My Perfect Vintage

Here are photos of my Perfect Vintage room box. I made this in November at a Whitelege-Burgess class in Wisconsin. I still need to go pick up the mat board to complete the frame.

This class was non-stop work from 8am - 5pm for three days. It was a blast!
I wanted to give it a french country feel. The class learned to age the walls and woodwork. This was done mainly with washes of acrylic paints and burnt umber oil paint and liquin.
We also learned to add subtle layers of paint to give the floor tiles an aged cut tile look. The floor "tiles" are wallpaper.

I love this stairway that goes to nowhere!

This is the wine cellar room. I still have to fill it with more wine bottles. I need to purchase a picture portrait light to light the picture over the bar area.

This is the tasting room area. I am waiting on the matching bespaq chair and I am still looking for a cabinet that will look better in this room than the one I have displayed. I painted and antiqued the bespaq sideboard. The curtains and curtain rod were fun to make and hang.

The window is lit from behind with a scene of a fountain.

The wine bottle holder is from J Getzan. I printed the pictures from the Internet and re sized them to fit in the painted frames.

There are many little details to finish and accessories to add, but I just wanted to share what I have finished so far.

Enjoy,

Donna

Here are photos that I wanted to share of my patisserie decorated for the Holidays.

This beautiful assortment of cookies in a striped box is from Wee Little West.
Decorating for Christmas, I brought out presents, Christmas cakes and candies and Gingerbread houses.

In my kitchen, a red velvet cake by Kim's Minis is displayed. I made the cupcake progress board.

This doll is named "Annie' from Pat Melvin. My husband surprised me with her on Christmas morning. He also gave me money to take a Whitledge/Burgess large room box class in the fall.

I just love the patisserie decorated for Christmas.

Come in and enjoy!

Donna

Christmas Gift Exchange from Reisl

How thrilled I was to open my gift from the Christmas mini swap.

My gifts were packaged creatively in a Ball jar.

I wondered why the wrapped box was so heavy!

Look at these adorable acorn birdhouses. The top of the jar was wrapped with mini mushrooms on wire.

Inside the jar were more gifts. This wonderful snowman stole my heart.

Look at the tiny bunny!

Also, I received an aged pot filled with tiny mushrooms.
There was also a silver tray and gold jingle bells.

Thank you so much Reisl for the wonderful gifts!
I am very impressed with your talent.
Mini hugs,
Donna

Candy Christmas Tree

For years I have been collecting candy themed ornaments for my Christmas tree.

Each ornament has something to do with food or candy.

There are a few exceptions of hand-made ornaments that my children made in school.

My daughter helped me decorate it this year. We usually hang "real" candy canes on it but this year we strung ribbon candy for the tree. The kids just come up and break off a piece when they want a sweet!

Happy Holidays to you!

Christmas Cupcakes in Progress

Here is a photo of my Christmas cupcake preperation board.

I used Christel's molds to make the cupcakes and then topped them with candy

that I made.

Enjoy!

Miniature club workshop for October

This month at the miniature club that I am a member, I got to teach my first workshop.

For October, I chose Halloween goodies.

There were 18 club members in attendance. Everyone was enthusiastic and did a great job making their goodies.

These photos are of my samples I used for the workshop.

Trick or Treat!

A Tin of Christmas Candy

This tin of Christmas candy was a kit that I assembled.

All of the candies came in canes and I just had to slice and arrange them.

The box is painted, trimmed and decorated.

This is getting me in the mood for Christmas already.

Mini Hugs,

Donna

Chocolate Decadence

These tray of gourmet desserts are from the Chocolate Decadence workshop that I took at the NAME convention. This class was taught by Carl Bronsdon.

We didn't get everything finished in the class, so I had to finish some desserts and assemble everything at home.
We made black and white cookies, checkerboard cookies, cream puffs, pears in chocolate cups, layered desserts, white chocolate rose topped cupcakes, and brownies on this tray.

Here is the tiered assortment of gourmet desserts displayed in my patisserie.

This class was so much fun and I did learn quite a bit of information.

Enjoy!

Donna

Tray of Sweet Treats

Over the weekend, I worked on this kit of sweet treats.

I recieved this kit from Carl Bronsdon at a theme luncheon during the NAME convention.

All of the treats were pre-made by Carl. I just had to arrange everything in a pleasing manner.

This tray is now displayed in my shabby chic bakery.

If you are going to the Tom Bishop Chicago International in April next year, the workshops are now listed on their site, http://www.tombishop.com/.

I signed up for the Rik Pierce workshop, "Fair Rosemond's Bower".

Can't wait!

Have a great day,

Donna

Birthday Presents

For my birthday my husband to me to the Chicago miniature show yesterday.

For his first show, he handled it suprisingly well.

My first present is this doll made by Pat Melvin.

When I saw her I knew she would be perfect for my shabby bakery.

The cake stand in the center is from J. Getzan.

I put two cakes on it that were made by Miniatures by Rachel.

My presents...and husband are the best!

Enjoy your day!

Donna

Bunny teapot and treats

Yesterday I was busy making this bunny teapot. She is holding a rose which is the spout.

The head comes off and the teapot is hollow inside.
Here is the teapot displayed in my patisserie.
It is actually a little big, measuring just over 1" tall.
The next one I need to make a "hare" smaller.

Grab a pastry and have a cup of tea!

Tommorow my husband is taking me to a miniature show in Chicago.
For my birthday, he agreed to take me a buy me a present at the show.
I will post my birthday present soon.
Mini hugs,
Donna

Pumpkin and Bunny teapots

Here are a couple of little teapots that I have been making the past few days.

The pumpkin teapot was fun to make.
I intended the bunny to be peaking out of a tree stump but I don't think I have quite captured that image. Perhaps it looks more like a acorn?
But this is my first teapot that opens and is hollow...so that is a plus.
Painting the face was quite a challange.
Anyway, have a cup of tea and enjoy!
Donna

Scenes From My Patisserie

Today I thought I would share some scenes from my patisserie.

This photo is a view out of the window onto the garden. The ruffled wedding cake is displayed on a pedestal.
This scene shows the birdhouse teapot that I made last week next to a tea box that I received at the NAME convention. This was one of my favorite exchanges I returned home with.
The tea box is filled with individual tea packets. The top of the box is laser cut with the names of the tea. Until I make my tea shop room box, the teapots and tea box will be displayed in my patisserie.

This scene is of a truffle tower that I made about a month ago. There are dark chocolate and hazelnut truffles with red rose accents. A small box of luxury chocolates sits nearby.

I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Donna

For the Birds

Yesterday I was supposed to be cleaning house and getting ready for a cookout but I got sidetracked creating this little birdhouse teapot.

I am so pleased with how cute it turned out.

I should have put a dime next to it so you can see how tiny it is at only 5/8" tall.

Now....off to make another one!

Donna

Still playing with clay...little witch and her kitty

This is a little witch doll holding her kitty that I made a few days ago.

As you can see, I still need more practice. But I have come a long way.

She stands just over 1" tall.

I almost have my 20 Valentines dolls completed. Since the Mini club party is this weekend, I better get the final two done.

I took this photo with my NEW camera! I was using a simple Kodak pocket camera and my close-up shots were mostly blurry. This camera is awsome.

I asked Kim at Its a Wonderful Life, what camera that she used because her pictures are great.

I bought a Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 and I am very satisfied with the macro shots.

Plus it is a super cool camera!!!!

Donna

Photo challenge from Marsha

For this challenge, I was asked to go to my picture file, pick file number 4 and photo number 4 in that file. This is the picture that I found. Then I have to explain a little about it.

Lucky that I got a good photo! Many of them are not in focus.

Her name is "English Rose". I created her from dusty rose colored mohair. I listed her on Ebay and she was adopted and went to live in Belgium.

Now, I will send the challenge to four more.......

I apoligize if you have already been challenged.

Teresa at MiniMadWoman

Shannon at Shannons Mini Blog

Marlies at Marlies en Minies

Eva at Evas miniatyrer

thanks!

Dahlias in Bloom

I thought I would share another interest besides miniatures that I love.

Last year I started growing dahlias. Ideally I craved a rose garden but where we live in rural Indiana, the Japanese beetle destroys the blooms as quick as they come.

They still bother the dahlias but not as bad.

I started the tubers indoors for an earlier bloom.

This dahlia is called "Miss Delilah" from Swan Island Dahlias.

My dahlia garden in bloom.

Here are some smaller dahlias mixed with petunias.

At 4' tall, this "Tempest" dahlia is one of my favorites.

Another great thing about dahlias is that in the late fall I can dig them up and store them for next year.

I just thought I would share these photos with you.

Donna

Trick or Treat Halloween Table

These are photos of my Aadams Family Reunion Table that I made at a class taught by Carl Bronsdon at the NAME convention.

The first day we assembled the table and made all of the paper party decorations. There are paper masks, cones filled with candy, party poppers, and the Halloween banner.
The second day we worked with fimo and created all of the goodies.
The table is filled with donuts, candy and carmel apples (complete with the worm), brownies, suckers, stick candy, candy corn, pumpkin topped cupcakes, popcorn balls, a fancy spiderweb topped cake, and a bowl full of candies.

I learned a wealth of imformation in this class. Carl is a very good teacher. The fimo candies and food were all suprisingly easy to create. It is just knowing the methods and taking it step-by-step.

We even made the candles! The most important thing that I learned is to just have fun with it and not drive myself crazy trying to make each item perfect. There are many items on the table that I didn't labor over, but it looks great as a whole.

Have a goodie and welcome to the party!

Donna

Playing with dolls

For my miniature club exchange gift I have been making little polymer clay dolls.

The theme of the exchange is Valentine's Day so I gave them little red dresses, aprons, pink hats trimmed with ribbons and flowers. Each one is just over 1" tall.

This picture shows the dresses and hats a little better.

I have 7 made so far....only 13 more to go!

Here are two other little 1" dolls that I made.
They are the perfect size for my quarter scale house. I also use them as "dolls" in my 1" scale scenes.
They are fun to make.