Friday, September 24, 2010

The Mildred M. Mahoney Doll's House Gallery......Haunted?

Normally I post videos on my other blog, Creating Dollhouse Miniatures, but this one is a little different so I'm posting it here instead. The Mildred M. Mahoney Doll's House Gallery, believed by most Fort Erie natives to be haunted, is home to the fascinating miniature world of the dollhouse. Housing one of the world's largest collections of dollhouses in North America, there are 140 exhibits spanning two centuries and rare masterpieces from England, Europe, the Orient and North America.

Bertie Hall, the building housing Mahoney's exhibit is also an attraction in and of itself. For a time, Bertie Hall was the third stop on the Underground Railroad, which led slaves to Freedom in the Canadian north. Slaves would cross the Niagara River under the cover of darkness, and once on the Canadian shore, make their way to Bertie Hall to regroup and hide out.


Part Two


Be sure to stop by the blog, Mini Ramblings and Musings, Karin posted some fabulous pictures of miniatures from inside the Museum.

So, what do you think? Haunted?

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

And The Winner Is.......

There were 31 names put in the basket, thank you all for participating! This has been fun, I have gained more followers and found more blogs about minis!

 I don't think I will wait three months to have another contest, I'm thinking I will have a Halloween contest of some sort. I love Halloween!

So, without further adieu......the winner is.......... Christel Hutson!  Congratulations Christel! Email me your mailing address and I will get your prize in the mail tomorrow!




Sunday, September 12, 2010

Giveaway Reminder

The giveway drawing ends tomorrow, Monday September 13th 2010 at 5pm Pacific time. You must be a follower and leave a comment on the giveaway post before the deadline to be entered into the drawing.

Friday, September 10, 2010

The Necessary Room

Just a quick update on O'Leary's Pub. I finished most of the bathroom, I still have to install the dividing wall between the kitchen and bath but I'm out of foam core board. I used tissue paper on the walls for a plaster look and the paint is several washes of my own mix using ivory and straw colored paint. After the walls dried, I sparingly brushed  a little burnt umber chalk over the walls to give them age.

I found a fabulous article by Pat and Noel Thomas about how to make a CHRYSNBON® bathroom kit
look like porcelain instead of plastic. I would love to scan the article and share it but I don't know how legal that is. If any of you know about the legalities of scanning and posting articles from magazines, please let me know. I did scan a picture though....hopefully I don't get into any trouble. I couldn't resist sharing.

Bathroom by Pat and Noel Thomas using a CHRYSNBON® bathroom kit.













Monday, September 6, 2010

Follower Welcome & Giveaway

In honor of my followers I'm am holding a giveaway to show apprieciation for following my blog. I would like to extend a HUGE WELCOME to all of my new followers who were never properly welcomed. Thank you all so much for following! I have realized that I just don't have time to welcome everyone individually and I apologize for my bad blog ettiquette. I have decided to put up a "welcome" graphic on the sidebar, for new followers and I will hold a giveaway about every three months just for my followers. Do you all think that's acceptable?

On to the giveaway! In order to qualify for the giveaway you must be a follower and you must leave a comment on this post, even if you only say hello. I will draw the winning name a week from today, Monday September 13th 2010.

The Prize~


Good Luck!!!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

O'Leary's Irish Pub

Three years ago on Valentine Day, my husband surprised me with the 333 Franklin Street Dollhouse by Real Good Toys. He woke me up with a cup of coffee and a dollhouse. Is there a better way to wake up?

My original plans were to create an apartment building, but the rooms are an odd size and I couldn't figure out how to make it work. After much thought, I decided to go with a bar on the bottom floor with living quarters above. I put the building together at least a year and half ago and have spent the rest of the time thinking.

O'Leary's is set in New York City in the 1940's. The building and bar have been around since the late 1800's and the owner is an Irish immigrant named Séamus O'Leary.

I'm far from finished but here is a sneak peak at some of my progress.

First floor pub.













A closer look at the bar. I made the bar and everything on it except the beer tap, vodka bottle and the ashtray.









Second floor kitchen and bath. I made the stove and fridge, most everything else was made from a kit. The entance to the living quarters is at the back of the building, the door "enters" into the kitchen. The first floor stairs took up to much space so I left them out. I used a false door on the back wall of the second floor to give the illusion that the entrance is in the back.













Third floor living/bedroom. I made the chair, my MIL made the afgan on the bed and the desk is from a swap.










That's all I got for now on the pub. I have been working on it and have made more progress but still need to download and edit photos.

I see I have 150 followers now...wow! They snuck up on me. Since I haven't properly welcomed all of my new followers, I'm going to have a drawing to show my appreciation. I'll post the rules and a picture of the prize tomorrow.

Until tomorrow..........

Friday, September 3, 2010

The Dollhouse Company

If you haven't visited The Dollhouse Company yet, grab yourself a cuppa and head over there, you don't want to miss this online miniatures shop. Julia Morrison is the proprietor of The Dollhouse Company. I "met" Julia last year when she posted a comment on my video blog, Creating Dollhouse Miniatures. About a month later I filled out a survey on her web site, asking visitors for input regarding her online shop. By filling out the survey visitors had the oportunity to be entered into a drawing to win a dollhouse, The Arthur. Several weeks after filling out the survey I got an email from Julia informing me that I had won the drawing. I was very excited, this was this first time I'd won anything and winning a dollhouse was more than I could ask for! Julia gave me the option to choose other miniatures from her shop, or take the dollhouse. I thought about it for a couple of weeks and I finally decided not to take the dollhouse since I have umpteen unfinished kits laying around the house.

I wanted to get items for my 333 Franklin Street house (I will be posting pics in an upcoming blog post) and it took me days to decide what I wanted. I finally made up my mind and sent Julia an email with the items I wanted, a False Door, a Coat Tree, some Dentil Moulding, a Savonnerie Rug, a sheet of PVC Red Brick Sheet, a Narrow Inside Door with Trim and a Victorian Bathroom Kit.


The Dollhouse Company also offers a downloadable Dollhouse E-Book, a must have! Julia reveals her secrets for creating beautiful and lifelike dollhouses that will take your breath away!  The Dollhouse Company also offers doll house kits and accessories at affordable prices. There are three new sections in the shop where you can save money. Check out the Bundle Bargins, a variety of selections including choices of 2 dollhouses, dollhouses and furniture, just furniture or select your own bundle. Bundle Bargins are a great way to get more for your money! My favorites are the Starter Bundle - Dollhouse Kit & NEW Furniture and the Surprise Bundle - All sorts of charming miniatures.

Julia recently added some new miniatures from 'Reutt er Porzellan' manufactured in Germany, I especially like the Chianti Bottle with Glasses and the Garden Shower with Accessories. Julia is also currently selecting a range of products from Hiedi Ott and the new International Miniatures category will give you access to miniatures you may not have seen anywhere before.

So please stop by The Dollhouse Company and have a look around....oh, and don't forget to visit The Dollhouse Company's Facebook page!