MJ IS HERE!

No, not Michael Jackson's ghost, Michael Jordon or Mary J, but...Mini Jazzi from down under! Taadaa! I was told she was to arrived last Wednesday. From Wednesday until Friday when she finally arrived, I worried like a mother hen. When she got here, I was so excited I could not open her box right away (yes, I know, I am goofy lol) When I did, I just took a peek then put her on a high shelf in my home office. My daughter and grands were equally excited! Last week, when I knew MJ was on her way, my daughter and I brainstormed some places for her to visit.

 

My dolls also have all kinds of plans for her!

 

MJ came bearing goodies for and from all of her aunties. I will share pictures of my loot. She arrived sporting an outfit made by Mary from her last visit. So far, she has visited 11 Aunties in various countries and states within the United States and still has several more to go.

 

Stay posted to see where her adventures in

South Carolina

 take her!

She told me she loved the wreath on the front door and wanted her picture taken there!

 

 

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UNITED STATES MINI STAMP OF APROVAL!

Here is just a quick post to show how miniature making can stretch beyond being just a hobby. These are the latest United States Postage stamps!

"Baker Teresa Layman created each of the houses featured on the stamps over a period of two weeks. They were constructed out of gingerbread, royal icing, and various candies, including sugary fruit slices for shingles, peppermint sticks for support beams, and round, candy-coated chocolate for doorknobs and holly berries. To keep the houses from sagging in high humidity, Layman watched the weather forecast to know when to bake and decorate.

The four Gingerbread Houses stamps will be released on November 6, 2013. Look for them online and in a Post Office near you." (USPS website)"

From what I have read in a NAME  Yahoo group, Teresa is a miniaturist and appears to be a member of  the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (NAME)

"Renowned gingerbread house architect Teresa Layman built the actual gingerbread houses under the direction of stamp art director Derry Noyes. Stamp artist Sally Anderson-Bruce photographed the houses." 

READ MORE HERE:

http://www.wusa9.com/news/photo-gallery.aspx?storyid=281729

and here:

 http://www.uspsstamps.com/blog/2013/10/23

KUDOS TO HER!

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I'M BAAAACKKK!

Whew! That was close! I thought life was going to take me out of the mini world or at least blogging about it for a minute there! I think I must have been a little burned out. Things began to seem somewhat boring and my creative juices had all but dried up. My camera couldn't take the neglect and I couldn't find it for a week. However, I also knew that things had to be more organized before my juice flow increased.

 I really missed posting to all of you.  I couldn't stay away completely though, which is why you may have seen me lurking visiting other blogs. I didn't know whether to say good-bye or I'll be back soon. I am glad to be back! :-)

I did work on a few projects off and on during this time. Haven't finished anything. Just kind of trying things out. I thought the least I could do was to share them with you. So here they are:


Oh, yeah...How do you like my blog's new outfit. Cool colors huh?

  

My first thought was to make this a public chess room, where others could watch and be served refreshments. The logistics didn't seem to work. Would the people watch from a counter? Should others be able to eat at the tables while watching or if no one is playing at the time or would the tables become too messy for the players? Then came the issues of the walls. I kept changing my mind.
a close-up of the table tops.

 

 

 

 

This is the beginning of the set-up of the "neighborhood" Still a lot of organizing to do.

 

  You can see here I started to put the stucco finish on the large house. It became too much of a job and very messy. I stopped working on it for a time when I would be more focused. It will look much better once completed. Right now it looks like it has a bad rash.

 

 

 

 I went to the woodworkers guild and cut some plywood to use as bases for future landscaping. They have to be repositioned
 

                                                                                                                                                                                    

  

 

 This is on a far wall. Have not been able to

  find just the right fabric  for the windows yet.

  

One of my many ongoing projects. Here are the two sisters Faith and Hope sitting on top with cute crown combs I bought from a Halloween clearance sale. Hope is waving at you!
 The mall has a ways to go but I am making progress on three of the rooms. As I find or make  more items they will be added.

 

I have added to the shoe store and made it appear to have an exit to the rest of the mall. I have a few more things to add.

 

  

 

 This is the beginning of the wedding shop in the "mall". It looks much better in real life and I still have a lot more to do of course. The room in rear left is a picture from the internet cut out and glued to give a little depth.
 

 

Here is the beginning of the men's shop in the "mall". Looks like it needs another coat of paint. The black shelving is actually a desk caddy turned upside down. :-)

 

  

 

 I decided to add a few more details to the little girls room in the large house. There is now a bookcase, more ponies, a certificate on the wall, positive wall words and other items.

A TV is going where you see the glue on the right wall. It fell and I have to think of  another way to make it stay or make/get a new one.  Imagine a couple of nice posters on the wall. One of my granddaughters and I decided she also needs a corkboard to hang her great work.

 

 You can see what a great little student she is from the certificate her teacher gave her!
 She has a tiny piggy bank on her bookcase for her allowance

 

  

These scenes were packed in jumbled boxes on these same shelves. I decided to take them out and display them. The shelving looks much neater now. In time they will be updated with "grass" and other outdoor items.

 

In the far left rear is the campsite canteen. I added shelving and have lots of foods and necessities ready to go in it. 

 

 

The entrance lights up at the CIRCUS!

This is what it looked like before. 

 
This what it looks like now. .  

 The lower two levels will also be scenes

 Thanks for still being here :-)!

 

 

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MJ is a Cheesehead!

 

MJ is now in Wisconsin with Teresa of creativeliveandme. She is enjoying the sights of buffaloes, Lambeau Field, even winter in the summer. I have visited at least half of all the states in the United States. Wisconsin is still on my list. So, everything MJ shares with us will be new to me.

I mentioned to Teresa that I was particularly excited to see the pictures of the buffaloes. Well, look at her last post! :-D 

Note: I don't know what happened with MJ's trip to Africa. When I find out I will share with you.


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Obsession African Style

 I found something recently that can take on my mini obsession. That is, my new obsession with African movies. Normally, I am not a fan of foreign movies because I can't keep up with subtitles. One night for a break from minis I went to Hulu.com. CRASH! That was the sound of me falling for a Ghanaian movie series called Adam's Apples. OMG. Everything you want in a continuing story. And guess what...it is in English! I found not only that series, but a bunch of others by the same writer and others at Reel African.com. I have absolutely no affiliation with any of this except my constant viewership and occasional comment.

What got to me the most, after the the story lines, was the fashion line! Even the men were dressing in style! I was gasping at each scene of gorgeous outfits. They were so fine I was inspired to make my own mini versions. I didn't even have time to make a pattern or measure anything other than holding the fabric up to the dolls...(singing out the letters-ADD lol). Oh yeah,  there are a few darts sewn in here and there. I used to sew my entire wardrobe-BC-before children. I could have really added a lot of finishing touches or details, but my girls are less than 6 inches ...half the size of Barbie. The girls and guys have let me know it is ok to take shortcuts and not get caught up in a lot of tailor techniques. Thank Goodness! LOL Besides, I think they came out great!

Now, if only I could copy those natural hair styles the Character "KuKua" wears... Believe me, I will make some attempts at it!

First up, lady's fashion with more to come later. The guys will be shown in another post.

Nora did a little modeling before she became a nurse, so I like to use her. (please overlook, glue glops or other faux pas'. My editing program was on the blink. Thanks :-))

   

A mix of Africa and Asia

Love the exaggerated peplum look

Nora is party ready

!

 

Rear view, talking to her friend Tinker

Short and sporty

She wanted to show she could glam it up too!

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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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Changing Room!

 My dolly friend came over to my duplex apartment/studio for the first time. The rooms definitely needed  reorganization and she gave me some advice. So, now I am going to make more room boxes to keep it less crowded rather than more large houses. Also, I wanted to be able to make quick scene changes for the doll stories instead of having static and unchanging scenes as with a house.  It would also be nice to be able to try things out before making them permanent in another roombox or house.The Universe heard me again! Every time I take pause about spending so much time and money on minis, I get confirmation that it is a perfectly fine thing to do. How did I get it this time?

Another great find! This is what is known as an Illuma-room. It was designed for the mini American Girl doll.
 At first when I saw it, I didn't know what it was, but thought it would be perfect for a room-box. The walls, floor and ceiling are inserts and removable. They are attached by magnets on the outer walls, floors and ceiling and within the inserts. All of the inserts are reversible meaning twice the options. They come complete as sets with furnishings. The rooms have ports in them for lighting and other electrical items. You can use a detached battery compartment, an electrical type platform or a transformer which  are sold separately. The ports on mine can't be tested as I don't have any appliances. I bought it for $4.89 not sure if I used a discount also or not. Even though I am excited about it, I still can't figure why it is made on an angle. Was it to save money?

Later, I went to the this store  and purchased wood panel wall inserts that I was going to use for flooring. I didn't realize what they were until I noticed the shape was the same as the Illuma-room. I never found the ceiling piece. It was probably there, but shopping in that place is hard work!! They were pretty heavy to buy by the pound because of both the wood and the magnets in them, but well worth it!

 American Girl has discontinued Iluma-rooms so it was a real find!

 Here is a website that shows a little more.
American girl-illuma-room

With the "Purple Room" walls that came with it

Here it is with no inserts and the magnets showing

The paneled look . It seems to be from the stable set. The walls are reversible to redwood.I didn't see the ceiling and I got tired of digging lol

A complete stable set found on Google

                                              

Gladys Bell is showing the scale is just right for her. Hi, Gladys Bell!

Here is the stable door

Found this on google images. They can be configured all sorts of ways. Things stick to the walls by the magnets

                                                

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