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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Hair today...

 My love for dolls aren't limited to 1:12 scale.  Barbies, BJD, reborns, you name it; I love them all. That's why when I was thrift shopping  one day my eyes and heart went towards these two beauties. At $1.49 cents each and  a 25% discount they had to come home with me. I snatched them up so fast I didn't notice a problem with one of them.

Seems someone, feeling creative, took a pair of shears to the head of one.  "No problem," I thought. I will just cut off all of her hair and make her a boy ala my froggy stuff.

As it turns out, the doll wig fairy appeared at a local thrift store a few days later. A shopping cart with an assortment of new dolly wigs was at the front of the store. They were only.49 cents apiece! I picked up a few in different sizes. Now several of my other dolls including my five Liv dolls have hair options. They wanted to show you themselves, but I told them we would do a post about it another time.

Aren't they pretty?

She is so brave smiling although she is hurting inside

OUCH!

(Apparently she is hurting on the outside too!)

To the rescue

Ahhh so,so much Better!

What a difference a wig makes!

Yes, they are pretty!

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Circular Wall

 When I saw this wooden place-mat, I knew I would find a purpose for it. And of course, I did! The color was more green than the teal look it has here.  The kitchen in the largest dollhouse (I need to give them names) is going to be black and white with red accents.

The walls needed something more than the usual. So... I painted one black, then painted the place-mat red and put it over the black wall. 

I had a difficult time deciding what color the crown molding should be. I have decided to make it red to give the wall a complete look.

Surprisingly it was easy to cut to size!

 I took the pictures before I added the crown molding and touch-up so you can see the black wall

I like the way the diamonds between the circles match the ones in the flooring.

It actually makes the ceiling appear higher!

The cabinetry has an oak finish. I wanted to use the marble kit in my stash for the counter tops. I also have something similar to black granite. I  thought of painting the cabinets black, but I love the oak. Hmmmm Maybe I will just buy another set of cabinets.

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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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Retail Therapy

 Nora does a little retail therapy at the mall where she runs into an old friend. I refer to her as an "old friend" because I really like this doll. She is posable and has red hair. She will show up later with a name and a life in the hometown. lol Right now she is just a fill-in.

The store is in the mall I started some time ago. I now have a lot to go into the various stores so I am working on those too. Ah, the throes of A.D.D.! LOL

Old Friend:    Oh my goodness!Nora!
Nora:      Hey there! How have you been? 
Old Friend:  Great! I just got a promotion, so I am treating myself to a pair of shoes. What's up with you these days?    (I love that  circular rack behind them!)

Nora:  I am moving back to my home town.
Old Friend:  When!
Nora:   In a couple of weeks. We are waiting for Troy's transfer to be complete
Old Friend:   I wish you two all of the best.

                                                             

Nora: Thank you. I will keep in touch I promise! Bye!
Old Friend: You better! Bye!

The yellow and white shoes are glass rings that go on stemware. The ring part came off easily and can be used for a choker necklace. I don't have the faintest idea where that other shoe comes from, but I love it!

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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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Nora and Niecy

 Niecy is busy at work in her boutique when she gets a phone call. It is from  her sister Nora. Nora is out on the patio with her iPhone headphones on. They are both so excited about the up coming move!

Nora: Hey sis!

 Niecy:  Hey, lady! We  are counting the days until you guys arrive! yes, uh huh...everything is going well! Busy! All we need, is you, mom and dad here.

Niecy: I can't talk long. I am getting the closing time rush. So, are you two all packed up?

Nora: Girl, I had to get off my feet and take a rest! I didn't realize we had so much stuff!

                                                                       

 Niecy:        Hold on Nora. (to customer) I'm sorry. May I help you?
 Customer:  Yes, I have decided to take these.
 Niecy:         Listen Nora, I have a customer. I will call you back when I get home. LOVE YOU!


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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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Live Wreath Live!

I believe this is the first time I have posted about something that was not mini related.  When I began this blog, I planned to talk about all kinds of crafts, mini stories, interesting mini news...etc. This time I am sharing my live wreath.
                                

 I have been doing this for the past few years. It starts out with the same grape ivy wreath that is up all year long.  Whatever the season, I cut flowers and add them to my wreath. You might find winter berries, azaleas or anything else that looks good. Try to stick in some with a nice fragrance too. I have even added artificial poinsettia pics. The tubes can be purchased in craft stores and many other stores. Fill the tubes with water and quickly put the stem in the hole in the fitted rubber cap before they begin to wilt. 

You may add your favorite cut flower food

This year I simply sprinkled a mix of wild flower seeds on the ground in my backyard then added perennial  and annual plants . It seems before I knew it, I was looking a at wild bouquet garden! The bonus is no more mowing in that area. What you see here are heirloom and knock out roses, cone flowers, a sunflower, baby's breath and I believe zinnias. I added some more seeds a few days ago so, in a few weeks the garden will have a whole new look. As new flowers bloom, and the old ones die, I simply replace them and get a whole new looking wreath too!                                                                                                                                                                            

Flowers in various stages

Use any combination!

 My son, who just started  an organic commercial nursery, is going to thin out that flower below whose name I can't remember. It is growing right next to the heirloom roses.

 

This plant spreads like crazy!

   

You can see the rose bush in the midst of this plant

 
For times when there are no flowers I put in special occasion pics from the dollar tree or whatever I can find.  If you don't have a garden, store bought bouquets work just fine!

My front door

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