Manor House Minis order + some good local mini finds

Hello everyone!  I recently ordered some great stuff from Manorhouseminis.com and decided to make a video slide show to show you instead a long list of pics. I had a lot of fun doing this and may do more in the future!



Seriously, I have no need for the doll or the pediments as neither of them work with any of the projects I am currently working or plan to work on in the near future. The doll's hat is glued on her head, but the dress may be removable...maybe. If you want them, let me know. I wouldn't mind swapping the doll or the pediments for some mini books or whatever you may have and not need...leave a comment. :)

I have also made some great local mini finds. The first is from Bo-Mar Antiques in Wells, ME (where I found my general store!). There were several pieces of dollhouse furniture, all very cute. I restricted myself to buying just one piece, which cost less than 5 dollars: a little handmade rocking chair with a woven seat.

I love handmade stuff so this was perfect. There were also some corner chairs there and a few table and chair sets. So if anyone is nearby, it may be worth visiting. The variety of items at Bo-Mar changes frequently so I  recommend that if you like something, grab it while you can.

My local used bookstore sometimes has miniature books, but not very often. I happened to find The Complete Guide to Remodeling & Expanding Your Dollhouse by Nola Theiss in the "woodworking" section of the store. They do have a craft section which occasionally has books on the hobby as well. But again, the selection of books varies as the store has a lot of turnover.
Here's a picture of the book:

There is some good stuff in here, and a few color pictures. I haven't yet read the whole thing, but so far I like it.

Jay and I are going to Vermont this weekend and I am really excited about the Real Good Toys Factory Outlet Store! I just learned about it - on CraigsList of all places. But here is the website: http://www.realgoodtoys.com/about-our-company/dollhouse-factory-outlet-store/

Even though RGT is shutting down their factory and shipping departments for a long vacation starting on the 28th, the store will remain open. I look forward to checking them out and seeing what is there. I'll probably post what I find when we get back. :)

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!

New tub and some new things...

Okay, so I didn't really care too much for the bathtub before...the foamcore was too crumbly, the trim wasn't perfect, and it bowed up in the middle too much. So I went back to the drawing board, so to speak, and tried something else. See?

I used illustration board (instead of foamcore), and then covered it with pieces of masking tape after cutting out the proper shape of the board. Next, I stained the whole thing, let it dry (mostly), and then inserted the tub. Now, it is taking forever to dry, so I am going to let it sit overnight again and hopefully it will be completely ready for installation. :)

It looks as if it would be more appropriate for my Japanese-style bath. :)

And look what I got in the mail today:

They are bamboo shades for my Glencroft bathroom. I can't wait to see them in place, but I have the window trim (and other trim too) to put into place first!

I received other goodies in the mail, too. I ordered some hat stands from Manor House Minis for my shop, but I also had to get a grab bag! They pack a lot of stuff in those bags.

This time, I got some interesting stuff...

First, there is a bear dressed like a doctor (I have no idea what I am going to do with it!), some pink flowers that I might use as trim for hats or to fill flower boxes or for landscaping, a little straw hat, two shopping bags, a plate with mini food (Brie, tomatoes, and cukes?), and a little plate.

I also received a really nice bed set, which I might use for the bed I have intended for the Glencroft.

And last, some random wood pieces, a marble, a flower pot, a box of cat food, a plate stand, a little perfume set (cute!), mirrors, a creamer set, a tiny basket, books and bookends, a little plate (this is the second one I have like this), a little cake, a tiny tray, and a little dog.

And the little perfume/bath set looks right at home on the tub!

Some little things for my shop. :)

This is one more update, on my shop. :)


I wrapped some more clay soaps to display in the shop. I put the work table and soap from yesterday's creativity splurge in the kitchen of the Glencroft. :) I may go for simple and rustic for the kitchen, as the owner of both the Glencroft and the shop is a hippie at heart. :)
Lucky Buddha watches over the counter (which still needs a cash register!) under which there are lots of beautiful pieces of pottery for the customer to choose from. :)

The Green Man hangs over the counter. I might paint him. I'm not sure yet. I do like him as unfinished, but something tells me the Green Man should be at least somewhat green. :-D

Canisters from a manorhouseminis.com grab bag. You know...I've noticed that, at first, some of the grab bag stuff didn't seem useful. But the more I look at it, I keep finding some neat uses for some of it. And the rest can be swapped, I'm sure.

This wooden piece used to hold tools, but I like it better as a candle display. I definitely need to fill it up!

Now these pieces of fabric were going to be tapestries. I consider their current location as temporary, and I haven't decided what to turn them into...I may just remove them, and use that shelf for something else.
And here's the rug that matches the one in the Glencroft (yes I do see some strings to trim). :)

Anyway, that is all for now. I am always on the lookout for unique stuff for the shop. I am always slobbering over Kat the Hat Lady's witch hats and brooms. There's a good chance I'll break down sometime and buy one or two fashionable hats. ;)

I am also looking for a decent cash register. Some of the ones I've seen look too antique-y, and I want something maybe a bit more modern, but not huge.

Anyway, I think that's it for now! And Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! :)

Mini goodies and update

I got one of those cool Manor House Minis grab bags. :) They are fun! 8 bucks for a bunch of goodies, and most of the fun is in the anticipation of the contents! :)

Anyway, here is a terrible cell phone picture. ( :( I need to get a camera that likes me).

I got Easter bunnies, piggies, a cool bedding set, a doll stand, a dish set, two fancy dishes, some shopping bags, a glass vase/light cover, and ceramic vases. The bedding set will be used as a "sheet set" in my Glencroft bedroom as I got two dark blue hand embroidered Mexican linens in Texas two weeks ago. One I will use as a blanket for the bed in the dollhouse, the other might be a tapestry... Anyway, the dish set will be divided between the shop and the Glencroft. The canister-looking things will be painted with magical symbols for the shop, and the bowls and coffee mugs will go on the hutch in the kitchen. The shopping bags and glass vase will go in the shop. Not sure how the rest of the stuff will be used but I will put them in my random mini collection for future use or swaps.

I also got another goodie from Manor House Minis:

It's an egg chair! :) Yippie! It's going to go in the Glencroft's living room. I am obviously going for an eclectic unique style for the decor. :) After getting this chair and looking at how nicely it was made, I think I may have to get one or more chairs from the collection and build a roombox scene around it. :) All mod-like. :-D

As for the Glencroft, itself, I got the half-timber on most of it. I am stuck on the left wall because sheet 13 was not completely cut the whole way through and it's a pain getting the individual pieces off of it. :( *sigh* There's always a hang-up. Oh well. (Again, sorry for the bad picture :( )