Little treasures

I don’t know about you, but everywhere I go, I’m spotting miniature treasures to use in my dioramas. Here are some of my recent acquisitions.

Left to right: The white vase and little Avon lady in blue were found at an antique shop in Grandville, Michigan, last weekend. The flower cart was a gift from my sister— it’s a placecard holder she found at Pier One … I just removed the holder stick. The red roses lying on the top of the sideboard are from Michaels. The birdhouse is a little metal and enamel trinket box from Hobby Lobby. The painted sign is actually a magnet, also from Hobby Lobby. On the shelves below are a few books I made along with two antique salt holders I picked up in my travels.

Amazing things are out there! Just check out your local antiques or crafts store.

 

Saturday project #3

And … we’re back to creating backdrops. I’ve had this lovely green damask print scrapbook paper for a while. Today, I was able to mix paint to match and build another 1:6 scale backdrop for my collection.

1:6 scale sewing room

Last month while on vacation, I discovered an adorable iron and ironing board set by Maileg Danish Design. So I decided to set up a sewing room set to show them off.

I already had a sewing machine — a vintage pencil sharpener I found in an antique shop. But I wanted a cute sewing table to complete the room. So I ordered one from the Esty shop, DreamStudioDollHouse. They are located in Russia — so be prepared to wait a month for shipping — but their furniture is so cute, it’s worth the wait. My new Singer sewing table arrived today, and I love it. You can’t see it in these photos, but it has elaborate scrollwork on the legs of the table, just like the vintage cast iron legs of the original Singer sewing tables.

And yes, those are “patterns” stacked on the ironing board and a mini pin cushion on the sewing table. Couldn’t find my tiny scissors though … may need to organize the doll room soon.

New backdrop

I’ve been working on a white paneled backdrop for some time now. I kept trying different options for the panels, but I wasn’t in love with them. So I ordered some more Japanese chiyogami paper and bought some dollhouse molding and small wood appliques.

I started by painting a piece of plywood. Then I used some Modge Podge as wallpaper paste to adhere the paper to the board. My rotary cutter worked great to cut mitered corners on the molding. Then a lot of measuring and gluing.

The wall sconces are hooks with crystal tips placed on top of a knob backing. I found them at Hobby Lobby.  The hooks were silver, but an oil based Sharpie paint pen changed them to gold.

Next I need to make a hardwood floor. I have some popcicle sticks …

Affordable rhinestone earrings for fashion dolls

A few weeks ago, I wandered down a random aisle at Hobby Lobby and found the perfect earrings for my fashion dolls. They are actually sold as sequin pins, but the post is plastic with a rhinestone at the tip. They fit my Silkstone Barbie perfectly, while protecting her from the dreaded green ear.

The pins come in a package of 100 (50 sets of earrings!) for $2.99. Quite a steal! And you get an assortment of clear, black, red, light blue, green, and dark blue.

Don’t bother checking their website because the item is out of stock at the moment. So you’ll have to check your local store … and get there before I do!

They also have colored plastic sequin pins with a plain ball at the end that also work well as earrings. See photos below.

2018 Hallmark Keepsake ornaments

This weekend marked the debut of the 2018 Hallmark Keepsake ornaments. Our local Hallmark store had some special promotions for Gold Crown members, so I stopped by to see if there were any cute Barbie size minis.

There were too many choices! I walked out the door with 3 ornaments but could have just as easily bought a dozen.

Here are the ornaments I purchased. The skipper doll in her original box, a tray of Christmas sweets, and a cute corgi puppy running off with the Christmas tinsel.

And here are some other tempting choices. The snowcone machine was a little pricey but oh, so cute. The guitar is the perfect size for Barbie. Soda Shop Barbie was cute. The tray of Halloween sweets includes candy apples, candy corn shaped cookies and glittery spider candy. The Playdough jar, car, and Santa figurine are all from their mini collection and would look nice in a toy store diorama. And I almost picked up the kitten in the box of Christmas ornaments. Might have to go back for that one!

 

Summer essentials sale

For a limited time, save 10% off 1:6 scale purses, pillows, and furniture in my Etsy shop, Hankie Chic.

New to my shop is the most adorable wooden chair with a distressed painted finish and petit point seat cushion. This chair is included in the sale.

Royal Wedding Guest for Barbie, FR, and Victoire Roux

In anticipation of the royal wedding next week, I decided our favorite fashion doll should have a new outfit to wear to the event. And only a very special hand-embroidered hankie in blue and white seemed appropriate.

The blouse has a shapely v-neckline, a fitted waistline, and a ruffled peplum. It fastens in the back with pearl buttons over snaps. Because I had to use absolutely every inch of the lusciously embroidered border, I inset a panel in the front of the skirt to show off the last little bit.

Modeled by Tribute Silkstone Barbie. Now available in my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/listing/613857947/royal-wedding-guest-for-barbie-victoire?ref=shop_home_feat_3

Clay flowers

Many of you may have noticed or commented on the flowers that appear in my photos. My flower lady, Joy, has alas moved from Michigan to Tennesee, but I happened to run into her yesterday at the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan. I discovered she has just opened an Etsy shop to sell her flowers. It’s called TheArtFair. Check out her shop at TheArtFair.etsy.com. Here are some samples of her work from one of my archive photos.

Wildflower Silhouette for Barbie, Poppy, and Victoire Roux

This suit features a cropped jacket with 3/4 sleeves over a strapless dress with contrasting waistband and side drape in luscious black and aqua. This suit is modeled by Black & White Tweed Suit Silkstone Barbie.

The diorama the doll is standing on is another bargain from our local Hallmark store that’s going out of business. My husband surprised me with it for my birthday. It’s a Seraphim Classics Heavenly Reflections backdrop made to display angel figurines. But I think it’s a perfect scale for Barbie. And I love how the “water” relects like real water does.