tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-457465865105122172024-03-10T15:46:15.034+13:00Carolyn's Little Kitchendollhouse miniaturesCarolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-8282734910821392452015-04-29T16:15:00.000+12:002015-04-29T16:15:35.269+12:00Passion is everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/231644578/pretty-shabby-chic-table-lamp?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNOLKNy872CsWJH0QjQt2xJLG7EekW47eOc-j-y1RIv2NqKImbcJaBeAcNBJXQ9eBavHFYfdfSKi0jHCmM_sXCfBqLdrsGop0Gkeq6feuWbGWzvFhNbPdOG_7BakCJ35xZDnSf3VoiXg/s1600/lamp1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Another massive gap between blog posts, but here I am, back again. We have recently moved house yet again and now that the dust is starting to settle from the upheaval of moving again, my thoughts are starting to turn to miniatures again. Yesterday I just felt like making something.....so I had a fossick around in my box of stuff, and found a little lamp that was crying out for some love and attention .... and here it is....all embellished with pretty little polymer clay blossoms with tiny little no-hole beads in the centre of each flower, and some more little flowers that began life as nail art stickers. It looks really pretty in the little cottage and I couldn't resist taking lots of photos of it:<br />
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Above you can see the arty version of the photo - on the table with the lamp is a little resin "biscuit tin" I made ages ago. It's one of my all-time favourite miniatures, with its crackle paint finish and old time rose decals. And I also found a little box of chocolate truffles I made a while ago - tiny little dark and white chocolate truffles in a box with a pretty silk bow. </div>
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Here's another photo which tries to show the texture on the truffles.....</div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/231635989/tiny-white-and-dark-chocolate-truffles?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPn7_1X8IthGZycmmKkD5nx7WQXBpvbwUwRnHvBTTHxKwPJJlEN_xa2obtchkxiJueC3NI-YUoP4soVayHhe9gW-hhGsDpO0mbBvhcdGTtsel9o3xzvjaAlRNLXtdUzcX6_3IIPtvro8g/s1600/box+of+truffles.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
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Getting back to the title for my post, I think I'm ready to admit that nothing is worth doing without passion....there's been a huge gap in my passion for blogging for ages, and occasionally I've had a half-hearted attempt at making things, but if your heart's not completely involved in the creative process, it never seems to go quite right. But lately, that creative drive seems to have come back and PASSION IS EVERYTHING! And now I have some things that I am proud to show you, because I really enjoyed making them and am happy with the result. I love this little lamp - it is so pretty!</div>
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Here's another photo of the lamp, which of course has my favourite miniature plate set on the wall in the background... violets are still my favourite....and I just <em>love</em> the plate in the centre of the display! You can also see the pretty bead curtain on the left and the gorgeous hand-painted picture on the wall is one I purchased from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/shop/SandieCoeArt" target="_blank">Sandie Coe</a> - another of my favourite purchases!<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/61105596/stunning-vintage-plate-set-for-your?ref=shop_home_feat_1"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/61105596/stunning-vintage-plate-set-for-your?ref=shop_home_feat_1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH5l8Re11jP9qgFznud0djHlm_md_pjpiKu6ABFWrKZWzo_tbCQOWItA1ADmf_crCvm4eblbCxtcer1xznsphw1aiwuS-APWeawhvHUVJVEJYarPEFBUIZb7_cAgNZiraU1O_T3wKiiw/s1600/Floral+Plates.jpg" height="363" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course there is rarely a post made on this blog where I don't share a some new plates I have made, so here is my most recent new set .... so pretty. I wish I could display them all in my little cottage, but there just isn't room! Anyway, thought you might like to see these! I am really proud of them - they are beautiful, I think. <br />
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This is where we live now....we have bought a very small house in Turangi, which is in the central North Island. This is a gorgeous photo a friend of our took - we live at the far end of the street that you can see in the middle of the photograph.... our little town is awash with autumn colours and full of fallen leaves at the moment - very pretty if you are not the person in charge of leaf removal!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSILtjmxuoKx88sMq6JGVixXf-4VrzOYdDp1q3JAT_uHKw3ahkNqWxZDvaxAwADMpftbMFRZluT-NJQ4PF9a5G7M542Bs7C2q2imXZ9s5RRCw2DeCpRmNIvXCowZQs7PBLcWJOb3MrCA/s1600/lamp+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSILtjmxuoKx88sMq6JGVixXf-4VrzOYdDp1q3JAT_uHKw3ahkNqWxZDvaxAwADMpftbMFRZluT-NJQ4PF9a5G7M542Bs7C2q2imXZ9s5RRCw2DeCpRmNIvXCowZQs7PBLcWJOb3MrCA/s1600/lamp+3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is what the lamp looks like when it isn't lit. Sorry there are so many photos of it - you can probably tell that I'm all excited about it.<br />
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I feel some more miniatures coming on, so hopefully you will see a bit more of me around here in the next little while! xxxxx<br />
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Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-55068808877405429292014-04-01T15:02:00.000+13:002014-04-01T15:55:16.288+13:00Miniature Typography Window<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am so excited about today's project that I just <em>HAD</em> to show you straight away. I've been mulling over the idea of making a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/184676136/french-vintage-paris-flea-market-window?ref=shop_home_feat_1" target="_blank">shabby-chic framed typography window</a> for a while now. Anyway, today I had time so it's done.<br />
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I originally started off making waterslide decals and applying them to acetate for the window frame - the original idea was to have the lettering on clear "glass". Well, that didn't work! The edge of the decal showed up terribly. So I decided that I would go for an "etched glass" look.<br />
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I found something to use as the etched glass and I really love the look I have achieved, because it also looks as though there are raindrops forming on the outside of the window. I abandoned my tried and trusty waterslide decals as well and tried a new medium and I love the result. I had to take lots of photos to show you!<br />
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It wasn't easy to photograph - I needed to get some backlighting going on to show the light coming through the window, but I also wanted to show the white shabby frame off as well. Hence there are lots of photos today. <br />
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I thought this would look lovely leaning against a wall! Paris Flea Market style....how cute is this??<br />
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Now I have figured out how to do it, I have lots more ideas to try out....Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-89020790931942048472014-03-26T15:31:00.001+13:002014-03-26T18:35:37.284+13:00Inspiration for a new project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red;">MY INSPIRATION BOARD</span></h3>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">So here goes with my new project! You can see it in the photo below. It doesn't look much now....it's a room box which I started working on a couple of years ago and then lost interest in. It was originally going to be a kitchen based on something I found in a magazine, but I completely lost interest shortly after starting it. You can see the signs of me losing interest when I just stuck a paper floor down instead of putting a bit more effort into making a realistic floor</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Well,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> it's due for renovation/completion<span style="color: black;">.</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I don't know what I was thinking really....pink walls and blue panelling?? It's all going to have to go!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Yesterday I spent two hours (TWO HOURS!!!) working on an inspiration board for my new project. This isn't something I have ever done before but even though my time <em>might</em> have been better spent actually getting started, I am really glad that I did it. The theme for this new project is Vintage....kind of a bright, primary-colour, red-and-blue 1950s/Cath Kidston/ kind of vibe. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">My main inspiration and quite a few of the photos on my inspiration board are from<a href="http://www.happylovesrosie.com/" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.happylovesrosie.com/" target="_blank">Happy Loves Rosie</a></span><span style="color: black;">. If you haven't read her blog before, check it out. (It's full size, not miniature!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">She also has some amazing </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happylovesrosie/" target="_blank">photos</a></span><span style="color: black;"> of her retro-styled caravans too! Amazing! Happy describes her style as Happy Shabby and Gypsy Kitsch. I think Bright Vintage would also be a good description. So you can see I am going to have to relinquish my pastels and get into some bright and cheerful colours. I'm really looking forward to it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">My room box is going to be a kitchen (of course)!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">So I guess just watch this space.....</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/183963942/gorgeous-set-of-greengate-plates-for?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/183963942/gorgeous-set-of-greengate-plates-for?ref=shop_home_active_1" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMC63Up7A4hRtv9AtOe-N-7OdaX73e3PWZ6S9CmaLqtRP4ubNkIvpkz7X7YEn9VuHeTP-9lT9k20FuptG6Dq3_wUlLf__bDvPCWdAOK7r2bA7qgp7CEctTrhB0kQXqsRntwtTgxk2EPw/s1600/new+greengate+set+6.jpg" height="320" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I am really happy with these cute little plates I made for my<a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/shop/DollshouseMiniatures" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/shop/DollshouseMiniatures" target="_blank">Etsy store</a></span><span style="color: black;">....an update for 2014 on the Greengate sets that everyone seems to really like - I have my eye on that blue plate with the spotty rim though - it might have to find a new home in the Vintage Kitchen when I am further along with the project!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Now that we have moved house, I can tell you where we are.....for those of you who are Lord of the Rings fans, we are now living right next to Mount Doom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5NvNlCQQxMcFHoBw4ahptJV5mSgOSj0qH_0FZDoIqoq6Ri_2_5mABlwj0xcFSHYedNAMcmbxM5dK-QVhhAIEoRCWAdaAwLxBm-cZQF9WC7m1HYB6-wZmj69djynU8CxZV-4r3IfgVUk/s1600/Mt+Nga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5NvNlCQQxMcFHoBw4ahptJV5mSgOSj0qH_0FZDoIqoq6Ri_2_5mABlwj0xcFSHYedNAMcmbxM5dK-QVhhAIEoRCWAdaAwLxBm-cZQF9WC7m1HYB6-wZmj69djynU8CxZV-4r3IfgVUk/s1600/Mt+Nga.jpg" height="166" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Of course, in real life, the mountain is called </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ngauruhoe" target="_blank">Mt Ngauruhoe</a></span><span style="color: black;"> and at the moment there is no snow on it, because here in New Zealand it is just the beginning of Autumn.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Well in honour of a new project, I have given my blog a new look, but it's a pretty big change....missing my pretty pastel cooking pots already. I made my own background too, from a tutorial I found </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://thecutestblogontheblock.com/tutorials/updated-2011how-to-make-your-own-background" target="_blank">here</a></span><span style="color: black;">.....took ages but it was fun to be able to do it myself instead of relying on finding a blog background I liked. Be honest, do you like the new look, or shall I put it back as it was??</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I'll keep you posted on progress with the Vintage Kitchen!</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-16948398741653371952014-03-19T14:11:00.002+13:002014-03-19T14:11:41.932+13:00Getting Started<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just a short post today, but there is more to come another day. I am so excited, because after a non-creative period that has lasted nearly TWO YEARS (omg - that is quite shameful!!), I have finally decided on my next project. So that is exciting and encouraging.<br />
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I am feeling happy today because I have managed to complete a couple of commissions for my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/nz/shop/DollshouseMiniatures" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>. One of my customers in particular has been VERY patient while I moved house and finally gathered all my craft stuff back together and got back into it. <br />
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My favourite thing that I made yesterday is this little framed picture - I love the way the pansies spill out of the frame. And I decided to try using a crackle finish - I know it's hard to get the crackles to work in 1/12 scale - you need the thinnest possible layer of crackle glaze and then the thinnest, quickest layer of paint laid over the top of it. Anyway, I'm quite happy with this finish - pale purple underneath and showing through the crackles. I layered a few watercolours over the top of the white paint and it looks really pretty now. It's in my Etsy shop but it might migrate back into my dollshouse if no-one else wants it, as it's cute.<br />
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Anyway, short and sweet today but see you again soon.....Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-10276400114548147152014-01-13T23:35:00.000+13:002014-01-13T23:35:33.107+13:00Moving Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, it's been an age since I have spent some time on my blog... it has been a difficult couple of years.... but here is the good news. New year, new house, new life (and on a shallow note, also new computer, new camera). <br />
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We have decided to sell up and make a move. The house is on the market, and we are moving to our new life in a couple of weeks. Hubby is already there, working, and I am still here with the kiddies, packing up. <br />
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Actually, to be honest, the actual packing won't be too bad! The worst things was decluttering. OMG - the stuff you can collect when you are a bit of a magpie, have LOTS of cupboards, and are into a huge variety of arts and homecrafts. By the time I sorted through my dollshouse stuff, my soapmaking stuff, my cheesemaking stuff, my homebrew stuff, and my breadmaking stuff, it was a bit embarrassing to realise how much clutter I had accumulated!<br />
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But really, I have not just one, but THREE houses to pack up. My real house, and two very full but very much loved dollshouses! Now I know that a lot of you dollshouse people out there have WAY more than two dollshouses, and you may therefore quite justifiably think that packing up two dollshouses isn't too bad. <br />
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Actually, it<em> wasn't</em> too bad, but as I wrapped teeny-tiny little groups of things in tissue paper, I did wonder whether the people who glue everything down permanently haven't got the right idea after all. Everything in my dollshouses is loose, apart from the odd piece of bluetak stopping too much carnage occurring. <br />
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That's because I really like moving things around. You can't change anything if it's all glued down.<br />
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This afternoon, I re-set the table with some very sweet little cutlery from Jennifer from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WindyPointMiniatures" target="_blank">Windy Point Miniatures</a>. It is so gorgeous....I will have to save up for another place setting! Teeny and perfect! It's the only addition I have made to my shabby cottage for ages, and it was a pleasure putting it in place, even if I had to pack it straight after taking the photos!<br />
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So this afternoon I packed up both my dollshouses. While I was doing it I took some photos of some of my favourite little corners and have used them in this blogpost. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnfX0Q_bDXPmxhEoSicxhXxvF2tRY8C_inOC4FRh_o768cgFQq4K8d41RxWO3RVjJyMCTWCAYLarE-6K4R0_-8Bz3cTf-L-GwfBa-n9Bw6RyciDGCqfTr0m6XxMUb7uKFhiyzL74cx_k/s1600/Toys+on+shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnfX0Q_bDXPmxhEoSicxhXxvF2tRY8C_inOC4FRh_o768cgFQq4K8d41RxWO3RVjJyMCTWCAYLarE-6K4R0_-8Bz3cTf-L-GwfBa-n9Bw6RyciDGCqfTr0m6XxMUb7uKFhiyzL74cx_k/s400/Toys+on+shelf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For those of you who have been following my blog for a while, I beg your patience, because I know that you will have seen some of these little items and corners before, but YOU JUST WAIT until I get resettled. At least to start with, there will be no job taking up all my time, so in addition to being a good mother, I am hoping to get stuck back into projects.....I have a great idea of what to do with my half-started-and-tragically-stalled roombox project.....it's going to be a 1950s kitchen! I can't wait to get started! <br />
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We are moving to a rented house in the staff village of an outdoor pursuits centre by the mountains. It is where my husband and I met and were married. <br />
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We left there after having our first child, but now that the children are 12 and 10 (where did <em>that </em>time go??) they are the right age to have an absolute ball living at a place with rockclimbing, kayaking, caving and mountaineering all there for the taking! <br />
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And no more mortgage for us for a while. We hope. When we sell the house, that is! Keep your fingers crossed for a quick sale!<br />
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So we are on the move...we think our moving date will be sometime in the next couple of weeks (we're waiting for someone to vacate our house-to-be in a staff house-shuffle). <br />
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In the meantime, thanks so much to everyone who has been patiently waiting for me to show my face again. I have missed my contact with miniatures blog people and am looking forward to getting involved again. <br />
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Thanks so much to those of you who sent me messages encouraging me to get blogging again! I know I didn't do a very good job of answering you at the time, but it really meant something to me that you were still thinking of me - thanks so much!<br />
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So here is the Shabby Cottage, all packed up and ready to go to it's new home. It's a good opportunity for a Spring Clean!<br />
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I apologise for how dis-jointed this blogpost may have sounded. I did write this all in a couple of paragraphs, but I wanted to fit all my photos in to the blogpost, so I have split all the text up and now it sounds a bit staccato, but never mind. It's better a peckity blog post than no blog post!<br />
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(Yes, that is a made-up word.)</div>
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Even dear little Anne of Green Gables has packed her little carpet bag and is ready to head away with us on our new Adventure! <br />
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We'll see you again when we get there!</div>
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Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-19738126392575361122013-04-03T17:04:00.002+13:002013-04-03T18:04:07.698+13:00Fallen in love with a book<br />
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You may have seen this photo before...it's a little afternoon tea party scene in my shabby cottage. The gorgeous cake and the cake slices were made by Kim Saulter (<a href="http://kimsminiatures.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">It's a Miniature Life</a>) . I just love Kim's miniatures - I've always been a huge fan - she is one of my blog heroes.<br />
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So......<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Oh, wow!</span></div>
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I know that those of you who are better than I am at keeping up to date with your blog reading will probably already know this, but I didn't! I just stumbled upon it last night!<br />
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Kim has written a book!! I am such an admirer of her beautiful work. It's not just that she makes such delicately pretty cakes and baking....I just really admire the way she puts a scene together.....everything is so charming - I want to shrink and live in every room. And never grow big again.<br />
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And then to top it all off, there are some of my little dollshouse plates in her book. There is my little damier rouge plate on the right hand side. So that completely made my day.<br />
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If you haven't already had a look, you can read her post about her <a href="http://kimsminiatures.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/the-beauty-of-kitchen-in-book.html" target="_blank">new book here</a>. Of course Kim has no idea I am writing this rather effusive blog....I was just so excited that I had to let off some steam!!<br />
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I've been having fun making some little bits and pieces lately. When I went to visit my lovely sister last year, she had a gorgeous old ballerina print in her bathroom. (She is going shabby chic - full sized style!). So I thought it would be nice to have a dollshouse sized version....here it is...isn't it cute?<br />
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I also have a new favourite vintage sign....even my other half thinks we should have one in the garden. Hope the fairies have a sense of humour. <br />
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And here are a couple more that I like. </div>
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I need a new project now....I have a room box sitting around unloved and incomplete. I think it's time to start something new.....</div>
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Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-55181286910185148692013-03-03T17:10:00.000+13:002013-03-03T17:15:27.059+13:00What I have been doing<br />
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My poor abandoned blog has been sitting here, unloved and un-updated for such a long time! I've been missing all my blog friends and, after a terrible year, during which it seemed as though everything went wrong, 2013 is looking much better, so it's time for an update.<br />
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I must admit I got quite distracted from miniatures last year, so I thought I would let you see some of last year's distractions.</div>
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First of all, we decided to get chickens. They live on a chicken dome in our front garden for part of the year, and in a permanent chicken run in the back yard for the rest of the time. On the left, you can see Bella (a blue orpington) who is definitely my favourite. During the year we have lots of adventures with the chickens, including having a chick (just one chick from a clutch of five eggs, which just goes to illustrate the saying "never count your chickens before they hatch"). Mallow and her chick Marigold are pictured on the right.</div>
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The chickens were part of a new plan for our garden. We dug up the front lawn, planted it all out in vege beds and have been growing as much of our food as possible this year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKvV3IERcvTDFNn7jWtPI8VIItKNlgD2h6Lz8nZKYNWqBVbknvnXLwhQbpWht8yE4x6tha3o7kTNxnxQP-A7df7lYnHbJyP7VNkKATC0Fp8ks3JfcloBJUDi3MiD3LjMYCGjIP_1ryKA/s1600/Front+garden+Jan+2013+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKvV3IERcvTDFNn7jWtPI8VIItKNlgD2h6Lz8nZKYNWqBVbknvnXLwhQbpWht8yE4x6tha3o7kTNxnxQP-A7df7lYnHbJyP7VNkKATC0Fp8ks3JfcloBJUDi3MiD3LjMYCGjIP_1ryKA/s320/Front+garden+Jan+2013+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpFLgLSoNL-6X9-OZTiUTardyYI2qHbXYmuXG1F_edPtBitDojLf4YDXG0ag3kUPTfDL4NanJ-lMAjRRRm7xl-CqVKDjIGUOsypnp0hyphenhyphen9Aygv2NfHPJMfN92YsJZaEU5q1ZtWJWKuABA/s1600/Basket+of+Heirloom+Tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpFLgLSoNL-6X9-OZTiUTardyYI2qHbXYmuXG1F_edPtBitDojLf4YDXG0ag3kUPTfDL4NanJ-lMAjRRRm7xl-CqVKDjIGUOsypnp0hyphenhyphen9Aygv2NfHPJMfN92YsJZaEU5q1ZtWJWKuABA/s320/Basket+of+Heirloom+Tomatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hubby made me a lovely shabby-chic garden bench and we've had a wonderful summer - here are some of last week's tomatoes....<br />
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...don't worry....<br />
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....there <u>will</u> be some dollshouse miniatures in this blogpost....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_Wve6vXfnEz__GtleEoFLVGqIkEkCfYSoOxpi5V_TaxYCQBTF1Ddk6sHf1IRM-wC6l0o5PuhAAjkegGH3e_zUyimf7cI4BaFX-UlbzkSPEu79GFfrN9BzxkLFmHADeNVfYnYhThjtqM/s1600/guitar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_Wve6vXfnEz__GtleEoFLVGqIkEkCfYSoOxpi5V_TaxYCQBTF1Ddk6sHf1IRM-wC6l0o5PuhAAjkegGH3e_zUyimf7cI4BaFX-UlbzkSPEu79GFfrN9BzxkLFmHADeNVfYnYhThjtqM/s320/guitar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another reason I haven't spent much time on miniatures is that I have been learning to play guitar. I still have a long way to go and I'm too shy to play in front of anyone yet, but it's been a lot of fun learning and it just goes to show that you are never too old to start something. I wish I had done this 25 years ago....I could have been quite good by now.<br />
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And finally, I also managed to get distracted by soapmaking. I have had a lovely time learning how to make soap and am never short of a gift for family and friends now....haven't had to use any bought soap for ages either! I have to admit I also got distracted by cheesemaking. It's been a busy year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-Q5D03_u-8l8CLS_07yoJvJdNGTPN1BFnXBNuVfZh64rlSYReAdUpSJFE4GEyGHm5TZnqgei3AdCvu9fbz_vBhXI8bH_w3fHlnfOZZCySWnTk7MYOoE3qeL66XYk5zJvBjTN42Xc9xY/s1600/soapmaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-Q5D03_u-8l8CLS_07yoJvJdNGTPN1BFnXBNuVfZh64rlSYReAdUpSJFE4GEyGHm5TZnqgei3AdCvu9fbz_vBhXI8bH_w3fHlnfOZZCySWnTk7MYOoE3qeL66XYk5zJvBjTN42Xc9xY/s320/soapmaking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I <em>did</em> actually make some miniatures last year.... .... I made this little soapmaking miniature. I thought it would be good to have some soapmaking going on in the kitchen in my shappy cottage, since there was so much soapmaking going on in my real kitchen. Just like real soapmaking, the miniature soap didn't turn out quite as wonderful as I was hoping and I didn't get around to blogging about it. <br />
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Something I made last year of which I <u>was</u> quite proud was this cute little tin of marshmallows. I have made the tins before, but this time I made some tiny marshmallows in pink and white, made from polymer clay and dusted with miniature "icing sugar" - they were very cute and I enjoyed making them.<br />
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The chickens prompted a bit of a "chicken" focus for a while and I also made a cute little vintage sign, which has yet to find a home....</div>
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Here is a photo I am really proud to show you. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/housetj4cb" target="_blank">Lisa Riley</a> took this photo and sent it to me, to show me the dresser she had arranged, including some plates she had bought from my Etsy store. I asked her if I could use the photo on my blog and she kindly agreed. If you would like to see more of her gorgeous work, you can check out her blog - <a href="http://www.lrdesigninspirations.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank">Design Inspirations</a> - it's so pretty!! Thanks, Lisa, for getting me inspired again and all excited about making more little plates.<br />
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I was really touched, after having a really awful year, to receive a whole heap of emails and messages via Etsy asking about whether everything was ok, when I was going to start blogging again, and also when I was going to start selling miniature plates again. It motivated me to get my act together, and I have made a new shop banner and restocked my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DollshouseMiniatures" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>. I'm all excited about making miniatures again, and now that the New Zealand summer is coming to an end (although it's still massively hot here and not a sign of any rain any time soon), I'll hopefully have some time to try out some of my new ideas! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EZfiOwgnsUj5aCdmRorbizgTz4amNNmUuMJPOCQb6Sdc3xlXN_xQ5PrgpoMhF4KOWuXvgADfH_8rOakfhA8YvfrzkD6-1sE_rSHSCX98T5zBHb6NPjXmzIKr47nJ_8zIeqU5OTvchcA/s1600/The+Kids+and+Carolyn+on+our+River+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EZfiOwgnsUj5aCdmRorbizgTz4amNNmUuMJPOCQb6Sdc3xlXN_xQ5PrgpoMhF4KOWuXvgADfH_8rOakfhA8YvfrzkD6-1sE_rSHSCX98T5zBHb6NPjXmzIKr47nJ_8zIeqU5OTvchcA/s640/The+Kids+and+Carolyn+on+our+River+Day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading this blogpost. This is a photo taken yesterday - our family of four plus the dog went out for a tramp into the bush - we took our wetsuits and spent the day walking, climbing and swimming down one of the local rivers.....it was just gorgeous. Here are Matthew and I posing for the camera, not realising that Ella was finding the water quite cold!! </div>
Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-49341903169745905132012-04-02T07:54:00.005+12:002012-04-02T07:58:42.304+12:00Make Coffee not War<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726523460874755330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIPPOMifLQbzH4u2xCNbVR8oo_k5S9P6dA0OnE3ZSg_BUiBGdkxSDoLrz7412q6jaA5SfZHrHm3ntMebPgljpSERm0RjKSbrDNSwXpHCNUgdhma7w87GZ-6mBzPMG04mAWU83-E5FY1E/s400/make+coffee+not+war.jpg" /> <br /><div>I found this gorgeous sign and couldn't resist making one for my miniature kitchen. As a complete coffee addict, I think this is great - and I love the retro styling!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726523786267203266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfC9hSot60f_dyuliSqYj-AR_zQt9urK08qe8eKjnUseocKHi3_PaDPvRrktWq42n4uDE8DFfiPENJbInMzYFxoFflzgked0nyaGXl0jAn6tf-qhyphenhyphen_TzyrMCNp8lfbbUf-QUcTu2Aos4/s400/make+coffee+not+war+in+kitchen2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726523784375590642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRRWnm0BNbGaKB0JT7Rz3F-bz5_Vyyg5gAMAtb5LOrR6h0-BhB553-O9GBKET5VEo8KwWbwKSTUD0VNNIpD-HTIKfWAozWWuTuXi1QC9Nl5yXTLZpJEtK07lC_8h_NxV7ktvEAWfyUiI/s400/make+coffee+not+war+in+kitchen.jpg" /></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-91289691862300347342012-03-28T18:57:00.016+13:002012-03-28T20:20:15.140+13:00Back after the summer holidays<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoZeJFyRumsN9EDP6EXjS6EU0baPOUpnU6N0PJ20Vm1wAV6KLXERxfEegsYvo7degsmQJxS50viatUIE1PCoTIF9mnV_VBaiBpqNG8UBnFEvHesBdmEzG5HRhv3ax_HWJ64tRMMz4AL4/s1600/1cat.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724833013136600066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoZeJFyRumsN9EDP6EXjS6EU0baPOUpnU6N0PJ20Vm1wAV6KLXERxfEegsYvo7degsmQJxS50viatUIE1PCoTIF9mnV_VBaiBpqNG8UBnFEvHesBdmEzG5HRhv3ax_HWJ64tRMMz4AL4/s400/1cat.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpv2LaF4GA6J6LrEHPNKizAT5myTOnFNTr8wbx2wUYR26EvkKNdR6jFvoov-Sqi1E0lBU2TTH5GElCx1Yo8Kz7FXbRmo39N_VSlLSlQk6OyOO3x3cDfq1JS0ziynN7GiEvnGsheoZ3VE/s1600/2french+books.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724832035146107410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpv2LaF4GA6J6LrEHPNKizAT5myTOnFNTr8wbx2wUYR26EvkKNdR6jFvoov-Sqi1E0lBU2TTH5GElCx1Yo8Kz7FXbRmo39N_VSlLSlQk6OyOO3x3cDfq1JS0ziynN7GiEvnGsheoZ3VE/s400/2french+books.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div>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.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YVwkmhTAemU9_rseUrgnsDdaWA3BVjOQbiq3ZzZSb_92Aul4LbkfJZkELBxnVDwfdPPCDTovWFxzB7znPhivAkjCBYx3qjBBr-mPKRNldllKjKlvalkqzVLw46cuXmlytwu4GVkwxzE/s1600/3limoges+set+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724831912176786386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YVwkmhTAemU9_rseUrgnsDdaWA3BVjOQbiq3ZzZSb_92Aul4LbkfJZkELBxnVDwfdPPCDTovWFxzB7znPhivAkjCBYx3qjBBr-mPKRNldllKjKlvalkqzVLw46cuXmlytwu4GVkwxzE/s400/3limoges+set+3.jpg" /></a><br />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!!<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfQcu1UCWqtEJn3U9SQ6FpHvjmYnPCfmIw0-cTMnzdIhcpGlQiWdtWDyVuK9SuWz1g6kYF7_dhMX2KLFYvLSSQC96Sg-Sf92LlWIfZbllUWKrACDeLWBBeqMG2I5ywqHw_JPq-1lV1N4/s1600/4queen+photo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724831745948394674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfQcu1UCWqtEJn3U9SQ6FpHvjmYnPCfmIw0-cTMnzdIhcpGlQiWdtWDyVuK9SuWz1g6kYF7_dhMX2KLFYvLSSQC96Sg-Sf92LlWIfZbllUWKrACDeLWBBeqMG2I5ywqHw_JPq-1lV1N4/s400/4queen+photo.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>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.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6ppmu1zO8s25_NdtDAYxRke_M6haKg68VA-LstFExIpFMP79pQilmqhtM-KLUuYeWF44cU_AqMJJf29bfp1OYOV8TVmvqLiutIvfTkYsvqfzLEiiAy-uFeFmOFcoxtpaaP1AFaK3NhI/s1600/5potting+bench.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724831534674567666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6ppmu1zO8s25_NdtDAYxRke_M6haKg68VA-LstFExIpFMP79pQilmqhtM-KLUuYeWF44cU_AqMJJf29bfp1OYOV8TVmvqLiutIvfTkYsvqfzLEiiAy-uFeFmOFcoxtpaaP1AFaK3NhI/s400/5potting+bench.jpg" /></a><br />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.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FPyEUKrblRsEMc1C5a5z_ArkasCvYdp83Qj-xuHaF_sa8zGTi3CvGjtXBp8msxuP4467n7L_75e_sExgqnsHwe841NxjhH3gvYs6vGK3EdiAjkZlOpjBgZQYEZbX-woVR81V_qzFfmg/s1600/6+potting+bench+montage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 103px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724831380373416850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FPyEUKrblRsEMc1C5a5z_ArkasCvYdp83Qj-xuHaF_sa8zGTi3CvGjtXBp8msxuP4467n7L_75e_sExgqnsHwe841NxjhH3gvYs6vGK3EdiAjkZlOpjBgZQYEZbX-woVR81V_qzFfmg/s400/6+potting+bench+montage.jpg" /></a> 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.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeL8nEtvOpsJhrihlBklwoPjlOUCXe7fKToviALJjC1aRELPKOs4J5q0lIAxZGffc75JSmNNEp8WHOSiLhGNgOyAxAyZtX2rGfCPno2UE22dtbf2n3Ql6JkvY2GO47J6Fi9k90O7RYiew/s1600/7+potting+bench+flower+pot.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 369px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724831218477912002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeL8nEtvOpsJhrihlBklwoPjlOUCXe7fKToviALJjC1aRELPKOs4J5q0lIAxZGffc75JSmNNEp8WHOSiLhGNgOyAxAyZtX2rGfCPno2UE22dtbf2n3Ql6JkvY2GO47J6Fi9k90O7RYiew/s400/7+potting+bench+flower+pot.jpg" /></a>I painted all the little flowerpots and used tiny nail stickers to decorate them (thanks to <a href="http://katiesclaycorner.blogspot.co.nz/">Katie</a> for this great idea).<br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQqhrzkkxx-yOxMrM9YEyWCS6SCHP6xT5pYWpqNSgv-5kvjaMSIGvmQ6LVpjzfSANswF-5wmZefGNFyvPR9KAZxnzpAFwRVObKXq-8ZsImd1RxkEw2uAbJwQQFQGrBOO2MNceNkZ0PDo/s1600/8+house.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 348px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724831106865191186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQqhrzkkxx-yOxMrM9YEyWCS6SCHP6xT5pYWpqNSgv-5kvjaMSIGvmQ6LVpjzfSANswF-5wmZefGNFyvPR9KAZxnzpAFwRVObKXq-8ZsImd1RxkEw2uAbJwQQFQGrBOO2MNceNkZ0PDo/s400/8+house.jpg" /></a>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 ....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDubZMlub6DIfnGNYwagONJy-lgCZ90dLQ5ggNMrtwkZqRGomkv58OD-_ivUsXkgAV6L1FjyrhKdtKh5RNzU8pmpp5KKbZYKSukWaEdKVtsJS0yT0ZzBb-EDNOJULvSqeSNz-_oAX4mg/s1600/9+kitchen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724830955714599570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDubZMlub6DIfnGNYwagONJy-lgCZ90dLQ5ggNMrtwkZqRGomkv58OD-_ivUsXkgAV6L1FjyrhKdtKh5RNzU8pmpp5KKbZYKSukWaEdKVtsJS0yT0ZzBb-EDNOJULvSqeSNz-_oAX4mg/s400/9+kitchen.jpg" /></a> Nice clean kitchen! The layer of dust on the kitchen bench was horrendous! Poor little house!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfZQhZ3tedRgrCEwGPJgLQDHo7Go6Tr1Kln5SO8OmXMEXyE5IKyjXzyNWB5cbBIzTvZAdw0GuO-h35Kiwdi92-82M6EJRLlRzrUdfXs_SNG9l0Udm4lcupdjggyweE9OnZ-71BckudFg/s1600/10+kitchen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 323px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724830702794146002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfZQhZ3tedRgrCEwGPJgLQDHo7Go6Tr1Kln5SO8OmXMEXyE5IKyjXzyNWB5cbBIzTvZAdw0GuO-h35Kiwdi92-82M6EJRLlRzrUdfXs_SNG9l0Udm4lcupdjggyweE9OnZ-71BckudFg/s400/10+kitchen.jpg" /></a> 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.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPGjw90UphRqnGr1tUaG6ttsTES74bK5_Sri3eEqetKfrR0gXFvNgaE1rqKHEqv5LDbfKn378Xr6dwfw9fXLA89fq2geVAgkQIsj_qIJPH9DJ2_q8wbO-cb2nWXDx3w4fUXEYlFkoJNU/s1600/11+treasures+and+trinkets+box.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 355px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724830532380001282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPGjw90UphRqnGr1tUaG6ttsTES74bK5_Sri3eEqetKfrR0gXFvNgaE1rqKHEqv5LDbfKn378Xr6dwfw9fXLA89fq2geVAgkQIsj_qIJPH9DJ2_q8wbO-cb2nWXDx3w4fUXEYlFkoJNU/s400/11+treasures+and+trinkets+box.jpg" /></a> 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.<br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3U6wcvyY3KQcagH75ZygSwjmHJBRD08nwucUaDaE0meTH6iUbaPt7GYfHNA-pazVKdA9lHUTNvkz-aBjMqjSii9R0Qks-5q9PnuGM01Y4DCmNa3fSRDKjpIHHwyLLFzLjt5gXF6y1y4/s1600/12+bits+and+pieces+box.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724830370282626770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3U6wcvyY3KQcagH75ZygSwjmHJBRD08nwucUaDaE0meTH6iUbaPt7GYfHNA-pazVKdA9lHUTNvkz-aBjMqjSii9R0Qks-5q9PnuGM01Y4DCmNa3fSRDKjpIHHwyLLFzLjt5gXF6y1y4/s400/12+bits+and+pieces+box.jpg" /></a> 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.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCDgEPfmQVwGksUKqLOGIEHNCF_F1Z5YFQcGpJjmAEmwFf3EP1ZF91KuBhkhT1HaDuPcDFscUNjEV58wr3HgxXkzrdLPGSCBL-Y6D5LZUxj7R36gdiWj4TOOSNj6vMeWDtaJSaNXObus/s1600/13+bookcase.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 368px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724830134848963906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCDgEPfmQVwGksUKqLOGIEHNCF_F1Z5YFQcGpJjmAEmwFf3EP1ZF91KuBhkhT1HaDuPcDFscUNjEV58wr3HgxXkzrdLPGSCBL-Y6D5LZUxj7R36gdiWj4TOOSNj6vMeWDtaJSaNXObus/s400/13+bookcase.jpg" /></a> Here is the box in its new home on the bookcase in the lovely clean living room. I love my little house!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnH0UjRiS1aJv2Wv7e13IgxDCCGXVJP5O-ZkA0HfhtkBtPNtjYVOlo0DfIxtL1-1WqigrKLPBJgk99qeNeEB5GvfkGH08Jk7SRSjlJWjdZjNhi_Uzxc60Q2YTbF0xPsxQKv4xbKoBhtlI/s1600/14+bookcase+wall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724829781808202306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnH0UjRiS1aJv2Wv7e13IgxDCCGXVJP5O-ZkA0HfhtkBtPNtjYVOlo0DfIxtL1-1WqigrKLPBJgk99qeNeEB5GvfkGH08Jk7SRSjlJWjdZjNhi_Uzxc60Q2YTbF0xPsxQKv4xbKoBhtlI/s400/14+bookcase+wall.jpg" /></a> 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.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>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!! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-17814618858823546072011-12-05T20:43:00.016+13:002011-12-09T07:23:32.648+13:00And the winner of the giveaway is..<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682557031846775586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrid4tKrrALzHZUpXKf6dxCj_Gdckjaip9QiGeXTOkBn1bfkdeFjDWrX478JYaEJdhh3zN-xa-nQS7UJOyLwyLYBUErppeuuqB8iB08TCcXagguXG6FwFEUA7hA_Unb_whCTODQwSE5m4/s400/and+the+winner+is.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>First of all, thank you so much for entering this giveaway....it has been so nice to read your comments and of course I wish I could send you all something. So thanks again for taking the time to read my blog from time to time - it is much appreciated and thank you for all the inspiration I get from your beautiful blogs too!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>And now it is time to announce the winner. Yes, this is being done a few days late but I think that you'll forgive me.....my little boy had a tenth birthday party in the weekend and we've been very busy trying to make sure he had the time of his life (he did!). </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The winner of Carolyn's Little Kitchen giveaway is....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682564367468395474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOqo6SkQogXkFtV9xVMRtDe8VzwkdHEz4b5soucoO8BvFv0LCp-73nducaq1bg36lZtq3E8RsEjHq36A0ocz-b3UCkPizVIrsPxcxa5uwtXGpbH9VFYl9arK6XAX_PR44A8kNffZTOKI/s400/first+prize.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>... Lataina (Iris) from <a href="http://itsalwayssunnyinminiland.blogspot.com/">It's Always Sunny in Miniland</a>. I really hope she likes her giveaway...I'll be sending her everything in the photo below. A nice Christmas present - I hope it makes it there in time. Lataina, if you are reading this, can you let me know your mailing address?? </div><br /><br /><br /><div>I also said that I would have a second prize, which would be some homemade soap, so the draw for the second prize goes to.....<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682570080720384594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF9z2b7K4ZhKhr4-Ec-l6wR73aGOVc0eXN4XnyepYpdJ4hsWJqXLh2YPHg9o0nobR3v8xvgvteCYyhkpBhJZkTEDQwaGMoUyLxJmyjZnPWU6HVWdKHIglXNq4rLI_VXm8gmftG_RAFkE/s400/second+prize.jpg" /> ....Genevieve from <a href="http://genevieveminiacollection.blogspot.com/">Genevieve's Miniacollection</a>. Congratulations, Genevieve....if you would like some homemade soap, let me know which one and I will send it out to you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682569367687198114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4C0AbGq3b6pZBJXa03hl4DC76btRtO6r8iY2WtCHK0ee0OQgM5JYWJxBR8HDJ4x5dmubsbnF2BklHM48RhFhBvhjdNe_aJpZtxRv4APb6C0TuJPzHBVMST-vy2S4_sUuh6xeV4ktlfM/s400/peonies.jpg" /> Of course now I feel bad for all the people who didn't win. So I am posting this beautiful photo of peonies for you, to brighten your day. I hope you have a lovely week. </div></div></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-66272967696128428062011-11-19T19:10:00.010+13:002011-11-19T20:02:09.134+13:00500 Follower Giveaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR2a7RdQPAhU9Jl9WWrUUIfl6dZILaboNE6nMfCIMAPNbWbROE0-cFxTyKi5Xus0TbBQ17Oxhjmy935gjEtg_R1-1YNJZXumhMZoHm7uO4aJQEvzkYGX1-mxoDrnYDtu1Ze0uVyNt-ZY/s1600/giveaway+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676586852132287362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR2a7RdQPAhU9Jl9WWrUUIfl6dZILaboNE6nMfCIMAPNbWbROE0-cFxTyKi5Xus0TbBQ17Oxhjmy935gjEtg_R1-1YNJZXumhMZoHm7uO4aJQEvzkYGX1-mxoDrnYDtu1Ze0uVyNt-ZY/s400/giveaway+1.jpg" /></a> It's definitely time for a giveaway at Carolyn's Little Kitchen. I thought I should celebrate having 500 very patient followers, so I have put together this little French provincial display as my giveaway - I really hope you like it. It includes a little tin "bus blind" sign, with French bakery lettering, some little posters and some coat hooks. And everything you can see on the shelves.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Pm6dJq6rfoArQr-7b_F9vgWXIGDa1vptl8j-c1X3Wx8Kh3Yktdcub20pp1-65MoOtjkYBZzfzDQBANQgIMTyTu9xYSmj5phuPRCIxYcv6k3r6FoOA_4Da6M9FRMiX1QQ1RDVQ9vlJMI/s1600/giveaway+shelf+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676586847870052466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Pm6dJq6rfoArQr-7b_F9vgWXIGDa1vptl8j-c1X3Wx8Kh3Yktdcub20pp1-65MoOtjkYBZzfzDQBANQgIMTyTu9xYSmj5phuPRCIxYcv6k3r6FoOA_4Da6M9FRMiX1QQ1RDVQ9vlJMI/s400/giveaway+shelf+1.jpg" /></a> On the first shelf, there is a jar of pickled onions, some cute little jars of jam with polkadot lids, two of my French provinical style plates, a gorgeous little rolling pin, two little jugs I painted and a cute tin sign: "Cuisine".<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDfxEjoukXhATYIDz7-5LFaun1ra3RK4kGY_v5AARKwUWFnnwh3i7QpGnfX84_50Da0kJhmufQirQuUjrSYVcztAsDQgJhFrrOz1-VssBEFKgaWz8wyk3F88ETa9WXplEU__65upWX3M/s1600/shelf+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676586826910521586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDfxEjoukXhATYIDz7-5LFaun1ra3RK4kGY_v5AARKwUWFnnwh3i7QpGnfX84_50Da0kJhmufQirQuUjrSYVcztAsDQgJhFrrOz1-VssBEFKgaWz8wyk3F88ETa9WXplEU__65upWX3M/s400/shelf+2.jpg" /></a> Shelf two has an apple pie and a loaf of bread, a little cookbook and some more plates.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuhmAtoSiPIounCNDF-hTU48v4GCuF9sfedzFZPjJ3af5lICN_ZSGfYa7WBXZ3sC3qBXXITqOkfkVtKhbF6skAtdjk2VdSfhLmtUExeoPMeZm2h7fyYPIM6UNsAJB-jaUoKTTc0RIc_0/s1600/giveaway+shelf+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676586575555938146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuhmAtoSiPIounCNDF-hTU48v4GCuF9sfedzFZPjJ3af5lICN_ZSGfYa7WBXZ3sC3qBXXITqOkfkVtKhbF6skAtdjk2VdSfhLmtUExeoPMeZm2h7fyYPIM6UNsAJB-jaUoKTTc0RIc_0/s400/giveaway+shelf+3.jpg" /></a> On the third shelf is a tin sign: "Bon Appetit", some more cute cookbooks, all with a French theme, another little plate, an Eiffel Tower statue, and a little basket filled with French provincial style tiles.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAEnK4hP_3olE2uKzYKJXiRih3VonXRSSFE1KnE1SYrYKaLowQ4Tqzz23dA_z1Q6YHgJWhyHJwvC8b0oXq2z7Ri313BoP2JX7KHk79KtUR8yevQji9yz3jxVcfMw1Wh8rTheZSYoMe_k/s1600/shelf+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676586574266083186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAEnK4hP_3olE2uKzYKJXiRih3VonXRSSFE1KnE1SYrYKaLowQ4Tqzz23dA_z1Q6YHgJWhyHJwvC8b0oXq2z7Ri313BoP2JX7KHk79KtUR8yevQji9yz3jxVcfMw1Wh8rTheZSYoMe_k/s400/shelf+4.jpg" /></a><br />The bottom shelf has a wheel of Brie, with a few crackers, a crockery baking dish and another of my plates, with some co-ordinating cloths. I haven't glued anything down so whoever wins this giveaway can use this as a complete piece or just arrange the accessories where they look best.<br /><br />I really hope you like this giveway - I spent quite a lot of time putting it together after my last post, but then had lots of trouble getting good photos to post so apologies that it has taken so long. I do really appreciate my followers, so thank you so much for being there!</div><br /><br /><div>I'll draw the giveaway on 1st December, so I can post it to you in time for Christmas. To enter, you just have to post a comment on this blogpost.....good luck to you all.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-kzNfirdO7DyGK8pSwO-lFCA8w4M_N-qj7_QgfXrljiQAS9AosxBDZx09ePr04nM2Xwo6nWzJU0ouUeQTC6gI_5oRBiPt5XnLlui0E0-hBvT3vmmuVHg_rCzgL2p_bCjPBlmMh9709I/s1600/doll2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676586573404835026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-kzNfirdO7DyGK8pSwO-lFCA8w4M_N-qj7_QgfXrljiQAS9AosxBDZx09ePr04nM2Xwo6nWzJU0ouUeQTC6gI_5oRBiPt5XnLlui0E0-hBvT3vmmuVHg_rCzgL2p_bCjPBlmMh9709I/s400/doll2.jpg" /></a>I have had this cute doll for a while. She was originally in my Victorian dollshouse but now she lives in a drawer (poor little thing!). She has been invited out of the drawer for a spot of modeling. Incidentally, she is also modeling an outfit I "made" for her (which does highlight my lack of sewing skills and fondness for not-hemming-things and for glue). It isn't that great but it's still better than what she was wearing when she arrived (very ugly tartan outfit with giant tam-o-shanter).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpg3xDRco27tAL8XVLvozjCU762NNpHdOejMKZtyMgoRG0Ve1Be5pL8K1r9VMr-xAvX8iMYGTh0TVDKMF2ArJfTTPIm0e_8w8VfDb-zrxBWiEo2QmeADWgFWY5TC5JgeCOqVTCWvX6UA/s1600/purple+hat.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 351px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676586564392841826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpg3xDRco27tAL8XVLvozjCU762NNpHdOejMKZtyMgoRG0Ve1Be5pL8K1r9VMr-xAvX8iMYGTh0TVDKMF2ArJfTTPIm0e_8w8VfDb-zrxBWiEo2QmeADWgFWY5TC5JgeCOqVTCWvX6UA/s400/purple+hat.jpg" /></a>The reason she has been invited out is to show you the pretty hats that arrived a little while ago. They came from <a href="http://http//www.etsy.com/shop/JustForYouByLuned">Just for You</a> on Etsy. This one is such a pretty, soft lavender colour and so beautifully trimmed.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFu4bfL4RI8-rAF7A8C8o1lzugstJtfJeYI1PqsJtPl6YMXqSKskuuUea9VYkKkcuDTOq9Cc7ECk-vM23g641ayJEZBcS_bdnneMMhC3s8SPFGSJ0vsWRjBjeakQrN83ZVp1HzSURoLnI/s1600/hat2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676586559802787970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFu4bfL4RI8-rAF7A8C8o1lzugstJtfJeYI1PqsJtPl6YMXqSKskuuUea9VYkKkcuDTOq9Cc7ECk-vM23g641ayJEZBcS_bdnneMMhC3s8SPFGSJ0vsWRjBjeakQrN83ZVp1HzSURoLnI/s400/hat2.jpg" /></a><br />But this one is my absolute favourite! It is absolutely beautiful, with the pretty flowers. Thanks very much to <a href="http://minimumm.blogspot.com/">Nina</a>, - I saw the lovely hat she had purchased on her <a href="http://minimumm.blogspot.com/2011/09/seit-einem-vierteljahr.html">blog</a> and really loved it.<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>WARNING - THIS BLOG IS ABOUT TO GO OFF SUBJECT.....<br /><br />Now I am going to show you one of the reasons I haven't been blogging much about miniatures lately..... </div><br /><div>.....I've been bitten by a new obsession: Soapmaking! I've been wanting to try it for ages, but haven't because I was really scared of using the caustic soda, especially with children and my little dog always around. Anyway, my parents gave me birthday money, so I decided to spend it on a book on soapmaking and some soap ingredients and had a go and it is HEAPS of fun!!<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX54xIQhnANn1vY32OObYHV775W5cyjeFgKNVmvpa2z0B5xR5_qs1_CN6XfINHp6XC6Klo09nUq-m8t_b3f306AZwEyZucRlkUD8U_-6r7Rz7GoQagn8ecoZVTFLUcHm9NJfuT3oZFOPs/s1600/soaps1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676585835274736050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX54xIQhnANn1vY32OObYHV775W5cyjeFgKNVmvpa2z0B5xR5_qs1_CN6XfINHp6XC6Klo09nUq-m8t_b3f306AZwEyZucRlkUD8U_-6r7Rz7GoQagn8ecoZVTFLUcHm9NJfuT3oZFOPs/s400/soaps1.jpg" /></a>These are some of the soaps I have made in the last few weeks. The ones on the left are calendula, oatmeal and cinnamon, and luxurious lavender. The ones in the middle are calendula (made with calendula petals which I picked from a friend's garden and dried), lavender (bit disappointed with the grey colour of that one) and camomile. And...da DA! The cupcake on the right IS SOAP and I made it myself. I am so chuffed with it. I learnt how to do it by traipsing around on the internet and it wasn't too hard.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9aGZXslIERIMtLQ36BXy3HxU_8BOHLVNEoOXTDPW6oc80xEVW-Lv6NlTTfgrJtG0Hf89AjyFR52ws71DA7RevG_qIgKMX1cXgPPtVoEgS6jEs72mBQRLac_22-uBvV0smsKuKErgwxs/s1600/calendula+soap3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 379px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676585830336760082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9aGZXslIERIMtLQ36BXy3HxU_8BOHLVNEoOXTDPW6oc80xEVW-Lv6NlTTfgrJtG0Hf89AjyFR52ws71DA7RevG_qIgKMX1cXgPPtVoEgS6jEs72mBQRLac_22-uBvV0smsKuKErgwxs/s400/calendula+soap3.jpg" /></a> These are the calendula soaps....I love the way the dried petals have kept their colour. I figured out how to make the tops of these ones textured and they look pretty with glitter.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisEJV8SYvlMSGkvOh190eqzZe07xER6l9mm3MnjmJrLdL1QXG8g8F0ukP7Ro1jyyfibWkRHzBH_yuBmO3g4qWIPo1fmJ-x0A04jocpiRWBFYeoOizB0P15onsjw6M7iaTgDAEzB1pH68/s1600/cupcakes2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676585826700497570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisEJV8SYvlMSGkvOh190eqzZe07xER6l9mm3MnjmJrLdL1QXG8g8F0ukP7Ro1jyyfibWkRHzBH_yuBmO3g4qWIPo1fmJ-x0A04jocpiRWBFYeoOizB0P15onsjw6M7iaTgDAEzB1pH68/s400/cupcakes2.jpg" /></a>These are the cupcake soaps I made - the flowers aren't soap - they are paper flowers from a craft store. But the whole rest of the cupcakes are soap.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aFdZ9yIiSWSY-RFRyXIurb_KfMXkHdoT_uU_rvHBsubs3HSGfu7PJnjb_ZvOBeCGVKFPV0XHQTcxK9dbu3aMJxDIl4rDhiF3jtpR-kMXrv60kwzM3v68-f91Wl_wwDvkVpm-i8gRq6k/s1600/cupcake2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676585819282431554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aFdZ9yIiSWSY-RFRyXIurb_KfMXkHdoT_uU_rvHBsubs3HSGfu7PJnjb_ZvOBeCGVKFPV0XHQTcxK9dbu3aMJxDIl4rDhiF3jtpR-kMXrv60kwzM3v68-f91Wl_wwDvkVpm-i8gRq6k/s400/cupcake2.jpg" /></a>I had to put another photo of the cupcake soap in because it is so pretty!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EdKDf5XuHYHovYcPv_hEEPHkjjM6nBkXoKDBl_ypcBmNP6hapETrZZXIAZm3gIUkMwYVwZcyF-Z7NhDpE9wJlM8rFkfrHAWyaJhufS_q05LhCoYuW7uh9ErIdRcDR9Q1hS4shHtgd7U/s1600/basket+of+soaps.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676585817993198210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EdKDf5XuHYHovYcPv_hEEPHkjjM6nBkXoKDBl_ypcBmNP6hapETrZZXIAZm3gIUkMwYVwZcyF-Z7NhDpE9wJlM8rFkfrHAWyaJhufS_q05LhCoYuW7uh9ErIdRcDR9Q1hS4shHtgd7U/s400/basket+of+soaps.jpg" /></a> Because I want to give these away as Christmas presents this year, I had to get on and make them right now, because they have to sit for a number of weeks to completely finish saponifying before they can be used, that's why I haven't had much time for anything else. Here is a selection of soaps in the little basket I bought for them today from the bargain store. A bit of celophane and ribbon and some labels on the soap and they will look nice, I think. I have tried a couple of the first batches I made because they have - only just - sat long enough to have mellowed, and they are absolutely beautiful to use. I've used really lovely oils and you can really tell the difference. I've never been one to fuss much over soaps and toiletries really, but these are so lovely to use that I don't think I want to go back to supermarket soap.</div><br /><br /><div>Anyway, for your patience in listening to all this, I thought I would offer a second prize in the giveaway which will be a bar of homemade soap. You choose which one you would like to try and if you are the winner I will send it to you. Just mention in the comments which one you would choose if you are the winner and good luck everyone!<br /><br />I'm not sure that soapmaking is ideally suited for impatient people, however. Not easy to wait six weeks (or even three) before using your lovely, homemade soap!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com139tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-7963200767094175252011-10-02T13:07:00.030+13:002011-10-02T14:38:35.146+13:00Just to say hello<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658698729508395714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zCEGilfIvwYFsIMGe9B9v0qd-jR1s-NVzPpkPuvntaZFG7NB3bxyNEp9jgO_DvmOLa9FX19yPjiQGS-SK4DSk0Z_uLNyPZUFjf3RPurpYQ3Iqq2jRXeRiKzPW2F5kinJ0Blf8RvMZEs/s400/outside.jpg" /> It's definitely about time I reappeared! It's been so long since I posted that I have moved past feeling guilty and now feel exceedlingly virtuous for even showing my shamefaced self in blogland after such a long absence. I haven't been here at all - haven't even had time to read any blogs or anything. It's not through lack of enthusiasm, just overwork and lack of time. I didn't completely stop blogging, though.... .....if you want to see where my blogging energy has had to go, have a look by clicking <a href="http://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/Our+Blog/x_post/sweet-violets-00025.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Anyway, now the crazy rush of the Spring season at work is starting to die down (oh, please, please let this be true), I am hoping to have more energy for the other things in my life, including miniatures!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658697099322912066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0_f08BL4sapZ6SV0IWf0kXjDuPbOH7qgUfk_dMSZKXbhvtBO6z8vRFGPA4cnSsvtN1zJKvd36V8YCUpIVc_Y3ZBHZV8sAd5VfQSM8YS1TUnvUK2nxYPW8iQXTdjq3cJGzRiAzphf58M/s400/GIFTS.jpg" />I did have one very happy moment in the middle of a very stressful time. I was the very very lucky winner of Daphne's wonderful giveaway. (If you haven't visited her blog - <a href="http://http//courtofgypsiesminiatures.blogspot.com/">In the Court of the Gypsies </a>- then go and check it out!!) I was so excited because I had never won a giveaway before. Thank you so much, Daphne, for these beautiful miniatures!!! They realled cheered me up just when I needed it! I just love the French shabby chair and the flowers and picture and antiqued flower tub are just lovely! I feel really lucky to have won this giveaway. And they arrived just when I really needed cheering up. What a lovely surprise!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658696785954378322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrbveB2I3N65vU3kLoJQHOke-Q6N6NDutKkV9Ibjkoe9R63YrAzclU7xl1vtm1LupkUqIcYwUp1otfFvLZfjH7ODb6KXlP6cjpDfURjUypGTR3zmaCMtTTwaZLV8PkTwmOCVpDfKYR_E/s400/new.jpg" />Unfortunately, being so busy means that I don't have very much to show you this time. There are a couple of small additions to the cottage that you might like to see. I bought a cute little French planter from <a href="http://http//www.etsy.com/shop/miniaturepatisserie">Pei Li </a>- it is just so sweet! I have put it just inside the door of the cottage - I might pop some mail in it or maybe the lady of the house casually throws her keys in there when she comes in from outside.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658696461383993266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFz0S3EX0yyfJdFxcpEEprfl6ZvRNgkOZYsYCy8gdy78fGJM-HcSSzFV4D4C_wtoo8mybkHxMjHAwFHfYXSrZjcE7Fg2HdQ2N01ZDf0NlwhYEo72Lda9Wh3bVkosXNE86awvk1y2JrZvc/s400/door.jpg" /> I liked it so much that I couldn't resist doubling up by buying another one, this time with a pretty flower in it. This one is outside the cottage by the front door and I really love it. It is so pretty!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658696149154031874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixj8qgeOi2tbgjTWUhVxDG-QHJI5KAdh4L5Lpb0HXV9FV_pWf7qLmC9sndKiTaDJD3CpqlzDEfMHafxTTeFr2-RlvR0P9hgTCr3yue8aJZmrZ3tk3x8AjezFymoEpvOkYZ1Vi0MmfbsUc/s400/bookcase+with+candlestick.jpg" />I recently attended a dollshouse show (sorry, I didn't take my camera) and bought a pretty porcelain candlestick from the neighbouring stall - here it is on the bookcase.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 339px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658695805698272114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjy1rE0U3mhfOPp4oqCTJpBd4aZ1o8kYXwtMYb3o9Zj8OXPgjb1JVm05LGb1ir21D26Wl5ei6orUFEN54Aw5qHBT83DQ8jnbYnVDoqyKFufPAxftdZB5rRirgl6m9SGvfefE2rG5bKak/s400/my+plates.jpg" /> Earlier in the Spring, before life had ground me to a pulp, I decided to re-do the plate display in my "real" house. The chintz patterned plates are all Crown Ducal. The bottom plate had two corners broken off and badly glued back on when I received it. I managed to remove most of the old yellow glue-globs with acetone. Whoops - removed too much glue and the corners fell off. So I glued them back on and now it looks as good as new. The two plates with floral rims are Royal Doulton and the small one in the centre is a very hard to find (well, I found it hard to find!) pattern by Winton called "Caravan", which I really love. Hubbys comment: "Are you going to cover the whole wall with plates?!" No. Just these ones.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658695449963004210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZ9DAbHPXCiZOPCNDhtBFYItjWAoWCABtHMdvkev9v0Acj72SX1KJ-cnkL-KQrbt9xvdv-vza3GJ0t1MMtCsPgBPt05aujFE3E9UGaRf6Zck5CpWAxQdSbJI9psFPsTm1SvafzKSG5fY/s400/plate+wall.jpg" /> <br /><div>So, here I am back in the land of the living again, and realising that while I was a.w.o.l. I have undeservedly reached 500 followers. So one of my next posts will be a little giveaway to celebrate getting through the Spring season (yes, I know Spring is lovely, but it gets awfully busy when you work at a seed company!), and to celebrate still having some followers even though I haven't blogged for ages.</div><br />Thanks for still being there! xxxxCarolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-31285829217219127582011-07-21T22:55:00.012+12:002011-07-22T04:06:46.859+12:00A lovely addition to the cottage<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yay</span>!! I think I've finally figured out how to load photos without it driving me crazy! Don't know why, but recently I've had so much grief trying to add photos to my blog. I used to be able to load them in and them move them around to where I wanted them fairly easily but lately it's been a complete mission. Anyway, now I've figured out that if I actually plan which ones I want to use and then load them in reverse order, then they will all end up in the desired order and all I have to do then is enter my comments and it's done. It was driving me crazy! How typical - I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">should've</span> been planning it better. That's my whole life in a nutshell but I'm not sure that's a lesson I'm going to remember, going on past experience.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLT9V0qJfB9uCQ3AgGlayBixMgyoOb6w-T-hxHQsQkqrHLedTVS73q5NRJbRYp_K7PA3dIX9zwKtUlPvrwdo-29-mEsDRVe5arGKORmAqy8soEYFkU1Ywrj943Ht_Fe2Q5piinckB8bQ/s1600/bedroom1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631761220386334674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyLT9V0qJfB9uCQ3AgGlayBixMgyoOb6w-T-hxHQsQkqrHLedTVS73q5NRJbRYp_K7PA3dIX9zwKtUlPvrwdo-29-mEsDRVe5arGKORmAqy8soEYFkU1Ywrj943Ht_Fe2Q5piinckB8bQ/s400/bedroom1.jpg" /></a>Anyway, what I am all excited about tonight (hubby is away so I can stay up really late blogging without annoying him) is this little bench which arrived in the mail. It is just so perfect for the bedroom of the Shabby Cottage. I had always meant to make something for the end of the bed but I've been lazy about working with wood lately. But isn't this just so lovely?? This was a gift from the lovely <a href="http://makeminemini.blogspot.com/">Norma</a>, who planned it out and carefully checked measurements with me and chose just the most beautiful soft shade of blue and sent it over to me even though she hasn't been well. Thank you so much, Norma! I love it!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pu9viOYEzNOA-xjDxenQwEyCknAO7grrBJVkk8OsH8yYNt43SpZBAPOhdNaZX7ZYbpskq4r_f_KHuiNHFl3t1hYYr30voc1jU91VZBh5ta0QJLXJWHRqW2jRdnE-QOpOE1roCdN8R3Q/s1600/bench+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 316px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631761211251955794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pu9viOYEzNOA-xjDxenQwEyCknAO7grrBJVkk8OsH8yYNt43SpZBAPOhdNaZX7ZYbpskq4r_f_KHuiNHFl3t1hYYr30voc1jU91VZBh5ta0QJLXJWHRqW2jRdnE-QOpOE1roCdN8R3Q/s400/bench+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div>I set this arrangement up just for the photo but liked it so much that I have left it this way. The little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">gerbera</span> flower was made by <a href="http://http//www.etsy.com/shop/miniaturepatisserie?ref=seller_info">Pei Li </a>- it is sitting in what is meant to be a scent bottle made of cranberry glass by Phil <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Grenyer</span> of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Glasscraft</span>. I took the stopper off - it is just right as a little vase instead of a scent bottle. The shoes were made by Sylvia <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rowntree</span> and <a href="http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/">Linda <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carswell</span></a> made the little shoebox, which is full of the most delightful miniature mail. I was so glad to find the little Eiffel tower charm....it is so cute.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF-IQpVvdkkP1ggRpDCjh84UOmy6RwfbfBeSVt2FntHPr1RT_7lgalF7iz1EwFt2A2yQmN5CK9c8G0b_g9qDiK8TGq6CuombeKez40xDHkSUVhtWjSTkcXR1rnK4G4jkAvbQokqC-X4s/s1600/blurry+with+doll.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760787030482658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF-IQpVvdkkP1ggRpDCjh84UOmy6RwfbfBeSVt2FntHPr1RT_7lgalF7iz1EwFt2A2yQmN5CK9c8G0b_g9qDiK8TGq6CuombeKez40xDHkSUVhtWjSTkcXR1rnK4G4jkAvbQokqC-X4s/s400/blurry+with+doll.jpg" /></a><br />After my last post, a few people wanted a closer look at the little doll who was hidden away in the corner....here she is, looking very pleased to have a bench to sit on!</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi_NkkK6PxAhpRnhs9MoHvc_5c1928ZMGBe67rZOIRSErBsqM-FkmuXptTOyGMiqtUh_5g3T3mndki3QavjUTV8CTi_yQiiwxqrInDXvZ8G8alGWA8fJSesEzUzHzKUbAlEY1sTS_BCg/s1600/doll.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760775587763426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi_NkkK6PxAhpRnhs9MoHvc_5c1928ZMGBe67rZOIRSErBsqM-FkmuXptTOyGMiqtUh_5g3T3mndki3QavjUTV8CTi_yQiiwxqrInDXvZ8G8alGWA8fJSesEzUzHzKUbAlEY1sTS_BCg/s400/doll.jpg" /></a><br />She is very sweet and even has bendable arms and legs and tiny pantaloons!</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKLdgR_zslWGJJk5TrRCOSJFxclCjbg7MVi-MmnllP_l3mBigTaiTpS8QClfdrGhpQ6-D-6b7_Xhc77Uas5xOeRhMI_tZreb_3hDFl_pYvPdD_YkChbaVOj_c3UIdDZJ3keJeQ2HhxBs/s1600/patchwork+doll.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760769476937346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKLdgR_zslWGJJk5TrRCOSJFxclCjbg7MVi-MmnllP_l3mBigTaiTpS8QClfdrGhpQ6-D-6b7_Xhc77Uas5xOeRhMI_tZreb_3hDFl_pYvPdD_YkChbaVOj_c3UIdDZJ3keJeQ2HhxBs/s400/patchwork+doll.jpg" /></a><br />She also quite likes to be tucked into her cosy corner.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCyOHezQfQdOr-gq4Qj3xLNIUnsiqGpwYnTtfwefhCj1R-xXA88CfP3GoE6xwqGdZ2IaXYWU0XoSaxbpd0L7tE3OaRgCXg5hDlz8CtHw92oYYvmCuJRM790OYrRpMc2clS41KIZ3bqUc/s1600/still+life+with+flower+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760762310361202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCyOHezQfQdOr-gq4Qj3xLNIUnsiqGpwYnTtfwefhCj1R-xXA88CfP3GoE6xwqGdZ2IaXYWU0XoSaxbpd0L7tE3OaRgCXg5hDlz8CtHw92oYYvmCuJRM790OYrRpMc2clS41KIZ3bqUc/s400/still+life+with+flower+2.jpg" /></a><br />Now don't worry about the next photo. It doesn't look good but here's how it happened....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQaY308MqEWUaYnVS28S1gugAqGY90GQUDUar613EeCzh309XNUs9quGAoG5JRAqkpb4V6wGsXTJS3etupx6RxkFcpQAGuRo8kOI7xZD62DPECmSnBM6YCpAqicnNsmHC0cTENUeGMt4/s1600/what+a+mess.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760735032099090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQaY308MqEWUaYnVS28S1gugAqGY90GQUDUar613EeCzh309XNUs9quGAoG5JRAqkpb4V6wGsXTJS3etupx6RxkFcpQAGuRo8kOI7xZD62DPECmSnBM6YCpAqicnNsmHC0cTENUeGMt4/s400/what+a+mess.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div>It is school holidays here now (and it is the middle of winter). Last week, my dear little seven year old Ella, followed closely by her nine year old brother Matthew came sheepishly into my room to tell me, in fear and trepidation, that they had accidentally landed a karate kick on the Shabby Cottage. So I went to see the damage and thought you might like a photo of the living room after Cyclone Ella had struck (could have been worse). Well the few things that were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">blu</span>-tacked down stayed put but everything else (in all the rooms) went for a tumble. I'm not one for sticking things down much as I like to move things around a bit. I was very kind to Ella as she obviously felt terrible. Matthew's comment (wise from years of experience): "See, Ella....I told you it's best to tell her straight away." Anyway, no harm done. It's all back in place now. Wish tidying my real house was as easy.<br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIGO_uk0uaAThgsTBxPr_cdMbBkDKWs9PEESpfY6zF9jd5_xcA9enGUaUvSSh8OqYFO0ClRCqaqBucG1mH54WOdcL6_chgvETBi10h6sjDENN3siYTDFIPW7Jc0gTa-se7MWqZivg3XE/s1600/cupid.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 351px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760076380210226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIGO_uk0uaAThgsTBxPr_cdMbBkDKWs9PEESpfY6zF9jd5_xcA9enGUaUvSSh8OqYFO0ClRCqaqBucG1mH54WOdcL6_chgvETBi10h6sjDENN3siYTDFIPW7Jc0gTa-se7MWqZivg3XE/s400/cupid.jpg" /></a>I thought I would show you this cute little thingy. Don't know what to call it. I think it might have been meant as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">candleholder</span> or a too-small fruit bowl or something. Someone was giving away their unwanted miniatures and I was lucky enough to get this little cupid thing. The purple sparkly thing on top is a tiny bead I bought (thought it would make a good lid for something one day). I'm glad I've finally found a home for it before I lost it.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxrIH4GxxuduWXPWT3UK4B2itdu3JtdAyjLoBZ6W3WjPucguqmOt3s8QfjK6Bxmz2Y5U5NBfNPjAZ9aaEzKKD4AW7agXDU2GYutPLNkQfp_D25wdVbL9fvhb4KFMMFF5NsZYRwgx-VhY/s1600/living+room+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760072208932402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxrIH4GxxuduWXPWT3UK4B2itdu3JtdAyjLoBZ6W3WjPucguqmOt3s8QfjK6Bxmz2Y5U5NBfNPjAZ9aaEzKKD4AW7agXDU2GYutPLNkQfp_D25wdVbL9fvhb4KFMMFF5NsZYRwgx-VhY/s400/living+room+1.jpg" /></a><br />And here it is on the little table in the living room.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Oh....I have a funny story to tell you!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>I received an email the other day from a journalist who works for NZ House & Garden magazine. She had stumbled upon this blog accidentally and wanted to know if my real house was similar in style to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">dollshouse</span>, in which case she would like to send a photographer down and do a feature on it. I had to disappoint her (and myself) and tell her that no-one in their right mind would want to do a feature on our very average family home, with train sets in the lounge and plastic compost buckets in the kitchen. But thanks for asking. Well I didn't say it quite that way (I was awfully polite) but you get the idea! I was pretty chuffed to be asked, however, and emailed hubby at work all excited about it. "It's a scam, don't answer" was his take on it. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I will never have a home fit to feature in NZ House & Garden but at least my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">dollshouse</span> is worthy of consideration. How cool is that??<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFtB6zuevvN7AHIrdlSYtWtSCSD_8hhEjhOPG-P8QjEJBWbPr-fjuxbXaxa5ZPoSaXy3WOx0OxFPqXntMFSQB5koMJswdJ95LOalAOgU0eDhPm22wjvrrS_J76dbcWiCf3nvaYVA-WtY/s1600/two+jugs.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 394px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760063444043266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFtB6zuevvN7AHIrdlSYtWtSCSD_8hhEjhOPG-P8QjEJBWbPr-fjuxbXaxa5ZPoSaXy3WOx0OxFPqXntMFSQB5koMJswdJ95LOalAOgU0eDhPm22wjvrrS_J76dbcWiCf3nvaYVA-WtY/s400/two+jugs.jpg" /></a><br />Today I have been messing around with paint and some little metal miniatures that have been sitting around here for ages, and these little jugs are the result. The smaller one was meant to be a coffee pot but I ditched the lid because it didn't fit properly.<br /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJdR8vtNo2vNdQVpQoruLFDkpS8_4hyphenhyphenN6UzblfkkBcTL3XiNWDHLZ53g6_AvGXrETtqXwWqI9i9Cvf8w7xXxBW2ZHxZ2u0AO44-cOFjmy9bkMS-DCHz1Elan-CJz6xjSdwhx81h3D0X8/s1600/pair+of+jugs+on+bench.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760062211528818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJdR8vtNo2vNdQVpQoruLFDkpS8_4hyphenhyphenN6UzblfkkBcTL3XiNWDHLZ53g6_AvGXrETtqXwWqI9i9Cvf8w7xXxBW2ZHxZ2u0AO44-cOFjmy9bkMS-DCHz1Elan-CJz6xjSdwhx81h3D0X8/s400/pair+of+jugs+on+bench.jpg" /></a><br />They look quite cute as a pair in the little kitchen. I'm still moving them around to find the right place for them.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaCfuRJPkFThKgujNCAEdz2HHi9BWfdOgK9Ytbt03GYbK4ZXHlJLENXRyxpIfXMWoc6AoOYrg6K-tIvhy67r-IbdIbT1xw-Mz-q7Ih_VMY_04JB_dZ5R-uAMw9-RxKi4jteqt5VBLsYI/s1600/jugs+on+cupboard.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 390px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631760056073530242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaCfuRJPkFThKgujNCAEdz2HHi9BWfdOgK9Ytbt03GYbK4ZXHlJLENXRyxpIfXMWoc6AoOYrg6K-tIvhy67r-IbdIbT1xw-Mz-q7Ih_VMY_04JB_dZ5R-uAMw9-RxKi4jteqt5VBLsYI/s400/jugs+on+cupboard.jpg" /></a>They look quite cute up on top of the pantry cupboard but you can't really see them too well because they are right up by the ceiling. Not sure they go too well....maybe they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">should've</span> been white....but I can't bear to part with them....I think they are cute!</div><br /><br />Hope those of you who live in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying the summer....it is winter here and cold and wet. Looking forward to SpringCarolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-81530996383504136782011-06-28T08:59:00.021+12:002011-06-28T12:26:42.174+12:00A really, really long blog post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgli0JKLocLaIk-c4R_LWYSuque7XJjviMhgsktSBeGAZFvBOZAAhWwVscpwpzxUjmnmynp0sxM5yAzQWvwwX6ijFH5Ehra_huFqMDN8fuzOEfKWzG3vHc7yXpqpKKjsA9eJgyK1WZ4Vnw/s1600/Boys+Room+montage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623051234975661282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgli0JKLocLaIk-c4R_LWYSuque7XJjviMhgsktSBeGAZFvBOZAAhWwVscpwpzxUjmnmynp0sxM5yAzQWvwwX6ijFH5Ehra_huFqMDN8fuzOEfKWzG3vHc7yXpqpKKjsA9eJgyK1WZ4Vnw/s400/Boys+Room+montage.jpg" /></a>It's been a while since a posted (again) but only for good reasons.....too much socialising has kept me away from the computer. So I have a bit of a backlog of things to tell you, and little treasures to show you. A real mixture! I was really lucky to receive some lovely gifts, I made a couple of things that I'll show you, AND I did some shopping!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623019306463090562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7B_8AKYXNveAy9vLEhVKAf-Sw7XrrJq_t_GQQKsScSV1pBapKmKZo2MGLEvF6ckBhnsIJGNt38UhMLcVywRB8eFcnZnhN6Ps_r3gRncwC340Z80riPy3tpdkR3GjQeF_TsPTErlsgPQ/s400/unopened+gift.jpg" /> I know that posting about Easter gifts in mid June is awfully late, but these are photos that I took just days before our computer died. Just before the Easter weekend, a little package arrived from Mercedes (<a href="http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/">Liberty Biberty</a>). It was so beautifully wrapped - there is definitely something awfully exciting about a "do not open until...." sign!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 326px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623019313956795490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gPO0PgFTqEwh8LuWzLxsvEyvpADfj39T7VN7cKZ44wN2Nb8Q8awIepq1TJC_oyUVU2mIHI35ffZD8JDA2Jc7yshT8a-KNs3IxdC4WihpmuxO6mF246SvDzW0sNZ_w9fdAnET9dmpPFQ/s400/mercedes%2527+gift.jpg" />It was so lovely to have a little gift arrive out of the blue, and when I opened it there were the most beautiful little Easter miniatures that Mercedes had made! They are so sweet! Aren't I lucky!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623019319391385090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXYSwglEonseYwXvk_FWeeJbz_LQKtXOkBODulY2P2GprRyLkdxK-Jek8LVfgYtjvaL-RHS4Ri0_EG5ngRYPy3SrEKonY6JqQrWQ1x_vzD_T2APgW1WXAMIPaUxnkMGX1fuNgmj03CYw/s400/rabbits+in+garden.jpg" />The rusty rabbits are now in the garden of the Shabby Cottage, and the little boys room has some very sweet bunny accessories! The little cushion and Country Bunny book are delightful and I love the little blackboard (it even has chalk) and the rusty "tin" items! Thank you Mercedes - they are lovely<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 358px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623047623838159554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65QZmBQpw8rZhK8O6pnyGdshrYiQpZqsfu1jkr-pWxZ75NgAvYzG6jvNSKBXBdqA7-cF4l8Uw7Q3DLIs3Ccllelv9HzqqbTbXGONsh-d5aD2rs4odX2FL9u_hhgPXXXM1VLISL6xt9aY/s400/side+table+and+doll.jpg" />I think my favourite item (is it ok to have favourites??) is this little table and potplant. Here they are in a corner of the bedroom. I had always meant to make a little stool or table for this corner, and this just fits beautifully. Such pretty colours. You can see one of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ParisMiniatures">Paris Minatures </a>Laduree cupcakes there as well, on one of my vintage plates. And in the corner, on a tray made by <a href="http://fredericaslittleworld.blogspot.com/">Frederica</a>, is another recent arrival at the shabby cottage....the little patchwork doll. I must admit I was blatently copying <a href="http://lacasadellebambolediflora.blogspot.com/">Flora</a> when I bought this little doll. I saw it on her blog and just fell in love with her - thank you Flora for the link to <a href="http://http//www.etsy.com/shop/PamelaJunksMinis?ref=seller_info">Pamela's Etsy store</a>.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 321px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623049457780556114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlQShI4wP_7_jnNn56zwJ4j2P2nG1afGS2t0-nRx15oBNXaGoj7ZgsnNx4Pjzh0-ncUIFgDgmvj6KB65RSTlkuFz8ux0Us8SUVW69l9VMam5k4T8G4Ff0nuEoEsfDcqEeCE7dfEhPFL4/s400/beanbag.jpg" /> Another gorgeous gift arrived in the mail a few days ago, this time from <a href="http://makeminemini.blogspot.com/">Norma</a>, who recently came to visit! When I opened it, I was amazed to find that she had made a little beanbag for the little boy's room ....the fabric is gorgeous - covered in tiny stars. It looks so comfortable and now the cushions I made don't have to lie on the floor any more. Here is the beanbag in its new home.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 329px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623049466494337666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4K1baGm3NcVVwh-TG8HA9Ng-2HJRpRWEW_pQei5eyuanM1fV0S2fkI9amlb6BiesfrMig7pbG4b8RkBNeK15YMgBJ94Ke36ZlZt3zW19tY906zZ1L-xnlsy3ayhCihXk-hR4Y6Fp4nA/s400/biggles+books.jpg" />And that wasn't all!! Norma had also gone to the trouble to make a selection of Biggles books - she had seen one of my posts mentioning that Biggles books were on my wishlist and had made some! I love the vintage covers and my little boy, Matthew, is most impressed. My daughter Ella says that her favourite thing in the Shabby Cottage is the beanbag. So thank you, Norma - you gift was a real hit! You are so kind.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 109px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623047617590623426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISMJapbZgcSEe4r8Ms54PzYuBlUMncMmzVN11e5V3w3ao7ktED7bhtD_uQAQj-_93YaDRreVYxsGW-j1GtkSuYcNvvYNwbdoom4ZIgi6lIzEQYuUzgyrdM5q9ULN2sQS8S866Z2k5gvM/s400/norma%2527s+montage.jpg" />I thought I would post a picture of the little presents I made for Norma when she came to visit. I made her a breakfast try in pink and green, and a little toiletry tray in similar colours. Norma chose a really lovely selection of plates to take home and I slipped in some New Zealand miniatures as well.<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 374px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623047615897598626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcU5293zLyrwnz6jdHGXxj_cHW08Z0SI1REu_PobWLAnr54snY4AUNAnddW_TqhsM2__ZFeeutRnvcHWQVbJLQCajKlMGg9QpaZEo-ZBbJVJPsHUFva_60bnYj1MlB-iZh9H3tIgHWlks/s400/picnic+boxes.jpg" />As far as other additions to the cottage go, I was really pleased to find these gorgeous vintage picnic boxes on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AtomicBlythe">Etsy</a>. They are so lovely and have found a new home in the kitchen.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623047609722508770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuQ4NFrRUNPlfHs2hRd6CY4obtLiC-581-Ep-9tHbO7zXCk3H5y6017KbgJ-b8sqLqdDD_KjIy_ZvIZm4yKo7JD1fADgEcT3izk6Iw4dGloTh9yOtlUJhi7pnTHvSQCRBbFq0_epZf7E/s400/kitchen+1.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 339px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623049453016742722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA7J5KWhdBt1bp_ZuH7Re2zXOMZ-nJ-SQCfGbqxLTcKQnpjtEmC56lJaYhrOyn9zkBaEwhhCSTzGTLApgAkDLUQmtfNQ7UJMrijMul5nlpCEX-nPs003-r09ribGchhO-NEkk1p3RXFk/s400/caravan+plate.jpg" />I was happy to have finally found an image of one of my favourite plates - it is by Royal Winton and has a picture of a caravan on it - I made a miniature version for the cottage! </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623055945744598482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9E_aN5Fv9_BR3rYiEz4-u39CVduxP0bieDl8zsGh3f4vcSWp2_bMx1jN1rnsYiKGles5tRdpBAhcVVsu3c9GlmyxZjNpX7MFO-W96X9Y1d9f7AzOjnIx8BzYnIx5Y_iAsV_yod3WW78/s400/pink+and+blue+pip+studio+set.jpg" />Finally, I was reading through some of the blogs I follow a while ago and I found a wonderful blog post by <a href="http://lastanzadigiuggiola.blogspot.com/2011/06/pip.html">Suzanna</a>. What gorgeous things! Like her, I would like everything from this shop. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623055932466964306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFXn0q8V-zooScq1gRkRuQq3r1mIHmidlOHbgEf5zwpVPp7ivigCqfzPkmBMETBEj5UErMseZdSE2gfWRyVM-PWMWp27Cq6Oh2xbGoXRx0O7OPhUZzxdaPLaqsrIQfOcOtnJrjXCBAnA/s400/blue+pip+set.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623055934444392770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9MPVdObvzz38RAFmjPFuSCFhApiWi-rIQKqCWCGomTmdFX4QybCOWIMz3rPm0eP2ThY7if2wCdd4YYIaMu0D4cCi9vOUvJAYtKkfzRl9ZBO3LKDkX0P1NI9XQ6X3ObMXhPk5zG2M4Cc/s400/new+pink+and+blue+set.jpg" />Since they can't be had here (and I probably can't afford them either), then the next best thing is to make them in miniature. I really like these new sets - they are happy-looking.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623057546749556258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6Cq3qw1rjdCk60cm0SCuEwxT7JttFK_Z_pJk3z1JLRVja9mAwyfkuL6D3wyJxwUQvDYe5orEXmdQE3hjm0JXlAtxaaYfaCzueKDbkEo-cQC2f2UfQMNCNdjokivG-TL7EISJnLrSjow/s400/pretty+pair.jpg" />Goodness, you deserve a medal for reading all the way through this blog post. I've nearly finished now and I promise not to do such a long one again. The last thing I wanted to show you was this gorgeous plate set - my new favourite - aren't these just the picture of shabby chic!!Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-27643328529228776182011-06-08T09:42:00.010+12:002011-06-08T10:11:48.280+12:00And the winner is....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615597227123062770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Xvrq2R6z0pd0CVk6f9gY1aRejRKoxx5yPAMeds3qfc0GX1-EiWarkL8ddqc8Me1d1vLqJkJ0iLmVFPapla5-S4xIJPwVKbs7yEZEuJjO4rDUVt-kHgdz3ak1PaOxCxJopILZEav1zRE/s320/giveaway+photo+-+lara.jpg" /> The winner of my giveaway for the breakfast tray is Lara from <a href="http://larasminiatureworld.blogspot.com/">Lara's Miniature World</a>. Congratulations, Lara....I really hope you like it - let me know your mailing address and I will send it to you with lots of love.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 311px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615597217358892866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxdbzre0No6mqO9rHRJWT7mFl_LFaWQXUwCjwl5OZ15zosh3OuP_fTYkyv6NobGsJ7WkRlABFn-Q85pw_X5Bs5AJaE8m-n3zJSN6HW1DhNc4OXxRKIitRspeV7CTyCOkbzCMzd5gOyyU/s320/draw+names.jpg" /><br />Thank you very much to everyone who took the time to enter this giveaway....it was nice to hear from you and read your comments. Thanks especially to <a href="http://tabithacorsica.blogspot.com/">Susan </a>who saved us all a whole lot of headaches by knowing the reason why people couldn't comment and suggesting how I could change the settings to have it work better. Thanks Susan!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 167px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615597211294413762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4R2JnYwgvyDaIYjxwEQGwQkA9R4bbG4bbJPT0tEM3gaSd7aYtqSV-vbpwzOCEb-K4Tx_rpj6zoEvBrEbmAfDyYG1a2SPedekyqwz3BM_JjhWxEx3cdkt7-Pvfcoo4FROoCRFjr2bbW8/s320/winner+%253D+Lara.jpg" />I have also had people send me links and images to replace the ones I lost...thanks so much for that - I appreciated it a lot. I have got over my dismay about the computer (I'm no longer crying over spilt milk) and am all excited about the new plates I am about to make!<br />I wondered if anyone felt like visiting <a href="http://amyelizabethfletcher.blogspot.com/">Amy</a>. She is new to miniatures and blogging and has taken on a big project and is going at it great guns. It's so great getting good advice and support from people who have been doing it a bit longer, so if you feel like stopping by her blog, I'm sure she would appreciate it! (Hope you don't mind the mention, Amy!)</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615601132186016722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLRf-GMJuYpIiJluLIiYFiOGCrIvjeq90pS2XX6YnNi7bvvPPOp60bGmXB4mmUuuZEsLJEQ2bQL_jOGXHmPBcZXblGIRf5LrLcOAP3Frz7wsrN2irEuPnD30XtQP2Dvv6CRFRoc8ZOds/s320/norma.jpg" /><br />I was so lucky the other day, because I had a visit from<a href="http://makeminemini.blogspot.com/"> Norma</a>! Those of you who follow her blog will know that she was visiting her brother in New Zealand and he lives not far from me, so they both came out for a visit and we had the most wonderful afternoon, chatting about both miniatures and blogging, and eating slices of his significant-birthday cake (yum!). Norma is just lovely and it was so nice to see her. <br />Well, that's all from me today. I'm sorry that I couldn't send everyone a gift! Thanks again for entering my draw - I'll be back soon with more photos to show you.Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-73195244907498021012011-05-31T22:34:00.012+12:002011-05-31T23:09:09.402+12:00Giveaway - Breakfast Tray<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 321px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612830343618163730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthJAx4jTWSaRdarGbP6gd5yW60VLbjy2jOlxzZH9RRny3aucxh_PFRJ6CMCQvC0RSSiqYblEw396b3bOd0cXkym8g6K8BvVnRwx6_yuKWKjB_j9YLV4xEUTxALJE-erkAtV5Qc3wc7j8/s400/giveaway+photo.jpg" />I had a lovely morning yesterday working on this little breakfast tray for my giveaway and here it is, all finished. I really hope you like it!<br />The tray itself was made by Al Chandronnait - I have painted it white. There is a little Greengate placemat and some of my dollshouse "vintage" plates decorated with purple flowers. The plain purple bowl, cup and saucer are made by Sam Dunlap - such a pretty colour. I have filled the breakfast bowl with yoghurt with a swirl of fruit flavourings and I made tiny berries to add to the yoghurt. Of course there is a lovely steaming cup of black coffee, a coffee pot for refills and a little scone with jam and cream. When my husband saw this he asked if this was my idea breakfast and I had to admit that it was! I think it is really pretty, and I made it with lots of love for this giveaway to celebrate having more than 400 followers. Thank you so much for all your support - it means a lot to me and I really appreciate you all!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612833715953302994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw0AhLxW7ddLur_uhCX-ACpKJ03J_kpkTO_lg_aJbye3_62fuu3eHQydM-hyy3BmUQmUip5a14rPK4jZ44jBayikVvCBVHps4VteYRoKbhK3UuEdDlEpynVeYnQ8qnJMsnjMlMjpBoUs/s320/giveaway+closeup+cup.jpg" />If you would like to enter this giveaway, all you need to do (you know the drill!) is be a follower and leave a comment on this blog. I'll draw it in about a week.<br /><br /><div><br /><div>Have a lovely week with your miniatures!!</div></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com110tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-61548031137627632752011-05-27T15:44:00.021+12:002011-05-27T19:06:46.271+12:00Back in Cyberspace<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPcF2vCx1r7zJbJ4JcWl5IU5yDCbrFVC91tt0lCQQCzDQlfKn2TSA48uAs5aY4OcF3QC4hrmE3is52M2eyu52ZfaIlG7dZPBY1wsTrR3fiAJpQYRtaZHZNFHd-XFXsYhrFwUa8IbrJvU/s1600/fried+computer.jpg"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611240873640942626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEC07Y1PwcijXdh0jmoSJSjwBeTBwvWA6oliFR2PF0tpFkHAJtgy29JwACubMs4Ezbs9iAKjbtffDLqAbCQarsn5NWKVUZFtz_dj_2xJSRYb7Y6strl7KIYEuAY48NoMxB8yGIO24JZM/s400/freaky+kitchen.JPG" /><br />The last time I posted was 6th April!!! That is such a long time ago....you were probably wondering if I had dropped off the face of the earth after 7 weeks with no blog entries!!!<br /><br />We have had such a disasterous time here. Not really, because actually everyone is well and happy and my beautiful children are just great and we haven't had any great tragedies to deal with, but it <em>feels</em> like I have had a tragedy anyway.<br /><br />A bit of background....I run (actually maybe it should say <em>ran</em>) a dollshouse business here in New Zealand...., not my Etsy shop. I didn't really mention it much because I wanted to keep it separate from my blog, however like many dollshouse folk, I poured a huge amount of time and energy into setting it up - I ran it from home via a website. So....this is what has been happening with that: First the recession hit and that didn't do it much good, then my show displays were all at my mother-in-law's house when it burnt down so I lost those. (She is having a new house built and is ok but the displays are history.) Then someone hacked my website and destroyed it - one day the whole website was just gone! I have had a new one semi-built but I don't like the way it looks and also haven't had time to enter the about one thousand products back in. Which brings me to my recent misadventure...<br /><br /><div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 194px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611243540551837618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPcF2vCx1r7zJbJ4JcWl5IU5yDCbrFVC91tt0lCQQCzDQlfKn2TSA48uAs5aY4OcF3QC4hrmE3is52M2eyu52ZfaIlG7dZPBY1wsTrR3fiAJpQYRtaZHZNFHd-XFXsYhrFwUa8IbrJvU/s400/fried+computer.jpg" /> ...our computer fried itself about six weeks ago. It took with it all my business accounts, family and business photographs, basically everything, and I do A LOT on the computer! There's a lesson in backing things up for you. Please learn from our mistake!! We had to send the hard drive off to the men in the white coats and the computer had to be rebuilt.....got it back empty....no photo editing software, no email programme, NOTHING. We eventually recovered some things off the fried hard-drive.....our family photos of when the kiddies were little are all there, so that is good. My accounts are recovered up to Jan this year so that is a relief....I'll have to re-enter everything since then all over again.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 215px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611244479283631922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1ZtDLZ0tmKMGwgN96inpu1HqTkR198YoUlTIKLuNhBxJeTeEf3Qc1idYIGINHzGTlb-vEeDEO8h_bwkLFX6W5fw9FpSVJ6Y6-tX-ImO1ntt4f2W9jr9WcCuxNE0hNoET7AU67O8oA90/s400/everything-is-boring.jpg" /> Anyway, sorry to have to tell you all this - it's a bit boring to read!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611246197120013522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8teun6h2qr2qChG7vv-hy2CeHAGr9c0N3maZMyTPdILM9KIKxb_d-eijtxJ0UnM5BpnIc97SV6OTWa9GKAvOhSGKreAeroMH2rfM3eXKYUdVfKE__ppsI3l3c8XaLNIeVtAwf1GZE6o/s400/plates+2+line.jpg" /> But there are some things we haven't recovered, the absolute worst from my point of view is all the images I have collected over the last 18 months or so for my shabby chic miniatures.....everything is totally gone! All my images of plates, all my book covers I made, all my pictures that I used to make miniature framed pictures... just everything! I have to start all over again! So that sucks! Big time!<br /><br />What amazes me, is how much it has completely thrown me! Even once we got the computer back, I just didn't know where to start trying to get started again. That's why I haven't been blogging - we've had the computer back for the last few weeks but I was so upset about it all that I didn't even want to have to tell you what had happened. And of course now that I <em>have</em>, I feel better.<br /><br />So, let's look on the bright side....some of the plate images I had I have been able to re-find, and I can start collecting new images. I have now got a replacement photo editing programme that I can get to know how to use hopefully. I tried downloading a free one and look what it did!!! The photo at the top of this blog post is the result, but I saved it anyway because I kind of like the freaky 1960s hippy look....however that is NOT what I want all my photos to look like!<br /><br />While all this was going on, I reached 400 followers. I don't deserve them, because I haven't been blogging for so long, but to those of you who are still reading, I have plans for a giveaway coming up to celebrate 400 followers and surviving my computer crash, so keep watching this space. Also, I received a lovely little gift from <a href="http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/">Mercedes</a> for Easter, which brightened up my glumness...I'll show you photos next time.<br /><br />Thanks for still reading my blog!Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-15000231652310159762011-04-03T11:43:00.030+12:002011-05-31T09:14:13.639+12:00A few additions to the shabby cottage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0L5ec9ote8_JGv-EVwHXbzyBZ4zSey4S7Qz74gkGbG30rftS3DTI6MzLX3EehYfjssBq5uMhRN2Y_mqBmcc9qxHBnFiomiQADd_lz9NA4jGRGeTT9Tr08qPDDXLKZ7IuzGLlMlBSwAI/s1600/shoes+on+carpet.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591137668505437362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0L5ec9ote8_JGv-EVwHXbzyBZ4zSey4S7Qz74gkGbG30rftS3DTI6MzLX3EehYfjssBq5uMhRN2Y_mqBmcc9qxHBnFiomiQADd_lz9NA4jGRGeTT9Tr08qPDDXLKZ7IuzGLlMlBSwAI/s400/shoes+on+carpet.jpg" /></a> My thought for the week (this is aimed entirely at myself!) is that if you need to take time off from miniatures so that you can relax, then you must be doing it wrong!!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>There have been a couple of additions to the shabby cottage recently.<br /><br /><div></div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd67dK4Hm77wV5iQoUEDeczvRPGRCY0fExQZgpkPHNtX4zNNQlLOAcNsz_zR4JVm6niMmwAKZ-bbw-RhyphenhyphenIKHXS9vK0vdCi0mzxB5BV9al9N9cFFkQZfqbJryaXu-8_c0g25joqy1BaY0M/s1600/bedroom+with+carpet.jpg"></a>This week I made a carpet for the bedroom....I printed the image onto my very last sheet of fuzzy paper. Sure enough, the paper folded over part way through the printer, but luckily it wasn't on the part with the large carpet on it. </div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 367px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591152233044191554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgKmykv0qekz31qdcfUsq36Zcqi3Vw5Oas24ZGsOaQyMEDo7Wafm3lrK4M_jeARFkYJykNvgop6ucYSL4q-27Q45jiOVYKVyi4JiEElPAq670Nd16HsidSZsArKq0MX55rb2AehqwuoE/s400/bedroom+with+carpet.jpg" />Fuzzy paper makes a lovely, thin carpet but it can be a bit prone to lifting at the edges after a little while, so I have very lightly glued it down to the floor. I can lift it up easily enough if I want to because when I made the floor, I rubbed a candle all over the painted surface and then polished it to make a 'waxed' surface, so the carpet isn't really permanently stuck down.<br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAwBtvtmP89-f1kg_jmc2LjuEuyTLm5akioQesPKrnM2cOeYV7tNus9DlAEaMrFfPib5cCFi4iWX2BKElO7kzmaXPxhVc3TxLDZqRfg_y_4qn49X_6QIUEcPiVfSfxkyKSGdQQNeWp34/s1600/carpet.jpg"></a></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591152240631178210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHfH7x7YbCjhRl0pswtn-W6hotnliZOVvNAPlKCUsWq6niao5j9j4fzR1uXjzSkZtg1s6-MMgFB-_pHjZ1VqAa0U2lggUxrN9Jn6S9WjWvJY4ec3OJfZ7Lj3SINOq8o3NkjW-ndpAuIk/s400/carpet.jpg" /> This is such a pretty carpet. I thought I would also add the original image here as well so that anyone who would like it can copy it. You can see it below.<br /><br /><div align="left">I am interested in trying out suede paper for carpet making to see whether that would stay flatter. Maybe I'll try that next time.</div><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591140871434297586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCOzu68HDSqe0Ge6OUjQCDjgG_bczJg2847x5W5FJ3qTM8qTJ3JIz_MlhI9Qh_ULZ1IvP-yGawWy_damFqjmOrnGUg04WntFIFGelI1ezH5xyKbfPPqOQ0wpRQICTtsycMrz56KeNDbw/s400/Pretty+Carpet.jpg" />Here is the image I used to print the carpet. Hopefully you can right-click this and use it yourself if you like it.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 326px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591142289155369794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcttqjuS9vpB3WETNW5ddIWZhXwlK4jWAbMN6CILH3xKHyJhBUsZDAS_F_S6W9Tf6qrmfnFC5dFe6Q2dYtKQDgF2p2bJzuqSANpAnRD86_AKi1LHK6aGX1wG0cYYl5Qr0GrenZze3Dm4U/s400/pink+teapot.jpg" />Another addition to the shabby cottage is a beautiful little teapot and cup/saucer which have come all the way from Brazil, made by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetinhaMurta">Betinha</a> out of cold porcelain.</p><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591142293289973906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4olHVCcMHlLlZQXwNg82UgJwUYgv5cE3xqmCCaGA8ZZ1ocaEsYN1ZIYa0cs_uFmnUevOVa4IoYnp29Jl8VOu1Q4zROgk5_tsQQFO-2938nHqua5Hvg5d9vpkXS1irIMq9PsQG1IOcoM/s400/pink+teapot+in+kitchen.jpg" />They are just gorgeous, and I have put them on the kitchen bench, all ready for a very glamourous cup of tea! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591142289100425970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVEQ8gQRGGfwwl-r7QBMULOeB1HdDOlzrdAB8Omd0s5tWL-yfAcuhakGxZelmyykVUQ9zHFIgYWZdZBODPslJr581wuZucI-n4w458lQ2ejaTaXbDr6JTWITXS8JdRD8hvlsnDefliaw/s400/kitchen+with+teapot.jpg" /> This week I have been absolutely plagued with headaches/migraines and haven't had much joie-de-vivre, but in between headaches I did manage to finally go out and get some plate hangers and make a real-life-sized plate display for my living room wall. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591145907351775138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP30y8DLKP4yQl7H_QnK9OFw93fZTPUDJEu86Of6978sRcbvRzJeBoW99axo_BpA_MR3PL9WD-M0X9ZsB-iCLAJTna0iyujK_tWFtl3nPe_jG8FakZKUxNMOPT1k3FGEvZV2CACUciqrA/s400/my+own+plate+display.jpg" />Here they are, hanging above my rather excessive collection of cookbooks! I haven't been, and won't be brave enough to try and "shabby-chic' my collection of dark wood furniture in my real house....that is why I love the little shabby cottage so much - my husband once looked inside it and commented that he could now see what I would really like the house to be like.Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-73767589211629129192011-03-23T13:34:00.004+13:002011-05-31T09:14:42.752+12:00Shabby Chic Bunting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU-M6T2GcgD-edq1lf6JcXOVIqoJyUjgFMDEAIS5Qjo4byFYM-4qe43c2pmCkH2OgGo3cOIPwzPCwKpgomRi0l2ank69OwkVjA8CnsXeIFhlLt3ouMutlI1TfqMbcg2UaOrHxLdfeXi0/s1600/bunting+on+mirror.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587069892688112658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU-M6T2GcgD-edq1lf6JcXOVIqoJyUjgFMDEAIS5Qjo4byFYM-4qe43c2pmCkH2OgGo3cOIPwzPCwKpgomRi0l2ank69OwkVjA8CnsXeIFhlLt3ouMutlI1TfqMbcg2UaOrHxLdfeXi0/s400/bunting+on+mirror.jpg" /></a>For ages, I have been meaning to make some shabby chic bunting for my little cottage. It's not hard to DO it, just hard to find time, unfortunately.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587069904348231810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfMl0hgwhgT8dElgevJlDVf5U4u56Gkrlq9WRmTqDVUgIz7kgzMRspuckFDlbv78OIAHXbGo-MZw3pzVmEyv89VsdbQsqkbh7YaZTEGVb8w5CvJGkGKAk6GpRq9LDIZQk4jfczCm0-EA/s400/bunting+on+table.jpg" /> <br /><div><br /><div>I printed out some pretty Cath Kidston patterns on printable cotton fabric (which I managed to find in NEW ZEALAND!!) and spent a happy little while cutting out little triangles and messing around with glue. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587069889906405682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFjUoY50JJUTENExr9NMCMJzW_SQqiePmvCqqSz0TaHEas6a7XwAWIl6aLWFEfqA8iBHfVGz2eYKm0exDVdeB0T5NfuTooSSwU9i6uMTPBDVAj8ZticviOIWK8mTPVAgJ7aon7AnXjts/s400/bunting+in+living+room.jpg" />I am really happy with my bunting - it looks so pretty hanging over the living room mirror. Now I have to figure out how to make some tiny fairy lights </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I want to make some fairy lights to drape over the ladder in the living room - they have to actually light up of course. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587069906645977106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBXIzIba8jy-c4GmrYDxMB4jAFi5UzcR0PxHxCBGC3_9T1X9TrHRywWhMX4-st8vt-HIdY06ah3TV0GbBFeR-0llcClQpzdj56jrTNNdLZjZB8HZ2ynkqkqADqhpcdjqxOfdJBIEJgDk/s400/flower+fairy+lights+2.jpg" /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>I found this photo of some beautiful fairy lights shaped like roses - these are full sized ones but I would love something like this in miniature for the shabby cottage. </p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587069902674898354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtPc2LQrMo2GxLYTjEbWQ72lxjOv_vg-EDnqWqFXufon8l5JeH77hadqIBJekJGRKgZQ_IHH6-pU8vydDOH-_RBZt20UsGsRbrkOGKr1nqmf49sQLj7TUvBowoyodPm6foJ_TnYACQk4/s400/Fairy+lights.jpg" /></p><br /><p>I have had one try at this already but only succeeded in detaching a very important and very thin wire from the string of tiny lights I had bought. I couldn't fix them so that was the end of that attempt. Maybe it's time I tried again!</p>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-87274571111340111382011-03-08T20:43:00.009+13:002011-03-08T21:28:06.363+13:00Too many plates<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqKoIfDpbFJ5epmXhGlHpa3-IT6-6YA1AHtB_gIgmJMDMQcV_k5IRFt-LmuqaRO-X_Um89fQGdI5Mg5ThaLGJkbLJ29iNuyjSQM-Wdoo8A662fvvvbPovF4aQzFTM1Wvk35ivdwdtnb8/s1600/plates+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581614475857197218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqKoIfDpbFJ5epmXhGlHpa3-IT6-6YA1AHtB_gIgmJMDMQcV_k5IRFt-LmuqaRO-X_Um89fQGdI5Mg5ThaLGJkbLJ29iNuyjSQM-Wdoo8A662fvvvbPovF4aQzFTM1Wvk35ivdwdtnb8/s400/plates+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> I am so grateful to my Etsy customers for buying my little plates, because then I get to make more, which I really enjoy. I love finding new images to use and learning more about vintage china. That's why miniatures are so great - you get a chance to learn a lot about the full-sized thing you are trying to miniaturise. So now I know more about china than I used to. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581618301183632098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 350px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI5A4gAInKI7aboqOobv9zl2wbfKMngj64GayUVE4KUKoE1cm53mLe6T1A4YStgtio9UzQoeGcwyLpoButK1AS4juNpGdMYIcb1LVdhPbqxiUTx_QCDNosJNHGJy594lwsjeQ3Kow0Q4/s400/wild+pansy+and+violet.jpg" border="0" />Unfortunately it has meant that I have spent too much of my very small amount of free time wandering round antique shops and I now I have fallen in love with some vintage patterns I didn't know existed before! The two above are so pretty - both Royal Doulton patterns. The one on the left is Wild Pansy and the other is Violets.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581621093337705058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyJiWdAIPzyBiv-R5q3wNe_bp9SJa_X1Oq42rLnLN4r9_NvdncI-GqEKaMbCIeOV1enrlqvnPG3nNnpv1kAosVzpBcZfNAjg058OkP9uNmi_bx0ZeusUvS7hH2-CXvpy-5b7-1-9zgzA/s400/passionfruit+biscuits.jpg" border="0" /><br />I don't have very much vintage china but here is one of my pretty plates, with the passionfruit biscuits I made this week. I'll show you some of my other china some time when I can get a nice photograph of it. I would quite like to put a plate display on the wall, like I have in the dollshouse. Not sure what hubby would think of that, though.<br /><br /><div><div><div>I have been very busy filling orders lately, and have been wondering why it has been getting more and more difficult. Anyway, the other day after we had done a time-and-motion study at work, I decided it was about time I was more organised at home....I waste so much time looking for things. So I FINALLY sorted out all my little plate decals and NO WONDER I was feeling disorganised....I have more than 200 different patterns for plates at the moment! It took me quite a few hours to sort them all out, label them, record them on the computer and file them away tidily. Now it all runs like clockwork and I don't know why I didn't do it ages ago! I'm not naturally a very organised person.</div><br /><div></div><div>The strangest thing that has happened lately is that I now get to blog at work!!! The seed company where I work has started a gardening <a href="http://www.kingsseeds.co.nz/Our+Blog.html">blog</a> and they have given the job to me. It feels like a big responsiblity....a bit different from just doing a personal one and writing whatever comes to mind. I'm enjoying it though.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581620083198780210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 114px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5ocGBG2wqdf8eGj33wxzSLP6ewoOFsF7v6dbHQD-JIVhnCyZFc-Maq9_7s3t6lOZj4jnCGCKVpu7Bg4Vsfd8ifUiUg-3CyxBywL5OL3kSaqZWrfDpDZd-BcZaVyB6S-NAvCNwO0w-Tc/s400/christchurch-earthquake-dust-clouds.jpg" border="0" />Thank you so much for your kind emails and comments after my last post. Here in New Zealand we are all having to come to terms with the Christchurch earthquake and just try to help our people as much as we can. This is becoming an iconic photo in New Zealand - the moment the earthquake struck - captured in time.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581621087759657058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5MfY1TyreED06ZQt-492j-GJiXu-RU9kvbtljdYB3KKRtaW6GeTCbcVRvtDCGQw0sQlnb3jSPRKUmhKbIi8k31vPrRpizZVPZhlUXc8Lh16Edc2LgEruyhb62vG_34WbtR8zmhxFpI4/s400/plates+1.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><p>Thank you for continuing to stop buy and visit my blog. I haven't commented much on anyone else's blog for absolutely ages, and feel quite guilty about that, but time is so short....I can squeeze the reading in though, and it is wonderful to be inspired by all the wonderful miniaturists out there in blogland.</p>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-5793188189616509822011-02-23T23:04:00.004+13:002011-02-24T07:26:36.993+13:00For Christchurch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-SXD0aZCwnPOoyf-AZ0Kj2-ITSe3mDS9l0-vbyDk-y5iqyuhmtwDjsRgCIOvpjpghvl-uoI01kg8sk0neNLOjqUWAjIg4F3NZn6EJGqx1AxfQVGXYH-0mLuxMtq7mn-iDnZadpiEJoc/s1600/Tears_1209245049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576953078966766322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-SXD0aZCwnPOoyf-AZ0Kj2-ITSe3mDS9l0-vbyDk-y5iqyuhmtwDjsRgCIOvpjpghvl-uoI01kg8sk0neNLOjqUWAjIg4F3NZn6EJGqx1AxfQVGXYH-0mLuxMtq7mn-iDnZadpiEJoc/s200/Tears_1209245049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>For the city where I was born..... I am so sad. This has been such a dreadful time.</div><br /><div></div><div>To those of you who have contacted me, thanks for your kind thoughts. We live many hours away from Christchurch and are safe, but like most New Zealanders we have close family and friends in Christchurch and all our thoughts are with them. The whole of New Zealand is sad for our beautiful Christchurch.</div></div></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-5828534586788309512011-02-09T20:35:00.008+13:002011-02-09T21:29:48.645+13:00First Dollshouse - Bedroom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQv6NAmgW6CMDMI6aZ90UkJO1HFjFvViExfVJRK9znjR_2nX-hX6zlEiECq2PgmHRslcakO0Vy9M1vOhzYW0YabvhHNG_-BaHoTa7iAWzITLSb5ltCsGGbb55AeMkFQfWrRU2gkyTIok/s1600/bedroom+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571594948859692674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 314px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQv6NAmgW6CMDMI6aZ90UkJO1HFjFvViExfVJRK9znjR_2nX-hX6zlEiECq2PgmHRslcakO0Vy9M1vOhzYW0YabvhHNG_-BaHoTa7iAWzITLSb5ltCsGGbb55AeMkFQfWrRU2gkyTIok/s400/bedroom+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The final room in my little tour of my first dollshouse is the bedroom on the top floor. I must say that I definitely learnt my lesson by building this particular room. It is such a crazy shaped room that it is difficult to furnish and very difficult to photograph!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571594946776280690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtSJcNVSTquGPBrYEpzyXTr2-Mn0EOK-y0E-L7MO63XL4xH4MiILCQo7GBRavr_eq-eA7jYhiCzJhQzKduu8FAgLdPLI8XqzSRLd-Zf9jR1L22ywTnvUSVlnAFSUq-yCZ_EhB75yEe9E/s400/bedroom+2.jpg" border="0" />It is built in the triangle roof and even though I made it a couple of centimetres taller than the plan said, it is still very annoying having the two sloping roofs on each side - there is no room for the furniture (let alone a door - so there is no way into this room!) and there are not enough walls on which to put pictures. Oh well, we live and learn!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571594953324004930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRx-LMANADtKExGPEVcQJw_Olnp7ebwMAmNFWTkHLFFzdSzLWs0GhtIC-5K-tvPaElPdtMXV1LOx9O72accqI1iL1vrLK7QKMiM5Ycok34_PXm4vTE4NvRdZNdISP-tKu2tG-7k238vE/s400/bed.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div><div><p>I really like the bed I have in this room. It is a Phoenix white metal kit - quite soft metal, but really finely detailed....I've seen the same bed painted really nicely in gold and white (that's probably what I would do now, and then add rust!!), but I like this old-fashioned look. Since I can't really sew, making the bedding was a huge challenge for me! I was really proud of my pillow case, which is made from an old linen handkerchief.....I love the cut work edge. The pillow was embroidered by a lady called Judy and it goes really nicely with the old broach that I found to use as a picture on the wall.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571594955271710322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXfSOGM0RE3EzWBojW45RZKkxg3DU5RNmaXtODKbh2jgD2j948TpjFYiEBqli3k4TS5wT__ngjva7BmdBIvNyvpmjHwlDvGARxo8Vh1zwv6a_4iO70UPC0fru9MfubJ-IKJbIb90XMec/s400/bedroom.jpg" border="0" />I like the dressing table, and had great fun making pefume bottles out of old beads. The dressing table set is a Chrysnbon set, which my friend Trish has beautifully handpainted. I made the hydrangea that you can't quite see behind the chair.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571594957356995138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RUJ85eO4AFi5Hqbl22Q1COWEWlOGEXOJl9Ry6BmgdHjjcwwkSlFs9ZaHnNh4e9U9dUAn_t-cB46ZMVepvkuWHo7w6pPVd7ZFbfNit6s26SHtNJ-3ek9Lq6hfTZHY_EoRQP-pgvCV5fw/s400/doll+on+chair.jpg" border="0" />This beautiful doll was my "special" purchase at our national Convention about two years ago. I think she is gorgeous!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571597061860142530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1I0um-2FF3Jvn_-3Xa65CGUVU-lRYCUh5sGtutC5c1piDPUEswrTa4-zTh_Bz5vo3ZcI_yOloBJWVe2LHK3vwbIDJQ30FQIa0TWCe_3vFochaSUP5mbQJvgVgecwzLQN6LI4dV78op0/s400/alice.jpg" border="0" />Another favourite thing in this room is this sweet Alice in Wonderland doll. She was knitted by Helen Palenski, who is a New Zealand IGMA artisan. </p></div></div></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571597066056000338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 355px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NNocRedjOx_uYyE2ubzzYAx_2u18MohvvPcs_RDcyhaFtGoc9551RzJqd7rGatWvvNPJJCoVSIe9_siRl5oMT2oh2FI8zGffOiOwMAC8PVlXv98TmaCXWM34zljaeKCnAE2hRhdtGGE/s400/rosemaling.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>She sits on the chest at the end of the bed. This was already a very nice plain wooden chest, but I have messed around with decals again here to make it resemble the Norwegian Rosemaling folk art painting. The pretty green shoes on the floor are by Sylvia Rowntree, the Dolls Cobbler. </p><p>Actually, silly as it might sound, I am really proud of the floors in this house. I found some pieces of paper that looked like wood, and before putting the house together I painted the floors black, then cut strips of the wood paper and glued them to the floor, leaving tiny gaps between so that the black showing through looked like the "gaps" between the floorboards. Then I painted the floor randomly with watercolours so that it wouldn't look so uniform, and finally it got two coats of varnish. I like this floor that I made so much better than any of the readymade floor papers I have seen.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571597057666794722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 391px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWcds1DbdblHc8rLQU5qKau4f-l0PUpQbv-Y6FsS6fkYVw19tCfGnM8CkwuLb0TlbxAcA5nJOt2Kaq_TOCKJ-yrKpxRvJrL7gUlaGg4d3umGi_znrarOd3IZ7gmQZTDJJUJMso2xPXuE/s400/attic+bedroom.jpg" border="0" />This is the window in the bedroom. Yes, blinds again....you know I can't make curtains. This blind is also made from an old handkerchief. The cranberry glass vase is so pretty and here is one of my absolute favourite miniatures....the little "Butterfly Girl" bronze by Neil Carter. It is just so beautiful! </p><p>So that is the tour of my first dollshouse...I hope you enjoyed it. </p><p>The cider turned out very very nice! I'm making my second batch now. </p>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-89078149203644049782011-02-03T19:51:00.002+13:002011-02-03T19:55:30.008+13:00Cyclone Yasi update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIYM3WrFMVHtIQJgYuNYSixfeSK_4z5sYnZq30z6A4XJz8nIfyeiBr_P7oX1CJ-Y0m3vGxv7E5ettbGTN_Iy1927VR5V1cAAdg2HeHGJ37WdFRQPfZyHRUPRcfnKfLNS5qmwT3-2OvAU/s1600/dsc09992.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569353211575768978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 174px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIYM3WrFMVHtIQJgYuNYSixfeSK_4z5sYnZq30z6A4XJz8nIfyeiBr_P7oX1CJ-Y0m3vGxv7E5ettbGTN_Iy1927VR5V1cAAdg2HeHGJ37WdFRQPfZyHRUPRcfnKfLNS5qmwT3-2OvAU/s200/dsc09992.jpg" border="0" /></a> Thank you so much for your kind comments and thoughts...you are all so lovely. I really appreciated it! Funny how you can get support from people this way. It made my day a bit easier waiting for news.<br /><div></div><br /><div>My lovely Emma is fine.....they got through the storm perfectly well and although I don't think she has been able to go home yet, it is likely that her home will be ok as it is concrete block rather than wood.</div><div></div><br /><div>The photo is me on my first day of university (many many years ago now), with my three sisters. Emma is the one to the right of the picture, holding my hand. </div><br /><div></div><div>xxx to you all!!</div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-74153836118825162802011-02-03T07:39:00.005+13:002011-02-03T07:48:35.324+13:00Cyclone Yasi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVtNAqBwQQKjp6582HXQ0j2UbR9k-PC9BUe3zZPbupMxU4kCgc02poi6WODB_HFpAi-cAULom_iEbC-QOKRpAHdGsvXfqqXofQmwfHctXLBfCdquCb47W2qUDcFIfNzl7KvCwWXMpArI/s1600/fg.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569165874016782658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFVtNAqBwQQKjp6582HXQ0j2UbR9k-PC9BUe3zZPbupMxU4kCgc02poi6WODB_HFpAi-cAULom_iEbC-QOKRpAHdGsvXfqqXofQmwfHctXLBfCdquCb47W2qUDcFIfNzl7KvCwWXMpArI/s200/fg.bmp" border="0" /></a>This is my beautiful sister, Emma. She and her husband live in Cairns in the path of cyclone Yasi. She rang yesterday to let us know that they had left their home to stay somewhere safer with friends. We are waiting to hear how they got through the night. She is such a wonderful person - the most happy, postive, likeable person I know. It's hard having her live far away in Australia. I have three sisters and a brother and I love them so much!Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45746586510512217.post-43273852017624650902011-01-28T16:30:00.005+13:002011-05-31T09:13:51.039+12:00Playing Big and Little<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAimDnhi3Z2Wvq0qazii-irGE_MZtnJKkbYgBQWZQgY5szcJX19fN-_jqVbfoJxzvA0eFX-aT3JwwnJoRM5_oSX_Ym5Dn0Zq7La_A_Q3t905JxKHCE5PjT3slqLcc-P29wQagTfNOC9Ws/s1600/closeup+of+demijohn.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 377px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567075542939905186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAimDnhi3Z2Wvq0qazii-irGE_MZtnJKkbYgBQWZQgY5szcJX19fN-_jqVbfoJxzvA0eFX-aT3JwwnJoRM5_oSX_Ym5Dn0Zq7La_A_Q3t905JxKHCE5PjT3slqLcc-P29wQagTfNOC9Ws/s400/closeup+of+demijohn.jpg" /></a> I love playing big and little. When I have been making lots of bread, I also make miniature bread....when I have been making preserved lemons, I make minature preserved lemons....when I have been making blackberry and apple jelly, I make miniature jelly.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567075535523427778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-S0_ACMM4zpYTZxOXKQ79JXETlUgujFqif14HTcNUZb7zgkx3o86aQ8pn5MsWDQDoNyuIW2pRQDx4RzUwdpTpWOkXdCVrlzpyRPDcsg6ipPF01xcuK-LLuFFJx-6QJzr30BWZVRH0cw/s400/real+kitchen.jpg" />I love messing around in the kitchen! My latest experiment is having a go at making apple cider.....a friend gave me a recipe that just uses bought juice from the supermarket, so I bought a demijohn and it has been bubbling away on the kitchen bench for nearly a week! How fascinating!! If it tastes nice (not all my experiments are a success!!), I will try making it with freshly juiced apple juice next time.....it's nearly apple season now. </div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567075543146879378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F3l4eveBClcpQgGOkcxFnTkV1VdjGEZLpd7454gjKG4El-sD3S_j1wrCAijAbZz-fRXYK6pxYcoCzZpzl0122jMbzkMnjKl1XpRA_mZzmfYUl48RACcYu9wMRbDRO-jEfsYC7avEjK8/s400/kitchen+with+demijohn.jpg" /> <br /><div></div><br /><div>And I just happened to have a miniature demijohn hanging around and here is the little version in the dollshouse kitchen! Giggle, giggle!! </div></div></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15306645217790024217noreply@blogger.com17