All I Can Say Is "WOW!"

I've been sitting here looking at my loft kit and thinking about how to build the clerestory windows. I found this site today. All I can say is "WOW!"

Jeffery Stephenson built a Frank Lloyd Wright style structure and it is amazing! I love the step-by-step close up photos he shares.

I'll need to do more drawings and take more measurements but now I have the confidence to get started! Thanks Jeffery for your fantastic post!

Hope you have a great day!

Inspiration

I've been Googling. Found this photo. Not sure I can pull this off, but I'm going to try!

Let's see. I'll need wood, black paint, props and accessories, fabric, cardstock, flooring, chairs, lights...


Time to get busy! :D

Inspired Renovation

This morning, I took my Mini Town Loft Kit out of the box and propped it up on the dining room table. Then I looked around the house to see if I already had things I can use to remodel it. This issue of Dwell Magazine is packed full of inspiration!

I found quite a few things I may use. The windows and doors were purchased for my future modern house. They fit here.

I found some fabric and scrapbook paper that may work? The staircase is from the old house I found on Craigslist.

The loft is not as big as I thought it would be. I'm going to have to think more about how I'm going to do the rooms.

For now, it's back to the beach house kitchen. I'm glad I have 10 months to think about how to design this kit!

Hope you have a great day filled with ideas and inspiration!

The votes are coming in to help me decide what project to work on next. Thank you so much for voting. It's good to have help from my friends! :D

So far, the kitchen has almost 50% of the votes. The sewing room is in second place. This evening I will post the final results.

Since the kitchen is in the lead, I thought I would show you what I've done so far. This is what the kitchen looked like when I bought the house for $25 at a garage sale three years ago!


The first thing I did was remove the wallpaper. Then I added french doors.


The glass in the door cracked during the installation, but that's another story...


I bought these appliances a long time ago on Ebay. The more I look at them, the more I think they need to be BASHED. The kitchen has been sitting like this for over two years!


When I opened my box of kitchen accessories this morning, I realized I am going to need lots of counter space and storage! How about 12 feet of counter space?


Here is my inspiration!


The Waterfront kitchen at Country Living! This kitchen is SO beautiful and SO "beachy!"

If my little kitchen can look anything like this, I'll be very happy! :D

Thanks so much for voting! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Grandma's Sewing Room

I finally decided what to do with the attic in the garage. The downstairs will be Grandpa's space and the attic will be Grandma's new sewing room. :D

This wallpaper is the inspiration for this space. I found it at Itsy Bitsy Minis. I love the red hats and shoes! I ordered the tiny print as my background paper and may use a red bamboo placemat as wainscoting?

Itsy Bitsy Minis

I already have a sewing machine and sewing cabinet. I love red and so does Grandma. Here is another inspiration photo found at the Trendy Tree House blog.

Won't this look cute in miniature?! I love the table and shelves. I can't wait to get started!

Hope you have a beautiful day filled with inspiration!

Well, I Tried

I thought I'd better start thinking about what to pack for my trip to Florida. Then I started thinking about luggage. I found this pretty miniature luggage set online. I saw it again on Dale's Dreams blog. Isn't it pretty!?

Photo from Dale's Dreams

Whimsy Cottage Minis created this set but sadly, there are none of these available. I was inspired so I decided to try to make one myself.

I grabbed an empty Altoids tin and got started. I lined it with felt. Too lumpy.


Then I tried to cover the outside of the tin with fabric. Not so good. I couldn't get the fabric to go neatly around the tin. Too many wrinkles and it won't close.


I added some "wheels," a wire handle and a "zipper." From across the room it looks okay. LOL


If I do this again, I'll punch the holes for the handle first then add the fabric. I will use a heavier fabric and it will be closed, not open!

I will look at Casey's tutorial a little closer too. Casey has tons of great tutorials on her blog. While I was looking for her tutorial about suitcases, I found several other things I want to try.

Sometimes you can't achieve perfection. At least I tried!

Treasures

I made this cross stitch for my mother many years ago. All of the shells you see were collected on Sanibel Island Florida. After I had finished the stitching, we worked together to cut the mat, arrange the shells and frame it. As you can see, my mother liked tiny things too. :D

I've had this hanging in my bathroom and it shows signs of moisture damage. I really don't want to take it apart to fix the wrinkles in the fabric so I'll just leave it as it is. Wrinkles are just a part of the aging process, right?

I really miss my mother and every time I look at this I think of her. She would love to see what I've been doing with miniatures. Sometimes I feel her looking over my shoulder and see her smiling.

My mother was so creative! One of these days I'll show you some of the beautiful shell art and paintings that she did. They are real treasures to me.

Do you have someone in your life who inspires you? I'm sure you do.

Tile

I'm still making tiles for my bathroom. I thought what I have done so far was okay. Then I saw THIS house on Erin's blog, House of Turquoise today!



I'm going to start all over!

Blessings,
Kathi

Ideas and Projects

Not much getting accomplished here this week. I'm still making plants and should have something to show you in a few days? Here is one inspiration plant that I'm working on.


I like to find a photo of something I like and put it up on my desktop. Then I try to copy it in miniature. I had a huge staghorn fern like this in Florida. It was about five feet in diameter! It was so heavy that it couldn't be moved from the tree where it was hanging! My little one will be about 1 1/2 inches tall.

I like this post today at Completely Coastal. This shadow box gives me lots of ideas for my dollhouse! I want to make a tiny shadow box like Mercedes did. So cute!

My next project will be to build the conservatory. This is the one I purchased.

I want to see how it looks against the house before I cut the hole for the french doors.

Hope you have a happy day!
Blessings, Kathi

Inspiration Plants

I Googled "tropical plant images" and found this great web site - Don Robb.com. They make real size silk plants. There are lots of tropical plant images there and they are even kind enough to list the size of their plants. Makes it easier to copy in 1:12!

These two are the next plants I'm going to try.



A robellini palm and a fan palm.



I had both of these palms in my yard in Florida as well as many other tropical plants. Here is one of my Christmas cactus in full bloom!


This is a rubber tree plant next to my garage. I had to keep cutting it back because it got so big!

I brought a couple of my bromeliads here to Alabama. They aren't doing too well but are still alive!

This photo is from LiliputGardens.com but my bromeliads looked just like this in bloom! Aren't they pretty?

My plants are tucked away in my frozen laundry room now. I have a small electric heater in there now so hopefully they will survive the winter?

It was much easier to garden in Florida. The sunshine and sandy soil made it a joy to dig and plant! Here in Alabama the soil is clay and hard as a rock. I do like planting bulbs here though. Spring is beautiful with all of the daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips! I couldn't grow those in Florida...

For now I'm gathering ideas to make more tropical plants for my dollhouse and conservatory. No need to water them and they won't freeze! Hope you enjoy the links and are inspired to make some plants too.

Hope you have a happy day!
Blessings, Kathi

Chandelier Magic

I found this beautiful blog today. "Chandelier Magic Beach House." Just the name of the blog called my name! It's not a mini blog, but there is lots of lovely inspiration there!

Marsha has the happy task of restoring chandeliers she has found along the way. Some were in the trash or found a flea markets!

When I saw this post with these gorgeous chandeliers, I had to share it with you. Thanks Marsha!

Just ONE of Marsha's pretty ones!

Guess I'm not the only one who thinks every beach house needs a chandelier!

Wishing you sweet sparkly dreams,
Kathi

Beachy Table and Chairs

I need to make a dining table and chairs for my dollhouse. I've been looking for inspiration and found this!


Here is the same table set up for dining in a courtyard. I think it would look great in my dining room! I love the chairs too!

Now I just have to figure out how to make it...

I've gathered up a few things that I think might work? Sure wish I had four of these little picket fences. I might try using Starbucks sticks instead?

I'll let you know how this goes...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. I've enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful Christmas decorations that everyone is making!

Blessings, Kathi

Inspiration

These images are from Susan Sargent.

If you love color and beautiful design, you really need to visit her website!

These items are real life size but wouldn't they be great in miniature!?

I'm always looking for inspiration for my dollhouse.

Where do you find yours?

Blessings, Kathi

Inspiration

Inspiration for my beach house comes from many places! This is a photo of one of Edward Hopper's paintings. I love the beautiful way he used light to capture the feeling of a scene.

I've added some links under "Beachy Inspiration" here on my blog. If you love the beach and beach house decor check out some of these great sites!

Blessings, Kathi

Dear Daisy Cottage Chairs

Look what my friend Kim posted today at DearDaisyCottage! Beautiful little chairs that match her beautiful little home! Click on over to see Kim's wonderful blog! She is so inspiring!

Photo from Dear Daisy Cottage

Kim mentioned today that she does have a dollhouse! I really hope she will join the wonderful world of miniatures! Her cottage is SO cute! She is a doll and her home is a REAL dollhouse!

Blessings!
Kathi

Check out Jenny B's Flicker Pool for more beautiful ideas!

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

Polymer Clay Plates

How to Make Polymer Clay Plates Video

I've watched this video several times. I just might be able to do this?! If you have any ideas or suggestions for making flat dinner plates out of clay, please let me know!

Blessings, 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