I Took a Trip

I Took A Trip On A Sailing Ship....

Several weeks ago, Dear Readers, I was enticed to buy this little model ship (which you see still in its packaging for safe-keeping...) when I was searching on-line for little electrical lights. The ship came with a table which could be very useful, and a pair of old "Ships Lanterns" which you can see below.

But it was the little model ship which I really wanted.... for Clarence... to remind him of his seafaring days.... once we get the Cupboard House a little more finished....! It will sit on the mantlepiece of his Library fireplace. This particular ship is a Schooner which resembles very closely the REAL Schooners which once plied the waters of New England.... and in fact still do sail along the coast of Maine with tourists on board. I had never Actually sailed on one of these Schooners until LAST WEEKEND when I went to Virginia for my Niece's Wedding and they hosted a party aboard The  Schooner "Alliance" sailing out of Yorktown, Virginia.

I could not have imagined that it would look so much like the tiny model ship!

With all it's sails catching the fresh breeze....

My Beautiful Niece and her Husband talking with my Daddy.......

It was an evening to Remember!

And lest you think that I got Nothing of a Mini-sort done all weekend..... 

I will show you what I Bought in a little tourist shop in the Old Williamsburg Plantation.....

In a Christmas shop I found this Gorgeous little Musical instrument! 

It will probably pass for a Cello or maybe a Bass Violin!

It is quite well made with real little strings and beautifully polished wood.

And that is not all I found......

They also had this Fantastic Electric Keyboard in Perfect 1:12 scale!!!

(Now I won't have to keep making one from cardboard for the Band!!)

So even while I was exploring the Historic Old Houses and Palace..... I had mini's in mind!

As for those mini lights I was searching for... 

I found a GREAT source for mini builders at  

ModelTrainSoftware.com

The kit for mini hobby lights comes with the battery holder and switch and a selection of lights to suit the size you are working with... 

I chose the 1.8mm LED and got extra ones.......

"Where am I planning to use them you ask?"

In the Folly Tree House, of Course!!!

Here you can see the Tiny Hearth without the lighting.....

And here you can see it with the LED lights!!!! 

I have painted the bulbs with a layer of yellow and orange paint to tone down the brightness.... even such tiny bulbs are brighter than needed in this Tiny room! The overhead light will need some kind of "shade" or Fixture.... but I haven't decided exactly what.....

And here you can see I have added the bubbling Cauldron over the fire.......!

I can't tell you how EASY these kit lights are.... 

and how Excited I am to have lighting in the Tree House!

So that's what I found when I took a Trip!