Fluffy Bunny and Paper Furniture

It's normal for me to put down what I'm doing and change projects like a flash when I come up with an idea, and I did it again yesterday. I came across these lovely resin rabbits while shopping and decided I'd try to apply fur to them. They are a bit big for 1/12th but I can use a rabbit for my Easter display.

 

The white rabbit is 1 3/4" high and I started with him as I had some white fur trim I've had since the 80s.

It's Paton's acrylic and cotton fur trim and I don't think they make it any more. I'd like some in other colours now that I've found a use for it! I cut the fur from the backing and glued on in small pieces overlapping the rows.  

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I gave him a hair trim as I worked and then finally gave him a neat haircut. Here he is after his makeover!

There were other animals which are a little too big but the dogs are perfect so I got these too!

Now, I'll show you my 1/24th paper furniture, hidden at the back of my cupboard, I found a little box full that I made with Oly during one of our club days. We found the patterns on the internet. I was keen to see whether I could make a whole dollshouse from paper. Here are some kitchen units

 The bedroom chair is really strong and I love the cabinet with opening drawers!

 These are the office items.

Some nursery furniture and a little dress.

My favourite paper sofa, upholstered in silk!

I've changed my mind about making a paper dollshouse but it was fun to make these few things.
Thank you for stopping here, I hope you're having a good weekend,

Open House - Victorian

Happy weekend! It seems most places, in Europe at least, are enjoying summer weather. Doesn't it just raise your spirits, lighten your mood and provide perfect light for making miniatures? My husband has even been in the pool today!

A huge welcome to all my new followers, my blog now has 300 followers! Thank you, every single one for popping in regularly and keeping up with what I'm doing in this wonderful world of miniatures.

Like a lot of collectors in the past I started with a Victorian house. It's sadly neglected, partly due to it being 'finished' and partly because about 15 years ago my interests turned to more modern styles.
I thought I'd open the doors and let in some visitors!

In the kitchen is a chair I bought from Colin Bird, a very fine maker of furniture, during his first fair at London Kensington.

The Bathroom

The floors in the bathroom and kitchen are just paper which I covered with a sheet of clear, sticky backed plastic protects the paper and makes it look like lino or tiles. It's also easier to dust or wipe over with a damp cloth. The rug I stitched one holiday in Tenerife.

In just over a week I'll be welcoming my newest grandson, little Henry to my home for the first time. It's not a big deal for Henry but I imagine his Mum and Dad will be a little stressed travelling for the first time with their son and all the luggage the smallest in the family needs.

I shall spend precious time with my family and put away my miniature making for a while............
Well, maybe I'll have a little sewing to pick up when I'm not cuddling Henry!

Enjoy the sunshine and have a good weekend,

Ladies Shop Models

I'm not one for dolls as I feel they look fake and make the dollshouse appear as if it's suspended in time. The few I have are more for fun. This doll I bought was very cheap with ugly hands but she has a pretty face so I decided to use her for a shop model and dressed her with some nice undies.

My first and only attempt to make a doll is Annabel! Her face is ugly and badly painted and her head and neck to not join up so she is hidden at the back of the shop modelling a gown.

Have a good weekend,

What is a Friend?

Friends enjoy each other's company, they help, encourage and share laughs. They are generous, grateful, dependable and appreciative. Oly and I were all of these today!
We went to the 2nd Andalucia Miniatures Fair in Fuengirola where we encouraged each other to buy the things we knew we really shouldn't but wanted anyway, helped make important decisions like whether we needed just another doll or not, depended on our friend to look after our bags when we went to the 'ladies', laughed like naughty children when we knew we'd spent too much money but didn't care, I drove and Oly generously bought lunch. We appreciate the advise on matters like whether we want something in pink, blue or both but most of all we are grateful to have a like minded, kind friend to spend a happy day doing what we both love so much - miniatures.
Here is a photo of Oly and me at the fair.

Ha ha! I couldn't resist these little girls from Eli of www.ooakminis.blogspot.com they have leather shoes, sweet dresses and so much character! They don't look like friends though, do they?
I'll post more photos later, I hope you're all enjoying your weekend as much as me!

Before and After - Makeover

In a gift shop during a holiday in Tenerife in 2003, I glanced at a box of key rings and my instinct knew they'd become something more one day. I bought the entire box full and this year I decided I needed some bridesmaids for my Ladies Shop. I'd never dressed small dolls before and certainly never wigged one but I enjoyed working on these. Not very professional but very sweet!

Thoughts of Christmas

Focusing on completing at least one of my many unfinished projects I took my little Christmas carpet to my friend's house today where we had our 'dollshouse club' together.
I started making this carpet when I went to Sharm for Christmas 2008. It's a free pattern from Dollshouse World and is small enough to get the whole thing, including skeins of thread and scissors into a very small plastic box. Very useful for packing into a suitcase and likewise, a beach bag!
Like so many projects of mine that queue for completion it hadn't seen light of day since my return.
And so, today I was thinking of the Christmas I started this and looking forward to this coming Christmas when I hope to finally place it loving inside my Christmas house.