Just an update...music Room completion in 2 weeks

Hello my dear friends,

I hope you are all well. I hope everyone is well.  I hope to post about the finished Music room remodel in 2 weeks. It has been a while since my last post, but I like to finish a room before I post about it. The floor is done, the peacock panels are done, now just assembly, caryatides and curtains and I will be good to go. I also have some great purchases from the Montreal show to share with you, so stay tuned. Here are some quick teasers for you.

 

 

The reason I am writing this post is because I have not been commenting on all your blogs the past week. As you all know I take commenting very seriously and I love it. Since we got back from holiday I have had to deal with my mother who was not well (it took over a month, but she is well again), the company I work for being bought over in January and I still do not know if I will be keeping my job (I'm not too worried one way or the other, just irritating not knowing) and my godfather who was also very ill and suffering. I am usually quite rational and optimistic person, however last week was a blow that really hurt. After 7 years of war with cancer my godfather’s body just could not fight anymore. I went to see him last Tuesday at the hospital and got there just minutes after the doctor told him he did not have a chance. He died on Wednesday night. I have been going between immense sadness at losing him and thinking about my godmother and my cousins, and absolute rage that any man should have to end their life in such pain and agony as I saw that Tuesday. I had planned to put pictures of all deceased family members in my prayer room of the manor so they would always be there and remembered, but it breaks my heart that godfather should be the first one there.

So to all of you whom I have not commented on, I want you to know that I have read your posts and that you are not forgotten or ignored, I am just feeling very wiped out right now.  Luckily there was my nieces second birthday this past weekend, the arrival of spring in Montreal and many more happy events to come to cheer me up. Every day it gets better. As of next post, I will be back to my happy self and not mention any more sad events…life is for the living after all!Once again, I apologize for not commenting as much.

I send you all a big, big hug and wish you all the best.

Love

Giac

Dewell Manor Plans, and my Holiday in the Canary Islands

Hello my dear friends,
I hope you are all doing well. We have been back from holiday for 2 weeks now, but I am afraid work and computer problems (I keep getting was is referred to as the blue screen of death) have  kept me from commenting on your blogs. I have been following your new posts and will start commenting this week. It is amazing to see what you have been up to! I just thought I would write a post about our holiday in the Canary Islands. First of all, since this is a blog about miniatures, I had time to draw and plan a few things for the Manor.

Front of the Manor...again

I have been working on the exterior as that step in construction is fast approaching. Originally the Manor had one angled bay on the far right section of the house (master bedrrom and Dining Room). I decided to add a rectangular bay to the left section also (Music Room and Library).

chimneys and new bay

The reason I did is because those 2 sections will be 21 inches wide and about 40 inches tall. It is a lot of weight on the hinges so by making big windowed bays it will take off some pressure, and I also love rectangular bays on Tudor buildings. I might add one on the side of the house as well. I also thought about chimneys and flues. When I was a kid I used to laugh at houses with dozens of chimneys because they looked odd to me...I am not laughing anymore.

Another thing I worked on was the music room. the floors are well under way and I mentioned that I wanted to add panelling on the bottom half of the walls. the panelling will be white with gold frames, and in the centre I will paint gold peacocks. I tested with the paint and thing it will be great, but on the trip I worked on how to make the peacocks.

Music Room Peacocks

It will be a lot of "dot" painting, but you will see the results int he next post. I also started to think about drapery since it will be a big part of the room.

Library and Music Room Curtains

     
 Sorry, my computer decided the picture should be on its side. I also worked on the Loggia, but more ont hat later.

Our holiday started in Barcelona. All I can say is Barcelona is my first pic if I can ever afford an apartment in Europe. Before I left Eva contacted me. She, along with Isabel, met up with me at Drap, a miniature store that was close to out hotel.

Isabel, myself and Eva

 Meeting them in person was one of highlights of my trip. they are both such wonderful ladies and even though we were only together for a short while we had a great time. I also spent some time with Paco and Alex, owners of Drap, and they were so friendly and helpful.

Myself, Paco and Alex

 I actually got confirmation on an idea I had for the opening panels of the house, but you'll see that in a  later post. Eva and Isabel brought me some lovely presents.

presents from my friends

 Thank you my dear friends, I will treasure these always.

 I also purchased some great minis from Drap and a few from another shop called Ananda

Drap

Ananda

 Drap had some wonderful unique miniatures and I had a great time there. Ananda was also beautiful and had great dolls. Since I am still buying chandeliers my spending budget was limited...sadness...


And now for the trip itself. We took about 1500 pictures, so I decided on one or 2 for each stop

Madeira

Lava fields, Tenerife

Lanzarote

Los Hervidos

 Each stop was wonderful, but for me, the best part of the trip was visiting the Alhambra palace. From the exterior, it was a simple smooth building

Alhambra

But on the inside, every square inch was carved and detailed to perfection

Alhambra

 It was one of the most beautiful buildings i have ever seen and it took my breath away...and gave me an idea for the loggia. You all know I love a challenge...

Loggia (just a very fast sketch to get an idea)

 I have an idea how to make it,I think it will work, but I will save all the explanations for the Loggia post, which I hope will be soon.


So that was my holiday! Even far from home I am always thinking and concentrating on Dewell Manor

Thinking, thinking...

I was all ready to start work, but this past week was spent designing and making a cake for our goddaughters first birthday. I thought a story book come to life was appropriate for the occasion...

Livia's 1st birthday cake.

 I baked and sculpted all day yesterday...I never want to see fondant, butter cream or Rice Krispies squares again!!! I would of liked to put in a bit more detail in this post. but the entire time I wrote I was afraid my computer would "blue screen crash". I look forward to start commenting on your blogs again and apologise to have stayed away so long. I hope you all have a wonderful week,and I will be back in a few weeks with the new and improved music room. It's good to be back.
Big hug to all,
Giac

Room box exterior, Music Room Remodel, and going on Holiday

Hello my friends,
I hope you are all well. I know I sound like a broken record, but thank you once again for all your wonderful comments. It amazes me that so many artists take the time to follow and comment on my work. It really does mean a lot to me.

I short post this time. I finally finished the exterior of the room box

My friend called and received it while I was writing this post. I am so happy he got it safe and sound and that he liked it. I decided to cover the exterior with fabric and put a simple frame on the front of the box. I started by cutting templates for the top and 2 sides of the box in illustration board. The back is open in case he should decide to electrify the room or put an exterior scene behind the window.

I then cut a strip of fabric big enough to cover the top and sides, then glued on the illustration board pieces (picture above). I used this technique to make sure the fabric is nice and tight and did not get glued on too crooked or lumpy. I left a small space between the pieces to permit it to bend easily over the box corners.
Next, I glued the edges in over the illustration board. The fabric is an upholstery fabric so I was not worried about the glue going through.

I covered the piece with heavy books and let it dry. I then covered the 3 sides of the box, placed the fabric covered illustration board over it, and clamped and weighed it down to set.

The final step was the front frame. Naturally, I ran out of picture frame molding. I took out my illustration board and cut it to the size of the box, cut out an opening, and used a tiny piece of trim I had for the edge

I painted it with the green paint I used as a base coat for the marble in the room. When it was dry I glued it on and voila

The room box is finished. I am really happy with the way it turned out. I refer to the person as my friend, but in truth he is a brother to me and very important in my life.
Now, you might say that is not a lot of work since my last post. Well, I was also working on a design for the Music Room floor. I looked at many books, many websites, and drew a lot

I finally came up with a design I am very happy with and started building it, but you'll have to wait until the next post...okay...maybe one little sneak peak...

Of course when I saw the floor medallions I started thinking about the rest of the room. I am still in planning phase, but right now I am thinking "gold" and "peacocks".

My next post will most likely be the remodelled music room, but you might have to wait a little while. Jo and I are going on holiday this weekend and will be away for a few weeks. I will catch up on your blogs when we get back. I know many of you are from Spain. We are going on a cruise of the Canary Islands leaving from Barcelona. I was wondering 2 things: first, how should we dress, second, are there any good restaurants you could recommend in Barcelona? We will be staying near the cruise terminal. We have a lot planned so it will be a hectic vacation, but I will definitely visit miniature shops...I think there 3? I can rest when we have days at sea.

Thank you once again everyone. It is really a pleasure to get to know all of you through your artwork, and a pleasure to share my work with you. I send you all many hugs for the weeks to come and as always, I wish you all the best.

Giac

Finished Roombox

Hello my friends,
I hope you are all doing well and enjoying a lovely weekend. Yet again I am humbled by your wonderful feedback on my last post. Thank you everyone who has been following my adventures with the Manor and a great big welcome to all who recently joined the ride. Yesterday I finished the interior of the room box I made for my friend.

My first leaded window experiment

Fireplace view

Front view

On me last post I had just finished wallpapering. The next step was adding the embossed ceiling paper with regular wallpaper paste. Next, I added lumber strips to the walnut section of the walls to create panelling.

The side table is glued onto the wall

I spent 3 days trying to find the perfect painting for the wall above the swan table. I finally found one in a book I have called "100 Treasures of Buckingham Palace". Jo bought it for me when he went to London shortly after we met. It had such great pictures I looked it up eBay and bought a second copy to cut up for miniatures.

Painting over the table

I glued the picture onto thin cardboard to accommodate the picture frame molding. I then glued that onto a sheet of paper. I painted the molding black and then dry-brushed it with gold paint. I cut the frame pieces and glued them to the paper around the picture. The next step was the curtains for the window.

Finished painting and curtains in progress

I used this fabric for the great room arches in Dewell Manor. I started by using the Pretty Pleater to make the folds. As I was doing this I understood why miniaturists warn us to use thin, natural fibre fabrics for drapery...It was Hell to work with. The fabric I used is an upholstry fabric and would not keep the shape, and kept popping out of the pleater when I was not looking...in the end I glued a piece of illustration board (picture above) on the back of the pleated section and hung it as straight panels. I did not even attempt to make a swag but just created a simple valence. Since the room box is a modern day version of the Manor I was happy with the result

Fabric from Hell

I left the edge of the fabric unfinished because it looked like fringe. I made sure to hang it a bit lower so the fringe made it look like a maid had just pulled the curtain open. I think it works. The next step was to make the window. I used fibreglass pieces cut to the size of the window panes and then used lead tape to make the leading. The result was pretty good.

Leaded window Panes

I was told to put the lead on both sides to make it look more realistic...it really does make a difference. The tape is about 1/2 inch wide and cut easily with a utility knife and metal ruler. The back is self adhesive and went on pretty well.  For the arched top window I used glass paints to create stained glass. It worked well, but I put too much paint in some squares and it bled through the leading into the other squares. I was still happy with the result.

I used toothpicks to "drop" the glass paint into the squares.

While the leading and the stained glass is not perfect, the final effect is not too bad

Interior lighting

Exterior Lighting

With the window in place I turned my attention to the accessories for the room.

accessories

-The tissue box is a block of wood covered in leftover Library wallpaper and a piece of facial tissue
-The box is made from lumber and leftover molding. The top is a section of a Pietra-Dura table form the same book as the painting. I painted the rest black, added chinoiserie detail, and finished it with gloss varnish
-The bowl with glass globes is a jewelry bit I painted gold and I glued in some beads I had lying around
-The candle stick is a Chrysbon candle and a plastic bead I drilled to make hole bigger
- The glasses are plastic Chrysbon glasses I painted. I was inspired by a Murano Wine set in my real life china hutch

I will practise and make a set of these for Dewell Manor

I painted the inside of the plastic glasses with red glass paint, then painted the rim and bottom part of the glasses with gold paint. I then painted on flowers and leaves.

Wall shelf with the heating grate

Swan Table and painting

And finally, the usual picture of the empty room



Empty Room box

 I now have to cover the exterior of the box and add a picture frame around the front, and then it's off.
I loved making the room box because It was the first time I got a real glimpse of what Dewell Manor will look like finished. If anything it has made me more impatient.
As of today, it's back to work on the Manor. My next project is redoing the Music Room floor. The one in there now is good, but it was my first scratch built floor and it just did not have the grandeur and elegance I want for the Music room. I know I can do better. We are going on holiday in February, so I hope to have the floor done by then...however I have chosen a floor that is a little complex, so we'll see what happens.

And that is progress in the wonderful World of Giac. Thank you once again for everything my friends. It means a great deal to me. If any of you notice that I am not following your blogs please let me know. I try to follow everyone who takes the time to follow me and would hate to have left anyone out.

Have a wonderful week my friends, and I look forward to seeing more of your very inspirational projects.
Big hug,
Giac

Happy Holidays, Renovations and a Dewell Roombox

Hello Everyone!
First of all, I am so sorry not to have written this post earlier. I want to wish you all the Happiest holidays ever and I wish you all the best for the New Year! I can't thank you all enough for your incredible kindness to me. It has been a real privilege to get to know all of you and to be inspired by your work, ideas, and the wonderful people you are.

I feel very guilty not having commented on your blogs very much in December. But Real life decided to test how hard headed I could be.

Renovations:

Dewell Manor has not changed the past month. At the end of November I made the painful decision to put the Manor on hold and concentrate on renovations. My father in law started working on reconfiguring the 2 bedrooms of out house in September. Unfortunately Jo's 94 year old grandmother fell and broke her hip. she is recovering very well, but renovations got put on hold. To make a long story short, by the time December came by I be came determined that everything be done in time for Christmas Eve when I always have both sides of the family over for supper. We all jumped in and put in crazy hours on the weekend all month. The last week  before Christmas I woke up at 5:30 as usual, went to work, then got home and worked until 1 or 2 in the morning. My house was a mess as both bedrooms had to be emptied and everyone kept telling me we would never get it all done in time, but they underestimated my determination.

This was our dining room in December. We had the bedroom floors refinished on the 11th, so we squeezed in our queen size mattress and slept here until December 23...not fun.



We finished renovation work December 24th at 3:15 am. I woke up at 7:30, put the turkey in the oven, and put up the 2 Christmas trees, decorated the house, and set the table. By 1 pm my Dining room was back in order and the meal was served at 8 pm...late, but what can you do

It was hard work, I have been exhausted for 2 weeks now, but the bedrooms came out just the way we wanted. we only have 2 closet doors and closet shelves to put up left

Second bedroom, and hopefully the nursery one day

The old owner had closed up the closet in this room to make an inefficient walk in in the Master bedroom



Master bedroom. The new wall of closets we added gave us more storage then we thought. Originally the only place a queen size bed fir was in between the 2 windows so the bed was right in the middle of the room where the dresser with the mirror is.




Master bedroom. The left side of the nook used to have a ridiculous walk in closet. It had to go. When we bought the house they had turned 2 rooms into 1 big master bedroom. The had put a simple wood plank to cover where the wall used to be on the floor, so we tried to make it look better and came up with the design you see.



 We were glad it got done because we were going crazy, but we were most concerned about Ozzy who seemed totally lost the whole time. Luckily he's back to himself again

And this is why, my dear friends, I have not been as present on your blogs. Once again I apologise but will catch up on your blogs as soon as I've caught up on some sleep.

Christmas Presents:

Once again Jo and both sides of the family got together and I was spoiled rotten.

Jo has a list of the Getzan chandeliers I want for each room. I got the 2 Versailles chandeliers for the Music room and the Princess Pat (on the left) for the Dining Room. The breakfront also goes int he Music room. The living room set is a present I ordered myself and will go in the Morning room in the attic. I had a set for the room, but it felt a little too modern. Unfortunately they sent me the walnut set instead of the Mahogany, so it will have to go back this week so they can send me the right one. Jo also got me the 2 first seasons of another one of my favourite shows, a British series called "Waiting for God". I was a very happy Giac indeed.

Room box:

Another reason I have not worked on the Manor is because I started a room box the last 2 weeks of November. I have a wonderful friend who has always been very encouraging and helpful with my project. I wanted him to have a small piece of Dewell Manor so I decided to make him a room box inspired by the Great room of the Manor. I had to stop work on it, but It is almost finished.

Here is a look at the almost complete room box. the fireplaces are very similar to the Great room, the wallpaper is from the Master Bedroom, the floor is the pattern I used in the Gothic Hall and since I wanted it to be a bit more modern I made a side table inspired by the Chinese Tea Room

I used lumber from our hardware store and double thick illustration board. The left section has built in shelves and the right section has a window.

When the sections were assembled I painted the base coat for the faux-walnut finish which Ray showed us how to do. Once that was dry I painted the marble fireplace using black base with 2 shades of green sponged on. The firebox is illustration board and magic brick.

When the marble was dry I taped it with masking tape and faux finished the wood

The fireplaces of the Great Room have figures I made to represent the 3 Graces. For this room box I made 2 Greek figures in super sculpey, baked them, and then painted them to match the faux-walnut

When the figures were glued into place I took out my molding pieces and built a smaller version of the Mantels in the Manor.

When all the sections were done I assembled the structure and glued on the wallpaper with regular wallpaper paste (works great on Les Chinoiseries wallpapers, not so great on other thinner dollhouse papers) I still need to glue in the ceiling paper

When the floor was done (again, I used iron on wood strips I cut out of rolls from the hardware store) I built a table to go against the side wall. The marble parts are basswood with molding I painted, and the chinoiserie part is a block of left over lumber from the renovations and the drawer fronts (non opening) are just 1/16 x 1/2 inch lumber which I painted with delta ceramcoat paints. The swans were dollar store finds I've had for years.

And then, I stopped for the renovations. I still have to to add the ceiling paper, curtains, a large painting over the table and some accessories, then it will be ready to send.

And that is all my friends. At first I was rather pleased I got everything done, but if truth be told it took it's toll on me. I go back to work on Wednesday, and hope to be working on the Manor by next weekend.

For anyone looking for a something to read, I bought a really great book about the Thorne Rooms on Amazon.

The book was rather inexpensive. It has wonderful pictures of the Thorne Rooms and a lot of interesting reading for each room. I am really happy I added it to my collection.

On that note, I promise I will be back commenting on your blogs very soon. I've been dying to see what you've all been up to.
I wish you all the very, very best my dear friends: health, happiness and prosperity. May the kid inside each of you be strong, and may you always smile with your hearts

Big, big hugs,
Giac