Friday 30 May 2014

Craving the Rose!



I HAVE BEEN FACED WITH A WALL LATELY
You guessed it 
It's the stone walls of # 43 Green Dolphin Street.  
I made them with the egg carton which I had been so anxious to try and now am so equally anxious to be  finished with.  
This is currently what it looks like.  There must be at least 10 to 12 layers of glue, acrylic paint, putty, gels (both matt and shiny), textured gels, MORE paint, stains, ( both water AND oil based), MORE egg carton and really,... who knows what else?!!!  
I have only 2 sides "completed" with still one to go and the BIG question is... will I be able to make the last one match? 
THAT is now my newest concern.
hmmm?

 yet I must press on

The formerly green roof, has been painted charcoal to provide a base coat for the slate shingles that I would eventually like to apply, but I had to get the color of the stones right first, so that is what had me stalled.  I was considering a dark slate roof, but in looking at the roof and the color of the paint, Dark
 may be too dark.  
Perhaps the roof shingles should have some Blue or maybe it should be Brown? .... Or what about  a Red roof or how about something Greenish?.....
Arrggggg!!!

oh no
:((
 I feel the hysteria rising once again. :((

think! 

"happy thoughts, happy thoughts"

(whew! )

LETS GET BACK TO THE WALL SHALL WE?
A closer look at the stones in my stone wall
  and look!
Peeking through the upstairs window reveals a NEW TREASURE
and a VERY HAPPY THOUGHT! :D
Roses!
Roses that have travelled
all the way across the Atlantic ocean to the far side of Canada,
and then straight into my house
 THIS BEAUTIFUL PAINTING is BY CATHERINE BURON!
Catherine painted this especially for # 43 Green Dolphin Street :D

WHAT A THOUGHTFUL AND GENEROUS GIFT!!!
I love Roses
 and I LOVE this painting!
It now hangs on the wall of the stairwell,
you can only see the side of the PAINTING from this angle
 but you get the full picture by looking though the window!

but that was not all that was enclosed in her parcel
Catherine also gave me an assortment of printies of Victorian greeting cards
AND
And this came along too;
This perfect little covered pot with the most beautiful glaze and proportions!
EXQUISITE!
Thank You so very much Catherine,
I am throwing a
Huge bouquet of roses your way!
:D

And speaking of roses...

I had a visitor last Thursday by the name of
Linda Parks
Linda is a Canadian, currently living in Australia, but years ago she use to live not that far from my house.
I got to know her through my Etsy and she came to pick up her purchase in person.  We had a chance to visit over a cup of tea.
It was such a Pleasure spending time together; just like we were old friends!
Linda brought along a small parcel for me
What a pretty little pink flower,  a peony I believe,
 and in my favorite color!
Oh My Goodness...
Tiny stockings!
Linda said that she reads my blog and had read Marisa of Steinworks comment about stockings for the clothes line in the kitchen,
 a
THOUGHTFUL and
 
 Fabulous Presentation! :D
HOW WONDERFUL!
A HUGE BOUQUET OF ROSES TO YOU TOO LINDA!
:D
 AND HERE THEY ARE...
ROSES
TO BOTH OF YOU

 FRESH FROM MY GARDEN




Thank you Linda!
and
 Thank you Catherine!
"BUT HE WHO DARES NOT GRASP THE THORN
SHOULD NEVER CRAVE THE ROSE"
-
Anne Bronte

                                                            ( there were no thorns included)



elizabeth

84 comments:

  1. Beautiful pics Elizabeth! Hope you are keeping well,
    Ruth

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  2. Hi Ruth!!! I am so happy to hear from you again and I hope that you are restored to better health. :)) Thank you for enjoying the photos. The forecast is for another day of sunshine but we may be back to "iffy" and unstable weather before Monday. It is a strange Spring here on the south coast. I hope it is better weather for you in Edmonton.
    Regardless, it is wonderful to see you smiling face again. Roses to you too, Ruth! :D

    elizabeth

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  3. Oh Elizabeth you could never go wrong with your creations, I hear that all brilliant minds go through bouts of hysteria its what keep the mind churning!

    Your stone work looks amazing, I am sure the roof will turn out fantastic a well..even if it does drive you closer to *heheheHarharhar*

    The gifts are just wonderful the painting is perfection and the little pot looks wonderfully done. All the more to add fantastic details to search out in your wonderful shots!

    Your flowers and greenery put my swamp to shame but someday I will grow beautiful things outside and then I can smirk cheekily in your direction and nod ;P

    A squish to you!
    ~Jane

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    1. ps..I am typing in the dark..may have missed some keys there ;P

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    2. " A Squish to You too, Missy!" :D Oh, Jane I Do so enjoy your comments!!! :D
      I know that I can be somewhat "obsessive" about some things, remember however, that I am showing you the AFTER shot and not the BEFORE of what the stones look like. Before, the walls looked just like Lumpy Porridge only it was brown and therefore looked like lumpy brown porridge. Not very appetizing to the eye. I was prepared to send it back to the kitchen as unacceptable, but since I am The Cook as well as the customer, I had to take care of the problem before I served it up again to all of you. However, since the "recipe" was improvised from start to finish, my hope is that I can crank it out again for the other side of the house.
      But Enough of these cooking metaphors cause they are making me hungry.
      I am glad that you are enjoying my new treasures as much as I am Jane. Aren't they Fantastic!? I can't wait to hang up the stockings. :))
      And as for my garden, there is so much work to be done in it and Wednesday, I made an effort to give it a good tidy up and was out there for 6 hours!

      Needless to say, I my body is still in recovery.

      elizabeth
      p.s. why are you typing in the dark?

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    3. Haha! Oh it was late and after a long day my saggy butt would not get up to turn on the light so I muddled through the letters in the dark..I did see a few misspells....but could not surge up the mind power to correct them ;P

      My garden and lawn are never ending work as well..so I just work on it in between strains and sighs ;)
      ~J

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    4. I hear you, I usually am on line after I get home from work which is about 10 p.m., There is usually a lot of catching up to do, answering mail and visiting blogs and there have been times where I am asleep with my fingers on the keyboard typing "garbaldy- gook". I wake up and I am totally disoriented only to begin the whole process again. I often wake up slumped forward over my laptop... Very Bad for the Neck. :((
      Today I am back out into the garden too. A late spring clean-up both inside and out today, and already I am "straining and sighing" just like you.
      I wonder how many calories I'll burn?...

      Probably 2
      ~e

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  4. Oh, Elizabeth, what Wonderful and Thoughtful gifts!!!! Isn't Blogland Amazing? Really REALLY Amazing!
    Your Wall Woes are understandable to anyone who has ever tried to make paper into Rocks.... and only a Perfectionist like You would Worry so much about the exact color of the roof in relation to the rocks! Your walls so far are Amazingly realistic looking! (Way better than my recent flat attempts... with no grout...!) You are amazing with the materials you mix together to come up with your realism... I have not even tried half of those! And don't worry if the stones don't match... nobody can see all the walls at one time... and you can just tell them that some renovations were done causing a difference in the exterior! (That would be my story , anyway!)
    Your real Roses are beautiful... you are way ahead of us.... only tiny buds just starting to set up over here.... but soon... soon the garden will be full of blossoms!
    Once again, in seeing the pictures of your interior, I am struck by the precision with which you choose and place your accessories! You really do achieve a perfect mini world we all wish we could come home to! Aaaah, Roses.... I can almost smell them from here.... or am I dreaming again?

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  5. Hello Dear Betsy! Yes, Yes, Yes!!! Blogland IS truly Amazing world! I find everyone is so helpful and encouraging towards each other. People actually care and help your dreams become realities. I know that both you and Jane have had this same kind of experience a number of times, which continues all over the world and each of us gets to participate in those exchanges and share them through the blog. And Ain't it grand? :D
    Thank you for your encouragement about the rock wall Betsy. Your comment put in mind that kid's game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. I have had to refer to your blog for inspiration as to how you did your stones because I LOVE YOUR STONEWORK! Part of the concern of mine was there was not enough definition between the rocks. The more I tried the more unrecognizable they became. Last Sunday, I whited them all out and began them Again. You know what else? I have been trying to figure out where this cottage lives. These rocks are not native to the English Channel Islands. They appear to be more along the lines of maybe Cornwall or elsewhere in England. My Poor Research from the beginning of this Arthur project, has flustered me cause the type of stones used also determines the location of the house as well as how the roof is handled. But I am too far gone with this to try and change it, still it does continue to bug me. Hey,... I really AM obsessive!!! :((
    I like your idea of the Recent Renovations! A good closing argument if I get stuck! :D
    Working in the Real garden was very restful for my mind but punishing on my body. Again, I have been on the lookout for bees! Last week there was only one that I could see in my garden but happily now there are lots! I have been watching them wiggle in and out of the wild roses that are growing just outside my studio window. Just wait until your flowers are fully in bloom Betsy! What a glorious experience this time of year is, late Spring has always been my Favorite.
    Now take a deep breath Betsy Dear, the fragrance of all of your Rose Colored Daydreams will be there in the wind. :))

    elizabeth

    elizabeth

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  6. ooooohhhh, Elizabeth vos murs en pierres sont superbes ! J'aime travailler avec les boites à oeufs, c'est un peu long à faire, surtout la découpe, mais le résultat est satisfaisant.
    Les cadeaux que vous avez reçus sont très, très beaux, quelle chanceuse vous êtes ;-)
    Jolies (vraies) roses ! Bisous. rosethé

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    1. Hi Rosethe'! Thank your for your comment and for liking the results of the stone wall. :)) I know that you have used egg boxes for your projects, (as have many others before me ) and I have always like the way that I have seen them turn out. That is why I wanted to try it too, but for some reason mine would not cooperate, some stones looked like stone and others did not. A few days ago in my frustration I was on the verge of plastering over all of the rock surfaces with wall putty, but decided to paint them out instead and then repaint them again. I think that they look "satisfactory" now, and I am very pleased that you like them too! :))
      The gifts from Catherine and from Linda are Very Special treasures and it is such a treat to receive such beautiful things from such talented miniaturist friends; friends from both near and far. These gifts now play an important part of the story of this little house.
      And the story still continues.......
      kisses to you too Rosethe' :D

      elizabeth

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  7. Superb gifts! Aren't blog friends wonderful? I have faith in your artistry Elizabeth, I know the walls and roof will be perfect when you're done with them! The solution will come to you when you least expect it.

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    1. Good day Susan!:D Thank You! And you are so right, blog friends are Super De Duper and I am so pleased to be able to include both Catherine's painting and Linda's stockings, in my little cottage! I am glad that you have faith in my capabilities Susan. I am often daunted by the task at hand. I stress out about everything as I know, You must Know, by now. :)) I don't think that people realize just how scared I get before I begin something major. It is always a big hurdle to get over initially, this fear of failure. It is when I am already in the deep water and up to my neck, that salvation solutions comes along.
      Art imitation Life! :D

      elizabeth

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  8. Elisabeth,

    Ooo what a lot of work!! The walls of the house seem realistic. Amazing!!

    greetings

    Natasja

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    1. Hi Natasja! Yes it is indeed a lot of work and still more on the way. I didn't know that it would be so involved before I began the process otherwise I might have chosen something different to do, or a different type of stone finish for the exterior. Funny, I thought that the random stone would be easier to apply,than a regular stacked stone which it was, but I had no idea that it would prove so challenging to paint and not lose the definition of each stone. You live and learn. I have another house that I would like to assemble after this one is done but I don't think that I shall be trying this type of stone again.

      elizabeth

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  9. Hi Elizabeth. I love the look of the stone exterior. It reminds me of the cottages in the Lake District in the UK.You've got the aged patina look perfectly.I think slate would look good for the roof, with a little moss in places to show it's age. Gorgeous gifts from Catherine.

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    1. Hello Pepper! Thank You for your encouraging words and most especially about the reference to the Lake District. I googled up stone cottages there and you are right about the similarities. However, I can't have the house stationed there because no dolphins are in residence in that area! hahah
      This house Has to live close to the coastline. That is why I had thought perhaps Cornwall because the stone seems similar judging from the pictures that I was able to google up. I do agree that slate would be a great solution and my friends Janine and her hubby Bruce (MINWORKS blog) have a Fantastic Tutorial on making a realistic looking Slate roof which they've done for their French House. I have seen it both on line and in person, and it stands up as Incredibly Authentic and very easy to do. I also agree with you that moss will be most appropriate for the roof for adding age. ( I love Moss and I love Age ) And YES, both sets of gifts are indeed, Gorgeous! :D

      elizabeth

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  10. Elizabeth, you have received such amazing gifts, it was so thoughtful!! Yes, blogland is an amazing place to be and with so many friendly and generous people. You deserves these gorgeous gifts, enjoy it all!! I love the painting of Catherine, it is a piece of art!!
    Oh, I am sure I would have loved your brown 'kind of porridge' stone walls, Elizabeth, as I love porridge ;)! Like always I had to laugh whilst reading your comment on Jane's :D! You have such a good feel for humor, I love it!
    The stone walls are very good, but like you said: now that last one. I hope you can manage to make it in the same way and otherwise.........well, it is just around the corner, so we can't see it in one glance, isn't it ;)?? But I can imagine how you feel about it.....hum, hysteria (in miniature), that will be not that much, huh ;)?
    I am curious for your solution how you will make the roof tiles, about chosing a color for them: that will also be a difficult question.
    Your RL roses are absolutely beautiful, I think I can smell them here ;)!
    Have a nice weekend. Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Hello Ilona! :D I am glad that you agree with my views of our Friends in Blogland. I am touched by their kindness and their generosity towards me and appreciate and respect both the gifts and the givers. I also love to see how other miniaturists give to each other and get involved in each others projects. What a wonderful world we have the privilege to be involved in, wouldn't you agree?
      I don't know how much you Love porridge, Ilona but I doubt very much that you would have enjoyed feasting your eyes on a look- alike wall full of it! Not a pretty sight! That is why there are so many layers on the walls, not because I was trying to be clever, but because I was constantly trying to fix it! The more I tried, the darker it became. I would take photos to see what it looked like on film and it looked like MUD! Churned up, Lumpy and Dried to the walls, MUD. It was so frustrating that I was seriously considering setting this house aside indefinitely, leaving it unfinished and beginning a brand new house project...
      There was a book I read years ago that was entitled "Feel the Fear and do it Anyway". I remember nothing about the book other than that title, but for me the title says it all. :D

      elizabeth
      oh, and thanks for your comment about my RL roses! The fragrance that comes from some of them is just heavenly! What a beautiful blessing from God.

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  11. de jolies pierres pour votre mur
    et de bien jolis cadeaux
    bonne continuation

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    1. Hello Claude! Thank you for the compliment about the stone work! I will be so happy when it is finished but meanwhile I get to play with all of my wonderful gifts! :D
      enjoy your week Claude

      elizabeth
      p.s. I have really been enjoying your series of various featured artists from the Real World. The lady that made those dioramas for magazine articles was most interesting!

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  12. The walls are fantastic and the roof is perfect for this house.
    Beautiful gifts.

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    1. Hi Faby! :D Thank You for those encouraging words!!! I am still not clear which direction to go in with regard to the roof but the color that it is now is just a test run. I Do want to shingle it and as Pepper has suggested, add moss to the surface for age, however, prior to that I have to finish house side # 3... Then I can earnestly begin on the roof.

      And YES!; the gifts are indeed "Great"! :))

      elizabeth

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  13. Les murs de la maison sont incroyables . J'aime énormément le résultat . J'ai hâte de voir la solution que vous allez trouver pour le toit . J'aime toujours autant mon petit tableau , haha !!! Je suis heureuse de voir qu'il a trouvé sa place . Je suis fascinée par les bas . Ils sont magnifiques . Ils sont parfaits . Nous sommes tous impatients de les voir accrochés dans la cuisine . Nous sommes aussi impatients de voir l'autre côté de la maison . On ne peut pas tout faire ... Le jardin , les roses , les confitures et ... La miniature :)
    Je vous embrasse
    Catherine

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    1. Ahhhh My dearest Catherine! How can I Thank You enough for such Treasures that you have sent me? :D The painting is sooo Beautiful and the theme of the roses in the blue vase on the table makes me smile because it connects me to the painting you did for Ninette's bedroom over the fireplace; that was the nucleus and inspiration to me right from the beginning.
      Your Victorian greeting cards will go into another project, but the little pot fit right into place on the writing desk in the Parlor of #43 and I hope that you ( and Ninette) will approve? :))
      The stones of the cottage walls, are now considered satisfactory. At first they were fun to do but later when the colors began to distort, they became very frustrating and so the prospect of repeating the same procedure is not something that I am looking forward to at all but it is like anything I do, once I begin it will probably not be as bad as I think. ... ( or will it?) :((
      Linda Parks wrote me to tell me that she felt "Honored" to be sharing This posting with You. She said that you were one of her "Heros" and in that, I think that she speaks for us both! :D I shall be hanging up a pair of her wonderful stockings in the kitchen. Her work, as you have said, is .... "Perfect"! :))
      Again, my heartfelt THANK YOU Catherine! :D
      hugs and kisses

      elizabeth

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    2. Ho Élisabeth
      I died laughing reading your comment. you talk about the first picture I had put in the room above the fireplace. it was round. it was roses in a blue vase? there is also a small picture on the wall in a black frame. if you talk about the great ... it no longer exists, I think. haha! I put another rectangular frame instead. I did not like each other more :)) if I had known ... I would have given you this painting.
      I got the frame to do something else and I threw the flowers. that I often change my mind. there is still a picture on my blog. I'll watch it again with another eye and now that I know it has inspired you.

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    3. This is news to me! First you had a mirror, then you had the painting of roses in the blue vase, but now you have something different again!? Hah! That is just what I am always doing too. :)) But do not regret the first painting because I am THRILLED with the one that you sent! :D

      And I am ALWAYS inspired by your work!

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  14. Your stone wall looks really sturdy, and the colour is great. It's nice to see that beautiful painting by Catherine through the window. And those stockings...!!! fantastic.
    And for the roof now ???

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    1. Hello Dominique! Thank you for the compliment and for that word "sturdy". It is just how I wished the stones to appear. I was looking for something that had a lot of visual weight and also like it could withstand all kinds of stormy weather and provide solid shelter for those who lived inside.
      I LOVE my gifts from Linda and Catherine and am proud to be able to include them in this story. :D
      I will be starting the other side of the house very soon and Then the roof.... sigh

      elizabeth

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  15. Tus paredes de piedra es un trabajo impresionante, seguro que lo que te falta te quedará igual de bonito y el tejado seguro que encontrarás el color adecuado. Una obra de arte la pintura de rosas u las medias perfectas, felicidades por estos dos magníficos regalos. Feliz fin de semana:-)

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    1. Hi Rosa Maria! I am so glad that you like the stonework and have faith in me and my capabilities. I am confident only AFTER, the challenge has been met, rarely before. But since, I have always been this way, I should be use to it by now! hahaha
      The gifs are all so Beautiful and I feel very Blessed to have received them! :D

      elizabeth

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  16. Las piedras de la fachada de la casa han quedado tan relaes y bien hechas, que cuesta trabajo pensar que son en miniatura. Aunque sea un trabajo largo, ha valido la pena, porque son perfectas.
    Los regalos de tus amigas son bellísimos.
    Felicidades por llos.
    Besos
    Victoria

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    1. Hello Victoria! When someone tell a miniaturist that something in miniature looks REAL, that is very high praise and so Thank You! :D It Was hard work and it is not over yet, but it always helps to have others there to cheer you on towards the finish line!

      elizabeth

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  17. When I saw the painting I immediately recognized Catherine's wonderful work. Her roses are beautiful and perfect in your house. Your other gift is great too, the stockings are perfect.
    Your wall looks amazing, I think a bluish grey would look good with your stone wall. I'm looking forward to seeing what colour you're going to choose for the roof, of course once the wall is finished.
    Geneviève

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    1. Hi Genevieve! Yes, I knew that you would recognize Catherine's work because I know that you are also the proud owner of one of her wonderful paintings! I have seen it in your Wonderful Seaside Cottage. :D
      As to the roof, the blueish grey sounds interesting and it may just work. I shall test it out before I commit myself, after the 3rd wall and the chimney is done. Thank You for the great suggestion and for the lovely compliments too! :))

      elizabeth

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  18. I love the stones! They really look fantastic. Whatever you did was genius!
    The painting is such a classic beauty. You can never go wrong with roses as your topic! I'm curious to see the stockings in place. I'm sure you will display them in some incredible way to make all of us super envious.
    hugs♥,
    Caroline

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    1. Hahaha! Thank You Caroline, but No jealousy intended!:D I am very proud of being the possessor of both the stockings and the painting, which you so aptly described as a "classic beauty", and you are so right!
      And "Whatever I did" to the rocks is now my current puzzle"... What DID I DO??? I know what I used but the challenge is to try and duplicate the finish however I got there.
      This next wall will be interesting. :))

      elizabeth

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  19. Elizabeth, I love your stone walls and I know that they will only be better in real life, which I'm so looking forward to next week. What amazing gifts you have been given.Love love the painting and the stockings are so perfect.
    Talk soon
    fats

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    1. Hey there Fatima! Thank You my dear friend!:D We are on for tomorrow and then you can see the house and these Very Special Gifts, up close and personal. Meanwhile I am trying to tidy up the garden so it is not such an eyesore for when you and Janine come over. Looks like the sun is going down so back outside I go to finish sweeping up. A woman's work is NEVER done! :D

      elizabeth

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    2. OMG! The garden is looking amazing! Makes me feel like I really need to brush up on my gardening skills..wait a minute ...not a brush up but a total beginners course for me is in order.
      I decided to reply to this post instead of tackling my electrical blunder with the 3 finished rooms on the "Garfield" Yet another excuse.

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  20. Ах, какой розовый куст!!! Розы великолепны! Я люблю эти тяжелые бутоны роз! Я знаю, что у них удивительно тонкий аромат! Это большое наслаждение!!!
    Вы сделали большую работу! Ваши камни выглядят как настоящие. Время, дожди и ветры повлияли на их поверхность..Очень впечатляет....Вы замечательный художник!
    Мне нравится как вы показали подарок Катерины! Увы!!! Я люблю заглядывать в окна...:) :) :) Это, как читать книги. За каждым окном своя история.
    Очень хочу поздравить вас с прекрасными подарками. Они совершенны!
    Татьяна

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    1. My Dear Tatiana! Thank you for your generous comments! :)) It is true that the gifts are All Perfect and they couldn't please me more. Behind each window IS A HISTORY and a story and that is one of the very things that I have come to admire about your work too. We are thinking alike on this. I Love how you describe the effects of "Time, rain and the winds" on the surface of the stones because that is precisely what I was striving for. Your comments and observations are always so poetic when I read them and I that is why I Always enjoy them so much! :D
      And as for the roses, they are now twice as full as they were in these photos, and the fragrance is pure bliss!

      elizabeth

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  21. The walls are very realistic, dear Elizabeth! I like the stonework, and you are received beautiful gifts! The stockings are perfect! Beautiful Catherine's painting!

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    1. Hi Nono! :D Thank You so very very much! :)) I have been a long time admirer of your own work on exteriors, so it really pleases me greatly that my stonework meets with your approval!
      Aren't the gifts Fantastic?
      I couldn't be happier! :D

      elizabeth

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  22. Me gusta mucho como quedan las paredes. La piedra está perfecta. Un buen trabajo.
    Los regalos que has recibido son estupendos

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    1. Hello Isabel! What a lovely compliment about the stonework; Thank You! :D
      It was a lot of work to do and there is still more ahead of me but it is good to get at least 2 walls completed. Now only one left to go!

      elizabeth

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  23. Hello lady Elizabeth,
    There really is nothing you can't do and do well. the stone is looking beautiful. The texture and tone is wonderful. I like the dark roof but I would suggest finishing the stonework then just take a step back and I'm sure the solution will come to you right away. The exterior will match the interior for atmosphere and detail. Very realistic.
    I love the artwork you have. It really works so well with the feel of the house. Everything you were given is just super. Such wonderful, well made miniatures must be proud to be part of your collection.
    Big hug, and don't sweat the roof, it will all come to you.
    Giac

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    1. Hello Giac! Thank you! But there are a lot of things that I can't do and don't do well! haha
      But I do try and sometimes I am successful. These stones were undesirable and now I think that they will do. :)) As for the roof, the dark roof is growing on me and I am seriously considering some of the suggestions that have been presented, but as you say Giac, I shall wait until the third wall is done before I make my "final" decision. Of course I WILL be sweating the roof! That is just part of my nature!
      Big Hugs back! :D

      elizabeth

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    2. Oh Giac I nearly forgot to tell you again, just how MAGNIFICENT the Breakfast Room in your Victorian Manor is!!! It has become my Very Favorite Room so far. The high end details and the wonderful decorating is jaw dropping and I Love Everything about it! Simply Superb from top to bottom, my friend!

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  24. Esa pared ha quedado fantástica y me gusta con el tejado oscuro, pero creo que un tejado rojo tambien quedaría muy bien.
    Saludos.

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    1. Hi Heloise! I am so glad that you like the roof and the idea of making it red was also going through my mind as a possibility.:)) I have seen stone cottages with terra cotta roofs that give a real Mediterranean feel when red but more English when they are a brown tone. Before I do anything though, I will be doing several test runs, with different colored paper.

      elizabeth

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  25. The stonewall looks fantastic!

    Your gifts are gorgeous, the beautiful roses painting as
    well as the stockings. It's so good to have talented and generous friends. Enjoy your new treasures.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Hi Drora! Thank You for the compliments on both the stonework and the gifts from Catherine and Linda! You are so right about them both being very talented and very generous, and I will Definitely be enjoying my treasures! :D

      elizabeth

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  26. Hi Elizabeth! The stonework is perfect! I really love the colour! Beautiful gifts for a beautiful lady! Take care!

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    1. Hi Lucille! I am glad that you like the stonework and the color! :D It was such a process, let me tell you.
      The gifts are such wonderful additions to the story within and I think that they are "Beautiful" too! :D

      elizabeth

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  27. I love the stonework on your cottage Elizabeth and I am sure you will get the three walls all working together. You have received some beautiful gifts. The stockings look wonderful and the rose painting is just beautiful, as are the roses in your garden.

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    1. Hi Sharee! :)) Thank You very much for this lovely compliment and also your comment! :D Guess what? I have begun making mini roses for my cottage and ignoring the 3rd non-stoned wall, so not sure when that will even be started. I am having a great distraction and way too much fun with my miniature climbing roses. I will show them to you once they are done. :D

      elizabeth

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  28. Your lumpy porridge has turned out magnificently - I cannot believe they aren't stone - as for the location - surely Scotland? Grey slate roof (look at Richard Stacey versi-slates they have two sides so you an choose light or dark) and it will definitely be Scottish. Beautiful and inspiring work. Thank you for sharing. marilyn

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    1. Hahahah, Hi Marilyn! Thank You! :D You should count your lucky stars that you didn't get a look at the lumpy "before" stones because it would have made your hair curl! I will admit that this cottage does indeed have a "Scottish" look to it, even though it is English, and so I am thinking that your suggestion of the slate tiles will probably be the highroad that I take. I encourage you to take a look at my friend Janine's faux slate roof tutorial from her MINWORKS blog. Since I already have the materials needed to do it I think that will be what I use. But I do remember that I LOVED how the Versi-slates looked on your 'Chocolat" doll's house Em, and that would definitely be my second choice! :))

      elizabeth

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  29. What fantastic gifts you received in the mail! Your roses are beautiful- the real ones and the painting of roses! The egg carton stonework looks great as well. So much texture and dimension! All the layers and hours of effort are well worth the result. :)

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    1. Hi Lindsey! Thank you so much for your compliments on the gifts of the Real Roses! I was so thoughtful of Catherine and Linda and so very much appreciated. The egg carton stonework is just that WORK but now I can leave the 2 walls that I have done alone and focus elsewhere instead of constantly re-doing them. I have begun a climbing red rose for the exterior of the cottage and hope to have it completed by next week. This started as an off-shoot of a work bee that the Miniteers began for Janine's miniature French garden project that we started last Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how mine turns out since it was suppose to be a mini test pilot only.

      elizabeth

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  30. Congratulations on your wonderful gifts, Elizabeth! How beautiful and inspiring. Looking at them could definitely inspire one to complete the egg carton project. :-) xo Jennifer

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    1. Hey What's new Plushpussycat? heehee On behalf of Linda and Catherine I Thank You, Jennifer! It is so nice to look inside the cottage and see these tiny treasures. I have some lovelies from Fatima, Janine, You, Catherine and Linda and each lovely thing contributes to the whole story, and must I thank you again Jennifer! :D
      The egg carton project is still on hold as inspiration is waning at this time whilst I work on something un-planned and un-rehearsed.... a mini climbing rose. Stay tuned.

      elizabeth

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  31. Hi again, I had the awesome delight of visiting with Janine and Elizabeth today at Elizabeth's place for our monthly "Miniteers' meeting and was blown over by the amazing stonework. Very real, very perfect. Much much better than any of the photos we see here. Beautiful and coming along so nicely.
    Also the amazing "Stockings" by Linda...truly wonderful. While the painting from Catherine graced the staircase upstairs. What amazing gifts!
    I feel lucky to have been able to see it all firsthand.

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    1. Hi Fatima! What a wonderful compliment to the mini house :)) but not to my photographs which I HAD thought were pretty good! :((
      hahaha

      e :D

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  32. Love your stonework Elizabeth and I know what it feels like wondering if you can do a process like that AGAIN to match. Thanks for your comment on my blog.

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    1. Hello Margaret! Thank You for the compliment on the stonework and appreciating the anxiety that is related to the completion of the 3rd wall. Art does not always bend to the will of the one holding the brush does it? \:D

      elizabeth

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  33. What fabulous gifts, how lucky you are.

    Your stone walls are gorgeous, I hope on my next attempt to get them as realistic looking as yours are.

    I'm sure no matter what color you pick for the roof it will turn out beautifully.

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    1. Hi Keli! I am still in a conundrum about the roof color but since I have the third wall yet to start and finish, I am trying not to over-think it until I get much further along, and THEN I'll stress!
      Thank You for the compliment on the stones. I have to say, that I am At Last satisfied with the look of them. :))

      elizabeth
      p.s. The stonework that you are doing on your little cottage is Wonderful! I have been pinning,... pinning,.... pinning! :))

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  34. Elizabeth,
    Im trying to figure out how I missed this post, I know you posted on Friday and since I dont have a comp at home (been using the tablet which I do not like) I missed this then blogger wouldn't let me go back so I couldn't get to it..but Im here now....I love them they look wonderful...see what happens when I open my big mouth. *Im so ashamed of myself * Your house is lovely thanks to you I was able to finish My Baxter *it burned me out but I got it done* Im keeping my mouth shut about things..it's for the best trust me :)

    Hugs
    Marisa

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  35. Hey Marisa! Please don't stop being YOU! I love your input and look forward to reading your honest and insightful comment contributions every time you visit! Some of the things that you say are so funny and yet so "spot on" so if nowhere else, please feel free to express yourself HERE.
    I am Very Happy that I have inspired you to finish your Baxter cottage retreat. I know that it must have been very therapeutic to do something in Baxter's memory. I have a little dog made from leather that I happen to find at the thrift store months ago that reminded me of my little dog MAX MAXWELL, who died of sickness and old age last month. I keep this little leather puppy where I can see him as a token in his memory. It is as comforting to me as your cottage tribute to Baxter the cat, has been for you.

    Anyway Marisa, do not refrain from voicing your opinions and ideas when it is that very quality, that I so very much, appreciate and enjoy! :D

    elizabeth
    p.s. Janine says the same thing about her tablet too.

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  36. The walls looks great! Hope you do get the same colour to the last wall =)
    That rose painting is wonderful!! Just like the stockings!!
    You have great friends =)
    Hannah

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    1. Hi Hannah! Thank You for your encouraging word! These gifts have been All been greatly appreciated by me and "YES" you are soooo right,..... I DO HAVE GREAT FRIENDS! :D

      elizabeth

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  37. Hey Elizabeth! I'm sorry I missed this post too but I think I'm not getting feeds for your blog.... or I missed it but as it is not the first time, maybe it's Blogger this time and not me! :) I love the you always answer to everybody with either answers to questions or just to thank people for their visit. When people do this I do appreciate it a lot! I come from an old city in Italy where there are lots of very old buildings made with stones and yours reminded me exactly of those buildings....it looks absolutely perfect, let me tell you that I saw many and you couldn't ask for a better texture than the one you got there. I feel your pain in trying to make now the other sides the same as the ones done but knowing you I'm sure you'll do a great job! And even if they weren't the exact same copy of the other walls, you are lucky that each wall stays on a different side so people can't really compare the 4 sides together! :) Anyway, you won't have this problem, I'm sure! The gifts you got from your friends are so lovely!!!! The painting is really lovely, very delicate and the stockings are super darlings!!! Oh my God!!!! So very well done and so tiny!!! You have great friends that are also thoughtful! I love your garden and your wonderful flowers!!! Your roses are superb and can I also see some clematis and maybe passion flower too??? I love your work and I'm looking forward to see more of it, I really like how is coming along and even if you always have doubts or crisis on how to do or finish something, at the end you always come up with something special!! Big hug!

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  38. Hi Simona! What a wonderful and Greatly Appreciated comment; Thank You Simona!!! :D With me there is always a lot of worry and self-doubt about everything that I do. ( It seems to go with the territory!) It gladdens me to know, that buildings with this style of stonework are found in parts of Italy. My friend Fatima says that the stonework of this cottage, is like the house that she grew up in in Portugal, which also makes me feel More Confident about this structure! I tend to work in fits and starts and right now the 3rd wall of the house is on "PAUSE" because I need MORE MOJO to keep me going forward on it. There is exactly 12 months left to get this house completely finished. Currently, I am having concerns about getting it done in time for next years West Coast Miniature Show primarily because of my inherent laziness and all consuming pre-occupation with PINTEREST! hahah But never fear that I will not choose to answer any comments because I feel that if someone takes the time to leave one, then courtesy demands my reply in return. There are different opinions about this I know, but that is how my mother raised me! :)) Besides, EVERYONE KNOWS by now, just how much I like to talk!!!! :D

    elizabeth
    p.s. I am glad that you liked my roses. They are now starting to fade but this year the showing was INCREDIBLE! ALL 5 of the Clematis vines bloomed at once! This is a FIRST time for that to happen and this time I remembered to take some photos!

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  39. So, I saw correctly!! There was a clematis in there, in the middle of all those wonderful roses!! I know already that you will finish the house on time and it will be stunning....I just hope you don't wait until the last months to finish it and end up with an head ache because of all the decisions to make!! :) :) But as you said, it's part of you, to be like that, have crisis, have doubts and I'm sure that if you reach a certain level of quality, it's just because of all your thinking about all steps to take and how to take them. You don't just put something there, on top of another just because it goes there.....you actually analyze and always try to come up with the best solution, not just any solution! Again, this is what separates you from somebody that is messy, not clean, not clear of what they wanted to achieve.
    Thank you for always sharing your minis, the steps you take to make them and for being such a nice person, taking the time to answer everybody.....You are.....special!! Big hug Elizabeth!

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  40. Again,Such sweet things to say that are sooo encouraging and energizing to an inherently lazy girl like me!
    Thank You Simona :D

    elizabeth

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  41. Catching up at last. I love the photo down the stairwell - what an effective view and the picture and stockings are lovely gifts to receive.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Irene! Thank you for that lovely compliment about the photo down the stairwell! :)) Now that narrow "death trap" has something to make the journey going up or down the stairs, worth the risk! heehee And I have Finally hung the stockings up over the line in the kitchen and so now both Catherine and Linda are well represented inside this cottage. Each little thing just adds another interesting layer. And speaking of "little things"....
    Have you been having fun with your most recent show purchases? That is such a handsome lot of little 'goodies' that you snagged for your properties from the York Miniature Fair, and I admire Everything that you showed on both of your blogs. Well Done Irene! :D

    elizabeth

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  43. Gorgeous gifts, the painting is very special. And regarding your colours, decisions, decisions, I hate those things, decisions :D Too much choice!!!!! What if its the wrong choice!!! :D Don't worry too much Elizabeth! It will look great no matter what choice you stick with, and it can always be changed. P.s that is a stunning rose bush. Our garden is a sanctuary for rose rust, so unfortunately we don't experience sights like that here, actually, our garden is a sanctuary for every pest on earth, we have every type of sawfly available to mankind :D

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  44. Oh i forgot to mention, I love the stairwell view!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hi Sarah! You have such a wry sense of humor written within your comments........ I LOVE IT!!! :D
    You are so right, about decisions NOT being written, shall we say, in stone! :))
    They Can always be changed and since that is what I usually do anyway, I don't know why it should continually freak me out. I make something then after I have lived with it for a while I see or think of something that I would like better and then have to make adjustments to achieve my new purpose. I guess I would just like to get it right the FIRST TIME rather than the 4th or 5th!
    And as to the rose bush at the corner of my house; that shrub was only supposed to grow to a maximum of 6 to 8 feet. It is now above the roof line and requires regular pruning to keep it in check. There is the danger of TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING, whether it be with an over-grown garden or sadly, rose rust and sawfly! :((
    Thanks also for your comment about the stairwell, Sarah.
    Much Appreciated :))

    elizabeth

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  46. Hallo Elizabeth !
    Ich bin begeistert von deinen Werken. Da steckt soviel Liebe drin, wunderbar.
    Das Haus macht neugierig. Man weiß garnicht wo man überall schauen soll. Alles
    sehr interessant. Heute werde ich mir mal viel Zeit nehmen, um mehr von Ihnen zu sehen.
    Liebe Grüße
    Skiddi

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  47. Hello Skiddi! Thank you Very Much for your compliments! You have mentioned something important in that this house IS full of love! I believe that the love of family and friends both past and present, fill this little house and leave an imprint on its walls. It is always curious to me that it transmits itself so clearly and distinctly to others so that people who visit, can feel it too. :D


    elizabeth

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