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.

The Study

Well, at last (now that the paint issue has been resolved) I have finally finished The Study.   It's a decent sized space measuring 16" x 16" x 91/2" (40.64 x 40.64 x 24.13 cms).

Here's a wee reminder of what it looked like the last time I posted.

As mentioned previously, the owner of this space has a very keen interest in all things Egyptian hence the two figures on either side of his fireplace.    There is also a small framed camel rug on the chimney breast.

His black suite was made by me as were the cushions

In the corner,  but missing from the above photo, there is a book on architectural paintings by  (Joseph Nash)

In the right hand corner there hangs a print of a recent Egyptian trip and below is his most recent purchase and something he's terribly proud of - his gramophone and some records!

Further down on the right hand wall there is his desk which contains letters, documents, some cash and a sheet of (period correct) stamps.    (There are a further six drawers in this desk that could be filled but three is as far as I got in terms of what to put there!)

I think the pen set warrants a closer look (purchased from Miniatura some time ago) and the stamp collection is a marvellous creation showing (if you look in the magnifying glass) a close up of the stamp beneath.

On the coffee table there is of course the obligatory wine and cigars and a Dateman book on Egypt.

The "fourth wall" of the room holds a drinks cabinet which will have contents once I manage to track down bottles small enough to fit!

Meet the Ancestor

Thank you for all your lovely comments to my previous post and a very warm welcome to anyone who is new to the blog.    It's lovely to have you here and I hope you like what you see.

Quite some time ago I purchased a barewood cabinet but didn't really have anywhere suitable for it.   I just bought it because I liked it.   It lived in the stash for some time until recently and I now have the perfect place for it - the Gentleman's Study in Netherton.

I think it's a EuroMinis piece and offers lots of possibilities.

The first job was to get it varnished.    Unfortunately I was too intent on getting all the accessories into this piece that I didn't take a photo of it empty!    Never mind, onward!

Meet James McCulloch (1841 - 1893)

One of three brothers, Master Flesher (Butcher), Freeman of the City of Glasgow 1884 and spouse's Great Grandfather.

His picture presides over our dining room table and because he's perfect for date, I've added his portrait to The Study in Netherton.    The cabinet for this room had the perfect place for a copy of his portrait.

To help with the accessorising of my properties I like to give the residents a little story.   Nothing major or detailed, just enough to narrow down purchases and help with décor etc.   So, the owner of Netherton is an MP with an interest in all things Egyptian.    He collects stamps, is an avid reader and has recently purchased a very sophisticated item - a Gramaphone!

As an aspiring MP, he has to be in possession of a Government Red Box

Hopefully this post will keep things ticking over while I carry on with the rest of the Study now that I've sorted out the elusive paint colour.

Some Hallway and Morning Room Tweaks

Unfortunately, there is still no progress with the paint required to deal with the lower part of the wall in the Drawing Room.   I have hunted high and low, in shops and online for a colour that will match the stripey paper in this room.   So.……...I am going to have a go at mixing my own.   This is not my forte!   I've never mixed paint before but my sister has.    She managed to crack the colour but has only created a very small amount.    Given the number of sample pots and tubes of paint I have in my stash there must be what I need to mix what I need so that's my next step.   What have I got to lose?

Whilst going through all this paint angst I decided I wasn't very happy with the Hall.   It wasn't terribly welcoming and as Netherton is not a grand Stately Home, more a homely Town House I decided to give it, and the Morning Room, a little tweak.

Upper Hall before -

Upper Hall after with the addition of a couple of chairs by Alison Davies and a rug from Dream Home Miniatures

 Lower Hall before -

Lower Hall after with the radiator cabinets removed from the back and replaced with chairs (Etsy purchase), the paintings were replaced with two larger ones (York Fair purchase), the half moon tables were swapped for two slightly larger tables from Art of Mini which gave me a little more space for display items, namely a photo and Post Box (made by me) to the left and a tray with mail and telephone on the right.

I did, after my last post on the Hall eventually manage to find a suitable rug but it was a tad too big.   Every time I closed the main house door, the Vestibule attached to it scrunched up the carpet so I removed a piece from said rug, following the pattern, and now it's a perfect fit and colour match.   I'm much happier with the overall look now.

Before -

After -

I also gave the Morning Room a bit of a tweak too.   Again, it felt as though there was something missing.   Something to make it just a bit cosier so I added a couple of bits -

The lid on the piano has been lowered and a fringed throw added along with a vase of flowers, some framed photos and a candelabra.    I also added a throw to the back of the sofa.    Not big changes, but I'm happier with this room now.

What? Christmas already?

When I was trying to come up with a name for this blog at it's inception I wanted it to include any smaller project I embarked on alongside the Netherton project - hence "Small & Stately".   I'm afraid there hasn't been much "Small" lately but now...………….yes, there is a small project happening.

We have little people in our family now and they are of an age where they now "get" Christmas.   So, I thought it was about time I embarked on a Christmas Room Box, something I've been itching to do for years.    Probably more for me than them!!

I've always liked a particular Dolls House Emporium box which is unfortunately no longer available but I managed to purchase two from Ebay quite some time ago and they've been languishing in the attic every since.   Until now, that is!

This is what I've got to work with -

The previous owner had already scraped off any paper and décor previously used but the uprights and part of the frame came apart while it was stored.    Fortunately it is a simple job to put everything back in place and add the acrylic.

So far I've papered and fitted carpet but of course I couldn't resist having a little play.   Since then, I've been to the York Miniature Fair and managed to pick up a good selection of Xmas bits to add.

Work has now progressed with the room box and it is finally finished and on display for the little people.

*Please excuse the quality of the pics - I am no photographer!   More "aim and fire".

I'd also like to wish all my followers a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!