More welcomes and some vintage luggage

One of my friends bought this beautiful thing on ebay and had it shipped to Australia. I'm the current custodian (long story) until we can get it on it's final leg to her house (10 minute drive away - no rush :D). I just love it but would never have room for one so of course I decided to make one in mini for Mrs Hollyhock - Mr Hollyhock will get a different model eventually but their house has the same problem as mine and even at 1:12 scale they take up a lot of space in a tiny house! 

My mini version

I love compartments!

Now to introduce and welcome some more followers:

Marlene from Somerset House is busily working and modifying her DHE Montgomery Hall using quality materials which is looking pretty well perfect plus being filled with wonderful handmade treasures from her clever fingers. Marlene also has a cross stitch/craft blog Poppy Patchwork where you can see more of her creations. I was her lucky 200th follower so will also have a gorgeous Marlene rug for my house. Thank you!

Maria Ireland is another who likes to create her own furnishings and accessories, with new and recycled materials and using what comes to hand with marvellous results. I've only seen one room of her pretty dolls house so far but can say that she risks being over run by  delightful friendly looking bears in her real home!

You will find Carmen busily crafting away at My Little Escape. Her little accessories and furnishings are delightful and I was especially delighted to come across her 'room in a lantern' as I had done one for a friend's birthday earlier this year. Lots of lovely and clever ideas here.

I can't find a blog for you, Ana Camara so welcome and please get in touch with details if you are blogging.

If you are looking for unusual minis, visit Craftland where you will find unique items such as 12th scaled cardboard egg cartons and tiny waffles plus unique and very small polymer handbags. She is also expert at finding the perfect items at fleamarkets!

Cris Colas  works in all scales and is full of things she has created with tips on how you can create the same. Her grandmother is equally creative, crocheting the sweetest tiny blankets and pillows for Cris.

Maria I. shares fascinating histories told in a romantically poignant fashion in Miniature city. Queen Victoria, Dickens, Robert Louis Stevenson and more are all covered here. For more of her artwork, with workshops of how she achieves these, visit miniarte dementeamano. 

Congratulations Maria Luisa for the special occasion which has just taken place in your life! Maria loves all things mini and has the most stunning collection made by friends and family. Tears nearly came to my eyes when I saw the exquisite wedding scenes - both real and mini. May you have much happiness.

Ingrid's blog, my dream world is exactly as it sounds. From the tiny stars following the cursor it is full of pretty and romantic things which Ingrid has made based on her love of French brocante. One of those really lovely blogs that looks so effortless but it's effects so hard to achieve.

I always feel uplifted after seeing so much talent and beauty.  
Welcome to you all and I hope you enjoy my projects as well. I'm not being allowed to follow anyone right now, so will be back to visit and add myself to your lists.

Welcome also to my newer followers. I will introduce you next time I blog. 

Lots of welcoming to do!

My followers have returned so while I can see you, I'll grab the chance to say welcome and introduce you to my other followers.  With lots of internet problems happening, I switched recently to Chrome rather than Firefox and while I am missing a few things from Firefox, I am loving the automatic translation offered on each Chrome page!

Beginning most recently is Melissa with her projects of varying scales. Her fabric creations, clothing and hats are inspirational and even more impressive when you realise that she scales them down from real life patterns. She is lucky to have a creative father as well who makes furnishings for her.

Next is Tony of Miniature Treasures. The work of this recent comer to miniatures has to be seen to be believed! I hope he doesn't mind, I am borrowing a pic from his blog as an example. Even more impressive is that his creations are made from timber from authentic tudor buildings and in his blog you will see photos of the building. He has finely polished detailed pieces as well which you can't believe are miniatures.


Eliana at terrados gigantes creates lovely homely scenes with perfectly detailed accessories - her tomatoes have to be seen to be believed. I haven't been able to translate this blog, but with so many pictures to admire, words aren't really necessary. I loved her real life cat pics as we also had a much loved ginger darling who would hide in boxes exactly as her cat does.

I think Snowfern must have a dollshouse as she has some lovely miniatures. I need to keep reading, but that isn't any hardship because what does feature on her blog are photos and photos of some of the most stunning miniature creations by other artisans (all correctly acknowledged) If you ever need some inspiration but can't be bothered googling, visit this blog!

Georgie Steeds doesn't show up with a blog, but I know that she has one because I linked to it 2 posts ago! She is the creator of stunning flower kits - her snowdrops featuring in the aforementioned post with her link.

To catch up with the Merriweather family, you will need to visit Lilac Hill.  Here Viv, an ex high fashion model,  is renovating her family home (with some help from Caraloo I suspect). It is looking charming and I wouldn't mind relaxing in the gazebo with them.

Jeanette Fishwick also appears blogless although her baby doll in her avatar is a tantalising hint that she has some lovely pieces to show.

The food at Valentina's mini bonbons is to die for! Lots of sweet and sugary confections for the afternoon tea table as well as savouries for yummy meals. These are not limited to your dolls house either - you can enjoy this food all day as earrings or other pieces of jewellery and can be found in her etsy shop.




Haid doesn't have a blog at this point either but you can follow her story of the making of a classic Australian home being lived in and decorated in contemporary style (and it is stylish!) at Somerville House at the Dolls House Emporium

Sonya has a collection of ongoing houses at cannella E Melograno most recent posts featuring gorgeous homely shabby style accessories and furnishings for her American house and a good amount of international travel squeezed in as well.

Teruka and Helen also don't seem to have blogs.

I really enjoyed seeing Narina's bits and pieces although the translator wasn't as proficient with Finnish as could be desired. She is building a dollshouse from cardboard in the same way that we used to when I was a child (and the way I believe children should still be making them, rather than being presented with a completed project requiring no creative input). Her house is far more professional than the ones I remember making  though and I wouldn't have realised it's humble origins had I just seen the first few pictures!


Oh no! My computer overheated and this was all that was saved  :(.

It's still warm, so I will continue when I can get back with my other welcomes.

Have a lovely week.

Baby, it's cold outside

But it is lovely and cosy inside Hollyhock Cottage now that we have 2 working fireplaces. (That is if you ignore the total absence of an entire front wall and half a roof)

To make this a quick post because I won't get to it otherwise, I  finally have something I can show off after having been pottering for ages on lots of bits that lead nowhere.

This fire is in the sitting room and has borrowed from another favourite author - LM Montgomery from her 'Anne' series with a set of green spotted Staffordshire dogs " Gog looks to the right and Magog to the left" supplied by my favourite phoenix model developments ready for painting.

This fire was exciting to light  as it was assembled using a flickering led kit from Evan Designs and it actually flickers spasmodically! Rest your head horizontally on a cushion for comfortable viewing:

The bedroom fire is a bit less exciting being lit only by an orange led for a warm glow but it is cosy and still a thrill

All the bits, apart from those mentioned and the sitting room andirons which I bought last year on offer from my beloved Dolls House Emporium (and also on offer this month for 85p!), were made by myself from what I had to hand - cardboard, twigs etc. I enjoyed the challenge of seeing what I could make do with. Next post will be the floor which follows the same recycling theme:

Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without! 

Welcome to all my new and invisible followers. One day we will catch up.

Must go - work has bellowed for my presence and this computer is possibly breathing it's last few gasps.

Cheers, Christine