NEW LOOK ON MY NEW ANTIQUE LOOKING FIRESCREEN

OK, I couldn't wait longer for your suggestions, went and "antiqued" the firescreen. Now it looks like this:

So, which one looks better?

OOAK ANTIQUE LOOKING FIRESCREEN

You know that to give a piece of furniture different looks there are different ways and methods to do it: some people prefer natural wood finishing, some people like Shabby Chick appearance, another people chose Rustic, etc...

I have been thinking lately how to make a piece of stitching look antique. It appeared to be not so difficult.

I have been working lately on stitching one of my new designs for a footstool, but then change my mind and transferred it to a firescreen insert.

To achieve antique look of your stitching you don't need to wash a stitched piece several times till holes appear, or put it on the sun waiting when the colors will be faded, or rub ash in it, or ask your kids to draw with markers on it, or ...

What you really need is to use dull colors. Sounds simple, true? If you follow my blog, you will notice that I like bright colors. It has been a challenge for me to find all colors I used in this design in one brand of silk. I used all kinds of different brands of silk, overdyed silk as well, I have. Unfortunately, I haven't written down what they were, and it makes this piece really unique and OOAK because I will never stitch it again in the way it has been done, but just to show what I meant by saying "using dull colors" I am going to stitch the same design using bright colors and you will see what I mean. I hope it won't take me toooo long to finish it. For now I am thinking about to finish a firescreen frame in Shabby Chick style. What do you think? While I am waiting for your suggestions this firescreen willbe available at my etsy store
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80473105/dollhouse-miniature-firescreen-with

A PAIR OF NEW GRANNY'S SLIPPERS

A pair of new granny's slippers with 3 little yellow roses on the front was finished yesterday. I stitched them on 49 count silk gauze with Gutermann silk, based on my design. Each slipper measures 7/8" long.

ETSY SHOP SCARLETSAILS

I re-opened my Etsy shop "ScarletSails".
Please, click on My Etsy Shop ScarletSails on the right side to see the listed items.

HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING LATELY TO START A NEW PROJECT?

I decided to share with you some pictures of the architecture at the Disneyland. It might easily inspire you on new projects. Enjoy it!

CHRISTMAS SLIPPERS

Today I would like to show you my little creations in footwear: Christmas slippers. For some reasons I want to call them Granny's slippers, but actually any doll can wear them!
All 3 slippers were stitched and put together by me, based on my design. The kits, charts and instructions will be ready soon and you will be able to find them on my Etsy store that I am working on right now.

1/12TH SCALE DOLLHOUSE MINIATURE SCREEN CUT WITH MY SCROLL SAW

Back to March I cut several corner shelves and a screen in 1/12th scale using my scroll saw.

Before I went to the show I put the screen together. The work with the hinges was a challenge for me

Finally I got it with the help of a gluing jig and here is a final look at the screen

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DOLLHOUSE MINIATURES SHOW 2011 and OTHER

We finally made it home after attending Tom Bishop's Southern California Dollhouse Miniatures show in Anaheim. What a great show it was! It was my first show I attended as a dealer and I am very satisfied with the results, and experience, and fun we had. I met so many wonderful and great people among the dealers and customers. The show itself was very professionally organized that I have no doubts: I will attend it as a dealer again.

One of the great people I have met is a very talented young English lady, Caroline by name.
You can find her work on her blog:
http://pixiedustminiatures.blogspot.com/2011/08/fantastical-beasts-and-blog-to-know.html
and on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001224767426
She also has an Etsy store where she sells her wonderful minis:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PixieDustMiniatures

It was my pleasure to meet a very friendly, helpful and talented Jackie Caron, a dollmaker

and her dolls

Aren't they beautiful?

I was fascinated with the oil paintings by Gilbert Mena. Unfortunately he doesn't have a website and I didn't take too good picture to see his artwork closer.

I also met Sandra Davis who used to do petit point and she made those little bears that you can see on her palm

front side

back side

I also met a nice lady Debbie from Dragonfly International company for the first time, though I have been her on-line customer for ever.

We arrived to Anaheim 2 days before the show started and spent those 2 days guess where? You are correct, at Disneyland. It was our second time in Disneyland with the difference that this time we had the possibility to visit California Adventure park as well. I still can't believe that I was sold on to try the House of Terror where an elevator drops down and goes up and then goes down again. I am really tooo old for that kind of rides.

but I liked the interior design of that old hotel a lot

The Soundsational Parade in Disneyland park was fabulous as always with all characters, and costumes, and music

SUMMER SWAP 2011 ORGANIZED BY CATERINA

I participated in Summer Swap 2011 that was organized by Caterina (http://leminisdicockerina.blogspot.com/).

My partner, that sent her minis to me, was Rosamaria (http://contrastes-rosamaria.blogspot.com/):
These are beautiful minis she has made for me.

more details

Thank you very much, they are adorable.

My second partner, that I sent minis, was Heather (http://diaryofadollhouse.blogspot.com/).
I made for her this pair of sandals

embroidered and framed picture

vanity tray for her madam

I can't wait to see what other participants have made for the summer exchange.