Look how far I've come

 I sometimes get discouraged.  I want my miniature scenes to be picture perfect.  I get upset though because my skill level is not perfect.   I'm a perfectionist that can't reach perfection!  How annoying is that?

Just recently, I was sitting back and creating books for the Library in the 1920's era house.   I was being my giddy self because while I saw the issues, I was really liking my new books.  And that is when I realized how far I have come from those first creations!   We will use the books as an example of how my skill has progressed!

When I was creating the Mini Mansion Dollhouse, I created a bookshelf for under the steps. Naturally, I needed books to fill my bookshelf.  So I thought about it.  I did a little research and I set about making books.  I was so tickled with my books.  I absolutely loved them!

I actually posted about my awesome books and included a mini tutorial in a post way back in 2016. 

When I decided to start the library in the 1920's era house, I knew I needed books.  So I researched again because silly me forgot that I had a mini tutorial.  I started to make books out of magazines.

I was in love!  They looked so much better than the original ones.  Actually lifelike....or at least closer!

I kept working and making books because I had a full library to fill.  I made some books out of foam board.  I made some books out of wood.  I was a book making machine. 

And eventually, my library was ready to be filled with books.  I was so tickled with the outcome.  But you know what?  Those original books, they did NOT make it to the shelves!  I didn't have the heart to throw them out though.  I put them back in my boxes of extra stuff because when I feel discouraged about something not being perfect, I can look at those books and say, "Give it time Maryfran, progress comes with time"

StoneHouse Quilts: Problem Solved

Where do I put the quilt shop?  The dining room has looked like a cyclone struck for quite some time as I have had projects on the table, the actual quilt shop on the table,  the McKinley on a bench against the wall.  Luckily I live with and love a very patient and understanding man who hasn’t seemed bothered about my hobby and the accompanying messes! But honestly, I have despaired about what in the world to do with another dollhouse.  Where was I going to ‘permanently’ display this house.   Where indeed!   Was I going to be forced to sell/give it away as soon as it reaches completion?

But luckily for me, I was sitting working at my desk  (I am currently working from home) and  I looked over and saw my Mini Mansion project sitting on a shelf across the room.    A partially empty shelf sat next to it (ok, it was it wasn’t really empty, but it didn’t have a lot on it) and I decided that the quilt shop had found its new home!

It’s not pretty at the moment because I have both houses turned with the fronts of the houses facing the wall...but you get the idea!

So what have I been doing?   Well, after the mini crazy quilt   I almost completely halted work on the dollhouse while I pieces a human sized crazy quilt.  I did one that had a bit of a modern twist.  It still needs quilted. But that’s on the back burner until I can hit a store and can find backing material.  With things finally starting to slowly reopen, that may happen sometime soon!

I didn’t let that stop me though.  I have done a few things in the world of dollhouses and particularly in the StoneHouse Quilt Shop

In the downstairs, not much has happened.  I still need to make a few small things like scissors, more things for the shelves , items for the check out counter and I need to hang the quilts!  (And apparently take down the tape on the over the door shelf now that the glue is dry!)

The upstairs is where I have done a fair amount of work.  I built more display shelves and made a ton of bolts of fabric...and a ton of ‘fat quarters’ for the display!  I think that I am done with furniture.  I don’t think I will know for sure until the quilts go up on the walls.  I think that the quilts will add a lot of depth and ‘coziness’ to these rooms. So that just leaves me with the little fun things to add...which I have to make of course (since this project is all about buying nothing and making it all!).

The second picture.  I am so debating.  I have another circular display...does that room need the second one?  Or does it just overcrowd the room?

Ahh decisions decisions decisions!  

The attic poses another question mark for me.   Quilting room?  Storage?  Office?  More displays?  Right now it is my storage area for everything.  But I’m getting to the point that I will soon have to focus on that space.

It is a slow process.  But I am thoroughly enjoying creating the StoneHouse quilt shop!  My mind is spinning with ideas for this project AND the next project!  Soo much to do...so little time!!!