Dilemma

Where to display my dollhouses and miniatures has never been a dilemma til this last year.  When we moved to Florida 6 years ago and I saw our house, I figured there would be plenty of space to set up a nice display area in a cental location for everyone to see my miniatures.   But three dollhouses and two vignettes later and I'm running out of room.  My floral shop is in my lanai where my plants are, my Bistro is in the kitchen where the food is and my lighthouse is in our livingroom which has a nautical theme.  My poor Wizard's Tower is stuck in my bedroom until I can figure something out.  The settings themselves are ok but I really didn't want them  scattered all over .   So, this is what my new poll is about.

Where do you display your dollhouses, vignettes and miniatures?    There may be more (or better) options than what I've listed , so please choose the answer that fits you best and as always, feel free to leave a comment.
 I will be back shortly to show you my hanging baskets along with a short tutorial on how I made them (so stay tuned!)

Neat Youtube Video

Every now and then, I visit Youtube and check out any videos about dollhouses and miniatures.  So when I found out about this one, I had to pass it on.  I highly recommend this video so please check it out, you'll be very glad you did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NTV-v_n2CI

To find out more about the Great American Dollhouse Museum, follow this link.  Fascinating!
http://www.thedollhousemuseum.com/

I sincerely welcome my new followers and hope you enjoy this blog.  Remember, if you are having any give-a-ways, please let me know and I will put a link on my sidebar.  I have several more yet to list but will gladly take more.

I haven't done any minis this week because I have two wonderful visitors this week- my daughter and grandson from Illinois.  Although it's been cold here in Florida, we are having a great time.

I hope the new year is going well for all of you.  Mine couldn't be better
TTYL
Diane

Texturing and Wallpapering

Thanks to Tabitha for leaving her comment on texturing.  It may well be Ron Mummert who first came up with this type of texturing.  He used tissue paper instead of kleenex and since I have a good supply of that, I just might try it. 

Alennka suggested to use wallpaper paste to hang fabric.  I think I will do just that because this fabric is a little on the heavy side.  I was going to use a clear drying gel type glue but it's very thick doesn't spread easily.  Now all I have to do is find paint to compliment this color.  I'll probably end up mixing my own.  I'll take pictures as soon as I can.

Sorry this post is so short but have to get ready for a birthday luncheon.  I just wanted to say thanks for the advice and comments.

Til later!

Update and other things

A big welcome to my newest followers, Mary, Paul, Tabitha and Cris Colas.  I hope you enjoy by blog and find some useful hints and tips. It's a pleasure to meet you!

The picture below shows only a few of the things I received from 2 large group swaps a while back and now reside in the Wizards Tower.  My contribution was an embroidered banner (not shown) but I will do a very short tutorial on that later.  I also made most of the furniture but it was the swaps that really made the tower so special.

By the way, if you plan to do anything along the medieval line, please join Dream Dwelling on Yahoo groups.  The files are loaded with historical information on customs, architecture, foods, etc which I found very useful.

Now, on to other things.  This last week I did very little in the way of miniatures.  We spent 3 day packing up my inlaws things because they moved from a condo to an apartment.  But, since my mother in law no longer sews, I was given some beautiful lace, sewing supplies and some gorgeous fabric.  I have already made plans to use the lace and fabric in a roombox, either a nursery or toddler's bedroom.  Now, this leads to another point.  As long as I have been a miniaturist, there are several things I've never done before.  One is using fabric as wallpaper.  I know there are probably tutorial out there, but this fabric may be on the heavy side.  It's actually a linen napkin and the color is a beautiful pale pink.  What type of glue should I use and should I scotch-guard it first?
Any help or advice you can give is truly appreciated.

Til next time!

Thank you!

First of all, I sincerely apologize for not welcoming and thanking all of you who have become followers of my blog.  It is very encouraging to think I have something on my blog that may in some small way contribute to the world of miniatures.  I have visited all of your sites and will be adding the links soon...(that is if Blogger doesn't decide to delete more of my stuff.) Thanks again.

I did get asked a question about using sandpaper as shingles and if it was a dust collector.  The answer is a definite.. yes!  But there are several things I do to minimise that problem.  First, use the finest grit sandpaper you can.  In this case, I had 320 grit but honestly don't know if it comes any finer.  Second, I dust off the roofs, porches, dormers and other exterior parts at least twice a month (honestly) using a very soft bristled paint brush.  This to me is funwork, not housework.  It also allows me to check for any paint touch-ups or repairs I need to do.  The insides of my dollhouses I do less often.  The last thing I do, is cover the houses with saran wrap if we are to be gone for any length of time...like this fall when we will be gone for 2 months.  Every little bit helps.

The poll on my sidebar is now closed and the results are about what I expected.  I go with the majority about half the time, depending on my project.  I had no special reason for asking this question, just curious.  I will be listing a new poll in the next few weeks.

I did very little minis today because I spent most of the morning trying to figure out why Blogger is messing up my blog.  Somehow I lost "Blogs I Follow" list so will have to re-enter it all.  This afternoon, I will be taking some pictures, and re-taking others.  I am not a photographer.  Some of the pictures I have seen on other blogs are a lot better than mine and show all the details.  Hopefully, I'll get better.  If I have time tonight, I will try to introduce you to my second dollhouse that I call "Home of the Wizard, Nicholas"
Til next time!

My first poll

I just added a poll and hope all of you vote.  It's just something I have been wondering about for some time.  It will be interesting to see the results.  If there isn't an exact answer that fits you, please leave a comment.

Blogging

I'm still working my way thru this whole blogging thing and will be adding a few more features soon,  First, I  will be adding links to all the blogs of the people who are following me (along with a few others). I really enjoy all your blogs and appreciate your support.  The tuts, diys and pictures have been very informative and inspiring,
The second thing I would like to add would be some polls.  I am very curious about how other people do certain things (such as gluing, painting, etc.).  So please stay turned.

A long absense

It's been much too long between my last post and now, but real life hit me on the shoulder and said "pay attention".  So I  took care of what I had to and  hopefully it will be smooth sailing for a while.

I have added a new side label to my blog called HIMIs/Tuts- abbreviation for "HowI Made It"  and tutorials. Most of the tips, tricks, and tuts are not mine to claim and I will try to give credit where it is due.  However, some I have used for years and don't recall where I learned them.  Please let me know if they are truly yours and I will be glad to mention your name.

So, who wants to make a camper's stove top coffee pot?

Lighthouses

All my life, I have been crazy over lighthouses.  Many years ago, my husband and I took several tours around Lake Michigan and  I still get chills whenever I look at all the pictures we took.  One of my favorites is the White River Lighthouse In Whitehall, Michigan.  Below is a link so please take a look.
http://www.michigan.org/Property/Detail.aspx?p=G4902

Naturally, when I saw the Lighthouse from RGT, I simply had to have it.  Altho these 2 light houses are different in structure, I love them both.

I'll be adding more and better
pictures soon under the tab "Lighthouse at Gavin's Bay"