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It's been a while since my last post and a lot has happened. I have been selling some of my work on etsy, doing a bit of renovating (a lot more needed!) and now we are working on a new range of minis. We have a small laser cutter and Brad has spent a lot of time learning how to use it. We started with some paper box kits and have just launched our first piece of wooden furniture. I particularly love the Nordic style of decorating and some of the more simple designs are ideal for our purposes. We hope to add more soon. I would love to have them in our 1/1 house but will have to settle for 1/12th!

You might notice I still have my old photo on my profile, standing on the beach near where we lived on the NSW central coast. It is so full of memories and not the least, where I enjoyed taking my beautiful golden cocker, Ollie. I think I look a lot younger there (feeling old), so I will leave it there for now, haha.


  Some pics to share. A bientot!

Still Here!

It has been a long absence and I notice many other bloggers have gone quiet, where have you all gone. Thought I would post the first of my miniatures in over a year! After a big move back to my home state Tasmania, into an old house in much need of repair, I finally found the inspiration to start creating again. While my life-size house is still a bit of a mess, I find respite in creating something beautiful (at least I hope you agree, lol).
I love beautiful beds and have tried to give them character in 1/12th scale. Let me know what you think. As usual they are listed in my etsy shop which has also been quiet for a loooong time.
A bientot!

Time for Bed

Having admired canopy beds for so long, I finally, after many adjustments and re-starts, completed a canopy for my little bed. This one is dressed with silk, vintage rayon and old laces and trims, and is more 'dressy' than usual. I think the dressed table would go nicely with it. I am running out of the tassell trim which I bought at a doll show a couple of years ago, don't know if I can get more.
I would really enjoy making a bedroom roombox with a bed like this, but that would be an ongoing project, verrry ongoing, lol.
Hope everyone is doing well, haven't been around on blogger for some time (is it really that long? where does the time go). I am inspired to do some things for Christmas, so had better get cracking!
A bientot!

Christmas Greetings

I hope you are all having a joyous Christmas, hugs from downunder.

She's Grown!

Look at those muddy paws, amazingly Lily dries off and looks (almost) perfectly clean in no time, lol. She is still a bit of a terror but so cute and lively, a bit spoilt I must admit too. Taking her to agility training this week, will see how she takes to it.

Also thought I would share my latest bedroom suite, which is now sold. I love this Bespaq suite it is so nicely detailed. I will be doing one in white for another client and look forward to seeing how it looks, will post a pic of it when done.

I hope everyone in the northern hemisphere has been enjoying your summer, we have been shivering through a rather cold winter for us, around 15 deg celsius on average, but yesterday it was 28 deg locally. We took Lily to a new beach we hadn't visited before, it is beautiful. There is a recently built surf lifesaving clubhouse, with attached restaurant on the first floor, while downstairs a nice cafe with lots of outdoor tables, and best of all it is pooch friendly. It was very popular, should have taken some pics. There is new landscaping still being constructed so we look forward to seeing it all finished. I feel Spring is in the air, now I can come out of my semi-hibernation, lol.

A bientot!

Lily White

I would like you to meet the newest member of the family, the sweet little cocker spaniel who has completely stolen our hearts. I caught her after a nap and took this shot while she was still waking up, hehe.

She is mostly white, which is quite unusual, we saw a pic of her in a group and she looked just white, but has developed some freckles and coloured ears, and speckly legs. She was the last of the litter to sell but we would have chosen her anyway, we didn't want another golden as Ollie was our golden boy, do like the be blue roans too though. I had forgotten just how time-consuming bringing up puppy can be. Just like her great-great-great uncle Ollie, she is part crocodile with razor sharp teeth so I am sporting more than a few wounds to the hands and ankles but I think she is already learning 'NO'.

Needless to say there hasn't been much mini making this week, but I will get back into it as I have a few projects to get cracking on. Not the least of which is preparing some things for the upcoming Sydney Miniatures Fair in early May where I will again be sharing a table with Norma of Make Mine Mini
Must have more things finished than I had last year and hopefully have my Greenleaf Orchid kit house completed and on display, or possibly for sale.

I have gotten a bit behind at seeing what everyone is doing here, Facebook is very addictive too and I find myself spending way to much time on it. I shall enjoy checking out all your latest projects here, and as I mentioned before Christmas, it is time for a giveaway, just deciding what that will be.

Thanks for stopping by and welcome new followers.

A bientot!

I've Made My Bed ...

Welcome to any new followers and nice to see you all here. We are well into the New Year already, hope it will be a good one for all of us.
This is my latest pink bed made to order, at last I was able to retrieve the original design for the bed ends which is my favourite. This is a very pretty bed and has a bit of a French look about it I think. Would be lovely in an olde worlde bedroom, French or whatever. I can make more pink chests of drawers with mirror if anyone wants them also.
Need to catch up on blog postings, I am sure I've missed lots of goodies, my internet has been so slow it wasn't worth trying to do much, seems a bit faster now, can't wait until we get broadband connection.
I am about to get back to working on my little Greenleaf Orchid kit, I started making changes to the windows then came to a halt, unable to decide whether to change them completely or not. I think they will be a bit smaller than the originals but have to work out how to go about it as I've never done much building before. I might have some pics to show before too long. Then of course there is the dreaded **wiring**. Never done that before either, we'll see how I go.
That's all for now,
A bientot!

Christmas Greetings!

Wishing you all the Happiest Christmas 2014!
I have just spent some time preparing a lovely image only to find there was some sort of error, oh well, must learn more about Photoshop!
Thanks to all new and long-time followers, I know I promised a give-away before Christmas but RL got in the way, but I will definitely have one early in the New Year.
Warm wishes to everyone this Festive Season and Happy Holidays!
A bientot!

New 'Antique' beds ...

I finally got around to finishing some bedding for the two 'antique' beds I have been working on and which are now listed in my etsy shop.
I decided on traditional white linen for both, with some lace to soften the effect. The coverlets started out as small table napkins, a group of six I uncovered at a recent doll show. How lucky was that, just the right size to fit my beds! I made an extra lace coverlet for the top and covered two pillows in matching lace. A sepia printed crown pillow finishes off this one quite nicely I think.

A bientot!

Finishing Touches

I thought I would show my settee with the floral silk cushions which I think finish it off really well. This one is now sold but I hope to make another, if not exactly the same (the settee is now out of stock :(  ) then another along similar lines. I would love to have the skills to carve the wood myself.


I am thinking of a giveaway before Christmas, stay tuned.
A bientot!

New Settee

Still working on sofas and this style is one of my favourites. I painted this one a slightly aged greyish white and covered it with an also slightly aged, linen as I didn't want it to look too new. I think this style is quite versatile and could suit a French salon or an English country house, or even a townhouse.
I love re-inventing this style of furniture. Looks so comfortable too.
Welcome newcomers and long-time followers, thanks for stopping by.
A bientot!

More Chateau Chic

I must say I really like how this one turned out, it really could have been found in an old French chateau,(wouldn't I just love the opportunity to fossick about in one!).
I am undecided about what cushions to place on it, I have some lovely little silk printed fabric and I will be adding them soon. Meanwhile it is for sale in my etsy shop.
A bientot!

Going Upmarket

Hi everyone, Long time no post. This is the latest chair I have been working on, based on a Bespaq chair I purchased. There was much indecision about what fabric to re-cover it with and I finally chose this silk I printed a while ago. I wanted the chair to look somewhat aged but with the silk remaining in good condition.
What do you think?
I may work on another chair with similar upholstery and maybe even a settee, then I think I will go back to the more contemporary look of linens for a while.
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend, we are about to head out to the beach to see the surf, should be impressive as it is quite windy here, though still warm.
A bientot!

National Cat Day

It is National Cat Day in Australia so I thought another pic of Lucy would be appropriate. Turns out she is quite compliant to modelling hats, I wonder what else might suit her, will have to explore further.

Also, my latest furniture, this settee and chair are upholstered in silk, with an Aubusson-like print on the back panel. I mixed the fabrics around for an informal look, what do you think?

Hope you are all having a happy and creative week.
A bientot!

I Love Lucy ...

 Lucy is our new fur baby, rescued from the local RSPCA. She is so pretty with very pale tortoiseshell markings, her eyes are outlined in black then white. A rather plump kitty, so different to our lovely Puddles, but loves to rub and snuggle. We were lost without any animals around the house and are so glad we found her, she is a happy little soul.

No new minis to show at the moment but I am working on it.
Thanks for dropping by.
A bientot!

Louis Style Settee Finished

Finally got around to finishing the French settee by adding the tiny armrests and cushion. I love the soft colours of the fabric, just slightly faded looking. I need to finish the two matching chairs. The settee is now in my etsy shop.

It is Spring here in the southern hemisphere, and after lots of rain we finally have had some sunshine the last few days. It is warming up slowly and flowers are blooming, the best time of the year.
Welcome to new followers and thanks to all who have continued to visit my 'quiet' blog. Hope there will be more to show you soon.

Until then,
A bientot!

Shabby Chateau

Finally I got around to finishing these pieces I started some time ago. Amidst all my computer woes and not being able to access my images, I haven't been able to do much in the way of miniatures, except of course following what you are all doing. Then I pulled myself together to finish off this pretty lady's desk and chair.

I just decided to paint a frame to sort of match, which could easily display a mirror or a portrait in coordinating colours. This will go into a new section of my Etsy shop called, you guessed it - Shabby Chateau.
This is for furniture that looks a little grander than Shabby Chic, with hints (or lots) of faux gilding. More to come. I hope you like it.

A bientot!

A Quick Hello ...

It has been a while but I have been trying to follow most of your posts which I enjoy immensely and thought I would show my new 'old' French bed. I have just placed a couple of plain pillows and an antique handkerchief over it to resemble bedding while I decide how I should dress this one. I have painted it an old, creamy grey colour with 'chipped' gilding on the embellishments. It will go into my etsy shop when finished.

I hope everyone in the northern hemisphere is enjoying a fabulous summer, it has only been chilly here during July in my opinion, and will start to warm up again next month. I look forward to Spring!
A bientot!

Renovations

Well, not exactly, I thought I would try some furniture in my little house I am building. It is the Orchid kit by Greenleaf. I loved Flora's lacasadellebambolediflora.blogspot.com and Kim's kimsminiatures.blogspot.com so much I had to buy one. This is my very first experience in building a house from a kt and I must admit, without the help of my cleverer half Brad here and there, it probably would not have gone together so neatly! There have been a few hitches and it is nowhere near finished but I hope to get back to working on it again soon.

Meanwhile I thought I would try some of the furniture I was trying to finish for the Sydney Miniatures Fair, some of it still not glued together fully but hardly noticeable for the pics. I will show pics of the house when I get back to working on it too. Not sure what style I am after but old, shabby chic appeals. I am thinking I will have to make windows but need one of those Easy Cutters, not sure what brand is the best, any suggestions welcome. I cannot cut a straight line with a saw so it would have to be an improvement. And not sure whether to go with the attic windows that come with the kit, or all of the trim. Lots of decisions, but for my first house it is probably advisable to go with the supplied fittings. I was also trying to get the house ready for the Fair but greatly underestimated the work involved! I really got hooked on it though and found it hard to stop. Somehow I don't think this will be the last kit, or house I build.

Thank you all who commented on the loss of our pets, it is still really hard not having them around but getting easier.
Welcome to all new followers, I enjoy visiting all your blogs too when time allows, your creativity is so inspiring.

A bientot!

Hello and New Items

Hello followers, I have been absent but not idle, I have some new beds that I didn't quite get ready for the Sydney Miniatures Fair. Well, I still haven't decided on bedcovers so I guess they still aren't completely finished.

I love this new toile fabric, it is a soft beige background with a light blue design. The pink versions have been really quite popular and I am hoping these will be too.

And following on the blue theme, I have just finished this little 'marble top' washstand that I will list in my shop too.

I wish a warm welcome to new followers and hope everyone is having a wonderful Autumn/Spring, depending on which hemisphere you are in.
A bientot!