Porch post

After the weekend's trip to see Ann from Victorian Dollhouses, and extra roof beams ordered cut and in the mail to me (thanks to the amazing Karen at JWT Dollshouses and Miniatures), things are definitely looking up on my HBS Creatin' Contest build..

 So much so that I ventured into the next step: building the pergolas for the sides.

 The first trial is bodged together with bits from the kit that I don't think I'll be using, just to get an idea of size.

Ideally, I think the pergolas should be double the width, so my writers can sit outside when it's raining without getting wet, and even move their desk onto it on fine days, if they feel like a change of scene.*

I also cut down the centre wall to fit and was most chuffed to find that my dodgy cutting isn't so obvious when the wall's in place.

Speaking of chuffed, I returned from my weekly digital sabbath to find this in my inbox:

(*While looking at this picture of the sliding door frame installed without the doors, I suddenly saw a future version of the build with the pergolas covered in and turned into a tiny bathroom and kitchenette area. Oh dear. I'd better forget that idea as quickly as I thought of it...)

#HBSCreatinContest2015 

A bit of this (and a bit of that)

I'm gathering the pieces for Buzz Bar Cafe, the second build Goulburn Regional Art Gallery want in their What's in the toybox exhibition later this month. It makes me think it's a good thing I used to enjoy playing the memory game as a child...

The HBS Creatin' Contest build windows are getting their top coat.

As part of an Etsy challenge I'm currently doing, I've been photographing my hand-knitted pouffes to list in my Etsy shop.

I caught up with a friend I haven't seen for ages over breakfast at The Cupping Room: somewhere I've been wanting to go since the announcement that the World Barista Champion works there.

And now I'm exhausted, and just want to have an afternoon nap...

 (except I have too many things to do).

 #HBSCreatinContest2015 

The (miniature) week that was...

It's been a bit quiet on the blog front around here, but that doesn't mean nothing has been going on. To start with, I've been spending my blogging time this week on sorting out and cleaning up back-end stuff, which is boring but worthwhile.

More excitingly, I received a package from Lundby Australia, which contained a range of goodies from their new Smaland 2015 range:

 I'd only asked for the new bluetooth stereo, to review for the next issue of The tiny Times, so was surprised and delighted to receive the added extras. I feel a blog post about which pieces work in 1/12 scale coming on, but first I need to share my excitement at being able to play music in your dolls' house:

 

I took a quick video just after I unpacked it, using the only house I had wired up, and the only track on my phone:

(Also on the list of things to do: make a better video, outlining how it works)

But first, I need to finish preparing new stock for my stall at the AMEA Convention:

and do some more work on my Etsy shop, which has something in it for the first time since I opened it eight years ago (thanks to The Etsy Courage Challenge for the kick in the bum and the reminder that 'done is better than perfect'.) 

All of this means that there's been nothing done on any of my Finish it off Friday projects at all this month...*sigh*