I Dream of Birds

I had a great dream last night that all my canaries were living in my dollhouse! It was great. I was feeding them bannana slices rolled in birdseed through an open window, and one of my birds was talking to me. Odd though that his voice was that of Bruce Springsteen, since I've only had one of his albums. It was clearly him and I can't remember what he was saying...

I took some quick pictures of Annie's little dinosaur sleeping in the master bed of my dollhouse after I saw these pictures on Flicker. They were protected so I couldn't slip one into this post. I think they are a perfect mix of animal+dollhouse+weird which I am drawn to.

Nuts About Miniatures

I love miniatures. I'm drawn to anything that has an unusual scale. Evidence here. I also love working with nuts, twigs and leaves. Annie and I have an ongoing Fairy Village that we are always working on and collecting for. So when I saw this recent post of Ulla's my heart skipped a beat. Not only are they miniature, they are made from acorns, sticks and twigs!
Now Annie and I want to try our own kitchen goods display!

Ulla credits this find to the Japanese Nut Craft Shop and to Haute Nature: D.I.Y. Projects. You may want to brew yourself a cup of tea and explore this treasure trove. I bookmarked it so I can return to it.

Someone's Getting a Go Cart!

O.K. So I like to take my dollhouse fantasies all the way. So what? Who wouldn't love to get that go-cart? Or the kitchen set, or the big box of Lincoln Logs? Besides, this is the first year (after ten years of building) that I've ever had it out for the holidays!

So, I guess it's Christmas Eve already in the dollhouse and the children are asleep while the parents scurry around with last minute decorations and putting presents under the tree.

I still haven't gotten around to hiding the battery pack that lights the Christmas tree. See it there behind the Lincoln Log box? (Second photo down) And to those of you who want to see the dollhouse all lit up for Christmas, don't you worry! I'll take some pictures with the lights all-aglow before the 25th. Maybe by that time I'll have a tree skirt or a holiday box to cover the pesky Duracell's.


Would it be going to far if I left a tiny plate of (Fimo) cookies for Santa and some carrots for his reindeer?

A Little Halloween?

Ever since I started this dollhouse ten years ago, I dreamed of having it perched in a picture window decorated tastefully for the holidays. This year, I think my dream is coming true. Since I started building it, I've had it stashed away in my studio in Santa Cruz, where few people saw it, slowly working on it, and sometimes taking a break for years at a time. At times I wondered if I'd ever finish it. Then I'd get lost in the joy of building and painting and dreaming it up. It's been just recently that I have been letting myself feel the thrill and satisfaction of finishing something that most people thought was "biting off way more than I can chew."

This miniature home has fourteen rooms, is fully electrified, and is complete except for the attic three rooms, and a few details here and there. It is enormous! I mean really big! (See picture below.) It never would have fit in our last house, and it was only a hope that I would ever have a house large enough to hold it. What was I thinking when I decided to build it?
It was totally embarrassing when it was time to move it out of the studio where I build it, and the movers had to take off the door jamb just to get it out! I will say to my own defense, that that door had been replaced a few years ago with a different frame, and that I had measured to be sure it would fit out the original door width before I built it.

I made the ghost, pumpkin cookies and full size pumpkins with Fimo.

Halloway House

My dear friend Lea is a contractor. She's building a small two bedroom colonial style house with a traditional style...all by herself. From framing to roofing, cabinetry to custom finish work! I'm amazed! To top it all off she has three small children under the age of five! She's on a really tight budget too and is counting her pennies just to buy adequate lighting. My hat is off to her. Oh! Did I mention it's a miniature house? Yes, she's a dollhouse contractor, and she's building a 1"= 1" scale miniature house that she has built from the Real Good Toys kit called The Simplicity. I love to watching her process, and I love having a companion in the world of miniatures. Our plan is to have a "Open House" at some point and show our houses to the world. It may be a while. We both have plenty to do. Lea is finishing up this house, and has her next one lined up.

Don't worry, I'll let you know when we're ready.

Hello Visitor!

Hello MakingPeace Visitors,

I noticed recently it was DeLurking Week in Blog world. It seemed like an attempt by some curious Bloggers to gently nudge Lurkers (those who enjoy reading blogs anonymously) to leave some message announcing themselves, even if it's just a simple "hello!" I didn't join in when I saw it going around. For me, my biggest pleasure in blogging comes from the writing and reflection it brings me. I'm also imagining someday Annie might like to have a copy of it as a way to remember our life together as a family and maybe "seeing" me as I am today.

I'm tickled and amazed that some of you are enjoying my blog too! Some of you comment, call or email me to let me know you are reading and I love knowing who you are! Thank you! Another way I know about visitors is a free blogging service I use called SiteMeter to meter who's looking in. It gives me a general idea of who and where and how long, etc. It's easy to identify certain friends and family by this information. I have to say though, I'm finding myself kind of curious about some of you! What keeps you coming back? Would you be willing to leave a comment or email me sometime? Just a hello or feedback about something you've enjoyed?

I hope to hear from you!
With much warmth,
Patrice

Above Photo-Foyer of my dollhouse with terrier looking into the dining room.

The Little World

Much to all of our surprise, garden elves seem to have decorated Nana's dollhouse while were were all tucked in our beds asleep last night. Wreaths, garlands, and stockings were all hung with care! Even a little Christmas tree! What a surprise! Annie and her friend Chloe swear they see tiny wet footprints all through our house which proves the theory!