Overdue update.....

I inadvertently forgot to wish my blog Happy Birthday on 4 December.   It's now 17 years old!!! 

Over the years I've written a grand total of 1840 posts, which yields an average of 108 a year.  Of course that isn't a true reflection of how regularly I posted.  The zenith was in 2009 when I penned 284.  The nadir was last year, when I managed a paltry 21, although I can most definitely plead mitigating circumstances. 

It's fascinating to do a 'lucky dip' and choose a post at random to re-visit.  Many of them involved Small Dog in some way, and those were the ones I had most fun with.  Way back in 2006 I was just about to embark on the build of a wonderful toy shop, and in the intervening years I've documented lots of different projects.

I've been remodelling La Mignonette over the past 6 months, and haven't posted about that at all, which is an omission I should correct.  I will have to search out the before, during and after photos and write a proper update.

I also have a lovely little 1/24th scale shop, which has been in kit form since it was gifted to me more years ago than I care to admit, which I fully intend to get to grips with over the winter months, as it's been languishing for far too long.   So watch this space!

I think I can feel some planning lists coming on..... 😉

Toy Dolls for Sale....

During summer, before the Advent Box madness began, I made some little toy dolls which are now available to buy. 

SOLD

Amelia is dressed in soft shades of dusky pink and green.  Her jacket is sprigged with rosebuds over a tiered pleated silk dress.  She wears a matching silk bonnet, trimmed with feathers and silk buds & bows and stands unsupported. She comes in a bespoke tissue-lined box with illustrated lid.

Bella £60

Bella wears a pale blue and green patterned silk jacket over a pleated silk and lace dress. Her jaunty hat is trimmed with braid and silk buds and bows.  She stands unsupported and comes in a bespoke tissue-lined box with illustrated lid.

Primrose £60

Primrose wears a primrose yellow silk dress, trimmed with lace and silk bows.  She has a pretty tipped hat decorated with braid and silk buds and bows trim.  She stands unsupported and comes in a bespoke tissue-lined box with illustrated lid.

SOLD

Rosalie wears a rosebud sprigged dress in shades of pink, over a tiered pleated silk dress decorated with silk bows. She has a dainty hat trimmed with braid and silk buds and bows. Standing unsupported she comes in a bespoke, tissue-lined box with illustrated lid.

Christmas Minis Box £12

I also have a few pot luck Christmas minis boxes.  Each contains a porcelain toy, a set of 3 vintage Christmas wooden picture blocks, a set of 3 vintage litho-style rocking toys and a Christmas book.  

To reserve any of these, use the contact form on the right.  P&P will be charged at cost.  

Advent Box....SOLD OUT!!!!

Whoa!!!  That was intense!

All of my 2023 Advent Boxes are now sold out.  Thanks to you all.

Now comes the job of packaging and starting to get them into the post..... later this week.

Meanwhile.... my mood in a Small Dog picture.

It's almost time...!!! 2023 Advent Box ...#8

After almost 3 months, my Advent Box is now ready and the first few are packaged and ready to go.

I will be sending out an email tomorrow afternoon, Sunday 5 November) at 4pm BST, with details.  PLEASE read the email before clicking 'reply' as it will contain details of cost, P&P and payment methods.  As I no longer have a business PayPal account I have a preferred method of payment so do make sure you read through before requesting a box.

Last year demand totally outstripped supply and I know many people were disappointed, however, once again my boxes will be offered on a 'first come, first served' basis, this time with advance warning of the email.

I also have four little dressed toy dolls available, which I will list here early next week, as well as just a few little Christmas boxes with a selection of tiny toys.  Again, I will list them here next week when the dust has settled.   I am happy to combine postage on any of these with an Advent Box. 

If you are hoping to reserve an Advent Box tomorrow, GOOD LUCK! 

2023 Advent Box ...#7

 

Eeeek.... the countdown timer ran down yesterday while I was in a mad flurry of activity.  At times recently I've wondered if I'd ever be able to get my Advent Box finished, particularly as I've been in and out of hospital over the past 6 weeks for an existing condition which flares up from time to time, especially when I'm under stress.

Go figure. 

However, today, I finally completed the last few kits.  Granted my workroom looks like a small thermonuclear device has detonated, and I have absolutely NO CLUE where anything is, BUT...... they're all done.

Now I have to package them all into their little Christmassy bags, and affix their Advent numbers, which will take another few days.  I've ordered the postal boxes which should arrive by Monday but, unbelievably, I'm on the home straight.

I showed PP the results of my labours earlier and she made me promise, on pain of imminent death, that I will never, ever, do this again.  And I gave my solemn promise. 

So.... stand by for the release of my final Advent Box.

Further details will follow this weekend......

2023 Advent Box ...#6

 

Currently multitasking like a mad woman.  I know I won't be able to get everything done and ready to despatch in the next 10 days but I'm tentatively hopeful that by the end of the first week in November I'll be good to go.  All the remaining kits are under construction and I want this final Advent Box to be the best so I'm definitely going the extra mile.

It hasn't helped that one of the items just wasn't working so I've changed tack completely and started again from scratch on that kit, which has definitely put me back a few days, especially as there will be more elements in the kit which I'm going to have to make but it was definitely the right decision as the replacement is going to be far better and I'm much happier with it.

Right.... best go and get on then! 

. 

2023 Advent Box ...#5

I've been a bit lax with Advent Box updates lately, but in my defence I've been quite poorly and juggling multiple hospital visits for scans and tests.  As a result, my deadline of having all the boxes ready to despatch by 1st November is definitely going to slip, possibly by up to 2 weeks.  

That said, so far, I've managed to design, make and package 17 sets of kits, and the remaining 8 are all in progress, although I've left the hardest ones till last so they will take longer than most of the others. 

Last year's theme was Fairy Tales.  This year's theme is, of course, a closely guarded secret. Well, to be fair, there are two closely linked themes, with a few tangential kits thrown in.  It will include a 'structure.' Also, this year I'm including 2 doll projects, neither of which have ever been available as kits.

The growing collection of completed kits is pleasing, and knowing I have just 8 sets to complete is satisfying.  Of course it doesn't stop there.  I'll have to decide on the daily sequence of kits, conceal them in their stealth packaging, and number each one.  It's only then I'll be able to finalise what size mailing box I'll need and order them.

I now have 78 people on my 'interested' list, which is brilliant.  However, I will have a grand total of 25 Advent Boxes available, so unfortunately, not everyone will be successful.  Last year I produced 20 full scale 25-day boxes, which was a major undertaking.  The additional 5 this year may not sound like much, but it's an extra 125 kits, on top of the existing 500.  A total of 625 kits, and I've designed and made every single one of them. 

One thing I can say for absolutely certain sure.  This is definitely my final Advent Box ever. 

I'm all boxed out.  But I'm finally on the home straight.

So when I package the final kit, you'll likely hear a whoop of victory, closely followed by the sound of a bottle of something cold and fizzy being popped.  

Can't wait.....

  

2023 Advent Box ...#4

Scene: Sandra's craft room.  Every flat surface is covered in boxes of kit components.  The table is piled high with assorted prototype 'structures' in various shapes and sizes.  A second folding table has been drafted in to help with the overflow of kits already packaged and those in production.

Sandra is struggling with a recalcitrant structure, trying to hold four different pieces together while glue dries.

A small furry presence wavers into view.

Sandra:*frantically* Ah, Small Dog.  Just the dog I'm looking for.  Could you put your paw here please and hold this bit in place?

SD:*incredulously* Whott?!?!?  Ar yue kwite mad?

SD waves a paw over the bit in question, passing right through it.

Me:*apologetically* Ah.  Sorry SD.  Didn't think....

SD settles down on the only clear space on the floor and looks expectantly at Sandra.

SD:*questioningly*  So.  This is another fine mess you've got yourself into.

Me:*belligerently* Yes.  Yes I know. Bite me.

SD: *raised eyebrow* Yue kno veri wel ai kant.  

Me:*smiling* Hmm... bet you wish you could though.  Might jolt some sense into me.  Anyhow, it's too late now.  The die is cast and there's no way but to go through it.

SD:*looking around the room* Itts goen wel then?

Me:*exasperatedly* No. Of course it's not. What on earth was I thinking? I swore up, down and sideways last year, that I would never, ever, under any circumstances, EVER do another Advent Box.  

SD:*opening her mouth*

Me:*interrupting* DON'T SAY ANYTHING!  I know you told me not to.  I know you said it was madness.  I know all that.  If only I'd listened.

SD*smugly* Aim knott goen to sai itt.  But I did yue kno.......

She fades away, her smirking smile hovering in the air like a small dog version of the Cheshire Cat. 

2023 Advent Box ...#3

 

Eeeek!  According to my 'friendly' countdown timer, which is becoming less and less friendly by the day, there's just over 7 weeks to go to complete my Advent Boxes.

Progress update you say?  

Wellllll.... so far I've completed 7 kits, and am well underway with another 3.   I'm also currently working on the designs of a further 5 kits and waiting for supplies for several more, so I think I'm more or less on schedule.

However, a problem has arisen which might put the kibosh on the whole enterprise.  Not to give anything away, but I had planned to include a 'structure' in this year's Advent Box, and spent ages over the summer sourcing exactly the right thing and placing an order.  Unfortunately it was out of stock, but I was assured that it would be available by the end of September.  Fast forward to now, and on Friday I requested an update on a potential delivery date to discover that it had been pushed back by well over a month, which would take me into November.  And even then the delivery couldn't be guaranteed before Christmas. 

Cue much wailing and gnashing of teeth.  Should I press on with my current plan or completely reconsider that element?  It's really integral to the theme of the entire thing though, and I've already put together several elements of the kit to accompany it.

Could I design something similar and produce it myself?  Possibly... although I'm already going to be pushed for time and having to design and produce the structural element is a whole different proposition.  

However, I've spent the weekend trying to think of ways to achieve something similar, without having to spend a fortune on materials and I think I might have found a way to do it.  I'm going to have to massively simplify the construction but I think it just might work. 

Nothing is ever straightforward and I may have gone a step too far, but by the end of this week, I'm tentatively hopeful that I may have a working prototype.  

So, watch this space.....  😉 

2023 Advent Box ...#2

Today is all about lists.  I have so many lists I'm going to need another list to keep track of all the lists. I also to draft a realistic schedule to keep to.  I have a long, distinguished history of making a brilliant, early start on projects then resting on my laurels until a deadline approaches and panicking like crazy.

However, if there's one thing I learnt from doing this last year (and trust me, there's MANY) it's to keep track of stuff.  It was all a bit chaotic back then, and although I'm relatively good at multitasking I ended up spinning so many metaphorical plates that inevitably several of them ended up in pieces.

So... this time.  Lists.

• Mailing list of people who want details.  If that's you, HELLO! *waving*
• List of individual kit ideas (this is constantly changing at the moment)
• List of components I already have, or can make myself
• List of components I'll have to source or buy
• List of packaging... bags and boxes 

That last list is a doozer.  Last year I miscalculated and ending up having to order additional paper bags several times.  And yes, it has to be paper bags in order to conceal the contents of each one so that there's a surprise every day.  I made all the number stickers last time and will do so again, not least because most sets of advent stickers are numbered 1-24 but as I include a special kit for Christmas Day itself, I need 1-25.

Also, this year, I'm going to need a bigger box! I managed to fit last year's 25 kits in a standard A5 mailing box, but I'll definitely have to find something bigger and deeper this time. 

😉

2023 Advent Box...#1

Well..... that escalated quickly!  

I sent out an email on Monday afternoon, to gauge interest in the idea of a 2023 Advent Box, and within a few minutes my laptop was pinging fit to bust with messages coming in requesting to go on my list for further details.  

To say I'm flabbergasted is an understatement, and to be honest the response has been overwhelming.  So many lovely messages, some from people who have been customers since I first started my miniature doll business, over 35 years ago.  

I've decided to hit the ground running, and have therefore put a countdown timer on my computer desktop.  The boxes all need to be completed and ready to go on sale by 1 November to allow for delivery by 1 December, especially for international mailings so I need to run to a fairly strict timetable, given the breadth and scope of the boxes.  So here I am, on a hot August day, working towards an Advent box for December and yes, it does feel weird.

Last year's box was largely based on a Fairy Tale theme.  This year's will also have a theme, but as it's a closely guarded secret I can't divulge any details.  However, I can reveal that today I have completed packaging the first kit... EEEEK!!!

This is both A Good Thing, and A Bad Thing.  It's good because I've actually started, and as an ace procrastinator that's a major achievement.  It's bad because this will likely lull me into a false sense of security, thinking I have loads of time and how difficult can it be to get all the individual kits ready on time.  However, last year, it all went right to the line and afterwards I had to lie down in a darkened room for a fortnight.  That was a cautionary experience, and I'm determined to pace myself this time.  I have to admit that I'm having enormous fun planning and designing everything, and new ideas keep cropping up all the time, so I may be in the fortunate position of being able to pick and choose, rather than worrying about not having enough.

I'll post regularly about progress over the coming months, and might even drop the odd teaser/hint/clue along the way, so if you've expressed an interest, please drop your email address in the 'Get New Posts By Email' box and hit the Subscribe button, (it's at the top of the column on the right hand side) so you don't miss anything. 

And in the meantime......

The die is cast....

As you know, I've been musing on the idea of designing an Advent Box for this Christmas.  Since I posted about it last month, I've been vacillating all over the show.... 

Scene: Sandra's craft room.  She is surrounded by notebooks and scraps of paper, littered with jottings and is deep in thought at her laptop.  A small furry presence materialises on her lap, and settles down.

Me:*distractedly* Oh, hello SD.  I was hoping you'd appear.  I could do with a bit of advice.

SD:*pointedly* Wel yes.  Ai eckspeckt yue do. Whott is itt this tym?

Me:*carefully* Well..... I'm wondering whether or not to do another Advent Box type thing for this Christmas and I...

SD:*interrupting*  THISS KRISMUS???  Muurm, ar yue kompleetlie madd?  Thatts onlie aitey three dais!!!

Me:*defensively* Yes.  Yes, I know.  But....

SD:*emphatically*  Thatts undr twelv weaks.  Yule nevir doo itt!

Me:*deflatedly* I'm sure I could.  Just wondering if I should though..... *tailing off*

SD:*patiently* Aim lissening....

Me:*deliberately*  Ok.  So there are pros and cons.  On one hand, it's a LOT of work, but it's really fun to plan.  Also I'm sure I've slipped off people's radar, so there might not be any interest. However last year's box was a rip-roaring success and sold out in less than an hour.  I'm supposed to be retired but I do miss work and more than that, I miss coming up with an idea and figuring out how to make it work.

SD:*interestedly* Hmmm..... and du yue hav an ideer?

Me:*warily* Well yes... as a matter of fact I do have an idea.

SD:*probingly* And wil itt wurk?

Me:*hesitantly*  I think so.  I have a vision of how it will all look when it's finished and it's completely amazing.  It's a vignette.

SD*bamboozledly* A veengnett???  Whott on erth is thatt?

Me:*gingerly* It's sort of a small scene, made up of different components but complete in itself.   The Advent Box would contain all the kits necessary to make the finished vignette.

SD:*thoughfully*  Ai suppoas thatt wude wurk.  Kan yue tel me whott itt iss?

Me*confidentially* Well it's a secret... like last year's box contents, but I could whisper it to you...

*whisper whisper whisper*

SD:*astonishedly* WOW!  Thatt sownds amaizen!  Espeshullie the bitt with.... yue kno.

Me*happily* Thank you SD.  Yes I thought you'd like that bit. 

SD*gently* Itt duz sownd liek an owful lott of wurk tho.  Ar yue shure yue kan manij itt in the tyme?

Me:*warily*  I think so.  I've started making lists and planning stuff for it.  Just need to send out an email to gauge the level of interest.  There might be no replies though.

SD:*emphatically*  Onlie wun wai to fined owt.  Ai thinc yue shude go fore itt.

Me*appreciatively* Oh, thank you SD.  Ok then.... I will.  You are such wise little dog.

SD, smiling all over her furry little face, slowly fades away, and Sandra returns to her research and list-making....

To be continued.....

The hoarder next door....

For the past few days, all of my makeover projects have been in abeyance as we have friends coming over for dinner and a sleepover therefore the state of the house has become an urgent priority.

The main issue is the dining room, which, as always, has performed the function of storage unit for the past few months, containing...

• Spare stuff from when we sold our little caravan.
• Spare stuff from when we bought the campervan.
• Spare stuff from when I sold my workroom storage units.
• All the stuff needed for the downstairs cloakroom makeover.
• All the stuff we can't usually find a place for but which can't be got rid of.
• Literally, the new kitchen sink which arrived in a massive, hulking, great box.

I don't know if you ever watch The Hoarder Next Door on TV.  Any time I've seen it I've smugly thought to myself that at least we don't have any rooms in the house which are THAT bad.   However, to my endless mortification, I have to admit, that recently, the dining room has reached those proportions.

I know I'm prone to exaggeration for comic effect but honestly, I couldn't even bear to look at it.  Admittedly I did go in there a few times (well, just inside the door) to assess the scale of the project, and moved a few things around in a desultory fashion.... a bit like stirring a very chunky soup.... but within a short time I simply lost the will to live and beat a hasty retreat, closing the door firmly behind me.

However, with guests coming, I had no choice.  If we were to dine in the actual dining room then I had to just knuckle down and get on with it. 

Scene:  Door of the dining room.  Sandra is preparing to attempt an assault on the South Col of the dining room, a risky and dangerous mission to reach the summit via the glacial tabletop and treacherous north face of the Box Mountain.  As she fastens her crampons, adjusts her goggles and tests her safety rope, as small furry presence materialises at her feet.

Me:*briskly* Oh, hello SD.  I was hoping you'd appear!

SD: *incredulously*  MUMMMM.... whot AR yue doen?!

Me:*limbering up* I have to tidy the dining room.  We've got friends coming to dinner.

SD:*disbelievingly* Kant yue eet owtside?  Ai meen.... just LUKE att it!

Me:*stretching hamstrings* 'Fraid not... weather forecast isn't good so we need the dining room.

SD: *splutteringly* Butt.... itts goen too taik yue aijes.  Posiblie munths.  Ther kude be ENITHING hiden in thair.

Me: *stretching triceps* Well, yes.  I expect there'll be spiders.  There are always spiders.  

SD: *forcefully* Spydurs ar the veri leest of itt.  Aim thinken tygrs!  Lyons! Woolvs!

Me: *hesitantly* Oh don't exaggerate SD. There's no way there could be anything like that in there.

SD:*raised eyebrow*

Me:*falteringly* That's just silly.  Isn't it?  I mean, there couldn't be anything really dangerous, could there?

SD:*placatingly* Probablie knott.  Orl aim sayen is a elifant kude hyde in thair and yude nevir kno.

Me:*appraisingly* Well.... yes, now that you mention it. There is an awful lot of stuff.  Perhaps I'm not adequately prepared for such an undertaking.  Maybe I'll have a think about it and make a start tomorrow.

SD:*encouragingly* Ecksillint eyedeer.  Ai thinc yue shude go and hav a larj geeantee and relacks.  

Me:*gratefully* What a good plan SD.  I honestly don't know what I'd do without your support and sage counsel.

SD smiles and gradually fades away....

Thinking aloud.....

I think I'm just starting to get the hang of this retirement thing, but I have to admit that I do miss the cut and thrust of 'internashunal bizness'.   However, I still have a small supply of little undressed dolls, and lots of lovely fabrics, ribbons and trimmings so I'm planning on making a few dressed dolls soon, just to keep my hand in.  I've been revisiting my 'doll ideas' boards on Pinterest and have started a new little notebook to jot down ideas.   La Mignonette has been seriously denuded of little dolls, as many of the ones I made specially for it have now been sold, so I need to replenish its stock over the coming months.

I'm also musing on offering some sort of Christmas kit this year.... not a full scale, all-singing, all-dancing 25 kit Advent Box like I did last year, from which I still haven't fully recovered... but perhaps a 12-day box of numbered kits, which will make up into a little miniature vignette.  I've already started garnering ideas, some of which are clearly unworkable, but the germ of a plan is beginning to form so I'll see how it goes.  I'd need to have a working prototype completed by the beginning of September if I'm to have time to work up a complete set of kits in time for the end of November.

If I do pull it off there will only be 10 kit boxes available as I can't face the many weeks of work involved in making more.  I may also produce one new festive-themed toy doll kit later in the year, as I'm having serious withdrawal symptoms from all things Mignonette.

So with just 24 weeks till Christmas (!?!?!) I'd better get my thinking cap on....

La Mignonette makeover.... Part 2

Long time readers of this nonsense blog will know that my usual modus operandii is most accurately illustrated by this....

Therefore nobody is more surprised than me that I'm positively galloping along with my La Mignonette makeover.

A few weeks ago I set up its new home in my new craft room.

As it's basically a corner shop, it's only fitting that it sits in a corner, so I used a Kallax double cube unit on its end, with a storage box in the base for bits and pieces related to the build.

With the empty shop in situ on the unit, I glued two walls in place to form the back of the top floor.  I had already wallpapered all the interior walls and painted the exterior walls.

Having painted and decorated the wall units, I installed light bulbs in the top of each section.  I had never tidied all the wires leading to the plug sockets on the back of the building, so I took several hours to cut them all to length and re-fit the plugs, so that there are now no trailing wires at the back.  As there are 15 individual light fittings over the three floors I had to install an additional socket strip, which, of course, meant having to have an extra transformer.

Here are the wall units in place on the new top floor.....  I'm going to have the fronts of each floor fully removeable, to give better access to the rooms, but I'm debating whether to add some additional structural support at the fronts in the shape of 2 columns, to help support the ceilings/roof.

I've decided that the the exterior of the top floor looks a bit bare and nondescript.  I'm going to make curtains for all three windows, nevertheless, the frontage is lacking a certain je ne sais quoi.  So I'm going to add open shutters to the two side windows, and an elaborate pediment to the large central window.

Still more finishing touches to complete, but overall I'm pleased with progress and can now turn my attention to the interiors.

To be continued....

La Mignonette Makeover.... Part 1

I'm taking a few days off from ALL the other makeover projects to concentrate on taking a run at my La Mignonette building works.  I'm quite literally 'raising the roof' to add another storey on top of the existing shop and workshop/doll's hospital, in order to accommodate all the lovely dolls, toys and games from my erstwhile day nursery roombox.

Fortunately I never glued the mansard roof onto the top, otherwise this damn fine plan would have fallen at the first hurdle.  So far I've painted the exterior walls and wallpapered the interior walls prior to the actual build.  One of the bugbears of the upper storey kit is the slablike front wall so I just had to put a window in.  On the first floor of La Mignonette, Mlle Emilie's workroom, I installed French doors leading out onto a little balcony.  On the second floor I've opted for quite a large window, which will have railings along the front, mirroring the balcony and windows on the first floor, hopefully tying the overall Frenchified design together.   

I don't have curtains on any of the other windows so I'm going to go to town on the new top floor and will make some opulent silk curtains, with swags and drapes, and tasselled tie-backs. 

As this room is going to showcase my large collection of tiny toys and games, I decided to put shelved units all along two walls, and as I want to colour coordinate them to the decor, I opted for bare wood shelving units with removeable/adjustable shelving.   I've used this type of shelving in many different projects and never had any issues before, but not this time.

You would think, wouldn't you, that the whole point of having removeable shelving is that you can actually remove the shelving so you can adjust them?  Every other display shelf like this I've bought before had little wooden strips between each section of shelving, which were attached with double sided sticky tape, so that they could easily pop off, so that the shelves could be slid out.

For some reason now though, some bright spark in the design team has decided that those wooden strips should be GLUED down.

With HEAVY DUTY INDUSTRIAL GLUE!

Which meant that prising them off took big chunks out of the shelves AND the strips.   I am beyond incensed.   What should have been a 5 minute job, taking out the shelves, turned into a marathon session requiring a screwdriver, craft knife and small hammer.

And swearing.

LOTS of swearing.

I came close, several times, to throwing the whole bally lot out the window.

When I'd finally prised off the wooden strips, I then had to make good the damage.  Shaving off chunks of glued, splintered wood, from both the display units and the strips.  Which, obviously, didn't improve my mood any.

So I have four of these.  The one on the left shows the original unit, with the three wooden strips in situ.  On the right, after about an hour of cursing, is a unit with the sodding strips ripped off, followed by meticulous shaving and sanding to remove all the glued/splintered chunks of wood. 

In the past I've replaced the acrylic shelves with wooden ones, but I might just paint the acrylic ones as I'm losing the will to live with the whole thing.

To be continued.....

Campervan Makeover.... Part 3

I had an exciting delivery today.  I've been avidly following it's progress all the way from Santa Cruz, via Los Gatos, San Jose, Carson and Los Angeles International Airport... thence to Heathrow,  Coventry (?!) to its delivery today. 

You never quite know exactly what you're going to get when you order something online but it was an understatement to say I was delighted with my purchase.  

I'm aiming for an exotic, boho vibe in the campervan and had been looking for a suitable fabric for curtains, cushions and, most importantly, bunting for weeks.  I had a particular yen for a small paisley print fabric, but couldn't find anything which ticked all my boxes.  It had to be 100% cotton, a small print and available in several different colours.

Paisley is an ornamental design which consists of curved teardrop shapes.  The form is of Persian origin but the textile design, cramming many of them into a rich pattern is Indian.  The English name for the patterns derives from the town of Paisley in the west of Scotland, a centre  for textiles where paisley designs were produced.   So also a nod to the land of my birth.

When I finally found this fabric on Etsy I couldn't believe my luck, especially as it was available in 16 colours, neatly fulfilling my brief.

Naturally I couldn't wait to get started and immediately abandoned what I was doing (clearing the dining room actually) and set about preparing to create completely unique bunting.

Scene: Sandra's craft room. She is surrounded by a cornucopia of colourful fabrics, and sits, head bowed, sewing some tiny silver bells onto the first bunting flag.  As she quietly curses, as small furry presence materialises on her lap.

Me:*sighing* Oh hello SD.  Am I pleased to see YOU!

SD:*nodding* Yess.  Ai eckspeckt yue ar.  Whott AR yue doen?

Me:*faintly* What does it look like?  I'm making bunting of course.

SD:*questioningly*  Bye hand?

Me:*teeth gritted* No. Not by hand.  I am using the sewing machine to stitch the fabric flags but these bells and tassels need to be hand sewn.

SD:*incredulously* Tassils?  Bells? 

Me:*combatatively* Yes.  HANDMADE tassels.

SD:*speechless* Yure MAKEN the TASSILS?  Ar yue kompleetlie madd?  Yue kan bye them on Eebai for a fue pens eetch.

Me:*deflatedly* Yes.  I know.  I don't know what I was thinking.  Except Ebay tassels are paltry things and the colours are all bold and brassy.  If I make them myself I can match then EXACTLY to the colours of the bunting flags.  They'll look much classier.

SD:*speculatively* Hmm.... and hows thatt goen?

Me:*verging on tears* It's not.  It took me nearly an hour to make the first tassel and that's not including sewing it on to the flag and adding the bells.  At this rate the bunting will be finished sometime in 2026. 

SD:*encouragingly* Butt itt dose luke fantastick.  Orl kompleetlie handmayd... veri impresiv.

Me:*falteringly* Thanks SD.  I will get quicker. Just need to get the hang of the tassels.  They're tricksy little buggers I can tell you.

SD:*reassuringly* Aim shure yue will.  Doant evin wurrie. Yule sune be maken tassils liek theres kno twomorow.   Butt ar the tinie silvur bels reeli nessessarie?

Me:*weakly* No.  Not in the slightest.  Just thought they added a quirky boho 'je ne sais quoi'

SD:*thoughtfully* Hmmm.  Aim shure yore rite.  Kwirkie and bohoe... deffinitlie the wai to go. Aill lett yue gett on then.

Me:*rallying* Thanks for the encouragement SD.  I'll crack on then.  

SD gradually fades away and after a few moments, Sandra blows her nose and resumes her labours. 

To be continued......

Craftroom Makeover.... Part 4 +

The title more accurately should have read Craftroom Makeover Part 4 in conjunction with La Mignonette Makeover Part 1 but that makes me sound more than ordinarily crazy so....

In line with recent trials and tribulations, this morning I decided to get on with painting the wall in the craft room, reasoning that it would probably only take an hour and be another thing usefully ticked off my burgeoning To Do lists.

So I got out all the decorating stuff.... dust sheets, paint trays, brushes, rollers, and the 10 year old tin of paint.  True to expectations, when I finally jemmied the lid off, the sludge inside was a shade of snot green.  No amount of mixing, sieving or swearing could convince it to return to its original lovely shade of blue so in the end I decided to cut my losses and head off to B&Q for another tin.  

After sitting in a broiling hot car for 45 minutes on a journey that should have taken only 10 due, to ongoing road works on my chosen route, I arrived at the hardware store, sweaty and disgruntled and set about finding the paint amongst eleventy aisles containing every paint known to man (or woman).  Naturally, after 10 years, they'd changed the appearance of the container, and added another half dozen finishes, of which matt was not one.  I wandered up and down each aisle several times, trailing a little basket on wheels, scanning shelf after shelf for my preferred colour and finish.  I finally found it right at the back of a bottom shelf, which necessitated my getting down on my hands and knees and crawling in to fish it out.  That was the easier part.  Getting back out and upright again was more of a challenge.  After a bit of huffing and puffing I managed to reverse out, covered in cobwebs and dust.  I knelt on all fours for a minute or two to catch my breath and get my bearings, then set about working out how to get up. If I'd had a proper shipping trolley I might have been OK, but the flimsy little basket on wheels just didn't cut it.  I briefly contemplated hauling myself up on the shelving but the thought of pulling it over onto myself along with several hundred heavy paint containers, causing certain instant death, didn't much appeal.  

I knelt there for a little while trying to work out a strategy, all the while hoping that some kind person would come along to whom I could appeal for help.  Strangely, although some people did start down the aisle, when they saw a little old lady on her hands and knees on the floor, perspiring profusely and uttering entirely unladylike words, they thought better of it and turned tail.  Eventually, by building several different height towers of paint cans and using them to aid pushing myself up from the floor, I was able to get perpendicular, where a sudden bout of dizziness forced me to sit down on the closest pile of paint cans for a few minutes to regain my composure.  All in all, an extremely undignified and unpleasant episode which I don't care to repeat any time soon.

By the time I got back home, by a different, quicket route, PP was getting ready to deploy a search party but I was in no mood for discussion on the whys and wherefores of my extended absence.  Several hours later, the wall is painted, but it's looking a bit patchy so I'll let it dry overnight and re-assess things tomorrow.  

I also had a bit of a brainwave to make the adding of an additional storey onto La Mignonette a 'two birds with one stone' thingamajig'.

Because I'd had paint left over from painting the room back when I was building La Mignonette, and because I loved the colour so much, I used it to paint the exterior.  The new top floor has to match so I had a sudden flash of inspiration and decided to roller paint the exterior walls in their unassembled kit form state. 

Brilliant or what?

So, tomorrow I can give them a second coat and won't need to paint them when the top floor is assembled. 

All in all, not the best of days but small progress has been made so I'll take that as a win.

Campervan makeover.... Part 2

I've spend many hours over the past week (while I SHOULD have been doing other things) working on the campervan.   Making new covers for the six seat cushions and backs took all of THREE DAYS.  

This is what the original cushions looked like....

So.... sort of dung coloured, with stripes of corpse grey, enlivened with patches of bleargh beige.  Just not my thing AT ALL.

Here's what the same cushion looks like now....

It took me a l-o-n-g time to select that particular shade of blue out of eleventy different hues.  It's called hyacinth... not my usual go-to sky blue, but I wanted something a bit deeper and bluer.  The fabric is a polar fleece and really quite cheap.  It's washable, which is a bonus too.  

Having completed the seat cushions I then turned my attention to jooshjing up the kitchen area, which hitherto had an expanse of beige melamine at the end.

I found some very cheap (£1.50 for 10!!!) stick-on tiles from SHEIN.  Due to the price and the provenance I honestly wasn't expecting very much, but when they arrived I was pleasantly surprised, as the colours were vibrant and they felt quite good quality.

I have to admit that tiling, in all its forms, is not my forte.  However, as these tiles could easily be cut with scissors or a craft knife I felt cautiously optimistic that I could do a reasonable job.

It would have been immeasurably easier if there had been a single straight, plumb line in the entire van, and I quickly discovered that I would have to go off piste and play it by ear.  Admittedly there was a modicum of indecorous language and at points I seriously questioned why I'd ever started, but after several hours I'd achieved this....

After much deliberation I decided to go with a random tile pattern, rather than a predictable repeating one, which I felt really wasn't in the spirit of a quirky little van. 

Have you ANY idea how difficult it is to do random?  I had to work really hard to avoid repeats in rows and/or columns.  Despite that, I'm sure a few have slipped in but overall I'm pleased with how it's turned out.  

Now I have to wait for the lovely, quirky fabrics  for the curtains, small cushions and bunting to arrive. USPS informs me that

Your item arrived at our USPS facility in SAN JOSE CA DISTRIBUTION CENTER on June 2, 2023 at 9:23 pm. The item is currently in transit to the destination.

Since then I've heard nothing, so whether it's still languishing in San Jose, or is already winging its way over the Atlantic I have no idea.  

I've also made this to go on a little felt notice board on the cab bulkhead....

OK, so it's a traditional VW campervan, totally unlike ours, but it was the only campervan template I could find so it will have to do. 

Meanwhile, debate continues on a name for her.  I favour Florrie but PP is unsure.  

So.... lots of work but I'm pleased with how she's looking so far.  

Mayhem ² ........

I'm beginning to think that retirement has sent me a little bit mad.  It's as if I'm terrified of having nothing to do so I plan a frankly ridiculous set of projects in order to keep myself occupied.  The downside of that admittedly unhinged strategy is that I've ended up engaged in multiple time consuming projects, all at the same time, and, predictably, mayhem has ensued.

Currently in progress I have:

• Workroom makeover - progress stalled.  I've finished building the wall unit and have filled it with stuff, but there still appears to be more stuff banked up against the walls, awaiting sorting and storing.  I got all the painting things out in order to paint the wall where the run of base units were, and they're all in a pile on their own.
• Cloakroom refurb - progress stalled.  There are various holes which need to be filled, but some of the fixtures need to be removed and replaced which will leave more holes so until that's done there's no point in filling the existing holes.  All the painting stuff is in the workroom next door so when all the holes have been filled I can paint the walls, which won't take long as the room is tiny.  Then I can hang the new prints, put up the new fixtures, including a new mirror and make a new window blind.  Fabric still to be decided.
• Campervan upcycle - progress stalled.  I spent all day yesterday and a goodly chunk of today installing the sticker tiles.  That exercise merits a blog post all of its own.  I've also recovered all of the seat cushions.  Now awaiting the lovely fabrics from the US, which are currently in transit.  When they arrive I can then make the curtains and bunting, which will mostly complete the transformation.

So while these three projects are temporarily stalled I'm having a little rest I've started on yet another project, adding another storey to La Mignonette for the contents of my lovely day nursery, as I'm selling the roombox.

The room box is just a tad too big for my newly re-organised craft room and I've been vacillating over what to do with it.  During the makeover I moved both La Mignonette and the roombox into the dining room, toying with the idea of simply putting the shop on top of the box.  But the disparity in sizes just didn't look right.  Then I had a sudden brainwave... I've never fixed the roof of La Mignonette in place to give me access to the electrics, so if the upper storey is still available as a kit I could simply add it above the existing shop and put the roof on top.  A quick, frantic Google revealed that the kit was still available, and even better, it was heavily discounted.  The box has been sitting in a corner of the craft room for several weeks now, but with the current hiatus in my other projects, I decided that today was a good day to get it out and do a quick dry build to familiarise myself with the construction.

Of course, I'll have to Frenchify it.  I added French doors and a balcony to the first storey of La Mignonette but for the top floor I'll have a single window in the blank angled front wall instead, which will mean cutting out a window-sized rectangle from the MDF.  Not my favourite job so I might have to enlist the help of PP who is a bit of a whizz with stuff like that.  I won't have the exterior steps up to the door either, so I've blocked off the doorway with a piece of foamboard. 

Internally I'll have two walls given over to floor to ceiling shelving units, to display my large collection of miniature toys and games.  Obviously I'll also have lighting and a cosy fireplace.  I'm hoping I still have some of the paint I used, but I'll have to make more of the quoin stones and get another piece of railings for the windows.  Other than that I still have all of the furnishing from the day nursery so minimal additional expense.

I'm really rather pleased with my flash of inspiration, as the corner shop has a reasonably small footprint and will sit nicely in the corner by the window.   However I do need some bits and pieces before I can proceed with the build.... wallpaper, lights, flooring etc.

This is the kit I used for La Mignonette... Parts 1 & 2

Quick dry build to check dimensions etc.

 

My lovely room box which has been featured in The Doll's House Magazine is now available for sale... you can view the details HERE

Campervan Makeover.... Part 1

No, I haven't misspelled the post title, and you haven't missed a post.  Neither have I had a bang to the head, although it does sometimes feel like it.

Despite being in the throes of a makeover in the newly designated craft room, and still dealing with the aftermath of the cloakroom refurbishment, we bought a little campervan a few weeks ago, before we had even sold the caravan.  For 10 days our drive looked like a temporary campsite, with the caravan, campervan, two cars plus my step-daughter's little campervan too.  Dog knows what the neighbours thought was going on. 

However, we have since sold our lovely caravan to a very nice couple although we both shed a tear as it disappeared down the road.

The replacement 'new to us' campervan is a bit tatty in places and the interior is unrelentingly boringly bland and beige so I don't quite love it yet.  We've had to have the handbrake fixed as it wouldn't hold on our admittedly steeply sloping drive, and on our first trip out last weekend the tap in the bathroom was leaking lots.   Undeterred, we dismantled the sink and found the source of the leak and managed a temporary fix, which we've now sorted permanently yesterday.  

However, it was a bargain, has everything we need (and some things we don't) has quite low mileage and I've just embarked on a major makeover of the interior to do away with the beige and introduce some much needed colour and joie de vivre.

It was a self-build conversion project by the previous owner, rather than a factory-fitted van, so I don't feel the slightest bit constrained in terms of what is permissible.  We've already stripped out some of the extraneous, surplus-to-requirements fixtures and fittings, both in order to reduce the weight and fuel consumption, and streamline the storage. 

Yesterday I started making new cushion covers for the seat base and back cushions and avoided near catastrophe when PP casually mentioned that they were all different sizes.  I'd measured one pair, assuming that they'd all be the same, as they look broadly similar, but they are indeed all different.  Cue instant panic as I'd only ordered enough fabric for my incorrect measurements but fortunately I'd measured the largest ones so I will have some fabric left over.  This is a much happier state of affairs than not having enough.

I've also been trawling the internet since we got the camper to find some lovely fabrics for the curtains and small cushions, as well, of course, as strings of colourful bunting.  Finally, two days ago I found the most gorgeous 100% cotton paisley print fabric in a range of mouthwatering colours which fulfills the brief and is amazingly inexpensive.  The downside is the seller is in California so it will cost me an arm and a leg (and possibly a kidney) for international shipping and probably import tax when it arrives.  I'm just awaiting confirmation of the shipping cost which will likely give me a fit of the vapours but it will be worth it.

I've also found some gorgeous stick-on tiles for the kitchen area, which I'll start to tackle after the seat cushion covers are finished.  The tiles can be cut with scissors so I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll be able to trim them to fit around curved edges, plug sockets etc.  I've got enough to use some in the bathroom too, to brighten it up a bit.

I've bought new floor mats to replace the black/brown/beige ones currently in situ, which should also enliven the floor.

My ultimate aim is to the have the most colourful, quirkiest, bunting festooned little campervan on a campsite anywhere in the UK.

Before and after photos will follow in due course......

Craftroom Makeover.... Part 3

Bang on schedule yesterday, the lady who bought my two base units and worktop turned up to collect them.  Unfortunately they wouldn't all fit in their car so they had to make two trips, but after an hour or so they'd gone, leaving an empty space, lots of dust, webs and a small colony of desiccated wood lice.  Predictably, as there was no air circulation behind the units, there are small patches of discolouration on the wall which haven't come off with cleaning.   So I had to rummage around in the shed to see if we had any of the original paint leftover, from 10 years ago. 

Fortunately, as we never throw out such things, there is the tail end of a large tin of paint which I can hopefully use to touch up the walls, although as it's been up the shed for a decade it might be a bit past its best.  Cue a frantic Google session to see if it was still available, which, thankfully, it is.

I'd been planning to make a start today, but we have two plumbers in, currently dismantling the cloakroom next to my workroom, so I can't easily get in and out around huge toolboxes and assorted plumbing paraphernalia, so it will have to wait till later in the week.

However, now that the units and run of worktop have gone, I have a bit of a conundrum.  I had planned to put the new wall unit on the same wall vacated by the base units, but it would also fit on the other wall, opposite the windows.  So I'm not sure where to put it.  I'll have to assemble it in situ, on the floor in the room and try it against each wall to see which looks best.   

In the meantime, there's nothing I can do today.  I can't get into the workroom anyway, and the whole of the ground floor is in complete chaos so I may as well use the time constructively to do some more planning.

By which I mean another lengthy Pinterest session...

Craft room makeover planning....Part 2

There's been a lot going on lately, but in amongst it all I've managed to gradually clear out the cupboards in the workroom and list them for sale.  All being well they're being picked up on Monday.

They've been in situ since my last makeover 10 years ago so I expect that the wall behind might be in a sorry state.  At the very least there will be a spider graveyard and 10 years worth of dust.  The new wall storage unit is being delivered next Thursday, and I'm hoping that my rusty flat pack skills hold up to assembling it over the course of a few days. 

However, in the meantime there's the small matter of a plumber coming in on Tuesday to refurb our downstairs cloakroom and fit a new kitchen sink.  My reasoning, such as it was, was that if the house was going to be a mess it may as well be a PROPER full-on, all-singing, all-dancing, unholy guddle. 

While browsing for ideas today, I came across this.....

... so obviously, the newly re-designated craft room is going to be my growlery.

Scene: Sandra is combing the internet for quirky ideas.  A small furry presence materialises on her lap.

Me:*affectionately* Oh hello SD.  I somehow thought you might show up today.

SD:*happily* Wel off korse!  Ar yue maken a growullery?

Me:*brightly* Yes.  Yes I am.  Just looking for ideas.

SD:*focussing on the laptop screen* Ai kan hellp yue.  Ai kno a LOTT abowt growillen.

Me:*smiling* Hmm... yes, I remember. 

SD:*warming to her theme* Growillen is veri impoartint. Itt signiffys yore stait of mined and warrns thatt yue mite gett bitey.

Me:*agreeably* Absolutely SD. 

SD:*questioningly* And yue kneed a speshul room fore thatt?  Ai kude do itt eniwhair.

Me:*firmly* Well, not exactly, no.  But I'd really like one.  It has a certain ring don't you think... a growlery?

SD:*nodding* Absewlootlie.   So.... Pintrest then?

Me: *nodding* Yep.... let's do this.

Scene fades as Sandra and Small Dog's ethereal form settle down companionably for a spell of 'Pintrestin'

Craft room makeover planning....Part 1

Although it's been sunny today, it's been too cold to do much more on the patio project so I've been assessing what to do in my newly re-designated craft room.  It's a lovely, bright, sunny room but it's quite small so there's a definite limit to what I can achieve.

At the moment I have a long run of kitchen base units topped with a worktop along the back wall, plus my lovely upcycled bureau cabinet which is flanked by two matching painted tall bookshelves.  There are also two other bookshelves and my drop-leaf work table.   Quite a lot of furniture for such a small room.  I did used to have a tub chair in there too, which Small Dog immediately commandeered,  but that's now taken up residence in the dining room, freeing up a bit more floor space.

I want to get rid of the run of kitchen base units and replace them with a wall storage unit with individual cubby holes.  IKEA do one which is perfect and has a range of doors and drawers to fit in the cubby holes.  I can also lose the two bookshelves, as my books will fit in the wall unit.  The bookshelves can then be redeployed in one of the spare bedrooms.  

However, inevitably there has to be a complicated series of moves and counter moves before I can even think of progressing with my plan and as with most house-based makeover projects, it involves clearing the dining room which is once again performing as a storage unit for all the stuff from our caravan which is currently for sale.  The table is piled high with an assortment of caravan/camping stuff, as well as the floor space all around.... I can hardly even get through the doors to be honest.

So, I have a 10-point plan, which entails:

1. In the dining room, sort through all the camping stuff, decide what we want to keep and what can go, in order to clear the space.

2. In the workroom, empty the bookshelves and base units and move the stuff I want to keep through to the dining room.

3. Move the table into the dining room to completely clear the floor space in the craft room.

4. With the room mostly empty, apart from my bureau cabinet, CLEAN ALL THE THINGS!

5. While the deep clean is in progress, order the wall unit and storage boxes for same.

6. Build flat-pack wall unit in situ.

7. Install storage boxes, doors, drawers etc in wall unit.

8. Move all the stuff back into the room, storing it NEATLY in new wall unit.

9. Replace drop-leaf table.

10. Lay exhausted on floor in newly refurbished craft room with a glass of something suitably chilled within reach.