Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Back after the summer holidays



It's been a really long time since I did a blog entry and of course I've been feeling guilty about it for ages. So here I am back, after a big long break away. Part of the reason is because it has been summer in New Zealand and we've been away camping and having fun even though the weather this summer hasn't been the best. I never get much done with miniatures in the summer because it's so nice to be outside. But the main reason has been a bit of a lack of inspiration and direction. Anyway, I have been feeling a bit more inpsired lately, and although most of my energies have been going into projects that have ended up in my Etsy shop, I thought I would still show you some of the things I have been making lately.






I made some little books all with French decor themes .... couldn't resist it because the covers were so pretty. Wish fulfilment as per usual ... I would like to have some of these books on my own over-full bookshelves, not that there is room for them.



This is one of my absolute favourite books - a little book on Limoges china, paired with a pretty Limoges plate. I had to make two of these because I knew that I couldn't bear to part with it....so one was for the shop and one was for my shabby cottage!!





Here's another thing I made that I can't bear to part with. The "frame" of this picture is a very pretty button I found years ago - I bought a few of them at the time - and the little picture is a portrait of the Queen as a young woman, by Cecil Beaton. I made this in honour of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee year.



This was another fun project. Ella, my lovely eight year old, was very bored one Saturday so I suggested that she get out the fimo and make something and said that I would keep her company and make something too. So I put together this potting bench display.


I put one of my baskets of vegetables in this diepsly - I'm so proud of my cauli and broccoli and apples!! I made some vintage seed catalogues too, which are really pretty.



I painted all the little flowerpots and used tiny nail stickers to decorate them (thanks to Katie for this great idea).



After New Year I decided that a change would be good and moved everything around in my living room. When I did, I was absolutely horrified to discover how filthy dirty my poor little shabby cottage had become! It was totally full of dust and looked completely dreadful and very unloved. I'm not used to these open dollshouses filling up with dust....my other dollshouse is a front-opening one and doesn't really get very dusty (except on the outside!). I knew it was going to take a bit of effort to get it sorted out. Well, finally today I made the time to sit down with my dear little house and empty it completely and give it a Spring clean (except that it's Autumn here now). Man, it was dirty! I took everything out and wiped all the floors and surfaces down with a soapy, damp cloth and dried it all off. I even had to "shampoo" the carpet in the upstairs bedroom - it was horrible. Then I made sure everything was clean as I put it back in. It was a good opportunity to de-clutter a bit too! It is all nice and clean now and so I will show you some photos ....



Nice clean kitchen! The layer of dust on the kitchen bench was horrendous! Poor little house!



I've decluttered the kitchen a bit but of course there are still lots of cakes! None of the placemats would stay flat so I have ditched them.





And this is what I have been making today - a cute little Treasure Box to put in the dollshouse living room. I think it is really sweet. I have a secret, cunning plan for what the contents are to be and I will show you when I have made them.




I made a second box, with "Bits & Pieces" on the lid. I lined both boxes with Cath Kidston fabric in 1/12 scale that I made with printable fabric.



Here is the box in its new home on the bookcase in the lovely clean living room. I love my little house!!


And another photo. Look at that lovely clean floor! I feel just as good as if my whole real house were as clean. I'm considering throwing a light throw over the dollshouse so this doesn't happen again.



Anyway, it's nice to be back. Keeps my mind off my worries (hubby has lost his job and his last day is next week!!). I promise I will never let so much time go by ever again without posting!!

23 comments:

Kikka N said...

Hi!

Wonderful story and beautiful Photos!
Loved everything :)
Hugs
Kika

Susan@minicrochetmad said...

I adore your little house Carolyn, thankyou for the tour and update.

My dollhouse has an open rooftop garden that would get dusty too so I got some thin clear plastic sheeting and cut it to fit over. It lifts off easily for cleaning and keeps out the dust and I can still see in - except when the dust gets too thick on the plastic sheet ;))

I hope your husband finds work soon.

Anna said...

Your little house is ever so lovely! Best wishes, Anne

malu2 said...

Hoy nos has puesto al día de todo, tu casita ha quedado preciosa y limpia!!
Tus trabajos son lindisimos!!!
Besos de las Malu´s.

Kim ( potstickers and pancakes ) said...

I am glad you are back, I love looking at your blog! Everything is so adorable, but I love, love, love the limoges plate and book, I collect limoges in real size! Very nice! Your summer is ending and ours is just beginning! Mini blessings, Kim

Eliana said...

Glad you're back! I was delighted with this post. The miniatures are beautiful. ;)

otterine said...

Nice to see you again! :D

Fabiola said...

Your house is wonderful.
Good idea the frame made with a button.
The books are very nice.
Bye Faby

Unknown said...

I must laugh when I read your story.
Your kitchen is now to ready for cooking. Very beautiful stuff.
Hugs from Craftland

aristacrina said...

I absolutely love it. Thank you for showing it to us. I'll have to remember to keep things covered. It sounds like a lot of work to clean it all.

Plushpussycat said...

Your mini house is so sweet--I adore it! Did you make that lovely beaded curtain? How precious! You've reminded me that one of my houses is getting dusty too! I used to have a throw over it--I'd better start using it again! :-) Jennifer

Drora's minimundo said...

The (now clean) house is beautiful.
thanks for the tour. A clear plastic cover is what I use and throw away when it gets too dusty.
Sorry about your husband's job. I hope he finds a new and much better one soon.
Hugs

Minna said...

It's nice to have you back! Your dollhouse is really beautiful.

Marion said...

Carolyn, welcome back!!! Your house looks wonderful and you've made some cute little items again. How do you do it? Your imagination is endless...
Sorry to hear about your hubbie's job loss. These things are always so hard to take. Hope he'll find another one very soon.
Then some different news. I will be able to ask you over for a cuppa next month.... in Waihi....
We're house swapping with people from Waihi and will be visiting Dorothee of course and admire her new house. Hope to be seeing you soon!

miniacollection said...

Gorgeous post. i love your new minis. Your house is absolutely lovely. By the way dust is a real problem...
Geneviève

Unknown said...

Creio que a minha boneca,chamada Ana Bela,adoraria morar nessa sua linda casa de boneca.Parabéns,belo trabalho.
Love Fernanda from Brasil.

ViLmus said...

Hello! I recently found your blog. Your style is wonderful!
I'm starting to miniatures ... I am madly in love with miniatures!
I could read your tragedy with the loss of computer images. I'm sorry ... It's very bad. But start all over again can be a good thing! Think about it ... People can help maybe ...
You're invited to my blog and facebook :)
A hug from Chile (another country that knows the sufferings of an earthquake ...)

luisa said...

I didn't know your blog.... it's is very beautiful, your house and yours miniatures are amazing!!!!!
luisa

Lucille said...

It's so wonderful to have you back, Caroline. I'm a great fan of your blog and your fantastic talent! Please don't stay away too long. I have enjoyed looking at all the photos and I will be back to look some more because now I have been able to enlarge them thanks to Blogger! I'm so very sorry about your husband losing his job. I do hope something else comes up for him in the very near future.

Sandy said...

Your little house is just darling... I love all the little details you've got going on. Sweet! Swooning over your little books...love'em.
Your house looks spic and span..you did a fantastic job. I say "Clean floor" too. Have a awesome Sunday.
xoso
sandy

Meapuntoatodo said...

Una casa adorable ! Es confortable y deliciosa. felicidades por tan buen trabajo. Mariajo

Unknown said...

Your house just have the perfect athmosphere, so lovely... Would love you to visit and follow my blog http://mycupofteaminiatures.wordpress.com/, regards!

afairytalecometruewyrna said...

Hi Carolyn. I've been following your blog for a while and think you're doing many special things. I love your bead curtains. (must try making them sometime). I love all your dishes, there are so many different kinds. I've seen your tutorials about how to do. I have ordered it all on ebay, so I am excited to try. I understand that the little "frame" with Queen Elizabeth's something special for you.
Hope life treats you well.
Best Regards
Wyrna