tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post7411291699670652191..comments2024-03-27T00:22:15.426-05:00Comments on Sticks and Stones and Styrofoam: Detours and Roadblocks Enroute to the RoofMarjorie Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-70390719717856561162019-03-16T11:13:06.760-05:002019-03-16T11:13:06.760-05:00Hello, Sam - Thank you for the encouraging words! ...Hello, Sam - Thank you for the encouraging words! Those white curtains were such a disappointment, but I do agree that the gingham ones are the better choice, so that worked out for the best. I'm continuing to work on the floor, and it's looking better. Not great, but okay. I'm still considering using real dirt now that - finally - the snow has melted and the dirt is exposed. That will entail the use of the glue and water fixative, so I'm eager to experiment. I hope the lady of the house will appreciate my efforts!<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-70736081707112802372019-03-14T18:32:47.983-05:002019-03-14T18:32:47.983-05:00I felt your facepalms through my iPad Marjorie and...I felt your facepalms through my iPad Marjorie and oh boy, have I been there. Your white curtains were so pretty, it’s such a shame when something is going so well and then at the last hurdle we ruin it. However, we do have to sometimes call time on the efforts to resurrect the piece and start again. As pretty as they were I agree that the gingham is much more appropriate for the application and the pop of colour will add so much to what I imagine will be quite a rudimentary dwelling. The lady of the house will be pleased. Keep persevering with the floor you will get there in the end. I have seen the glue and water spray fixative used very successfully. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-21714941174492487482019-03-08T17:02:56.541-06:002019-03-08T17:02:56.541-06:00Hello - I'm happy that you stopped by to check...Hello - I'm happy that you stopped by to check out the Nebraska Sod House. Thank you for your nice comment; it's a pleasure to know that you've been inspired by the sod house curtains!<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-26823554983290178992019-03-07T21:12:38.667-06:002019-03-07T21:12:38.667-06:00With a little extra curtain like that, a room look...With a little extra curtain like that, a room looks more attractive and beautiful to look at.<br />Thank you for the idea ...., inspired me ..Himawan Santhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04870301477708657151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-61214877433832397942019-03-02T13:34:42.185-06:002019-03-02T13:34:42.185-06:00Hi, Lori - I do seem to make as much backward prog...Hi, Lori - I do seem to make as much backward progress as forward progress in my mini projects! And I do, honestly, plan ahead and map out my course and write out construction time lines and work out the proper order of things. All for nothing, it seems! But then, I'm in no hurry, so no doubt I'll just keep on doing and undoing and redoing until I finally get it right. I would like to get the floor right soon, though, because any further progress is stalled until that's done, and although there is no hurry, there's still some impatience to get on with the next thing. I appreciate your very encouraging words about the floor's authenticity, and I'm going to keep that in mind now as I try to at least get back to my starting point! And yes, I knew which curtains you were referring to - your wording was fine. I laid the filthy white ones to rest in a safe place - maybe to use for a spooky Halloween theme?<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-80602742471745365592019-03-02T13:20:08.046-06:002019-03-02T13:20:08.046-06:00Hello, Janine - Yes, I think you're right that...Hello, Janine - Yes, I think you're right that the white curtains were good practice for making the gingham ones. I didn't need to remake the wood pegs or redrill the holes, and the twine was easier to thread through the rod pocket and secure to the pegs the second time around, so I started out one step ahead. Now if I can just get ahead on the floor! I like your encouraging comment about remembering smooth and shiny dirt floors. I probably should have let well enough alone with the original smooth floor instead of pursuing that vision of "a little loose dirt." But at least I like the challenge; I can hardly wait to see what I do about that floor! Thanks for stopping by.<br />Marjorie Marjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-48426824661664663582019-03-01T10:43:50.419-06:002019-03-01T10:43:50.419-06:00When I said, "I hope you are saving them to u...When I said, "I hope you are saving them to use them somewhere..." I was referring to the white curtains, not the gingham. I didn't word that very well. Oh well, like the Die Hard character says: "I only speak two languages: English and Bad English."Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04361216620256811303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-60211239741791986872019-03-01T10:41:31.637-06:002019-03-01T10:41:31.637-06:00OH NO! How frustrating to spend so much time work...OH NO! How frustrating to spend so much time working on minis and have the issues you had! However, I do think your gingham curtains are the better choice (But I hope you are saving them to use them somewhere, someday, in some project! If not, I have a hunting cabin and the owner doesn't care about washing curtains so dirty ones fit right in! LOL). Your dirt floor looks pretty authentic to me: I image they had different shades of dirt and lumps throughout the years. But I know you are a perfectionist so you will keep on fussing until you find the absolutely perfect floor (I like your idea of just using dirt; or if that fails, I always use used tea and coffee grinds - just make sure they are fully dried out!) Can't wait to see what you come up with --- I'm looking forward to the floor and the roof (such opposite ends of the spectrum! LOL). - Lori K.Lorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04361216620256811303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-8657868402559788782019-02-28T13:30:22.695-06:002019-02-28T13:30:22.695-06:00Dear Marjorie, Oh the trials and tribulations of a...Dear Marjorie, Oh the trials and tribulations of a miniaturist. My thoughts are reflected in the previous comments. Just consider the white curtains as a mock up for the very successful and cheerful gingham. I am sure they would have been made from an old skirt or left over fabric.<br />In my recollection of dirt floors it seems they do end up being very smooth and somewhat shiny. Perhaps the ones I have seen had access to clay. <br />All in all a funny post and levity is greatly appreciated these days. <br />Regards Janineminwkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08487584020742239991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-70897692816603336902019-02-27T18:52:10.192-06:002019-02-27T18:52:10.192-06:00Hello, Maria - Thanks for your vote of confidence!...Hello, Maria - Thanks for your vote of confidence! The war with the floor will go on a while longer; I have several ideas to try out before (I hope) I can declare the war won. I agree that the gingham curtains will be much easier to keep clean (or at least to keep looking clean) than the white ones. That homesteader has to work hard to get her laundry done, and I'm glad that I haven't added to her work load after all. <br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-72815176556669970312019-02-27T18:44:12.387-06:002019-02-27T18:44:12.387-06:00Hi, Troy - Yes, that was a rather painful experien...Hi, Troy - Yes, that was a rather painful experience - and it isn't over yet! I'm actually looking forward to experimenting further to achieve the look that I want for the dirt floor. I really need to have the floor finished before I can get very far along on the roof, so I need to keep moving. I think I'm satisfied with the gingham curtains, although I wish that I had used that fabric first instead of wasting time and material on those white ones! Thanks for your input.<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-72384437442332666772019-02-27T18:35:20.296-06:002019-02-27T18:35:20.296-06:00Hi, Betsy - I think those gingham curtains were re...Hi, Betsy - I think those gingham curtains were really meant to be; the white ones were apparently created in a moment of madness! I'll save the rest of that fabric for another tamer, tidier environment. I appreciate your encouragement regarding the floor. I have a few more ideas to try out to get the effect that I want - but I will also give it another good beating! It may not help the floor, but I'm sure it'll do me a lot of good. Meanwhile, the roof is waiting, and I'm eager to get started!<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-41060234673648296972019-02-27T18:23:29.222-06:002019-02-27T18:23:29.222-06:00Hello, Rosa Maria -Thank you for your encouragemen...Hello, Rosa Maria -Thank you for your encouragement; it's sometimes hard to be patient when a project doesn't turn out right the first time - or even the second or third time! But I'll work on that floor until I do get the results I want. I'm so glad that you like the gingham curtains; I'm satisfied with the way they turned out, after getting off to such a bad start. Now the roof is waiting, and that's going to be an interesting project!<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-22335671957359837542019-02-27T12:48:55.406-06:002019-02-27T12:48:55.406-06:00:D I thought the link might be of interest is beca...:D I thought the link might be of interest is because the product after it had dried was very much like totally compressed soil with different light and dark tones naturally occurring. Good luck with whatever you decide to do Marjorie, as I know you WILL prevail in the end! :Delizabeth shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09042037455600427075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-72193062334442911392019-02-27T03:10:55.431-06:002019-02-27T03:10:55.431-06:00I know you will win the war with that floor lol. T...I know you will win the war with that floor lol. The white curtains were pretty but the homeowner would probably have to wash them a lot and they would wear away faster than the very lovely red and white ones so you have saved that poor woman some washing :D. Thanks for all the great information.<br />Hugs Maria Maria Irelandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12650494838374371853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-40339029960545802532019-02-26T18:37:47.229-06:002019-02-26T18:37:47.229-06:00Hi, Jodi - You've spoken a great truth about t...Hi, Jodi - You've spoken a great truth about the things that we expect to be easy; I hardly gave a thought to that floor because it seemed almost irrelevant in its simplicity. Was I ever surprised! The change in curtains definitely worked out for the best; I agree that the gingham brings an immediate image of the rugged pioneering spirit. Thank you for suggesting the dirt floor tutorial; I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but I'm excited - and curious - about it! I appreciate your help.<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-1406789538040009792019-02-26T18:23:02.865-06:002019-02-26T18:23:02.865-06:00Hello, Giac - Thank you for the encouraging words!...Hello, Giac - Thank you for the encouraging words! I will keep working on that floor - it's stubborn, but I'm more so, and I hope I'll eventually win out. I can see the finished result in my mind's eye, and I know there's a solution somewhere. I was sorry to ruin those nice white curtains, but it all worked out better in the end - the gingham ones are definitely more suited to the soddy, and they'll be much easier to keep clean! <br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-41868437612835038792019-02-26T18:15:44.053-06:002019-02-26T18:15:44.053-06:00Hello, Pilar - You're right that there is much...Hello, Pilar - You're right that there is much frustration in having a clear idea in my mind but being unable to make it work out the way I want - but I'll keep trying to get that floor right. I'm glad that you like the curtains; I'm much happier with the gingham fabric - and perhaps the homesteader won't need to wash them as often as the white ones! Thank you for stopping by.<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-40660675342250757172019-02-26T17:58:23.910-06:002019-02-26T17:58:23.910-06:00Hi, Elizabeth - At least we can laugh about all th...Hi, Elizabeth - At least we can laugh about all the mix-ups and mess-ups that happen, frustrating as they may be! I love the idea of a glue/water spray fixative, and I've never tried it. That's now on my list! I'm also much happier with the gingham curtains. I initially wanted to hang solid red curtains, but I knew how dark that would make the soddy, so I chose the white instead. But when that didn't work out, I came across the red and white gingham and wished that I had thought of that in the first place! I appreciate your sending along the YouTube information; I haven't looked at it yet, but the sawdust, glue and water mixture sounds like a great possibility! Thank you!<br />MarjorieMarjorie Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12104669798186181705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-25868655478113308752019-02-26T14:41:08.963-06:002019-02-26T14:41:08.963-06:00This was a great post and we all learned from your...This was a great post and we all learned from your experience! ( even though it may have felt painful for you) Good luck with the dirt floors. I have never really had any experience with them and I look forward to seeing what you come up with. If the curtains don't work out, then you might try shutters? Keep up the good work - TroyTroyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13248343692678031483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-14187382258260012912019-02-26T03:56:15.733-06:002019-02-26T03:56:15.733-06:00Using a mix of fine sawdust, Wood glue and water, ...Using a mix of fine sawdust, Wood glue and water, is this the look you are seeking? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyHxWKiVcSYelizabeth shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09042037455600427075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-49773620314573161452019-02-26T03:53:21.407-06:002019-02-26T03:53:21.407-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.elizabeth shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09042037455600427075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-13927661417445390352019-02-25T18:16:25.111-06:002019-02-25T18:16:25.111-06:00Hi Marjorie! I am in agreement with the others tha...Hi Marjorie! I am in agreement with the others that as pretty as the white curtains were... they were "unrealistic" for the conditions! Your homeowner would have been spending too much time and energy trying to keep them white!!! (Think of the mud that would form from the dust and thundershowers that surely blew through those windows!) The gingham is cheerful and authentic to the era and provides a bit of color at a time when color was fashionable! I think they are perfect! As for the floor.... didn't you just say the homeowners had to beat and scrape and water their floor all the time??? If so... then what you are doing is just perfect! LOL! All you need to do is beat it just a little more! (I am sure the housewife was never satisfied with her floor!!!) So clearly you are doing everything the right way and this is going to be another of those awesome mini environments when you get done!! I really can't wait to learn about the roof!!! :)Daydreamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06170115485686244907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-57487037898787692132019-02-25T15:46:35.748-06:002019-02-25T15:46:35.748-06:00Te habrá costado Marjori, pero al final no cuenta ...Te habrá costado Marjori, pero al final no cuenta el tiempo sino los resultados y el tuyo es perfecto para tu casa de la pradera, me encantan las cortinas de cuadros, ánimo para el techo que seguro te quedará genial pues te has documentado mucho. Besos:-)Contrastes-Rosa Mªhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08353723185639488150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4305797144663798085.post-19859254733038032512019-02-25T11:07:47.959-06:002019-02-25T11:07:47.959-06:00It always seems like the things we think are going...It always seems like the things we think are going to be so easy are the ones that end up teaching us the most!!! I am glad you didn't lose heart, and even though I love the white curtains, I love the gingham curtains more for the soddy because it brings my mind right to pioneer times!<br /><br />Marilyn had a great way to make dirt floors using a tutorial published in Dollhouse and Miniatures Scene. Here's the post:<br /><br />http://charminis.blogspot.com/2019/02/good-fun-and-good-company-cant-beat-it.html<br /><br />Might be worth a test run!<br /><br />Best of luck with the roofing and have fun making the interior look as though it really would all those years ago!Jodi Hipplerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17493172804253306940noreply@blogger.com