Bishop Miniature Dollhouse Show 2010

I had such a Wonderful time at the Tom Bishop International show in Chicago this year! I saw so many Wonderful items. There is just so much talent and you get a certain energy buzzing around a room full of warm, friendly, inspiring and Artistic people. It's a shame but this year, most of my pictures did not come out. I am thinking this camera may be too old now (3 years) because it's been being weird for a while and I had been using my son's and decided not to bring his cause I was afraid, I'd lose it or something. I sure wish I had brought it! My daughter Rachel took better pictures than I did and here are some of those show stoppers. These are the only ones that came out decent enough to share. There were so many roombox pictures I took. My daughter Rachel took more than half of the best shots here!

I hope you all enjoy the pictures and I want to say "Thank You" to all of the Wonderful people who let us take pictures of their tables & items!!
Thank You All for stopping by and reading my blog today!

Anna Hardman Dolls

This roombox was based off of the painting by Painting by Konstantin Flavitsky of Princess Tarakanova.  You can read the tragic story of this Princess here

Arline Smith Roomboxes & Dolls

Arline was so sweet. She took time and talked with us for a nice period of time. She even explained to my daughter Rachel, exactly how she created the roombox and what types of parts and findings she used to create them. She even shared secretes as to how she create such wonderful rugs! The great thing about it is, she volunteered this info after Rachel asked her if she could take pictures of her wonderful work.

Rik Pierce Roomboxes

Rik' version of Weasley's Burrow from Harry Potter

Tom Bishop Dollhouse Show 2010 Class Favorites

Last week I had a Totally Terrific time at the Tom Bishop International Dollhouse & Miniature show. I took Rik Pierce's class. It was a 4 day class and mine still is not finished. I decided to redo my insides downstairs LOL. It is the "Fair Rosamond's Bower" . This is Riks house:






There were so many Fabulous classes going on that it was hard to choose which one I wanted to do but, I know I always Love doing a class with Rik so this year, I took his class. Next year, I think I am going to do a half scale class (not sure yet cause I gotta see it first).

Just like every year, the week starts off with the Workshops. It was so Great to see long time friends and to meet new ones too.  There were just so many wonderful classes to choose from. I Love Teresa Layman Gigerbread house. 

Jo Bevilacqua had a very elegant class. The pictures just don't do it justice:

I also loved the Medieval Kitchen by Sue & Eamonn O’Rourke

 Also Kari Bloom had a Elegant half scale roombox and it was just so pretty! These were the only classes I had the chance to peek into cause I was working in a workshop myself. Kerri items are always just Fabulous!

I only had a few pictures of the actual show & sale part and will post pictures of that later today. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!

New Half Scale Dollhouses Coming Soon

If you are a member of the Greenleaf Dollhouse Forum You already know that they have announced that they are going to release some new 1/2" scale dollhouses. I was on the phone this morning with Dean and he was discussing some of the houses with me.

You all are gonna LoVe the new houses coming out!! Especially if you are like me and have run out of space to own and display your houses. I am so excited!! I can't wait to get my hands on the _______ & the _______. Those are on the top of my list. If you want to stay up to date with the latest Greenleaf chatter, visit us here: http://www.dollhouse-kits.com/  and  here Forum Chatter 
 I almost forgot to mention the best part about these kits..... They are gonna be done in Laser cut!!!

Speaking of Laser cut houses, have you started working on your 2010 Contest house??

DollHouse Fun!! Greenleaf 2010 Spring Contest

Tracy Topps Greenleaf Contest 2010

Can you believe it?! Spring has Sprung and I have been having a ball with the 2010 Greebleaf Dollhouses Spring Fling Contest House! The 2010 Contest house is Laser Cut and Basically Builds itself! If you have not purchased yours yet, you will be missing out on one of the best kits yet released by Greenleaf. The price is great too. Buy One Here:


http://shop.greenleafdollhouses.com/Miniature-Dollhouse-Garage.html


Greenleaf also will be releasing some special 1/2" scale houses this month. Please stay tuned for further announcements on these little Gems!

Thanks for stopping By to read My Blog!!

So much is going on that I promise to post more very soon!!

Kreative Blog Award

I won a Blog Award January 29th. I started this draft entry 1 week later and realized that I still had not published it so here it is today!! This time I was given by Lena of  http://miniatyrmama.blogspot.com/ Thank you so much Lena for the award!

The rules for the award are:

1. Thank the person that gave it to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it in your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominate you.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that nobody knows.
5. Nominate 7 kreativ bloggers.
6. Post link to the 7 blogs that you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know that you nominate them.


Seven Things nobody knows about me, online..... well here they are:

1. My Favorite game on the Wii is American Idol #2 

2. My Favorite song to sing on American Idol #2 on the Wii is by AeroSmith "Don't wanna Miss A
    thing" (I sing it all of the time even when I'm not playing the game LOL).

3. I was supposed to Marry Michael Jackson back in the 80s (yeah, I was one of "those' teenagers and
    I am STILL Love his music!

4. My youngest daughter & I Love to watch Weird Al Yankovic videos on you-tube over & over again
    especially "Stuck in the drive thru" & Eat It" (notice both are about food LOL )

5. I Love to watch "The Bad Seed" (the older version in Black & White)

6. I wake my girls up every morning singing a weird new song that I make up as I go along (It drives
    the oldest crazy now LOL).

7. I Like to eat liver with onions & white rice n gravy  (Though I have not had any for a while LOL)


I would like to nominate the following people and give them the Blog Award because they are so very Kreative:


1. Deb of http://debsminis.blogspot.com/ who is multi talented

2. Fairystudioallies Because her fairies are so cute! http://fairystudiokallies.blogspot.com/

3. Linda  of http://lindasminis.blogspot.com/ She has some cute houses!!

4. Debbie of http://debbiestinytreasures.blogspot.com/ Because she's always doing something fun!

5. Rose of http://rosefarnsworthdavis.blogspot.com/ She has such Wonderful stuff & Shares it with us
    all!!

6. Heather of http://thislittledollhouse.blogspot.com/ because she has some nice projects that she has
    done

7. Linda of http://pin1056.blogspot.com/  because she was Crazy enough to build 2 Beacon Hills in a
    12 month period and they are BEAUTIFUL!!

Fairytale Cottage by Tracy Topps

Well I am totally finished with the Fairytale Cottage (also known as the cottage I play with my Edward & Bella & Jacob action figures with LOL (from the Movie Twilight & New Moon ).  I am in love with this house. It looks so wonderful and I am not one who normally comment like this about a project but I am totally in love with this house. If I was not planning to start on my very own castle this year, I don't think I would sell this one right now.

This cottage is for sell right now on my website:

http://www.minisontheedge.com/servlet/the-166/Fairy-Tale-Cottage/Detail



I had written a long description for it the other night and for some reason, when I clicked "save" it disappeared.  I should have wrote it up in as a word document but, alas, I did not. I'll type up a new one soon but for now, if you have any questions please feel free to send me a note and ask. Here are the finished shots:



Fairytale Cottage

I am so in love with this house.

American Miniaturist Dollhouse Magazine

Today, I went to the Mailbox to pick up my mail and as usual, I gave the mail to my youngest daughter because there were Magazines. Imagine her surprise when she got to page 23 of the February 2010 issue of American Miniaturist magazine and discovered the dolls she created in print on that page! When she finally discovered her name in print on the page also, she could not contain herself. She burst out singing her favorite line in the song from the Disney Movie Aladdin "A Whole New World" LOL.

In 2008 (I think it was 2008 LOL) when the girls were on break from school, we created little baby dolls from Polymer Clay. I sent the tutorial to Marlene of CDHM.org and the next thing I knew, I got an email from the editors of AM magazine that I was featured in the February issue this year. I had no idea Marlene had even submitted this tutorial and then when I finally got home and turned to page 86 and saw that my house "Whispering Cove" was featured also, I was blown away. A HUGE Big "Thank You" To Marlene Buffington (Who always encourage & inspire me to try harder ) & Alice Bell for writing this article that was featured in American Miniaturist Magazine. I was so worried about what it would say because I did not "know" about it. I just sent pictures to Marlene as always and Marlene is so observant and conversational, via email & phone calls that she picks up everything and brings it all together (cause she knows I'm kinda shy when it comes to me talking about myself or my work).

This was a HUGE surprise for my Girls & myself. Now, the only problem is, they both want to take the Magazine to school tomorrow (two different schools) and I only have one magazine at the moment LOL. Looks like we'll be flipping a coin in the morning.

I also want to say "Thank You" to my customer Kathy for letting my imagination run wild with this house. It was a Fun project and you were Beautiful to work with! You can buy your own copy of this magazine at http://www.ashdown.co.uk/uscomersus/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1541 There are even some wonderful & beautiful Quarter Scale houses featured in this article! There is also some Gorgeous pottery in miniature scale from Joyce Sterk, an Egyptian burial chamber  created by Sandy Mirque, and Gatle Barillargeon kit bashed a Quarter scale model rail road cottage kit! There is more stuff than what I have listed but alas, I must go read to the girls who are still awake and waiting on me. Hope you all have a GREAT night and Thanks for stopping y to read my blog.

If you all create the dolls from the tutorial, please share the link of your pictures with us in the comment section please! My girls would love to see the pictures (Me too LOL).

P90X Workouts WORK! Lean Version Schedule

P90X is a workout program that I started doing March 2009. I completed my 90 days of workouts in June 2009 and was very pleased with the results. The first time I did P90X, I did the Lean version and though I love the classic version that I did during the summer, I have found that the lean version works best for me and so I have decided that today is the day for me to start back again! This month started out super busy and so once again, I am starting the last week of January to work out.  I plan to start the lean version stay on the lean one for the full 90 days and then do the classic schedule of work outs after I complete this.


I typed out the schedule below because I have lost this schedule several times and could not find it online again without buying it. I have several friends I have met online who also lost their copy and today is the day we are starting it. I picked P90X to start with. What are the rest of you gonna do to start this year off  to a great start towards physical health? Please post about it in your blogs.  The schedule for the Lean Version starts like this:

Phase 1
Weeks 1,2,3
Day 1 - Core Synergistics
Day 2 - Cardio X
Day 3 - Shoulders & Arms (and Ab Ripper X)
Day 4 - Yoga
Day 5 - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 - Kenpo X
Day 7 - Rest (or X Stretch)

Week 4 (RECOVERY Week)
Day 1 - Yoga X
Day 2 - Core Synergistics
Day 3 - Kenpo X
Day 4 - X Stretch
Day 5 - Cardio X
Day 6 - Yoga X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch

Phase 2
Week 5,6,7
Day 1 - Core Synergistics
Day 2 - Cardio X
Day 3 - Chest, Shoulders & Triceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 - Yoga X
Day 5 - Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 - Kenpo X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch


Week 8 (RECOVERY Week)
Day 1 - Yoga X
Day 2 - Core Synergistics
Day 3 - Kenpo X
Day 4 - X Stretch
Day 5 - Cardio X
Day 6 - Yoga X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch

Phase 3 

Please notice weeks 9 & 11 you do things one way and weeks 10 & 12 you do the other ones

Weeks 9, 11
Day 1 - Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 - Cardio X
Day 3 - Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 - Yoga X
Day 5 - Core Synergistics
Day 6 - Kenpo X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch


Weeks 10, 12
Day 1- Chest Shoulders & Triceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 - Cardio X
Day 3 - Back & Biceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 - Yoga X
Day 5 - Core synergistics
Day 6 - Kenpo X
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch


Week 13 (Recovery Week)

Day 1 - YogaX
Day 2 - Core synergistics
Day 3 - Kenpo X
Day 4 - X Stretch
Day 5 - Cardio
Day 6 - Yoga
Day 7 - Rest or X Stretch

Last week I received a email from Beachbody.com regarding the benefits of P90X. Also, last week on Good Morning America, they rated the P90X program at a B+  It really works if you work it. Here is a link to the article

Yesterday, my husband and I started our "Latin Dance" class and it was so fun! My husband is Rythmatically challenged (I told him there is no such word as Rythmatically but, he liked the sound of that better than my stating he is rhythmless LOL). We took the class with some of our friends and it was fun and crazy. I can feel the rythm and I love to dance but, when you are learning to do the "Salsa" and the person leading finds it hard to "feel" the music, it causes a funny scene in the class for sure LOL. We practiced for an hour after we got home and he is MUCH better. We will practice a couple of times every day because we will learn a total of 4 dances all together.

Quarter Scale Dollhouse Sugarplum

s is a Quarter Scale dollhouse I did for a customer last year. I am so sorry that the pictures did not come out that great because this house was so cute! I made one of these a couple of years ago and my Customer saw pictures of it and wanted one for herself but she wanted different colors. I had to edit it a little because these are from the Greenleaf Village kits and the back part of them are closed but we wanted it edited to be a 1/4th scale dollhouse which is close to "O" scale for train layouts. Again, my pictures are not the best but I know sometimes I would rather see a picture than no picture at all so here they are:



Before I added the door trim:












Quarter Scale Sugarplum 2009

Hope you all are having a Wonderful Evening!

Moonbeam Toyshop Dollhouse

It's always fun to bring a dollhouse project to life but, it is even more fun when a customer gives me the story behind the project that they have commissioned me to build. She told me about the type of toys that would be in this shop. She also mentioned that she wanted a wallpaper that had moon & stars in it. Because I have worked with her before, I knew she loved cats so my plan for this creation was set. I even made the door window that says "Moonbeam Cottage Toy Shop" .

A customer of mine asked me last year to build her a Cottage named after her Cat (Moonbeam). This cottage was to become a toyshop named after her "Honored Furbaby". She even sent me pictures of Moonbeam. She selected some Great wallpaper prints from Itsy Bitsy Mini  (They have Great wallpapers) and she let me know she wanted this house to be brighter and she wanted a fence in front. This is how this house evolved with Green grass and friendly cats waiting to greet any customers coming through.

She let me know right away that she was so pleased with the cottage! It's always so Great to know that a customer is pleased with the house.  She started adding things to this shop right away. Here are some shots of this house:

I use Creative paper clay for the grass. I just textured it and painted it various colors to get the effect I was looking for.

December Coming To an End

This month went by too fast! December is coming to an end and this is my first post for this month! It has been a busy month for me and my family. I also have not been feeling too well this month and dealing with some of the symptoms from graves disease (Though the doctors still say I am okay and don't need meds yet). Anyone with this disease knows how crazy things get when the doctors tell you that you are "just fine" because your blood work does not show that anything is wrong. The thing is you know your body and the fact that your immune system has started fighting and attacking things it should not, again. I am feeling muscle weakness and I am just not having it! I fought too hard to get the weight off and so I am back to walking. No P90x for the moment but I am starting back in January. I will start back doing Turbo Jam today. Anyway, That's a subject  don't even want to talk too much about right now because I can't dwell on it too much. It is what it is so I'll talk about the other stuff that has been going on.

The kids are home for winter break and no matter what BIG FUN thing we do, once it's done, the next words coming out of their mouths are... "We're bored" LOL. Oh well, I guess that means they need more housework and practice homework to do Huh??

The kids really aren't too bad. They are just being kids and I have been trying my best to not let them watch too much TV so with that comes the constant words, "What do we do now" or "We're Bored".

The beginning of the month, before bedtime, I started reading to them again. I read them a Chapter or two from the book "The Forgotten Door" by Alexander Key to start us off. We finished it in about 9 days.

My dad brought that book home to me many Moons ago (I was about 9 years old) and I loved that book so much! I still had it and found it in my multitudes of books stashed everywhere in plastic storage bins in the garage. Well, they loved it so much that this week, I will propose that they each create a diorama showing their most favorite part from the book. I checked iTunes,  Amazon, and audible.com to see if they had this book in audio but of course, they don't.

Anyway, Rachel likes to make dioramas so I am thinking this may be a fun project for them. The only problem I can find with it is the fact that Rachel & Sarah have about 5 miniature projects right now in their bedroom so space is getting limited. I'll let you all know how that turns out.

Now I am reading the Book "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbitt (Another book my Dad bought me as a kid). They like it a lot so far. We just started it last Tuesday and we are almost done with it. I'm not sure what we'll read next before bedtime.

I am thinking of a Book Called The Foreigner, the Story of a Girl Named Ruth By Gladys Malvern. This is a book that was being discarded at the school I worked at and I discovered that I really like a lot of books by this author and so I have several. This one will take longer to read but I think they'll like it a lot.

I also decided to change my entire room again. The colors are Brown and Teal & Turquoise. Turquoise is my Favorite shade of blue and has been forever and I was having some winter blues and decided hey, why not get rid of the black & white (Again) and go blue. So I did that on Friday LOL. Last year, I had a red & gold bedroom (My poor husband, bet he did not know his wife was gonna be addicted to textiles, dolls & dollhouses AND pretty papers when he said "I do" 15 years ago). He likes it though and only got annoyed a little bit this time about the change because he had to help put the curtains up and I kept telling him they were crooked and finally I went to get the chair to do it myself LOL. Sometimes, I think he does that so I won't be too quick to ask him to do something else LOL .

The picture is not of my actual bedroom (Cause I need to get two more curtain panels) And my furniture has more straight lines. I'll take real shots next week hopefully. Last year, I wish I had taken pictures of my bedroom because it was just so pretty. So every time I change it from now on, I'll take pictures.

I also want to change the girls bedroom colors too. Rachel is 12 and Sarah will be 8 next month. I think I will get rid of the Princess Castle stuff. I have changed their room a bit (These shots are from years ago) but the castle things are still there and annoying us girls and we are deciding on what to change things to. The pictures below are of the girls room. Oh well, I gotta go watch "spy kids" with the girls. I've seen it a Million times but it's one of our favorites! Hope you all enjoyed December so far and I hope you continue to have a good one! Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.