Well, progress has slowed somewhat, but that's to be expected, especially since I'm using popsickle sticks for tongue-and-groove siding . . . which means I have to cut off the ends. My hand aches, my back aches and I'm just about up-to-here with popsickle sticks. I will, however, perservere as I like the way it's turning out.



I cut two windows out on the sides to match up with the sides of the original house. They won't exactly match all the other windows on the house, but at least I was able to make new trim with my handy Dremel.





I also closed in a doorway on the main level. This is where I will build a false wall and add a curved staircase. I have it all figured out in my head . . . if it actually works will be a miracle!





My biggest challenge so far has been figuring out the turet which hangs over the front porch. I was originally going to use the roof off of a bird house I found at Micheal's, but it just didn't cut it. The height and angles were all wrong.






That's when I brought in the BIG GUNS . . . BRIAN!! He helped me figure out all the angles, et cetera. When he started talking the square root of this equals the length of that . . . I threw up my hands in horror and begged him just to give me the final tally. Math, my dears, is not my strong point . . . it frightens me!

So, in the end, this is what it looks like . . . keep in mind . . . it's nowhere near complete. This is a mockup made out of foam core.








So progress is slow . . . that and the fact that the Beacon Hill was bellowing for it's doors! Enough, she said!! How come THAT house is getting all the attention when I'm not even finished yet! What nerve! I cowered my head in shame (what else could I do?) and spent the day today putting in doors. They turned out pretty fabulous! I'll post pictures in my Beacon Hill gallery later.

I also had to go and buy new pink paint. I started painting the trim, but the pink I had just wasn't right. I think I've finally got the right color and tone. At least I think I do . . . .

Today is Monday and it's cleaning and laundry day . . . blah, blah, blah! I got most everything done except for washing the floors, that can wait until tomorrow! I have a doll house screaming up at me from the dungeon!

I spent about an hour this afternoon figuring out the first bash. I figure this house is going to get at least 3 or 4 of them. I'll figure them out as I go. Scary . . . very scary!

This first bash involves creating a door from the tower that steps out onto a balcony. Here's what I created.

A picture of the existing tower (you can see there are supposed to be French doors here. It's a shame to loose them, but it needs to be done).



Here's what I created (basically a three sided box with a roof).



And here's what it looks like . . . for now anyway.






A picture of what it will look like with a door (this door is actually destined for the Beacon Hill).




I went this evening and bought some supplies. I want to be ready for tomorrow afternoon! I bought craft sticks to use as the clapboard siding, paint and a dandy little mitre box and saw! I love mini tools!



Tomorrow I will start by siding and painting between the left side of the house and the balcony extension. Once I glue the extension to the house, there will be no way to get in there, so best get it done now.

Stay tuned!

I woke up Sunday morning determined that this was going to be the day that I started on the Rutherford. I climbed out of bed in anticipation of what was to come. I let out the dogs, woke the birds, fed the birds, played with the birds, preened Bijou and ate breakfast. Pretty much a normal morning around here! LOL!! Once everyone was ready for private time and with everyone situated, I headed down to the basement eagerly. There she was waiting for me . . . it's about bloody well time, she said!

This is what she looked like when I started this morning.




I was a little hesitant in starting out because I hadn't built in over a year, but once I got into it it all came flooding back. Just follow the directions! LOL!! I punched out pieces, glued and taped . . . and glued and taped. I wish I had stock in masking tape (although it would probably be down right now anyway!).

The first thing I did was to widen the doorway from the entry hall to the room on the left side of the house. There are only two rooms on the first floor of Pippi's house . . . a kitchen and a parlor.



I also added in an extra window on the second floor to try and match up this side of the house with Pippi's house.



Now, building in that second floor staircase was a nightmare! It had to be built in place from bottom to top. By the time I was done my back hurt and I had a crook in my neck. It was also about 11:00 p.m. so it was definitely time for bed. All in all it was worth it because this staircase is really neat!



So, by the end of the day, this is what she looked like.







Not too bad for a day's work!

A couple notes of interest:

I had bought a really cute puzzle that I wanted Brian to put together for me. He's the master of puzzlers!! I thought it would take him about a week or so to put together a 550 piece puzzle . . . but no! It took him about 3 - 4 hours. So much for spending quality time together! Anyway, here's a picture of the puzzle. I'm going to hang it on the wall directly in front of my work table so I have something nice to look at while I'm down in the dungeon.



And here are my babies! They're such good company! Not much help, but good company! LOL!!





That's it for now!

Well, this is the first entry for what I'm sure will be a long, long blog. I set up the basement on the weekend and am preparing to start building Villa Villekula (aka the Rutherford) in which Pippi and her gang will live in. Pippi herself should be arriving, I'm hoping, in May or June so she'll have to camp out at either Pennethorne Manor or Madame Riaboushka's for awhile. I don't think the mice have any room for her as they're cramped as it is. They would not be amused! I highly doubt Hyacinth or Mother Goose would put up with her for long either since they're both neat freaks! I just don't need the hassle! LOL!!

Here's a picture of what I'm hoping it will all turn out like in the end . . . wish me luck!

Thumper is all set to go out into the big wide world! Her Heidi Ott travel trunk arrived the other day and we've packed it full with some of her favorite things: her blankie, her favorite book (The Secret Garden), her carrot, chocolate bars, and of course her passport and boarding passes. We're going to the bank this week to get her some spending money too!

She will be heading out on Monday, September 17th to Steve's in Pennsylvania. Steve will do his magic and then send her on her way to her next host.

Thumper is very excited to travel to Sweden to meet Anna and New Zealand to meet Glen's daughter, Kavita. She will also be traveling to Canada to visit with Susanne. She will be traveling across the United States to visit with Jennifer, Esther, Irene, Teresa and Jennifer.

It's not too late if you'd like to get into the fun . . . you have until Saturday, September 15th to PM me with your information!

Signing off for now!

Thumper's list.


Thumper is packed and ready to hit the bunny trail! Passport and boarding pass in hand!


One last picture at home.


Thumper waiting at the mailbox for the postman!

Coming soon to a Blog near you!

The wicker bedroom furniture arrived yesterday! Wendy did an awesome job . . . it's just beautiful!










Okay, so now I have to finish the mouldings and start acquiring accessories!

Today, however, I'm getting that paperclay done if it kills me!

As of April 7th the shingling is done! Yippee!! I was going to have Brian shingle the top of the roof as well, but we decided it would be better to paperclay it and give it an old asphalt/tar kind of look. So that's what I'll do. I'm also going to paperclay the chimney and foundation. Should have that done by the end of the week.

Front of house



Side



Back edges too!



I also finished wallpapering Madame's boudoir and added new carpeting from a fabric sample book that I snarfed from Sharon at the Chicago Mini Show.



In the parlor, I've added a few new accessories I purchased from the Chicago Show. I bought the lamp from Mr. K. I had to add the plug at the end of the wire . . . I was so relieved that it worked!





Well, that brings me up-to-date! I'm waiting on the bedroom wicker furniture from Wendy and will get the paperclay done this week. I also have some trim work left to do and then I think this baby is all wrapped up! Except of course, for the never-ending addition of accessories!

Ever have one of those days when everything is going just great . . . the priming went quicker than anticipated, the lighting went it smoothly, the wallpaper went in fairly easily and quickly . . . and then it happens . . . you run out of wallpaper!! Ughhhhhhh!!

Well, the wallpaper is on order and should be here this week . . . and then I can get the room done. I put the upholstry fabric in that I was planning to use as carpeting, but I'm not sure I like it for this room. I may have to look for something else. After the Chicago mini-show next week, I'm going to take a couple of days and get all the drapery done. Hopefully, Brian will get all the shingling done while I'm away, so that will just leave the paperclay foundation left to do on the exterior.

Do you find as a project is coming near the end, your mind starts wondering to the next project? Focus, Teresa, focus!

Just a note on the ceiling here . . . as this is technically an attic room and the fireplace chimney was supposed to run up the middle of it, the room really didn't have a ceiling. So, I had Brian cut out a piece of 1/8" plywood to size, put in my light fixture and then glued it up to the inside edges of the roof. It worked like a charm. I'm toying with the idea of making a tray ceiling, but I don't know . . . I'll have to work on that one.

Here is a picture of the ceiling with the light fixture cord running along the top of it.



I glued the ceiling in and then ran the cord along the corner of the wall down to the floor where the tape wire is and made the connection.

These are pictures of the wallpaper progress. I got all the alcoves done and the right wall . . . that's where I ran out of wallpaper!



This is the upholstry fabric I was planning on using as carpeting . . .




A view of the back of the house.



Will keep you posted as I near the completion of 'Madame Riaboushka's Ballet School'!

Oh, one more note . . . I HATE the bathroom set I bought for this house . . . I'm in the process of looking for something a little more dainty and feminine!

Well, not much progress has been made since my last entry . . . except for some furniture for the kitchen and parlor! I just love Reutter Porzellan and was so excited to get the kitchen cabinet vignette. It's a little long for the wall, but I'll solve that by putting in a smaller door.

Today I decided to work on getting Madame's boudoir done. So far I've got the priming done! Once it dries I'll put in the ceiling panel, lighting and wallpaper. Then I'll carpet the floor and it will be ready for Wendy's wicker furniture that I have on order! I am so excited about this room coming together . . . it's going to be so pretty!

The room before priming . . .



The ceiling panel . . .



The room after priming . . .




Here's a picture of the furniture that Wendy made for Madame's boudoir! It's so lovely!



I received my new shingles on Monday and Brian started work on them. So far he's got the left side done and we're loving it! I'm hoping he'll get it all done this weekend!



Well, that brings you up to date! I'm off to do the lighting and wallpapering and will hopefully be able to upload those pictures later tonight!