Sheila's Heart and Lace Cottage Quarter Inch Scale

Project still in package. I liked the example of wallpapers but decided I had others I liked even more. I can't resist making projects my own.

Building Done.

Layout of inside cottage. It was altered slightly when pieces were all glued in place. The Raggedy Bed was made by Cindy McDaniel and purchased on miniatures.only.

Don't you just love the little RA&A. I love the pine trees and birdbath. The bicycle is wonderful. The walkway is broken egg shells.

I love the little flower boxes on either side of the front door.

I certainly loved the little picnic table. I will eventually outfit with party items.

One of the online Internet groups I belong to had a project in January to finish an 'unfinished project'. Miniaturists seem to have a lot of those laying around. You only had to build the building Well, my personal belief is that its still unfinished. I believe I can hear a project mocking me when it is in that state. I thought I would finish it to display status.

New Orleans before Christmas

Just before Christmas I decided I had to go somewhere. I was missing my son and knew he wouldn't be home until mid January. I asked my husband to pick one: New York, Washington DC or New Orleans. He picked New Orleans. We have always loved New Orleans. After booking our trip on Travelocity including staying at the Royal Sonesta, we were off. Our plan was to stay in the French Quarter because we wouldn't need a car; plus my husband was wearing a boot because he had strained his Achilles Tendon and was having trouble getting around.

When we got to the hotel and walked into the lobby, we were greeted with this great hall of decorated Christmas trees.. They all had stuffed bears on it. The afternoon we got there they had a tea with Santa for young children. I'm sure the kids had a great time. The little boys had on suits and the little girls, fancy party dresses. They were darling.

The hall just glistened. The walls were mirrored so the lights just bounced around.

Well the Oyster Bar was wonderful for seafood; but it was also great for Breakfast - Biscuits and Gravy were absolutely wonderful. Yum!!!

What's a trip to New Orleans without coffee at Cafe Du Monde.

Look at all that sugar. I was covered in it - but oh so great.





I love the antiques shops. We browsed through lots of them, but I am always searching for ideas for my miniatures so I really liked this antique shop. Think it will be cornerstone for a new project I am just now formulating.

Isn't it a great window. What great curtains to frame all the great items.

You can't do New Orleans without listening to Jazz. A great group and we totally enjoyed ourselves.

This has been a bit of a different post for me, but we had a great time. If you haven't been there, you should go.

Make Mine Chocolate - Quarter Scale Cocoa Container Shop

Who doesn't like Chocolate. It is clearly my favorite above all things. I am way behind others on a couple of Internet Miniature Swap Groups that I belong to in making a scene from a Cocoa container, but better late than never. Finding one in Key West was IMPOSSIBLE. Finally I had to look on eBay and found them. Bought 2, although I've only used one to date. They are the cutest little containers and certainly lend themselves to bakeries, ice cream shop, etc. Above is the front of the shop. You can see the name of the shop above the door "Make Mine Chocolate". Little bench outside although with the snow on the ground, no one wants to sit there.

You can see it's cold outside, through the frosted glass. Anticipation!!!

Small shop, 2 tables, but lots of cakes, brownies, cookies etc. What to choose?

Pretty simple interior.

Cases were made from task board (I made them) and they work great.

Another view of the interior.

Still another view.



This was certainly a fun project. Now what to do with the other cocoa container??

Let's Tablescape a LITTLE!

I've been a follower of Susan's http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ for quite some time. She has some wonderful ideas and inspirations. She has Metamorphosis Monday and Tablescape Thursday. I've participated on both and that is what inspired this posting. I belong to several Internet Swap Groups for miniatures and Swap Shop, hosted by Fern Rouleau, is one of the best. It is a creative group of people. Fern was looking for swap ideas and I suggested we do a 'dinner for two' tablescape. This is a lot more involved than most of our swaps. All swaps are limited to 10 people and when I suggested it, I was very doubtful that we would have our ten. I gave them the above link to get them in the mood and as you can see, they all interpreted the theme differently and very cleverly. We got the ten participants with outstanding results. Thanks to Anamari Alonso, Audrey Meehan, Barb Kenyeres, Barb Myers, Betty Caldwell, Emma Muqsit, Fern Rouleau, LaGail Jackson and Wendy Cole for their outstanding efforts.



To give credit where credit is due. Babette of http://maidenamerica-babette.blogspot.com/ let me know about Susan's site and also mentioned that they would be fun in miniatures (she is a very creative miniaturist).

The rooster setting is mine. I'm going through a Rooster phase just now.

Virginia City in Quarter Scale

Last June, the Carson City Mini Makers did a class entitled "Stepping Back in Time in Virginia City" and sold kits to people who could not attend. The class was taught by JoAnn Jacot. I got the kit and after much 'kit bashing' (need to make things my own), I have finished the project. My project has a bit of a story. In the first photo, you see the main building in town. It houses a saloon, a church, a bedroom (shhhh - might be a brothel) , bath, and a bedroom for the piano player of the saloon. Outside the saloon is an outhouse for the saloon patrons and the doctor has left his buggy here overnight.
Another view of the front.
Bedroom for the Piano Player. He is glad his night is about over. He is gazing out the window wondering how he ended up in this outpost of a town. He really needs to be in a big town, making his mark in the entertainment arena.
Susie, has brought a friend home for the night. Isn't she a cutie. The bar is closed, but the bartender (owner) of the bar and the sheriff are having a late drink. Chairs are up and the floor has been swept and ready for another day tomorrow.

Unfortunately, I guess I didn't take a picture of the church part of the building. Many changes were made to the original kit - the most notable are the rectangular windows and not round top windows.

Something to wish for - a whole Christmas village.

When I got the link to this report that I so enjoyed - I just had to pass it along. Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=13650986

Take the time to watch the video. It's worth the time. Scroll to the right to play the video.

Getting My Sister Into Tablescaping

I have periodically sent my sister a link to a tablescape. She isn't the dish junkie that I am, but I think she could become quite addicted to dishes. She is a member of the Plaza Heights Baptist Church and on December 4th, she assisted in the table decorating. This event was sponsored by the Women's Ministry' The Christmas Luncheon was croissant sandwiches, chips, salad and beverage. The first picture is her creation and for the first time participating in something like this, it is great and I think she really enjoyed it. My sister, Linda, took the pictures. She is a great photographer.

After you check out this tablescape grouping - click on www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for a great variety of tablescapes. Susan, who hosts the site, has a wonderful blog.

Looks like a lot of people to enjoy the effort and, of course, the food.

After you check out this tablescape grouping - click on www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for a great variety of tablescapes. Susan, who hosts the site, has a wonderful blog.