A sense of accomplishment?

Just a quick round up of things I've fiddled with recently, purely to give myself the idea that I HAVE actually progressed!  The kitchen bay window is now finished, and filled with salmon pink geraniums, which of course are a direct reference to one of my all time favourite books, The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge.  Though a children's book, her descriptions of Moonacre Manor are just so vivid, that they are a delight for any miniaturist to read...

The exterior has had a few additions, in fact, Daviot House has grown by about a third (much to my family's horror!), and I have decided to concentrate on finishing the outside for the moment.

A new rose bush and escutcheon...

A new door bell and window gable for the porch (yet to have the watercolour paint treatment)...

A new lamp that I 'made' by jazzing up a cheap lamp with glass paints and silk tassels....

And a new coat of paint for the bookshelves in the parlour - this time I think I have found the perfect colour of blue, finally!  This is about my 5th try to get the colour right.

I am posting these little things, because I have just increased daviot House's size, which means at least another 6 years of fun!

The newest 'wing' in various states of progress (and for the moment totally roofless) so much potential (so much work!).  Sometimes I feel that this house has a life of its own!

Jonquil

Getting on with the bedding...

I thought I would post my progress on the bedding.  First, a flowery embroidered pillow, very late Stuart, lovely Spring blooms in an urn.  I embroidered using petit point on some lovely antique cotton that I found at a brocante... I also made sheets out of antique handkerchiefs, the valance is made of some amazing needlelace which I just couldn't cut, so I have carefully manipulated the fabric under the mattress.  

I liked the polychrome effect of reds, blues and yellows, and used these colours to start the curtains for the bed.  

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I was inspired by the needlepoint slips of the late 16th and early 17th century, and used petit point directly on to the cotton. The white is a little too bright, so I will be bathing the curtain in a solution of weak tea to mellow it slightly.

                           

The cotton fabric has a very small count, though I haven't counted it, as I think I would go cross-eyed!  Let's just say it is small, very small!  Here you can see I have started to intersperse the flowers and fruits with animals.The designs are all my own, and I was inspired by various source, including the uncut slips from Traquair House in Scotland.

There's my thumb for scale, so yes, small.  The thread I am using is some vintage Guttermann silk sewing thread.  I found a box of it years ago, and I don't have a full range of colours.  This is quite useful, as embroidery from that time often had a restricted spectrum, and domestic embroiderers had to make do with what they could find or afford. 

My favourite motif so far is the tiny lemon tree at the top, with both fruit and flowers (the gardener in me is conveniently ignoring this).  This combination is often seen in slips, as they were usually taken from botanical prints, that for reference show the fruits and flowers at the same time.  I think it is quite a pretty effect!

I have had to order new contact lenses recently, so a gentle reminder to everyone working in miniature to take care of your eyes.  My progress is quite slow, as I try not to strain my eyes too much, they are very precious.  But hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the next installment...

As ever, thank you for your kind comments, they are very much appreciated.

  

                                            Jonquil