A Gift Received

 

A lovely surprise arrived in the post for me last week.   I was intrigued.   I wasn't expecting anything so imagine my delight when I opened the envelope and found these lovely little items.   They have been made for me by a mini mate, Aileen.    Aileen doesn't have a blog but I do know she's working on a large Georgian property.

 

 

There are tiny little seed bead "buttons" that can be undone.

 

 

 

More little seed bead buttons on the back of the frock

 



 

How she created these tiny little items, I will never know but I do applaud her patience.

 



 

Thank you Aileen.   I am delighted with them.

 

 

 

The Butler's Pantry

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

 

I've been using my time over the holidays to finally finish off the Butler's Pantry.   This was the sneaky peak I gave you all some time ago and things have certainly moved on from there.

 



 

Before the Butler returns to his room, I can now show you around.   This is where the room is situated - next to the Laundry.   It's a long narrow space measuring 6.5" (16.51cms) wide by 16" (40.64cms) deep and 8" (20.32cms) high.

 

 

Going round the room, from the left there is his green apron, worn when polishing the silver.   I made his desk (originally it was created for the Housekeeper but I felt it fitted better in this room).   There are little pigeon holes that will soon hold post (when it arrives), his Cellar book (from Dateman Books), a letter opener and pen/ink well by Danny Shotton, and a little cup of tea.

 

 

The notice board (my creation) has paid accounts, a couple of postcards from holidaying servants and a staff photograph.

 

 

 

 

This is an earlier photograph taken when it was still quite easy to get into the room to take any shots showing the "lead lined" sink (another of my creative moments) and shelving made using offcuts of cornice with hooks added.

 

 

At the far end of the room is the key board - another item I put together using all the spare keys you get when buying locks!   That space had been bothering me for ages and was partly the reason for not finishing this room earlier.   Then.......I sat back during the holidays to watch the recorded Christmas episode of Downton and there they were - a  key board and a green felt notice board - problem solved!

 

 

To the right of the room is a drawered unit with a linen press, lamp and assorted wines/champagnes.   The post box came from Mollysue Miniatures and the clock is from Small Wonders Miniatures.   I actually bought two clocks (the other is for the kitchen) and they're made from old buttons and are the perfect size.

 

 

 

 

Another fab thing purchased from Small Wonders was this little box of bits.   As you can see, it's just the sort of thing any man would have tucked away "just in case", even the Butler of Netherton!

 

 

 



 

The drawers contain linen cloths/napkins and scissors and cash.   I'm on the look out for more little items (especially a cash box so if anyone knows who has/makes cash boxes, I'd love to hear) to put in the drawers - there are three altogether.

 

 

 

 

A couple of photos with the lights on -

 

 

 

I've shown this picture in an earlier post but have included it again as it's the fourth wall of the Pantry showing the Brushing Station.    As it's the inside of the door, it covers both the Laundry and the Pantry so I've tried to decorate it with items that would suit both spaces although there are still some items to be bought/created.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Season's Greetings

 

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my followers.

 



 

 

The trouble with having more than one blog means that occasions such as Christmas and New Year have to have more than one seasonal pic.   Not this year!   I know a few of you follow all three of  blogs but some just follow one so if you see this pic more than once, I apologise!

 

 

York Fair

 

I seem to have purchased more for this property this time round than for the others and I have to exert extreme self control at fairs as this is such a large property, I could go mad unless I condition myself to only purchase bits for the current job in hand - hence the need for a list.   I'm very good at sticking to the list.

 

For the basement I have a log, axe and some firewood (I never thought of those additions until I saw them which is a slight deviation from the list but I think I'm allowed one deviation!), some jugs - always useful, a selection of cloths (these will either be stored in drawers or out on view), spectacles and their case for one of the staff - not sure which yet, a fire bucket, some dado rail, white wall tiles, a general box and a non-working clock from Halls Miniature Clocks.

 

The only downside to this trip was the journey home.   After getting the 6pm train from York, I didn't arrive in Edinburgh until 10.40pm due to delays.   There was then a half hour journey home.   Still, it could have been worse, it could have been snowing!

 

 

For Genevieve - Battery Lights

When I read Genevieve's comment on my completed Dairy I promised myself I would post a special on the battery lights I intended buying for this space as there was no feasible way I could light it electrically.

The little lights were delivered today.   A lamp and an outside lantern.   They were purchased from Tumdee Dollhouse Miniatures.

Also included are two little batteries (very similar to those used in hearing aids - not that I have one but my mum does!)   Inserting the batteries couldn't be simpler.   Just unscrew the lamp from the base and pop it in.   Switch the little switch and you're ready to go.

 

 

The lantern comes with a very thin circular magnet which has a sticky on the back for placing where you want it to be and the lantern itself just sticks on to that.   It's very secure once in place.  

The only thing I would say to watch for is to make sure, when placing these lights, is that the little switch is in the easiest accessible place.

 

 

Very fortunately for me, the lantern is an exact match for the lantern placed at the Servant's door.

 

 

 

The lamp was destined for inside the Dairy and I didn't use the sticky pad for that as I need to be able to lift it in and out to switch it on and off.

 

 

 

 

They don't have such a "blue" light as shown here.   The natural daylight was going and I had the overhead light on AND I used the flash.   I'll try and remember to take a further "on" photo in the next couple of days to give a better indication of the quality of light.

 

I'd say for areas not easily given to fitting electrics or perhaps adding a table lamp, they're pretty good.   I'm pleased with them for the purposes of the Dairy.



More gifts from France.

Some time ago I received a little parcel from Jonquil in France which contained these wonderfully crafted items

 

 

 

These beautifully detailed items are destined for an "upstairs" room in Netherton.

 

A couple of weeks ago I received another little package from Jonquil, this time for a "downstairs" room.

 

What do you think of these?    Aren't they marvellous?   Just look at the fine stitching on this little mob cap -

 



 

 

 

Not only did I receive the mob cap, but I am also the very proud owner of this beautiful gown -

 

 

Just look at all that fine detail -

 

 

These pearl buttons down the back are such a lovely touch

 

 

and here they are again on the cuffs.

 

 

I can't thank you enough Jonquil, they really are wonderful items and I'm honoured that you took the time to create them for me, especially when I know you are busy, busy in real life.

 

I have recently completed a servant's room in another property and was very tempted to put these items in that particular room but Netherton is such a grand property, only grand items (such as these) will do - even if they are for servants.   They will be servants of quality!

 

Thank you so much Jonquil, they are very much appreciated.    Irene x

 

 

*I hope you received my email, Jonquil.   If not, please let me know.   

 

 

 

 

The Dairy is done and dusted!

After much fiddling and faffing in this small space, I finally managed to put a front on the Dairy.   This was made of foamboard with wooden panels attached.     I'm pleased with the way it eventually turned out and even more pleased with the "chicken wire" at the windows.   That was just net sprayed silver and it worked really well.

 

 

 

A little shelf was added using cornice offcut and the hyacinth was pinched from another property to add a bit of life until a decision is made on something more permanent.   A light has still to be added, probably outside, and because it wont be possible to wire it in, I'll be giving the battery version a try for the first time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using my newly acquired whittling skills I created a milkmaid's yoke to add a bit more interest.   Luckily I found a RL one online complete with sizes  which made making one a whole lot easier.

 

 

I surprised myself with this little addition as, until I spotted the inspiration photo, a Dairy hadn't even been considered and best of all - it didn't cost me anything as all the bits were in the stash.   You can't get better than that!