You win some, you lose some

Or maybe knowing when to quit?

Had a bit of a mixed day today but regardless got a fair bit done on the English house. It is rainy and cold and wintery so a great day to be tucked under the eaves working on minis. Except for all the hassles, breakages and defects.

I put some wall lights in the bathroom, which meant the usual - drill holes through the wall into the next room, pull wires through wall and attach light to wall. The thing is, I needed to drill through the ceiling and cornice in the next room to get the wires through into the roof space and into the channel to travel down the back to the switch thingos. So the wires of the  first light worked Ok after about 10 minutes of moving and jiggling and swearing. I had to get the wires through about 4cm of ceiling and cornice, so had to make the hole smooth and wide. When drilling the hole for the second wire, the drill bit got stuck in the ceiling and I split the cornice. Grrr. Took an intermission, some chocolate, pliers, more swearing and patience to work the drill bit out. Then got the light wires through the wall and ceiling and the wires snapped off the light with absolutely no way of being able to reattach them, so guess what? I stuck the light in anyway. Just like in real houses, 'the globe has blown'....

I wallpapered the bedroom next to the bathroom, which was initially painted, which I didn't like. I therefore had to do the wiring in the bathroom first. It is a little bubbly, but mostly Ok, nothing that won't be covered with pictures. The most annoying thing, which I never noticed when it was painted, was that the back wall appears to be two seperate pieces joined, so there is a ridge running up the middle of wall, and the wallpaper makes it really obvious. Strange. So more pictures, and a chair needed! You can see the light shade, which I handpainted with purple roses.

I actually was hoping the wallpaper was greener, but I am happy with it anyway. Or rather, at the end of my patience! Also, I've since painted the armoire a pretty apple green. And yeah, bedding not finished yet and just pinned on!

The kitchen is just about finished. It really only needs accessories now, which I am working on.

And lastly, the laundry is all tiled and painted. I need a scrap of cream paper for the ceiling and some sort of small moulding for the wall/ceiling joint. And the light is now attached to the wall! You can see on the floor my laundry trough, but it needs a little gap filler, another coat of paint and some legs. The laundry actually looks much larger than I thought it would be. I hope to fit a little old washing machine in there.

Hope you enjoyed my little update.Happy weekend everyone. I hope the weather is better where you are!

The English house is coming along

It has been an extremely busy three months for me, which is why I didn't get this house completed, as per my goal of finishing by Christmas! Best laid plans and all....

Still, I have finished most of the shell interior - wallls, cornice/skirting/architrave, floors, etc. I am disappointed that I didn't add any more windows. All the windows in this house are on the removable wall panels so when you take them off, there are no windows to see. I have also done a good proportion of the exterior finishing. 

I will now need to collect/make a heap of accessories. Many of the furnishings and accessories were from my very first dollhouse which I pulled apart, and were made from kits. 

Here is the entry hall, almost finished. I discovered a big bubble in the wallpaper beside the stairs above the umbrella stand which I was really disappointed about. Nevertheless, I have a painting that will cover it nicely. The white table won't stay. I will get a timber one I think.

Next is the sitting room. I am reasonably happy with how this came out. It needs a heap of accessories and pictures yet. I was wanting a leaded or etched glass panel for the door to this room (as well as the dining room) but haven't sorted that yet.

I'm not sure about the colour of the coffee table, but I think if I painted it black, it will get lost.

Next is the dining room. It is still quite plain. I almost like the sideboard at the back, but don't think it will stay. Although it does need something quite large there. I should've put a window on the left wall.

I have the very cute early 20th century teaset from Phoenix Model Developments on the table, but not sure how to paint it - white? Shiny? Silver? Ideas anyone?

Next is the kitchen. I really like this room but wanting to get it just so! I will keep playing with this one a little. Trying to find or make the perfect pieces is a bit of trial and error.

Here is a close-up of the hutch

Next, up to the bathroom. I will add a shower curtain around the bath, and need to make a shower rose..... One of those things that I have to talk myself into! Initially I wasn't sure about the green floor tiles, but now I quite like them. A rug will help tone them down. I also can't find the right piece of furniture to use as a sink/vanity. 

Next is the master bedroom, which is also quite naked. All the furniture is what I made for my first dollhouse. It is difficult wallpaper to match for fabric/colours. I do love the little fireplace.

Wow, it's all so dusty! Poor housekeeping!

Here is the little back room, the music room. I think the cabinet (which is currently only undercoated) looks too "blocky" - not sure I'll use it. I might put in my Chrysnbon sewing machine instead, but it looks very fine and tiny. Need that happy medium!

I have not posted any photos of the other bedroom as I am just not happy with the wall colour. I am considering a wallpaper option instead, but again struggling with that. Perhaps I will gather the courage to post a photo and get some ideas from people. For now, it will stay hidden!

I hope you all enjoyed your Easter break. I certainly have - I have taken this week off work which has been lovely. TTFN!

Inspired to work on French shop

Have spent the last two weeks in far north Queensland, enjoying the heat, cocktails, delicious food and relaxation. Had some time to think about my little French shop and came up with a few ideas. Now just need to get a little organised and get a few things done. Oh yeah, and also work on my Mountfield..... 

Antiqued a few bits of furniture today, ready for some accessories. So therefore need to get motivated and make said accessories.

Need opinions please!

A quick hello to all. I am on my first day of holidays so got some minis made including this fireplace. I need opinions on colour. Yes or no? I thought the greyish colour might add a little colour, rather than go black or brown/timber, but not sure. Your thoughts?

Found my mini mojo

Hi everyone. After being really slack this year, I found my mojo. It was largely to do with a lack of functional space in which to mini, so I helped my husband put good shelves and work desks in my sewing room and it's now much more useable.

So I opened up my Dollshouse Emporium Mountfield kit and stuck her together. It is not far off being done for the most part, just waiting on a few bits like tiles and lights. I am using a lot of the furniture and accessories from the very first dollhouse I built (and pulled apart!). I will need a heap more accessories yet, but will work on that. I aim to have her finished by Christmas so that I can put together my chateau (which is already partially cut out).

Entry modified to include a laundry under the stairs:

Lounge room not far off - just needs a door and furniture/accessories:

Dining room. Dresser won't be staying and will probably make a square or rectangle table:

Kitchen, which needs more tiles to finish the walls (I extended into the dining room to give a bit more space):

Master bedroom (flooring to be darkened):

Second bedroom (still a bit green, needs lightening):

Music room:

I haven't done anything on the laundry, upstairs hall or bathroom, so will show those when I have done something! 

Hope your weekend is going well!

Other non-mini projects

I have had an extremely busy year so far. From January to April, we had many bushfires here in Victoria, so I spent most of my time working 14 hour days. But I find it very enjoyable work, so although it was tiring, it was fun.

We have been doing some work around the house such as painting and making shelves in my sewing room. This is good because now I have space to actually sew in my sewing room, and also some extra space to store my mini projects so I can work on multiples at a time.

I have also been trying to get my clothing business going, so I am working on a business plan, sewing clothes, making some accessories, time management and schedules, etc. Below are some pictures of my brooches I've been making from velvet flowers and other millinery items, and also a picture of me!

Cherry brooch with mushrooms:

A mauve and purple velvet rose brooch:

And lastly, me modelling one of the skirts I make: 

My Etsy store can be found here:

Dear One Etsy store

Hope your week has been pleasant!

Some progress on my half scale projects

I have been busy trying to get my Etsy store going and making clothes for the upcoming local maker's market, so haven't been making a lot of progress on anything this year. But I have got some pics of progress on my half scale projects.

The Buttercup is coming along. Below are pics of the bedroom and the kitchen half of the downstairs. Will need to go accessory shopping, but for now, at least I have the bedroom furniture (although I think something is needed in the front gable window area). I have also started on the landscaped base but it's not ready for any photos!

The floorboards are painted styrene sheets. I am really happy with them for a rustic cottage floor.

Below is the Chantilly bedroom which also needs some accessories. I will have to figure out how I'll fill the gaps where the roof pieces join. Perhaps I will just fill them and then paint over them. I hope I can remember what colours I painted it! I also think the rug needs toning down!

 I made the bedhead. It is pretty basic, but fits the room.

 The Chantilly salon with a chest I made from cardboard and wood. I will need to find handles that are small enough to fit it, which may be a problem. I hope to be able to handpaint some sort of floral design onto it.

And now the Rosedale. I used the Brodnax parquet flooring for the salon, bedroom and hall (as seen through the doorway) but fell just a little short. Dang. Not sure if this bed will stay yet.

The salon, with the cutest little sofa. I have painted the walls, but will add panelling and then repaint it. Probably the same pink, but maybe ivory. I have a fireplace awaiting a top coat to go on the left wall once I've made the hearth. Little table looks a little stark though....

Hope you are all well, and for those of you in the southern hemisphere, enjoying a little spring sunshine.