The Flamingo Inn (?)

I moved the Flamingo Inn out into the dining room yesterday. I'm still cleaning and re-arranging my work room. I'm taking everything out and starting over! It's a big job but someone has to do it! :D

I took some before photos of the house so you can see what a big project it will be! I got the house on Craigslist for $45. It was all white with dark green shutters. I decided it wanted to be pink. So far I've just tried different shades of pink to get the right shade. The trim you see is for adding a second floor porch and outside staircase.


I've already started bashing this house! I couldn't resist doing something to it. I took down the stairs. They are covered with nasty green carpet. Add that to the list of things to do. Later.



You can see the interior with the previous owner's choice of colors. That will change. I do like the floors. They just need some polishing.

This is what the top of the house looked like. It seemed like there was wasted space here.



I removed the wooden triangle so I could see what was behind it. Not an easy task! This house is nailed together! I was sad to see that there is not much space in the attic. Not sure what I can do with that space?



I may have to reconsider my plans for this house? I really wanted it to become a bed and breakfast. I'm afraid it is only large enough for a single family house.

I moped around all evening since I had my heart set on that idea. I fell asleep thinking about what else it could be?

Well. I woke up this morning with another idea! How about a seafood restaurant with a bar and gift shop upstairs? I'll have to ponder that for a while. The possibilities seem endless!

Now I'm not sure where I'm going to use my two new beds? A third house maybe? :D

The Lily Dollhouse

Hope you have a beautiful day. It's back to cleaning and sorting for me! Of course I'll be thinking about what to do with that pink house out in the dining room...

Stamping and Sewing

I've been wanting to try my new flamingo rubber stamp on fabric. I didn't have the right color stamp pad so I searched Google and found out how to make my own.

I just used two pieces of white felt and my Scribbles fabric paint. I added the paint to the felt and started stamping! I'm sure lots of you already know how to do this, but it was new to me! So easy! These practice images are stamped on white cotton fabric.


I think they will be great for dollhouse linens, curtains or doll clothes? If I cover two of the images I can make single flamingos too. So many possibilities! :D


This project came about because I got frustrated with my sewing projects. I used a pattern for this shirt for grandpa. It is supposed to be for a 6" doll but It's WAY to big!


Plus, my old sewing machine is jamming and chewing up my fabric. I actually thought about buying a new one this morning. I guess I should get the old one fixed and save my money for food and things like that, right?!

I have several things going on right now! Laundry, organizing my craft room supplies, doing the dishes and cleaning the house. I just had to take a few minutes and try a little mini project.

Better get back to work before I find something else to do!

Sandy's New Outfit

Sandy needed a new outfit for the beach so this is what I made for her. :D

I made up the pattern as I went along. The skirt is a bit too small (!) so I'll have to make another one. I used elastic in the waist and lined it with soft cotton fabric. The shorts and halter top are sewn together in one piece.

I think I have found yet another thing I like about minis! Doll clothes are fun to make! I felt myself smiling as I was making this. :D

I have lots of ideas for clothes for my other dolls too. I'd like to make some t-shirts, shorts and a jogging outfit. I got some kids clothes at the thrift store that I'll cut up and use for the fabric.

Glad it's a three day weekend here! I've got more sewing to do!

Fire Hazard!

When I walked into my craft room after work today, I took a look around and thought, "This place is a becoming fire hazard!"


There is STUFF piled everywhere again. Didn't I just clean this up?

Just look at my work table. What a mess!


I've filled my new revolving organizer but I could use another one!

Even the Flamingo Inn is buried with things I've been collecting for it.

Dylan was outside and didn't look too worried. He is used to my messes.

No, he was not worried at all until I lit THIS!

A CANDLE right next to an aerosol can, flammable glue and paint!

Do you think it's time to start putting things away when I'm finished with them? Time to get my act together or time to go back to working on my sofa cushions?

Hmmmm. I'll have to think about this. Wonder if I can find room for my dinner in front of the keyboard? I really need to check to see what everyone else was doing today! :D

I'll keep an eye on the candle. I promise.

Sofa Cushions

I'm trying to make some boxed edge cushions for my sofa. I like this white fabric and think the crochet thread might make a nice trim?

Weekend Designer tutorial.

Hopefully, I will have something to show you later? Have a great day!

Question

I dusted off my 40 year old sewing machine this morning and made a little comforter. As you can see it is much too stiff. I could just tuck it in under the mattress but I'd like to be able to have it folded nicely on top of the bed.

I used a soft,thin piece of flannel for the inside. I also have some quilt batting, mattress padding and some white t-shirt material. What do you think would make a nice lofty comforter? Like this.


Thanks to the Calvin Klein shirt, I discovered that a collar stay is perfect for making square corners. I've tried a needle, crochet hook, toothpicks and pointy scissors but this worked SO much better! I started to throw them away but now I'm glad I kept them. Maybe I'll be able to make some pillows now? :D

If you have any suggestions I would really appreciate them. I haven't made dollhouse bedding before so I need all the help I can get!

Thanks so much for all of your wonderful comments about the new bed! Hope you have a lovely day!

My New Bed

I finished building my new bed today. It will eventually go in the Flamingo Inn.

I still need to make some linens. For now, I just used the mattress from my other bed and a pretty crocheted afghan I purchased a while ago. I think I'll make all white bedding?

I found a white men's shirt at the Mission thrift store today. It's a Calvin Klein shirt, 100% cotton and has a soft white stripe in it. I think it will make pretty sheets and pillow cases. It was only $1.50 and I can make an entire wardrobe full of linens with it! Thanks Calvin!

Here is what the bed looks like without the mattress. I used square wooden dowels for the frame and Star Buck's sticks for the slats. The rest of the bed is thick card stock covered with linen cross stitch fabric. The trim is braided leather.


You are NOT going to believe this, but I made the legs out of BALSA wood!

I think it looks a lot like my inspiration bed, don't you?

Clamps?

I really should buy some clamps!

Micromark











Which one would you buy?
What do you use??

Have You Seen Her Shoes?

I've been following Loten nukkekotipaivakirja for a long time. I can't read a word of her blog but she makes the most amazing little shoes! Just how adorable are these Birkies!


If you haven't visited Lotte, you need to go! After you've seen her shoes, scroll down to see all of the other wonderful things this talented lady makes!

I have been so very impressed by other Finnish miniaturists too. Click here to see a list of them! I could spend a week just walking around these blogs and enjoying the sites!


Minna has a great list of links. I can't begin to name my favorites, but you can probably guess who they are! :D

I'll bet you have some friends from Finland too!

Making The Bed

I've been making my little bed. I used heavy card stock and covered it with my linen cross stitch fabric. Spray adhesive worked great.

This is just one layer. The second is waiting for the glue to dry under my handy HomeDepot 1-2-3 book. I'll cut the same shapes and then glue the two together back to back.

I found some beautiful braided leather trim for the edges. Hopefully, when I'm finished it will look something like this?


Once again, I have to go off to work. I need money to continue my dollhouse projects!

This Is Strange!

Casey has given me the Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits Blog Award. It does say, "or in certain cases a Strange Woman" so I guess I must accept it. Strangeness does run in my family and I am just one of many!

The award originated with Cate Gardner who is celebrating the pre-release of her book of the same title. Here's her blog link. http://www.strangemeninpinstripesuits.com/ She has a contest and prize give away over there too.

To accept this award, you have to do some "strange" things. That shouldn't be very difficult. :D

You are to "Go forth and celebrate the strangeness of friends or strangers by nominating seven blogs run by strange folks."

To take part, these are the rules and also how to enter the competition.

1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post. Check!

2. Add the link to the person who awarded it to you. Thanks Casey!

3.Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange enough to deserve the award.

4. Leave a message for those nominated on their blogs.

5. If you e mail catephoenix@gmail.com and tell her you've received the award for your strangeness, she'll enter you in the Strange Men competition. Details at the above link.

Okay. Now for my seven nominations! In no particular order of strangeness.

1. Rosanna at La Stanza di guiggiola. Nominated for her strange fear of going to the SIMP fair with her gorgeous tea cozies and pillows! There is nothing strange about Rosanna's beautiful stitching, only that she is able to see well enough to make such tiny things!

2. Deborah at Deborah's Daily Dish. Deborah has a strange (?) addiction to fabrics and all things crafty. Have you seen all of the darling little outfits she has made for her dolls? Not a strange one in the bunch! They are all gorgeous!

3. Monika at PuNo's Minis 1:12. Monika has the same strange little grandpa doll that I do! Check out her man posing with the great bags she has made. He is not wearing pinstripes but black and white checks! I think that counts, doesn't it? :D

4. Oese at Rum fur Raum. Oese has the most wonderful way of seeing the world in miniature! Her photography is amazing. She can take the strangest things and make them in something beautiful! I love her swimming pool and little doll!

5. De at De-Lightful Minis. If you haven't seen De's tavern you really need to go take a look!
There are some really strange characters there!

6. ModernMC at Mini Modern because she is drowning in miniature fun! Lucky girl just got the Brinca Dada Emerson dollhouse! I wonder if she is drowning in my drooling? LOL Can't wait to see her build this!

Last but NOT least -

7. Lize at Lizelund. Lize's last post was four months ago! Where is she? Where has she been?
How strange that she just seems to have disappeared!? Where are you Lize? We miss you!!!

Now it's time for all of you to award your strange friends! Have fun!

I Do Declare!

Balsa wood will now and forever be BANNED from my house! I have found no use for it. It splinters. It breaks. It warps. It's GONE!

From now on, I will use basswood or card stock or cardboard for everything I make!

Balsa is just TOO frustrating. The only thing I've ever seen made out of it are little airplanes.


I have no use for those either! Even they break!

Box Cutting

I've been working on my little bed this morning. I finally got the paper bed pattern to scale. Here you can see the bed frame I cut from a cardboard box. So far, so good?

I found more of my linen cross stitch fabric so I can cover the cardboard with that. There may be some tape involved to hold the bed together. I hope I can score the headboard and foot board without them falling apart?

If this one turns out nice I may try making one out of wood? I think the cardboard will be just fine though. My mini people aren't overweight so I won't have to worry about the bed falling apart. :D

Plus, I've got LOTS of cardboard boxes so I can always make another one if this doesn't work.

Sofa and Shopping

Sandy is very tired after going with me on a "quick" trip to Michael's. The first thing she did when we got home was kick off her sandals and stretch out on the new sofa. :D

I still need to find the right feet to finish it off. Maybe something more square? I would also like to make a boxed edge cushion. I've made them before, but never in miniature.

I went to Michael's to get more oatmeal 14ct Aida cloth to make a chair to match the sofa. Sadly, they didn't have what I was looking for. I guess I will have to order some online?

Of course, I couldn't go to Michael's without buying something! Plus, I had a 40% off coupon!


I've been wanting one of these spinning desk top organizers for a long time! I decided that today was the day to get it. :D

It will really help clean up my work area. I've been organizing that a little bit this weekend. I finally have things in the bins I bought weeks ago, but I still have lots to do!

The metal spray paint was 50% off and the beach house roof needs a touch up. I got some wood and one of the last little $1 hutches to bash for my kitchen. I also bought more fabric, pink for the Flamingo Inn. I also found a cute flamingo rubber stamp. :D

I got three bottles of fabric paint too. I'm going to try to make some pillows like this?

Image found online

I read somewhere that you can use bleach on fabric to make designs. I might try that too?

By The Sea Decor

I'm really not good at making miniature pillows! For some reason they look all wonky when I turn them inside out? I clip the corners but still can't seem to get them to look right! Maybe I'll have better luck this time? LOL

Better get back to work before I end up like Sandy, on my big sofa! Shopping is so tiring! I wonder if there is anything good on HGTV this afternoon?

Paper Bed

I know I promised to show you my new sofa, but this bed distracted me. I made one from card stock paper to see if I could make one in miniature.

I really don't think it will be very difficult? I'll need to get more of my linen fabric to cover the frame once it's built.

Back to the sofa. I just have to put the feet on and I'll post a photo later. I really like how it turned out. :D

Hope you have a great day!