Friday 1 March 2019

Close encounters and into the future

Well here I am again. I promised Janine I would try to post again soon so as not to forget what she had taught me. So here I am and it is already March here in Australia. I thought I would give you a close-up look at some of the components of my "boudoir". I mentioned that the round windows were made from the lids of yoghurt pots. The only hard part to these was painting them to look like sandstone.

Somehow I can't get these photos to go where I want them! But these are the before and after of the round windows.



These are the before and after of the front doors. I used a basic 4 panel glass door and boarded up all but one window on each door. I then used "puffy stickers" to embellish the door before it was painted. I found these fabulous stickers at the dollar store and of course they have never been available again. They are so easy to paint, cut, etc. I have used them extensively on the interior as well - painted gold.

This is the interior of the front doors. I used 4 mirrors to block out the windows and again used "puffy stickers", this time colouring them gold and adding some trim at the bottom from "gold" bangles found at thrift stores.
This is a close-up of slippers I made on 60 hpi silk canvas. I had done a cushion on 56 hpi so I thought 60 wouldn't be any more difficult. I was wrong. This will probably be the first and last on 60!

This is the arrangement I showed in the last post - I think it was cut off a bit then. I made most of these from tissue paper.


And now for the Future bit!
The Conservatory addition is coming along. Here is the floor, made from Contact paper (the sticky backed paper used for lining shelves, etc). I found it at our big hardware chain which is similar to Home Depot in North America. I was lucky enough to find it in white and black marble effect. It is so easy to use as there is a grid pattern drawn on the back to help with cutting. The floor grates ( which are not showing up in this photo) are pieces of a Chinese wooden fan. Not sure if they are for heating the conservatory or for drainage, but I thought they belonged! As with the boudoir, I am building the conservatory from 10mm. foam core and balsa wood.

Stay tuned for more on the conservatory. I hope to get much more done in the next week but a bathroom renovation (in RL) and a visit from the Canadian grandchildren for 2 weeks, may cramp my style a bit.
Thanks for visiting!

11 comments:

  1. How Wonderful Linda!!! :D
    I am so pleased to see another post of yours and also a little behind the scenes of how you composed your windows and doors but ESPECIALLY your new marble tiled floor!
    I can spot the floor grate and it fits right in!
    The flower arrangement and the embroidered slippers are also Great Favourites of mine as you already know, and I feel so proud to own not one; but 2 pairs of your Incredible needlework slippers along with your embroidered cushions which are Par Excellence!
    I hope that you show us your entire collection on your next post, since they are each one original and All So Beautiful!

    elizabeth

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  2. You are too kind my dear friend. My slippers and cushions made for you, are but a drop in the ocean compared to all the goodies you have given me! And your encouragement and generosity in sharing your ingenuity are definitely Par Excellent!

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  3. The use of the various apparently unconnected items, especially the yogurt pot tops, is pure genius. And for someone who keeps telling me they're no good at paint finishes that sandstone is pretty special!! And the tiled floor is amazing. The conservatory is going to look fabulous. (A side note to Elizabeth re Linda's cushions, my son put one under his microscope one day to look for flaws but couldn't find ANY - he said didn't believe it was were done by human hand but given that I know the very hands that stitched it I could assure him he was wrong. To say that he was impressed is an understatement!)

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    1. Ah shucks. You're giving me a swelled head! And you have given me so many goodies too! I think we're all in a mutual admiration society!

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  4. So many beautiful and amazing miniatures!!!
    Geneviève

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    1. Thank you Genevieve
      I am lucky to have been given so many treasures from friends and family and I do enjoy inventing things!

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  5. Hello linda,
    Yay, another post! I really love the creative way you went about creating he doors and windows, not to mention that gorgeous door. The marble floor is looking beautiful and I am very impressed by both the realistic flowers and the great arrangement.
    Big hug
    Giac
    N.B. Have fun with the grandchildren!

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    1. Thank you, Giac for your kind words re my creative efforts. I do wish I had some of your expertise when it comes to building. The conservatory is being built on a wing and a prayer and just happens as it goes along although I do have an image in my mind what I am aiming for.
      The grandchildren will enjoy being on the beach after a fairly cold Vancouver.
      Cheers, Linda

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  6. Hi Linda, I am so glad you have posted. You can consider yourself an “old hat” now and I hope will continue to post showing us the development of the conservatory.
    I think sometimes creating a look seems so difficult but when you show us what can be done with a plastic lid with the centre cut out it opens a whole new realm of possibility.
    There will be people searching for “puffy stickers” all over the world!
    I have not seen the right scale marble shelf paper you found but I have added it to my list of things I look for when I am out and about.
    I cannot tell you how much I admire the flowers you created. The first day I met you you gave me a couple of the peony’s. They are perfect..... let alone the slippers and cushions you have made especially for The French House and now the Swedish House.
    As you know our RL house is full of second son and family for the next three weeks. Instead of mini stuff there is an ongoing game of Monopoly on the coffee table and first granddaughter has taken over my workroom. So, all is well with our world!
    Glad to see you in Blogland and please post more ASAP.
    Hugs Janine

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    1. Hi Dear Friend, collaborator, instructor and inspiration!
      You are indeed an inspiration as you are so capable in so many fields. I appreciate your kind words as I know you have such a good eye.
      I will send some of the marble paper back with Kirsten if you would like. I have a LOT
      of it!

      Enjoy your "full house". I'm sure the grandchildren will. I wish them all good luck with their move.
      Hugs, LInda

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  7. Hi Linda! I am so glad you listened to Janine!!:) It is wonderful to see the creative use you made of such ordinary materials! I am very impressed by your ornate and gilded trims... sandstone too... all made from bits and pieces of "other" stuff! The results speak for themselves... they truly fool the eye! And the embroidery details are awesome!!! I must get back into the petit-point mode when I have done my blossoms. And speaking of blossoms.... Your bouquet is GORGEOUS! Just plain WOW! I am really looking forward to seeing the conservatory "grow" from bits of nothing! Please keep posting!!! :):)

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