A "wee idea".

Before going into the details of the "wee idea" - I had been doing some online shopping for said idea and sometimes, when you're shopping for something specific you see another something?    Well, I just had to purchase this other something that was totally unrelated to the project but had to have it nonetheless!

Meet Eric and his sidekick!

We've had Eric for a good few years and when I spotted mini Eric, well..............he had to be added to the shopping list, didn't he?

So, the "wee idea".     Quite some time ago I purchased three display boxes for the walls in the downstairs loo, thinking they would make an alternative to pictures.    The displays could be changed when it suited - well, that was the plan.    The problem was, while it was easy enough find bits and bobs for two of the boxes, it was a struggle to find something suitable for the smallest.

This bugged me for quite some time, that was until someone posted an empty house shaped display box on an FB page I am a member of and suddenly the "wee idea" presented itself and the cogs began to turn!

All three boxes are 3.5" deep (8.89cms) and are 4.5/8" (11.63cms);  6.5/8" (16.71cms) and 8.5/8" (21.79cms) square.

Nothing has been glued in - it's all in there with double sided tape and tacky wax.

This is the smallest of the three boxes.   As I couldn't find anything I liked by way of the toilet roll stand and the brush holder, those were created using findings, cocktail sticks and a tiny plant pot painted gold.   The toilet originally had a high cistern but that had been removed for use somewhere else so the replacement cistern is a suitably sized box painted white with the top of a cocktail stick used for the handle.    I also made the toilet rolls and the little sign was taken from the Internet.

All the little boxed accessories were purchased from Shepherd Miniatures and I'm particularly pleased with the little spray bottle of Hand Sanitiser they had, also the disposable gloves underneath!    All very Covid correct.   Again the print was taken from the Internet.

The bath and a few other bits were already in the stash for this, the largest of the three boxes.    Again, the accessories were purchases from Shepherd Miniatures, another print from the Internet and I made the dressing gown and slippers.

So, do you get it?    A WEE Idea!!

And now for something completely different.......

Something "small" this time for posting under Small & Stately.

While browsing a miniature Facebook group that I'm a member of, a fellow miniaturist recently posted her progress with a very nice jigsaw.    I had completely forgotten about jigsaws and it's years since I'd done one.

The jigsaw in question was a Queen Mary's Dolls House cross section.   I was impressed so hunted around and got one.   I also got a slightly smaller one, 1,000 pieces, called Upstairs Downstairs.   The plan being, given the subject matter of both jigsaws, is to mount and frame them on completion and hang them in my hobby room.

Ta da!    First jigsaw, Upstairs Downstairs is complete.

A couple of coats of Mod Podge on either side and it's now secure enough to frame.

Now it's in it's frame -

There is a slight problem however.   It's huge!    We live in a 1970s built house and while the ceiling heights aren't bad, they're definitely not "Stately"!   Finding a space for it alongside seven mini properties (all on cabinets) is unfortunately not going to happen.    Worringly, the Queen Mary jigsaw will be even bigger once framed.   Despite that, it was a lovely thing to do and most enjoyable.

I've definitely given myself something to think about.    Once I've sorted that out, I'll let you know.