Medieval Times Food & Tournamnt

Saturday, we took the family to Medieval Times for dinner and tournament. We had gone before about 4 years ago when Sarah was much younger so we decided to treat them and go again. Also, this time, David's Wife & his best friend Daniel went with us too. It was Daniel's first time going and we all had a lot of fun. My husband grew up around the area where the Illinois Castle was and we had fun looking at newly built houses from his old stomping grounds. We went past the house Walter Payton (Bears Football star) used to live in. It looks different than it did years ago and it even hard to see it now from the street.

after that we got to the Castle and were greeted by several people dressed in Medieval attire. We did the Royalty Upgrade package so we were able to move to the front of the line. We were welcomed by some Squires & Maidens who gave us our Crowns (we were on the Blue team this time ) and then the King greeted us and took 2 pictures with us and told us to have a wonderful time in his domain.

Daniel dressed up a bit because he loves the Medieval stuff a goes to our local Renaissance Fair by us and dresses up. We were able to shop before the dinner & Tourney started. We also were able to buy ourselves something to drink before the official dinner & tournament from the 2 "pubs" that were there with serving wench's LOL . My son got a drink called the 1st knight and it came with such a cool looking golden glass that was shaped like a knight's helmet.

We were all called into the main room so that we could enter and be seated for the Dinner (which we ate by hand) & Tournament. We were served Dragon Toe Stew, Garlic Bread, half a Bird (Chicken), Rat Tail (Spare rib) & a Castle Pastry (apple turn over). We also had a choice of Pepsi, Sprite or water and also something from the Pub (bar).

While they served our meals the show started and we were introduced to our knight whom we cheered loudly for.

We were in the second row and had pretty good seats. We were able to Booo the bad guys & Cheer on all of the Great knights in battle. All in all, we had a lot of fun and it was a great way to end summer (even though school had already started).


If you have a Medieval Times around, I would totally recommend you to go and check it out. It was a lot of fun for everyone. Here is the Link to see the website and more info for Medieval Times .

Bishop Miniature show 2010 workshops

Saturday, I was rushing. My husband had morning blocked off because he had an appointment. Then when he got back at 12:30 pm he announced he had to get his hair cut. I started plotting the night before telling him we should go get the new Apple upgrade "Snow Leopard" but I told him we had to go to the Apple store at Woodfield Mall (not the closest one to us LOL ) he was okay with it but could not understand WHY I was rushing.

I was rushing because Saturday was the Fall Tom Bishop Miniature show and this is the show they have examples & samples of the classes for the Spring International dollhouse & Miniature show. I always like to be first to see it because I have a few extra days to think & decided which class I wish to take before the classes are posted on their official website ( www.bishopshow.com ).

Since we had just come back from the Ohio Miniature show less than a week before, I did not want to tell my husband right away that I wanted to make a pit stop at the Fall show. When I finally told him why I think he understood that Resistance would be Futile and so we went and got there 30 mins. before the show was over for the day. I only came to see the workshops anyway so. I got there and low & behold, one of the workshops were already full!! It is the one titled "Home for the Holidays" by Whitledge/Burgess and it is a four day class that is just beautiful. I did not get a good shot of it because it had glass in front of the display and the windows were behind me. I darkened the picture some so you could see it better but The Bishop's will have the real picture up on their site in about a week:


There are so many wonderful classes to pick from. I only took a few shots because others were busy looking too. Leni Bishop teased & laughed at me and said she knew I'd come and she said she knew I only came to the Fall show to see the classes. She even went to the table and showed me some of her favorite ones. I think tohey put on such a Top notch show and I can't wait till Spring!!!

Here are pictures of some of the classes I was able to capture on my camera:

Bishop Show workshops 2010

I am in love with the 1/4th scale stone cottage :) I have not decided on the classes I wish to take for sure yet. My daughter Rachel loves the Moonlit Japanese Room. I may let her take a class this year. She's 12 now and will be almost 13 by then and she really do love miniatures. I'll keep you all posted.

Laser Cut vs. Diecut

What type of builder are you? Are you a die-cut fan or are you a fan of the new laser cut line? Well, what's so special about the laser cut line of dollhouse kits by Greenleaf? Why should you spend the extra cash on these kits when you have been doing the die cut ones forever?

My husband always ask me the question "what is your time worth" whenever I complain that something costs more than I wanted to spend and I feel I can "create it" or "do it" myself. He says this when it comes time to paint the house because he'd rather pay someone to paint the house. He says it when it's time to wash the car, he'd rather pay someone else to do it so he can do the things he enjoy most.

Well, I think of that comment when I look at the Laser cut line by Greenleaf. Some of us Miniaturist enjoy the die cut kits more because we feel that we are putting MORE of ourselves into the kit that we want to gift to someone special or just to have for ourselves because we are the ones sanding and doing the extra prime paint coat on the houses.

Then there are some of us who love to build, but don't care much for the sanding and extra stuff that goes into the assembling of the kits. The laser cut line, has crisp clean edges as soon as they come out of the die. They are very easy and there is no sanding required!! The kits costs a little more but the time you spend actually building these kits is what makes this kit worth every cent. Also, the price is still a Steal when compared to the rest of the dollhouse manufactures out there.

People who came to the Greenleaf Dollhouse table at the Aztec Show were very impressed with the new line of dollhouse kits from Greenleaf and MANY of the people placed orders for their own stores. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see just what the buzz is all about. Order your laser cut line today!!

This is the comparison picture just to show you the same sheet from the Buttercup. The one to the left it the laser cut and the one to the right is die-cut.


This is a fun kit to build no matter which version you get. They are both from our favorite company Greenleaf dollhouses. Ask yourself though which one do you feel like doing? We have a choice now!! The Buttercup is not done in the laser line right now, they were only used at the Aztec Show for comparison purposes to show customers the difference between the new line.

Thank you to all who visited our table and to everyone who stopped and chatted with us and told me how much they enjoyed the Rosedale I did up for the show!! This was my first time at the Aztec Miniature show and I had a ball meeting people face to face that I have talk to for years on the phone or online!!

Dollhouse Sunrise Arbor Scene

I created this scene to give to a friend. It was so much fun to bring it all together and I thought I'd share it with you all because it was such a fast project to make. I started with the Greenleaf Sunrise Arbor kit and after the glue dried, I spray painted it a deep red color. It was so much easier to spray paint it. I created the Climbing Rosebush along the side of it and added a Yard Light & Gazing Ball. The Bricks were done using the Creative Paper Clay. I am looking for the butterflies I had so I can add a couple of them to this scene!

The Rosedale Dollhouse Complete????

After having several people mention for me to do my regular "Thing" to this house, I did just that. I did add the roof finals but they are only tacked on for easy removal after the show. This one will be for sell at the show & my website. If it sells on the website, it will have a sold sign on it as Greenleaf is only using it for the table this year along with the Beaumont (They are doing that one in house).

I changed the Rose and created a pink "Climbing Rose" and there is a hedgehog in there too LOL. There are butterflies & Birds (Couldn't find my bunny rabbits). I'll stop rambling and share the pictures now. To see the complete Gallery click here.

Here is a teaser:



"Thank You" to Everyone who responded in the comment area of my blog & to those who sent emails!

Tracy

The Rosedale For the Greenleaf Table

I don't know what's taking so long for me to complete the outside of this one (maybe cause I am working on other houses) But this is the house Greenleaf is taking to the Aztec Miniature show. I think I want the yellow rose bush to be a climbing rose bush going up the sides of the House. I am sure I need a cat or dog and bunny rabbit and some bids out to give the outsides a little life but, will it detract from the actual house??

Please let me know what you all think regarding this. Maybe it'll help me decide. Sorry the pictures aren't the best. I just took a shot of them and had to crop out the Beacon Hill cause I will unveil that next week when I have the thumbs up from my customer.

Then I am working on a 1/2" scale House (doing the outsides only and it is a marvelous house). I am also working on a new Orchid house that will have a cave underneath and a tower added to it. I am so pleased with the rough draft of that one too so, next month you all will have an eye ache cause there will be so much eye candy here!
:P

Okay so please help me with the Rosedale. Will all of the trees I normally add to the houses distract from the house and should I leave it like it is? Or should I add what I normally do to it? Remember, this is for Greenleaf to display at a Show. I was given free reign to just do it and leave the insides unfinished. Thanks in advance for any advice you all give!!

Tracy

Rosedale Dollhouse Manor

I am not finished with the house yet but decided to post a sneak peek for those of you who wanted to see a little "Eye Candy"
:)

What are you all up too? I guess I am about to surf your blogs now! Hope you all are having a Wonderful day!!

Rosedale Dollhouse Stones added

Well, these are the pictures of this house with the Stones added to the house and only the first coat of paint. So much to do and so little time to do it. I did want to share the pictures with you all though. This is a really nice house size & design. I am not going to use the roof finals that came with the kit for the roof top or the bay windows. They look more Gothic Victorian and that is not the feel I am after with this house. More pictures coming soon and I hope you all are having a Wonderful Day!!

Greenleaf Speed Shingles 4 Dollhouses

I used them on the Rosedale and must say I LOVED them! I love the Hexagon shaped ones so much! I even added a little extra trim around the top edges to give it a little more appeal! You all may wanna try the new Shingles by Greenleaf. Check them out at their store ( Click Here ) and see the other designs they have there too! It makes putting shingles on your dollhouse go by much faster and I love the laser cut edges.

Pullip & Taeyang Dolls I LOVE Them

Okay, I promised myself years ago to STOP collecting dolls and I have been very good. In the past 5 years I have only bought 12 dolls for myself and my collection (Have sold 2 and made a good profit from it) But I am in LOVE with the Pullip & Taeyang dolls.

I must be a hopeless addict. I broke down and bought the Alberic doll this year:



I bought the Buttler last year:

I also have Arion:

I want Clarity:
And I HAVE Chill

I think one thing that attracts me to these dolls are there BIG heads and Large eyes. These dolls are about 12" tall they can close their eyes (with your help of course). But there are so many cool ones! Are any of you dollhouse collectors AND Doll Collectors too? I had been doing so good but they have new ones coming out. I also WANT (that's a Huge want) a Dollfie doll. At this time, I would not dare spend that on a doll but I am being tempted every day by the wonderful artisans out there. I have a friend who does face ups on blank doll bodies. I am so tempted to give her my blanks to do it up but, I made a promise to have ONE hobby!

Uhhhggggg, Will I ever grow up?!! Hhmmm.... I guess I hope I don't
:)

Really how many hobbies do you all have? Let me know a please post some pictures on your blogs and leave a link for all of us to visit and see your stuff.

Greenleaf Beaumont Laser Cut Dollhouse

Well, this is something I am looking forward too so much! This house was Wonderful as a die-cut dollhouse kit but I have been watching the way this house keeps evolving from the die-cut version to the ultimate laser cut dollhouse kit and I am amazed and MUST be one of the ones to own this HUGE kit (There will only be 12 for sell this month when released). They have changed the front windows by lowering it by about 3" so that it will have more eye appeal because they were not viewable because they were kinda covered by the Pediment. Another change made was that they added laser cut detailed mullions to a new double hung window design. The shutters got a new upgrade too. They now feature a new louvered design that adds an authentic appearance that has never been seen before on a Greenleaf Dollhouse. All of these changes make this THE kit to get this year for ANY miniature/dollhouse collector (Plus there are MORE, I know as if we can take it, I am in a dollhouse coma already from viewing the many snapshots Dean has sent me).
:)

Read MORE about this kit and keep up to date with more news about it at the official Greenleaf Dollhouses Blog .

This is the Picture of the Die Cut Version!!