Thursday 3 May 2012

Look out Mr Jiggers is about and an update on Flourish and Blotts too!

You probably thought I’d been kidnapped by aliens it’s been so long since I posted anything onhere! I haven’t been around Blogland much as I’ve had lots of things to do!

The weather in the UK has been atrocious, we’ve had a deluge of rain and I’ve been soaked a few too many times of late! 

I badly hurt my left arm on Monday and have strained two large muscles (making life extremely difficult) and this has been topped off with an ear infection that has lasted nearly two weeks, so I’m guessing a trip to the Doctor’s will be in order. Other than that, I’m not doing too badly. :o)

Firstly, Mr Jiggers arrived this morning!!! :o)))) He was a little slow getting over from Germany….I’ve only bought two male characters from Silke and both were slow…hmmmm methinks they are a tad errant because all the females make it over in about 3 days!! lol 

He is soooo wanted and I adore him to bits!! :o) Mr Jiggers doesn't actually exist in the Harry Potter books, I made him up for my project. I knew I wanted a creepy character and roughly knew how I wanted him dressed. Silke came up with an idea of basing his face on a well known actor who played a really creepy and nasty character from a children’s book ….I wonder whether you can guess who it was!!?!
I own a lot of characters, but he has to be one of my top favourites, I most certainly wouldn’t want to spend too much time in Slug and Jiggers with him serving me!  lol  I will have him behind the counter and probably with a potion bottle to which he is pouring into…or some kind of vessel. :o)
His cloak feels like ultra fine suede and he had teeny tiny buttons  on it, he has flat wizard cap. It was Silke who said he should have  gaiters and the flat hat. I think he suits Slug and Jiggers perfectly!! :o) Huge thanks Silke. :o)
 He will be just the person behind Slug and Jiggers counter and ready to serve you your needs!
  He's quite a character!   

 Three wheels on my wagon! :o)
For the longest time I have been on the look out for a 1/12th vehicle…but could I find one?!!? Oh no, not when I was actively looking I couldn’t! A few weeks ago I was looking for weighing scales for Slugs and I found this fabulous 3 wheeled vehicle, it was a must have as far as I was concerned!!! The wheels move around, the front wheel also turns as does the steering wheel! :o)  
I will age and distress it first and then it must be dressed and filled! I thought perhaps a professor could be in the drivers seat and student in front and the back could be piled high with trunks and owl cages? It will probably have to sent to the artisan making the characters…I haven’t yet decided who to have made nor who will make the characters themselves. All in good time. :o))
I have been working on Flourish’s too…..but work has been mighty slow! The dog legged stairs case has taken an absolute age and I’ve had about 8 attempts to glue on the spindles!!! Grrrr and another grrrrr! I decided the home made ones (straight pieces of wood and no fancy work) just wasn’t up to the job in sooo many ways. So I bought some and I’m the process now of making the staircase once again! Because the staircase took so much time, little else got done. However, I soon picked up speed when I gave up on the home made spindles!


Having also bought myself a new CD/radio player also helped spur me on immensely, because I can now listen to my Harry Potter audio books, I have them all on CD! :o)
 I still need to add damp and ageing to the brickwork.

The outside is more done than not now. Tonight I glued in the door and I can fit the main shop window over the weekend. I will add the bit where the sign will go when I’ve made it. I will also add a lead roof to the bay window as I will all the bay/bowed windows I have.

 Still quite abit to do on the inside, but once the stairs and cornice etc is in, it will look almost completed.  

Most of the lower floorboards are down, just the upper landing ones to do now. They will need a little wash of colour over the top and waxing. I hasten to add I should have really done this before wallpapering. However, as I am having skirting board if I do touch the edges of the paper the ageing and wax won't show. I have painted all the cornice, skirting board and trims too. I have made the front step and sanded it down to show decades of wear. I have been looking at lights and I’m having a difficult time deciding what to buy…as always!  

I hope to tile the roof over the weekend and it will have a real lead roof like Slug and Jiggers and maybe a chimney stack too. As I’ve said many times before I don’t plan on filling my projects just yet….I want to get the project carcases built and then I can concentrate on the bits that matter! ;o))
 Stairs!!! Grrrr! The dog legged stairs...not glued together...yet! I hate making stairs!!!! Grrrrr!
 The window is not glued in, nor are the frame pieces within the door. I've just cut them for size here.   
  Arh! More kits..

So, Flourish and Blotts is nearly complete based on those terms. I managed to acquire a kit for another project I have been planning for over a year…that will be a series of kit bashes and I don’t want to start on any projects that are more challenging, so I will keep to more straight forward ones, but not easy I might add!  I have decided to start on Weasley Wizard Wheezes next - to be worked on mainly in my craft room and Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment shop in the summer house. :o)) 

A big warm welcome to my new followers….I hope you don’t mind my ramblings and madness! :o))

Michelle xxxx 

39 comments:

  1. Mr Jiggers is superb!
    As usual it is great to read about progress of your fantastic ideas, Michelle!

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    1. Thank you Ewa, he's creepy guy huh! lol

      That's the trouble, I have too many ideas, it's lots of fun though. :o)

      Michelle xx

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  2. Hi Michele was lovely reading what youve been up too, i love your Mr Jiggers too he is perfect in there xx

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    1. I love ole Mr Jiggers! lol I wish I'd been busier than I have! ;o))

      Michelle xx

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  3. Hello Michelle!
    Ok........the secret is out.....I am a HUGE fan of your work. I love the aged character you apply to each piece and the people with related stories are wonderful!
    So......get yourself feeling better and that arm on the mend please......look forward to seeing more of what you do
    Warm regards from Ray
    p.s. Mr Jiggers looks amazing and perfect for Slug and Jiggers :-)

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    1. Ray you do say the kindest things! ;o)) Thank you!

      I prefer to do aged buildings, it takes ages to apply all the decades of wear and tear...I must be glutton for punishment! lol

      The arm is not so great, I've ripped some muscle strings so it will take a while to heal. So, I'm forced to keep mini work to light stuff and to a minimum.

      Michelle :o))

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  4. Sorry to her you hve been unwell Michelle xxxx Its all looking so fabulous.

    Lots of Luffies

    Debie xxxxxxxx

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    1. It's slow going Debie, slower than normal. Hoping the arm doesn't take too long to heal! ;o)))

      Glad you like it so far!

      Michelle xxxx

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  5. Mr Jiggers is wonderful Michelle :D
    Love the front of Flourish and Blotts too! So alike to the real version :D
    Can't wait to see the start of Weasleys wizard wheezes! Such an amazing shop that I'm sure you'll make amazing! :D

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    1. Mr Jiggers was so wanted, Silke did a sublime job on making him just how I wanted and pictured him in my mind. :o)

      I'm still working on Flourish's and have bought some mini's for it. The Weasley Wizard Wheezes shop is dry built...but that's all so far! Lots of changes to ensue there.

      Michelle :o)

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  6. I love Mr. Jiggers, he is most creepy :) Those stairs look like something to make you pull your hair out but I know you will conquer the task :)

    Love the brick work and windows on Flourish's!

    Hugs,
    Victoria

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    1. Victoria, Pffft, the stairs are getting there now....after goodness knows how many attempts! I have natural wear and tear on those! lol I have made other stair cases before and never had so many problems as these ones.

      I'm on Plan C at least with the stairs! lol lol I finally worked out what was causing the problems...but the fact it's a smaller staircase than the norm, has an awful lot to answer for! lol

      The brickwork came out okay as it was nearly a disaster! My clay was drying, I didn't roll out enough and I hadn't sculpted the bricks in...so some bricks are more faint than others. Good job it's supposed to be aged and worn looking! lol

      Michelle xxx

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  7. You have been busy Michelle. Don't even start me on staircases. Did you see the ones on Ebay that were all made up. Very reasonable starting prices.
    Mr Jiggers is wonderful. He has all the character you could have hoped for, well worth the wait.
    It was interesting to see your car. I bought one like this on Ebay but it was far too big, much more like 1/6th scale really so I had to return it very disappointed. Yours looks a much better size.
    Goodness hasn't the weather been dreadful. I seem to get soaked every time I take out Lily. Yuk!

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    1. Janice, the staircase has caused me oodles of delays with so much now! The many hours spent on those stairs must be legendary! lol

      I did see the link for the made stairs!! I have another limk I meant to send you...all made in the USA (not cheap), but staircases of every kind!!!

      Mr Jiggers has settled in nicely and I like to pass him on my way into my craft room. :o))

      The car is perfect 1/12th scale. I have tried a sitting wizard in it and he looks perfect. I thought it looked okay before I bought it, but until you try a character you can't be sure. They sold other more vintage cars too, (I'm sure one could be converted slightly for the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car)! There's another vehicle that I like, so I might get that later on. ;o)

      We had some sun today...it's getting rather monotonous with having to dress for Autumn in Spring! :o( I'm hoping we are saved from a hosepipe ban now!!!!

      Michelle xxx

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  8. oh my gosh I love mr jiggers and it's amazing th look on his face so perfect.lol Hope your feeling better soon!

    Mini hugs,
    Jenn

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    1. Glad you approve of Mr Jiggers Jenn! I think he suits his shop! ;o)

      I need a bionic arm methinks! lol

      Michelle xx

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  9. Everything is getting so wonderful. The vehicle is fantastic!
    Hugs

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    1. It's getting there...it will be fun to work on that vehicle..lots of ideas for it! :o))

      Michelle xx

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  10. Me encanta el señor Slug a pesar de haberse entretenido tanto en el viaje!!!!
    El trabajo de la nueva tienda va muy bien,creo que quedará perfecta!!!!
    Yo tambien odio hacer escaleras!!!
    Besos.

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  11. Mr Jiggers is fabulous and perfect for your shop. He has a really creepy look about him - beautifully done.

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    1. Thrilled you like him!! It's a creepy looking shop in my humble opinion, so the shop keeper needed to reflect that. I have him by the shop door, till his counter is in situ. ;o)

      I'm glad for so many reasons that I never saw the the real life version of Slug and Jiggers in Diagon Alley (the film and studio version), because mine is so different from that one.

      Michelle xx

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  12. Hi Michelle, Oh I looove the photos you took from Jiggers !!!!I hadn´t the right background ! Your Slug and Jiggers project is getting magical ! Love the big shelfs and everything !!!
    Hugs, Silke

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    1. Silke, I'm thrilled to bits that you love his home!

      You made him perfectly and have captured the image I had in my mind of him and what he should be like. He certainly makes me smile! :o)

      Michelle xxx

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  13. Fantastic! I love Mr. Jiggers and that car...O wow!
    I hope your arm gets better soon.

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    1. That car was a surprise find...amazing what you find when you aren't looking! I knew they existed but proved elusive to me for rather too long. It will be fun to get it dressed. ;o)

      My arm is improving..but it will be a slow job menthinks. :o(

      Michelle :o)

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  14. Michelle, I really like Mr Jiggers, (even though his name makes me giggle). Silke, did a great job sculpting him.
    Flourish's will look fabulous, once you've worked your Magic and got those flipping Stairs in.

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    1. Well, I knew Prof. Slughorn existed and I'm having him...but Mr Jiggers? I've not heard him mentioned in the books etc., so I thought I'd have him anyhow!

      I adore him...creepiness and all! lol Glad he makes you chuckle!

      Michelle xxx

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  15. O.M.G. Mr Jiggers is wonderful, Michelle.
    I also love that car!!!
    All the work and collections you have done at your Slug and Jiggers is so fantastic!!
    Great work!!!!!!

    Hugs,
    Karin

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    1. Isn't he just Karin! The car was a lucky find when I wasn't looking. lol Ole Slugs is a favourite so far, I must finish the obvious bits this year....lights etc. ;o)))

      Michelle xxx

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  16. Hello Michelle,
    What I love most about your blog is that I always feel transported into your world....everything is so perfect and wonderfully well done. Mr. Jiggers is great...the vehicle is great....the building is great...I just love it all.
    Happy weekend,
    Giac

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    1. Giac, Thank you for your most generous words!! :O))

      Well, I guess my world does remove you from reality. I think it's the fantasy thing that inspires me so much and I really do become completely engrossed with my projects.:o))

      I think I've missed a post of yours on your blog....I've not been around blogland too much! I must catch up! :o)

      Michelle :o)))

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  17. Mr Jiggers is perfect for his surroundings.

    I couldn't believe I was seeing all those boxed kits but no kit bashing yet - wait till you get those stairs in!

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    1. lol Oh Irene, that was only 3 kits there...I dare not tell you the total I have! Eeek!

      Serious kit bashing is new to me...so it will be fun. :o)

      I can't start on the other kit until I've done what I need to on Flourish's, and I have other projects to finish off. Ummm I won't get bored huh?! lol lol

      Michelle xx

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  18. I LOVE YOUR BLOG. I'm so jelaous of all your cool stuff :)

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    1. Aww Anna! Thank you! Well, I had to start somewhere once...and once I had nothing. My collection has built up over nearly 4 years and it's nowhere near complete.

      You too over time will have your own collection. Hang in there and remember, we ALL have to start somewhere. ;o)

      Michelle :o))

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  19. Bufff, vaya nivelazo...no conocía tu blog, y me ha dejado impresionada.
    Maravillosos trabajos, son realistas, perfectos!!!
    Un besito

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    1. Hi Carolina,

      Aww thank you so much. :o)) Still lots to do. :o)

      Michelle x

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  20. Oh I can't wait to see what you are going to do with the Weasley brothers' shop!
    Mine is veeeery slowly taking shape. And the poor boys are still nekkid as jailbirds :P
    Maybe now that I'm getting my studio set up, I can more easily get the house finished. Here's hoping...

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    1. Hi Susanna,

      The Weasley shop will take a while, I'm doing a kit bash and that's always time consuming! lol It's a fun project though but not that easy to do.

      LOL Can't be having with naked Weasley boys though, best get them dressed quick! lol I've not thought about character's for my own Weasley shop yet.

      With more space to work in, it does make life easier, I like the fact that I can leave things as they are and not have to pack away anything etc Let's hope you studio gets set up soon. :o))

      Michelle :o))

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