So while I contemplate where to begin, I thought I might audition some chairs for the dining room. That meant making up some chair kits. And while I was at it, why not play a little bit, too? I decided to make six of the same HOM chairs but in several different styles, then accessorize them just for fun.
The two dark pink ones on the end are slated for the cottage's dining room, but need some work. White wax? Inked edges? Not sure yet so to be decided...
Of course each chair needs a pot of flowers to compliment it's style...
And some journals with a tassel bookmark...
And of course a cup of tea with tea bag, saucer, spoon and cookie...
 |
| My fingers are just 12 times too large for making these tea bags an easy task! |
And a basket...
With a box of tea...
 |
| After making 42 of these tea bags, I developed a knack. |
Raw Honey...
And tea towels...
And bird houses just for fun...
They need a little more character, just like these...
And here is each little chair, one in each style, almost finished...
I still don't know what I'm going to start with on the cottage interior, but I sure had fun playing dress up!
I hope in the midst of all the holiday hoopla, you're finding time to play, too! It truly is food for the soul!
xo xo,
Jodi
P.S.
I was honored to be asked to have the Sweet Christmas Cottage included in the December issue of Dollshouse & Miniatures Scene. The editor, Carl, made me take a photo of myself to include with the article, a thing only slightly worse to me than a root canal. So if you're curious, I'm on pages 28-29. Who's that middle aged woman? Ah jeeze! Is that really me?!? :/ Yep. My 50th birthday happens in December, so maybe "middle aged" is a little too generous. Unless I plan on living past 100. Which I do, because that's how long it will take to complete all the miniature projects I have dreamed. ;o)
Congratulations Jodi!! I knew that Christmas house was worthy of a publication write up.
ReplyDeleteEach of your chairs is so sweet a special, I could not pick a favorite.
I'm living to 100 as well......
Thanks Carrie! I feel like an impostor when compared to the incredible work of the real artisans in that magazine, but I will humbly and gratefully say thank you!
DeleteGlad you like the chairs - it was fun to try out many colors and styles but mostly just to keep working until something clicks with the cottage!
I'm glad we'll be sailing off into our century marks together, and may we still enjoy the same passion for making and sharing our mini dreams right up until the end!
Dear Jodi, you have the most amazingly organized and finished "play" date I've ever witnessed!!! :):) Those chairs are awesome! Each new thing you were adding had me gasping and exclaiming in amazement.... and you just "whipped them up" out of nothing!!! I am in awe of your ability to put the accessories together so flawlessly! You think of everything!!! Those tea bags... and the boxes with More tea bags... and the journals and baskets and Honey jars!!! I am enchanted! I could not decide which I like the best.... (a decision challenged person here....!) But I just love the completed arrangements so much!!! (Tea is my thing.... and books ... and birds.... and color...) and you are AMAZING!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations for the magazine article.... I will have to take a look! :) And I'm planning on 112 years of happy mini-ing.... 'cause I'm a little bit ahead of you! LOL! :):):)
Betsy I am so happy to hear that these little things delighted you because each and every one delighted me too! Those tea bags were soooo fiddly but boy the satisfaction that came from completing them was incredible! I truly enjoyed the whole process so while I am no closer to starting the inside of the cottage, I am still enjoying making minis! The best part was that I learned so much about what not to do and what to do better next time, so when I make them again it will be easier and I can share the whole process!
Delete112 sounds good! I think I could fit in a few more projects with 12 additional years! 😜 I know no matter how old we get, minis will keep us young at heart!
Congratulations on being published :) I love all your chairs. Every item is amazing. The tea bags are awesome.
ReplyDeleteHugs Maria
Thank you Maria! It was so much fun to think of things to make for the chairs and then to figure out how to do them! I hope I retain the process so that next time I can share the how's of what I did!
DeleteOh Jody! Once more you managed to come up with the most lovely miniatures. All the chairs are beautiful, and the accessories are incredible. You are the most creative lady I know.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations for the magazine article. About age? You are younger than my youngest daughter and I still feel young inside. Keep your neurons active that's the secret.
Hugs, Drora
Thank you sweet Drora! That is the highest complement coming from you, one of the most creative miniaturists I know! 💗
DeleteIt is comforting to know that even as I approach my "Golden Years" that I have incredible women like you who show me that age is truly a state of mind, and that we just get better and more creative with time!
Hugs to you, my friend!
Oh my goodness Jodi!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an impressive collection of your work. Your Oh So Creative mind and Clever hands have managed to make such a vast variety of really lovely little things!
The bird houses are Adorable and the chairs with their secret journals are Super Cool!
The cookies are so authentic-looking that I wish I was munching on them right now! Each of your gift baskets with the tea in tea boxes, towels and jars of honey are Beautifully composed and look Simply Wonderful!!!
This reminds me of your marathon sink-making posts from a little while ago, and I was just as Amazed by your work then, as I am now!
A BIG Congratulations on your Sweet Christmas Cottage Dollhouse Magazine Feature AND On your upcoming December Birthday.
Perfect Timing I'd say for your Happy 50th! :D
God's Blessings!
elilzabeth
Thank you dear Elizabeth! I am happy that you like my side track projects, and I am sure the next time I make them things will go more smoothly than the first time! Those vanities were fun in that I got to explore so many themes but awful in that they took me so much time to complete! Patience is a real struggle for me, so being able to finish this little project in three full and three half days was a real treat!
DeleteThose are my first cookies from air dry clay and a push mold. They were fun, but will be even more so (and hopefully better looking) when I am not making 50 at once! Will I ever learn to take small bites? I fear I am hopeless...
Thank you about the article! It was nice to be asked. I had to write 500 words about the project and I think about 100 of them made it into the article, lol! I guess I am learning a little about the publishing business, too! 😜
So pretty! I love all your little touches and things each chair 'needs'. I think my favorite has to be the off white. I'd ink the edges in a color as if the chair had been painted from hot pink (or some other pretty color) to cream.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your article! That's really awesome. I can't wait to get the magazine.
Thanks Sheila and I love your idea of having the previous paint layers showing through on the chair! You are going to have to do a shabby project for yourself soon! It's so much fun to indulge in the worn pastels!
DeleteI sent 28 photos and three made it in the article. He didn't reference the blog, either, so if anyone wanted to see more photos I'm afraid they won't know where to look. But oh well, it was nice to be included!
Es todo precioso !!!!!
ReplyDeleteGracias Eloisa!
DeleteHi Jodi. Each of your little chair sets is adorable. You think of everything! I love your jars of honey and boxes of tea and biscuits. And mostly I love your drive - to just get in and get things done. I look forward to seeing the chairs in your cottage too. And congratulations on being featured in the magazine! That’s fantastic! X
ReplyDeleteThank you Shannon! I wanted to have a little slice of lemon on the saucers, too, but could not find them anywhere! Ah well, maybe I'll find them in time to have them for the cottage kitchen...
DeleteI find taking the first step in doing anything is the hardest for me. My brain wants to tell me all the reasons I shouldn't or can't do something. I am learning to ignore that voice and just do it anyway! Once I start, I begin having fun. Even the frustrating moments are fun because I always overcome the problem in the end. The younger me used to throw things. Now I laugh at the problem and tell it "You think I am giving up but I bet you give in before I do."!
Agreed - starting is hard. I get lazy though, and then finishing gets hard....
DeleteGreat Jodi, I love every item you make, it looks so real, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi Gonda! It is so nice to have you here and to make your acquaintance! I have just has a sneak peek at your blog - your Fimo treats look amazing! I have added you to my blog roll so I won't miss an update, and am looking forward to catching up on your creative projects over the weekend! Thank you for your lovely comments! 💗
DeleteCada una de la sillas con sus complementos, maravillosamente conjuntados, son preciosas. No podría decidirme por una en concreto.
ReplyDelete¡Gracias Isabel! Estoy feliz de que te gusten! Cada una me atrae por diferentes razones, ¡así que tuve que probarlas todas! Pronto se irán con amigos especiales, pero, por favor, no lo digan, ¡es un secreto!
DeleteHi, Jodi - I'm simply overwhelmed at your talent and the speed at which you work! One minute you're in Arizona enjoying the sunshine, and the next minute you're posting photos of those beautiful little chairs and fabulous accessories! I love each and every unique piece. You are a master at accessorizing and knowing exactly which pieces to use together so that everything is set off to perfection. I'm actually having a hard time expressing my admiration for each tiny treasure that you've created. I have no idea how to go about making anything like that, so I stand in awe of what you've accomplished. I am so happy that the Sweet Christmas Cottage will be included in the December issue of the Dollhouse and Miniatures Scene. It's such a well-deserved honor and an exciting one! (Except for the personal photo part; I feel the same way you do about having a lovely root canal instead.) I'm looking forward more than ever to watching you work your magic on the Storybook Cottage interior. Have a wonderful December birthday.
ReplyDeleteMarjorie
Thank you Marjorie! I had come up with the ideas for making the chairs and accessories the day before we left for AZ. I tend to be really organized, so I saved photos, web pages and created a To-Do list before we left. I could not get the ideas to leave my thoughts the entire time we were gone, so the morning after we returned, with three full days at my disposal, I began in utter excitement! Because I already had envisioned the styles and had samples of the fabric and paper ready, it was just a matter of getting things designed and printed. Because of my work and computer history, making up book covers, boxes, labels and such is fairly simple for me. The hardest part was organizing my time to be productive while glue and paint were drying, lol! If ever you'd like help with anything you see here, I am eager to do so!
DeleteThank you about the article and birthday - I am fine with being 50 but my mom is really freaked out about it! 😜
Fantásticas JOdi cada una de ellas, el juego ha merecido la pena.Felicidades por tu 50 cumpleaños y por esa merecida publicación.Besos:-)
ReplyDeleteGracias Rosa Maria! ¡Todavía me estoy pellizcando que estoy cumpliendo 50! ¡Todavía me siento como una joven con toda su vida por delante! Menos mal que voy a vivir más allá de los 100. ¡Todavía tengo muchas cosas que hacer! 😁
DeleteLove your blog! I am just finding it and enjoying the creativity!
ReplyDeleteI am slowly going through all your past postings.
Do you have favorite sources for the findings and push molds?
Hi Suzi - I'm so happy that you're here and thank you for the lovely comments!
DeleteI like Alpha Stamps as a sort of One Stop Shopping for the embellishments, and they are beginning to add more push molds and miniatures, too. The one drawback is that it generally takes three full weeks to receive a package from them. https://alphastamps.net/
I have several push molds from Stewart Dollhouse Creations for a future project, but have not had the opportunity to use them yet. They do, however, offer a fantastic selection of goody making supplies if you are willing to invest a good few $$. http://stewartdollhousecreations.com/home
For the cookie push mold I used in this post, I purchased from Pei Li's Miniatures. She carries all the supplies you need to make a variety of baked goods, but again a significant investment. http://peiliminiatures.com/category_6/Dollhouse-Miniature-Supplies.htm
I've seen more affordable versions on eBay and Etsy, so I am sure a search for miniature push mold" will yield good options for you.
Good luck, and thanks again for being a part of this wonderful mini journey with me!
Thank you so much! I find it awesome that you’re willing to share. Very much appreciated by a newby such as myself.
DeleteIf you do one, you may as well do six. I am not sure just which one is my favorite. I always go the pink. I love them all, but what would I choose? The tea cups? So cute. Cookies with honey? A bird house? The kitchen towels? I can't chose. I will tell you that I have the same chair in my stash--six of them in a set and two similar strays. I need to get the Cranberry Cove done by Christmas than I'll play. Love the chairs and the little vignettes that you have created. Which one will go into the cottage? Can't wait to see.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Ann! An assembly line method is great because it gives you the opportunity to make choices and test methods along the way! I had six in my stash for a loooong time, but admit that I just ordered a couple more! They are great chairs, nice wood, easy to finish and can be styled in so many ways! I will likely make four more before I decide what's right for the cottage!
DeleteI am back after taking another look at this post, still in awe of how you do things. Then I took another tour of the Christmas house and am really over whelmed. Of course, it should appear in every miniature magazine on the market. I am now ready to do one of my little houses for Christmas because it will take all year. I am thinking of redoing one of them that I bought a while back. It will be quite an undertaking. Currently I am trying to round up little Christmas doo-dads for Lillie's house. Anyway. Just need to drop by again. You certainly do inspire your readers to do more and to grow as miniaturists.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann! I am glad you came back by and I hope when you leave you're filled with ideas! It took me from July through November to get the Christmas cottage finished, but I don't have a garden or grandchildren yet to compete with mini time! You are smart to start yours now! I collected ideas and things for two years planning to do only an Advent room box scene. By the time I was ready to begin, the ideas and stuff required a full cottage to fit them all! It was great fun, and I love having it now to display every year!
DeleteI had so much fun seeing you play along… and with each piece you've added the fun was growing! Your attention to detail (like the tiny bookmarks with tassels) is amazing… and here comes the big virtual comfort hug for the brave tea-bag-maker! Great work… although I clearly understand that your fingers were not as cooperative as they should have been. I must admit although I'm in awe with the tea bags and their boxes I'm somehow glad that I'm a coffee drinker! *LOL* Your decorated chairs turned out awesome, each one in its own style - I'm already looking forward to see more results of your playtime. And congrats again for this well deserved publication… and about your coming birthday with the big landmark. I can assure you (because I have already experienced the same in August) that you will a) survive and b) nothing will be different than it was the days before with 49! Keep having fun!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Birgit
Thank you, Birgit! Yes tiny tea bags are fiddly and often uncooperative, but if you don't give up they eventually do ha ha! How I miss coffee! Used to drink it throughout the day, strong and delicious. My stomach, however, decided not to play along any longer and even a sip sends me to the bathroom for the day! No good! Getting old with all my aging body parts is a humbling experience, and though you joined the "50 club" just slightly ahead of me I hope your parts are fairing much better! Happy belated birthday, by the way!!! The number doesn't bother me at all, I am what I am after all and I'll strive to be the best and kindest me at any age! Big hugs back, my friend!
DeleteCongratulations on being published! You're miniature are amazing, I like everything.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Faby! It is fun beyond measure to be able to play with ideas and see where they lead you, isn't it?!? I am so happy you like everything and so glad you and I can support and encourage each other in our mini endeavors!
DeleteI envy your creativity to create such beautiful objects and projects. I envy your talent to make them happen and I also envy your stash!! You seem to have every little thing you might need today or in the future to make wonderful things! Or maybe is just that you can see the potential in every object. Well Jodi, your playing dress up has been, again, a pleasure to watch. The chairs are dressed up beautifully but those aditions are marvellous. I am in love especially with the tea bags!!
ReplyDeleteHi Alex! Thank you for your kind encouragement, but you and I are so much alike in that we strive to find ways to make the little things we dream into a reality! If we were neighbors and could play together I think we'd be in for all kinds of creative fun! And of course I would share all of my supplies!
DeleteIn 2015 and 2016 I began to outfit my craft room with supplies for anything I could think I might want to try one day. I bargain shopped, bought organizers, and really changed my dining room into a workroom. Mostly now I just restock my supplies, buy special pieces, of shop sales for everyday minis that I can't figure out a way to make. I have fun shopping my own supplies, especially when I forget I had something!
Oh, my. I love every one of them. How will you ever choose which to use? I love that you show all these different options. I remember when you did that with the wash stands, too, and it was so much fun to see all your ideas come to life. Love the teeny, tiny teabags and biscuits. (I love Steward Dollhouse molds. They make them in half scale, too.) So glad you had so much fun doing these. And congratulations on being published! I will have to go check out your Christmas Cottage.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb! It was a great way to test out colors and fabrics and such with the dining room wallpaper. I also wanted to send off a few gifts from the cottage, so it was perfect all the way around. It also gave me time to ponder my plan for inside the cottage, and I have settled on my favorite room to start - the kitchen. Not much progress yet, but hopefully, the spray painting of appliances will go smoothly!
DeleteI hope to get to using more of those molds on the next project. Sometimes half scale is a better scale for 1/12th too!
How wonderful that you have an article out! So well deserved my friend. :) I must go and see if I can find it online.
ReplyDeleteI love love love every thing you have done here. I have several of these chair kits picked up in lots and I’ve always looked at them and thought.. meh... Prefering the fancier hom chairs... I never would have thought to fancy them up with embellishments,though I have no idea why I didn’t... thinking outside the box isn’t my strong suit at the moment apparently. Lol... This is why I love your blog Jodi, you are so creative.. and watching you be creative inspires me to be creative.. now I have a wealyh of ideas for mine. :D But best of all I love all your little accessories so much! The honey jars are a particular favourite. As are the tea boxes with tea bags :o the darling darling journals with so much detail on their covers and an adorable tasseled bookmark. I have some of those push moulds in my eBay cart.. your biscuits look so scrumptious I’m going to head over there and check out as soon as I finish this post :D I also love the tea towels, I’m partial to a check print tea towel and as always your choice of prints is spot on. Of course your flower pots are fabulous as well... well, it looks like everything is a favourite then.. lol. ((Hugs))
Thanks Sam! I'm happy you are liking this little trip down Shabby Lane, lol!
DeleteI love the Victorian Balloon chairs that Bespaq makes, and finally I realized that the HOM kits are very similar and I had them already in my stash! Since carving isn't an option (it's scary what I might do trying to carve poor little chairs) I thought just adding some findings might work and I really like the idea. You could use Dresden borders, too, like Elizabeth did with her cardboard chairs that came out looking better than Bespaq! You do have such a knack for spectacular outside the box ideas, so I know you can make them amazing!
I bought this stuff for the cooking shading and recommend it highly:
http://peiliminiatures.com/item_315/Decoden-Supplies--Fake-Cookies-Coloring-Kit.htm
Chalk will work, too, it's what I used on all the Starbuck's baked stuff, but the colors in this kit are really spot on!
I have a .pdf saved of the towels and I'll be happy to send it if you like. I just printed on fabric:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002201YEC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=A3G2RBEZBLAJ53&th=1
Hugs to you, my friend!
Ooh, yes please to the towel file :D and thanks for the link to the cookie colouring.. they look like they will be very useful and... as a bonus.. in a makeup emergency, they can double as eyeshadow. 😂 hehehe :D
DeleteAnd everyone will say "You look simply delicious, darling!"!
DeleteFile is on the way...
As always you manage to bang out a ton of amazing tiny things in such a short amount of time! I'm always left in awe! And these sets are too cute! Those tea bags?! Where do you get such patience for making teeny tiny minis??
ReplyDeleteI'm soo happy to see your Christmas Cottage was in the magazine!! It needs to be enjoyed by everyone! You must have it up and displayed this time of year :) And the biggest of happy birthday wishes! I hope you do something fun to celebrate :)
Thank you, Kristine! Once I am excited by an idea I become intensely focused. It's truly madness but I Love it! Glad you like them!
DeleteI have the Christmas cottage in my work room year round, so I often get to look at it and turn it around to enjoy the interior. It's wonderful!
I just got my first AARP solicitation in the mail, so I guess I am officially old now. Or retired? It's super funny to think of myself as 50 but it makes me giggle!
Hello Jodi,
ReplyDeleteOnce again this post was a real feast for the eyes. I just love the chairs you created and all the accessories you played with. Everything is so beautifully done. I really love the tea goodies and box and basket sets. They are all so well done. It is an extreme cliché, but nonetheless true, age is in your head. I am forty, look 35, physically feel like 70, and think like 12 ;)
Big hug
Giac
Thanks Giavc! It's really fum to immerse ones self into a theme and try out all of the ideas that go along with it!
DeleteYou're so right about age being a state of mind! I have the humor of a 13 year old according to my family, so though I'm turning 50 I can't help but be young at heart!
Hope your Christmas preparations are going smoothly!
Hugs!
What a great way to add some oomph to those simple chairs! The cookies and tea bags are fantastic! You make the best minis. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Brae! It's fun to make old standbys unique and interesting! The cookies and tea bags were a great little "can I do this" experiment!
DeleteYour chairs are amazing! Each one is a lovely vignette on its own. You are very, very, very talented!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being published. I hope you will share a picture of it here or on IG.
Hugs,
Véronique
You are too kind, Veronique! Thank you! 💗💗💗
DeleteI think I've only shared Christmas Cottage photos so far on IG this month, but will share the chairs and stuff at some point, too. Thank you!
Thanks to Elizabeth and your wonderfully staged gifts I discover your blog with great pleasure. What pretty creations!
ReplyDeletehugs
Thank you Claude! It is such a pleasure to have connected with you here! I in turn have discovered your blog and am so excited to catch up on all of the creative things you do! Welcome!
DeleteOh Jodi! Where to begin?! You are amazing at putting little vignettes together! I love all the chairs and paraphernalia on and around them. Incredible! I'm going to bookmark this post because I think that gorgeous burgundy themed chair ensemble would look gorgeous in my conservatory! As always, that you for sharing and for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Teresa
Thank you for your lovely comments, Teresa! When I made this set, I had Elizabeth's Villa Leone in mind, but now that you mention it, it would be perfect in your opulent Beacon Hill! I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with as your designs and interior are always so beautifully mastered!
DeleteOH! And congratulations on making it into the magazine! Well deserved! I'll look for you there!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Teresa
TY💗
DeleteHi Jodi, I love your blog, I have been "binge reading" for several days! I wondered where the raw honey jars came from? My husband and I are beekeepers and I wanted to incorporate a honey stand in a mini market stall I'm working on.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle
Hi Michelle! Thanks so much for taking the time to read the blog - I have had many binge sessions out there in blogland, too, and it's so inspiring to see everyone's creative ideas!
DeleteIt's so neat that you are beekeepers! My brother will start his fourth year keeping bees this spring, and it is absolutely fascinating! He keeps us in incredibly delicious honey, too!
The jars and lids I used are made by Falcon miniatures and you can find them using the link below but can also find them from many other vendors. I used the honey colored Gallery Glass and a toothpick to fill them, then printed, cut and pasted on labels of my own design. When the Gallery Glass dries it sticks to the sides but looks as though the jar is full.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dollhouse-Miniature-Jars-Canning-Hardware-Organizing-1-12-M-Approx-5-8-T/392220750968?hash=item5b522db478:g:d0UAAOSw4xpb9YlB:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true
Good luck with your market stall project! It sounds like so much fun!
Thank you sooo much! You and Elizabeth are my mini heroes :) . Could I ask one more favor? I would love to have a copy of your towels and rugs that you used in the Storybook Cottage bathroom. They are gorgeous. My email is: meemee360@gmail.com. Thank you again, Michelle
DeleteEmail with files sent - thanks again for your comments! :O)
Delete