I've officially decided I love House of Miniatures kits!  :D  If you finish an antique piece in a more modern color scheme and update the hardware, you end up with something that works well in a contemporary setting.  It's like thrifting in mini! Here'… more »

Marlene sent me a beautiful set of gifts for being the 100th follower of her blog Somerset House.  A very generous gift! She sent me tea towels, a bed cover and hat that she made.  Her friend made the tatting and the cushion. click image to enlarge… more »

Ok, minor setback on the cross stitch rug.  I finished the red border and began filling in the center with DMC 712, which was supposed to be cream.  I barely stitched a full corner when the color went from vanilla cream to flat tan.  Bleh!  I expected th… more »

I've always admire people who work in 1:144 scale.  The pieces are so tiny and the slightest goof is so magnified.  When I see a truly marvelous work in 1:144 scale, I am just in awe!  :D Interestingly enough, even though the houses are so small, the k… more »

I have been painting trims, windows, doors, railings, etc. with white paint for the past few days since  I last posted.  It's time consuming work, but it is worth it in the end.  I am awaiting a few supplies as well, so it's also kept me busy. The othe… more »

I attended the Tom Bishop Show in Chicago last April and picked up two Bonnie Lavish flower kits while there: red dahlias and black-eyed Susans.  I finally took out the kits and gave the flowers a try. click image to enlarge The kit makes six dahlias… more »

I had originally planned to follow the same method that I used for the Baslow Ranch single bed but decided to fake the mattress with foam core board as I had done with the box spring.  I tried dressing the mattress I had made for Baslow Ranch, and it did… more »

I bought a Daisy House full bed kit before I knew I had the knack for scratch building more complex furniture, but I still like it and think it was worth it.  :D  The wood in the kit was high quality, and it went together beautifully.  The kit even comes… more »

I started building the furniture for the guest room.  For the bedside table, I used a House of Miniatures candle stand kit.  It came from a set of two; I had used the other for Baslow Ranch. click image to enlarge I hadn't thought much about artwork… more »

Today I received the beautiful minis I won in Glenda's giveaway.  Hurray!  They are fantastic.  The journal is made of the softest leather and opens.  The baskets are so cute...I can't wait to fill them.  And, lastly, the rug has amazing texture.  She ma… more »

The paper here is Amplified Pop Chart by American Crafts.  I originally bought it for another room but decided to use it here instead.  It has a striped texture reminiscent of beadboard paneling.  The paper isn't permanently attached yet since I'm still… more »

For the Greenleaf 2010 Spring Fling, I made a mattress from scratch for the House of Miniatures bed.  I started with fabric that came looking old and stained. I cut two base pieces of fabric measuring 3 1/2" by 6 1/4" figuring in a 1/4" seam allowance… more »

The two remaining areas on the second floor are the hallway leading to the guest room and the master bedroom.  Here's the basic layout for the master bedroom. click image to enlarge None of this furniture is permanent; the pieces are just placeholder… more »

I am back from my vacation and ready to get back to the Newport!  I did manage to work on the altered Janet Granger rug while away.  At 69 3/4 hours, the entire design is done!  :D click image to enlarge Now comes the long process of filling in the b… more »

I have some exciting holiday plans coming up, so I won't be online much.  To that end, I leave you with an update on the needlework project.  I am now at 53 hours of work...phew!  Just about done with the design and then it will be on to filling in the b… more »

The last time I posted about planning the master bath, I had only some vintage bath fixtures to use.  Now, I have most of what I wanted for the room. I am using a modern bathtub and toilet from a set I bought from a supplier in the UK.  The rya rug was… more »