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,

Patchwork

If I had to choose between all my interests, it would be miniature patchwork.
I have a passion for cotton fabric - the smell, the colours and the patterns. Fine cotton handles so well for miniature work and produces clean, crisp results.
I cut squares of fabric a little bigger than needed and tack each one to a half inch square of paper. I lay out the design on a cork board where each piece can be stabbed down with a pin until needed. Then, with right sides together I over-sew the squares together in rows and then over-sew the rows. To complete the quilt I back it with a piece of cotton.
After 1/2" squares I got smaller to 3/8th" squares and finally hexagons with 1/4" sides.
Hand patchwork is relaxing to do, needs very little fabric and the whole project can be carried around in a sweet tin. Many of my patchworks and mini carpets have been done on the beach or by the pool on holiday for this reason.
I sometimes buy sample packs of fabrics and I have a dear friend who makes the most beautiful full size patchworks and she saves me all her off-cuts.
It's a clean hobby, and other than a few stray threads, it doesn't make too much mess.