The Dollhouse Resolution

There are a lot of balls to juggle, as of late. As I mentioned in my last blog, I am working on launching my machine embroidery business. I feel progress is good in that area. I have come up with a name, E' Bellish, ordered business cards, reserved URLs for a website and am filling out the small business applications for the city, while working on getting up to speed on the software I need to know.

Meanwhile, my brother-in-law, who has a little B&B in France is having problems with the company who has been providing info on his B&B, as well as setting up reservations. So he asked if I can make a website for his property. I have not designed a website from top-to-bottom in over 5 years, so I am suspecting I will be a bit rusty. Just to be clear, I am not complaining, I just need to share a bit of the chaos. *grin*

I have had to really cut back on my crafty stuff, which is really rough, but realistic if I am going to successfully launch E' Bellish. So Sunday I block as my day of relaxation and give myself permission to just play. Yesterday I chose to spend some quality time on my dollhouse, which I have talked about in past blogs.

Rewiring was done for the electrical and I was able to get the lights to work! Woohoo! So I re-wallpapered the kitchen and re-did the trim around the window in the kitchen.

Then I added the baseboard trim downstairs. Finally I was able to decorate with all the goodies I have been collecting for the last 10 years. Some of the items in the house were made by me. Many were made by very skilled artisans in the world of miniatures.

For instance, I assembled and upholstered the arm chair on the left, but the beautiful needlework on the footstool was done by my friend Jo Berbiglia. She used a single strand of silk floss and her work is amazing. The clock on the wall was made by a man in Spain, unfortunately, I can't recall his name, but his work is stunning. And the spinning wheel was made by another friend in our miniature group, named Al Cushman. By the way, please think good thoughts for him. He is elderly and is in the hospital for severe pneumonia.

In the kitchen, the sink was made by a pair of ladies who specialize in kitchen items. Their business is called Hammer and Smith. The stove is just regular dollhouse stock that you can find from most dollhouse shops. My favorite part is collecting all the details that turns it from a house to a home.

And I especially like vintage kitchen goodies. I can almost smell the cinnamon!  The table I also assembled and painted. The drawer really opens and closes.

I think it was Tasha Tudor, the artist and writer, who really got me into the joy and imagination a dollhouse can bring.

I want it to be a place I would want to live, with tea and sewing next to my comfy chair, the ticking of the family clock and the warm glow of a fireplace.

Well it is Monday now, and time to get back to responsibilities, work and chores. I hope you have enjoyed the little tour of the downstairs of my dollhouse and I wish you happiness and contentment till next we chat.
 

Comments

[Joyce]

Hi Jane~
I have just finished reading all of your posts about your dollhouse and the work you have been doing to rehab it! I am so impressed with your skills and abilities! In my basement sits a dollhouse that my father built for my daughter when she was 7 or 8 (she is 37 now). It has been unloved and neglected for so long, although it has survived several moves between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Some shingles and some clapboards have come off and I have no idea where the furniture is (It wasn't good stuff)but you are inspiring me to take off the sheet that covers it and try my hand at restoration. Everything you've done you've done meticulously and you can see the house becoming a home. I especially love the wing chair, (my favorite style)ottoman and kitchen table and of course, all of the tiny accessories! Thank you for sharing the progress with us Jane. I am really enjoying this! Good luck with your planned business venture, too. It sounds like you have some good goals, professionally and personally. Bravo!
Joyce

[Beth]

The dollhouse is amazing! I just want to move right in. Of course, my favorites are the spinning wheel and lamb.

The business stuff is hard work. We are doing well for a second month on HOH, but I feel like I am stitching my fingers off. Good luck on E'belish.

[Jenny]

That dollhouse is a work of art. Really amazing.

[Lisa]

Thank you so much for sharing your dollhouse pictures, it's fascinating! That kitchen is amazing, I love it! The electricity you had to re-wire, are there a lot of lamps that work? Is there any way you could take a picture with them on? I hope Sunday comes soon so you can work on other rooms to share with us! And best wishes for your new business!

[Wyldhare]

Joyce - I really hope you pull the dollhouse out and work on it. There are so many ways you can do one. I also love the style E is doing at Creative Breathing. If you would like any tips or help, just drop me a note. I am happy to share the knowledge gained the hard way! *grin*

Beth - I thought those two things would be your favorite, in fact I did that corner as sort of a tribute to you. You are an amazing sister and I love you so much!

Jenny - Thank you so much for your kind works and taking the time to visit.

Lisa - I must confess that once I re-wallpapered and then installed all the outlets, they worked, and then suddenly they stopped working in the living room. *sigh* I am not sure what happened, but hopefully I can figure out something. I am not in a mood to strip down to bare wood again. I should be able to do light in the kitchen and upstairs still, as those connections still seem to be working.

[jenny b harris]

Your dollhouse is fantastic! I love the zinc-topped table you made. I have that same stove!

[Jane]

Jenny - Wouldn't it be fun to have a life sized table like that? Did you mean you have a dollhouse stove like mine, or a real life sized stove? If you have a real one, does it still work? That would be wonderful to have!

[Dominic Mccory]

How's your E'Bellish by now and your bro-in-law's website? Were you able to design it? There are tons of ways he can improve its SEO, like making relative articles about his products or services. My daughter is fond of dollhouses since she was little. Her first dollhouse was the one I bought in Calgary during my business trip. i hope to get to visit your website soon. And good luck!