The big move... and some chimneys

The deluge last week prompted me to bring the house inside where it should remain dry. I had been thinking for a while I would like to do this, but didn't think there would be room without tripping over it and all its accompanying tools and necessary (and not so necessary bits) in our very small cottage.  Lots of measuring and a visit to the local op shop produced the perfect cupboard which suddenly made it possible. Aren't the handles gorgeous! I'm not normally a retro person, but they make me smile.

It is just perfect for storing everything as well, so I'll show off the tidy insides as well.

Isn't that lovely and organised!

... on the opposite side of the room on the desk/ work area is where everything gets dumped 

EEK!

I am so pleased to have it inside now and only regret I hadn't done it before Winter.

During the week previously I had been working on the chimneys which was probably a bit premature as I don't actually have a roof on most of the house, but one was needed for working the roof out, so to make sure they match I did both. Once again I used the  china doll egg carton bricking method and after looking at pictures of chimney pots on google I decided to go for an eclectic mix modified from some I had bought previously from the Dollshouse Emporium 

These were easy to work with, although they still look like painted wood. They aren't glued down yet so I might play some more with them.

The smaller chimney will be moving to main roof when I build one and hopefully should end up approximately the same height.

I found the chimneys really thrilling to make. All storybook cottages have a chimney, but most of the houses I have lived in have missed this important detail. It was a step closer to my dream home.

 On the home front, September is our family's busy birthday month so I have saved a piece of birthday cake for all my new followers (and old if you are happy to have 1:12 size serves)

Welcome to:
Natasha from the DHE forum. Natasha is new to dollshousing but a whizz at miniatures, especially polymer clay. Go and look at her tutorial for chocolate cake - you will begin salivating! (Well I do anyway)

From Italy is Francesca and her gorgeous minature cross stitches and tapestries. I love the happy colours and themes.

Casita Minis blog is a feast of photos. I suspect that she has made everything herself, although it isn't clear, which makes her one very talented lady! You need to see the tiny tiny crochet dresses.

Annemineli has several blogs. I'm still puzzling over what language to suggest to google translate so am not sure if any are associated with miniatures, but she does seem to enjoy artistic pursuits. Once again it is brought to me how the internet is joining the world in friendship. Dantel Deryasi , Yuzyazar and Annemin Eli.

Casey's minis is a blogger I found even before I started on my miniature journey. I love how she tells her stories through Tessie (or how Tessie blogs through Casey!) and am thrilled she has come to visit.

Paul Smith isn't showing up with a blog but I am 99% sure he is Afan Valley Miniatures whose blog I began following after a recommendation from Lainie.  I can only say Wow! Visit his page for the beginnings of his reproduction of Margam Castle and keep in mind that he does commissions!

Robin is another new to blogging but experienced in minis. She creates dolls with real character and you can meet them at Coombe crafts.blogspot and have the ones you fall in love with move into your own little house.

j lil roomer  sounds like she leads the same hectic life so many of us have (are the ones who appear serene really so, or are good at creating that impression, I wonder?) Her blogging has been a bit sporadic, but encouraging is that you can come back to a problem months later and solve it! And excellently at that.

Mini Maker can be found in several places, another being her website full of tips for miniaturists My Small Obsession. Both are well worth visiting for inspiration especially for those starting out (and I love her red shoes and fairy wand in her profile pic.)

Clara at  Life in Miniature has the most delightful things! I am besotted with her little books, copied from books of her childhood and reminding me of books from my childhood which I hadn't thought of for years.

I can't find links for Miniature Maid, Little Miss Kris, Nicola McCormick and Latiana (which will embarrasssing if I find later that I am actually following you on a blog and have forgotten) so if anyone can help, please leave a comment.

Thank you all for being interested enough to follow.

Edit: I may have discovered Miniature maids blog at http://miniaturemaid.blogspot.com/ Her profile picture is different but both obviously loving rabbits has to be too much coincidence. Well worth a visit for her needlework as well.