Time for Tea

Trying out a new wallpaper/carpet combination...

Oh look...Grandma has stopped by for some tea...

Can teddy join us?

Of course...bring both your teddy bears...

hmmm...thinking that green lampshade doesn't quite go with the color scheme...

where were we?? oh yes...
the tea sets look lovely on the bookshelf...

Thank you grandma for playing with me today...

Anything for you...

Happy Crafting!!

Stephiejo

Creative Barbie Furniture

Furnishing a Barbie sized dollhouse does not require a small fortune if you are patient and willing to do a little leg work. I have found the most incredible and unique furnishings and accessories from a variety of resale shops and big box stores. Now don't automatically head to the toy aisle for these treasures. Instead take a little jaunt to the home decor aisle and you'll be amazed at what you can find. You may have to think outside the box a bit for some items but if you do it enough, I promise, you'll start to look at everything in 1:6 scale. Some items will be great as is and will require only a cleaning or repainting. Other items I use as a jumping off point to transform into something more suitable.


One of my favorite pieces to use in a Barbie room are candle holders. They are so versatile. Sometimes on their own they can make a fantastic little table. I look for ornate pieces that resemble table legs then pair them with a decorative coaster for a top.

Here's an some example of a table transformation:

Originally brass this lion head piece received a coat of silver spray paint. Super glued an ornately carved real silver coaster from a thrift store, to the top and voila.





This one isn't a candle holder but a toothbrush holder. Cut a piece of basswood to fit the top and faux finished to match the base.



Fabric stores are another great place to shop for Barbie sized furniture. In recent years I have picked up several collectible pin cushion chairs which are perfect for my dollhouse. The fabric selection varies from year to year and if not available in your local store you can always check eBay.

Around the holidays manufacturers put together great little bath or candle themed gift sets that revolve around a novelty item. I have found some great Barbie sized bathtubs filled with bottles of bath oil, soaps, and lotions. Some are ceramic-others plastic but the size is much better for Barbie to actually sit in then the ones sold by Mattel.

I painted the legs gold with a paint pen. The faucet piece is from an actual Barbie bathtub. Towel bar is made from wooden bamboo skewers embellished with beads and spray painted to match.

Don't forget the picture frame aisle. A recent trend in decorating has also provided some trendy mini furnishings. Decorative chests, dressers and chair frames are popping up everywhere. 

Ok..I have MANY more ideas but will save them for a future post.


Happy Crafting!
Stephiejo

Retro Diner Love

When I first started collecting furniture and props in Barbie size I happened upon a fantastic deal at Big Lots on fabulous Bratz playsets. Since I have all boys in my house I had not seen any of these gems when they were available via regular retail establishments. I have to thank my fellow collectors for turning me onto these detailed pieces. They have so many components and are versatile enough for many different scenes. I particularly love the Retro Diner Cafe. It is a great foundation for displaying my Rement and Orcara restaurant themed miniatures.


This is the cutie patootie playset-

One word of warning..the playset is NOT red..it's more of a deep pink color. Something to keep in mind if you are looking to acquire this set for photos.


The coffee pot is to. die. for. I used it in a coffee themed grouping a few years ago:

I LOVE the Mickey Mouse Cafe series by rement. So far I've only purchased the burger set and can't wait to get the remaining pieces. Of course I had to purchase in pairs. How does that saying go...double the pleasure...double the fun? LOL...or something like that. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

In the background you can catch a glimpse of the Orcara Caca Food Shop series. Also known as Popcorn Sweet Snacks (or at least I've seen it listed for sale that way).
This set is a smidge too small for 1:6 scale but the details are amazing and I HAD to have it. Fortunately the rear counter of the Diner is extra short so these pieces fit in just right!

Yes, that says Cara Orla...and it looks like it is really dispensing soda!

The hotdog set is super cute too. The hotdogs look like they are cooked!

The blender is part of a fruit smoothie set but I thought of it for milkshakes in this diner. Now if I could only get my hands on an old fashioned mini milkshake machine I'd really be happy...add to the list of "wants".

I had a few visitors during my little photo shoot. My Silkstone waitress stopped by to check the place out. I promptly put her to work filling orders.

One of my brown eyed girls made herself at home perched on the counter no less.

She couldn't stop eyeing the milkshake so I relented and let her have it. I'm a sucker for those baby brown's. :-)

 Until next time..



Happy Crafting!
Stephiejo

Happy New Year!

Finally recovered from New Year's festivities.

Had a little too much of this:

Looking ahead to a fun filled 2011.

 Goals for this year:

 1. Take more photos. I have so many scenes floating around in my head and in my handy dandy notebook. I need to capture them digitally and share with all of you.

 2. Second dollhouse project. This time using a second hand armoire as the base instead of a plastic version. I have grand plans! Look for progress soon.

 3. Blog more. If I accomplish one and two I will have material to succeed at 3.

I think I'll leave it at that.

Happy Crafting!
Stephiejo