Keep Calm And Carry On!

I want to thank you for your sweet comments and encouragement yesterday!  I am overwhelmed by your love and support.  I must admit I did cry when I read what you said about my project.  They were tears of gratitude, not sadness.  Big HUGS to all of you!

Now it's time to get back to work!!!!

I clamped the shop together this morning.  I measured the crown molding (again) that will support the second floor and started work on the upstairs ceiling.  It will have wooden beams that are 16" on center.  :D 

The longer pieces you see will go over the extension for the stairs.  It is all upside down right now...  This is the second floor.

I still haven't decided what to do here? 

I'm feeling much better today and excited to start work again. Thanks again for your kind support!

Mini friends are the BEST of friends!  :D

Mini Shadow Box

I've decided what to make for the entry wall of the beach house.

This is hanging in my real life bathroom. I'm trying to make one in miniature.


Thanks to Deborah, Angeles, Mercedes, Sonya and Casey I have lots of teeny tiny shells!

I think I've found the perfect place for some of them. :D

Monday Musings and An Award!

I've been thinking today about how helpful and encouraging all of you mini bloggers are! I love visiting each of you and am learning so much! I have another blog that is sadly neglected now. I have become addicted to miniatures!

I never thought I would love this new craft as much as I do! I think it is because it has given me a way to encompass all of my creative interests all into one place! I love to decorate, paint, wallpaper, re-purpose, salvage, shop thrift stores and craft stores. I love to sew, do counted cross stitch, garden, make things and experiment with new techniques.

Most of all, I love to PLAY! I didn't have a great childhood and feel like some of that time was lost. I was forced to grow up too fast and was given too much responsibility at a very young age.

Some of my happiest moments were to wander down to the stream behind our house. I would find little things to play with there. I made boats out of leaves and wood, people from sticks and gathered beautiful little flowers. I made castles from rocks and built dams across the water to make miniature lakes. Sometimes I would take these things home and hide them in my room so I could play with them later...

I think finding the world of miniatures has taken me back to those special times. I find that I am absolutely engrossed in what I'm doing when I'm working on my dollhouse! Time just seems to fly by! My creativity has come alive again and I want to thank all of you for your inspiration!

I received a very special award today from Casey at Casey's Minis. Thank you so much!


The Bella Sinclair Award is dedicated to a true artist with a very special gift! Her art is simply beautiful! I feel humbled to have been given the opportunity to share this award too! I'm limited to five but if I could, I would include every one of you! Each of you has given me something to enjoy, something to strive for, something to spur my creativity but most of all
someone to share my progress with! It is so wonderful to find so many others who also love little things! You have been such a blessing to me! Thank you!

I would like to pass this award to:

1. Liberty Biberty - Mercedes is one of the first bloggers I found. I love how she shares her craft with her daughter, Liberty. They remind me of myself and my own mother. I hope she knows what precious memories she is creating with Liberty! Her miniatures are perfectly made too. I am inspired each time I visit her!

2. Miz Mary's Miniatures - Mary has given me so much encouragement and so much helpful information. I love her stories and I love how she shares her thoughts as she is making things. Her tutorial page is one I visit often too! I need tutorials! Thanks Mary!

3. Lotjesdollshouse - Sylvia has the most beautiful ideas and makes the prettiest things! I love the fact that I can visit the Netherlands any time I wish! Her little beach house is absolutely perfect! I love her three dogs too. I'm sure if we lived close to each other we would be best friends!

I must add two of my very favorite places to go for inspiration. They are my constant source of ideas!

4. Completely Coastal - a website dedicated to all things beachy! Of course, since I'm making a beach house, you'll find me there every day! They have compiled the artistry of many into one absolutely beautiful place! I am seeing everything in miniature now so I go here often just for ideas!

5. Dear Daisy Cottage - Kim is a friend from the RL blogs. She has a heart of gold and the most colorful and happy home! She not only shares her home but her beautiful photography too! I love her little daschund, Maggie too! Kim was the inspiration for me when I was trying to find my style for my own home. Her colors have brightened my world and her blog is one of my very favorites! I wish she did miniatures!

I know this is a very long post! This award really got me thinking about artists in a whole new way. You are all artists! Each and every thing you make and share gives me a glimpse of who you are! I love being part of your world! Thanks for making me feel like we're friends!

Love, Kathi

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