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!

A Very French Provincial Touch

I just wanted to show my new miner's couch with very French Provincial cushions this time, I really like them if I do say so myself! I have just listed this in my etsy shop. The cushions are a little bit more fiddly to make in linen as it is quite thick but I love the result, very casual.. The little table hasn't got its drawer knobs yet but will also be listed on etsy when finished. I hope to add more matching accessories too.

Thank you for looking and for all your comments I really appreciate them.

A bientot!

The year so far ...

While enjoying the summer weather with a few trips to the beach or finding respite from the heat in the air conditioning, much of the year so far has been spent catching up with orders over the break and working on some new items for my etsy shop.

It's February already and my shop is almost one year old, I will think up a way to celebrate. Meanwhile here are some pics of my latest listings, as well as some older ones, I hope you like them. PS. I couldn't resist including this cute shot of Puddles, she's over 14 years old but you would never guess, she loves nothing better than basking in the sun, no matter how hot it gets!

A bientot!