Winter amusements? What I have been doing for 7 WEEKS!

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What have I been doing for 7 weeks????---playing in my craft room and remodeling two dollhouses. Honestly, I could have remodeled my own house in that time. 

Here is the results---enjoy, and if you are into dolls or know someone who is, please direct them to my other blog: barbieoldnewgreenredo

This is one of the latest posts. Everything has been reconstructed or refurbished, and it started out like this:

I had redone this dollhouse 5 years ago for playing with my granddaughter, and now I wanted to do it for my doll stories and eradicate the pink--somehow and expand some areas, update the lighting and hide that elevator, since I can't spray paint outdoors right now. 

So here is the result!

Getting ready for listing!

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Richelle: Hi, Lara, sorry to call so late, but I just texted you some photos of the townhouse...we just finished staging the townhouse!

Lara: Great...so I'm waiting for them...! I'll get Ian over there tomorrow. How about the Mansion...where are we there?

Richelle: Waiting on the chair delivery and Trish...with the plants, otherwise everyone can be out for the open house. Mulan and Belle are staying with Barbie at the rental.

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Lara: The yard looks nice....we need to pull those cans out for the listing photos!

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Richelle: Can we please, never do two locations at the same time again?

Lara: For sure, we are all ragged. I'll send Vanessa over tomorrow to help you at the Manse. 

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Lara: The  office area looks great. Amazing rehab on that equipment.

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Richelle: LOL, well, no one will walk off with a 40# ancient monitor and a dummy keyboard.

Lara: By the way, the sofas look fab, love the pillows!

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...table looks great...and the kitchen...

(sure, beats  MAGENTA???)

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...I love the shelving unit...looks perfect for a family...

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Totally love the accessories...nice homage to the buildings age.

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...What's the story on the painting?

Richelle: It's a watercolor we had resized of the Chicago River. I didn't like the photographs---too contemporary,

...and I wanted to bring something  more personal and historical in with the steamboat.

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Lara: Since we couldn't get historical status, that's a nice way to add history! 1889 is a long time to be a home.

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...I really love the washed oak floors..and with the contemporary fabrics on the second floor, very cool.

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...closet looks good... and the doorwall.

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Richelle: I know the purple and greens are a little unexpected...but I'm sick of grays and neutrals---everywhere! Nothing is permanent that has color.

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Lara: Everything should appeal to the demographic we are going for. 

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...Love the drape wall with the glass in the bathroom.

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I see it just fits up to the tub corner...great I was wondering what you were going to do!

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...nice installation..., Richelle. This really is your calling!

...Are the furnishings for sale?

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Richelle: Sure and thanks, and we came in under budget by using many pieces from the house, before! I can make up a rough list for you on the furnishings.

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Lara: Great and I love the Juliet window, and the shutters close for privacy!

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Richelle: The second floor sitting room was a challenge. The lounge chair was so big..but it can be used for an extra bed. I had 'Woofie' along because I knew it was going to be a very long day! He was so good!

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Lara: Love that little work area, outside of the bathroom. Perfect---very cool wall unit! 

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...the third floor work area works well, and I see you filled the closet! Plenty of storage.

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...I think I like this room the best...the view is fab of the park, and love that rug set!

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Richelle: Just a few plants come tomorrow and I'll finish up the Mansion by three, but I need to get some sleep, now.

Lara: BMR, Ltd. thanks you, Richelle, you did a fab job! And thanks to Ryan, too. I'm sure he helped also! Get me an invoice of your expenses so I can cut you a check immediately!

Richelle: Sure, will do tomorrow, I really need some food, too. Looking at the table makes me hungry!

(Tomorrow  VICTORIAN MANSION)

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barbieoldnewgreenredo

Keeping Busy! DIY, Gardening, Dolls

Idle hands are the Devil's workshop! 

How many times have you heard that---from your mom, grandmother, father...one of those busy-body friends who never stops moving?

Thankfully we have blogging, where we can partake of others' busy-ness! LOL.

Anyway, most of my posts here have been of the outside, the greenhouse, and the yard. Inside not much pretty is going on.

We had planned to purchase new sofas and chairs for the living room, paint, and do an entire refresh. But, when a pandemic strikes, we decided to sit on our funds and concentrate on the yard and garden.

Easter was pretty much non-existent here. I put some bunnies in the ivy tree, stuck the egg ring around my vase, and took a drive and threw a bag of projects out the car window to our grandgirl. She's getting so big and 4 new teeth...I can't wait to hug her and smell her hair.....sigh.

We've had Daffy's for almost 3 weeks now...all over our property. They need to be split--which I will do when they are done blooming to give to my neighbor. 

Our bird feeder is just far enough away, it's hard to get a focused photo. We put out different kinds of bird seed, for multiple visitors. This old feeder has two suet containers in it, and is a favorite of woodpeckers and cardinals.

The garden and the peat moss were tilled since this photo---and then dragged, but it has poured rain for three days now---maybe I can show hubbies hard work tomorrow.

I have two rhubarb plants that are just going nuts. Even though we are still on the cold side. 

When it is raining, I'm still very busy.

For those of you who remember my doll posts on this blog, I have moved them over to my doll blog: Barbieoldnewgreenredo 

I do PG stories with dioramas and a huge cast of characters ---ALWAYS AD-FREE and always safe for kids, how to's, and all sorts of creative stuff. 

Since I have become older, I find working on a smaller scale for 'redo's' is really easier on my body. Besides who doesn't have fun 'playing'. 

My latest project has been

this Grand Hotel refurbishment. I found it for $9.99---totally trashed, but with good bones. Enjoy the transformation.

Maybe it's because i was an only child, but I have never had issues with being alone, or keeping busy. 

So, my construction crew did some serious demolition here. 

Adding a new floor, atrium,  and expanding. 

The best laid plans of mice and men!

Richelle was the main designer on this project.

This is the bones that were transformed to this, below.

The bakery(left) was the only shop able to open, because of Covid-19!

I've done several posts on Sindy's Pattiserrie, and even how they bake the goodies. And, how busy they are serving the near north side neighborhood during the pandemic.

Since the shut-down, Salon Jacquie(on the right of the first floor) hasn't opened, but she is ready.

Jacquie and her staff had a meeting the night before the total shutdown...! 

I keep reality in my stories. Carefully worded to explain to kids of any age what is going on. I try to keep the stories ethnically diverse, politics and religion free, with a sense of humor. 

Life is funny, sometimes! But, certainly not all pink!

Upstairs are two apartments, and a fictitious eight more on the four missing floors above.  I haven't even begun to introduce those characters, yet. 

The mysterious Diva, Colette and Emilie, who just arrived from Paris, with a very eclectic style. Just what IS their story...we have to wait and see. 

Lara, the manager of the BMR Ltd in Chicago, lives in the last small studio apartment. At least she has had time to unpack and catch her breath. 

Upstairs Atrium, hall and Elevator.

Please come visit the (Barbie Grand Hotel) now the GrandView located in the near north Chicago area. It's an 1892 refurbished building.

Grand View Walk through!

I'm currently working on permanent walls, I did foam core to begin with, but decided, it was worth the time for some removable  plywood walls that are strategically hinged. It's a journey and will be one of those projects, never really done.

Just when I was finished, I was already planning the REDO! 

The downstairs lobby Atrium...perfect for a visit and coffee, (prior to shutdown). 

It's not all rainbows and unicorn farts---!

Here's the working craft room/doll room. 

 Hubby is finally working on my sink and water during the icky days, otherwise he is in the garage and yard. (Secret to a happy marriage and shutdown---alone time, lol!)

Here's a new storyline, I'm working on. Jacquie's family---since the salon can't open, they are strapped financially, but working together. 

I have two work stations....I can set up foldable dioramas here, and also work.

I seldom buy new dolls. But, Ella Fitzgerald is on the desk...she's gorgeous and will have a storyline as Colette's Ma`ma!

Waiting in the wings is Trish and her greenhouse garden center, which will soon be able to open again! 

*(Again, I work with current social conditions/weather here in Chicagoland).  She has lots of plants and seeds, and just about everything needed for an urban environment! 

So, that's why I'm not decorating the crap out of my own home---I have a whole town to take care of. I guess I'm Mayor or City Manager of this near north side neighborhood. 

Vickie and Joe's Condo!

Jackie and Craig's blended family, and niece Kimmy (Mom is a nurse afraid of bringing home the virus) so she stays with Uncle Craig and Auntie Jacquie. Cousin Vanessa is helping her mom with the salon's social media campaign.

Vickie's Vintage Boutique, Vickie's is closed putting three people out of work.

The HFIM house where Impoverished Millenials refurbish a Victorian+townhouse as a co-op! Most are working from home, but three are unemployed. 

Social distancing isn't easy with 13 in the house! 

There were special dates,

and restaurant business meetings.

Even special events---the Oscars! 

Mysterious characters? Diva Colette...from Paris?

Before social distancing, backyard fun with the teens. 

Great selections at Trish's Blue Sprinkling Can Garden Center!

Sometimes a little history: James A. Baldwin for Black History Month. I do keep an ethnically diverse group of dolls-similar to the make-up of the neighborhoods. 

 Almost all my dolls are thrift store rescues, as are my buildings, furniture and settings.

Celebrations, they even decorate for holidays, too! 

Celebrate their favorite sports teams! 

Have pets....

Occasionally a celebrity comes around! This is Barbara Millicent Roberts, owner of BMR ltd. an investment and urban renewal corporation, she turned 60 last year and still going strong.

My gang makes seasonal jaunts...here to a pumpkin farm on a crisp Fall day.

Neighborhood events...the opening of a new business! Alderman and a TV crew.

Cultural visits to the Botanic Gardens!

Remember going on vacation! 

Sunning in Costa Rica on an Island.

Zip-Lining !

Working, planning, building! Vickie helps designer Richelle, plan for the new Vickie's Vintage. 

Charity events...

Bowling in the Northwoods.

A glamour shot...and 

the how-to! 

 Cooking at home....

Baking is a favorite past-time---my 5 year old grand helped Chelsea make these! 

Mysteries...Vickie's 'ghosts'. 

What was this all about????

Working from home....please visit my doll blog

 When you want to smile and get lost for a bit

 please visit and maybe subscribe to:

BarbieOldNewGreenRedo

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Thank you for visiting, I will try and respond to every question and comment. I will be doing further posts on tutorials for the Hotel and contents.

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 Please do not use my photos without linking back to this blog without my permission. 

Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi