The story of a shed (Part one)

The initial inspiration

A vintage swan vase bought off eBay (the closest thing I've seen in miniature to the iconic Crown Lynn swan), and a picture of a New Zealand map ripped out of a copy of Yen (which I'd only bought for the CD on the cover), got me thinking of creating a New Zealand-inspired scene.

(And seemed like a good time to try out the rug that came with the IKEA Huset set to see how it worked in 1/12 scale) 

I added a few recent acquisitions that I thought might work, and then got sidetracked for a few days.

Stage two

My miniature Navi chairs arrived on Wednesday and made me (finally) finish the legs from the trestle kit I bought at the May show. To add a rustic-style top to the table, I pulled apart one of the damaged tea boxes I'd picked up at the Typo factory outlet.

And was happy to discover the side of the box was the perfect size for the table top:

I just needed to stain the sides to match.

At this stage I started to suspect the scene's theme was less about New Zealand and more about how my Kiwi heritage shapes me. And my favourite black-and-white-and-vintage theme was in response to the unease I feel that one of the most un-like-me scenes I have created was chosen as my first international magazine cover.

When I added my 'concrete' floor

and started experimenting with wall options,

I remembered the shed concept I was playing with in the final part of The Yellow Table Tales. And the next part of the puzzle fell into place.

Playing with the pieces

The vintage German cupboard just wasn't fitting in properly for me, so I swapped it out for an Expedit-style bookcase, which I felt fitted with the IKEA rug much better.

(At this stage, I must admit, I was tempted to recreate the Scandi studio shot using the colour scheme  I'm more comfortable with. That's an idea I might just return to: it could be fun to create a series of scenes based on different people moving in and out of the basic studio space, similar to what I do with the Limited pop-up shop every three months or so...)

 On the other side of the room I tried a vintage German cupboard unit I haven't used yet, but found that, although it worked colour-wise, it was a bit overpowering.

 Luckily, there was a sink unit as well, which worked much better (and meant that my garden shed had running water: very useful for tea making and brush washing!) You'll notice I momentarily  trialled swapping out the map and moving towards a more black-and-white look for the space, but I felt it deadened things too much so went back to the original plan:

A window above the sink added light to the space and balanced the grid pattern of the book case opposite, as did the french doors I dug out of stash. 

So now, it would seem, I have to build a shed. And decide if a run to the dolls house shop is in order so I can buy weatherboarding for the outside of it, or if I'll go down the cheap and cheerful route and declare it's made of asbestos or plywood.

Perhaps I should stop for a cup of tea and another perusal of the book My Cool Shed for inspiration?

Latest news

It's been a wee bit quiet round these parts lately: my mind's been other things (including a new job). But I have news!

News items number one

I finally have miniature Emeco Navy chairs, something I've been after for many, many years.

Many thanks to Etsy seller Amparo, who was able to accommodate my request to tweek her kitchen table chairs for my needs.

News items number two

I sorted my work table, which has been covered with a mountain of fabulous things to play with for many weeks, and has been so overwhelming every time I've looked at it than I've run away rather than create a scene.

News items number three

The Dolls' House magazine chose one of my photos to use on the front cover of their November issue. (Anyone who's been reading this blog for a while would understand the complete irony of it being their Colour Issue...)

 Oh, and there's an article on my yellow table challenge inside as well.

Wonderful Wednesday

There's nothing quite as exciting as finding a package in the mailbox. Especially a package of things that you didn't buy yourself. Especially especially when the package is from Mitchymoo Miniatures!

(And, just in case you're thinking it's a very small package: no, it's a very large stamp...)

Ooh... What's inside?

A typewriter to add to the collection!

(It even has working bits!)

Perspex chairs. I guess I can now add 'Product tester' to my list of accomplishments...

Which brings us to product test number one: alas, the wooden version arrived broken, but it looks like nothing a date with the glue tube can't fix...

This version arrived in perfect condition: 

As did these pictures and the trike (which I'm sure won't last long around here before it meets a spray can )

Silly Pepper was lamenting that she 'just threw a few odds and ends into the parcel' and was trying to tell me my package to her was so much better. I disagree. 

I'm chuffed with the contents of my package and can't wait to have a play with them. Thanks Pepper!

Wooden't it be nice?

Another recent Typo scratch and dent find was this wooden box, which needed its lid re-glued: 

 The moment I spotted it I thought it would be a fabulous focal point for a cafe, perhaps on the back wall behind the counter with display shelves each side.

So yesterday afternoon I started working on a mock up, pulling the wood in with the tables and stools and mirroring the shape of the logo with the mesh beads. (I'm still undecided as to whether they're going to be ceiling fixtures or stay on the tables as candle holders...)

I was concerned that this set up would be too similar to my last cafe, but  once I added an old box underneath the cafe started to assert itself as a coffee shop that just happened to sell cups of coffee alongside the beans and machines it focused on.

Here are a few bits and pieces I've pulled out of stash that I think might work: a vintage German cupboard, some straws, cards and biscuit rubbers from Typo, and some anaglypta I forgot I had...

Of course the dawning realisation that a coffee shop would need to have many many (many!) bags of coffee made for its displays made me decide that I really needed to clean the (real-sized) bath and think about finishing the scene another day....

At home with Hello Kitty

I was wandering past the newsagents at Belconnen Mall this afternoon when I spotted something suspiciously dolls house shaped out of the corner of my eye.

And so it was that I discovered the new part series 'At home with Hello Kitty'. I picked up issue one, mainly because I figured $2.95 was a decent price to pay for this set of plates and trays:

 Here's a picture of the back of the package:

 Some of the inclusions have potential for upcycling into useful pieces for larger scale scenes (At home is 3/4 scale...) This light fitting, for instance:

 some of the bits from the study:

 and some of the kitchen pieces:

 But I understand what I call the Del Prado principle, which is that what seems like a small outlay each week will end up with you paying way more than you need to for a pretty shoddy end result.

Having said that, I am tempted by the food included with issue 2:

Anyone else seen this series?

Pinky Promise

Pinky Promise is a pop up 'bar for besties', situated in the same complex as Limited. 

The owner was keen to create a space where females felt welcome and safe, whether they were out for a drink with friend(s) or by themselves.

The background: Yesterday a friend facebooked a photo of Canberra's first laneway cafe while she was there for breakfast. And my lunchtime trip to Typo was with a colleague who has completely different taste to mine: all pink and sparkles and bling. 

The bits:  In last week's Typo hauls, I bagged a couple of pink, heart-shaped alarm clocks to pull the bells off, and some pink striped scrapbooking paper. At first I was just thinking of challenging myself to use a colour I don't much like or use in miniature.

And then I spotted the broken crate I also picked up last week:

The phrase 'pinky promise' popped into my head, and I was off...

 Turning the crate on its side gave me a narrow (18 cm wide) space, with good height for hanging the lights (plus a convenient hole to hang them from) and a complete back wall which I could use as is

I hung the paper on the side walls to hide the fact there was a split in the sides of the crate and used some contact paper I've had forever on the floor to give the space a bit of grunge to match the distressed back wall and ceiling. The bar branding is shamelessly swiped off a Google images search.

The big picture:

Tick tock Typo

This is how the miniature brain works sometimes:

Take one newly-formed lighting obsession.

Add a pretty severe Typo scratch and dent table habit.

And sprinkle with a dose of miniature-eyes.

And suddenly, one day, you'll find yourself picking up a dead alarm clock and seeing it in a whole new *ahem* light:

Sunday shopping

Yes, I went to Trash and Treasure this morning, and yes I bought stuff for minis. Perhaps I'll show you that later but first, may I invite you to join me perusing the goods for sale at Limit3d?

Looks like they've had a bit of a makeover since we visited in May (and, previously, in December last year): they've painted the floorboards and counter. Plus added a new display cupboard (or perhaps it's for sale?)

 The vibe I'm getting is 'Fifties French'.

 (Someone's obviously got a sense of humour...)

 I'm loving this cosy nook full of fripperies. (Or is that 'fifties French fripperies'?)

 Don't forget to check under the counter...

Hmmm.... I'm tempted by the dolls house shop. And maybe the school chair. What about you? Anything catch your eye?

Tiny things at Trash and Treasure

An out-of-town friend was in town this weekend, and it's tradition when she's here,  that we meet up for a spot of Trash and Treasure market trawling followed by brunch.

Imagine my surprise to find a copy of Nutshell News on a stall at the Woden market:

 (Imagine my further surprise when I looked up and spotted a woman with a pile of Dolls House World magazines and a box of 1970s Lundby furniture! Unfortunately she had just finished buying them. But fortunately it was Ann Dowdall, wife of James, so I was pleased they were going to a good home.)

I bought a box of beautiful  bits for $5, particularly for the typewriter and the box of cutlery:

I also bought the vintage TV for $5 and paid $2 for the basket on the floor and the sea urchins on top of the TV. The blue Jean furniture, the grey cabinet and the Playmobil figure came from a $3 bucket of plastic toys found at the Jamison market.

(Total cost for everything in the picture, plus many more bits, was $15)

Also spotted this morning was this vintage Tonka camper van (parked, you notice, outside of an almost identical full sized version):

But since the asking price was $180, it stayed right where it was...