Dollhouse Seed Packets: Whimsical Art

Do you have Spring Fever too? I know that gardeners around the country are pouring over garden catalogs and dreaming of a bountiful season.

Years ago I bought this sheet of dollhouse seed packets. I didn't want it for cute effect in tiny house but as an interesting touch in a real house. The sheet is about 4 x 3 inches and I framed it in a 4 x 6 matte black frame and put it on display on a beverage cart in my living room. 

It was a beautiful touch and one that was interesting too. A teeny-tiny conversation piece on its own that gave a nod to one of my hobbies. What do you think? What unexpected piece of paper could you frame?

#art #artisrelative #dollhouse #seedpackets #gardener #interiordesign #cutetouches

Tiny Garden Furniture Enhances a Terrarium

It is the dollhouse-lover in me that has me buying "fairy garden" furniture for my terrarium.  It looks adorable, don't you think?  I believe this link takes you to the same collection that I shopped from, though all of the pieces are not shown.  The price point is right, that's for sure.  I can't see spending a lot on a bit of whimsy, but $10-12 total? I'm in.  

I bought a garden bench, round table and an arbor for the plants to grow in and around.  I think it looks adorable and I always think that someday I'll glance over and see a tiny newspaper folded up on the bench, or a magazine left behind.

I love having a terrarium - the scale, the plants, ease of care.  It is winter, after all, and it feels good to see plants thriving and tiny green leaves sprouting.  It is always springtime in my little greenhouse.

Shiny Brite Christmas Ornament Box...For A Dollhouse

What do I love? When some of my favorite things intersect! This time it is:

• Vintage items
• Christmas
• Dollhouses

Are you familiar with Shiny Brite ornaments? I have been collecting vintage ornaments for years (Remember this nostalgic tree of mine?)  and many of those ornaments are Shiny Brite.  As a fan, I thought it was too cute that someone had made a dollhouse-size replica of the iconic box!

I found this print-your-own "Shiny Brite" ornament box for a dollhouse free online and couldn't resist making one for my friend, Beth's daughter.  She is in elementary school and already understands what it means to "finding delight." 

When I visited the family last summer in Kentucky, I got a tour of her dollhouse, met the little doll family and admired the work she had done arranging things inside.

I think this ornament box will look perfect, displayed just so under her dollhouse Christmas tree, don't you?  The printable box and instructions are online here.  I put a few tiny ornaments that I found at Michael's Craft store inside.  I love it!

If you are interested in reproduction ornaments in the vintage Shiny Brite-style, look no further than Christopher Radko.  He does a beautiful job making new heirlooms that live up to the Shiny Brite name.  

Punch Embroidery

Can you say darling?  I love to make all kinds of things.  Sometimes I mold chocolate, sometimes I knit, sometimes I decoupage vases.  A little of this, a little of that.  And often when I see a new kind of project, particularly if it involves colors of yearn or thread, I have to try it.  I had honestly never heard of punch embroidery before I saw a kit for this Colonial-style house at a quilt shop.  The kit contained the fabric printed with the design, a paper instruction guide and the necessary thread.  I bought a punch needle tool too.  I have only made this project so far, but it was really relaxing and fun.  

When I saw the kit, I immediately thought "dollhouse rug!"  The finished piece is approximately 2 x 3 inches.  Now that I have finished it, I really want it to be seen.  You see, my dollhouse family just doesn't have company often enough to make me want to leave it there.  I don't want to put this rug in front of my dollhouse fireplace and then turn out the lights and close the door.

I think that it could look really sweet with a narrow mat and old fashioned dull gold frame.  Perhaps it will become something that I can keep on the piano?  I just love it and I want to be able to see it.  Have you ever tried punch embroidery? 

Day 2 of the 12 Days of Valentine's Day:  Feel like crafting a little something for someone?  I made my mom a necklace!

Tiny Rooms

I am using this photo (from my visit to the National Museum of Modern History) to represent the idea of tiny rooms.

I have always loved dollhouses and making things, so when I get the chance to work on something small and sweet, I jump at the chance. 

Last night, one of the Garden Club Girls called and asked to borrow some fabric for a school project.  "Project?" - I said with my ears perked up.  She was working on the fifth-grade assignment called "Dream Room," which represents their ideal bedroom built from everyday objects inside of a shoe box.  Needless to say, it took all of my will power not to build a room myself!

We had so much fun sorting through the fabrics choices to find just the right sheets and pillow for her tiny bed.  And I found a strip of "cotton jewelry box cushion" that she could use to give the pillow she was making some puff.  

*sigh*  I love this stuff and it is so much fun to work with a serious decorator.  This little girl weighed her decisions carefully and was a dream to work with.  Ha! 

Thank you for letting me share my supplies with you, Garden Club Girl.  My fabric is your fabric. 

Dollhouse Quilt

I think antique quilts are works of art. I love to have a quilt hanging on the wall as a decorating element in the house.

So naturally, my dollhouse needed one too! I have a sweet pink & white "guest room" where the grandmother doll lives and I made her this quilt to hang on the wall. It makes the pink and white bedding (with ruffle pillows!) look complete.

Do you know a little girl who would like a quilt for her dollhouse? Take a piece of white adhesive-backed stiffened felt (available at craft stores), cut it to the size of quilt you would like. Cut out a few 2 x 2 inch pieces of print fabric to have color and pattern in the background. Then cut out small squares and triangles of coordinating fabrics. On the table next to you, arrange the pieces in layers until you like the design. Starting at the lowest layer (larger background pieces), stick the pieces onto the sticky side of the stiffened adhesive-backed felt. Build up the design from there using fabric glue (I like Sobo). Glue white (or color appropriate) seam binding tape to make a finished edge. Use clothes pins to hold the seam binding tape in place as the glue dries.

Voila! You've made a mini-masterpiece!

Dim Sum, Anyone?

You know how I love when dollhouses are packed with tiny household objects. Everyday items are just plain cuter when they are small. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw these little Dim Sum erasers!

They are the perfect size for Barbies. What could be more modern than Barbie & Ken sitting down to Dim Sum after a night on the town?

And yes, I said erasers. These are the perfect addition to any fourth-grader's pencil case. Remember, look for things that are beautiful and interesting.

Doll House

National Museum of American History has a 23-room dollhouse on display! Faith Bradford's (1880-1970) childhood love of miniatures grew and developed over a lifetime as she decorated this spectacular dollhouse. She donated her mini-masterpiece (along with the scrapbook where she recorded her plans and methods) to the Smithsonian in 1951.

My favorite part of this kitchen is the loaves of bread rising in the pan on the table. Such a sweet depiction of everyday life in the late 1800's.

And look at this darling little girl. She is completely transfixed.

I think Faith Bradford would be proud.

Paris: Petit Dejeuner

Now that you know me, how do you think I felt about this? I was that kid with her nose pressed against the glass - seriously. This little refrigerator magnet depicting a traditional "petit dejeuner" stole my heart. Which would be fine except that I saw it in a shop window (well after ten o'clock at night) and never made it back to buy it! But lo & behold the powers of the internet, I found it online here! Did you notice the little Bonne Maman jam jar? Adorable.

Art is Relative: Using Dollhouse Seed Packets as Art

Last week I put one of my favorite tea sets out on display. The set is called The Vert by Villeroy & Boch and it is a beautiful shade of green. 

I also framed a collection of dollhouse seed packets and placed it on the tea cart. Yes, you read that right. 
Those are tiny seed packets that can be cut, folded and displayed in a dollhouse greenhouse. 

I love how graphic they look on black and think they make a beautiful piece of art. 
I think you'll agree, art is relative.

The Decoration of Houses

Can you stand it? A tiny Christmas tree bedecked with boxes of laundry detergent and bottles of bleach! 

I wanted my laundry room to be as sweet & festive as the rest of the house, so I turned dollhouse treasures into a holiday vignette. 

A string for a clothesline and miniature clothespins to keep it secure. The ironing board (and notice that the iron is hot glued to the tree!) are from my childhood dollhouse.  You can print, fold and glue your own miniature laundry detergent boxes here.

I made the set of sheets by folding 2 squares of fabric (and 2 smaller ones as pillowcases!) and tacked them together with thread so that they would stack easily.  My tip is to show the folded edges; it makes the sheets look realistic. 

My laundry tree was mentioned in the Somerset Collection's "Sweet Memories" article, so I wanted you to be able to see it for yourself. Happy decorating...