Book Review and Owls!!!

Hi there! On my facebook page, I had asked folks if they'd be interested in reading book reviews on my blog. I did receive some positive responses, so I thought I'd start with a very fun selection from my bookshelf called Microcrafts.

This colorful book details 25+ projects you can make using scraps in your craft stash. I am all about using up materials and letting very little, if any, go to waste. This book is great for giving you ideas on how to do that! Imagine having a "crafternoon" or a rainy day where you wanted to create but didn't want to start a "big" project. This book is perfect for that situation. It would also be fun to share with a younger craft fan as well! There are lots of simple projects (bunting, for example) but also some more complicated projects (mini books) that will take some more time and patience. 

Back of the book...

 

As a miniaturist, I find this book a great source for ideas for my dollhouses (in 1/12 scale). Books, bunting, miniature candy, deer heads, houseplants (including macramé plant holders!), and birdfeeders are just a few of the projects that are directly applicable to the miniaturist hobby. However, it is easy to adapt any of the projects for a dollhouse scene. For example, I made one of the little fabric owls (shown below) and decided (by mistake, actually) that they would make super cute pillows! Perfect for a 1/12 scale scene!

I made this little guy using the instructions in the book! Super cute. The ribbon can be used to hang him from just about anything.

The little guy on the right was my first attempt at the owl project in the book and he turned out too short to look right, so I made him into a pillow, which is perfect. The little guy on the left is the third one I made (I got a bit carried away in making these! -___-;)

The instructions are quite clear. There are some great photographs and diagrams. You can use tracing paper to copy the patterns so you can use them again and again!

(By the way, the chairs above can be found in my Etsy shop here.)

A special bonus in this book is the appendix, which includes information about supplies needed in projects within the book as well as various basic craft techniques. The latter include stitches to help you complete the projects and actually make the book a great crafter's reference as well! I also enjoy the modification ideas and the information about the contributors also found in the appendix.

Sometimes you just need to create something cute, frivolous, and fun, and this book is a great guide in helping you do that, and in helping you use up some of your scraps! These projects are fine for small thoughtful gifts, trinkets, or club projects for young and not-so-young alike! I highly recommend this book. 

If you have read this book, or decide to based on my review, please comment and let me know your thoughts!

Book details:

Microcrafts: tiny treasures to make and share compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz, and Friends

Publisher: Quirk Books, Philadelphia 2011

87 pp

Retail price: 16.95 US/18.95 Canada (hardcover)

Please buy from your local and/or independent bookstores! Here is where you can find Microcrafts online or near you: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781594745218

Note: I am in no way affiliated with the authors or publisher of this book, nor have I been compensated for this review. This review is merely to express my opinions of the book and my experience using their instructions!

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I also wanted to share with you the finished owl pillows I made from two kits I purchased from Whimsy Cottage Minis! 

So cute!

 

Roadside America!

Last weekend, my fiancé and I needed to go to Lancaster, PA for some wedding stuff (including cake tasting!). On the way back to NY, we stopped by one of the places I went to when I was about 8 years old - Roadside America in Shartlesville, PA. It's right off of I-78. Here is their website: http://www.roadsideamericainc.com/.

I thought I would share with you some pictures as I remember how exciting this was when I was 8 and it's still pretty cool about 25 years later. :) (Photo credit goes to my fiancé, who, unlike me, remembered to bring his camera in!)

Coat hook for a dollhouse?

Hi everyone!

I want to share with you something I have been working on and maybe get some ideas. I don't know if this will be something that ends up in the Etsy shop or what, but I was playing around the other day and made this:

It's about 1 1/8" at its longest. I think it would make an adorable little coat hook in a shabby chic cottage! (Or maybe fancy curtain rod hooks?)

I got these little resin pieces from a shop online (I think it was Beady Bom Bom creations, but she closed her store) and they have been sitting in my craft area for a while trying to figure out what they wanted to be.

I had bought some clip-on earring findings at the craft store as I remember reading about their many potential uses in several places throughout the mini craft world. Well, I was playing around with it and got the hook above (on the left). There's a little hook on these which needs to be cut and filed off (I should pick up some metal files) for a smooth edge, but they are relatively easy to work with.

Here are the specific earring backings that I picked up (at Michael's):

I might make more of these and maybe even do a tutorial if someone is interested. They are exceptionally cute!

Oh, I also added some new stuff to the Etsy shop today (including the cinnamon rolls!) so please check it out here.

I won!

Apparently, I have had a wonderful stroke of luck as I won Felma's giveaway and she (very very quickly) sent me my prize! The prize was one of her BEAUTIFUL dresses! I am so happy to have it to add to my collection and I am looking for just the perfect spot. :) But here are pictures!

So pretty! :) THANK YOU, FELMA!!!!

Sweet rolls and forsythia

Hi everyone! It's a beautiful spring day today. We had a refreshing rain and then plenty of sunshine with a nice breeze.

I had to work yesterday, so I spent today relaxing and making things. I was inspired to make some clay cinnamon rolls. I haven't yet decided if I am going to sell them, and if I do, how I am going to package them, but here are some pics!

I also worked on a kit from True2Scale. A while ago, I bought a kit from her to make an enamel-style pot (out of paper) and several forsythia branches. I decided to put these together and decorate one of my dollhouses with it (or maybe the French-style roombox). :)

(Shared on Mockingbird Hill Cottage's Favorite Thing #32! Check it out!)

New Youtube video!

Here is my latest video, a tour of the historical society built last year. Enjoy!

New project revamp, fun mail, and some banners

Hi all!

I have been wanting to update, but have had little time to do so. But I have some time now and want to share a few things with you. :)

First, I have been inspired to do a springy, happy scene lately (blame it on the cabin fever) and have been digging some cute owl pillows that I bought from Whimsy Cottage on Etsy. These are SO cute and I have yet to put them together. Maybe later tonight when I park myself in front of something on Netflix. :)

Anyway, the owls and my current musical fascination (okay, obsession) have led me to make a roombox dedicated to the great band Canned Heat. They are well-known for the song "On the Road Again" and "Going Up the Country" but are so much more than that (here are just a few examples). I am currently reading a biography about Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, who was the musical scholar and creative force behind the band (though not to discount the talent in the other members) as well as the voice you hear in both of their hit songs. Okay, before this turns into a blog post about Canned Heat, I am going to quickly show you some pics! :-p

I was going to build a room box for the idea I had when I realized I already had one that would be perfect: the AG Minis roombox I picked up for an amazing price at the Real Good Toys Warehouse Outlet Sale last year (and blogged about here and here)!

Here is what it looks like now. I am going to be making some changes soon, but I wanted to share what I have now (because sharing is fun!):

This is the room so far. It's a bit frilly with the white wire furniture, but it really gives a retro vibe to it. I think I am going to put more posters on the walls.

These charms are from Hobby Lobby and are super-cute.

This is an old frame I've had in my stash for a while and finally decided to fill it with a picture of the band that I printed out on cardstock. (From front to back: Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, Bob "The Bear" Hite, Henry "The Sunflower" Vestine, Larry "The Mole" Taylor, and Adolpho "Fito" de la Parra.)

I made these miniature albums and covered them in plastic to look more realistic.

Some baskets and a little chest charm that actually opens adds a little detail to the white wire shelf. I'll probably change this around quite a bit.

These fabric covered buttons are really cute. I bought them on clearance at Michael's craft store and they make nice little 1/12th scale throw pillows. Once I make up the owl pillows, though, I think I will remove these and use them for something else.

One more album sitting on the bottom shelf. :)

I plan on building a miniature turntable and stereo which will be in the corner where that wooden chest is. I'd like it to actually play music wirelessly from my phone, so I am going to play around with that idea.

The other thing I wanted to share was some lovely mail I received from Monika at PuNo's Minis! We had been involved in a lovely swap several months ago and she sent me a lovely surprise card for Easter with some cute little treats: a tiny chocolate bar and a little Easter book! I love them both! Thank you, Monika!

Finally, I wanted to share these little silk banners in my stash. I found them at a cool antique shop in Vermont and I thought I would use them for something. One is for Norway and the other for Peru. I haven't been finding any use for them and wanted to see if anyone here would have a use for them before I find something to do with them.

First come, first served. If you only want one, that's fine. Just post a comment below saying that you're interested and in which one if you just want one. We'll work out shipping details via email. :)

If I don't hear from anyone here who wants the banners by April 15th,  I'll likely find a place for them somewhere. :)

Here's a pic showing both:

(Note: That white sticker was the price tag on the plastic bag and are not on the actual banners.)