I'm 'gone' but you are not forgotten!

The south of the southern island of New Zealand is my current location. I'm still working hard on renovation projects at our little cottage in the countryside, enjoying the break from the big city, surrounded by trees and happy birds, but not much relaxing going on! Because we don't have internet access there I'm feeling quite 'disconnected' from the blogsphere and what you are all up to. I'm here for another couple of weeks and then back to Sydney, leaving the cottage in the 'tender care' of several tradespeople, when we return we should have fabulous new bathroom facilities. No pictures of the renovations to post yet, still at the 'ugly' stage, but they are coming - eventually!

I must also say a big informal welcome to a number of you who have joined my blog in the last few weeks. I'll catch up with you all properly when I get back to Australia :)

Wishing each and everyone of you, and your near and dear, a Merry Christmas.

I thought this picture particularly appropriate since all but one of you (Susan of minicrochetmad) live across the sea from me (even Linda at Une Petite Folie who although also in Australia is on the other side of Bass Strait) so Santa and I are sending this little boat sailing across the waters carrying my wish for a wonderful Christmas for you all.

Additions to the 1:16 house HALLWAY

BEFORE and AFTER

I had a real mental block about this hallway so thanks for all your suggestions, as you can see some of them have been incorporated. I had the little dog on hand but I wouldn't have thought of putting him in here, he seems 'right at home' in that spot thanks to Susan's suggestion. The table drawers open, one has a spare 'runner' in it for the top of the table, the other has a vintage (very thin!) telephone directory. Since only a few people and businesses had telephones in the early 1900s I'll have to come up with a good 'story' for there being one in this house which appears to be quite middle class - perhaps the inhabitants have a more important position in society than the house would lead us to believe - let me know if you come up with something! I have tried to achieve an air of relative formality here, befitting the most 'public' part of the house, while at the same time making it welcoming. When I come back to this project in a few weeks I'll probably add a stair carpet, perhaps some pictures on the walls, a plant stand or perhaps a 'what-not' shelf in the corner, and a coat hook or two.

Additions to the 1:16 house STUDY

BEFORE and
AFTER

The table on the back wall was previously in the hallway, a new addition to the house is the box of old books under the table. The Tiffany lamp was bought many years ago, I was delighted to discover yesterday that the stand has holes to take wire so it can be electrified but don't have time just at the moment. From the nonchalant way the 'man of the house' has kicked off his shoes and left them beside his bag it seems he's glad to be home from the office! :)

Additions to the 1:16 house KITCHEN

The old gardening boots were made quite a while ago (painted air drying clay) the 'dirt' on them is a material sold as soil for model railway enthusiasts. The rag mat is a printie, we had a few mats like this in the cottage I lived in as a child (the one in my header photo). PS - I'm clearly not very observant - I hadn't noticed that the oven door handle is missing until I saw this photo on the computer!

Just 10 more sleeps...

This is the 'dining' area of our cottage kitchen in New Zealand. In just over a week I'll be enjoying breakfast sitting not at the table but in the comfy green armchair looking out through the door to the greenery, which will hopefully be backlit by the morning sunshine. Breakfast always tastes better there! :)

Here it is - the full (not quite complete) 1:16 house!

Firstly a stroll down memory lane - I followed the plans, and this photograph, for the house that I built in 1984/5. Most but not all of the furniture was made at the time. The house and contents remained in New Zealand when we moved to Australia some years later and I gave it little thought until I stumbled upon the November 2003 Dolls House World magazine in a local newsagents - I was astonished to see what had become available in the mini world, and how easily accessible it was, and I was totally intrigued and inspired by a featured project - I WAS HOOKED ON MINIS AGAIN! For various reasons I decided against shipping the house from NZ and began a long process of planning the replacement. I didn't want to use the same design because I wanted more rooms, and also a smaller 'footprint', in the new house. On a trip back to NZ I demolished it, keeping the stairs and fireplaces to incorporate into the replacement.

This house is what I eventually designed and built as a replacement - altho as you can see it's still roofless (that's almost ready to go on) and frontless.
Let's start with the entrance hall... it's still looking a bit bare but not sure what else to do with it (gratefully receiving suggestions). Now turn right into the kitchen and pull up a chair...



A special guest such as yourself shouldn't be thinking of going into the scullery and washing up so lets go up to the living room, I'll show you the photos I'm putting in the album...

While we're here you might as well take a look at the study, that's dear grandma over the fireplace...


There are a few more pieces of furniture and so on to go into both of these rooms one of these days to give them a bit more 'life'.
Perhaps you'd like to take a look at the little girl's room upstairs, she's been the lucky recipient of quite a few new bits and pieces very very recently, including an angel to watch over her, oh and yes we'll have to go through the newly decorated main bedroom too, it's a pity there's no roof on yet but it's nice to look at the stars at night ;)





Well, that's pretty much all there is to see at the moment, I hope it's been interesting and that you've enjoyed your visit.Please come back sometime to see the continuing improvements :) Oh, yes, and if you've got any suggestions about what to do with that hallway please let me know!
(To see more detail left click on any photos to bring them up in another window).

A few additions...

This little room doesn't look quite so bare now with a few new bits and pieces.
The skipping rope was part of a little set of toys that were part of a box of mini presents from my dear husband. It looks like it'd be very easy to make with a bit of fine string, two round beads and two bits of toothpick for the handles.

The bear on the chair and the tiny one on the floor leaning against the bed leg are buttons, both have enough dimension to look just fine, although the photo makes the one on the chair look much flatter than it does in the room.

How lucky am I?

How lucky am I to have received Lea Frisoni's fantastic book from my sons and their partners for my recent birthday? But that's not all ...

My baby grandson's clever mum made me these fabulous pics by 'photoshopping' Max's face into a couple of classic vintage images. The perfect present for a Max loving, mini loving grandma :)

Tracy's Toys (and Some Other Stuff): Victorian Doll Trunk Full of Toys

This blog is a must for anyone interested in vintage toys! Click on the link below to go directly there -

Tracy's Toys (and Some Other Stuff): Victorian Doll Trunk Full of Toys