Police's Christmas beat

I wonder if he knows he is a true miniaturist?

http://www.aol.com/video/veteran-cop-builds-amazing-mini-christmas-village/517597729/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl19%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D247090



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My Cup Runneth Away with Me

Hi everybody I am back!

I had what I will call "a little distraction" as well as being a little under the weather. I am still recouperating. Thanks for all of your well wishes!

A couple of posts ago, I talked about a house I missed out on because it was already Sold. I had to stop for a moment and think about what I already had on my plate starting with my first roombox and lets not forget the  Mall

So, I decided to take an informal inventory of the projects waiting for completion. Now I realize I didn't really need another dollhouse. But, if I happen across another deal...mumble mumble....

I bought this the day of the "One  Got Away". I figured it was better than nothing. It needs a major makeover.
 

The roof is all wrong! This is a 1:24 scale model.



Everytime I look at these two kits, I get something called agida also known as the Willies.
One day, one day... Sorry it is so dark

 




Each box holds supplies for a different scene or roombox. This is just some of them.
 





This is a Lil Tikes mansion that I tried to repaint.
It is really huge!
I thought black and white might look better.
 Then realized the paint was a bad idea. It looks terrible.



My grandson thought his dino would enjoy the view. I also found a way to remove that horrible paint. I will let you know if if works

  

I am preparing to remodel this house. The following pictures show how much work I HAD done inside already. This was also purchased already assembled.



Fitting all of the furnishings before putting down a floor








 

 

 

This is what it looks like now. One day I looked inside and the wallpaper was streaked!
Out came the furniture and off came the wallpaper. I have begun repairing the foundation.
 

 

To Be Continued...

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STILL KICKING!

Hello everyone!

Just want to say I am still here. Last night I went into my studio to get back on track with camera in tow preparing for a new post.

Unfortunately, instead, I ended up in the emergency room for the second time in less than a week. Not quite out of the woods yet, but the trees are so pretty here! LOL.

Fortunately, my loved ones have been keeping me up with lots of smiles and laughter. So, look for new dolly updates and posts very soon. I  am also going to highlight several interesting crafters. Lots of fun stuff coming. See ya soon!

Missing all of you,

Grandmommy

IT'S CURTAINS FOR YOU!

I love to window shop online as much as in person. During one of my online shopping trips, I ran across this Esty store. The draperies there are exquisite! I couldn't stop looking at them because I was in awe of the perfect workmanship. I have a similar bath tub but didn't have any plans for it like this! The whole room is professionally designed.

Nothing more to say...just go look at these and hold on to your wallet because you might go a little bizzerk shopping here: Wootensminiatures

Thanks for letting me share these Linda! :-)



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The One That Got Away

Recently, one of the thrift stores I shop in often had an "everything in the store for half price" sale. I walked around and picked up and put down a few items. Then I saw it! From across the room I slowly glided towards it not wanting to draw attention to it lest someone got to it first.

I sidled up next to it, then saw the sign...

 

(Oh yea, I won't mention that it was only $25 purchased days before the sale and waiting to be picked up  :-/ )

 

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Mini Jazzi Ole'

Oh, did I mention that Mini Jazzi is now in Mexico! She is having an absolute ball!
 Here she is hanging out with a mariachi band at a wedding!

Click on the link to see more!
Mini Jazzi in Mexico!



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It Is Called Shop-itis

The stores, thrift shops and yard sales were chock full of goodies this past summer. It was if they were putting things out just for me. Alright. It was me. I was out of control. But, look at all of the goodies!

 Some children will have fun making sandcastles!

A couple of my kids fit perfectly in this! One at a time of course.

I have never seen this gazebo before. Doesn't it look romantic? Believe or not- it is by PLAYSKOOL! It normally comes with accessories to put on the top deck.
The wagon and doghouse are other finds.

Ok, how did they know how much I love Lobster even in 1:12 size?



The vanity is perfect for my adult dolly. The scooter is for an Atl. airport police officer, maybe? lol

Lights, camera...



The teens will love these outfits



These look just like cinder blocks!

 

My daughter insisted I get this. I am glad I did.

 

That ain't all folks! Be back with more pics of goody-finds soon!

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Part of a Park

Thought I would add a few more things to the map/park I showed you here. This is one area being set up in the duplex also to be used for the doll stories.

Before it is finished, it will have lots more parky type things in it. I thought the golf course wallpaper trim in the back looked nice with the park. I will have to put up a fence or something there so the balls won't hurt the young children and animals. LOL

There is so much that can be added, from putting fish in the blue water to little animals, trees and all sorts of people.

I hope you can see this. The lighting wasn't so good



This is sand added for texture. Soon there will be stones and other 3D effects and of course more greenery

Some kind of fence will have to separate the two areas.

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Getting Set Up For The Doll story-a Living Room

Life has been interesting to say the least. I am performing at my highest ADD level! I don't think I can add another project on my plate!

Right now, the move to the duplex apartment behind my house is the most taxing on my creativity. Half of my supplies are out there and the other half is, well,  your guess is as good as mine. LOL Nobody told me you had to be organized to get organized!

I am taking this opportunity to add to some of the projects I started some time ago. Here is a traditional living room with a pass through to what will be the kitchen. The furniture will have to come out because  I have lots more to add to the room.
Will keep you updated!

 I put in the floors. I need to knock out those wrinkles on the wall.



I doubt if I will keep the "bamboo" shade. I need to put a nice finished edge on all sides. 

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Tricked out Turtle Van UPDATE!

IT IS a true pizza eating, cowabunga dude's van! It is called TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COWABUNGA CARL VAN!  It kept nagging at me that it was a true TMNT vehicle. So I had to find out for sure.  Grandmommy knows her toys!

 

                 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

It is missing the piece that goes over the front seats.
Still awesome though!

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Tricked Out Turtle Van

Ok, I confess. Since I have been working on turning the duplex behind my house into a studio and taking woodworking classes, I have been doing much more shopping than working on minis. Anyway, shopping is half the fun of mini-ing...right? As a result, the shopping has paid off. I have this one thing I must show you. Then in other posts I will share the rest, but I think this item deserves a post unto itself.



I took the door off to get better shots of the interior

I got this for $2 at a thrift shop. I almost left it. Whew! It might not be what you think. My daughter and grands say it is actually a rip off of a more popular super hero group's vehicle.




This is the view from the rear window



Can you imagine the secret operations taking place in here?



The seats are the perfect size for 1:12 scale



Maybe it might become a news van!




I plan to removed that huge turtle head. I like the seats on the front. The trash can has a removable top! I still think it belongs to those pizza eating cowabunga dudes.

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The Front Porch Part III

I know you have been wondering what happened to The Front Porch III. I was trying to hold off until I could get back to Greenville and get a picture of the creator of those wonderful dollhouses and roomboxes.
Well, between my schedule and his we just could not get it together.

So, I am going to tell you a little about the man behind the dream dollhouses and roomboxes. The Front Porch has been in operation for over fifty years. At one time, the owner, Tom Henry had the largest dollhouse business in the South East United States. His work has included miniature duplicates of local mansions. Many years ago, before many of us were even involved with miniatures, Tom was in his local newspaper for his lovely houses.  The "well to do" sought him to make duplicates of their own  homes, orginal dollhouses and supplies or to have their dollhouses repaired. Here are some of his other works of art:

Thank you so much Tom and Karen for indulging me and allowing me to get these great photos.





One of the many houses in Tom's photo album



The Front Porch "a step back in time"

Tom makes the news. Click to see the date in 1977

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Mini Jazzi Update

 Mini Jazzi is finally safe and sound at her new location...Brazil!! After leaving Greece, she had a several week stay in customs. Read all about it here...Mini Jazzi in Brazil! Now all of her international aunties can breathe a little easier. I know you will have a wonderful time MJ!

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If You Build It They Will Shop

Shortly after I purchased the shelves from the thrift shop I started working on my "mall."  (see May 28 post A Mini Mall)Then I got stumped. First it was the question of scale. Should I keep it 1:12 which is my scale of choice. The dimensions of  each store would be 7X12 made me wonder if it wouldn't be better in 1:24 scale. Everything I had put aside to go into it was of course 1:12.

After hashing it out in my mind and going to other miniaturists for advice, I decided to stay with the 1:12. Now I thought, what does a mall look like? My daughter and grands were happy to go with me to the mall with my camera and notebook in tow. I was careful not to appear to be casing the joint so to speak. I was friendly with security and had my cameral visibly around my neck.

I came home checked my notes and blah. Nothing noted on there excited me or would do justice to my stores. The only useful information was what type of items were found in each type of store.

One day, amazingly, while in the books for purchase section of my local library a book was jumping out at me. I usually grab anything that looks like a craft or decorating book.

Voila! Look at what I got there! This book has such great ideas. It was perfect to get me going on getting ideas for my mall. Take a look.
 Now I have absolutely no excuse. Pictures of the mall in its current state coming forth shortly.

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