Lady of the Night (Not for Nice Ladies!)

You may wonder why, oh! why did I make this little setting? Long story - short version. My large Victorian 8 roomed dolls house, now called Downton Lodge, used to be a house of ill repute, all because I enjoyed the Dolly Parton film, 'The Best Little Whore House in Texas' as the grandchildren started to grow, it had to be changed, for obvious reasons. Rather than dress this one lady, I decided to make her a little setting, where she was having a rest between clients. I took her out on my talks to W.I and other groups, she always created a laugh, a smile or even a gasp, any reaction was welcome.

Items to note, I dressed the porcelain doll in a basque which I stitched onto her, the long bloomers were hand sewn. The tea cosy was knit by a fellow miniatrist who sent it to me for a gift. the Jimmy Shoo shoes were purchased, I say Jimmy Shoo because they were a ridiculous price. I framed the pictures, the other two wall hangings are from brooches. Thanks for your visit, I apologise for there being a week's delay in posting.

Butcher - Mr. E.W.E. Lamb

I purchased Mr. Lamb at a DH fair in York, of course I already had half of the stock for a butcher's shop made. I made all of the meat in the shop with salt dough, except for the sausage on the counter which I bought. There is tripe, lamb, beef, pork and chicken. I made the counter and back bench but bought the butcher's block with knives and meat cleavers. The little dog is so hoping a piece of sausage will fall from the counter. The floor tiles were made by adding in true Blue Peter style, some sticky back plastic to old greeting cards, then cutting them out into squares and laying them in a pettern onto a sheet of plain card. Of course, this is in the era long before food hygiene, Health and Safety laws were in practice. I would so much appreciate you leaving a comment, I am beginning to think there is only little old me looking at my blog.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone, I am taking a few days break.

Auctioneer - Mr. H.I Bidder

Mr. H. I. Bidder the Auctioneer is set in a Box File with the lid removed. The auctioneers is a good place to set the small accessories which I may not have found a place for as yet or sometimes, I acquire items which may not be 1/12th scale. I made his lecturn and a few other items, but in this setting most have been purchased. I've had a busy family weekend, sorry for lack of postings, but don't worry there are still lots more to come. Don't forget as I said in my first posting, I have made these settings over a period of maybe 12 years, they are not overnight wonders. LOL I hope you continue to pop in and have a look at my little treasures.

Dolly Mixtures Sweets and Confectionary

Apologies for missing yesterday, just one of those days when time passed me by. here are 3 pics today to make amends. This shop is a box I bought at a DH Fair at York, many years ago. It is only 4" deep. As soon as I spotted it , I wanted it to be a sweet shop. Please enlarge by clicking on the photos to see the details and close up of the many varieties of sweets and chocolates. I made all of the chocolates in the cabinet, filled many of the jars with hundreds and thousands, by splitting the colours up a long and interesting way to pass the time! LOL I used downloads and adverts from the internet to produce many of the enclosed plus a few special buys to add the final touches. Have fun, see how many sweets you used to enjoy when you were young. The licquorice sherbert dips used to be one of my favourites.

Russel Sprout -Greengrocer

Mrs. Russel Sprout is tending the greengrocer's stall, at the local market. I made the majority of the produce with either Fimo or Sculpey clay. I bought the mushrooms, garlic and cherries they were too fiddly to make. The cauliflowers, bananas and pineapple were fun to make. I bought the stall ready made but made the table at the front. Be sure to click on the picture to get a zoom in to spot all the fruit and vegetables. Thanks for looking, not many comments, but the visitor counter does tell me people are looking for which I am very grateful.

Gentleman's Study

Gentleman's Study - items I made are the letter rack, the plant, green books on a stand, waste paper bin, framed the pictures. The glass cabinet drawers contain specimens of rocks, minerals, butterflies and shells. this is all contained in a box made with MDF which is 4" deep.

Bookworm Shop

The Bookworm Shop is probably one of my favourite room settings, probably because I spent many, many hours, making a total of 396 books, magazines and items of stationery. Miss A Reader is the proprietor, who is adding new books to the shelves. I hope you enjoy enlarging the picture to check out the books, there is something there for everyone's taste.

Downton Lodge - Kitchen Decorated

Please click on the Kitchen above to see the latest up-date in Downton Lodge for I have now completed decorating the kitchen. I will be adding the furniture and accessories later, when more rooms are decorted. I have now started on the dining room above the kitchen.

Ship Inn

The Ship Inn was a find in a charity shop, the original intent of the boat was to be a set of shelves, for I suppose a bathroom. However, I saw it as a Ship Inn. The ground floor has a bar and a few kegs for seats. The weary and thirsty fisherman on his way for a pint was a find in Whitby, obviously out of scale for the boat is probably more in line with 1/24th but I mixed it up. The second floor is the innkeeper's lounge with a rocking chair and set for a cuppa tea. The top floor is his bedroom, under his iron bed is a suitacase which I made with soft leather and an empty box. thanks again for looking at the daily entry.

Floozy Suzie in the Jacuzzi

The Posh Pink bathroom became Floozy Suzie in the Jacuzzi as soon as I added an almost bare doll into the bath and added lots of pearl beads to represent bubbles. Sorry the picture is blurred I hope you can still see the tableau. Look at the hot water bottle in the sink, which I made with Fimo a polymer clay, the stopper took a while to get right. Again you can see some perfume bottles made of glass beads. Thanks to everyone who stops by today to look at the daily entry.

Doctor's Modern Surgery

Following a recent visit to see a GP, how appropriate for me to show you a diarama setting in a modern doctor's surgery. The computer and printer seem to be essential pieces of equipment. Still holding on to some old treatments, this doctor has a botle of live leeches and still likes to mix some of his favourite compounds from the top shelf. Thanks for visiting Dr. I Hurt today.

Picnic Setting

Now for something a little different, a dolls house setting doesn't always have to have walls, sometimes it's relaxing to have a little fun. I bought a few of these partly clad ladies to add some interest to some of the settings. A few of the items of food I made with Fimo, others were puchased, my favourite being the vaccum flask and the pork pie. Thanks for your visit today.

Japanese Room

This came to be after I saw and bought two very cheap Japanese dolls perfect for 1/12th scale. I set them on a piece of wood, with a hand made carpet made from Aida material, the outside walls are covered in kebab sticks to give a bamboo finish. The table was made with bits of balsa wood. The ornaments etc were from beads and bits of stash with a pair of small Oriental figures. The paintings on the wall, are framed pictures from magazines. I'm late today but hope you still have time to pop in to see the day's piece of miniature work.

Pepe Le Pew Perfumery

For those too young to know, there once was a cartoon character, called Pepe Le Pew, he was a flirtatious French skunk who wooed lady skunks. One Christmas I received a larage box, full of toiletries and perfume. I decided to make it into a perfume shop, being a fan of little Pepe, the choice of aname for the shop was an easy choice to make. All the bottles of perfume have been made by adhering various colour and shaped beads together. Th small tables at the front are up-turned polystyrene cups which I believe once held peas from the fish and chip shop. Click on the pic to enlarge to eaxamine the small bottles more closely. Again many thanks for popping in to view my daily entry. If you have missed some, look down the right side to the Labels bar and click what you may have missed. Have a nice day and take care.

Handmade Furniture

This chaise longue and matching armchair were a project in a dolls House World magazine a long time ago. They are made with old greetings card, cereal box card, material and petitie picot braiding. They were once housed in my main dolls house when it was a 'house of ill repute'. The soft padding for the seating is the sponge half of the sponge cleaners you can buy for your dishes. I found a much more interesting use for them. Thanks for your visit today. Tomorrow I will show another setting - wonder what it will be?

Hello and

To three new followers, to Pat R, Blackdragon and to Ascension from Spain - Bienvenido. (Welcome) I am so thrilled at the slow but steady number of followers. I do apprecaite you visiting, for the number of visitors per day is overwhelming. I hope to continue to provide a little light relief for you.

Up-dates

Hi If you click on both the Kitchen and Dining above, there is a short up-date on each. 3/4/11

Gnome's Pot Garden

Today I have chosen to show you Gordan the Gnome's Pot Garden. The inspiration for this garden came, due to two items found in a very short time of each other. The gnome I found in a box, I think from when my kids were small, from a Snow White and 7 dwarfs set. The large teracotta plant pot was found in a garden my OH was clearing. Can you spot the nushroom with the ladybird sat on top? The mushroom was a whisky bottle cap and the dome was the top of a bubble bath bottle. The ladybird was an ear ring. Can you find the hedgehog and the frog ? Tahe pot sits on a tin lid from a biscuit tin. Lots of moss and flowers adorn the inside of the pot. Through the hole at the back I fitted up a wire with small lights, so on a night time the garden lit up. Gordan has assured me in his pot garden no illegal substances were grown. Thanks for popping by.

From this to that!

The black pram is almost in it's original state when I bought it, except I have painted the wheels grey and the handle bars have been painted. I found an article on a DH (Dolls House) magazine, which I felt was a little complicated so I found a much easier way to dress a pram, using my own drawn templates for the various areas I wanted to cover. I wouldn't dream of claiming the pram when altered was similar to a Silver Cross. A small piece of material, a little fine lace some picot braiding and oila! A few broken pieces of jewelry to add the finishing touches. thanks to those who drop by today. I'm adding a new feature on the top bar today so keep an eye out for it. I'll be back tomorrow with something different, don't forget, I am adding something new every day.

Welcome

Hi to my new followers , welcome to my mini property blog, I hope you will all enjoy popping back for a visit for there is something added every day. I hope to see Anna, LiaE Alma and dbutterfly popping in now and again. Thanks ladies.

Lucy's Lace Shop

I'm very late today in adding my daily entry, sorry been inolved with my alter ego real life stuff. This evening I am inviting you to visit the Lace shop ran by Lucy. Inside you'll find lots of lingerie, look on the left and right wall closely and you will see a black and a pink teddy with good support for the boobies supplied by cutting pill blisters in half and covering with lace. The crocheted table cloth in the centre was a swap with a fellow miniaturist buddy. The baby doll is grossly out of scale but she is so pretty. Thanks for visiting again.

Teacher's Locker

One evening at a special 'do' a friend on our dining table won a bottle of Teacher's Whisky, knowing of my passion with miniatures, he removed the bottle, passed the box to me , with the challenge for me to do something with the box, he being a retired school teacher. Some time later developed the Teacher's locker. In the locker are test papers, books, a cup , a shield , box of chalks, a confiscated catupult, a few more confiscated items are in the drawers. I wonder why our Teacher has hidden away a bottle of whisky? Maybe it's for a raffle prize!!

Hello and .........

To all of my followers, a huge welcome to the recent followers on my blog, please feel free to contact me to ask any quetions. I have gained a lot of experience over a long period of time which I am very happy to pass on and share with others. Hello to jankev 10 and to Fiona.

The Cottage Loaf Bakery

The Cottage Loaf Bakery

Showing the pictures now, I will add information later. Thursday afternoons I child mind two of my grandchildren, who presently are exploring little boxes of delights, with a barrage of questions. What is this? What is this for? Where are you going to put this? Concentration is now going back to the little darlings. Phew! they are on their way home. Isn't it wonderful? As a grandparent being able to spend precious time with the little ones but before the day has ended, well fed and nutured they are packed off back to their parents, and peace descends once more to my abode. Back to the bakery. This model was made using salt dough, a cup of salt a cup of flour, however in this case there was more than a cup of each involved. I bought 3 rolls aof aluminum foil to form a huge ball, the salt dough was made, rolled and laid over the huge ball, to form the shape. The dome on top is one almost one roll of foil whith the pastry wrapped around it, I added a collar to secure it to the roof of the main dome. Added a chimney. Off into the oven. I had no idea how long it would take, it took hours and hours. When removing the foil from the main dome, I didn't think about it getting hotter and hotter the deeper into the centre I went. I quickly found out. Ouch!! In my haste I pushed my thumb through the back, which prooves there is such a thing as a 'happy acident', if you look you will see I decorated a window, which was never in my plan, it was to cover the happy accident. It took nearly as long to find a round bread board as it had done to make the thing, but perserverance pays it's rewards. The inside of the model is not my usual 1/12th scale, this is more probably 1/24th. I do hpe you have enjoyed the visit to the Cottage Loaf bakery today. I wonder what I will add tomorrow? Many thanks for visitin, if you can, meaning if your a blogger, please think of leaving either a message,a comment or even a question. I know your visiting, would leave to hear from you.

A Book by Tolstoy

Not sure what the real purpose of this book ever was, maybe for folk with 'loads of money' to hide some away on a bookshelf. For me, being a miniaturist, there was only one thing this book was itended for - to make the inside of Tolstoy's small apartment, whilst home on leave from his last Russian army campaign. Taking pen to paper the saga begins here.............................

On the door the items which are handcrafted are the plates and the small faux books and bookcase. The painting is an actual painting from a swap of may years ago, I do apologise for I didn't record who sent me it, she is beautiful, isn't she? Inside the room, I made, the bookshelf, table, chair, waste basket . The family portraits are stuck in buttons. The ink well on the table was once two necklace beads. The lower section below the dado rail is the original box, the wall paper, above, is of the William Norris period.

Downtown Lodge

Through the night, another 3 hours only, of sleep. I added a number of pages to my blog. Downtown Lodge, Kitchen, Lounge, Dining Room, Study/Library, Hall, Bathroom and Attic bedrooms. I will be recording the events of the decorating and development from the shell it is now to hopefully, a beautiful house full of accessories and characters. Your unable to leave comments on the additional pages but I will add a little reminder, on this main page, for you to pop over whenever I add any developements. Wednesday 30/03- Work has started in the kitchen, click on the bar above to see what has been going on. 31/03 - I've sorted out how to make the Welsh slate floor tiles I want for the kitchen. One of those Eureka! moments. A teaser pic tonight, tomorrow I promise more details and a pic.

Good morning and..........

To my recent followers, I am so thrilled you have become a follower, whenever you need a few minutes to relax, just grab a cuppa or a glass, whatever takes your fancy, pull up a chair and click your way through my properties. A warm welcome today to Joyce at Stockton, Patsy in Doncaster, Kim R and Michelle in Skipton. I will be popping back to post today's winner for the blog. Happy reading and relaxing.

The Country Kitchen

The Country Kitchen was chosen to be displayed today. In real life it's already starting to look bare, the lady is now on e-bay, with some Washing Day accessories. Some feelings of sadness, now they are starting to depart. I posted off 3 little sets yesterday, however, that's what it's all about. Hopefully someone else can have as many years of pleasure as I have. What can I tell you of the kitchen? The bought items are interesting, but for me the handmade ones always have special memories. On this setting, I made the chair the lady is sitting on, the wooden stool with the woven seat, it took forever! The joint of meat from salt dough. the pastry on the table and the cherry pie in the making. The kitchen floor tiles, were made from painting onto old greetings cards with matt emulsion teracotta match pots. thanks for looking, and for your comments and yes, any questions just fire away.

Teaser Time...............

Still to come ................................... Lady of the Night having a rest. ***Rosy Lee Gypsy Tells All ***Victorian Doctor's Surgery ***Lady Chatterly meets Mellors ***Dolly Mixtures - Confectioner's ***Tolstoy -War and Peace - Begins Here ***The Cottage Loaf Bakery ***Miss Tique Market Stall ***Russell Prouts Market Stall ***The Witch's Kitchen ***The Toy Shop ***Tudor Times **The Chapel **Flora's Flowers and there's more........... Are you beginning to understand my problem about space and how I have just got to downsize?

Hello and ........................

To my newest blog followers and regular followers. A special hello and welcome to Sonja, Niketa, Ange Lee and Lizzybobs. Sending a warmest welcome to those who aren't bloggers but who I know are popping in to have a look. Pull up a chair, grab a cream cake from yesterday and enjoy your visit. I'll be back later. I left a poll on Do Crafts ATC forum yesterday, for them to choose which I will display today, so later today I will be displaying either a Country Kitchen, Pepe Le Pew Perfumery or a Teacher's Locker. If your around and want to join in the poll, add in the comments which you'd like me to display today.

Sweet Treat?

The bakery counter

Shortbread & Chocolate Chip Buns Spot the Hot Cross Buns.

Come on in and grab a cup of tea or coffee, welcome, to honour my new visitors, we have a professional cook and I guess ladies who can't resist a nice piece of cake. Plenty here to tempt you. It's maybe easier for me to say I didn't make the pink cake with roses, the apple pie, or 3 fancies in the centre of the top row. The remainder have been made with mostly Sculpey which is a polymer clay, which comes in hundreds of colours, is shaped and baked. Not an ounce of sugar was included in the making , nor may I add are there any calories in any of my food. Enjoy, to name a few there are carrot cake, gingerbread men, cherry slices, custard slices, coffee kisses, cream buns and cream horns. Any questions just pop them in the comments and I'll get in touch.

Welcome to new followers

Many thanks to my new followers from the past few days, I am so pleased to say Hi to

Carol V, Alison, and Kathleen from Scotland, Janet C. - Yorkshire, Sandra from Australia and to Cherrywood Miniatures. I would also like to say Hi to those who don't have blogs but are still popping in for a visit. I may not know you all, so if I don't give you a mention then send me an e mail and let me know. so, hi to Sheila C, Denmo and Pat. Now what little treasure can I show today to honour my new visitors?

Miranda the Mermaid

The sea bed is a piece of miniature carpet which was painted and sawdust scattered onto glue to give it texture, then again spray painted. The walls were made by splodge painting with various colours a number of the plain side of old greetings cards, then cut into squares with the corners rounded off, I stuck small sea shells randomly over the walls. There is a green net slung over the top which has a dolphin (pre a key-ring) and a pair of gold coloured fish (pre-ear rings) hanging in the net. The treasure chest was made with card and lollipop sticks, filled with pieces of old broken jewellry. The sea bed is adorned with pieces of wood, old broken jewellry, pot pourri from friends, shells of various sizes, many from charity shops. miranda is a Katy Sue doll, I made her wig. The legs have been placed in another setting, she didn't need them, for I made her an irredescent fish tail which suits her rather well. Thanks for looking, I welcome any comments.

Scottish Baronial Hall.

To honour three of my followers who live in Scotland, I am sharing with you my Scottish Baronial Hall. I made this shortly after a visit to Blair Athol castle near Pitlochry. It is housed in a room box. If there is anything you wish to know please leave in comments.

The tartan carpet took a while to find, it was a pinafore dress in a charity shop, cut to size and the perfect thickness for carpet. The painted display swords were originally 70's style cocktail sticks. I made the golf bag with a piece of lovely soft leather. The bagpipes were not an easy project but I was delighted with the final result. The canon, left of the fire and the suit of armour to the right of the fire are both pencil sharpeners. The breast plate was once a take away container.

Welcome to my followers

Wow! I'm thrilled, only a few days, a few items and I have 5 lovely followers. Thanks to you all.
Hello to Irene in Edinburgh, Lyndi, in Ayrshire, what a shock eh? How did we never mention our other passion in life? Sylvia in Netherlands, Jackie in Edinburgh and Debbie in Wales.
I am hoping not to disappoint the experienced and obvious very talented ladies.
Lyndi I need to know what WIP is it? Please send me a pic or two, maybe as an attachment, I'll add my e mail on this blog. Once again welcome and thanks ladies.

A Wine Box?

I bought this cheap wine box from Yorkshire Trading, as soon as I saw it, I could imagine the inside being a part of a vineyard cellar. I decorated the walls with torn paper mache egg cartons, painted them, I tried to dirty them but that didn't work too well. Made and added some balsa shelves. The contents were all bought over a period of maybe, two years at 4 trade events, adding pieces to add to the project. Unusually for me, there are no hand crafted items. I welcome any comments or questions.

The Gentleman's Library

For no reason let me start with one of my earlier and certainly a dear old favourite of mine, the Gentleman's Library. I bought the frame for only a few pounds it is fitted to an MDF box, which is 4" deep x 12" wide. I made 135 books by cutting pieces of wood, painting the edges, then covering them in either card, paper or leather. There is a butterfly case on the right side wall, with paper butterflies. A world map on the left side of the wall. I also made the chair, footstool, green pouffe and flower arrangements. The gentleman was bought dressed, I never did master making the men's trouser's fit correctly. I purchased the dog and painted him, he is cast metal.
I made the plant stand with two buttons and 3 painted cocktail sticks. i do hope you like my first item on my new blog. I would greatly appreciate any comments or questions. For I also would love to be able to pass on any hints, tips or information to anyone who maybe is just starting .

Hello - Welcome to my blog

Why am I opening this blog? The reason may seem sad but I don't feel sad about it. Being a dolls house collector and mini maker for over 15 years, due to a sudden illness, my obsession with my mini property came to an abrupt end. My husband and I have since downsized to a smaller home. I have now fully recovered but during my recuperation became obsessed with paper crafts which still takes up a lot of my time. My blogs will be in the side bar soon. Much of my knowledge and skills I gathered in the miniature world have been transferred to paper crafts. Now I am in a situation where our smaller house has two bedrooms stuffed to the rafters with dolls houses, dolls shops, room boxes along with my paper craft materials. My house has become difficult to move in. So, I have come to a HUGE decision. I am going to make every effort to downsize on my mini properties. No, don't worry this is not going to be a for sale blog. This is going to be my record for prosperity of my property before it either goes on E-bay, or is donated to a charity shop, or given to any group who are interested. I have looked at some of the dolls hosue blogs and am so thrilled to see it is still a popular hobby, there was such a thriving community when I was involved. For many years I was invited to speak at ladies meetings, which I have only recently stopped doing. I plan on sharing my properties with as many bloggers out there in the dolls house land I can find, so my little treasures will not be forgotten. The day will come, hopefully not for at least 20 or so years, when I know, for whether a joke or not, my sons will probably either sell it on E bay or put it in a skip. I have the next ensuing years to see they are at least somewehre in blogland. Thanks for reading this far.............if you did! LOL