Tin Roof Sunday

I've finally decided what to do with my dollhouse roof. I just need to figure out how to re-size this to scale. . .



I'm going to use the little round sticks from my "almost free" bamboo blind. Then I'll paint the roof with some aluminum spray paint. Hope it turns out well!

The photos below are from Jane Coslick's Cottages. I love her use of color! I'll be using these colors in my little house too!



Please visit Jane's website to see all of her beautiful little cottages! You may be inspired too!

Blessings, Kathi

My First Sofa - Finished!

I'm so excited! I finished my sofa! Not too bad for a first attempt! The perfectionist in me notices that the stripes on one of the arms aren't straight and there's a gap behind on of the arms... I don't really care! It's finished!





I made a little fish pillow too. Cute, huh?



Now I'm off to throw in a load of laundry and clean up the RL kitchen. Then I'll get busy on the attic bedroom in my dollhouse! Hope you have a lovely little day!

Blessings, Kathi

Quick Trip to Spain!

While I was visiting my favorite blogs this morning, I came across a beautiful one from Spain!
Isn't it wonderful that we can take a trip around the world right from our home computers!

Toniya is from Barcelona. Her blog is Can Toniya Minis She makes the most gorgeous little cakes! She does lots of other minis too...


Wouldn't it be fun to have a little piece of cake for breakfast?! Couldn't be very many calories! Thanks Toniya! It is so nice to meet you!

I need to do my usual weekend cleaning, shopping and laundry. Think I'll finish my little sofa instead! I found something for my attic bedroom ceiling that I can't wait to show you too!

Hope you have a great Saturday!
Blessings, Kathi

Help! I lost my templates!

I was ready to glue the little fronts on the arms of my sofa this morning, but I couldn't find them?! I looked everywhere! They are so tiny! They might have been tossed the the trash with my fabric scraps?

Anyway. I had to make new ones! So again, I'm waiting for the glue to dry!

I'm having a bit of trouble with the arms of the sofa but I'm sure I'll have it done and ready to show you later! I need to find some little feet for it too...

Have you ever lost anything that you were making? Glad I made an extra template to use later!

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes!
Kathi

Waiting for the Glue to Dry!

I'm making my very first piece of furniture for my dollhouse! A sofa! I'm using the tutorial I found at MMM Miz Mary's! Let's build a dollhouse sofa.

So far, so good! Now I'm just waiting for the glue to dry so I can put it together!

The fabric is from one of the napkins I got at the Dollar Store. It's a bit plain, but I'm planning to make some snazzy pillows to brighten it up! I love doing counted cross stitch too!

I used a piece of an old mattress pad for the stuffing because I want a comfy sofa!


I still have to cover the little template that goes on the arm of the sofa. I'm also going to try to make a pleated skirt to go around the bottom. That will have to wait until tomorrow...

I'm off to bed. Don't have much time to do minis during the week but this is so much fun! Hope you have a peaceful evening! See you tomorrow!

Blessings, 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

Balsa Wood vs Basswood

I realized yesterday that there is huge difference between balsa and basswood! Balsa wood breaks easily! I bought one piece for making my bed and it broke before I even got it home!!
I'm still learning. The hard way sometimes!

I love all of the tutorials I've found! Great hints that I would NEVER have thought of!

Thanks,
Kathi

Roller Shade Samples

Look what I found at Lowe's yesterday! Little samples of the custom made roller shades you can order. They are the perfect size for my dollhouse windows!



For two dollars I got enough shades for my entire house! I'm going to make some valances and curtains too but I thought these were a great find!
One of the employees came over and asked me if I needed any help. I told him, "no thanks, I've found exactly what I want for my dollhouse windows!" He said, "now you're thinking, you're thinking!" I'm having so much fun just thinking about what to do in my dollhouse!


I really wish I could stay home today and work on my house! Guess I'll have to go to work to help pay for my new hobby...

Blessings, Kathi

Dollhouse Renovation - Day One!

I finally have something to show you!

I lugged my dollhouse outside this morning and started cleaning it up. There was carpet in three of the rooms and damaged wallpaper everywhere! I used a spray bottle with half fabric softener and half water to loosen the wallpaper. I soaked the nasty carpet too!



Then I scraped and scraped and pulled and pulled. I found my trusty 1 1/2 inch paint scraper to be very helpful. I also ruined my small Wilton icing spreader trying to loosen the wallpaper!

I had to use my fingernail or tweezers in the corners where I couldn't reach with the scraper. I also used a razor knife along the edges of the carpet. It came up in one piece in the living room! Not so easy everywhere else!





I was amazed at how long this took, but am pleased with the results! Down to bare plywood and ready for paint!

One of the rooms downstairs had glue-down wooden flooring that buckled and came loose with the water. I just took it out and it's sitting on wax paper under my heavy Home Depot 123 books. I don't know if it can be saved but I'll probably use it somewhere?

I sanded the exterior too. Several small trim parts came off but I've saved those too and will reinstall them later.



I need to sand the inside next so I can paint! I might add some wood to the ceiling in the attic bedroom? I got a practically free old bamboo blind at the Habitat Store! The bamboo slats are 3/8 inch wide. Might work, don't ya think?

I have some decisions to make now. What colors should I use? I could go with tradition and paint the house white? I love this one from Country Living!

Photo from Country Living

Or maybe I'll just go crazy and make it MINE!? I'm thinking I'll go with the latter! The more colorful, the happier I will be!


Stay tuned. There is so much more work to be done! Here's what the house looks like now!



I feel like I need to make a little bed to sleep in! I'm so tired!!

Blessings, Kathi

Mary Charles Dollhouse Store

http://www.marycharlesdollhouse.com/

I made my very first visit to a Dollhouse Miniature store yesterday! My daughter and I had a wonderful girl's day out! We went to visit Mary Charles Dollhouse in the Mountain Brook Village here in Birmingham. I knew when we pulled up in front and parked the car that I was going to love this place!!

Mary's store is filled to the brim with dolls, dollhouses, miniatures and supplies. Every corner is stuffed with displays, dollhouses, miniatures, boxes and drawers of goodies! There is something for everyone here!

I met Mary Charles and her assistant, Janet too. They really love what they do and are so friendly and helpful! Janet is a hoot! She showed us her "gay bar" room and was featured in a local magazine. She has a terrific sense of humor and had us laughing the entire time!

Mary Charles, Janet and Me

They were so helpful and showed me around their beautiful store. I was amazed at all of the beautiful displays and miniatures they have collected! I took lots of photos too!











I was overwhelmed by all of the wonderful miniatures here! I only bought one thing! A dog.
He's not really a golden retriever but I'm thinking I can paint him? Now that I'm looking back at my photos I see another dog that I like better! I just might have to go back on Saturday and make an exchange!?

They also had a beautiful tiny shell mirror that I would love to have. It was $30 so I didn't buy it but it would be perfect in my house! Mary has lay-a-way, so I might just have to get it after all! She also had a beach house bike that I wanted but it was too big. Mary gave me several free photos that I can frame. She is a wonderful shopkeeper and very knowledgeable. I'm certain that I will be visiting her frequently!

I found shingles, wallpaper, lighting kit, and the stairway railing I need too. After I take care of the repairs and painting on my beach house I'm going back for those things! I had such a good time just looking around and dreaming!

When we left, I realized that we had been there for two hours! It seemed like minutes! I was so glad to find a place near me where I can get the things I need for my little house! If you live in the Birmingham area, please stop by Mary Charles Dollhouse and tell them that Kathi says "thank you!"

Right around the corner from Mary's is Brody's Deli. We had lunch there and then went to a gift shop next door. My daughter bought a bling ring which she proudly displayed on her toe! She plans to wear it on her finger but we laughed at her fancy toes!




I must say that this girl's day out was one of the best yet! Thanks Sharyn!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful 4th of July! May you find beauty in all the little things that you do!

Blessings, Kathi

My First Award!

Oh my goodness! I just received my very first AWARD! Thank you Mary at Miz Mary's Minis!
Mary also has a wonderful tutorial blog! I love tutorials!
Then this morning I got this same award from a new friend, Karin F at Mini Ramblings and Musings! She left a comment on my last post to introduce herself! Thanks Karin! I look forward to following you too!

How fun this is! They said to pick a book that you are currently reading, go to page 161, find the 5th complete sentence and post it here. Then pass the award on to five bloggers.

I am currently reading The Appeal, by John Grisham. I have read all of his books and look forward to each new one. His earlier writings are the best, but each and every story has an unexpected twist that keeps me reading.

The fifth sentence on page 161 is - "Where's the liberal or conservative side in a big messy divorce, or a boundary line dispute between two timber companies?"

I would like to pass this award on to five of my favorite mini bloggers. If you have already received it or sent it to me, please forgive the duplication! No need to accept it or pass it on, just know that I enjoy your posts and want to say "thank you!"

1. Doreen's Miniatures
2. Lotjes Doll House
3. Liberty Biberty
4. Miniatyrmama
5. MMM Minis Tutorial Database

I'm sorry that some of my links are not working! Click on over at my Mini Blogs and Inspiration to go to these wonderful blogs! One of these days I'm going to learn how to do this!?

Thanks to all of you for your inspiration! I'm off to start sanding and priming my little beach house! Hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!

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

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