Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Synnøves Et Dukkehjem: More details from the bedroom, after sunrise!

Synnøves Et Dukkehjem: More details from the bedroom, after sunrise!

Hi Your room is beautiful. I love the way you decorated the cabinet too. The display of items makes me feel it is a room of a collector.. and I also love your wallpaper choice too.
Mary

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The Laurel Doll's House

I wanted to share some pictures of the new doll's house. I have so many ideas I'd like to try out and the Laurel seemed perfect for my first attempt.
The window boxes are going to be fun making flowers for.
I decided to use paint instead of doing brick or siding.
My grandaughter April, who just turned three a few days ago, has been so excited too. She's always right there as soon as I start to work on it, offering her help with the "dolly houch", as she calls it. :)



















I thought of doing the main part green, and was lucky enough to find some in the boo boos section for only two dollars..how could I resist such a bargin for good quality paint? It's closer to an olive than what appears in these photos.



I like that this house will have a bay window.



This top pic was the first coat of paint on the railings. It's a light taupe, again a boo boo. Yep! I was realy realy lucky!!!


Notice the painted stir stix at the top of this last photo? April painted them while I was working on the second coat of the railings. She did a great job of it, too! Just how I will put them to use I have no idea yet..any suggestions for uses of paint stix? hmm..Furniture perhaps?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Tongue in Cheek: French Antiques

Hi Everyone...I'm Back to feeling better than I had been in a long while now, and finally found some pain medication that works, yet leaves me somewhat functional...lol OH MY! 'Twas a journey, let me say.. I felt bad not being able to be on line for so long, and the few moments when I did feel up to browsing for a few minutes here and there, was never coherent enough to really post anything legible. I did find it's no wonder I've been hurting, is from five slipped disks in my back, as well as the osteo. It's perhaps not the greatest of news to hear, but I am relieved to have a reason figured out why my body is moving so much slower than my mind appreciates...lol

Good news! I just bought my first dolls house to work on last week. It's the Laurel from Corona Concepts. I picked it up at the dolls house store here in Toronto. I'm soooo excited to finally start working on a dolls house of my own. Well, this dolls house wil probably end up for my grandaughter, April, who just turned three this past Monday. April's about as exited as me, I think. April has had great fun with me already and calls it the "the dolly houch" ...now if you're like me even in the least, I'm sure that made ya chuckle...lol April and I have already taken out the dollies and played together quite often..she's gaining quite the vocabulary over it all, and is a real treat just as much for me.. ok, maybe more for me...;)

I was lost in this site for some time and thought I would add the link on my page. It was also due to my poor memory, that I just wanted to make sure I can find my way back when I need another fix ;) Pop on over sometime when you have a moment. I'm sure you'll find it as inspiring as I do :)


Tongue in Cheek: French Antiques

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

The start of a miniatures collection

Some of these miniatures were bought from E Bay and some I've made myself. I hope you don't mind the glares and darkness of these pictures. There is no light inside the cabinet yet.



This table top was part of a "kit bash" and legs are match sticks carved near the bottom. The mouse tea pot was made while following Christel Jensen's You tube tutorial. The bunny pot was my attempt of an original. Though I didn't realize until after I baked the fimo, I forgot the eyes..opps! I have not painted either of them. But, I prefer them white.








I made this love seat out of cardstock, gesso and lace. It is still a work in progress as it needs some fabric. I was inspired to make it from a tutorial on Lea Frisoni's Blog: un jour a la campagne.














The table was also made from cardstock with a decopauged print of an aubuson carpet. The legs are card stock with gesso and gold paint. The candlestick I bought, while the figurine was a first attempt at something so small.


























This was my first attempt at making a picture frame, while getting a feel for the clay and testing baking tempts. It probably would look better if I had of made it flat.

















This was my first doll purchased. Her name is Karianne. I fell in love as soon as I saw her holding a violin.
The cabinet is still a work in progress, and nothing is displayed how I would like it yet.








This is Delia the housekeeper. I think I caught her by surprise as she was taking a break from dusting. But Delia? Where is your duster! I guess I'll have to make you one.
















This is Claire and her husband, William who just gave her some roses. What a thoughtful gentleman! Does she look pleased or just curious as to why she got them? ...hummm I never noticed until now. She seems to be smerking! :0

















William looks like he might be a shop keeper which will be a future project. I'm kind of thinking general store perhaps?

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Play Per View

Welcome. It's so nice that you've dropped by.
I guess it would help to begin my blog by sharing a bit about myself.
I've really only become aware of the miniature world a very short while. Yet, I've been amazed by the wonderful creativity of so many talented artisans that I've been discovering and have most certainly been totally captivated time and again. So much so, that lately that's pretty much all I think about..almost anyways.
Currently, I am on sick leave from work. I had been working as a nurse for twenty seven total care patients, full time on night shift. This job unfortunately, has left me with considerable damage to my back, left hip and knee. From x-ray and MRI results, my doctor said only by surgery -in each area- I "might possibly find some relief." Many of the patients have been a two- person assignment for any other shift, but nights. I never understood how my employer -a world leader in Elder Care- could expect anyone alone attend this number of patients..But anyway... This blogging is not about that...
I'm glad to share, however, when I focus my attention on the world of minis, it is helping a great deal.

My journey to the miniature world began with a few Ebay purchases, that have quickly become priority in the old china cabinet that once belonged to my Great Aunt Hilda. I've decided to make some alterations to the cabinet, as one of my starter projects. There are only two shelves to the cabinet at the moment, but my son has offered to change that for me. yeah!!
The cabinet is also very dark...and so.. I will also need to think about some lighting. Any tips or suggestions you may have will sure be greatly appreciated.
The cabinet being very old, and roughed up even prior to receiving it, could also use a good refinishing. The fact that it's an old china cabinet, obviously excludes it from being an actual "dolls house" and I believe it will take some time to get it even half way decent. But I do imagine it has great potential in the making.
I would also like to try my hands at building room boxes and an actual dolls house, along with the wee furniture, items and dolls of various ages to go in them. I realize there is a lot for me to learn on the art of such creations though. I have already joined a few online groups to help me get started. Conversions, measuring, cutting, etc...there's a lot indeed to cover! whew! But I'm certainly willing to learn. All advice or tips will be greatly appreciated.

Try as I have, taking decent pictures will also have to be on my list of to do's. I seem to be having trouble getting clear images, and still need to learn how to transfer them onto this blog...But promise to get a handle on that asap!
I named this post Play Per View, as you just might agree.. It is impossible not to be inspired by all the wonderful pictures of mini creations others have been so graciously sharing in their blogs. I thank you emensely!