Antique Collecting

This is what I have been doing lately. I love old leather chairs that look like they have been lovingly cared for over many years, even if they are showing signs of wear. This brown 'leather' wingback has lighter shades from wear here and there, giving it a warm, mellow glow, and it even has a few spots where the leather is wearing thin. I think it has more character than it had originally, but didn't get a before shot. You can just see the burr walnut whatnot next to it, I need to collect some pretty 'antique' china and silver to display on it. I have also been making some cushions, will post a better photo when I have one, and sewing some delicate summer lace-trimmed throws. 

There's also a re-do of the walnut dressing table, have lost count of how many layers are on it now. I'll show it soon, along with the matching mirror I acquired. I am still playing with faux wood effects but am running out of items to practice on.

A big welcome to new followers, I appreciate everyone's visits and really like getting your feedback via comments. I am pondering what I can offer as a GIVEAWAY soon, so stay tuned. 

A bientot! 

Goodies from the Fair

The long-awaited Sydney Miniatures Fair was on last weekend. I met up with Norma on the first day, soon after opening so we wouldn't miss out on anything. We made a slow progression around the tables and lost each other a couple of times. We also met up with Rebecca who was down from Darwin for the show and also visiting family.
With a limited budget (again) I was drawn to all the pretty things, nothing too practical as I realised I could buy those any time. There were so many beautiful things it was difficult not to want to spend, spend, spend. But I am very happy with my purchases. Someone else likes the sweet dressing table set, and also the lovely antique lace-covered cushion.

While I wasn't looking, the little monkey tried on the lovely antique lace dress, which is really only meant to drape or hang in a room. She has the rather handy ability to detach both her legs and one arm in order to squeeze into things not really meant for her. She does look quite pretty in it I must admit. She has had to do with oversized clothing up until now as I haven't made her anything.

This is the whole selection, I really love the little box of doilies and the covered hot water bottle, the dress too of course. I will certainly find places for all of these. Unfortunately none of the sellers have web shops. I took some photos of tables on my phone but they didn't turn out well at all. Oh well, only another year to wait for the next one!
A bientot.

Fun with painted finishes

I have been having fun painting faux wood finishes, firstly on my kit desk I put together recently. I was going to paint and distress it but decided to try a faux wood finish.
After fiddling for a while I came up with what I thought looked like a pretty good walnut effect. It is a little dark and you may not be able to see the finish in the pics. I have included a 'before' photo, beside the desk I painted way back when.

I bought that desk, already assembled, from Linda from Une Petite Folie, when she was selling off a few of her items. I found out how difficult it was to put together. The only kit I had previously assembled was the bed, pictured, which I also decided to give a faux wood effect, having painted it a beigey colour some time ago.
Then I had to make a mattress of course and followed the instructions from Kris at 1 inch minis. With some bad words said, I finally managed to get it finished, with just a few 'imperfections' hehe. I also found a Susan Harmon kit for these boxes and bags etc that I bought ages ago and had fun making them up. I don't think this is my forte as I seemed to be all thumbs and found gluing my fingers together much easier than gluing the paper pieces.

In this shot you will see the little porcelain doll I made in class a few years ago. She was trying out this bed for size but unfortunately I think she is a touch too big for the scale.

As a diversion from the Petite Parterre I want to build a room box of an old-fashioned bedroom, I'll see what I can find for it at the upcoming Sydney Miniatures Fair.

Well that's about it, other than a warm welcome to the new followers and visitors, hope you find something interesting her occasionally.
A bientot!

Hello again, LTNS.

Welcome all new followers and a big hello to everyone, I hope you all had a joyouse Easter and didn't eat too much chocolate.As I have mentioned before I haven't really gotten back into mini making yet but I did paint a few furniture pieces while recuperating, if only I could find them.

I recently put together a kit of the same 'gentleman's desk' which featured some time back. It was only the second kit I have put together and was the most difficult. Some tiny gaps here and there but a couple of the vertical boards were slightly warped (the kit has been packed away for some time) so I will use that as my paltry excuse. I will show it when I work out how to download pics onto this laptop.

Meanwhile, these pics from a very stylish shop in Sydney's eastern suburbs, link here together with the one at the top right of this post (I found it last year and cannot remember the source) have me itching to get to work on my shop. I hope you enjoy them.
A bientot. 

Hello Again

Hello to everyone, it's been such a long time since my last post and I would like to welcome all my new followers. I will be catching up on all your blogs, slowly and I hope to get back to making minis before too long. I have had some changes in my situation and it takes a while to get settled again. I hope you are all well, I have been checking out your posts occasionally and I have seen some fabulous work. Found this great shot of a parterre garden I wanted to share with you, it looks so lush and green.
Until next time,


A bientot!