Sorry it's been so long!

It seems like there just isn't enough time to get everything done. I've been gathering supplies for the wedding decor but haven't even had time to do much with those. However, I will make time for a new mini project. We just got a Hobby Lobby in our county - just 20 minutes away! Before I had to drive almost an hour. Not a huge distance but too far for just a craft stop. Not anymore. ;-) I've been looking at the cardboard house boxes for quite some time, whenever I did get a chance to stop at Hobby Lobby. I usually had enough other stuff to get that I passed on by. Today I finally got one to turn into a half scale cottage. Watch for updates. I also got some really cool metal ribbon that will work really well for cornice trim and a bottle of model glue. The rest of the things I purchased are for the wedding. But I had a fun time wandering the new store with my extremely patient DH. Of course, we started our day at Rural King which is his favorite store, LOL.

Busy, busy, busy

I've been busy with family and wedding stuff, as well as work, so not much time for miniatures. I need to make some time soon for my sanity, lol. In the meantime, here's the link to check out my daughter's engagement pictures. The photographer is a family friend who does amazing work. She'll be the wedding photographer too. I hope to be back soon with proof of a mini project in the works. Fingers crossed that I will find the time!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 A miniaturist group I belong to recently had an "Odds and Ends Challenge." Everyone gets the same items and you make whatever you want. For this challenge you had to use at least part of five of the ten items. I was able to use all ten. My roombox was a small cardboard suitcase I found on clearance at Target. I drew the floorboards onto the cardboard "floor" and wallpapered with a heart print wallpaper.

 The challenge items are pictured in the last photo. I made the fireplace from the top of a Michael's hutch, some scrap wood, a piece of cardboard, and a real life wallpaper sample for the marble. The fireplace screen was made from the challenge piece of screen. The grapevine wreath is simply the challenge string wrapped and glued in a wreath shape and decorated. The candle holders were cut from the wheel assemblies and painted gold. I added toothpick candles. I covered the multicolored pom poms with thin gold foil from a candy bar and placed the "truffles" in an ornate silver beadcap bowl. The ice bucket is the top of the toy capsule and the wine bottle was made from a pushpin and the small thread spool. The throw pillows in the left corner were made from the coffee filter.

 I used some more of the coffee filter to wrap the roses. The wine glasses were made from the challenge push pins. The wooden tray was made with part of the craft stick. The bear skin rug was cut from the fur fabric. My favorite non challenge accessory is the heart cakes. They were punched from thick craft foam with an office style heart punch and "frosted" with polymer clay nail decals. I really enjoyed this project. You all know how much I like trash to treasure projects and it's been really cool to see all the different ideas everyone is coming up with.

I hope you get to enjoy Valentine's Day with someone special tomorrow!

I think it's really finished now

 The family room now has plants, curtains, and a newspaper. I'd still like to put some sheet music on the piano but I ran out of motivation. ;-)

 The bedroom is now one of my favorite rooms. Lace curtains, floral prints, a vase of flowers, bedside lamp, alarm clock and Bible, along with the pretties on the vanity make this a very feminine room.

 I carved out a hairbrush from a toothpick and flattened a small brad to make a silver hand mirror. I also added a bottle of perfume and a small silver dish for jewelry.

 The bathroom got towels, rugs, and bottles and jars for the sink shelves. There's also a silver dish full of little soaps.

 I put a roll up shade in the window, a floral print over the toilet, and made a toilet paper holder and roll of tp. I used a white bead and covered it with a single ply of paper napkin. The holder was made with a brad.

 The kitchen looks cozier with an eyelet lace valance, a plant on the cabinet, a pot rack over the stove and a pot of stew on the stove. I also added a bright yellow clock and a calendar from February 1963. That's the year I was born and the furniture seems to be from approximately that era.

 I made an end table and lamp for beside the chair. The mantel got small candle sconces and a marble clock. I added formal black drapes and a vase of flowers on the table.

There's a book on the table, too. This looks like a cozy place to spend a chilly February evening.

I wouldn't mind finding a pet and/or a person for this house but it is effectively finished. I've been considering making one or two more houses similar to this one to display some of the rest of the furniture purchased at the same time. I think they would look nice hanging on the wall together. If we continue to get a snow storm every week or so, I should have plenty of time.

Hope you are warm and cozy if you are in the midst of winter like me!

It's starting to look cozy

 I added printie windows, doors, and rugs. I think it gives a tin lithograph feeling to my little house. That's appropriate for the furniture, too. Since I took these pictures, I added satin varnish to the windows and doors. I used winter scenes since this has been such a wintery winter. :-) This room still needs pictures on the wall, sheet music for the piano, a couple of plants, and maybe some magazines for the coffee table. Since it's the family room I may add some board games, as well. Oh, and all of the windows need some sort of curtains.

 I need lamps for the bedside tables, a book or two, wall decor, perfumes and such for the vanity...

 The bathroom needs rugs, towels, and toiletries.

 I really like the dining/sitting room. The left wall has a matching door (the entrance to the house) and another window. I need drapes, a centerpiece, a chair side table with lamp and book or newspaper, candles or something for the mantel.

I like the kitchen, too. I made a tile backsplash behind the sink and cabinet and added a coordinating tile behind the range. I made the hanging cupboard and hung a couple of blue willow plates on the wall. I need to add some plants, a clock, and maybe a pot rack or at least a spice rack over the stove.

Another snow day/another project (Caution: very picture heavy)

 I needed a project for the day. I did laundry, too, so I could play without guilt. ;-) I started with a large boot box, some foam core scraps, and a couple of pieces of cardboard.

 That led to a basic half scale house.

 I used one inch scale shingles as cedar shake siding...

 ...and two sizes of half scale shingles for the roof.

 The attic family room - The TV was missing the screen so I cut a small piece of vellum and a matching piece of black cardstock and wedged them in through the back of the television. I am very pleased with the result. The wall and floor are both covered in scrapbook paper. Some of the furniture pieces are Blue Box but the couch is Superior.

 The bedroom -all but the nightstands are Blue Box furniture. The dresser drawers open. So tiny but very detailed. I think the furniture is a bit under scale (for 1:24) but it works. The wallpaper is actual dollhouse paper and the carpet is scrap of printed felt. I still need to add artwork, accessories, and maybe a window.

 The bathroom set is Blue Box. This room needs rugs, towels, and something for all those shelves.

 This is the dining\sitting room. The china cabinet is a no name but the other pieces are Blue Box. (I am not sure about the fireplace.) Scrapbook paper wallpaper and carpet (suede paper). This room needs art and maybe a window. A few accessories to make it look lived in would be good, too.

 And, last but not least, the kitchen. I love these appliances! I think I need to add open shelving above the row of appliances. I also need rugs and pans, dishes, etc.

The base trim was the last to get glued on. Please excuse the clamps. If you don't see the back of the house, I don't think you'd know it was made from a box. This was a really fun project - and it didn't cost a dime as I already had everything I used. The best kind of trash to treasure project. :-)

Another day off and I made some time to mini!

 Valentine's Day is fast approaching. For some reason, that inspired me to make mini lingerie. I used some more of the vintage lace that was my grandmother's.  The bodice of this long black gown was made from it. The robe is soft black tulle and lace.

 The bra and panty were also made from Grandma's lace. She'd be horrified but they turned out really well.

This pretty chemise gown was made from iridescent lace and ivory satin. I really like this one - it looks more like something I would really wear.

We've been under a windchill advisory most of the day and are expecting more snow over the weekend. I love winter but I'm not a fan of this extreme cold. We've now had seven days off due to the weather.I may still be working in July at this rate. :-)

Stay warm my friends!