"sous le figuier"....

It appears that I didn't give you 'enough' in my last post? I hope this post shows you more detail and answers some of your questions......not all questions can be answered at this point as I do not know all of the answers.....colour etc., etc...
All of "sous le figuier" is self made......at this stage I have only purchased the windows and the stairs, but I have made exterior changes to the larger windows. The shop front, the body of the house, all the cladding, doors, shutters and all external details are 'scratch' made....(not sure if I like the term 'scratch made'....but that seems to be the term that is used by many....?).....but anyway, made by me!!!
Sadly I do not have any wonderful electric tools etc., that can cut multipal pieces of wood to the same length....instead I sit here and work away (slowly) with my (trusty) "Easy Cutter". It is the same cutter that I used to make the 'petite maison'....I did buy what was supposed to be a 'new & improved' "Easy Cutter" but I quickly returned to my old one.
This house is as deep as the 'petite mason' but not as wide or as high. I wanted the same depth so that I can have a rear room etc (dimension), but I didn't want the ceilings to be as high, so the over-all height is (obviously) lower. I am very happy with the over-all proportions...it is important to me to get this correct!!
I love working with 'strip-wood'.....I sit for hours with a bundle of different shapes and sizes to make details such as the 'lip' around the top of the house (where the roof meets the house) and of course the shop front.....I can't wait to get started on the interior, to make wall panelling, floor tiles etc, etc.....if it can be made out of wood, then that is what I choose!
There were/are so many wonderful building in Paris that gave me inspiration for this house and of course the 'petite maison'....but unlike the 'petite maison' this time I do not want all the fancy detailing and corbels etc.....I choose a 'plainer'  (less elegant?) house.
Okay....there you have it.....enjoy!!! Linda x

Progress....?

I have made (some) progress...? I have been making shutters.....10 pair in total. I have not finished them as yet, as I have run-out of 'detailing' and must wait for a 'wood' order to arrive. But I couldn't resist putting the shutters in place to see what it (might) look like when finished. Mmmm.....so far so good????
The exterior is still just the 'raw' craft-wood (MDF). I still have to design and make a chimney, make roof tiles, and sand many (many) little (wooden) cobble stones for the front foot-path. I have a few ideas as to what colours I might paint the exterior....but at present I continue to concentrate on finishing all the work (detailing) before I worry about that too much....but my fingers are itching to get involved with the interior.......!!!
I hope you enjoy seeing what progress I have made so far, it might be more frustrating for you watching the slow progress of this project than it it for me.....because the days I am not working on my house I am playing with little Hudson who is now 9 months old and a total delight!!!

"Sous Le Figuier"....

I am terribly pleased to say that a 'big effort' has gone into my latest miniature project these past few weeks. My dear friend Catherine felt sure that you would (might!....my word) be interested to see my progress.
All the detail (wood) work is done to the actual shop front, the roof has been re-designed, I have used 'strip-wood' to make different mouldings around the (gutter area) of the roof and detailing on the actual house. Unlike the 'Petite Maison' there is no (and will not be any) plaster 'over window' details or balconies with corbels. I have used two main photos for the inspiration for this project......one photo I took many years ago while staying in Chinon and the other is a small building in the heart of Paris....both are simple but delightful building.....and gosh I hope some of that has reflected into what I am desperately trying to achieve here!?
You might notice the stairs through the front shop window......these will not be visible when work starts on the interior, but I fear there is still a lot to still do to the exterior before too much work can begin inside. I want to make all my own wooden shutters....whether they will be louvred I am not too sure....but I do have ideas. There are many roof tiles to make, cobble stones to sand, a chimney to design and make and "plants" to make......not to forget the "plants"!!!!!!! Okay....wish me luck, there is still much to do!

I'm a slow worker....but this is ridiculous!!!

I have had the plans drawn for my French "....."shop for well over 2 years (or more ?) but nothing happened. Finally the 'bug bit' and I got on with it. The shop front proved to be a challenge....it is one thing having the plans drawn in 1 dimension, but a totally different story to building it in 3 dimension. After a lot of head scratching and a few anxious moments (where I almost abandoned the project altogether) it all suddenly fell into place....and here is my progress thus far.
For one reason or another I was a little hesitant to show my progress at this stage, but as I said to a fellow blogger, if I don't....then I might as well close down my blog!! So here you have it!!! Lots and lots (and LOTS....sigh!) more to do, but I believe this to be a positive start!!
A big thank you to those who made contact with me regarding 'The House of Miniatures' wardrobe....sadly most (if not all) on eBay (for reasons I don't know) do not/will not send to Australia!!! Any way, I do believe I shall secure one very soon...thanks again!!