How is everyone doing with their New Year's resolutions? or as I called them, "promises to myself".
I still have them on my mind but I'm not sure that I've made any headway yet. LOL
I did promise myself to not only start the blog but to keep it up - so far, success! - just for showing up . . .
I do appreciate you're writing to me also :) I'm really glad you're enjoying the blog!

I'd love for you to write in to let us know how you are doing with your own "promises" - what they were - you can remain anonymous if you'd like ;)

Now, I'd like to share a piece with you that I created. I'm always excited about my latest piece. (I'm not great at photographing miniatures :(  Does anyone else find that to be difficult?) The chair upholstery was inspired by my mother. I mentioned that she doesn't match the dining chairs. . . Here's my interpretation.

This set is available in my Etsy shop.

Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com

I love when customers and friends send pictures of their dollhouse projects to me. Some are room boxes, bookcases, elaborate, simple . . . This house below belongs to Terri Quinn. She bought it 25 years ago when her boys were small - and now she has time to work on it - LOL - Sound familiar to anyone?? This house was 50 years old when Terri bought it!! So it's 75 years old now . . . What a cool way to go vintage! 

What a pretty house . . . I love what Terri has done with it and the number of rooms and the floor plan that she had to work with! I can't wait to see a close up of each room - I know how I'll do this - I'll print the picture (above) and that will give me a better/larger view of her decorating. . . an idea for the rest of you ;)

I'm doing a project in a similar vain - though not THIS vintage (I'm still amazed at the age of Terri's house!) I'm using a "dollhouse shaped" wooden bookcase from 20 years ago when my daughters were little and it held Dr. Suess books. I bought it at a craft show. A nice older gentleman had built it. I've always loved buying handcrafted pieces. It has a pink pitched roof, windows & flower boxes as well as some trompe l'oeil landscaping painted around the exterior.

I invite all of you to send in pictures - my email address is at the bottom of this post. I love to see your creativity. It will be great to post them here so we can all be impressed and inspired. 

Any pictures I've ever seen have always touched me rather deeply.  

This is my 40th year loving miniatures. I built my 1st dollhouse at 9 in my walk in closet. It wasn't a big closet but it was nice. I was able to walk in and turn to my left where there were 3 shelves which naturally were a "house in the making" in my eyes. I created a couch from a cookie box and scraps of fabric. (Luckily my mom was decorating and had these on hand) She's not a crafter so we didn't have supplies but perhaps this was lucky - it challenged my imagination. It must have been winter, since I wrapped decks of cards as gifts and made a Christmas tree from the branch of a holly bush. That's what I can remember. There was more but all that matters was that it was a beginning into the fantastic world of miniatures.

A funny aside - my mom was buying my son's baby quilt and I knew a girl whose mother sewed and was making hers. She wanted a store bought one & I wanted a handmade one - LOL. The grass is always greener. I must say, my mother may buy things instead of creating them however she has wonderful taste :)

I recently bought my first two dolls and I LOVE them! I had never found any that spoke to me - well I had found very pretty character dolls but I wanted regular people - anyway - I was enjoying one of my favorite pastimes - looking at other people's favorites on Etsy. It's always the best way to find the coolest stuff! And bang! I found my first doll and then a companion for her - I think I needed 2 dolls because I have 2 daughters so I must think that's how it should be. My girls love each other (It does a mother's heart good!) The dolls are toddlers. I can't wait to make a nursery for them! I named one Lily (she's wearing purple. . . Lily is the girl's name I was never able to use) plus Lily looks like Madeline did as a baby - turned down mouth and all LOL 

Macklemore (my daughter, Madeline, said the name and I thought it was very cool - very 21st century - Madeline couldn't believe I chose it because it turns out Macklemore is a rapper LOL - The 2 girls are LilyMack for short.

Lily and Mack were created by MinisByNana on Etsy - She makes great dolls!! Tilly is going to make customized adult dolls for me and I'm very excited about that! They will be dressed like my husband and I. She's been so kind about this request.

The teddy bears were made by FeltedbyRikke on Etsy - Rikke is wonderful also - She made the bears by special order for me since that mini size is not standard for her but she was happy to do it. She is very sweet.

I recommend both shops highly! Everything I buy is from Etsy . . .  Etsy has the best shops - the best people - the best items!! 

I received a message today from a customer who was telling me that she has thrown herself into her miniature projects - 3 dollhouses! - to escape the grief of losing her very close friend recently. She said it has been a wonderful safe haven. 

Many people including myself have turned to their love of miniatures for this same comfort and distraction from life's twists and turns. It's a healthy diversion. If you are going through a difficult time, I highly recommend taking on a miniature project. Treat yourself to a miniature that you love if you can. Reach out for help &/or escape into rewarding activities. Lose yourself in the act of painting or sewing. Believe it or not, I find cutting things out of paper with scissors to be calming. LOL Find what relaxes you and occupies your mind. No one wants to, or needs to, think about troubles too much and we all have had them.

Last thought - if you haven't done this yet - look for a miniature club to join in your area. You will get to know people that you immediately have something in common with. Plus clubs do monthly projects - I'll never forget an older member teaching rug punching to me 20 years ago. I still have the little rug and I'm still very proud of it :)

Take Care. Feel free to write to me. I always love to hear from you! xoxo Susan

MiniatureRoseGarden@gmail.com

Check out the new items in the shop - really good looking European faux parquet floor and more to come! Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com

Home Is Where The Heart Is . . .

This is a picture book of my parent's home. I share it with you since I think it's a wonderful example - perhaps not of your personal style but how your decorating choices (large or mini :) can be such an expression of yourself.

My parents taught me the value and the happiness that can be drawn from being yourself and living authentically by example. They reflect this so clearly in the way they live. I wanted to share their "Home is Where the Heart Is" with you. I hope you'll enjoy.

This blog post is lovingly dedicated to my parents who after a 5 week whirlwind romance, got married and fooled the critics by extending that 5 weeks into 57 years . . . And going!  

Knowing my parents as long as I have, I have seen them grow even closer over the years. I'm glad to be able to say that in their 57th year, they are happier, healthier & more in love than ever!

My parents house as I've mentioned started out as a very mid century modern reflection of the time. They collected more pieces than exist in their home today but that's just wear & tear. I am thinking back to childhood . . . 49 years ago lol. Here is my dads favorite piece that has been a staple in our home. Dad, NW's favorite spot is his man cave.

The Eames Chair - a mid century modern classic - was the 1st piece of furniture that my parents bought after they were married in 1957. They both loved it. My Dad now has it in his "man cave". He takes immaculate care of this belongings and in 56 years, he has only had to replace the chair once.When you visit and are looking for him, you always know where he will be. lol

This is NW resting on the couch in the living room after quite a knee injury!! No tennis for a while. :(

GI

I was so surprised to find miniature house in my parents home. This was the first one I came across . . . Just wait - there are many. Did I develop my mini interest this way? I don't think they had these things back then though hmmmm

I LOVE this Rose painting by Ed Mell! This work is of one of my favorite subjects! Of course :) 

My parents and I who can have such different ideas about certain subjects.. . . Style? Yet, their house has so many elements - miniature house themes everywhere, collections - that I love. And I admire how they've combined them into their home which reflects their personalities so well. You get such a strong sense of who they are as you walk through. They are so comfortable there. It's their haven. Isn't that the goal for all of us?

This is the piece right below the rose painting. How my mom makes her combinations, I don't know . . .

But, they work . . . brilliantly! Pieces are from a decoupage artist in England.

More detail of the decoupage piece.

These beautiful miniature houses are another collection. My mother is a voracious reader - always has been. These are bookends (miniatures :) of famous doorways. I never realized that she had an interest in miniature houses - when I reviewed the photos, I was actually surprised that we had this in common.

More bookends to follow. . . 

New York City Subway System Entrance . . . I think all of these bookends are really cool.

Etro chair - Mom saw it in a magazine & knew it would work in her home . . . one of only 18 in the world 

Etro decided not to move forward creating furniture. It's a shame. It's a very comfortable chair.

A Great Antique Secretary Desk - we should have opened it for the photo - its lovely but so interesting on the inside. The painting had personal meaning to my mom. . . . such a great way to choose belongings

 . . . .then they give you great pleasure every time you look at them.

Versace glass topper. I have a miniature door knocker just like this.

Collections. . . boxes and glass.

The Barcelona chair - another mid century modern classic.

Dad loves "Blue Dog" - he resides in the man cave. I love the expression of personality in their spaces.

    

This is a restaurant in France where starving artists like Picasso and Mattisse traded their paintings for meals. The paintings hang all around to this day.

Cool little dresser from Idaho.  My parents go to Sun Valley every August for a writers' conference.

The man of the house :0

The dining room - notice house the chairs' upholstery doesn't "match"  - it's all the same piece of fabric however each chair is covered from a different section of the pattern - a very cool way to coordinate without sweating the "match". I was inspired by Mom in a recent dining room set that I created for my shop, Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com. 

Mom loves pictures of horses - however she assured me that her interest begins & ends with images lol

Books & books . . . Mom LOVES reading . . .  You wouldn't believe the stacks & stacks!!

My favorite bookend - can't believe I forgot to show it earlier :0

It's the author, Jane Austin's house. Isn't it pretty?

Books, books and more books . . . Plus my Mom peeking around the corner :)

More of the Mom's box collection and . . .

a close-up -- I LOVE Mother of Pearl!

Horse bookshelf - combine your interests lol

Colored glass - fun punctuation.

oops - more decoupage - but had to show it - you know how I love flowers!

Posters from the writer's conference - there's a new one every year - casual made cool . . .

Their 1st painting - bought in France - from a street artist - the paint wasn't even dry :) 

Funny coincidence - Mom, reflected in the mirror, watches me take photos. . . 

I should have started with this photo - it's not really my parents' aesthetic - I stitched it when I was 20 . . . but it reflects that their home is a symbol of their enduring love - for their shared home and each other.

Thanks Mom and Dad for sharing your home and tutelage with me.

xoxo

Susan