Flourish and Blotts…but somewhat belated update!

This is how Flourish's looks at the moment...not finished! lol

   

This isn‘t real time work, I last worked on ole Flourish‘s in June! I’m currently awaiting the bookcases and shop counter to be completed as part of a commission, all work has had to stop till they are all in situ.  :o)

Flourish’s outside is almost finished. I need to do the sign and then add the fascia etc. All  my shops will have a hanging sign and the bay and bowed windows will  have a lead roof (none of mine have had that added yet, although I do have the lead for Flourish’s!).

I’ve moved Slug and Jiggers to face the other way (how I had to start with), I had issues with opening Flourish’s front. So, it means I have make the back of Slugs and Jiggers and Flourish’s more presentable. However, I am going to wait till I have my complete line up in place before I do that…I just might move it all back to how it was just because of the extra work I now have to do! Lol :o)

There is some cosmetic work to be done on the side of Slug and Jiggers where bits of plaster have chipped off and of course the back...you can see the bare wood back!   

The back of Flourish's is slightly exposed too, and this needs attention. However I want a trompe l'oeil behind the back doors, so I will have to somehow obscure the lower view of the gap.

 How it was and how I prefer the layout....hmmm Apologies for the grainy photo's but the light in this area of the room is appalling no matter what time of day and one taken with a flash is even dire. 

 It's looks much better in good light! lol

 No, that's not the ghastly sign I will be having! lol It's just a prototype I used just to see how the font would look etc. I printed it off when my printer was out of red and blue ink! 

  Trying the door lintel in place. I can't glue it on until the sign etc is in place. 

The floorboards have been aged and waxed. As you can see I added another bit! To be honest I have no idea why it was cut away in the first place!! lol It maybe because the shop was going to be another shop in the beginning. :o) Anyhow, I'm sure I can use some kind of story as to why it's like it.....maybe a couple of house Elves did it one night! :o) lol

The horrid doglegged staircase, but this is how they will look (layout wise) once in. They will be painted black but with the top of the hand rail will be stained.

With the back doors in. I adapted the hanging light after a kind soul telling me how easy it was to do! Thank you Sally...it wasn't so bad. :o)

 With all the door and window furnishings added.

I’ve used all hand made brass door furnishings, and have added an oval knob for the main door like the real one. Fitting the key hole for the back door was mighty fiddly!

 With the stairs this time....

Close-ups of Flourish’s wallpaper aren’t kind. I love the pattern, only it stretched as it was being glued on, so I have areas where it is paler than others. Seeing that my shops are aged and rather dirty this is not a bad thing, but not good if you want a pristine look! I know much is dependant on the paper, but sometimes it’s also to do with glue and method used. I used slightly watered down PVA to glue it on, but some kind and talented individual suggested a combination of Pritt Stick and PVA, or just Pritt Stick. I think it’s down to method too. The faults don’t stop there unfortunately and I would redo it because I hate it so much,  but the paper was not cheap and as I’m having floor to ceiling bookcases, shelves and skirting board still to be added, the worse areas will be covered….what a relief for small mercies! :o)

I've not attached the window sills that I made yet, as I may need to shorten them when the bookcases are in situ. 

 The black trim will be added above the window and not over the doors architrave! It will have words in gold on it pertinent to the shop. :o)

One of the blinds that my Mum made. I have yet to add the finials to the ends, these have been stained and will be waxed. I will have a tiny pull cord etc in the middle of the blind. 

The back doors in the shop which in real life leads to a tiny room with lots of books and a desk etc. I made the stairs from scratch and of course aged and distressed the lot!

I still plan on having a trompe O'leil, but it’s vital I get the perspective correct. Take a look at this blog link and you will see a spectacular trompe O’leil where an image of an open door leads into a garden. No, I don’t’ want a garden scene…but just a certain scene behind my own real opening doors. I have the image, it’s just a case of working with it to get it right. :o))

The chimney stack that I made and wooden chimney pot that I made look and feel like terracotta.  

 I've added the mortar to set the chimney pot. ;o) It was still drying when I took the photo.

I wanted another lead roof, I’m much happier with Flourish’s roof compared to Slug and Jiggers. The lead is a lot neater and I’m far happier with the ageing, I used a different method this time and it’s far more realistic in my humble opinion. I will redo Slugs roof age  and distress work! ;o)  Again I made the chimney stack and made a wooden chimney pot look like a real terracotta using modelling dust (I needed one ASAP and that’s all I had at the time). 

Some stairs that I've made to look like worn and aged stone. They aren't finished yet. :o)

The downstairs of the Weasley shop. I thought the stairs looked better this way, rather than 'come at you' as you open the front. The only thing is, they are rather near to the other wall (once its in situ), so  I may take a couple of cms off the top floor so I can set them further back and thus make it look like a realistic space that little wizards can move in! lol

I’ve been gluing parts of the Weasley shop together today and I’ve tried 3 different types of hinges for it…none work with the kit….hmmm looks like I may have to use hook and eyes for the front! Grrrrr!

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

Michelle xxxx 

And now for something completely different!

Well, it’s been a while huh, my blog tells me it‘s been 2 months since I posted anything on here!  I said last time that you probably thought I’d been kidnapped by aliens, hmm I think this time I slipped down the back of the sofa and stayed there! Lol lol :oP

The dire weather in the UK has just got worse…..the Jet Stream is to blame…it’s too low or too high or something, so it’s sent our Spring and Summer to the moon and instead we have rain..not just showers I might add, but monsoon type weather, you should see my garden, I shall need machete soon to clear my pathway to my Summer House!! :o)

Today this little fella arrived from California, USA and he was only finished last week. :o))))) I am simply thrilled to bits with him and that‘s an understatement! He is made by the super talented Dawn Schiller. I have wanted one of her Chrono Seidh's before I even started blogging and that was in October 2009, so it’s a while huh! I tried unsuccessfully to win one via Ebay, but the time difference made it impossible for me to stay awake when the auction’s ended. Recently Dawn posted on her blog that anyone wanting one of her little men to contact her…I did so post-haste! ;o)))))

I gave her details of what I wanted and she’s exceeded all expectation’s I ever had of him, even the telescope she was able to do and fit in that case. :o))

He is much loved and oh so much wanted! He now lives in my craft room looking over me. He will eventually go into a special shadow box full of special mini’s and art pieces, but for now he’s with Humpty.  Thank you heaps Dawn!!!!! :o))))

I have done as much as I can on Flourish and Blotts, I am awaiting the counter and bookcases to be made and they won’t be ready till August/September. Once I have those I can go back and finish all the bits I need to. :o)

I have been listening to my Harry Potter audio CD’s, looking at my special Harry Potter books and looking at the films, this has helped loads because I have started work on Weasley Wizard Wheezes shop! I have just ordered lots of supplies for it. I have some of the shop display unit's already and in the midst of adapting some, I will be making some too. I already know what lights I need to buy….arh…those supplies lists are never ending! 

Well, those in the UK please stay safe and if you’re enjoying sunshine elsewhere…please oh please send some to the UK we are in great need,  I thought I‘d have to swim back from the Summer House today it was so bad! ;o))))

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

Michelle xxxx 

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 

Slug and Jiggers get's its heart and soul.

Well, I have been away from Blogland for a little while, but I have been busy!! I'll save the update on Flourish and Blotts for another post!

For now, my long awaited and much wanted commissioned piece for Slug and Jiggers!  It arrived yesterday from Canada. I was going to do a blog post last night, but I sadly ran out of time! 

This truly work of art and magnificent piece was made by Jenn Hatt. I was stunned when I saw the previews of it, but I was speechless when it was home with me!  I don't think it's sunk in yet that it's with me and I own it! lol  If you think of all the positive adjectives that exist..well, that's how much I love it! ;o)))) 

Jenn has added posters on each end...and the spaces and gaps that you are see are on purpose, these are to be filled with bunches of herbs, other potions, old bones etc.

In situ (and it's a perfect fit too!) and with Jenn's other pieces. Jenn will now make the counter and the loose bits for around the shop, etc.   

 I've chosen to keep the door panel not glued in. It will always enable to me get in, redress and fiddle!

I can now fit the ceiling light and the plate rack. I plan on having it on the opening panel and maybe a shelf above the bowed window.  

 Jenn's table that I bought last year.

The window has not been finished. It needs to be aged and dressed. I don't plan on gluing in the actual window frame, I like the idea of being able to look in!

There a couple of pieces that I need to reset on the unit. The pile of packages are leaning too far over from when Jenn set them and a bottle etc., worked loose too. All easily remedied. ;o)

 The outside light wire will be hidden behind the skirting board. I also need to plaster the window frame in and age it etc. 

 Looking through the window...again! lol

There is still lots of little jobs to be done, mainly downstairs...but there are a number of small things to be done upstairs too!

 I will probably have a couple of things on the window sill.

I plan on adding a plate rack and fill it more shop supplies.  I will hang bunches of herbs from this shelf too. I may also hang some bones too. I need to have some barrels too, full of some odd and nasty things!    

The wonderful unicorn's head for Slughorn's office. It will be placed on the unit behind his desk. It's made by the very talented Nicky Cooper. :o))) Just perfect and just what I wanted (for some time). :o))

Mr Jiggers (the shop keeper I made up)  will be on his way at the end of the month. Now you wouldn't want to meet him on a dark corner at any time!! lol


By the weekend I will have a new shop kit (one that is revealed) and a new character...for a project I haven't revealed to you all yet. You will have to wait though. :o))


I will probably tweak and add to the narrative tomorrow..when I am less tired. :o)

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


Michelle xxxx