The Difference a Week Makes

Last week, in my extreme desire for spring to arrive, I took pictures of my back deck and out my front window so I could measure the progress by the amount of snow melt. Well, I wish it could have been more but, I am seeing a little more of the deck floor and the neighbours' yards are showing grass around the edges. I guess that's the most I can hope for this week.

We're supposed to get a couple of days of rain, then the temperatures are rising this week so I'm very hopeful for the progress before next week's Weather Watch!

Louise and I were in Montreal this past weekend to take in the MEM show and sale. Besides spending lots of time at the vendor booths and visiting the exhibition room, we were lucky enough to visit with Giac, (English Manor Dollhouse) and view the incredible piece of art that is his massive dollhouse. His talent is unbelievable!!! To really understand the artistry this house exemplifies, you MUST go to Giac's site where you can get a close-up view of each room and witness the transformation. I took one long-range picture but still only managed to fit in 2/3rds of the building.

Giac was also so kind to give Louise and me a mini tutorial (no pun intended) on using paint to produce an extremely realistic-looking wood finish. Here, Louise is trying her hand at producing it. It looks really good - even better in person.

We also talked with him about marble faux finishes. When we went to check out the beautiful finishes in his dollhouse, he showed us a little table he had faux finished with a green marble top. Doesn't it look fabulous?

For those of you who also follow our friend, Marijke's, blog: Pulchinella's Cellar, you would have seen that she made a beautiful, formal floral centrepiece as a commission. Well, the commission was for Louise and me because we wanted to bring Giac a little "thank you" gift that would be suitable for a building as elegant as his dollhouse. Giac loved the piece and is trying it out in his front hall (click on the picture to get a larger view). He may move it around from room to room before he decides exactly where it looks best but, for now, I think it looks beautiful right where it is.

After a wonderful couple of hours spent with Giac, and his husband Jo, it was time for us to leave and head back to New Brunswick - but not without big hugs all around!!! (Louise is adamant that Giac gives the BEST hugs ever!! - I think she's right)

Of course, I consider myself the lucky one because I got hugs from both Jo and Giac at the same time! What a pair of wonderful young men! Their parents must be so proud of them.

Alas - we couldn't stay any longer but we know we'll be back!! Something to look forward to, for sure!

I'm heading away for a few days but, God willing, I will try to post a few pictures from the Montreal exhibit room over the next couple of days then before you know it, I'll be back to mini work of my own!! TTFN! - Marilyn