Gifts from France

Today I received a package from Jonquil.   What a wonderful surprise when I opened it.

 

 

All these little items are destined for an "upstairs" room in Netherton.   The detail is just amazing.   How all these tiny stitches are created is just a mystery to me.   I am in awe of your skill, Jonquil!

 

 

The first item is a little shawl.   I love the little scalloped edge and the detail is continued on the back.

 

 

The second item is a little silk bag - how DID you make these tassels? 

Thirdly, a pillow with white embroidered detail to the right.   The fabric is really soft and it's made in such a way as to be placed in a very realistic manner.

Thank you so much Jonquil, I love them all and really appreciate the time taken to create this little gift for me.

The Butler's Pantry

I'm ashamed to say it feels like ages since I posted here.  During that time Netherton has moved to it's new location but it hasn't seen much activity since then - just the time taken to make sure the electrics were all fine and thankfully they are!

I've been working on the Butler's Pantry for some time and although it's almost finished there are still some bits I'd like to include so in the meantime I've added a few pics just to let you see what's happening.

 

You can see where it's located - next to the Laundry.   It's just a little space but sufficient for the Butler's needs!   It measures 6.5" (16.51cms) wide x 16" (40.64 cms) deep x 8" (20.32 cms) high.

 

 

 

I purchased a couple of bits and I made a couple of bits.

 

 



 

The table below was created to fit a specific space and because I was playing with wood at the time, a little book shelf happened too.

 



 

 

Here are some little scenes of the work done to date.   Still a work in progress but not far from completion.

 

 

 





 

 

 

I found a picture of this particular style of sink and thought it would make a really good mini so I had a go.   It was originally destined for The Laundry but I think it sits better in the Pantry.

 

 



 

 

Apologies for the woolly picture below - I'll do better next time!

 

 

 

Oh, and did I tell you there was a "Brushing Station"?   I would really have liked a "Brushing Room" but this will have to do!

 

 

From this..................

Some of you may already know that for some time now I have been quietly awaiting the departure of the offspring!   They are 30 and 26 years of age - grown men - and more than ready to make their way in the world on their own, under their own steam.   By that I mean they do their own ironing, know the business end of a vacuum cleaner and are pretty good at the cooking so I am more than confident that they can manage by themselves!

No 2 son flew the nest in July, Number 1 son left at the beginning of December - yippee, two rooms to play with.

One room has a great double window but a smaller length of wall with sockets, the other room has a longer window but a great expanse of wall with sockets.   I have claimed the latter - lol

Initially, all my mini stuff and houses were taken upstairs and to all intents and purposes, abandoned.   No mini work has taken place at all during this time.   Who would want to work in there?

So, over the past week I have been decorating and can now show you what I've been up to.   My new hobby room has gone from this unadulterated shambles (Hambleton Hall cabinet upside down and  awaiting castors) ..............

To this..................

The room measures 9' by 14.5' (2.74m x 4.41m) and I have approximately 10' (3.04m) of houses.   More than enough space to line them up and still be able to open the doors.

Although they look good standing there all in a line, I have yet to sort out the electrics so I'm not sure if I have any casualties - I'll leave that for another day.

In the long term I need to get a cabinet for the Tearooms and a smaller desk and chair but at the moment, to say I am thrilled is an understatement!



Happy New Year!

To all my lovely followers, old and new........

 

 

The Laundry is finished.

Netherton now has a complete and fully operational Laundry.   The purchases made at the recent fair I attended are now in place.

 

 

Interest has been added by way of slim dividers.   One at the back of the room to the left of the drying closet (right hand corner) and one half wall just behind the washing machine.   Hopefully, in a small way, these take away the plain rectangular shape of the room.

 

The drying closet - Laundry was placed on the rails, wet.   The doors, which ran on wheels and a track, were closed and the laundry dried from the heat created by stoves.   In some places these drying racks were open-ended.   Wet laundry in one end and pulled out the other when dry.

 

 

 The servant's eye view.

 

 

 

 

 

Some close ups.  

 

 

The pegs in the bowl were made by me and the book is The Laundry Book from Dateman Books

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very warm welcome to all my new followers.   I'm very pleased to have you here and hope you like what you see.



 

 





Back from Miniatura

After a very exciting weekend at Miniatura, Birmingham I've got some minis to show you all.

I love the little canteen of cutlery (it has decorative inlay on the lid) and if you look closely, the stamp picked out by the magnifying glass is actually shown larger.   The Butler will be pleased I managed to snag him a bottle of brandy!

At last, here are some finishing touches for The Laundry and some bits for the kitchen.   The dustpan and brush set is a marvellously fine piece of work.

 

 

I was after some dining room chairs and was pleased that I managed to get exactly what I was after.   The little rocking chair was a bonus!


 

Just a peek!

 

Nothing has happened with Netherton these past few weeks as I wait for my trip to Miniatura at the end of the month when I can stock up on accessories for The Laundry.

 

In the meantime, and while the Butler is concerning himself with household duties, I see he's left his door open............