Sunday, 9 August 2015

On the up

I wish I could say that I've made all sorts of progress over the last three weeks but I can't. July is a particularly onerous time for me at work so I may have to pull double shifts for the next few months to get the HBS build anywhere near complete for December. The one saving grace is that I will be attending one more miniature fair this year and can hopefully pick up anything I need to finish it.  

There are three fairs that I love to attend in the UK.
York Dolls House and Miniature Fair , Kensington Dollshouse Festival and Miniatura
I rarely have the funds to attend all three so I choose one, sometimes two and save up like mad so that I can spree without guilt. This year I chose Kensington because I didn't want to miss a meet up with Annina and Marion. I had no sooner emptied my piggy bank when Miniatura announced the line up for their Autumn show.
TYA Kitchen are coming and I really want to see them. However, the show is the same weekend as my Husbands Birthday. I've bought tickets, of course, but I will pay dearly for making Hubby walk around the venue four times when I'm sure he would much rather be celebrating his Birthday with a glass of Wiskey and a game of golf.

Over the weekend I tackled the roof of Fenton Lodge. I've never attempted a curved structure before so setting the joists in place was hilarious. The woodsheet was determined to lay flat, I was determined it was going to curve and I pretty much used anything at hand to add some weight while the glue set.


I want to keep the style consistent so the main roof needs to be built up like the one above the extension. I also want to be able to remove it, (to get access to the interior), which means somewhere I need to make a break in the electrics.


This was accomplished with a micro plug that I bought from Jennifer at JS Miniatures It's excellent because now I can unplug the wires and remove the roof without having to cut wires or reheat solder. Yeehar!


Here you can see the battery box is hidden inside the roof. I'll solder everything and tidy the wires once all of the interior lights are installed.


The underside of the main roof has a Mahogany facia board and black eyelets to keep in theme.


I think the downlights will look really pretty when it's dark


That's it for now

Enjoy the rest of your weekend
Pepper =0)


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52 comments:

  1. Catherine9 August 2015 at 17:49

    I can't imagine having three shows relatively close to where I live. It always requires I get on a plane and stay in a hotel. Which of course takes a big chunk out of your miniature splurge $. Sometime you just think it might be smarter to spend it on the internet ordering from the same artists that go to the shows.

    The house is really looking fantastic. I love the big windows. The lights are the perfect choice for it's gorgeous style. I can't wait to see the roof in place.

    .

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson10 August 2015 at 13:28

      I guess I'm luckier than some having the fairs relatively close and I can see why people buy online whe you consider the travelling and accomodation costs. I do love to go though, to natter with the sellers more than anything else =0)

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  2. Kitty And Kat Miniatures9 August 2015 at 17:58

    Just remind your husband that the greatest gift he will receive is spending time with you. Ha. And you can get him a mini cake at the show too.....complete with mini candles.

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson10 August 2015 at 13:31

      I told him I would buy him a mini Birthday cake and he said something very rude about where I could shove it hahahahaha. =0P

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  3. Fabiola9 August 2015 at 18:05

    The house looks amazing. I like the lights.

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  4. The grandmommy9 August 2015 at 18:21

    Awesome as usual! I don't understand the lights. Would you mind doing a tutorial one day? It was the eyelet part I didn't understand.

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson10 August 2015 at 13:35

      Hi Grandmommy. The eyelets are just the metal surrounds I use to make them look like light fittings. You can see on the second from last photo =0)

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  5. Mad For Mod9 August 2015 at 18:27

    The house is amazing! I love the black with the mahogany!

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  6. Drora's minimundo9 August 2015 at 18:39

    Wow! The house is so elegant and modern in black and mahogany! I love the lights!
    Great work as always.
    Hugs, Drora

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  7. Janice9 August 2015 at 22:10

    Such a gorgeous house Pepper. i do love modern minis. Thanks for the link to the lighting website, they had exactly the right battery connectors I need for my Honeydukes windows and LED strips too, perfect Sunday night shopping. I too have a problem with Miniatura weekend as we are supposed to be coming back from holiday on the Saturday....I am pressing that it would be so much less rushed and easier to return on Friday late evening. Wishing us both luck!!

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson10 August 2015 at 13:38

      Hi Janice, Jennifer's site is really good and she's very helpful.
      I think Friday would be far better and give you more turnaround time. I'm wish you on this one...hopefully I will see you there =0)

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  8. Plushpussycat10 August 2015 at 05:38

    Have fun at the show, and good luck with the double shifts. So far your house is looking amazing. xo Jennifer

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  9. Mini Confessions10 August 2015 at 05:59

    Ooh I like the lights! I am loving it so far.

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  10. miraclechicken10 August 2015 at 06:27

    This is such a beautiful inspiring project! Thanks for showing it as you progress. It is coming out great.

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  11. Viivi A.10 August 2015 at 06:44

    Wow! What a house :)

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  12. Neomig10 August 2015 at 06:59

    dear pepper
    i admire your decepline and wish you would teach me!
    Neomi

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  13. Marion Russek10 August 2015 at 09:03

    These down lights look super, especially since you have a dark outside! And it all looks so neat and solid what you do - never mind the balancing act with weights in the roof ;-)
    And your hubby will take his birthday celebration with stoical patience... I hope :-)))

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson10 August 2015 at 13:41

      Thank you Marion. I'm sure Mitchy will complain but I'll wear earplugs hahaha! ;0P

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  14. Sarah10 August 2015 at 11:20

    Hmm, comment didn't go through, apologies if it appears twice :D It looks fantastic, the lighting is just perfect! love the eyelet part, very satisfying. TYA kitchen!!!! I AM EXCITED FOR YOU! Their stuff is amazing. Your husband won't regret going, otherwise there will be months of your sadness and regret to get through :D

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson10 August 2015 at 13:45

      Thank Sarah. I would be a nightmare to live with if I missed (possibly) the only chance to see TYA in person. Hubby wouldn't risk it haha. I am so excited already =0D

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  15. iseecerulean10 August 2015 at 12:04

    The black and mahogany is stunning. The lights look fantastic. I am in love with everything about this build.

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson10 August 2015 at 13:49

      Thank you Keli. I'm really pleased it worked and everyone seems to think the two colours go together =0)

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  16. Giac10 August 2015 at 13:39

    Hello Pepper,
    I have to say the lighting look incredible. it is perfect for this project. the whole building is really gorgeous. you've transformed the kit into a really unique, brilliant structure. I am really loving this project and can't wait to see more. I hope you have fun at the shows and get what you need. In regards to your husband, I feel his pain...I spent my birthday tiling the bathroom this year...I found cake or favorite desserts help south the pain in situations like this...that should put a smile on his face!
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson10 August 2015 at 13:50

      Thank you Giac, I'm really glad you like it.
      Work on Birthdays should be banned by law =0P I better stock up on some of my Hubby's favourite deserts =0)

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  17. Kristine PaperDollMiniatures10 August 2015 at 16:34

    The lights really add the wow factor! Even with them turned off the eyelets still look really good!
    It's really nice you have so many shows to choose from :) Of course it would have to be the same weekend as your husband's birthday... of course! Bribe with cake and Whiskey after the show?

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson12 August 2015 at 08:22

      Ha, there will be a lot of cake and Wiskey for him after walking him for six hours ;0P

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  18. otterine10 August 2015 at 17:55

    This is such a gorgeous build! It's fabulous just as is, but the lights...wowsers!! :D

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  19. BiWuBär10 August 2015 at 18:06

    You're such a lucky girl being able to attend all those impressive fairs... and I am already looking forward to your report and to your purchases... *grin* And I bet some day your husband will understand that his biggest Birthday gift for this year was a happy, content and satisfied wife... *teehee* And about the lights... they look absolutely awesome!

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson12 August 2015 at 08:23

      Thank you Birgit. Yeah, I am fortunate to have some amazing fairs to go to and I'm really happy that they are relatively close to home =0)

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  20. Gülay Temizel Ertürk10 August 2015 at 22:50

    Hello Pepper! The house is really looking fantastic.

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  21. miniaturista10 August 2015 at 23:35

    Se ve precioso Pepper, un gran trabajo y la iluminación estupenda.
    Un abrazo
    Maite

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  22. Last Alliance Studios11 August 2015 at 00:04

    I'd love to go to Miniatura one day - the Scottish Miniatura used to be pretty good but when it moved to a smaller venue, half the stockists and craftsmen stopped coming and eventually it fizzled out. :(

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson12 August 2015 at 08:26

      I always wondered if there was a one in Scotland (which I'm closer to than the English fairs) What a shame. I wonder if the sellers now exhibit at the other fairs? =0/

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  23. Daydreamer11 August 2015 at 01:35

    *Sigh* Three Fairs to choose from? That would be Torture.... admittedly a Delightful Torture! LOL! The pocketbook would suffer but the Imagination would soar! I hope you have a Fantastic time at the Miniatura.... and Console your Husband with the idea that you will be SO Happy...!
    As for the Lodge.... it is looking Wonderful... I agree with the others the black and mahogany look great together and the "can" lights are gorgeous! But the idea of a removable roof with a mini plug to connect and disconnect the lights???? WOW! You are Fearless!

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson12 August 2015 at 08:27

      Thank you Betsy. It is lovely but expensive. Good job my Hubby is so understanding ;0P

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  24. Elizabeth S11 August 2015 at 19:35

    Hi Pepper! I LOVE YOUR LIGHTING !!! What a wonderful ambiance it provides and everything seems to WAKE UP! once the lights are on. It Really looks FABULOUS especially with all of those Marvelous windows! You have Mad Skills, Pepper and your idea of making the roof removable has certainly given me food for thought so Thank you for placing that bug in my ear.:D
    Dog Gone it! Why did the show have to fall on your husbands Birthday? Can't he change the day he was born to a different one just this once? I had a quick look at TYA Kitchen and for me there is NO CONTEST,- choose the Miniature Show! :D

    elizabeth
    and my apologies to your hubby

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    1. Pepper Mitcheson12 August 2015 at 08:29

      Haha, my Hubby said at least someone sympathises with him ;0D
      I really love to see mini buildings with lights on. I think they take on a whole different look in the dark =0)

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  25. 17-1712 August 2015 at 08:10

    Hello Pepper,
    your new build is wonderful. I love these down lights, well done!
    Magda

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  26. samacleod17 August 2015 at 01:46

    Your process WIP photos are so inspiring. Love those lights! Thanks for sharing.

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  27. Doug S22 August 2015 at 14:50

    Hi Pepper! Wow, I've gotten way behind in your posts....and I was missing something wonderful! I LOVE those lights, and you are SO pulling off that modern, sleek, almost unbelievably crisp modern look. Elizabeth hit it on the head when she said everything wakes up!

    As usual, watching your lighting techniques and learning! Thanks for showing those!

    Doug

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