Well, the last few weeks have been all about minis.  I started out making 12 tiny seasonal packages.  I won’t tell you the detail in case Little Club House does another round and I’m able to participate again. Lets just say it’s hard trying to decorate for cool weather when its really hot outside. I had another idea that I was making for myself when I ended up making 12 of them. So I had to start all over. Each are slightly different and have a very casual shabby look about them.  Part of it was inspired from the idea that every home should have one and the other part was inspired from something I had seen in a ZAkka book.  I also ran out of the cream colored felt I was using and was unable to make it to the fabric store that carries nice felt. I tried other color combos I had but never was satisfied. I ended up getting some felt that was better than the 20 cent squares you see in the stores but it still wasn’t the best quality and it was a little harder to cut and sew. I wish I had started the last 12 packages earlier so I could have taken more time on them.

   

This is some of my old doll house furniture. We have been trying to fix up, a little at a time. Painting it white, as well as bright cheerful colors. Glueing the ones that need and can be fixed. Do you reminder the gross trading card, garbage pail kids? Well, that is where the little grey plastic trash can came from. It once had garabe pail kids candy inside. The piano winds up in the back and when you open the 2 doors it plays music.

I also was excited to score this little chair on ebay for a little over a dollar. I plan on making a “little” chair cushion for it soon.

And I finally have my Etsy account straighten out. I had set up an account under La Belle Avenue a few months back. Well, when I tried to get into it I couldn’t. After several email between me and Etsy we finally got it fixed. Thank you Emily. So now I hope to be able to put some handmades items in it.

 

I was planning on making myself a water bottle carrier but I also need at least a spot for one diaper, so I thought it through… Well I wish I had but instead I just started cutting, not having the slightless clue where I was going with it and then thought about it. I sewed the linning and outer bag together, forgetting to add the straps so I did some more thinking it through but only after acting…. and I sewed on this thick cotton trim. It was a little bit sloppy  (I’m on a major time crunch here) so I made a quick bow to hide the poorly done stitches. It was a little boring looking so I added the peach flower pin, until I have time to do some embroidery.

Here is the linning. I don’t know if its the colors or just the stripes themselves but I like the calm feel about this fabric. You can see my quick stitches in this picture. I had the bag done in less than 20 minutes and this included the rampage dig through my bits and bob, ribbons, and scratching of my head about what the next move should be as well as chasing after a 2 year old.

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.

I think it needs something in the empty space above the horse. Maybe a butterfly.

I really like this pink plaid fabric. I’m thinking of making myself a water bottle holder with the strap long enough for me and use the pink plaid fabric.

Well, she is happy with this so now on to another animal.

 

I’ve turned ON the approve person first to help stop all this crazy spam that is flooding in on comments. So, if it tells you that you have to be approved, you’ll know why.

This is our work in progress.

 

There has been a lot of it lately. So, I’ve decided to nip it in the bud. And my first plan of action is finding the right tool to fix it. Maybe in here…

 

How about this one, isn’t he cute!

Saturdays trip to the Thrift store turned out pretty good when I walked away with the floor fan and *Boy are they heavy!  My daughter on the other hand could not believe I would even want such a thing.  It reminds me of one we had when I was growing up and I think it matches great with the cheerful colors in this lovely sheet I also found.  All though, the picture is pretty poor and I should be ashamed to post such a wrinkled picture.

Then it reminded me of an old Avon drawer liner roll I found at the thrift store a few weeks ago.  I’ve been thinking of projects I could do with it ~ covered boxes, collages, tags, envelopes???  Any ideas?

Then a quick trip over to my sister-in-laws ended with a new addition to the family. Meet Gracey.

Who after some begging made the trip with us, up to see my family.  My mom had found this miniature quilled flower kit.  I’ve not had a chance to look at it much but it sounds interesting.  Maybe some window boxes like these or just a vase for the table?

Before we left I was able to sneek in enough time to sew up this pillow slip cover. After I had dug out all the fabrics I wanted to use and I had the pillow ready. I could not find a tape measure, not one! We won’t name any kids, I mean people, but please return them. Thank You.

Any how, I went ahead and cut and sewed. You know how it is when you get an idea in your head and you just have to do it. Well, it was one of those times. I’m please with it and I think it looks like it belongs on my couch. It was also quite enjoyable to do without measurement and rules. Just eye ball it and go. Not to say that it will work out so well with the next project which I am told will be a horse, named Buddy??

 

 

 

We decided to paint the whole inside white as well as the ouside trim which had turned dirty looking over the years. It still needs another coat to be called finished but I’m please with how it’s coming along. This and This has been some inspiration for decorating ideas, not only in the doll house but in my home. Thank you Marieke for the lovely magazine. I have truly enjoyed it.

And this is my first attempt at a minature paper lantern, which as you can see *FLOPPED.  Note-Next time, use stronger wire so that a better, solid form can be made.

 My daughter has decided she wants to do her doll house bedroom in horses, which I think will be fun to do. It will also get me off the hook of not redoing her room, which she has been asking me to do for about a year now. I just hate to paint over these bright happy walls.

 

 I like this painting so well I think I may frame it or make a miniature painting of it for her doll house bedroom. I think that would be a nice surprise for her.

What is better than little red shoes?

Little pink cowgirl boots.

and they inspired another journal cover.

I also organized some of my downloaded and copied library book patterns. They were just a stack of papers, getting lost in the toss and all mixed up so I used what I had and straighten them up. Every thing is much easier to find now.

I think white envelopes would look nicer, but I had a whole pack of these yellow ones and they turned out cute none the less. They also fit prfectly. The one envelope is for bootie and shoe patterns and the other if for some dog softies patterns. I also made them for purse and bag patterns I have.

I hope to have my little club house items done by the first of next week and also some more of my doll house improvements to show you. Slow by steady we are.

 

I’ve had this idea for sometime now, but finally put it together. I’m pleased with the whimsy and over all cheerfulness they bring. These are lavender sachets that are attached with a ribbon. They are perfect for hanging on door knobs, pegs, in the car or where ever you please. I’m hoping to have a few up in the etsy shop next week. I’ll keep you updated. Maybe even try some different combos.

Some other Lavender links you might like, recipes, oils, detergents, How to grow, There is even a lavender Festival next week if you near Sequim, Washington, the Lavender Capital of North America.

We have had the most busiest last 4 days than I can remember in a long time. Birthdays, swimming lessons, get togethers, lots of kids, stay overs, camping plans, which were called off because of the rain but we did have the bomb fire, and they fished into the night, and that lead to the fish fry we had yesterday. From morning until late in the night we have been busy. Fun but completely exhausting. So the kids and I rented some movies and I plan on doing nothing today.  Well, except maybe make some cute labels for some of my boxes and jars, using some of these supplies from Posie