The old Abbey ~ Part 1

Before I start rambling on about my new project, I thought I would show you photos of an earlier church we made. It was a lovely church, but due to lack of room, we sold it earlier this year. It went to a lovely new home in America, where thankfully it is well loved. The exterior was old stone which I had aged and mossed and the front porch had real lead! All the stained glass windows were hand painted by yours truly and boy, did they take months! There was even a little hedgehog, sitting by on the grass on one side :0)

Inside, Hywel had laid real floorboards and I made loads of little trimmings, etc. Of course, I didn't sell my little vicar, who was made for me by Julie of Bellabelle dolls. He will take up residence in the old abbey once it is completed, although the abbey will be smaller than he is used too!! (due to the lack of space) The abbey will be just big enough for a couple of pews down each side side and of course the pulpit. Big enough for a lovely christmas display, but small enough to fit on my sideboard!

As you can see in the photos, the work on the old abbey has begun with the windows being stained and the inside walls have had a rough coat of pollyfilla. We use ready made 'shops own' pollyfilla, which is cheap enouigh and we roughly apply it with an old knife. Once dry, we then 'wash' it with cold coffee to give the old aged plaster effect. At the moment, I am trying to decide what to put on the floor. Originally, it was going to be floorboards again, like the old church, but I quite fancy old grey flagstones, I will have to have a play around with the both and then decide. The roof will be cedar shingles again, as they look the part and can easily be mossed and for the inside Hywel is busy cutting and aging wooden beams.....