Busy working on the little shop, but tempted to get a bigger project!!

I have had a good weekend working on the little shop, which is looking more highlands scottish as I work. Isn't it funny how a project takes on a look of its own sometimes? No matter what plan you had in mind when you started!!

I have painted the outside with a mix of old cream emulsion, a splash of artist acrylic paint in antique white and a good splash of water. The water makes the paint consistency thinner, so you don't get clumps of thicker paint when finished. I have also played around with the steps with the aim of making them look a little worn!

Hywel then made a trellis to go up the side of window, now I have to decide whether to stain it dark or leave it natural? And ... I have to decide whether to put a cobbled road around the shop, just grass it or do a mix of both? I think I will probably do a mix of both. The base is a little old table top, its amazing what we keep, isn't it? It is battered and worn in places, but will cover nicely. The 'cobbles' are kitchen vinyl wallpaper, which should, fingers crossed, look really good after I have given them a grey wash with my emulsion mix.

This weekend, I also painted my dresser with a rich cream emulsion, again watered down, and rubbed a little medium oak wax over parts, as Hywel said it looked too clean for the shop... Cheek!!!

Then I made up some little soap boxes for the bottom shelf and to go in the drawers. After that I went back to my sewing and watching TV :0)

Oh... and I also did a little mooching on the internet. I follow Julie's blog,  http://diaryofanedwardiandollshouse.blogspot.com/
Julie has bought herself a wonderful shop with living quarters, which she is making up as an Edwardian toyshop. Following her blog, I am itching to start a bigger project, so I have been looking around at available houses online. These are what are coming up as favourites so far.

A cotswold house from Maple street. Quite a small house, so space wouldn't be too much a problem. It has two main rooms and a side annexe room, which could be a small kitchen.

A tudor house, nice, but I always find they are tall! I am tempted to do an authentic Tudor house though, I like the leaded windows and beams and I could turn my hand to some tudor needlework. I would also have an excuse to buy some fabalous new tudor furniture and a four poster bed from http://www.wightcrafts.etsy.com/

Or, a pretty house! This house is near enough identical to a real house at the end of our lanes, which I pass on  my way to work. I have always admired it and wished we lived there, but the reality from Hywel's accident last march is that we will probably now not move for quite a few years and then it will more than likely be too a bungalow, with no steep drive or steps. So... if I bought this house, I would decorate it in the colours and furniture that I would put in the 'real' house! Therefore it would be a mix of modern and sumptous fabrics.

I will have to have a good think... space is a priority, so it has to be the right house.. if I can squeeze one in at all. OR.... I'd also love to make a french house, now that the little shop is turning scottish! .. trouble is, I am having huge difficulty finding one that would be right. I'll have to keep mooching online!

Off for a cup of tea and to clear some more snow now, have a great day, Julia xx