ALMOST THERE!

 

First, thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who left those awesome comments! You have no idea how much that encourages me! Welcome to my new followers! Hugs to my, old, er, loyal followers/supporters! LOL I have been crazy busy these days! But, I just wanted to squeeze in a few pictures of some of the mini-ing I have been able to do. I constantly walk past the Chess-taurant, add/change something then keep moving until I can do a little more later!

 Since the last post, I have added the pictures on the wall, changed the bathroom signs (still king and queen), added wallpaper and chair rail to the back wall, added the cooler with the pot pies I made years ago, changed back to the original smaller counter-then added a new top to it, on the left wall you will see a little "free wifi" sign, changed window frame from gold to brown and on the back wall you will see a keep calm and play chess sign and a few other odds and ends. There are just a few more things left to do. Look for more teeny details when I am finished. I still have a bit of teeny and "big" items to add believe it or not! So far I am pretty happy with the way it is turning out. :-)

When I am finished I will go over all of the little tricks I learned along the way and go more into detail.

Be Back Soon!



I know the picture on the wall is crooked. My arm got tired trying to get them even! I will try again later :-/  Of course the cash register will not remain Barbie pink!

 



I like these two signs better.
They seem to go with the tone of the Chess-taurant better





I wanted to add the rest of the outdoor scene in the window, but my printer is making everything look red-ish for some reason...sigh
 



If you look at the picture above you will see this sign next to the "window" (yes, I know I need to trim that wood. I will explain later) The window frame gets another coat or so of paint





This customer went to the restroom...I wonder if it was the King or Queen? hmmm lol (pssst, do you know you left your e-reader on the table?)



I made these pot pies a couple of years ago just to try them out. Those are plastic Barbie cake slices. Sorry you can't see the credit cards we accept...we will take whichever one you have! :-)

That is a US penny sitting atop the chess set that someone is going to be playing with.

The counter stools are missing and getting some touch ups right now. The back wall is going to be filled up and other items added all over

This should be the next to last post on this project. The next post will show the finished product!

                              Remember, click on pictures for a larger view!

Artist Highlight And Eat Something Off Your Chess!

It is the week after Mardi Gras when everything has finally settled down. In the morning, I stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard and thinking of the fun and friends of the week before. Later, at night, I  slowly stroll the courtyard enjoying the quiet and sweet fresh air.

But wait...is that a stranger lurking just outside?

What am I talking about? Go to: http://jocelynsdollhouse.blogspot.com/2014_02_01_archive.html and see Jocelyn's New Orleans Creole Townhouse. It is beautiful! It is sentimental! It is true to life! As with all of her work, it is also very detailed.

For some reason, I imagine Jocelyn working quietly on her projects with her hand tools and pencil sketches. As a matter of fact, because of her, I now try drawing things out to get a clear idea of what would work in my future projects.

I find her to be a consummate, professional artist and have seen her perform magic with the same things I have sitting in storage containers waiting for a purpose!

Make sure you look at ALL of the posts about the townhouse to find out why it is sentimental!

And check out her other wonderful projects while you are there!

ENJOY!

 

This is actually the first project that I sketched out as a result of seeing how Jocelyn does it. This is something I work on while I order parts or wait for other projects to dry. It is a Chess themed restaurant that I am building from scratch. It is the first dollhouse project for which I used the Woodworker's Guild machines.

The mirror leaning on the rear wall will be behind the bar that serves healthy snacks, smoothies and such. It will be a place where you can either play chess, participate in tournaments on certain nights or just watch and /or eat. Also, look for posted notices of live entertainment performing on other nights. 

(sorry for the dark pictures...I will try to get better ones as I progress)

 

 

Just a close up of the wallpaper

 

The table tops are actually coasters.
The floor is a real life  sized linoleum tile. I will make the slit on the right unnoticeable

 

I had to replace some legs so they will be repainted

 

The two rectangles on the back wall are door frames for the men's and women's restrooms
The bar will go between them

 

 

Click on picture for a larger view

First the FUN then the FUNK

 THE FUN!
I just won a mini prize from Carmen @  http://pekevasion.blogspot.com/2014/11/lo-prometido.html
Look at these adorable books!

They are even more adorable up close!

                                   Thanks Carmen!

The Chess-taurant has been demolished!

I follow several really professional level miniaturists. When I see them take things apart for improvements or upgrades, I am inspired to do the same.  That is where the unintentional demolition happened.
 At first my printer would not print properly so I could complete the window outdoor scene. Also, It bothered me that with the picture on the inside what should I do on the outside to show there was a window there. So, I took that to mean maybe I should go with my heart and actually cut out a window. I held my breath, went to the Woodworkers Guild work room and cut out the window. The supervisor there helped me practice cutting straight lines with the scroll saw. Well, that is where it got nasty. lol I ended up making a few gouges when I finally tried it on the wall .
Trying to be true to my determination to be like my professional friends I knew I had to cut out a whole new wall. I could have just made a big picture window by cutting out the two sections, but for some reason I didn't think it would be as cozy as having three panes.




The wall on the left if the second one. You can see the gouges on the first one on the right. I have to do a little more sanding and open another jar of paint so all the walls would be the same color.

I re-cut the window wall...still not to my total satisfaction, but something I could live with. When I dry fit it in place a little sunlight shone through and I knew I had done the right thing. :-) So, now it will just take a few more hours of work and the Chess-taurant will be truly complete. So look forward to seeing the new look soon!

OK, WHAT IS THIS?  

Sometimes when I keep walking past something it will call out to me. Just like this one did LOL!
Can you guess what new project I have added to all of my other projects? The next four pictures are clues. What do you think it will be when completed?

One day, maybe last year, I bought a large container of popsicle sticks. I decided to try using them for this project.

Part of the fun was reading the jokes on the backs of some of them!



I used some parchment paper to keep it from sticking  to the surface while I glued them together. Yep that is the price...thrift shop of course!
 

Thinking I should make this a contest...look for details later. :-)

 THE FUNK
Simply...to the fellow miniaturist who is saying those salacious (really bad for my foreign friends) things about The Grandmommy and discouraging people from my blog that is really mean and I would never do that to you. Like I tell my grands...Be kind !

I ask my fellow bloggers what would YOU say or do to someone who was doing that concerning you and your blog...

For my MANY miniature friends...thanks for being just that! HUGS!

Click on picture for a larger view

My Kind of Town III, Artist Highlight and Bedroom Update!

 

I am sorry I have been absent for so long. Real Life is trying to be the boss of me! Nothing bad...just busy. :-) Things are still a little hectic around here. Because I have so much to share and so little time right now, there are going to be three segments to this post.  So grab a cup of coffee or whatever your poison and enjoy!

This is the view from the plane about to land at home. Chicago was fun!  I was happy from the show and happy to be getting home! I was so worn out!

 

 
I thought I would show you an update on the "Chess-taurant" along with more purchases from Chicago. I bought the chairs from the Heidi Ott dealer. I love the way my Heidi Ott doll fits in it. The two soda taps, napkin holder and milkshake maker were all bought there.



These chairs are Heidi Ott chairs. See how perfectly my Heidi Ott doll looks sitting on one? I wish I had bought more than eight!



These are for my Chess-taurant too. They were bought from various dealers from both shows.

More on that soon!

An Heidi Ott hat that fits my doll perfectly

 

*********************

Please visit this Etsy store to see the absolutely gorgeous mini quilts. All are handmade! I was so sure I took pictures of them.
Tracy and her hubby were so friendly. It was great meeting them! I know you hear this all of the time, but believe me, these pictures don't do her work justice! https://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelsRestCreations?section_id=14780194



I could not leave out this artist. Her dolls are even more realistic then they look in pictures. Elle is such a lovely lady. It was a real pleasure meeting and laughing with her and her better half! Her website is currently under construction. Please keep trying. She makes custom dolls of people you love! What a great gift for a loved one!  http://www.ellepiccolodolls.com/ Her email is epartdol@hotmail.com

 

 

There was a working TV in one of the roomboxes! (I think it may have been a phone and DVD player like I saw in a blog once :-)  I can't find the picture of it (maybe I didn't take one lol) At any rate it was amazing! I know someone who might have pictures. I will share if I get them.

 

  

*ARTIST HIGHLIGHT! *

There is a lady whose work always makes me reflect. For me, miniature scenes are a lot about how they make me feel. Mood is a large part of the scene because everything must be known about it without any words. I use words like mystery and secrets when I describe her works. They are the kind that make you stare and make up stories about who just left and more importantly...who is coming back!

I must say this also. Elizabeth at Studio E is more than an artist. Her warmth as a person comes through her encouraging, sincere comments and humor. Her presence, on my blog, or her own shows her to be a miniaturist you want to be around and always glad she is there. Somehow she seems to see the best in every blogger and their work! Even when she gives loving advice.

When I highlight an Artist, I like to say how they have affected me. I wanted to make nice window dressings, but they would never come out right.  After Elizabeth gave her tutorial on using the pretty pleater,  I have been having fun making all sorts of curtains (I have three sizes of pleaters)! The two curtains below were made using her tutorial. I was even able  to use synthetic fabrics!
THANKS ELIZABETH!

Please stop by her blog and make up your own stories with her mood stimulating rooms.
http://studioeminiatures.blogspot.com/

  Here are a few things I have been up to lately...




Looking for a few accent colors to break up the matchy matchy. Probably some pillows, wall accent or the dust ruffle etc. I still need to adjust those hanging lamps, Arrrg!

This was originally either a napkin or placemat. I really like it. Wish there had been two of them. 

 

That wall area behind Nyla's head needs something. I am just not sure what. Thought about shelving, hooks with bathrobes hanging from them, a mirror or a bookcase. I don't know. hmmm  I even tried moving the "love" poster to that spot. No go.

  Also to come is the door frame that I forgot. I changed the mirror that came with the vanity. It was  Art Deco and didn't fit well. I am really excited about the chairs! The color is just right and they fit well with the vanity




The red on the back is really from the rug behind it.

You know, I really like this guy. He is just so hard to pose!



I like to make my family part of the process. My daughter and her daughter thought this magnet should go in here. So in it went!

If I had two placemats/napkins I would have been able to make the draperies longer. I wanted them to match the bed so I had to make the short version. I got a lot of glue on them so I will be doing something about that too. I was just too tired to take it apart and fix it. (These were made using the Studio E tutorial)

The table was cream. I painted it black and gold to match the decor.

 

 Hope you enjoyed it all!

Click on pictures for a larger view

CHESS-TAURANT UPDATE!

Hi everybody!

WOW! I can't believe I have not posted since July! I totally missed August! Well, I am here now and want to show you a few updates of the Chess-taurant. I plan to do a few things more tomorrow so I will be closer to finished or finished. There will be more details because we know how important details are for a mini scene. There are also wall etc. touch-ups

Sorry, everything looks a bit jumbled. This was just to share something with you in case I don't get to post again within the next few days. Things will be neater once finished.

Don't forget to tap on the pictures to make them bigger!

Front view. The scene from the window on the left is  from photo I took of the outside of the Chicago Art Institute. I still have one more panel to put in and work on the window frame 

Things are still a little out of place. The window frame is actually the mat from a picture frame painted gold. I don't think I will keep it that color. The right wall will have framed pictures.

Right under the posters on the wall will go a cooler. I made the barstools.
The bowl is one half of a party favor rattle. I will go more into detail on the other things in the next post.

Sorry you can't see this very well. These are chips I made from clay

I made the platter of sandwich rolls and the sparkling cider bottles were once bowling pins.

The right wall needed something so I decided to make it comfortable with a fireplace like Panera Bread or Atlanta Bread company restaurants.

This is the women's restroom. It says "Queen" on it and the men's says "Kings."
Sorry you have to turn your head to see it. lol I just couldn't seem to get it right side up!  I will have to take a better one

 HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

 

( I have more projects I have been working on to share with you soon!)

 

Click on picture for a larger view

Shelve It!

Hi Everybody!

Life should be slowing down in about a week or so. Then I will have more mini time (crossing fingers). I still think of them all of the time even when I can't get to them or blog about them. This post actually took me a week to get up!

I just had to show you this. I have had this idea for a long time. I finally decided to try it. Most of you probably already know about this trick. I wanted shelving and I didn't want to have to do a lot to get them looking right. You know, keep it simple. I also wanted the look of floating shelves with no brackets.

So, I bought some inexpensive microscope slides. The box of 72 came last week. I was anxious to try them out. I had to move everything around in the shops. When I put everything back in place, I know they will look great! Take a look at the shelves all over the place! I only had around 50 slides left within 15 minutes. LOL Perfect! Most of them went into the mall. I did put some in the Chess-taurant, though I really need to fix them better.

Now to order the slide covers for other ideas!

I had to make the pictures somewhat dark in order for you to see the shelves well.

CANDY STORE: I can put so many more goodies here now!

 

MEN'S STORE: Sorry I had to make it dark so you could see them better.
I also put some on the opposite wall

 

 

 

BRIDAL SHOP: The dove on top looks like he is flying, but he is on the glass shelf

 

SHOE STORE: On the upper left you can see more shelving.

 

 

This will be the new,
JEWELRY STORE:  You can be sure there will be shelves there too!

I do have a few tips for using them.

1. Try to keep them vertical while putting the glue on. I used superglue on most surfaces and just let it slide down the side.   After a few tries, you can do it without it getting glue on the flat shelf surface.

2. Remember you can not reposition if you use superglue so get it right the first time. It wouldn't stick on some wallpaper at all.

3. Once you get  superglue on the sticking side surface, you must clean it off well before trying to
 re-glue if it didn't stick the first time. It just won't stick to itself and the other surface.

4. Make sure the side you are gluing is flush against the wall so it won't be slanted when dried.


                                               Click on picture for a larger view

 

 

 



Not all Pineapples are Golden

I have designated this year to finishing all of the projects I have started. Yet, I can't help starting new projects as I get new ideas all of the time. I have another restaurant idea. The first one was the chess-taurant. Now I have an idea for a more formal one. It will have a dining room with a dance floor, a jazz room and a rooftop dining area. The name is "The Golden Pineapple" with that theme throughout. Come hang out with me as I complete ths fun project .

What you see here from top to bottom are the dance floor, the wallpaper, and the ceiling all for the main dining room Click on picture for a larger view