Friday 1 May 2015

By the Sea



AHOY THERE!!!! 
I haven't posted for a while as 
I am still hard at work at finishing the garden of my cottage at #43 Green Dolphin Street, and will bring you an up-date on it very soon, meanwhile, I thought that I would distract you and tell you about 2 of my former doll's houses. 

I know that I have made mention many times before, about one of  my doll's house that the rats destroyed.   That particular tragedy took place rather early during my 12 silent years, of non-mini-making.
However, there were TWO doll's houses that the rats trashed.
One of them was my very first doll's house,
a Greenleaf "Jefferson" doll's house,
(This saltbox kit was later re-named the Willow) 

Mine was
fully furnished,
in an American Country style, in pinks and blues with country quilts as its theme.   I later on gave this house and its entire contents to my friend, Pamela Grant.  The same lady that made all of the incredible needlepoint cushions that I have shown you before, and a few of which currently reside in 

#43 Green Dolphin Street.
After the rat fiasco, Pam took that house under her wing and nursed that poor Jefferson back to health. 

No regrets; as I know that my invalid house went to a good home.
but
My other doll's house was my favorite
it was the Greenleaf Glencroft entitled
 "At Home By the Sea".
 It was done up in a West Coast Vintage Nautical style, loaded with cabbage rose upholstery, paisley, gingham, stars and stripes, and based loosely on the REAL Life east coast home of a professional Interior Designer, 

Betsy Speert.
( If you like cosy interior spaces with a leaning towards traditional, nautical, and cabbage rose prints, and if you have a good sense of humor, you should check out Betsy's interior design blog. )  


  "At Home By the Sea" ended up winning a First Place ribbon here at what is now, the West Coast Miniature Show, way back in the late 1990's and then Best In Show the following year in Seattle, Washington! :D  
I was very proud of both doll's houses, but then when I moved into my current Real Life house, they were carelessly 
stored and ignored 
 for many, many years, 
moldering away inside my dark and dank garage,
and it was during that time
 that those dastardly rats chose to strike and chewed them both to bits and then left behind their many mousey deposits.


( oh, those 2 poor defenseless doll's houses... )

After Pam came and rescued my country house, I finally made an effort to clean up the
 Nautical one.
   I restored all that I could salvage, cleaned, sanitized and then put it all away again.
Just recently, I pulled out some of what has been lying hidden in boxes.  I grouped some of them together with some fresh pieces that I have recently made.
It was Lots of Fun, getting re-aquatinted with my seafaring toys again.
The photos that I am about to present are just a pastiche of the more interesting bits and bobs that I have salvaged, saved and still continued to collect.  Some are left overs from my old Glencroft, some are gifts and then some were hand-crafted not all that long ago.
The theme is of course
"By The Sea"

welcome aboard!



 I've used my metal topped kitchen work table which makes a great display surface for some of my most recent experiments.
I made the "bronze" whale statuette in the foreground, from an earring as well as, the domed coral and shell display using some of my many mini shells and tiny starfish collection. They have been out of sight out of mind, but I fished them out of hiding when I saw this RL idea on an internet site.  The red coral is a section of plastic flower stems painted with coral nail varnish.
Below, is a close up of the smaller of the 2 nautical displays.
I am quite happy with the way that both of them have turned out.
the small display
The larger display
Jennifer of "Plushpussycat", sent me the glass pitcher which she had included into part of her Giveaway last year.   The pottery vase is actually a rubber foot guard from an old vanity tray.  The china teapot with the net design, was purchased from the West Coast Miniature Show 2013.  The teacup and saucer are plastic Chrysnbon, painted with  black nail polish and gold enamel paint. 

The teapot and the cup and saucer rest upon a coiled mat. 
The mat is a single section from a pair of thrift store earrings.   
The rolled maps in the barrel were cut from various magazines that were displayed inside my Glencroft doll's house.  I still use old magazines.  And these maps were perfectly to scale so all I had to do was to cut them from the pages of the magazine.
( this was back in the day, long before the internet and free on-line printies)   
Ah Ha!....  Does any of this look familiar?
This is the Fantastic Basket that I won in Lidi's last Giveaway.

hooray for me!!!
Now I am even MORE of a 

"Basketcase Miniatures" fan,
(if that's even possible!) 
It fits right into this nautical scene perched upon the styrofoam "rocks" that I had originally made for
 #43 Green Dolphin Street. 
Look at all of this nautical stuff that has washed ashore!
As you can see, I love baskets and the ones pictured above, are just a few of my favorites collected from all over the place.  The life preserver was formerly a beer bottle opener.  I  finally figured out how to safely extract the metal bottle opener bit from its center,
ARRGGGG! :))
Lidi's wonderful basket is now perched atop a painted Shaker storage box.
The ship's wheel was clipped from a key chain.
The stacked book table was something I used to make and sell.  All of them gone now except for this one and the one I gave to Janine for her French house.

ahhh,... the memories

This treasure is A Bearly Big Enough painted chest of drawers from my collection of
"furniture in waiting"
I love this piece and look forward to eventually including additional rustic furniture to round out my collection.

A  fishmarket sign that I made for
"At Home by the Sea"






A really good source for minis is often keychains.  
I have found the most interesting ones at the thrift stores.  I believe that is where this deep sea diving helmet came from.
NO,
I'M WRONG!!!!
Janine has just reminded me that it was She who purchased this diving helmet for me while she and Bruce were in 
Western Australia.
What a blessing it is to have friends that will fill in the memory blanks when required
*and these days it is required more often than not*
thank you Janine! :))
The clock on the left is the one that I made from a novelty toy watch.  This use to hang in my Glencroft house.  The brass Paris wall clock was recently made from a clock face button and a brass button casing.

The green bottle is actually a pushpin painted with green glass paint and glued to the top of a wrapped bead that came from a necklace.  I had seen this tutorial on a blog about 2 years ago.  It was my first and only try.  The candlesticks I made, painted and aged.  The candles are white ceramic beads dripping with white nail polish.

This telescope lived in my Glencroft " At Home by the Sea" and you can easily see the corrosion from the years of dampness in the garage.
The coiled mat that the Teapot is on, is a "medium" section from the pair of earrings I mentioned earlier, which consisted of
   3 perfect coils joined together in graduated sizes, (small, medium and large) on each earring.
For $3.00, I got 6 perfect mini place mats!
This "cast iron" urn started life as a plastic silver loving cup on the top of a cheap plastic sports trophy for junior hockey or some such sport.  I sawed the cup off of the plinth, and filed down the rough bits, then I painted it to look like iron.
I love the way it turned out! 
Over the last few years I have found several of these kinds of trophies in various sizes and have used them in the miniature garden as planters, also as punch bowls as well as vessels for firewood.
Look for them at the thrift stores and/ or garage sales.
More shells from my bulging collection. 
In This photo, the Wonderful Windsor bench is signed by William Cruger. It is such an Incredibly delicate piece and I am anxiously waiting for the opportunity to use it.  The spindles on the bench are superfine and it truly is a real mini masterpiece

The whaling print was taken out of an old design magazine, which I reduced to fit an existing frame.  



The bird/lighthouse are items I made, but 
the model sailing ship and tiny wooden toys and the Shaker box, were purchased in Seattle and all were used in 

" At Home by the Sea"
These items were also part of that doll's house. I don't know where I got the captain's cap, but the boot were from Seattle, possibly made by Sylvia Roundtree, and the cribbage board was a Miniature Club gift.
The corrosion on the toe of the boot was from it being left in my garage all those years.
The sailor doll, I made and he use to have a sailor hat too, however it seems that he now needs a new one.
The Spanish sailing ship was one that use to live inside a bottle. Whoopsie! 

It appears that the original glass bottle has 
"crashed upon my hammer"
but luckily the ship has made it safely into port. :D

More stuff!



Here you can see clear evidence of my previous neglect in these poor ship-wrecked boots!

Men's toiletry case of English leather cologne and a "Manly" soap on a rope

Last but not least, this seagull ornament, which is something that my sister Bev, found at the thrift store which she thought that I might be able to use.
The first time I saw it I said "no thanks" because the gulls are huge even though the barnacle encrusted pylons are the perfect scale.
However, it wasn't until I saw how the gulls looked in the photos, that I decided to keep them. In the foreground, the birds look fine, although they still need eyes. They make great props for pictures.

It is certainly good to have scouts like my sister, out in the field...
Scouting!


Thanks Sis! :D

Just before I weigh anchor and cast off;
I have to let you know that the black and white mural in the background was taken from a book entitled
"Great Sea Battles"
by Oliver Warner
yet another thrift store score.

I was considering using it as wall paper mural if I ever do another big project.
As I have saved a lot of my Nautical collection and even added more, my plans are to be able to eventually showcase it in
another house.
I have been watching
Giac, rework his Dewell Manor and Mercedes, of Liberty Biberty, who is currently restyling her mini country farm house, but I'm still not sure if I want to redo my Glencroft; At Home by the Sea, 

which, by the way, is still sitting empty and uninhabited
in my garage. 
Would it be better to simply
  start another doll's house right from the beginning?
I suppose that I really don't have to decide right at this moment, do I?


Meanwhile, it sure was nice to play again with  so many of my seafaring toys,
just drifting along 

remembering those 2 important doll houses of my past;
 and quietly humming to the  
"Orinoco Flow"

 Sail away, sail away, sail away.....




elizabeth

92 comments:

  1. that beautiful sea things, Elizabeth! the headlights are precious. It is all lovely.
    Hugs :0)

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    1. Hi Monica! Thank You! I really enjoyed getting all of these sea-related items together! And it was a lot of fun to play with them again too! :D

      elizabeth

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  2. Hi Elizebeth!
    Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos filled with gorgeous sea life treasures! There are so many (like:deep sea diving helmet, beautiful!) I haven't seen in the 1/1 world! The Whale print is lovely and the Teapot looks royal..! and Men's toiletry case..
    Lovely items!
    Hugs
    Kikka

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    1. Hi Kikka! Thank You and I am glad that you have enjoyed seeing the deep sea diving helmet! When I found it at the thrift store I was really excited because at that time I was still working on my Glencroft doll's house and it fit right in! :D The whale print I found just a few months ago, while browsing through some old design magazines..... SCORE! :D

      elizabeth

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  3. Elizabeth! Shame on you! You distracted me from doing the mini work that I was intending to do. It is much more fun to see your collection of nautical minis! Shame on the rats, for destroying two lovely dollhouses! Bad Rats!

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    1. Hi Casey! So sorry to have distract you from making your Fabulous Trees, but Thank You! :D
      I agree- SHAME ON THOSE RATS for eating my doll's houses!
      But at least they left my accessories alone! :D

      elizabeth

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  4. Rats! :\ I love nautical things, though, so at least this story has a happier turn. :D I have one of Lidi's baskets, too. They are incredible! I adore that fish market sign! All of your trash to treasure ideas are wonderful.

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    1. Hi Brae! I love nautical things too and this seemed like the perfect time to bring them out of hiding! You are so right, Lidi's baskets ARE INCREDIBLE!!!! I kept looking at mine in Awe and Wonder. The weaving is quite complex and it is all so FINE!? I still can't believe how fortunate I was to have won it! :)) I am glad that you liked the market sign. It was quick and easy and the first time that I had hand-carved ANYTHING! It is a good thing that I was trying for rustic! hahhahah
      Thank You for liking it and the other "trash to treasure" ideas as I REALLY enjoy scavenging, ALMOST as much as I like buying new! :D

      elizabeth

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  5. Hi Elizabeth! What a lovely variety of things you salvaged. I especially like the painted chest of drawers. I may need try making one for myself.
    Jenny

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    1. Hi Jenny! Thank You Very Much for enjoying this salvaged collection of Nautical Nonsense! :)) That painted chest is one of my FAVORITE pieces and I am wanting to be able to use it sooner than later. It has never had a home and neither has the bench. I hope that you DO decide to make one but if all else fails, try contacting Bearly Big Enough as an alternate source! :D

      elizabeth

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  6. HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can finally comment here. I am thrilled to bits to be able to do that.

    I love how you put things together and the things you choose for your rooms and displays. You have an amazing talent for that.

    RATS! Oh my, that is my worst nightmare. You must have been heart sick when you saw what they did to your dollhouses. Even mice can do serious damage. Josje posted about mice that chewed up her gloves.

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    1. HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BACK! :D I am Soooooo Glad that you are able to comment again too Catherine! :D
      Thank You for enjoying this collection! I had a lovely time changing and re-arranging all of this loot! In fact, I had way too much and eventually I had to take stuff out so that it wouldn't all become a visual blur! One day I will be able to use these items in a permanent display, but in the meantime it was good to have the opportunity to get re-acquainted with them again.
      As to the doll's house disaster; believe it or not, at the time that the rats trashed them, I was not as upset as I should have been. I was too busy fixing up my Real Life house and trying to reclaim my garden which was dear to my heart and so even after I saw the destruction, I chose to turn a blind eye.
      I too, saw that posting where Josje said that her washing up glove was missing a finger! :(( And I recall that she also had a mini rat running along her back wall of her miniature garden! Bah! That is giving those rodents a little too much liberty, I think! AND then THOSE MINI RATS boldly crept into her mini kitchen and worked on her groceries too! Arrrrg!
      SOMEBODY CALL THE PIED PIPER

      elizabeth :D

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  7. Your wonderful displays leave me speechless. I may make up for that in three weeks or so when I see you and your fabulous work!

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    1. LINDA!!!!!!! Hello and How Marvelous to see you here!!!!! :D Thank You my dear friend and I am so looking forward to your return to Canada! :)) I am glad that you like these displays Linda. I was so fired up when I got everything out and began to arrange it all. I kept finding things that I had forgotten and so it was like seeing old friends again after a long absence.....
      Look forward to "Miniteering" with you! :D

      elizabeth

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  8. My Dear Elizabeth, you sure know how to Play!!! Your Languishing collection of Treasures washed up on the shore and piled on the wharves waiting to be Stowed below decks is just Beyond the Horizon Awesome!!! (Another way of saying "Out of this World?"!) Nobody will Ever surpass you for re-purposing Thrift store Trinkets!!! I am Beyond Amazed! (BTW I have a Glencroft kit still in its box.... waiting Room in my Assembly line! LOL!) I LOVE your Backdrop.... and the idea of using those prints as wallpaper is just Genius!!! (These days you can photocopy them and leave the book intact!) Hmmmm I have some awesome Gustave Dore illustrations from the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner..... Now look what you've done... You are giving me even More ideas LOL!!! Actually, I am still building the Cupboard House... Home to Charlotte and Clarence... who was a sea Captain for many years.... now retired.... and I can tell my pathetically small collection of tiny seafaring treasures is going to need to be Augmented!! As usual, your pictures are beautiful and your Creations are just Amazing!!! I am going to start looking for those Trophy cups....!!!! You Inspire me!!!

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    1. Ahoy Betsy!!!! :D I like that word "Languishing"! It was just as you've said. AND "Languishing" is also a good word to describe my abandoned Glencroft, currently dry-docked in my garage. I LOVED this kit when I made it and I know that you will enjoy it too Betsy! :))
      Trust you to notice that the photos depict items waiting in piles on a "wharf"! That was EXACTLY what I was hoping it would look like! Thank You!!!! :D
      The trophy loving cups are super cheap and I have found that a razor saw is the best to use, for detaching them from the plinth, but perhaps you will find an easier way. Let me know if you do, because I am certainly open to suggestions.
      Anchors Away Betsy! :D

      elizabeth

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  9. What a lot of wonderful treasures! Your old dollhouses sounded lovely. Those bad rats! (They need to be exterminated!)
    As for rebuilding or starting new, either way I know you will create another masterpiece. Renovating is a lot of work, and sometimes it is easier to start out with a fresh canvas.
    (Great photos too, by the way!)
    Hugs,
    Sam

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    1. Hi Sam!!! :D I AGREE 1000% about those RATS! Needless to say, that I am NOT a big fan of any of the Real Life ones! :((
      If anyone knows about Renovating old doll's houses it would be You! You and Isabelle have a reputation for taking on precisely those kinds of neglected or run down properties and then making them into something really Special! :))
      I do agree that it IS hard work and so I am leaning towards building new for this collection. Perhaps I could fit some of it into the HBS Denise Kit house, that I am going to be assembling soon? hmmmmm? a possible solution.....?
      Many Thanks for enjoying the photos Sam, that is something that I always greatly enjoy and that the Rats can't chew! :D

      elizabeth

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  10. Ah ah, Elizabeth, il était temps de "prendre la mer", de dire définitivement adieu aux rats et de sortir tous ces superbes trésors de l'oubli !
    Très jolie mise en scène, il ne manque que le parfum iodé, l'air du large ;-)
    Bises. Joce

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    1. Hello Joce!!! and Thank You! :)) I think that you are right, about only missing the smell of the salty sea air! I will have to try to come up with a way to send some your way! hahhaha My friend Janine lives right on the water's edge and whenever I visit her, the first thing that I encounter is the briny smell of the water! I LOVE IT! :D
      I am Delighted that you have enjoyed this Nautical set up, Joce! I can not begin to tell you how good it made me feel as I was pulling all of these little items out of storage to stage them. I could "hear" the sound of the waves in my head
      AND the cry of those 2 HUGE plastic seagulls, too! :D

      elizabeth

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  11. Que escena tan maravillosa,cada objeto es único y conforman una bella y evocadora escena marítima,me encanta!!!!
    Besos.

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  12. Hi Pilar!!!! Thank You Very Much!!!! :D I feel that I have a inner connection to anything that has to do with water and I really tried to make this Maritime Scene, feel like there really was the possibility of it being cargo waiting for its ship to come in! :)) Even though much of it is as old as the hills, when I began to set it up, it was as if ALL of it was Brand New, all over again! :))

    elizabeth

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  13. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing this post with us. You have an amazing talent for putting things together for your displays. Your nautical collection of treasures is wonderful. Your blog gives so much inspiration to all of us. I´m a Basketcase Miniatures fan, too and that is why I like the baskets most this time.

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    1. Hi Sirkka! Thank You Very Much for enjoying the arrangement of All of these many, many Nautical items! :D There were some things that I had to remove from the collection just because it was visually too much in the shots, never the less, a lot Still made it into the picture. Playing and re-arranging these little toys, was an exercise of Fun! :D

      elizabeth
      p.s. I am so glad to see another Basketcase Miniature fan Sirkka! It was an HONOR and a PLEASURE to give Lidi's basket the top billing, but I am glad that you have enjoyed some of the other ones that I have shown here too! :))

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  14. C'est magnifique Elizabeth la façon dont vous assemblez tous ces objets, chaque photo est un comme un tableau. On ne se lasse pas de détailler ces merveilles que vous avez fabriquées ou dénichées à gauche et à droite.

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    1. Hello Jean-Claude! Thank You for enjoying my treasures from the sea! :D I LOVE TRASH! so I am always on the look-out for more junk that I can maybe make something from. The trophy urns turned out to be a Great find and once I found one, I began to see them more often. The transformed earrings are some of my favorite things! I buy stuff and then stow it away. When it is time to play with it and when it comes out of the boxes, I am often surprised by what I bought! However, it was good to be able to group the majority of it into a cohesive presentation, and I am so glad that you have enjoyed seeing it! :))

      elizabeth

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  15. merci Elizabeth de partager avec nous ces photos qui incitent au voyage, à la rêverie : c'est magnifique

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    1. Hello Claude! It makes me Very Happy that you have been inspired and incited to dream! :D I dream too that one day I would live close to BIG WATER!
      Right now I am living not far from a major river, but my dream would be to live where I can see the horizon line of the ocean, hear the sound of the waves and smell the salt sea. THAT for me, would be Paradise on Earth! :D

      elizabeth

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  16. What a wonderful collection, thanks for sharing it with us. I think I'm going to try making some coral.

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    1. Hi Keli! I am so glad that you have enjoyed my collection! I have just been re-visiting your blog and I must say that you have an AMAZING collection of minis too! I linked into some of the sites that you have posted and that got me off on another tangent! ( it is so easy to get distracted)
      Anyhoosie, I hope that you Will make LOTS of Coral... It was/IS super easy!:D

      elizabeth

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  17. Beautiful nautical things. I really like this scene.

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    1. Hi Faby! :D Thank You for liking this scene! :D I had Loads of Fun trying to find all of the bits and pieces that I have had stashed away. Bringing them together was like a trip down memory lane! :D

      elizabeth

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  18. Un trabajo impresionante con unos detalles únicos.

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    1. Thank You Eloisa! I am glad that you have been impressed by all of this stuff! :D When I got it all together I was kinda impressed too, as I didn't realize just how much of it there actually IS!
      However I feel that I MUST now do something concrete with it.
      The question is... what?..... :o

      elizabeth

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  19. The title of your post immediately appealed to me and what you showed us made me dream. Among great minis I was moved by the sailor doll.
    What did you use as a fishing net?
    How I would have loved to see your nautical dollhouse, from what you wrote and the miniatures in the photos I'm sure I would have loved it.
    Geneviève



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    1. Hi Genevieve! I am so surprised that you liked my rather ratty and weather beaten sailor doll since he has definitely seen better days! When he was Fresh, he WAS quite a handsome lad especially when he had his little sailor cap on his head. He use to sit on the bedroom dresser of the Glencroft. He was pretty easy to make although I haven't made anymore tiny dolls since the ones I made for the Glencroft so it would be good to give it a try.
      As for the fishing net; I honestly can't remember exactly what I used for this net but if I was going to make one again, the first thing I would look for is WHITE FISHNET STOCKINGS. They could be aged with a thinned brown paint so it would stick to the nylon. Or you could try a hair net which also might work OR, elastic netting from a beef or pork roast. ( A Double bonus as you can eat the roast and have a fishnet afterwards! ) heeheehee
      Janine's husband Bruce took lots of photos of the Glencroft which I still have and I also have photos also of the Jefferson house. That for me is enough. The empty Glencroft is still waiting patiently in the garage to see what I shall do with it.

      elizabeth:D

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    2. What I like about the sailor doll is that it looks like a toy you had as a child and you find again as an adult in the attic. It doesn't look as it was but it's full of good memories and you're very touched to see it again. You can see it was beautiful when new but even like this it's full of feelings. I hope one day you'll make more dolls like this one, I would love to see them.
      Thank you for the tips for the fishing net.
      Geneviève

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    3. Thank You for these really lovely words Genevieve! I never thought of the doll it that way before, but I Love that you have built a story around him that excuses his untidiness! :D That you can see beneath his tatters, speaks volumes. If I ever Do make more I shall plan it around as a tutorial to show how just how easy they can be made.
      And I hope that some or All of those fishing net ideas will work, for Your Seaside cottage! :D

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  20. Ahoi! No, not a typo... that's the way we spell it... ;O) It was a great decision that you brought back all those treasures to light again... and it was a big pleasure to look at all those superb photos of the items learning about their background and how you found them etc. Really, a beautiful arrangement. Hopefully those damn rats had some serious nausea problems after damaging your former dollhouse. Btw - I need to tell you the German word for a landlubber: We call people who are not familiar with the Sea and ships and boats "Landratten"... (= landRATS). No doubt your rats were true "Landratten" not appreciating your nautical treasure... ;O)

    Greetings
    Birgit

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    1. I say "A POX ON THOSE DIRTY RATS!!!!!" I hope that they suffered from acute nausea too! BAH!!!!
      But how interesting to learn the German word "Landratten", and How appropriate! I LOVE IT when I can learn something new. Thank You, Birgit! :)) This is what keeps this hobby so interesting to me.
      I am glad that you have not only enjoyed these Nautical Minis but that you also like their arrangement. Sometimes I find that it can be challenging with the set ups ; i.e. is This Much- Too Much!? and with these shots, everything wanted to tumble at the drop of a feather, every time I had to move something out of the way.
      But all's well that ends well

      elizabeth :D

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  21. Preciosa composición. Me encantan todos los detalles

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    1. Hello Isabel! Thank You Very Much for enjoying the composition of these Nautical Bits and pieces! I felt so happy to have had the opportunity to gather them together again and re-acquaint myself with them. It also gave me a fair idea as to how much I had and that they need a HOME, and not just a box!

      elizabeth

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  22. I cant believe you have so many beautiful nautical themed things! They are all so adorable! By The Sea lives!

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    1. hahahah, "By the Sea Lives" INDEED, Grandmommy!!!! :D But please remember that the majority of this came from a 5 room house, and not just a roombox, so there had to be a lot! This of course is not all of it either. The sofa and chairs, the kitchen or the bedroom furnishings,etc. I had to exclude. Only some of the accessories have I shown. But now that I have had a chance to see what I have, I think that I don't have ENOUGH!

      (just kidding)

      elizabeth :D

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  23. Hi Elizabeth,
    what a shame the rats got to your house and damaged it. Could it not be saved at all? =0( I love all of your nautical treasures. I really like things like this (since I live close to the coast in RL), and you have such an amazing collection. I hope you're inspired to make a permanent home for them again =0)

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    1. Hi Pepper! It is a shame but funnily enough, I was not over-wrought about it after it happened. I hate rats YES! but it was ENTIRELY MY OWN FAULT because I made available, a free meal buffet! I rarely will turn away from free food and so I can't really blame those rats, especially as both of the doll's houses were left exposed and unprotected and at their mercy. The walls were torn to shreds as I used fabric as wallpaper in the Jefferson and in the Glencroft. I think that they were attracted by the glue that was under the fabric. The wood paneling is still okay, but I think that I would gut the house and begin again, if and when I decide to tackle it.
      I have been giving it a lot of thought and I am now leaning towards perhaps making the HBS Denise Kit into a possible way to display them again. Just don't have any concrete ideas as yet, but I am certainly encouraged by what you have said, Thanks Pepper! :D

      elizabeth

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  24. Magic, as usual Elizabeth! I love all the vignettes you've put together with the leftovers from your "At Home By the Sea" project. I am a sucker for Nautical stuff, and absolutely love the things you've found and made. The "corrosion" on the spy glass, at least in the pictures, only gives it even more charm!

    Wish I had gotten to see your By the Sea project, it looks as though it was truly wonderful!

    Doug

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    1. Hi Doug! I Thank You! and I am a sucker for Nautical Stuff too! Janine and Fatima are both Real Life sailors as both of their husbands own boats and are dedicated to sailing. Me? ...I'm just a floater! hahaha
      However, I seem to gravitate towards things that go splash, and when I made "At home by the Sea" I played the song "Somewhere beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin, during it's construction. As a matter of fact, I found a wind- up music box that played that song and I managed to insert it into the house so that it would become part of the finished project.
      I am glad that you like the corrosion on the spy glass. When culling through the contents after I had rescued them, I had to throw out several copper items that were literally held together by the rust. This piece managed to survive because it is brass. I leave it AS IS, as a reminder of what NOT TO DO in the future. :O

      elizabeth :D

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  25. I love these displays, so many interesting items to look at and ponder where they might have come from. Love the direction your going with this. Sorry to hear your critter troubles.

    Jenn

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    1. Hi Jennifer! Thank You Very Much and I have to say in return that YOU have displayed some of your Incredible paper minis in the same fashion where you literally Pile It On and I LOVE THOSE SHOTS! :D
      I hope to flesh out this collection and give it a permanent home soon. I have the HBS Denise kit that I have yet to start and I would like to work some of this stuff in. Need to refine the ideas some more before I commit.
      And Yes the critters are Still a Problem! :((
      *sigh*

      elizabeth

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  26. Hi Elizabeth! I enjoyed your nautical way of expressing yourself! Not only are you an outstanding miniaturist but you are also a talented writer! What an outstanding collection you have and it is so tastefully displayed! I enjoyed looking at everything! I did leave you a comment on your last blog but it did not go through. I think I know why. I signed in after I had written it and for some reason it got lost. This has happened to me on other blogs. Anyways, Elizabeth, I messaged you another comment on Facebook but from what I could determine, you have not yet looked at it. Thanks for all the wonderful tips. I always enjoy your articles and amazing photos!

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    1. Hi Lucille! :D I am glad that you were able to figure out the technical side of how the computer ate your other comment, however I am sure glad to see this one! :D I know that there was a time when ALL of your comments disappeared and how disappointed we both were! :( I always enjoy hearing from you, both here and on Facebook although you are right in that I haven't checked my mail there yet! It has been a glorious day here on the west coast and I had an opportunity to get out into the garden and pot some plants that my sister bought from the nursery. That always makes me happy! :D
      And I am glad that you enjoy my writing style. I like writing AND I like taking pictures too! :))

      elizabeth

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  27. What a lovely collection you have Elizabeth. It was great reading how you made some of your miniature items, I must admit to scrutinizing every piece of scrap material before I throw it away, just in case I can use it for a mini project.

    Jayne c

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    1. Hi Jayne! Yes! Isn't it FUN to make something from nothing?! I am constantly amazed by what I see others do. It takes me a long time to throw ANYTHING away and so in my workspace I am surrounded by debris! I have turned into a Real PACK-RAT of the human kind! hahahaha
      Thank you for your comment Jayne and for liking my collection. It was a Pleasure hearing from you! :D

      elizabeth

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  28. Lots of great finds and ideas here, Glad to see you rescued so many bits and bobs from the destroyed dollhouse too. Fun! xo Jennifer

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  29. Hello Jennifer!!! :D I know that these Bits and Bobs were thankful to be rescued after years of neglect and disinterest. Poor little dears. I was both the hero and the villain in this story. I should have known better, and it won't happen again. So glad that you have enjoyed my adventure story, Jennifer; Thank You! :D

    elizabeth

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  30. Дорогой друг!! Я очень сожалею, что крысы погрызли ваши дома. Это большая потеря. Я рада, что вы смогли сохранить некоторые мини. Я с большим удовольствием прочитала вашу повесть. Она заставила затаить мое дыхание. Мне кажется, что я воообще не дышала, пока читала ваш пост. Вы удивительный человек. Вы из ничего создаете живопись. Я очень люблю море. Я не знаю, как бы сказать. Я люблю берег, прибой, морской воздух. Я люблю смотреть на море. Я люблю ласкать волну рукой. Я люблю камни перебирать рукой . Я всегда мечтала жить около моря... Увы... Живу на горе...
    Вы мне напомнили о море... Спасибо...
    Татьяна

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    1. My Dear Tatiana! Your love of the sea sounds just like my kind of love for the sea! We are both on the same page! :D I doubt that I could ever afford to live as close to the water's edge as I would desire but I that doesn't prevent me from dreaming. This collection represents that dream and truth be told, I am better looking AT IT than being ON IT! :O
      But whenever I need an oceanic "fix" I just make a trip over to Janine's house where her back door opens out onto Boundary Bay.
      The first time I had the opportunity to visit her new home by the sea, was in the middle of a gale. Driving rains made it difficult to see though my car wind screen, as I made my way there, but at last, I arrived safely at Janine's front door. Her entire back wall is a series of floor to ceiling glass doors, which look straight out onto the water! It was like viewing a Wall to Wall movie screen. I stood transfixed as I watched HUGE Black Clouds filling up the sky. The winds were Howling like crazy forcing the waves to CRASH up against the seawall with Enormous Force! Rain smashed down on everything outside and the sea level rose! Janine and her husband had filled sand bags and placed them up against the glass doors as a safeguard against the water, .... IT WAS MAGNIFICENT!!! I could barely take my eyes from it! I was in AWE at being that close, to such a display of the mighty power of God.
      I shall never forget that first visit.

      and It makes my rat fiasco, totally insignificant by comparison! :(

      elizabeth :D

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  31. You not only have the 'eye' but also the touch. Lovely, lovely displays - it would be a shame to use the bits in anything else - I hope they stay a long while as they are- they are fascinating little vignettes for people to 'unravel' and make up stories for. Such beautiful work. Marilyn

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    1. Thank You Very Much Marilyn! :D I must tell you that I was loathe to have to take the scene apart after having assembled it in the light box. All of these bits reached down deep inside of me and re-kindled all of what I loved about them in the first place. This time though, I have it boxed and stored my Nautical treasures where they can be easily accessed. I love it when people make up their own stories about what they are seeing, just as Genevieve did with the sailor doll. I like to do that too, yet I feel that this collection needs more than just a box, they need a new HOME.
      But just what kind of home, is my million dollar question.

      elizabeth :D

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  32. I love all details, are so beautiful and realistic. Hugs.

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  33. Hi Paky! You know that I enjoy The Details too, and so putting the various Nautical scenes together for this post was a great Pleasure for me, and I am so Pleased that you have enjoyed it too! :D

    elizabeth

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  34. Hi Elisabeth! I'm facinated by all your unique, hand made, bought, found, rearranged, saved, collected little treasures! And as always you create a special atmosphere! :)

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    1. Hahahhahh I believe that you have covered ALL the bases, Ersilia! I am giggling over your comment but I certainly do appreciate it! :D Thank You Very Much!!! :D

      elizabeth

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  35. I sometimes think of the minis I created in my first stint of minis in the 1990s. The only thing I regret not keeping is a teddy bear shop I had created full of miniature bears I had made and I do occasionally think of minis I made back then that would fit into a project I am doing now. I sold a lot of my miniature projects after getting married back in 2000 as we were going to move to England (my husband was born in Bury St Edmunds) but then we found out I was pregnant with Jamie and we stayed in New Zealand. I have to say I absolutely loved all your photos because my granddad was a sailor from the age of 12 and I have very fond memories of him. He called me Pal and he had a wonderful wood workshop and even from toddler age he used to make me a little shandy and we would pull up our stools around the circular saw (blade down of course) and sit together in his workshop and spend special time together. You have a wonderful collection. I have been saving bits and pieces over the years and hope to do a project in memory of my Granddad Charlie at some stage in the future when I decide how to set the scene. It think I would like to combine both his woodwork hobby and his sailing history in one scene.

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    1. Hi Sharee! I Loved reading your comment about your Granddad Charlie and You as a little girl! Little do we think at the time, that much later we will look back on these tender moments in such gratitude. I have fond memories of my Great Grandmother telling me stories about her youth, stories that I don't recall at all, but I DO remember sitting under her ironing board as she told them and as a result, the smell of fresh ironing or clothes in the dryer IMMEDIATELY reminds me of her, her voice, the thump of the iron on the padded board and the hymns that she would sing as she worked. Your Granddad made an impact on you life much as my Grandma did in mine and
      I hope that one day you will be able to realize your tribute to your Granddad, Sharee. We don't always hang onto those important moments in our lives but it sounds to me as though You Have! :D

      elizabeth

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  36. Hi Elizabeth, So happy to see your "nautical" post. I know it is a joy for you to gather your treasures and display them - your artistic self expresses itself in so many ways and this is one way that you enable us to share it with you.
    I do love all the collections and surprising things you find and turn into something unique.
    I do remember the little sailor - he did look so smart. I think one of the photos I have may show him in his former glory. He does look much-loved now I admit!
    I think I may have bought you the divers helmet from the pearl-diving centre of Broome in Western Australia. I think I thought it might be a garden-ornament in your Green Dolphin Street project.
    Looking forward to getting together soon - and all being well with our honourary miniteer Linda Park of Sydney.
    I do remember the day you first visited "becalmed cottage" . It was a very wild day. I think the floor was vibrating beneath our feet. The fire burned and the storm raged , so different from the recent pacific days with the water mirror calm in ever-changing hues of blue. Mount Baker, still snow capped, has been so clear. She is often draped in clouds that swirl around her snowy skirts.
    My attention has been on my garden as the soil warms. I planted tomatoes today and idled time away watching my bees returning to their hive. A perfect day.
    Thank you for sharing your treasures.
    Janine

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  37. Hi Janine! Thank you for the lost information about the diving helmet! Very Much appreciated. I hate to get things wrong, and you can see that it has made a valuable contribution to the general organized chaos on the dock! :)) I had another look through the photos that Bruce had taken of the Glencroft and it brought back good memories of that sunny day in my backyard! Like you, I have been busy in my RL garden and was happily planting up pots this past Sunday and doing a general tidying up as I went. Sunday felt just like early summer and was as warm as toast! It makes me very happy to hear that you have planted tomatoes again, as your grape tomatoes were the sweetest tasting tomatoes I have EVER had! and that is without any exaggeration: they were like candy on the vine!
    I am looking forward to trying out this years crop too, so don't hesitate to call and I will come right over ready to enjoy another Perfect Day at your Becalmed Cottage! :D

    elizabeth

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  38. Oh boy! This post is full of eye candy and terrific tips! You have so many goodies to make a house. I love how some of the things got aged in your garage. You know I'm crazy about a vintage/worn look. I can't wait to see the Dolphin St. garden!
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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  39. Hi Caroline! I have AT LAST finally reached the end of Garden construction at #43! What a job. Taking a break to play again with this collection was a Most Welcomed Diversion, and taking inventory was good to do too! You mentioned the involuntary aging that has taken place with some of the items featured, and You are So Right! It fits in with the style that I enjoy as well, but it was not until you mentioned it that I have come to realize that my work towards that end is DONE! Hooray for natural corrosion and decay! :)) And Thanks for the tip and the Heads-Up Caroline! :D

    elizabeth

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  40. I never considered myself a big fan of nautical, and then I saw your nautical items and that completely changed my mind! I can picture everything in a Martha Stewart-sequel Cape Cod cottage. I really need to hit up the dollar store with a fresh set of eyes again for more scavenged bits!

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  41. Hi Kat! I think that you are speaking my language! I love Martha Stewart's style and often look to her publications for inspiration. I am trying to broaden my horizons as far as where to search for minis, and I when I do I'll pass the information along! :D

    elizabeth

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  42. This look perfect!!!! I love all the items and the overall arrangement (: (:

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  43. Hi Cheily! What a lovely comment to conclude my Mother's Day with; Thank You Very Much!!! :D Arranging the items was a real Pleasure because I didn't have to make anything, only group it! :D

    elizabeth

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  44. O mar guarda e devolve muitos tesouros e então imprime lembranças na minha mente... Eu amo o mar.
    E eu adoro teu trabalho!
    Um grande abraço.

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    1. Hi Eliana! Yes the sea does guard her treasures and fortunately for me she has decided to return most of them! :D I love the sea too, and I am most happy that you are enjoying these nautical gifts from the sea, with me!

      elizabeth

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  45. Hi Elizabeth! I cannot imagine the absolute tragedy of rats destroying a house! That must have been awful!! This little scene is darling though, it really shows just how great of a collection you have! I love the nautical displays. With the shells and starfish, where did you find them so tiny?! Really fun to go though all the pictures. I hope you find a way to make a proper home for everything even if it means re-doing the Glencroft. I understand the hesitation! Renos always seem so intimidating! :D

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    1. Hi Kristine! As disheartening as it was then, I am well over the shock by now and am now using the time to re-evaluate where I want to journey to next. I have the kit from HOBBY BUILDER SUPPLIES to tackle as soon as The Arthur is finished and out of the way.* And Believe me, the Arthur is not going anywhere NEAR the garage! * So I may be looking at the HBS project to house my nautical stuff. I know that the tiny starfish that you see were purchased many years ago and I have to think that it was in Seattle because that was where most of my purchases originated, The shells could have been from Janine who was traveling around the Pacific with her husband on their sailboat, "INCOGNITO" and who would periodically return with her tiny finds. On one of her journey's in the late 90's, she came back with some of the tiniest river rock that I have ever seen. She gave me a baggie full of them, and I have them still. They might find their way into my next project, so I wouldn't be surprised that it was she that was the source for the tiny shells. I am glad that they appeal to you, Kristine because I also find them quite Fascinating! :D

      elizabeth

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  46. Well....AHOY there to you too! I didn't know you had posted....oh dear! Where have I been? Don't answer that...I know you know where I've been. I'm still catching up on all the mail and things I needed to do because of the time on Vacation, but seriously....Nautical! I love love what you put together. Makes me feel like I want to go back on the River cruise. Thank you so much for sharing all your treasures with us. And I love all the lovely stories you and Janine have shared. Can't wait to get together. But it looks like our first meeting will be at the show in June...can't wait, even though I know I will be busy, we will share a few moments as Janine looks over my table right beside yours. So happy!

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    1. Hi Fats and Welcome Home Again! I know that you have a Great Love for the Sea too and how much you love to be around water, so I am not surprised that you have enjoyed this post. :))
      It was a lot of fun for me to assemble and it was also a quick trip down memory lane.
      I am really looking forward to getting together again but I am STILL working on the gardens!!!! Both my REAL one as well as the MINI one. Only 2 weeks left to go before the show...... Will I make it??????

      of course

      elizabeth :D

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  47. Hi Elizabeth
    I'm late to the party as usual, i really have to look at more than toy when I go thrift store shopping.. You have a good eye for minis..what a wonderful collection...i will cast my vote for a new house..send the old one to a nice lady so we can add another mini addict to the ranks...or a nice man..sorry to be so sexist .


    Hugs
    Marisa

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  48. Hahahhahha Marisa you always have the PERFECT SOLUTION! :D I agree, it is time to begin again and I am of the same opinion as yourself. And Start FRESH! :D

    elizabeth

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  49. Hello lady Elizabeth,
    Wow! Wow! Wow! This was such a beauty overload. I could probably talk about each and every item, but we'd be here forever. I will say, the Windsor bench jumped out at me and is such a beautiful piece of furniture, but of everything you just showed us, the painted chest is by far my favorite miniature. It is exquisite! Not only do you have amazing pieces, both purchased and made, but you have such a gift for composition. I think many people would get lost and overdo a vignette with this many items, but you always make it look just perfect, balanced, and beautiful.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  50. Hello Sir Giac! I am so happy that this composition pleases you! :)) It was fun to put together as a Welcomed change from my usual fare. I also like the painted chest of drawers. It was great to rediscover it amid the jumble of homeless furniture that I had tucked away. Soon though, it, the bench, and most of this other Nautical Stuff WILL have a permanent location to call their own. I must add whilst I am at it, that YOU have been Greatly Missed!
    A Big hug back!

    elizabeth :D

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  51. The nautical themed scene is gorgeous! Great job!

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    1. Thank You Very Much Pie Li! I had a very good time combing through things that I had long neglected and had forgotten. It was good to get re-acquainted with them again.
      And this is the edited version too! :D

      elizabeth

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  52. I've just discovered your blog in one of those roundabout perusals that lead from one thing to another. Now I can't remember where I started, but I'm so glad that I ended up here! Your reference to "Green Dolphin Street" caught my eye immediately, and I was so excited - I had to read all about that project and see all your wonderful photos. I have never known ANYONE else who's read that book; it's one of my favorites by Elizabeth Goudge, although my favorite is "Pilgrim's Inn." And it seems such an unlikely coincidence that I've just been re-reading "Pilgrim's Inn" for the last two days. (I tend to return to all my old favorites periodically.) So I had to tell you how much I admire all the work that you've done on #43 Green Dolphin Street. It's beautiful, and your attention to detail is incredible. (Makes me feel that my miniature houses are just plain stark!) Thank you for the very pleasant hour or more that I've spent with your blog this afternoon. Now I want to re-read "Green Dolphin Street" and add more stuff to my houses!

    Marjorie

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  53. Hi Marjorie! A Big Welcome to a fellow GREEN DOLPHIN STREET fan!!!! I have to tell you that at one time just prior to starting this doll's house project, I thought of myself as a LONE WOLF when it came to knowing and enjoying this Marvelous book. One day I decided to Google it up and found to my surprise and great delight, that in fact, I am NOT Alone when it comes to an existing "fan club". There are many who feel about it just as strongly as You and I do, so YOU are not alone anymore Marjorie!:D
    After I read your comment, I went straight away to my bookshelf to see if I had PILGRIM'S INN and I don't. I must have seen it either at the library or at the thrift store which is where I usually get my books. I Do however, have Gentian Hill which I've read but also another called THE WHITE WITCH which is a historical novel about the English civil war in the times of Charles I. I thought that I had read it already but since I haven't, I will have that pleasure to look forward to this summer. :))
    It was lots of fun to weave some of the flavor of the book GREEN DOLPHIN STREET story into the makings of this doll's house. Although I had hoped that the novel would have manifested itself a bit more as the house evolved; it is what it has decided to become over the course of the last 2+ years. I will have to be content with what I have done because the house refuses to take in any more, either inside or out! I have recently completed the exterior of the cottage and the flower garden is now fully landscaped as well. I will have photos of the completed project after the West Coast Miniature Show this coming Sunday. I am so glad that it pleases you because it makes me happy as well.
    One thing that I have found as I am filling my miniature spaces, is to think small. I shrink myself down and pretend that I actually live inside my houses. I think about what I do after I get up in the morning and I travel inside the spaces until I retire to my mini bed at night. I consider the things that I need close at hand, as well as what my own habits are or what am I usually careless and lazy with? By doing this I find that the extra things that I fill the house with, are more personal and are there for a purpose and reason. This shrinking down, really helps to tell the story and rounds out the rooms as it fills up the voids. I am truly amazed at just how much each of these little spaces can hold as you must be too and so I wish you many happy hours, as you dive right back into your houses!
    My re-read of Green Dolphin Street is scheduled again in 2017 where I am sure to discover something new all over again, because Miss Marianne continues to captivate and hold my attention no matter how much she still frustrates and annoys me! hahaha!!! :D

    elizabeth

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  54. Awesome! All things together make wonderful display. You created unique atmosphere.
    Well done!

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  55. Thank You Magda! Putting all of this stuff together was just plain FUN! :D

    elizabeth

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  56. I am so glad that i found your amazing blog. Your works are very beautiful.

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    1. Hello Niele! I am also glad that I have found YOUR blog too because I LOVE what you can do with Fruit and Vegetables... in fimo..... :D

      elizabeth

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DO OVERS! a Glencroft Living room redecoration

    Back in April of 2022, I made up a storyline for my Glencroft renovations, which went something like this...   "After due considera...