I've been away so long....

Busy with work and kids and not much time for anything else.  I've been buzzing through the miniature blog world trying to catch up with everybody.  So many inspiring projects to see.  I was really missing working on my dollhouses.

Last week, I cleaned up my work space and have been working on finishing all the little details of the 1930's glam townhouse.  Here is the bar cart for the living area.  It was fun to put together.  The cart itself was a kit.  The little casters actually work.  Such fun!  

Hope to make more time for miniatures and exploring the miniature blog world.  Hopefully you'll see more from me soon!

Practical Magic House in Miniature

One of my favorite films (and books) of all time is Practical Magic from Alice Hoffman's book of the same name.  It came out in 1998 and starred Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.  It was the first DVD I owned (before I even had a DVD player) and I've re-watched too many times to count. -

I love many things about the movie, the themes of sisterhood, family, friendships, love, Aidan Quinn the setting, the costumes, the magic but most of all I love the house.

Back of the house. Photo: Amas Veritas

When I bought the Victorian Stucco Cottage off of Craiglist a year ago, my first thoughts were of the that magical house.

As I'm finishing up the Glam Townhouse, my thoughts once again returned to the Practical Magic House.  Of course I can't wait, so I've done some research.  I watched the film again! The wonderful blog Hooked on Houses has a great breakdown and photos of the house.  She has even posted a real life kitchen that was designed based on the movie kitchen.   There is also a lovely site dedicated to the movie, Amas Veritas, which has more great photos and even elevations of the house that was built for the movie.  From these sites I learned of a spread in October 1998's Victoria Magazine and was able to find a copy on Ebay for have as my very own!

My house won't be an exact replica of the house in the film.  More of an "inspired by" house.  I love, love, love the kitchen...

Photo: Amas Veritas

 Especially, the Aga Stove...

Photo: Amas Veritas

 I also love the Conservatory off the kitchen, where the Aunts grow their herbs...

Photo: Amas Veritas

Photo: Amas Veritas

I have this  Houseworks gazebo on hand which I'm hoping to turn into the conservatory...

This weekend I pulled out the kit and started work on the foundation.  The kit included some magic stone which was easy to apply and seems to have worked despite being 30 years old.

The kit is from S/W Crafts in the early eighties.  They are no longer around and it is hard to find information from on the web.  When I bought this kit, I also bought a S/W Crafts kit called the Lakeside Manor.  From what little I can find on the web, they also used to make the house from the musical "Annie" and a version of the Fantasy Island TV Show house (if you were a child of the 70's in the US you'll know the show I'm talking about!

This is made of pine and MDF.  First kit I've put together that isn't a Greenleaf kit.  Much, much heavier and huge!  Who knows where I'll put it but it will be fun to make.

Lovely miniatures, Lucky me...

In December, I was the winner of not one but two lovely giveaways.  One from Rosanna of La Stanza di Giuggiola and one from Deborah of Petit.

During the bustle of Christmas, I had forgotten all about them so it was a pleasure when they arrived within a day of each other just after Christmas.

Rosanna gave me a few pillows to chose from.  The one that I choose, fits perfectly into the Daydream Cottage...

The number 2 Unicorn horn was my choice from Deborah's beautiful Collection. For now it is in the Daydream Cottage, but I've always wanted to do a "Practical Magic" type witches house.  It may have to be next on my list...

Thank you to you two talented women.   The tiny details are amazing.

Caterina's Holiday Swap

For the second time I participated in Caterina's Holiday Swap.  I received my swap gift from Antonia at Minicositas.  She makes beautiful food and these treats are no exception.  Thank you Antonia!

My swap gift went to Eliana of Terros dos Gigantes:

Thank you Caterina for organizing!

Happy Holidays and this and that...

Happy Holidays!

My son wanted a tree for his house, so I threw this one together for him.  It's made out of evergreen piper cleaners.

Miniature Nativity Scene from Michael's craft store Ornaments

A wonderful picture that my son drew for me after my last post.

A car from Napa's Candlelight tour of Craftsman homes.

Where was I?...

After fall cleaning the Daydream Cottage and working on the Halloween House, I turned back to the 1930's Glam  Townhouse.

I pulled out all the things I've been accumulating and did a rough setup.  

The vanity...

 The coffee table...

The bed...

Eveline Bay in her evening gown...

There were a lot of failed attempts at bias cut gowns.  She'll have to live with this one until I've had a little more practice.

The windows...

The Facade...

I'm inspired to get this finished.  I haven't even touched the fourth floor attic space.  I'm ready to move on to new adventures....

Daydream Cottage - Fall Cleaning

The poor Daydream Cottage has been sitting neglected in the middle of my workroom collecting dust.  I was going to landscape but I think that will have to wait.  It had become sort of a dollhouse junk room  collecting bits and pieces.  I spent the afternoon removing and dusting everything then putting everything back securely with museum wax.  Adding things here and there to make it homey.  I then covered the back with a fabric dust cover. 

Before moving it up to the top of a bookshelf,  I took some pictures of it freshened up...

Though it will always be my first baby, it will stay atop the bookshelf while some other things get finished and started!