Hello? Anyone there?

I'm not sure if anyone is following my blog anymore, but it's a good place for me to share my journey with Pennethorne Manor and other things I'm working on . . . and life in general.

After creating my Halloween scene with BellaDonna, I took a hiatus from doll-housing. There is still plenty to do on Pennethorne Manor, but it will have to wait as my husband and I are moving to Portugal this year! Honestly, it can't come soon enough. I'm still on the fence as to whether I'm taking the manor and all its paraphernalia along with me or ???

Anyway, if you're interested in giving the manor a home in your home, give me a shout.

Why Portugal you may be asking yourself. Here are just a few reasons; climate, cuisine, culture, community, cost of living, and ease of travel to other European countries. We are "this" close to closing on a house in Portugal and are in the process of getting our long stay visas. This is not for the light hearted. You need to have nerves of steel and an unending source of patience. Honestly, I am not doing well in either regard. But what I do have is determination and vision. Hopefully, this will be enough to get me through.

I'm thinking of attending the Chicago Miniature Show in April, depending on whether or not we get our visas. I hope we get our visas though!

I hope you're all doing well and watch for more as I share my journey with you!

Our House in Portugal

Next Up? ~ Books!

This project has been a lot of fun and I'm nearing the finish line and ready to move on.  I'm going to take a bit of a break and clean up my tools and supplies, because you know it's a mess!

Left on my list:  Hanging a chandelier and placing a table lamp; Books, books and more books (I'm making them); Hanging the herb drying thing and making the herbs to hang on it; Adding the bubbles to the cauldron; finishing the roof and exterior walls; drapes?; and a picture for over the mantle.

It's the little things that take the longest!  Anyway, here is where I'm at . . .

Waiting for Paint to Dry

Ever wonder why it takes so long to get any mini-ing done?  In case you didn't know . . . it's because we're always waiting for paint to dry!  Miniatures really do mimic life.

Waiting for the paint to dry on the ceiling/roof before I can install them. 
I used anaglypta wallpaper for texture.

I will also dry brush some silver metallic paint on the ceiling like I did on the furniture and around the room . . .

Anyway, I'm nearing the finish line of the build on BellaDonna's Apothecary.  I'm just waiting for the roof pieces to dry before I can install them and then the interior is pretty much done, albeit I have to install all the "littles" like making a ton of books, maybe (and I say this with much trepidation) b-r-e-a-k-i-n-g furniture and whatever else my mind conjures up.

And I just have to share this cute little thing!  I was a little worried about the size after I ordered it, but it's perfect!  And it's real cast iron! Every "good" apothecarist needs a cauldron!

I was using my glue gun on my room box build and at the end of the day I found this goop of glue!  It will be perfect for the cauldron after I paint it.  I might add some more to it too!

I won't get the exterior of the room box done in time for our Downtown Fall Fest tomorrow, but I'm planning on adding a thatched roof and stone to the walls.  It will be a little thatched/stone cottage in the woods!

 . . . still waiting for paint to dry . . .

Here's what BellaDonna's Apothecary looks like almost finished!