Waiting for the water to dry

My friend Stephanie from Tasmania persuaded me to take the plunge and use Realistic Water for the pond on the base of the Little Duck House.  I have wanted to do water in my projects for a long time now but for some reason had a real hang-up about doing it.  I had heard that the Scenic products ended up with a tacky finish and that using two-part epoxy was the way to go.  But I just kept having cold feet when it came to actually doing anything - hence the lovely kit 'Pickett Pond' has been sitting there for years waiting for me to take the plunge!  But Stephanie has had good results with Realistic Water and gave me some hints on how to use it, so I ordered some.  I have been adding a layer about 1/8th inch deep each day or so, so it is not a quick process.

It starts off cloudy like this

and gradually over the 24 hours it becomes clear as it sets.  This is about the fourth layer.  I hope it is dry enough for me to add another layer before bedtime tonight but it isn't worth rushing it if it's not dry.

While I've been waiting for the water to set and dry I've been making more furniture kits up.  I showed you the kitchen before, here it is with the knobs added.

And just to show you the size of the stools, here is one on my finger:

I also did a drop-leaf table and two chairs with rush seats (another kit from BJ Miniatures)

These kits are lovely, made of delicate timber - very fragile but they look lovely.  I don't know why they have come out so dark in the photo though, they are made from cherry wood and they come with the tiniest gold no-hole beads for doors and drawers.

After doing the table and chairs I started on a rocking chair and side table, but broke the rocking chair in the process :(.  I've removed the rockers and salvaged enough of the chair that it will be okay if I drape a 'throw' over it.  The side table is sweet

I've forgotten for the moment how to crop photos on the blog so everything looks a bit lost :(

The last bit I did was a hutch.  Love hutches with bits and pieces on them.  This one doesn't have opening doors and drawer like the one I used in Woodnook (from sdkMiniatures) but I like the pretty cherry wood and it will look good with the bits I have ordered from True2Scale Miniatures to go on it.

No, it's not drunk, my hubby took the photos partly side on.

 The furniture isn't glued into place yet, and I still have to work out whether to put in a bathroom or not but the cats have already moved in :).  If you have followed my blog for a while you will know that I always have a cat (or two, or several) in each of my buildings.  I get them from minigems, she makes wonderful animals. 

There's a cat snoozing very comfortably on the bed

And another has claimed the arbour - again, taken a bit side on by my hubby so it looks skewed

The house is now ready for lighting and for the roof to go on.  Hopefully I will get those things done this evening. 
Blessings
Sandie