Wednesday, September 26, 2012

My Next project- The Bavarian Cafe


Bayern Ist Spitze!


I have needed to take a break from Garth Manor in order to clear my mind of all the changes I want to make to it. And what better way to clear them out but start the planning on my next project!

My family hails from Bavaria and I was the first family member born here America. Growing up, my family never let go of their Bavarian traditions and passed them on to me to keep alive. We spent nearly every summer in Germany and some Winters.  Those were always magical journeys for me.

 


One thing I really loved, even as a kid, was the architecture of Upper Bavaria. The traditional homes, churches, and even the "downtown" areas just captured my imagination. Many small towns seemed to have been ripped right out of a fairy tale.

This is why my next project will be a traditional Bavarian cafe with living quarters above it. These family run, casual dining establishments were always our favorite stop for lunch or a quick coffee (cocoa for me until later) and cake in the late afternoon and were usually enjoyed outside on the patio in warm weather. When I am sad or feeling really stressed, I try to think back to those moments, the sun on my face, the awesome pastry on my plate, the taste of hot chocolate fresh on my lips (god, no wonder I am heavy....), and it never fails to make me smile. This project will be my way of bringing that joy into something i can revisit every day.
 
 
The actual building shape of these typical establishments is pretty straight forward and simple. The devil will be in the details!
 


This will be a scratch build from beginning to end and will especially put my flower making skills to the test as flower boxes in Bavaria are always overflowing with the most beautiful and colorful flowers imaginable. It will also give me the opportunity to create some classic German foods in Fimo which will be a blast!
 
This project could be bad for my diet. I mean, to make them in mini I HAVE to cook up the real thing for reference........




 
The really fun part will be collecting and making all the decorative bits to fill the inside with!
 
 
I will have to include some mini "lebkuchen herz". Yum.
 
 
 
 
I also want to include a typical Bavarian "Marterl" or wayside shrine. These dot the landscape of Bavaria and served as mini shrines for those traveling long distances. We had one in our backyard growing up with a statue of St. Francis.
 
 
I am super excited about getting this project underway. However, first things first. Garth manor needs its shingles on. I just needed a break. Time to get back to it!


 





2 comments:

  1. Hello Michi,
    Good for you! I think the project sound asbsolutely awsome. Scratch built is the best...you have so much more controle over everything and you can really personalize it. It's hard when all your energy is concentrated on one project. i think a break is ma great idea and will whelp clear your mind and make better decisions.
    I can't wait to see both projects evolve.
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am not allowing myself to start any actual construction of the Cafe until I have the majority of Garth Manor done. I know how I am and the manor will sit for another year untouched if I start something else in earnest.

      This will be the largest scratch build ever for me. I have made many "cottages" over the years from scratch but never anything that will be this size. Fortunately the actual structure is pretty simple. I just need to get some better tools! Darn, an excuse to go shopping. A table saw is on my Christmas list for sure this year.

      Delete