Mini Bloggers are the Best!

I am so excited to see I have 22 followers! I have done NOTHING and you are still here! I really appreciate knowing that!

I've been following you too! I am continually amazed at the little things you make! Your dollhouses and room boxes are filled with inspiration! I love the tutorials especially since I'm new at this!

I want to make a ceiling fan like this!

I stopped by the Dollar Store on my way home from work this evening. They had packages of skinny sticks - 150 for $1.00. I bought three packages! I'm planning to re-do the floors in my dollhouse so this was a really good deal for me!

I also got a spool of twine, some clear nail polish, tiny little starfish and a pair of cloth napkins in a small, soft blue and white stripe. Not bad for $7.00!

I bought some cheap fabric softener too. I'm hoping that will help me get the old wallpaper off the walls and maybe the carpet off the floors?

I wish I didn't have to go to work these next three days! I am looking forward to the long holiday weekend though! I'm finally going to start work on my dollhouse! Yippeee!

I also found photos of plates that I'm going to try to print and use for my dishes. I'll have to go back and find that tutorial when I'm ready!

Thank you SO MUCH for being here and for your wonderful ideas and comments too!

Blessings, Kathi

Beach House Doll

While I should be sanding and painting, I found this adorable doll over at From Nancy's Heart on Etsy!

Isn't she adorable?! She's going to watch and make sure I create the perfect little cottage for her to live in. She will have a cute little bucket filled with shells that she has collected too!

Can't wait for you to arrive little one!

Blessings, Kathi

PS. I just realized that I had the comment moderation on and that I was only allowing members to comment. Sorry! It's fixed now.

This is going to be a real project!

I don't think I've shown you inside of my dollhouse. As I was taking my "before" photos I noticed several challenges ahead!

The roof is steeper than I thought. There is a piece of crown molding missing upstairs. There are places where there should be doors and they aren't there! There is no access to the attic bedroom from the second floor. Does that matter?

I'm thinking that I'll just try to remove all of the wallpaper and carpet. Then I'll sand everything and prime it all white. That will give me a clean slate to work with...

I'll post photos of my progress. I have a lot of work to do! Better get a good night's sleep!

Blessings,
Kathi

Thrift Store Finds

Here are some things I found today at "my" thrift store. I have to stop by at least once a week. It's a place where I find really good things!

Today I got a pair of earrings, a small frame, a lighthouse, an empty Easter egg bag and a wooden bead necklace. Total cost $1.32.

I think I'll find a way to use them, don't you?

Blessings, Kathi

Beach House Dreaming

I'm very happy to have found so many wonderful mini-lovers here in blogland! I'm finding lots of inspiration and instruction too!

If you're following me, I guess I'd better get busy and do something for you to follow! I really appreciate knowing you are here! I welcome your suggestions and advice!

One question. Is it normal to start seeing everything in miniature? I mean, everything? I was looking at my toilet paper this morning and wondering how I could make some for my dollhouse! Do you do that too, or is it just me??


I think my first project will to re-do the roof on my little house. I want a tin roof but not a corrugated one. I found a tutorial for gluing 1/16" wood strips down the roof and then painting it silver. Hope I can do this! I've got to have a nice roof over my head!

Another thought. I guess I'll need a dollhouse family and pets! My dog will be a beautiful golden retriever, just like my sweet Sienna. This photo isn't her, but sure looks like her! She was my very best friend. I shared my life with her for 15 years and am grateful for evey moment.

Goldens love the water and mine will be right at home at the beach! She won't need a little dog house 'cause she sleeps on the bed!

Speaking of beds! I found this one on a regular furniture website. I'm thinking this will be my first furniture project! Hope I can do the little cut out moon! I might rather do a fish or star... Guess I'll have to practice practice practice!

For now, sweet dreams! Hope you have lovely evening. May all of your wishes come true!

Blessings, Kathi

Construction Zone

I went to Lowe's yesterday to get some paint and flowers. I finally got my mailbox garden planted! It's been SO hot and dry here but I'm hoping the seeds will come up and the flowers will grow! I got some primer for my furniture projects too. I have WAY too many projects! My dollhouse is just one of them!

I wandered around the store for a while looking for dollhouse supplies. Didn't find much but I did find a little saw and dremel kit that I think will be very helpful when I start making furniture.
I'm wondering, how do you work on your pieces? Do you have a special table or workbench? How do you secure the wood when you cut it? I don't want to cut off my fingers!

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Check out this workroom! Wouldn't you LOVE to have a space like this!? I know I would!

Courtesy of dollhslvr @ Home and Garden Webshots

I also stopped by Michael's. Oh my! A miniaturist's paradise! I was so disappointed that they didn't have any of those little hutches that everyone is talking about.

Photo courtesy of Doreen's Dollhouse Miniatures

The girl there told me they recently removed their dollhouse section. So sad! If anyone knows where I can get these please let me know!


So I'm wishing and hoping and planning and dreaming! One of these days I'm going to actually do something constructive!

Blessings, Kathi

Inspiration!

I've been snooping around the world of miniatures this morning. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration for my doll's house! I have a basic dollhouse that I want to make into a beach house.

I know I need to work on the exterior and interior walls and floors first. I just can't seem to get started! It is so much fun to see what everyone is doing with miniatures!

I've visited so many sites that I can't remember where I found the photos I've saved! I hope you don't mind me sharing them? I've just copied photos of things I like for future reference. When I get myself more organized I'll be sure to give credit where credit is due!

For now, here's the beginning of my inspiration collection! You ALL are my heros! If you see something that YOU made, please let me know so I can thank you personally!

Such pretty little things! I can only imagine the hours and hours of creativity that went into making these! I MUST have that Beach House plaque! I think it's over on Ebay so I'm going back to find it!

Blessings, Kathi

My Little House

Welcome to my new blog! I am entering the world of miniatures!

I found this doll house at my neighbor's garage sale for $15! I had a doll house when I was a child and remember hours of dreaming and playing with it. When I saw this little house I just knew it was meant for me!

It needs work, repair and remodeling to make it the little beach cottage I imagine. I'm planning to paint, wallpaper, add details and make my own furniture! I've never done anything like this before but am excited about all of the possibilities!

I'll be posting more photos later but want to show you what it looks like now. . .
.

This is the second floor deck. Love the railing and the paneled door! I can see chairs, flowers and maybe a table with an umbrella here?

This is the attic bedroom. I think it should be the master, don't you? It definitely needs painting! I already know what kind of furniture I want here!



The living room. Complete with crown molding and a chair rail. There's carpet on the floor.
Not sure that will stay. Of course I'll need furniture and window treatments...




Here's the stairs to the second floor. Needs a railing for safety, don't you think? How about some stenciling on the stair risers?



This is the door to the upstairs bathroom. Love the transom above it. The wallpaper is coming off, but look at the trim around the windows! The house has "good bones." All it needs is a little love!

I'll be sharing some miniature links here too. There are so many creative people in the world of miniatures! I'm just getting started!

Blessings, Kathi