Looking at others' creations, I often find myself wondering how long it took, how difficult it might have actually been, and the steps involved. So I thought it might be fun to post some "progress reports" as this lengthy, and expensive creation trudges along...we'll see if I survive the process! (Also, there's always the hope that it may serve as a personal reminder to me never to attempt something so ludicrisly elaborate and difficult ever again. Although I tend not to listen to myself when stirred by some creative delusion of grandure!)