Baby? What Baby?

Meet Beth. She is Gladys Bell's daughter who is single, seriously dating a much younger man and not ashamed of it. Beth is a professional woman. She has not shared exactly what it is she does. I think it has something to do with social work and housing. She lives in a condo a few blocks from Niecy and Trey.

Beth is getting a mani-pedi at the her favorite nail salon when her mom comes in to share the news about Niecy and Trey. She loves her mom, but she also knows what a busybody she can be. She also knows that her mom, like most busybodies, usually gets the story wrong. She is letting her nails dry under the lamp when...

Beth: Mom! What are you doing here?

Glady Bell:  I came to tell you the news about Trey and Niecy! I am so excited! I just couldn't wait to tell you!

 

Beth: What is it?  

Gladys Bell: They are expecting a little one! A baby! 

Beth: Mom are you sure?

Gladys Bell: I just happened to  pass their house and hear them talking about the family they are expecting! Niecy was so sick today she had to leave work! We are going to have to go shopping. Oh no, wait...I can crochet a baby blanket!

 Beth: Well, if Niecy has not told me she must not be ready to share this with anyone. Maybe you shouldn't mention it to anyone just yet.

Gladys Bell: Oh my, I don't know how I am going to be able to keep this a secret! I am so happy for them! A baby!

 Beth: Mom, you must promise you will not mention this to anyone, especially Trey and Niecy! Ok?

 Gladys Bell: Oh my, look a the time. I must be off to meet Mildred for tea!

Beth leans back and enjoys her pedicure.

 The nail shop is closed now and while the technician cleans up I will tell you about it. It was actually a
 Littlest Pet shop Get Better Center Play set in it's previous life. I bought it bare-bones just the way it is, so to me it looked like a manicure shop! It folds to close which is great for storing until next time.

 The customer with the yellow hair is Tinkerbell. We will talk about her dress later. The doll just walking in on the right is a  Mc Donald's doll from the Barbie series. The doll in the last picture has  the head from a mermaid doll found at the Dollar Tree and a body from a very cheap clearance doll from the supermarket.
 I created the nail polish and other bottles from little beads a few years ago.

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What Nora is Packing!

 Nora pulled her luggage together from various sources. I mentioned in a previous blog that I was going a little crazy with that stainless steel paint.  Here is a really simple idea that takes about 15 minutes!

I painted Nora's luggage with the stainless paint. Then, added Duck tape in the zebra pattern. I used two types of the Duct tape shown below.

The round luggage is from a swimming ear plug set. I am not sure who made the large piece of luggage. It looks like it could be either Bratz or Barbie.

It came in a package like this. I got it from Hobby Lobby, but the dollar stores probably carry them. I have some ideas for the part that goes in your ears too.

I used both the roll and the sheet of Duck tape on the three pieces

 

The outside was this color before the paint

A few features added. I will use something cuter for the strap

Here is Nora preparing to pack.

 

Sorry so dark. Took lots of shots and this was the best!

 

 

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Cool Pool UPDATE

Remember that pool I found last year? Well, I finally found out who makes it and what it is used for. Ketsiaelie of IttyBittyAdventures   shared with me that it is a Del-Mar pool made by Tech Deck. She was hoping her son would tire of playing with it so she could. But, no go. LOL The
 ad even called it a "cool pool" like I did. LOL Is that silver nail polish on that hand? hmmm  Anyway, I was afraid to look at too many other things available on the site...and you know why. LOL I know they at least had a really nice picnic table there. Come to think of it, I  already have a few of their ramps in my mini park! I added them because I actually enjoy watching skateboarding competitions myself! :-D

You can look at one now selling. on Ebay.

I certainly didn't buy it for that price!

Thanks Ketsiaelie! 

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Gone Tomorrow

Here are the other wigs from the thrift shop I promised to share with you. The Liv doll has on a wig probably meant for a clown, but she said it matched her dress so she got that one. As you can see, there were various colors, sizes and styles. There were also packages of curly hair that has to be glued on the head or made into a wig.  I stood there picking up and putting down one after another. At .49 cents why didn't I just buy all of them? This store is about twenty miles from my house.  I couldn't justify driving that far for the rest of them the next day when I came to my senses.  Besides, I convinced myself, they probably wouldn't be there anyway.

My blog buddy Brini of Brini's Doll Domain suggested the girls be named Faith and Hope. I like it. They told me they liked those names too. So it is.  Below is Hope.

The wig on the left actually came with the ribbons. The one on the right is similar to the one Hope is wearing

The wig on Hope's foot is a little smaller than the one she is wearing

Liv insisted on showing the price. She just couldn't believe her fortune lol

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Meet Trey

Meet Trey. He is the husband of,Niecy, the boutique owner. Trey and Niecy are taking a few moments of quality time after a busy day.

Trey: I have a few new contracts coming up! Yes! I could use  some of Troy's expertise with them when he gets here. 

Trey: Did the new shipment come in at the boutique? 


 Niecy: Yes, I haven't had a chance to inventory all of it yet. I just didn't feel like it and left a little early. I am so anxious to have my family here I can't concentrate.

Trey: I know you can't wait until your family finally gets here. But, I want to spend as much time as I can...alone...with my baby before they get here. Come here...

Niecy: I'm OK. (snuggles closer)

Shhhhhh...lights out...wait! Is that...?

Trey owns a growing construction company. He will have a hand in all of the construction going on in town including his own home.

You may have noticed the ladies' cute little outfits lately. We will talk about those soon.

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Have a Seat?

 Somehow I have only three of these chairs. They are labeled, "fabulous Furniture." The cushion is a creme color with a circular pattern. I sure would like to have at least one more for my dining room table. If anybody recognizes or has one of these to sell please contact me. Thanks!

If you click on the picture you will be able to see the pattern better

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Whitney mag

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Cold and Steely Refrigerators

 Lately, I have been spending time remodeling the houses in the "neighborhood." I have ideas for two of the kitchens. One will have stainless steel appliances. The other will have black. I tried out "appliance stainless steel" spray paint from Lowe's. That is the one in the middle. I really like it. Believe me the picture doesn't do it any justice. I have already tried it on a few other things like Nora's luggage.

The one on the left will be black and I believe I will leave the one on the right as it is. I would like to remove the paint and just have an oak finish like the cabinets in the black and white kitchen to make it look like a built in refrigerator. I am not sure what is under the paint, so I think it is best to just paint it black.

Each family is in a different age group and income bracket so I want to decorate accordingly. 

They all have shelving

 I also thought of turning it upside down to make it seem like the freezer was in the bottom drawer with a change of the handle. If it seems like a lot of thought going into a refrigerator, it is because I promised myself I would stretch my thinking when designing rooms from now on. From now on it is details, details, details.

  

UPDATE!!

Before I could finish this post I found some other pretty cool refrigerators. For now, I will use the ones I already have. Maybe in a few weeks I might treat myself to a new one! 

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Just a way to say thanks

                            


I posted for Valentine's Day. That was my first holiday or special day commemoration.  Most times these days creep up on me and I totally miss posting about them.

Today, I thought I would dedicate this Independence Day to the 19 firemen who were killed fighting a wildfire in Arizona a few days ago. There are so many who give their lives to keep us safe and free. It was a hard choice deciding who to honor. So, I give my thanks to all who have given their lives in any way for our country.
Grandmommy

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Attract and grab!

 A couple of days ago I was in Lowe's home store when I happened to pass a display of these. The sign said, $2.98 so I wanted to see what tool could be so cheap and boy am I glad I did! The great part is there are two tools there! They are sold attached, but are actually two separate tools. Just snip the packing plastic! One is for reaching those tiny things that are a little too far or have fallen to the floor. The other is a magnet for those small screws etc. that rolled just out of your reach. It is telescopic which makes it easy on the back when reaching. The perfect size for minis!

They are on a dollhouse roof to show size

Press down on the spring and...

the little grabber comes out the other end!

Beneath the spring area you can see the head of the magnet attached with white plastic. Just snip to separate

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This Is Where I Bin

  In my blogs, I often talk about my thrift shop finds. I thought I would share with you one of the shops I love to visit. I went when the store was closed so they wouldn't think I was casing the joint and planning a heist! LOL  Everything there is purchased by the pound. Monday through Saturday things are $1.29 a pound. Books and magazines are sold separately. They are only 25 cents a pound! A few things, TVs, large furniture etc. are individually priced. Sundays, everything is half priced! Shopping here is a whole different experience! It is not for the faint of heart! Here you buy what is light weight, which works perfectly for this miniaturist! Usually the things I want are small and at the bottom of the bins.

This is just one side of the store. 'That lamp will be sold by the pound too. It is just there to keep it from breaking

Most everything they have for sale is dumped into large bins. If you have the patience you dig through the bins. There are bins for toys and housewares, books, clothing, linens and clothing accessories. This could be treacherous though. If you can imagine a cartoon with people plowing through things and throwing them up in the air you have the idea. The bins are rolled out and replace with full ones several times a day.


When the full bins are brought out, everyone must stand back and are not allowed to take anything out until all of them are totally in place. Then, the people converge on them like madmen or women. Lookout and hold your children! After they have gotten all they want, things slow down again and I can pick out the tiny doll clothes or furnishings left behind. I have also gotten quite a few wonderful finds for my 1:1 house. Some things are even new in the package!

This is the same side and you can see the price sign top left

The tall blue rectangular bins on wheels are what you put your things in. They are weighed on a floor scale. The plastic bag is removed with your goodies and off you go!



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Taking them for Granite!

 I have decided that this house will be for the transferring couple you met. It is the house with the  Shiny floors. :-)

I recently bought a what I felt were cute kitchen counters. There was something about them that just didn't seem up-to-date. While I was re-arranging my paints and finishes for the upteenth time, I came across something called Granite Stone. I had no idea why I was buying it when I did. But then, do I ever? LOL I also bought two other types of finishes by the same company.

I can't wait to try the others!

 Any hoo, I tried a little on the counters and I like how they turned out. They look a bit rough and most granite counters are somewhat smooth. So, after they dry, I think I will pull out my trusty polyurethane and see how that works. There is also a refrigerator and stove to match. I plan on painting them with the same paint.

The only problem I came across is the paint on the sink. I wanted it to look like stainless steel. Instead it looks gloppy. (thick and sloppy for my friends from outside the US). I used a silver Sharpie and several different paints trying to get the right effect before I ended up with these results.

I plan to put a soap dish or something between the faucets because it looks worse and worse the more
I try to fix it.

Now wouldn't you take them for granite?

Here is what the original finished looked like

I loved the finish before I added the chrome finish on the sink

That white just didn't work with the granite

Yuk! Maybe I will wait till it dries and sand it again then add a better coat

Before and after finish showing the product I used

Another before and after view. The granite color is more accurate in the above photos

This is the final paint I used for the sink. Don't ask. The label is missing lol

Corner section redone

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Hello Africa!

 

GREAT NEWS! 

Mini Jazzi is on her way to Africa!  Please read what Molly wrote: 

Molly writes on 14th June... "I leave for Africa - Safari Serengeti/Tanzania on Thursday, June  20....Wait til MJ meets up with our miniaturist pals in the shadow of Kilimanjaro! (edited)


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A New Beginning

Here is one of the families who will live in town. As yet, their names aren't solid and neither is the name of the town. The woman is a nurse who will be working as a nurse practitioner in a new state of the art hospital   there. The man works for the Army Corp of Engineers. After several years, he finally nabbed a job in the town where her sister lives. It is the town where her family originated. Her mom and dad also will be returning to their home town in a few months. As yet, they have no children.

Her) Ok, so it is really happening! We are making the move! I am excited and nervous at the same time.

Him) Don't worry things will work out fine. What about your new job? I know you have to be looking forward to working at that new state of the art hospital. Not to mention the new position and more money.

Her) Yes, but I am going to miss everyone here, sigh, but then it will be nice to be near my sister and her family.  It has been so long since our family moved away from there. By the time mom and dad move back home, we will be one close family again with all of the cousins and other family already there.

Him) Let's just take it one day at a time.

Her) Relaxing...smiling...ok

Hmmm now what will Gladys Bell Haversham have to do with them? Hmmmmm




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Who's That Lady?

 There she is again! She seemed like a figment of everyone's imagination.. Never in the full line of view. Like a grain of sand in the corner of an eye, a blink would make her disappear.

Her name is Gladys Bell Haversham. It is a composite of three women. Gladys was the nosy neighbor on Bewitched. Bell is the name I once gave an very nosy, trouble making and intrusive neighbor who I nicknamed Nosybell. She actually watched my house to see which bedroom I slept in. She also took packages from my porch. My precious dolly stuff! On another occasion she told me she bought binoculars! On and on... Miss Haversham is from the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.  She is a woman who is stuck in time. Hence Gladys Bell's outfit.

Gladys Kravitz

                                                                             

                                                                              I love that character! LOL

 

You may have to play twice for better viewing

My nosy neighbor

                                                                                                   

Miss Haversham

Stay tuned to meet the more cordial residents...

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