Monday, April 21, 2014

Upon Reflection.....




Blog Anniversary, Painting Rocks and Other Ruminations.....

I Hope you will forgive me, Dear Readers, If I Wander around a bit in this Post! I have both Too much and too Little to show and am Utterly undecided about Where to start! To Begin with, I am aware that the Fourth Anniversary of this blog has Come and Gone.... with No fanfare on my part! Nothing new to show, all kinds of incomplete projects, Just Exactly as  Incomplete as they were a year ago..... How does that happen? I would venture to do a recap of the year.... but cannot Fathom how to condense That into one post! The Tree House Bedroom and Bathroom.... The Castle ceilings.... Daphne's Story...., The Cloud Palace..... Not to mention the Little Dreamers.... ! You can see what a dilemma I am in! And as if to exacerbate an already overwhelming situation.... Last Sunday was Easter Sunday..... which so many of you were prompt about honoring with beautiful and charming minis! Well, I am a bit Late... but Yes, the Easter Bunny made a stop here too....


Annabelle was a little surprised......

She is still young enough that she is not sure what to expect.....

Even Sally May looks surprised......!

She has a new Cookbook to try!

Annabelle asks "Is the candy for breakfast, Momma?"

But while Sally May figures out the answer to that question, 
I must take you back to the Fireplace at Rose Thorn Cottage....
Where the Sunday Morning Sun was lighting up the chimney....

Here you can see pretty clearly the completed hearth.....
But it took almost an entire day of painting the rocks to get the effect I wanted!


Of course, I forgot to take progress pictures.....
 but the first steps (after the base coats of gray) 
were to add brown washes to many of the stones..... 
and then to fill all the crevices with black....
as you can see in the above picture.
 This highlights the rocks individually.....

But when we test it in place, you can see that the black needs to be toned back.....
The rocks need to be rounded more at the edges and the cracks need to recede...

Which is a gradual process of just adding more gray washes.....
Until all the cracks are more subtle.....
Then we need to test it again......

That looks more like it!
But still Waaaay too clean looking! 
Time to add the soot!

It needed to look as though it had been well used as a fireplace 
before they "cleaned it out" and added the Aga Stove!

And by then it is late at night and Dark out....
So we must wait until morning to see it in the sunlight....

Oh, that Amazing Sunlight!
It looks so wonderful that I glue it in place and start to add some of the other details...

The wooden beams and the shelf over the window.....
Which just Begs for the china I have had put away for Years.....
And a scrap of fabric for a rug....
And then I had to start in on the Tub for the bathroom.....
I wanted a Lovely old Zinc bathtub.....
 

Made from cardboard, of course......

With a wooden rim.....

Then painted in gray and then silver paint......

Here you can see it being tested in place.....

Yes, you will only be able to see a glimpse of it.....
But oh, what a perfect image!
But wait..... there is more......
There is this lovely little mirror.....
It is a Christmas ornament!

 And believe it or not, but this little mirror has encapsulated for me
 the entire theme of this house....
The Roses..... the Red color, 
The lacy filigree.... the oval shape.....
The beautiful bright reflection in a dark corner....
Hidden and barely visible....
Quiet but so evocative....
Feminine...
Old Fashioned.....


Such a tiny room....
will hold so much beauty....


Before I know it the House has come alive......

Who is there....?
Did you want some tea?
Do come in!

Agatha always has the kettle on the stove!

Well, Dear Readers, Even though another year has flown,
Sometimes all it takes is a Little reflection.....
But now I can see that I have made a lot of progress after all...
and I want to Thank you all for visiting!

17 comments:

  1. I just love this silver tub and how easy it has come to life! I have no doubt I would be sitting and thinking how to make it for ages! The mirror is charming. The photo with the sunlight really is Amazing! :)

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  2. You most certainly have made a lot of progress. I love the stove tucked away in its nook and the stonework.

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  3. Betsy, I always admire your inventivity and creativity. The hearth is great with the AGA stove tucked in. I love those rocks of you ;)! And the stairs.....where does it go to?? I know that the bathroom will become wonderful, because the tub and the red mirror are.
    I also like the way the sun shines into the room, it always gave such a special addition to a picture.
    I wish you a nice week!
    Hugs, Ilona

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  4. Fabulous work on the fireplace, Betsy. Your painting techniques are magnificent and I love the sunlight photo. I am so amazed at your ability to turn cardboard into works of art. :-)

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  5. Great job on the fireplace rocks! You outdid yourself with that one. The photos are beautiful. Good work.

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  6. One of your very best blogs! And one of the best rooms. Who knew rocks were so much work? Really worth it; the whole scene is just beautifully evocative. The little bathroom, with adorable tub & mirror - wow. I'm blown away. Happy Easter!
    Love,
    Mom

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  7. You have done so much and your special creativity is so interesting to follow. Your exciting painting technique is wonderful. Impressive what you can get out of cardboard.
    Hugs
    Wyrna

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  8. And??? Was Annabelle allowed to have all that candy for breakfast??? ;O) Well, I had none *sigh* but I have my hands free for clapping a wild applause to your blog's fourth anniversary! Hip hip hooray - may there be many, many years more... because every single one of your posts enchants me and is a highlight of my day. And so is this one... your rock painting is outstanding... and the bathroom with this very special mirror... ah, I can't wait for more. As usual...

    Hugs
    Birgit

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  9. Hello Betsy,
    Happy belated anniversary. You often think you have "too Little to show", but the truth is every time I stop and visit I am blown away by all that you do and all the incredible inspiration I get from your artwork. The fireplace is wonderful...in fact every picture is just warm and charming. Even though we only get a glimpse of that terrific bathtub it really adds so much realism and character to a miniature house when things are "hidden" Wonderful work Betsy, and again happy anniversary.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  10. Happy blog anniversary!
    You're very talented. I like very much your new "things".

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  11. The stone wall where the stove is installed is wonderful! I loved the colors of the walls and mirror is divine! It is a beautiful image of light coming through the bathroom window.
    I believe Anabelle deserves her candy for breakfast. ;)

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  12. Everything looks great! I really like the look and location of the fireplace!

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  13. Betsy, Happy Fourth Anniversary! I love your hearth! It looks very inviting! I know what it takes - painting for a whole day to reach a result you are looking for, but it is worth of it, true? I wonder what recipe Sally may will pick from her new Cook book. Mini hugs, Natalia

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  14. Ah I see you've been painting too! The stonework turned out great. Been having a look back through your posts, have been a bit out of touch. The 'cloud' house is wonderful. I always enjoy your mural painting. :)

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  15. Betsy!!! I have been away tooooo long!! Where has this wonderful little cottage sprung from? I LOVE IT The fireplace with the wonderful stone surround and the aga insert and the zinc tub!!!! What a Creative Genius you are! I can't get over it,Betsy! Everything that you have shown is JUST RIGHT!
    I'm Gobsmacked

    elizabeth :D

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  16. OH and I forgot to mention your Stone Staircase!!! Betsy it is MARVELOUS!!!!

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  17. Oooh, i'm so behind with reading your lovely posts, sorry!! Love the hearth, the room looks so comfortable and cozy! And the bath is wonderful, even if you can see only a little piece of it, you know its there!!!

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