo for a Fantastic job!!! One of the parts I Love the best is the gathering of things you have kept for years.... and now they have come together to create this magical room! I also love that you keep re-arranging pieces.... like in a real kitchen when things get put back on the shelf a little differently each time...it Evolves... it is Real and has a Life of its own! I will be so inspired to (maybe) try to accessorize my kitchens..... all of which are in Very incomplete states! LOL! Oh, and talk about Inspiring... Your Sink!!! From plastic cookie wrappers????? You are a Wonder Woman for spying out improbable materials to wrestle into the minis you see in your mind's eye!!! I have been trying to envision the sink I will build for the Folly kitchen.... for years now...! Gotta go eat some cookies...!!! LOL!

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    1. My dearest Betsy! Thank You Very Much!!! I want to say right from the start that you do NOT have to go and eat any cookies to make a sink! hahaha In Fact, if you like grape tomatoes, go and have a look at the acetate packaging that they come it. I just saw one in the recycle box and for the first time I noticed that it has the same kind of ribbing on the front closure potion. Now I wonder why I hadn't noticed it before? Everything in its proper time, I suppose.
      I am so happy that you like the plate rack and the way that you have described the process is exactly what and how it happened.:)) And as to the gathering together of things, that I have had on hold for all these years; it was like a reunion. In the end the kitchen became a mix of some of those original items as well as some New things too. The best part is that it looks as though they have all known each other for years. :))
      Betsy, I have high hopes that you will finish your kitchen in "the Folly." I have always liked that little house of yours and the book nook and the living room have been my favorites for a very long time.
      So perhaps you really Should go and eat some cookies Betsy, and then build a sink! :D
      Thank You my dear Daydreamer

      elizabeth

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  23. il faut prendre le temps, pas seulement pour lire votre message, mais, surtout pour apprécier chaque détail ! Que de d'objets, d'éléments divers à découvrir !
    Au final, cette "vieille" cuisine à un charme fou ! Bel évier, que vous avez fait là !
    Félicitations Elizabeth !
    Bisous. rosethé

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  24. Hello and Thank You my sweet Rosethe' I knew that the post was a long one and there was a lot of text attached but how else to explain myself and how it all came about? But even it doesn't translate smoothly into French, I am very glad that you stuck with it and that you also enjoyed the photos! What a beautiful compliment that is my dear. Thank you Rosethe'. It feels a bit strange to think that this house is finished inside,.... well actually there may be a few more things little things to add....
    But I really feel that it is Finally Done! and I am very happy that you like it! :))

    elizabeth

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  25. Thank you for all these beautiful photos and for letting us see all the details. It's wonderful what you managed to do in such a small space. I love your kitchen because it is very lively with all the details and accessories. And there is a great atmosphere. By the way the curtain is perfect and adds a lot to the room, it wouldn't have been good without it. I am always amazed by your work and talent.
    Geneviève

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  26. Good Morning Genevieve! Thank You for your most wonderful comment and about liking the addition of the curtain.:)) Indeed, I also feel that it would not have the same effect without it. After installing them, I just sat and looked and then looked some more at the warm glow that was reflected off of the walls when the light filtered. It soften the look of the room not just with the way the light was distributed but also because it gave a soft counterpoint to all of the hard surfaces everywhere else. Managing the space inside this kitchen was a challenge, but now that it is done, I can get back to my other favorite pass time: visits to all of my Favorite Blogs and one of them is most definitely Yours!
    See you soon Genevieve! :D

    elizabeth

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  27. In your kitchen everything is perfect and I like the atmosphere. The sink is amazing.

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    1. Hi Faby! Thank You Very,Very Much! :D I am sooo happy that you like the sink! I have just explained the products that I used in Ersilia's reply down below. The inspiration was from Lesley Shepherd's tutorial on
      Miniatures.about.com. It is a wonderful tutorial that I found very easy to follow. The back and the base of the sink I made up myself, but it was all very easy to do. I am Delighted that you also like the atmosphere, Faby, because Atmosphere is my Specialty! ;D

      elizabeth

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  28. Once again your touch has worked magic. Your kitchen is so rich in detail and the atmosphere is really cozy. Everything is well balanced and in the right place.
    Thank you for your detailed tour and the explanations!

    As you know I'm still learning and I try to understand each step you describe. When you explain how you did the sink, you speak of a textured gel and a gel medium. What are this two products for? With google translator I didn't go too far... Sometimes I have trouble understanding some words just because of the language, but this time I fear it is a lack of technical know-how. :(

    I hope you will be able to read this few lines. I do not know why, but lately, as you may have noticed, I have problems publishing my comments...
    Saluti
    Ersilia

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    Replies
    1. hi Ersilia, My reply got bumped below Heloise, so look there for the answer to your enquiries!
      :))

      e

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  29. Una cocina preciosa, llena de detalles e ideas geniales.
    Gracias por la idea del fregadero, me encanta.

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    1. Hello Heloise! I Thank You very much for your lovely comment and I as sooo pleased that you like the sink too! :D ( I am so surprised at how many people do!) I have given Ersilia some additional information about the products that I used to achieve the stone look of the back splash, outlined in the reply just below. Don't forget to check out Lesley Shepherd's farmhouse sink tutorial on Miniatures.about.com.
      You will not be disappointed! :D

      elizabeth

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    2. WHOOPS! I got the web site wrong, it is called "ABOUT MINIATURES"
      sorry to both you and Lesley :(

      :D elizabeth

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  30. Hi Ersilia!!! Thank You so much for your lovely comment and also for your enquiry about the textured gel and gel mediums. I Always so enjoy hearing from you! :))
    The products that I am referring to are products that I have found in the artist's supply section of the Michael's Craft stores here, but they should be available in any place where you can buy regular Fine Art Supplies. The brands that I use are by GOLDEN and LIQUITEX.
    Both come in white plastic jars and are water-based acrylic mediums that can be mixed with acrylic paints and act like "extenders" keeping the acrylic paint wet longer. The GOLDEN gels can be found in both a glossy liquid/or heavy gel, as well as a regular matte. These heavy gels are very thick in the jar but it can be thinned with water for a more translucent quality, if so desired. The gels will help stiffen the paint when applied to canvas. They do NOT change the color but they do add body; the glossy will add shine. They are similar to using TLS when clay baking only this is with paint. I am only just beginning to explore some of what else they can do.
    The LIQUITEX is the same kind of extender only there are additives within the gels. I have one jar with fibers and one with Natural sand mixed in, but there are other mixes available too. They all give the paint special effects with interesting textures. The first time that I used the Natural Sand when I was low on Spackle ( a ready-mixed wall putty) and mixed the textured gel into it. As the products dried on the wall, they came out a pale creamy yellow,( which I loved ) and had the look of old stone. A very happy accident! :)) ( I am sure it's because of a chemical reaction within the Spackle that starts as pink in the jar but dries white to indicate when it is fully cured.) In any case that was a bonus for me and so I continued to use the 2 products together on the rest of the kitchen walls, for consistency.
    I used the same mix when I made the raised back of the sink. I gave it a coat of gesso and then using a flexible pallet knife, I smoothed out the wall putty and WHILE IT WAS STILL WET, I added a layer of the Natural Sand textured gel and then let it dry. It took a full day, because I laid it on thick, but the surface, when dry, was very hard and resembled stone. I think that this technique could translate really well for a mini stone floor too; I must try it sometime.
    I hope that this information has been helpful, Ersilia. I don't have a whole lot of technical know-how either. ;D Often times it is just something I stumble onto, but these kinds of discoveries are all part of the Fun, aren't they? :))
    If you have any other enquiries, please feel free to ask me and I will be happy to try to clarify and/ or break it down as much as I can. It helps when you ask because I think that others are probably curious to know too! :D
    Huge hugs!

    elizabeth

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  31. It looks amazing Elizabeth! I love the light flitering through the pale curtains, casting a soft light. Everything works perfectly.

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    1. Hi Shannon! Thank You so Very Much for your lovely compliments! :)) It is so encouraging when people enjoy the things that I like too and I really like the way the light is filtered through the curtains as well! As a matter of fact, I am sitting here typing and periodically I turn around to look inside the doll's house and the first room my eyes go to is towards the kitchen and the sunlight bouncing off of the walls! (sigh) Last night the sky was full of black clouds and thunder and this morning it was overcast and chilly! So it is nice to have Good Weather always just outside the doll's house front door. :D

      elizabeth

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  32. Your work has once again reached the wondrous level of beautiful madam! The simple details that you add like a scratch of the paint and the wear on the enamel of the sink are always then things my eye catches because it brings the lived in and used real life details to your scenes!

    It is wonderful to see all the little creations you've made the mushrooms still make my mouth water, and I must say I have made a lot of them since you inspired it in mini!

    I thank you again for letting us in to Bethlund and seeing the wonders your mini eye can create, thank you for always inspiring!
    Big hugs! Js

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  33. Howdy Jane! I love your comments; Thank You, and I must say that it is soooo flattering to have you tell me that you have been inspired into making mushrooms! WhooHooo! :D And with all your many Talents and Cleverness, I KNOW that they must be as Fantastic as all of your Fabulous mini food creations Always are; How thrilling!!!
    And I love it when people notice those little bitty details that are insignificant on their own but contribute to the finished product in an unassuming but vital way. You always seem to pick them out Jane, and I love it when you do! :D

    That is why YOU JANE, are ALWAYS WELCOMED TO "BETHLUND"
    but now I must run and catch the next train to Smithville,.... I'll see you there! ;))

    elizabeth

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  34. Elizabeth, you are the queen of mini ambience! Thank you for sharing these photos as well as walking us through how you did it, including the tricky places along the way. I appreciate how you not only use what you have, but how you adapt what you have to work in the space. I am always inspired by your posts...you are a treasure.

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    1. Bless You Kate for all of your lovely words! It is a weird feeling being done with the interior of this house especially after all of the "trauma" about the stairs and the lack of space, but I am so happy with all of the positive responses and the feed-back that I've had about the finished kitchen, so Thank You Kate! :D
      I am always inspired by others, so it is pleasing to me to also be able to pass the inspiration forward. A Double Blessing!

      elizabeth

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  35. This house is a dream! All the little details are awesome. I can see your excitement in each perfect accessory and piece of furniture you chose and made. You are such an inspiration! Your cottage is gorgeous!
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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    1. HI Caroline! Thank You Very Much for your compliments and your praise! I AM excited about the accessories because each of them mean something special to me and come with memories attached. Some of them I have held onto for over 20 years and some of them I have had less than a month but each one it seems, was meant for this cottage. I still have the exterior to finish as well as the landscaping, so this house is not over yet, but I feel less Stress now that the kitchen is done.... and I still have some of my hair left too! :D

      elizabeth

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  36. hello , Elisabeth.
    j'adore. I took a lot of time to view all the details. That's incredible. so much in such a small space! how is that possible? the plates are beautiful. they bring a lot of chic in this tiny kitchen. I have a very small remark to say. should push a little shelf against the door to liberate space on the wall above the sink. haha! maintain a free surface on the wall 5cm 4cm high, would be a very good idea. :))
    I'm glad to see all the photos because I am not mistaken. I had imagined it like this. this kitchen is a marvel. I expect to see pictures with a pair of stockings on the clothesline and a painting hanging on above the sink.

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    1. Bonjour Catherine! I am SO HAPPY that you have approved the kitchen! :))
      The blue and white plates do make a statement and my friend Bettie will be happy to know that they are on such prominent display! I have measured the space above the kitchen sink and find that I still have 6.5 cm between the shelf and the edge of the wall! In future,I may have to find something larger than the photograph for that space, any suggestions? ;D You and Marisa of Stienworks, have definitely got me thinking about "the stockings" for the clothes line. I shall see what I can do about that, because I believe that both of you are absolutely right! :))
      Thank You my friend, for ALL of your words; each of which I Treasure Dearly.

      elizabeth

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  37. Amazing work! I'm still snooping around.

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    1. Hi Anita! Thank You for your compliment and for your comment! Please "SNOOP" for as long as you wish; I did just that while I was visiting your blog too! :D

      elizabeth

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  38. Great work and soooo much to see! That makes it fun for me, looking and discovering all sorts of things.
    You have done wonders with this tiny space Hugs,
    Gee

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  39. Hi Gee! Thank You Very Much for your compliment and for your comments! :))
    This blog turned out to be a little longer than what I had planned but, it was hard to leave out what I thought would be helpful in showing "the Process". It was lots of fun developing this tiny space ( after the stairs were installed and the fear was over) and I am so pleased that you have liked looking at it too! :))

    elizabeth

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  40. Hello, Elizabeth. I'm very worried ... your parcel has not arrived yet! very much hope that she will come .. as soon as I'll let you know ......

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    1. Hi Xan! I am beginning to get very concerned as well, but I will be hoping and praying that it WILL GET TO YOU sooner or later. :((
      We will have to just Keep on trusting until it arrives cause that is all we Are Able To Do! :))

      elizabeth

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  41. Great work Elizabeth, and I don't mind seeing the stove again :D So many great details, and inspiring. I love the larder look of it. The pottery is beautiful, Im a big fan of blue and white pottery.

    Forgive those rats, I think they were trying to recreate "The tale of two bad mice" for you :D

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    1. NEVER WILL I FORGIVE THOSE RATS; NO WAY, NO HOW!!!! ><
      I don't care how 'Hunca Munca" they thought they were Trying to be!!!
      But I am Calm, and I think I can handle it now. :||

      Thank You for your comment and compliment, Sarah ( except about the 2 Bad Rats) :/
      I too, LOVE Blue and White china very much as I think that it always gives a Freshness to any space it happens to reside in. My objective was to allow the blue and white to refresh a rather claustrophobic space, which is what I believe it does, without CLEANING the room up too much. :)) It was important to me to Not have the kitchen look out of step with the other 3 rooms. I am Delighted that it has the look of a "larder" cause it is a Perfect word in which to describe it! :D

      elizabeth

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  42. I DID enjoy reading that post! All those lovely photos have been duly studied and salivated over. Very inspiring and I love the way you manage to get your fabric to behave.

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  43. Hi Irene! Thank You for your lovely words about this post! It really pleases me when people respond to my verbosity! heehee It was such a rediscovery for me, unveiling a lot of what I had tucked away for so long and what was really cool was finding that my tastes have remained quite the same over the years so what I bought then was still just as enthralling to me now. Often that is not the case, and there have been times when I have to question my wisdom in buying the things I did. ( "What was I thinking"??? )
    Thank you for your comment on the curtain fabric. I have found that Gel School Glue to be the magic behind managing fabrics. Even if you just use pins to pleat and drape the cottons, they will stay put and look soft when the cloth is first lightly saturated with the gel glue. And as you can see, it works a treat! :))

    elizabeth

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  44. Everything is just lovely! I am in love with how you added the ridge detail to the front of the sink as well as the back cabinetry by the window. It's perfect! So much inspiration here... I can't wait to finish my little kitchen one day! :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Lindsey! Thank You Very Much! :)) You know, I have to say that I Like it Too! :D
    For as much as I disliked the idea of having to do it, I am surprised how enthusiastic I was, once I actually got going on it. And as to the ridge detail on the sink; have a good look at some of the packaging that contains grape tomatoes or raspberries. It is, of course, clear but I've seen some of this Same Ridging on the front ends of these acetate produce packages that could be a great alternative!
    I'm now looking forward now to seeing how you complete YOUR kitchen Lindsey, as I am certain that It will be as clever and as inspiring as your bathroom has been! :D

    elizabeth

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  46. It's absolutely incredible Elizabeth! So many little things with intriguing stories to tell. Your repurposing never ceases to amaze me - from necklace to clothes line indeed! Love how the curtains diffuse the light as you say, as does the washing on the line. Oh what a treat it would be to see it for real! You mentioned gel paint - I don't know what that is, can you enlighten me please?

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    1. Hi Norma! What a lovely comment and Thank You for it! :)) Gel paints are stains actually. I bought the most recent ones from the local Dollar Stores but I have had a few of my favorites for a very long time. My favorite (purchased in the 90's) is by Accent and it is called "Faux Finish Decorating Glaze" in Oak #8715. "for sponging, staining, marbleizing, rag-rolling, woodgraining,combing and more" ( faux finishes were all the rage in the early 90's remember?)
      it is a water-based gel type paint that has color when applied but dries transparent with a tint. The other brands that I like are by DecoArt Heavenly Hues which are very thin and watery paints that are also full of color that dry down to a very sheer color- washed transparency in greens and black and the last batch of gel paints are by Americana and are a series of wood stains in a water based gel form that do the same thing as the others but the colors are walnut,oak, maple etc. These paints differ from acrylics because they are never opaque but they can be layered and built up between drying, and they dry very fast. I love them all. They let whatever the base coat is, show through and yet add depth and dimension to my projects. I think that the same kind of effects could perhaps be achieved by using Gel Medium, a product that keeps acrylics from drying out too quickly on the pallet and which can also add build-able texture to the canvas. Gel Medium should be available at most Art Supply Stores. It also comes in assorted varieties that will focus on textures or degrees of shine or matte. The Gel Medium, thinned with water and a drop or two of water color paint should produce the same kind of translucent effects. I hope that that helps you out some Norma. Thanks for asking! :D

      elizabeth

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    2. That's a very comprehensive reply Elizabeth, thank you so much. I have a friend who is in Canada at the moment, she's offered to get some of the paints if she can and I'll have to try out Gel Mediums. I do use thinning mediums to create translucent washes, especially on the walls, I think there are about 10 coats of wash on the dining room in the French house!

      Delete
  47. Thanks for your comment on my blog Elizabeth, but what is 'Dreaming in French'? Is that a new project of yours or have I missed something?

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  48. Hi Margaret! Once many years ago I read the novel "Scruples" which I can hardly remember anything of, but what I do recall is that the main character leaves America to go and live in France with a family who spoke no English. She was totally immersed in the French culture but she understood nothing that was said. Yet, without tutoring, just by watching and listening she slowly began to absorb the French language and began to comprehend the conversations going on around her. After a year went by, she found herself "Dreaming in French" and knew then, that she really knew the language.
    I have no idea why that one phrase stuck in my head after all these years. I didn't even like the book. But I DO like your bed and I AM planning to do a version of a French style house after I get this English one finished and Your Beautiful Little Bed has seriously started ME...Dreaming in French! :D

    elizabeth

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  49. Oh how wonderful, Elizabeth. Even if the rats had a feast - perhaps it had something good. And the long waiting too. Now the kitchen is just perfect. I love every detail.
    Have a wonderful week
    Andrea

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  50. Hi Andrea! Thank You! :D I think that you are right about something good coming out of the rat's destruction. My loss has also been my gain after all. I still have one of the destroyed doll's houses in my garage and I am not sure if I want to restore it or just pass it on to someone else. I still have to think about that for a bit but meanwhile, I am truly enjoying playing with this little kitchen.
    I just LOVE kitchen stuff! :D
    The forecast is for lots of sun, this coming week. I hope to get some more garden cleanup done as well as some mini-making.
    And.... Congratulations once again Andrea, on winning FIRST PLACE at the KENSINGTON DOLL'S HOUSE SHOW! Your work certainly deserves that recognition of Excellence! Those tiny LEGO BLOCKS are simply AMAZING!!!


    elizabeth :D


    elizabeth

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  51. AMAZING! I hope to be creating kitchens this lovely one day...it's full without being cluttered and has such a sense of life and purpose. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Hi Keli! Thank You!!! :D I have gone from fearing this kitchen to loving it and what a big leap that was. I am always editing and re-editing my work... even now. I like my rooms to be full, because for me that is how the story is told about who lives within. Trying to find the right balance of clutter and the correct amount of purpose is always a challenge for me, but I am glad that you feel that I have been successful! :D

    elizabeth

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  53. Elizabeth, I adore your little kitchen! How you managed to fit so many things into such a small space is mind boggling! Everything is perfect!

    Hugs,
    Teresa

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    1. Hi Teresa! :D
      Traditionally I'm not a very good space planner, but outfitting this little kitchen made me Happy! :D
      I am always AMAZED by how many accessories any mini room can swallow ESPECIALLY a kitchen and since I LOVE kitchen accessories, food, utensils etc. loading in as many of them that made sense, became the order of the day!
      a Special Thank You for taking the time to comment Teresa, as it gives me the incentive to re-read my own back-blogs and remind myself how I did things, because for me "out of sight= out of mind! "

      elizabeth

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