Sunday, July 21, 2013

Long time, no speak.


Hello all,

Yes, it has been too long! Over two months since my last post, and what have I been up to you might ask? Painting pictures.....I have had a back log of commissions I needed to get through which have finally been completed. May and June are the months for many family Birthdays (including my own) so there have been quite a few gatherings and parties to organise and we have recently been away for a short break. All that being said, I haven't had the luxury of spare time for Blogging and I fear I have missed so much, my apologies to all my dear blog friends for not keeping up to date with your progress, I will do my best to catch up with you all soon.

I would also like to say a big warm welcome to my new followers, there have been quite a few since my last post and my apologies to you also for not being very interesting of late!

Now to miniatures. Whilst there hasn't been much blogging going on, miniatures have of course been close to my heart, I have actually been more active than you might assume...... would you believe me if I told you that I am in possession of two more Dollhouse's and and extra room box? All true in fact.....I am working on a room box with my 10 year old niece and because she loves miniatures so much (and my Dollhouse) I couldn't help but bid for one on ebay so that we might surprise her on her birthday coming up soon. It needs a bit of love and attention before we give it to her so I will post about that soon.  The other DH is for me.....yes I know, I'm not even half way through Ambrosia Place but it was under a jumble of clothes in a thrift store with a price tag of $40 and I couldn't just leave it there could I??? I am going to keep you in suspense and tell you about it another post as I have  much to show you today and I don't want to take up too much of you time.





Now you may recall some time ago the lovely Liduina had a give away which included her beautiful miniature artwork and I was fortunate enough to be one of the winners. It arrived shortly afterwards and I must say that on opening the delicate package the first word that came into my mind was excuisite. I have tried many times to photograph this beautiful painting and I can not seem to do it justice, the detail is beautiful and I love every tiny brush stroke. It is displayed above with my little kit table in a temporary frame, I intend to find something grander to frame it but for the purpose of showing you how beautifully it works in Ambrosia Place it did the trick. So thank you so much Liduina, it is a piece that will I will always cherish, it adds such a beautiful elegance to Ambrosia Place.




Just over a week ago I received a lovely surprise package in the mail from Andy he clearly had the twins room in mind when finding these beautiful items that fit so perfectly and have special sentimental attachments for me. Above you can see the beautiful saving grace BLUE rug, it does not have the slightest green tinge,(reference to previous post on disappointing green rug) and it works so well with the toning of the room, you can see it more clearly in one of the below photos. Also a  beautifully hand made book of Black Beauty, bound in a blue cover and complete with illustrations (you can see in the top photo) it's just the thing for story time in the big blue chair. Last but by no means least the perfect tub of coloured pencils and ruler, each one calved by hand and painted, I really must take a closer picture of them. Coloured pencils are not only perfect for any children's room but I love the fact that Andy chose them because of my artistic tendencies. They are also very special because one of my earliest memories was receiving a packet of Derwints for my 5th birthday, such a big deal to me even back then. Thank you Andy for thinking of me, not only will I treasure them because they are from you but because they are sentimental to my childhood.

I also received from David in the same package, a collection of his wonderful poems that I have been enjoying immensely along with some of his publications on Wagner. I have been developing a new appreciation for classical music thanks to David. For those of you who aren't aware Dr David Huckvale is an Author and lecturer at Cambridge University and a very talented writer. A special thanks to Iris (David's mother) for the lovely note and postcard of her own amazing work, the Huckvales are obviously a very talented family.


I have finally finished the interior of the Twins room and I am ready to decorate. Yay! This is the fun part for me. As you can see by the above photo the wallpaper,wainscot and cornices are done and let me tell you it was not without mishaps. I love the idea of using card stock to attach everything to before placing it but I had quite a problem with the card bowing after wallpapering with wp paste. I tried every thing to flatten it and finally resorted to spraying the back with water and placing under cling wrap and a ton of books on top, problem solved. Another complication was by my own foolish hand and all I will say is don't ever decide to make a quick adjustment after 2 glasses of wine.....unless of course you want your cut to look like a dogs hind leg....I will leave it at that but needless to say much patching up was required and if I don't tell you you may not notice. Don't ask me what the strange green alien lights are on the wainscot, they are not there in RL but something my camera decided to add.



Finally I will leave you with another shot of the bed time story, this is curtsey of Mia. Whilst she is too busy to work on her shop she still loves to come and have a little play. As I was packing up after photographing she sat beside me and placed Andy's rug and then Twiggy on top and I thought why didn't I think of that?? It looks so perfect, snap. She really gets a lot of enjoyment out of miniatures, she says she just likes to watch me do the work......well nothing new there!!

Just before I sign off I would like to mention the two beautiful little vases that have featured in some of my photos. I will show more detailed pictures another time as they deserve a post of their own but they are made by a lady named Margret Crosswell and sadly she does not have a website. The lamp I purchased from Kerry at The Doll House I think the little bird works so well with the chair, it had to come home with me.

If you have managed to get to the bottom and read every word I thank you for you dedication, it really was an epic but so much to catch up on. Don't be surprised if I make more than one post in a week.

Much Love to you all.

Fiona XXX

41 comments:

  1. Hi Fi!
    Welcome Back! Your new additions are Gorgeous!!! Andy's gifts are so thoughtful and Beautiful! That Black Beauty book is Gorgeous... one of my all time favorite stories! And the painting is gorgeous too... but I know what you mean about finding the right frame... not easy!!!
    The paneling looks lovely... I have not tried the method of attaching to mat boards... so I can't help with any hints! But it looks like you made it work. Your little bird lamp is Perfect! I sure hope you will do another post soon... the Teasers about Two other houses... Not Fair!!!
    Glad to see you have had some time for minis!

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    1. Hi Betsy,

      I must say it's good to be back! And thank you for all your lovely compliments and your Birthday wishes. I did have a lovely day.

      In reference to the high ceilings I do feel lucky they are so high but unfortunately the the next level up a a lot lower and I really should have thought out the room placements a bit better. Oh well....next house maybe....all though the ceiling heights are not good in that either.....more on that latter....; )

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  2. Quel plaisir de lire enfin un post de vous . Le tableau est magnifique .
    La couleur du tapis est parfaite . J aime beaucoup la lampe avec l'oiseau .
    C 'est très personnel , dans la vie , j aime beaucoup les motifs représentant des oiseaux sur du papier , de la porcelaine . J' aime aussi les cages à oiseaux .
    J ai hâte de lire vos prochains posts .

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    1. Salut Catherine,

      c'est tellement agréable de vous entendre.

      J'aime les oiseaux aussi, et j'espère ajouter un peu plus d'oiseaux à la décoration, ajoutent-ils une telle sensation autherial.

      étreintes, Fi XX

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  3. Привет!
    Замечательные подарки! Картина в раме смотрится великолепно!
    Очень реалистичные и красивые сцены!
    Татьяна

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    Replies
    1. Здравствуй,

      Спасибо за ваши прекрасные комплименты, это хорошо, что ты зайти.

      Fi xx

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  4. Hi Fi! Great to see you! Lovely work as always. A thrift store find, the best I say!! Look forward to seeing more! Carriexx

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    1. Thanks Carrie....; ) It's amazing what you find in the Salvos!

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  5. ¡Hola Fiona!

    ¡Qué bueno tenerte de vuelta en la blogosfera, se te echaba de menos! Estoy deseando ver tu nueva casa de muñecas, yo también soy adicto a ellas y ya tengo varias.

    ¡Un abrazo enorme!

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    1. Hola Pedrete,

      Es muy bueno saber de ti! Actualmente estoy tropezando con muchas Casas de muñecas. Es tan bueno ver a su hermosa colección en Pinterest. Muy inspirador!

      Grandes abrazos,
      Fi xx

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  6. Fi, welcome back! The twins' room is so cute, even empty - it's going to be just adorable.

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  7. Hi there Fi, I wondered where you were, thought you might be off on holiday or something. Love your finished room and I think Mia has an artistic eye too, the shot is lovely with Twiggy on the blue rug. Hope to see your new dolls houses soon.

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    1. Hi Margret, yes I did go AWOL for a while but back with a vengeance! All systems go!

      XX

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  8. Hello from Spain: I see these summer months you have many family celebrations. Congratulations on your birthday! I read that you are working in a room for your niece. Congratulations on your gifts. All your creations are beautiful. Keep in touch

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    1. Hi Marta, thanks for the Birthday wishes and I will pop over to see your work soon.

      XX

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  9. It was worth the wait! I have been staring at your wainscoting trying to figure out how to get them so nice. That blue color scheme is so pretty. The art work looks straight out of a gallery!

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    1. Yes, Luduina's work should be in a gallery...; )

      The wainscot is fairly basic actually, and I mean to say my technique is not as sophisticated as most others. I use balsa wood which is easy to cut, the 1.5 ml flat pieces are ideal and I use the long balsa sticks for the framing and just mitre them to the right size. The only time consuming part is measuring out the spacing.

      XX

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  10. Hi Fi.... Me again! I just wanted to say I LOVE the proportions of the Nursery room! The ceilings are so tall... not the usual Attic type of room! And the colors do look so restful!
    And I also wanted to say Happy Birthday!!! I am sure you enjoyed the day with your family!

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  11. Hi there Fi!! I have missed your posts, I am glad you are back!
    The painting of Luidina is stunning and you have framed it beautifully! Thanks for sharing the other beautiful pictures, you have some stunning miniatures in your dollshouse.
    Love that picture at the bottom, Mia has a good eye for scenes ;)!
    Lovingly, Ilona ttyl ;)!

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    Replies
    1. Hello my dear, it's good to be back!!

      Mia does have a great eye, hopefully she will put it to good use when she grows up.

      XX

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  12. Welcome back Fi... A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY from me XXX

    Lovely things from so many different people. I love miniature books how nice to have one that means something to you in RL. I think the twins room is going to be gorgeous (with or without alien green lights) :-)

    I read all the way to the end. I have missed your posts too.

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    1. Hi Catherine,

      Thanks for the Birthday wishes, and your encouragement, I'm very influenced by your beautiful settings.

      And thanks for reading to the bottom, the green lights are a bit weird, hopefully they wont turn up in the next shot or ill start to get worried!!!

      Fi xx

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  13. Dear Fiona, how good it is to hear from you again on Blogspot! I did not know you had your birthday lately...congratulations!!! Enjoy the precious gifts you received from Andy and David. (By the way; did you ever listen to Brahms, his Requiem? Utter beauty, brings me to tears!!)
    I love, love, love the way you framed my picture. It matches perfectly. And I am so happy to see it hanging there in your tiny house.....it could't have been in a better place.
    I admire the way you finished the interior of the twins room; it's lovely! And I am very curious about the other doll's houses you bought :D
    Many hugs, Liduina.

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    1. Hello my dear friend!!

      You know how thrilled I am with your painting, it looks so beautiful, it just needs a frame worthy which I am on the lookout for. And more posts soon about the other houses......I'm not sure which house to work on next!!

      xx

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  14. Hi honey
    Remember me!?
    Sorry I've not been in touch for so long, there is a lot to fill you in on!
    I love the twins room, the ceiling looks a good height, and the furniture is so evocative. I also really like the new blog layout.
    Only a short message sorry but wanted to say hi xxx

    (I lost your email address sorry, my account was not only hacked, but closed too!! My new email is:
    simonlwilliams@fsmail.net
    Lots of love

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    1. Hey YOU!!

      So good to hear from you, glad you said hi!! We have both been missing in action! Ceilings heights are good but sadly not so good next level up!

      I will drop you a line soon.

      XXX

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  15. Hello Fi! Glad that you are back in the blogspot, once again! Your twins room a beautiful color and the new rug has made you happy! It is funny how time seems to work things out after all. Your big puppy 'Twiggy' looks perfectly content and right at home on that carpet and the blue book of Black Beauty is a Wonderful addition to the 'Storytime' chair and the wonderful ambiance that you have created with just these few key pieces! I am Looking forward to the Great Unveiling of the Mystery House and what is to be done with it. Happy Birthday, Fi and thank you for the gifts of you marvelous talents!

    elizabeth

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    1. Hi Elizabeth,
      you are too kind! I'm looking forward to posting about the new house, I just have to be careful not to get distracted from Ambrosia Place.

      Ill be popping over to see what you've been up to soon.

      ML Fi xx

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  16. Hi Fi,
    welcome back my friend, we missed you!
    Cannot stand real life getting in the way of miniatures...I hope the commissions went well! The room is beautiful. So soft and cheery. I love the floors and the molding around the room is perfect! Andy and David are wonderful chaps! What beautiful treasures they have sent and also great choice of painting from Liduina's give away. Mia also seems to have incredible mini-sense..the picture is lovely.
    Big hug Fi, and don't stay away too long.
    Giac

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    1. Hi Giac,

      Thank you for your encouragement my dear man!

      You will be happy to know miniatures are getting in the way of real life!! Now that I have 3 Dollhouses in the house I am tripping over them!! I am working on my niece's one down stairs and I have made a heck of a mess!!

      ML Fi xx

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  17. I absolutely love your floor! How did you do it? It looks perfectly amazing!

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    1. Hi Fiber,

      It was fairly straight forward. My brother cut pine board strips to size with his machine. Then I cut a pice of card stock to the size of the room, placed all the pieces to fit on the card stock, stuck them down, then I stained them with a mix of Burnt umber and Raw umber diluted with Windsor and newton Liquin and slid them into place when dry.

      Fi x

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  18. It's great to hear from you, Fi! Thanks for the blog visit and lovely comment too! Everything looks so elegant--it's a real pleasure to visit your blog. I'm so excited to see your thrift store dollhouse--that's how I love to find them. Cupcake Cottage was one, in fact. I'm looking forward to more posts now that you're back. xo Jennifer

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    1. Hi Jennifer,

      More posts coming up soon. Just been working on my nieces Dollhouse.

      ML Fi xx

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  19. Hello Fi,
    So good to see a post from you --my you have been busy! You sure received some gorgeous things. That painting is so pretty and is perfect in Ambrosia Place, as are the items from Andy. I would love to see the look on your niece's face when she receives her first dollhouse from her sweet Auntie Fi! And I had to laugh about your comment regarding the horrors that can ensue by mixing miniatures with wine! (Been there)! Looking forward to seeing more of you this week...
    XOXO,
    John

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  20. Hello my lovely,

    Yes I'm looking forward to seeing her face too. I have just been working on it, her birthday is in a week so I need to get cracking. I'm planing on a red door.....I think every little girls gotta love a red door on a dollhouse??

    Stayed clear of the Vino this time though....; )

    ML Fi xx

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  21. Hi. You'r photos, not to mention the miniatures, are fabulous. You can create a wonderful cosy atmosphere in them. I've just found your blog and I love it.

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  22. Good to see you back Fi! I too have been very tardy in the blogsphere so it's nice to know I'm not the only one.

    You've chosen a really delicate paper for this room - it's lovely and I certainly can't see any wine induced mishaps. Love the floor too.

    It must have been lovely to open Andy's parcel with all those lovely items - each one obviously chosen with thought and I love the look on that dog's face!

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