tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17367867265803489352024-03-28T07:57:03.692-07:00The Doll Coloring BookLearn while you play... We promote child development through dramatic play, creative craft projects, STEM, American history and reading. This is an integrated studies website for 4th and 5th graders.Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.comBlogger2481125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-76628543045570456732024-03-27T08:05:00.000-07:002024-03-27T08:06:16.703-07:00Giving by John Martin<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC5knLyiHIxzExx-RkS4vM5BXO7htm7lu7_CFWpzPsjQpn771mlcrpi_mpPUF2j9Rhg7xhLevZG80fRR4Uww_Cj0XDOz1kw1gMAUtskn1I7Rq_Pqo_WFgy_ny3qqSlg0dRbXCrsh7Knj8hZfuWbOkGWAadaLTBHwsRKS6ckca-FQqZFwwd3XsZlQLciTF/s603/Giving.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="603" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC5knLyiHIxzExx-RkS4vM5BXO7htm7lu7_CFWpzPsjQpn771mlcrpi_mpPUF2j9Rhg7xhLevZG80fRR4Uww_Cj0XDOz1kw1gMAUtskn1I7Rq_Pqo_WFgy_ny3qqSlg0dRbXCrsh7Knj8hZfuWbOkGWAadaLTBHwsRKS6ckca-FQqZFwwd3XsZlQLciTF/w640-h602/Giving.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Giving by John Martin</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Give smiles, and more will come to you;<br />Give help and never trouble.<br />Give joy to others here and there,<br />And yours will surely double.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Give of your strength to those with less;<br />Give reverence to sorrow.<br />Give thoughtful gentleness to-day,<br />And then again, to-morrow.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Give with an open hand and heart;<br />Give with full faith, believing<br />That open hands and open hearts<br />Are constantly receiving.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Give love to every thought you think,<br />For love is constant giving;<br />Then wait, and watch real riches come<br />To all your life and living.</p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-57660620671462970422024-03-26T10:12:00.000-07:002024-03-26T10:36:20.574-07:00Craft a Whale of A Weather Vane!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpgwEngJM3ApPc2ua4AOCMlcjEHtH33EHXkutKjL4okJaoVFgrO0tC7qgB1CHsHtUhQ0KFI1vAHJGvb0Xf0gsjFMkeAebbwaqr0LmTboZPeWzFF41YVUdwXWJrgteC_kHPjn_9jitmOssJqyIczqmORX_EMqPnXQNZY2dFHRhGdjHWN-V6CMLp6NVGg79/s677/whaleweathervainbykathygrimm.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="677" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpgwEngJM3ApPc2ua4AOCMlcjEHtH33EHXkutKjL4okJaoVFgrO0tC7qgB1CHsHtUhQ0KFI1vAHJGvb0Xf0gsjFMkeAebbwaqr0LmTboZPeWzFF41YVUdwXWJrgteC_kHPjn_9jitmOssJqyIczqmORX_EMqPnXQNZY2dFHRhGdjHWN-V6CMLp6NVGg79/w640-h370/whaleweathervainbykathygrimm.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A whale weather vane with wire bent letters for the pretend wind to spin so that the dollhouse<br />residents know from which direction their breezes and storms are blowing; <b>N </b>for north, <b>S</b> for <br />south, <b>W</b> for west and <b>E</b> for east.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"> I designed this miniature weather vane for my daughter's thrifty dollhouse flip. You will need a few supplies to make one like it: Sculpey, cereal box cardboard, masking tape, white school glue, a wooden skewer, two or three beads, paper covered wire and paint.<br /> First, cut out a cardboard whale and cover it with masking tape so that Sculpey or oven-bake clay may be spread and sculpted over the form before baking. (This makes the sculpture super strong.) Also poke a whole into the bottom half of the whale so that it can be mounted onto a skewer after baking. Use a tacky glue for this and let it dry over night.<br /> Then thread onto the skewer a wooden bead. Twist paper above it and below it to keep the bead in position. <br /> Then bend a wire approximately a foot (not too long or too short), into the shape of a capital "W" on one end and then wrap it around the skewer below the bead and give it a bit of space and then bend the end of the wire into a capital ''E''. Clip the excess wire off of the ''E.''<br /> Next, bend a wire approximately a foot (not too long or too short), into the shape of a capital "N" on one end and then wrap it around the skewer below the east and west part of the weather vane and give it a bit of space and then bend the end of the wire into a capital ''S''. Clip the excess wire off of the ''S.''<br /> Wrap a bit of paper to stop the directional signs from falling off the skewer. Cut the weather vane to fit your doll's house through a whole on the roof. <br /> To paint the weather vane to look like weathered copper: spray paint it first with copper paint and then second dry brush on a light coating of black acrylic and second of green. If you wish more copper to show through, gently rub the painted surfaces gently so that the spray paint shines through. repeat these steps if necessary until you are happy with the results.<br /> On the inside of the dollhouse, glue a small block in place under the pitch of the roof to hold the weather vane in position. Do not put glue into the hole directly because this will prevent the whale weather vane from spinning altogether.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-pink-thrifty-flip-dollhouse.html">See the pink thrifty-flip dollhouse that this weather vane is attached to here.</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2021/07/miniature-doll-and-dollhouse-crafts.html">Find additional miniature crafts on this blog here.</a></li></ul><p></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-69344305457252146832024-03-26T06:41:00.000-07:002024-03-26T06:41:20.260-07:00The Prairie-Schooner<div style="text-align: center;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikE1V8d2w4m6ot67q4gSqZC7imsjKVhw2Az1OSO_sP1XJTx3-7ne2oSJIDtVW1DLIBg62K2d7eJO_QSp3x8seRR2c5NL8Wkkx0Dxln0sEwNruHsbq55WDrpA-rtKSrgqNOA2QLGj2yYmZDqwmbIlsFrS_RfoNs94exDb1LIcaeQWPHOIM58ETg0DlUwH01/s530/the%20prairie-schooner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="516" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikE1V8d2w4m6ot67q4gSqZC7imsjKVhw2Az1OSO_sP1XJTx3-7ne2oSJIDtVW1DLIBg62K2d7eJO_QSp3x8seRR2c5NL8Wkkx0Dxln0sEwNruHsbq55WDrpA-rtKSrgqNOA2QLGj2yYmZDqwmbIlsFrS_RfoNs94exDb1LIcaeQWPHOIM58ETg0DlUwH01/w390-h400/the%20prairie-schooner.png" width="390" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A ''praire-schooner'' is a covered wagon. Above are<br />children playing with their version, a rocking horse<br />and tent make a great imaginary toy!</i></td></tr></tbody></table></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> The Prairie-Schooner</b><br /><b>Picture and Verse by Charles S. Chapman</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was an Indian Chieftain,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Head of a warlike band;</div><div style="text-align: center;">She drove a prairie-schooner</div><div style="text-align: center;">Out on the desert land.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was the first to sight her,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And lead the wild attack;</div><div style="text-align: center;">I carried her off to the mountains,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Far from the beaten track.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There in my tent, a captive,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bound hand and foot she lay</div><div style="text-align: center;">Till she promised me my squaw she'd be</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the far-off time, "Some Day."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, as I look from my window,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our children's children play</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the same old prairie-schooner,</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the same old tireless way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Though the drivers may be many,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And each of them fair and tall,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know that the first fair driver</div><div style="text-align: center;">Was lovelier than them all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I wonder, as I watch them</div><div style="text-align: center;">Playing the new-old game,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beginning in jest, as we once began,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Will the ending be the same?<br /></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-32353608574546196372024-03-25T18:07:00.000-07:002024-03-25T18:07:37.353-07:00The Weaving of Native Americans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnMEfJ1DSmkQFuhfNUtXGrn1Yr3vXt14Cu6_74iOphjHqWFXxXDvIPQXBQeOxl-fhfvuqWcmoHkYVWdf6hHp2Ndwrjf-nbMSGk6tw6AGdPQMGkiwQLPBnPhSoMQWGITKtIPQmJ9kDOjPH2MY8zzN1BiKPvGQCVh0R5HDRX_iOhXLf_-rp-VYlCdk981FE/s1199/Navajofamilya.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="994" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnMEfJ1DSmkQFuhfNUtXGrn1Yr3vXt14Cu6_74iOphjHqWFXxXDvIPQXBQeOxl-fhfvuqWcmoHkYVWdf6hHp2Ndwrjf-nbMSGk6tw6AGdPQMGkiwQLPBnPhSoMQWGITKtIPQmJ9kDOjPH2MY8zzN1BiKPvGQCVh0R5HDRX_iOhXLf_-rp-VYlCdk981FE/w332-h400/Navajofamilya.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 13.3px; text-align: start;"><i>Vintage albumen print. Original caption "Aboriginal life among<br /> the Navajoe Indians. Near old Fort Defiance, N.M. / T. H."</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table> One of the chief arts of the North American Natives is that of weaving blankets. When the Spaniards came to our country they found beautiful blankets and fine weaving among the Pueblo and Navaho people of the southwest. Perhaps these people learned this art from their neighbors to the south; or they may have originated it themselves because they needed and sought something better than mere skins for clothing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> In the early days, the Hopi Indians wove principally their own cotton to which they added some fibers of the yucca plants and animal hairs. When sheep were introduced by the Spaniards, they began to use a little wool. Their weaving is more complicated than that of other tribes. They not only produce a plain weave, but a checked one, and another which shows a repeated figure, usually a diamond.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Among the Hopis it is the men who do most of the weaving of the blankets, shawls, sashes, and clothing. A lovely custom is still followed in weaving the bride's clothing. After the most important of the wedding ceremonies, the bridegroom's father distributes cotton to all his men relatives and friends. They spin and weave this cotton for the bride, working for several days or weeks. During that time, the bride stays with her husband and his family helping to cook and feed the weavers. Very carefully and beautifully the men weave a large white robe, a small white robe, and a wide, white belt with long fringe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> When all are finished the bride wraps the small robe about herself, puts on white buck-skin boots and prepares to go to her mother's house where the young couple make their home for a while. She carries the large robe and belt in a rolled mat made of reeds bound together. After the wedding she uses the robes on ceremonial occasions and finally, the small one is wrapped around her body when death takes the little native woman to ''Maski,'' the Home of Hopi Souls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The indigenous people of the northwest coast seem to delight in color and movement. Perhaps their main thought is of the clan or family symbol which is expressed in totem poles, house fronts, house interiors, canoes, boxes and blankets. The Chilkats weave the most beautiful, fantastic blankets full of myths, and made in three colors: black, yellow, and greenish-blue. Although the women weave the blankets they are not supposed to be familiar with the designs and so copy them from patterns which have been drawn on boards by the men. The design contains the clan emblem and is usually of one or several animals so highly conventionalized that some natives themselves can hardly explain them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Not only the designs, but the materials used are different from those of other native blankets. The Chilkat woman takes the soft wool of the wild mountain goat and twists it around fibers of the inner bark of the cedar tree. These very strong threads of natural color are hung on the loom for the warp. The other threads, colored and containing no cedar fibers, are worked in and out of the strong warp threads. It takes about a year for a Chilkat woman to prepare the wool and weave one blanket, but it lasts for several generations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The weaving of Chilkat blankets is almost a thing of the past. The younger girls are not interested in spending so much time on robes whose ceremonial uses are almost forgotten. Only a very few old women are left who understand the art of weaving. Soon, even they will weave no more.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Perhaps the best known of indigenous blankets are those made by the wandering Navahos. They practically live out-of-doors and the beauty of this is worked into their blankets. The women make these blankets, spinning the sheep's wool, dyeing it, and weaving it on hand looms. They often weave in crosses for good luck and symbols of the sun, moon, stars and lightning to bring the much needed rain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The colors worked into the blankets by the older Navahos were symbolic. They were considered sacred, ''gift of the best of their gods.'' Take for instance red - it means the blessed sunshine in which they move and live. No wonder these weavers love red and put the glorious warmth of it into their blankets. White stands for the early morning light which comes from the east and carries with it the hope of a new day. Blue stands for the cloudless afternoon sky in the south. The western sunset brings the yellows. Black comes from the far north where dark clouds gather and will, perhaps, bring the rain.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Thus the Navaho woman of yesterday and today weaves her very life into her blankets. Often she sings the night chant as she works, ''With all around me beautiful, may I walk.'' <i>Wood</i></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuGIgFyYhfw">Weaving the path by Explore Canada</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jg0BqXTBFE">Marie Begay Weaving</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi31i9qgnIQ">Master Navajo Weavers: Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIW_ECkKj2I">Dream Weaver: Navajo designer Naiomi Glasses</a></li></ul></div>
Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-7061733552515365872024-03-24T06:57:00.000-07:002024-03-24T07:09:04.962-07:00Little Armies of Soldiers and Explorers...<div style="text-align: justify;"> The first American plastic toy soldiers were made by Bergen Toy & Novelty Co. (Beton for short) in 1938. Beton also acquired the molds of another pre-war plastic figure company, Universal Plastics with their figures remaining for sale when lead toy production was stopped in 1942. The Beton figures were painted like metal figures and sold the same as their metal brethren; individually or in a boxed set of around seven figures. Following World War II, Beton modified their figures in an attempt to change the World War I type helmet into the World War II.<br /> Following World War II, plastic manufacture was seen as an industry with growth potential with many old and new companies making plastic figures that were widely available in the United States. Army men following the war were sold unpainted, usually in a green color corresponding to United States Army uniforms in World War II.<br /> Beginning in the early 1950s, Louis Marx and Company sold boxed sets of figures and accessories called playsets, such as "US Army Training Center" and the later "Battleground" sets. A rival manufacturer, the Multiple Plastics Corporation (MPC) also sold plastic figures in various colors with different separate accessories, so the same figures could be kitted out as soldiers (green), farmers, pioneers or cowboys (brown), policemen (blue), ski troopers (white) spacemen (various colors), or American Civil War soldiers in blue and gray.<br /> The economy of plastic sold in bulk, popularity of army men, and competition with manufacturers led to army men being sold in large bags by Marx, Tim-Mee Toys and MPC for as little as a penny a piece in the mid-1960s. During this time, Marx gave the American army men actual enemy soldiers to fight such as German soldiers (molded in gray) in their 1962 "Army Combat" set and Japanese soldiers (molded in yellow) in their "Iwo Jima" set that was released in 1963. In 1965, a "D-Day" Marx set featured Allies such as French (horizon blue), British (khaki), and Russians. One of their last and largest playsets was the multi-level "Fortress Navarone" mountain set based on The Guns of Navarone, which was available in the 1970s and pitted World War II Americans against Germans.<br /> During the Vietnam War, sales and availability of military toys began to decline alongside the unpopularity of the war and the higher prices of plastic from the 1973 oil crisis. Since 1975 many manufacturers of plastic soldiers in Europe and US closed, for example John Hill & Company, Reamsa, Louis Marx and Company, and Dinky Toys.<br /> Today most army men are made inexpensively in China and do not include the extensive accessories that were common in Marx playsets. They are also smaller on average, often not much more than 2.5 cm (one inch) high. Most of these figures are generic imitations of model figure sets from such companies as Airfix and Matchbox. They vary widely in quality.<br /> In addition to army men, other inexpensive, plastic toy figures are also commonly available. Toy cowboys and Indians, farm sets, spacemen, knights, dinosaurs, firemen, police officers and other playsets are often sold alongside army men.<br /> In September of 2019, BMC Toys, a maker of army men, announced that army women would be sold in 2020. This announcement was made due to popular request from female veterans and toy fans. The most well-known request is from a six-year-old girl who sent a handwritten letter for them to be made. <i>Wikipedia.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> </i><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BKOHY4EBB1k" width="320" youtube-src-id="BKOHY4EBB1k"></iframe></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>The History of the Plastic Toy Soldier.</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>More Toy Soldier Video:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd94-KFfD_0">What Happened To Sarge?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9-MDEbK048">The Trenches Remastered</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXSo9LeuX2M">The All-American Army Men</a></li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: white;"> </span><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/p/internet-doll-guide.html" style="background-color: #fce5cd;">Return to the Doll Guide Index Page</a><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: white;"> </span> <br /></p></div></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-69587152535553091452024-03-22T06:45:00.000-07:002024-03-22T06:52:46.879-07:00DIY Old-Fashioned Miniature Spool Beds<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dN-x0tVdzAzjMHC_eMict7V_Cjh3Zxqo8CWlw9KeRHlmF8CZp0VD0DGmVWzuTRuXPS5_5XCP5yJ6GyM-jXP3t40U0O5fQNXla1gcuFY3yVtpVQ2110en5DC0Aw9FaOydbgz3HGinscTivrPq5HeHupup186a2zOsMmfd1ShFzjt5dBOny7yA7XzCx977/s700/finisheddollspoolbeds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="700" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dN-x0tVdzAzjMHC_eMict7V_Cjh3Zxqo8CWlw9KeRHlmF8CZp0VD0DGmVWzuTRuXPS5_5XCP5yJ6GyM-jXP3t40U0O5fQNXla1gcuFY3yVtpVQ2110en5DC0Aw9FaOydbgz3HGinscTivrPq5HeHupup186a2zOsMmfd1ShFzjt5dBOny7yA7XzCx977/w400-h389/finisheddollspoolbeds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Our finished spool beds ready<a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2021/03/turn-bookcase-into-dollhouse.html"> for the bookcase dollhouse</a>.<br />Personally, I think they are charming...</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> Spool dollhouse furniture is very vintage indeed. It was most popular when threads were commonly wrapped, packaged and sold to ordinary folk who made their own clothes, quilted etc... </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"> So little people have been recycling unwanted trash to outfit their dollhouses forever, it seems. But now, you have to purchase wooden spools to return to the craft; it is not expensive if you are patient enough to acquire these wooden parts through second-hand vendors. </div><p></p><p><b>Supply List:</b> </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">a variety of wooden spools small, medium and large</li><li style="text-align: justify;">a wooden platform length cut to fit your sleeping doll</li><li style="text-align: justify;">paint (spray acrylic or acrylic in a tube)</li><li style="text-align: justify;">wood glue</li><li style="text-align: justify;">clear varnish or Mod Podge</li><li style="text-align: justify;">scrap fabrics and notions for the bedding</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step-by-Step Instructions:</b></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">You will need to collect quite a few spools, smaller ones, for this craft. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cut a thin wooden platform for the mattress of the bed to lay on. Make sure to measure the platform to fit the height of your doll. You can see that I planned the larger of the two doll beds to fit a standard size six inch dollhouse doll below. The shorter spool bed was designed for a child doll.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">You may glue the spools to stand upright or plan to attach them by stringing a long wire through the spool holes and bending it around the spool bedposts. In the end I decided to leave the bedrails off.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Attach the spools using wood glue and let the glue dry overnight. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Use acrylic paints or enamel paint alternatively to finish the spool beds.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Because doll beds like these were popular before the world wars and during, I chose to sew very old-fashioned bedding from lace trims and doilies.</li></ol></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5n-XD4OkgMJvn3OyeNf74yggz9Lj_VC5vnul7A8yoP5P7WCbfdYyFcM7Z3HUzASIMANTwcelkSO031YCKLLSU_zy22kiNm4xyOvYZVwuODEmfQfWzvkbQ1qjRlIl3OmCn34olhbnmGZI1ei8nJSDgEMOD-xCquUlahsjIo8vzQP87aKhhgVR-5ZoY3Qe/s785/spoolbedfordollhouses.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="785" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5n-XD4OkgMJvn3OyeNf74yggz9Lj_VC5vnul7A8yoP5P7WCbfdYyFcM7Z3HUzASIMANTwcelkSO031YCKLLSU_zy22kiNm4xyOvYZVwuODEmfQfWzvkbQ1qjRlIl3OmCn34olhbnmGZI1ei8nJSDgEMOD-xCquUlahsjIo8vzQP87aKhhgVR-5ZoY3Qe/w640-h304/spoolbedfordollhouses.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, I'm thinking about the arrangement of spools for me dollhouse beds. Center, wooden spools<br /> may be found at resale or purchased online or maybe you could find them in your grandmother's <br />sewing kit. Right, the platform for your doll's mattress needs to be long enough to accommodate<br />it's height and wide enough so that he or she won't fall out of bed at night!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhZexzxmJ1mj-PFnli5PUp8CW68OlukfqJo8LIohAG903DWkkQTw7eSPGIBbJ5q97gw1nz-nwiBzr2tomb4j94ovYM2cNQ_OrjYn75PLZYWmRcl4JzaZ3yZHNGodrKAA4yAQUpDWVYhUIftPUs_r4JCGohrsoenc5D_MYTrAkM5dKXxlEbllxFPn21Dk_/s896/spooldollbeds2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="896" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhZexzxmJ1mj-PFnli5PUp8CW68OlukfqJo8LIohAG903DWkkQTw7eSPGIBbJ5q97gw1nz-nwiBzr2tomb4j94ovYM2cNQ_OrjYn75PLZYWmRcl4JzaZ3yZHNGodrKAA4yAQUpDWVYhUIftPUs_r4JCGohrsoenc5D_MYTrAkM5dKXxlEbllxFPn21Dk_/w640-h214/spooldollbeds2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, I made two beds in different sizes from wooden spools. These stack neatly together for<br />storage purposes. Center, see the felt bedding with attached bed pillows. Right, the lace dusters <br />are sewn directly onto the mattresses so that these won't be lost during play or storage.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVCLPiHGobGXleyBAUT_tzwB5Qt6ti-9wukjJeAYnuh2bUwydQxfa9RZF8DwohLJMgazDRwydkOlWYDdwBu9wzLM1mUGmKP3cIZPjej1JBkRQxzOMpmDgYgK9ZEEqAGF25gMFaPgxm_0l-AzC3UlxPpaA4mr72wuotzp2jo9lha_xi7yu1dcgKPgx2uC6/s946/spooldollbeds3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="367" data-original-width="946" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAVCLPiHGobGXleyBAUT_tzwB5Qt6ti-9wukjJeAYnuh2bUwydQxfa9RZF8DwohLJMgazDRwydkOlWYDdwBu9wzLM1mUGmKP3cIZPjej1JBkRQxzOMpmDgYgK9ZEEqAGF25gMFaPgxm_0l-AzC3UlxPpaA4mr72wuotzp2jo9lha_xi7yu1dcgKPgx2uC6/w640-h248/spooldollbeds3.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, old lace trims were collected at estate sales and used to craft vintage looking bedding. <br />Center, use darker colored silks beneath the lace trim to emphasize the decorative designs.<br />Right, the old-fashioned dollhouse beds are finished <a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2021/03/turn-bookcase-into-dollhouse.html">for our bookcase dollhouse</a>.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-21734647106270789422024-03-21T07:13:00.000-07:002024-03-21T09:28:22.738-07:00Vintage cottage decor cabinets make much nicer dollhouses...<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVTxANr_LG0RXqnwbfBp7r_Ts025BmLv7SF2XtnELOjhdHU0JbNbIvCJvxRvP6KNodxdQYFq82AELLk2eZEaW7tU6hKr8e71pJw56HfQNm7chQiaR5utHadadjsevaM1VQGsBYxjf6YwOtUE0xFfHHPf5VKz8orfSd-eVtAfpmFRIV7O1BkhDWiWuW1b2/s800/townhousesfordollplay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="483" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVTxANr_LG0RXqnwbfBp7r_Ts025BmLv7SF2XtnELOjhdHU0JbNbIvCJvxRvP6KNodxdQYFq82AELLk2eZEaW7tU6hKr8e71pJw56HfQNm7chQiaR5utHadadjsevaM1VQGsBYxjf6YwOtUE0xFfHHPf5VKz8orfSd-eVtAfpmFRIV7O1BkhDWiWuW1b2/w386-h640/townhousesfordollplay.jpg" width="386" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Once designed to organize dvds and cds,<br />these dollhouse themed cabinets will be<br />filled with furniture and dolls in our<br />downstairs play room.</i></td></tr></tbody></table> When I first spied these tall, narrow cabinets, obviously intended for the storage of dvds and cds, the first thought to enter my head was... How awful for home decor but how extraordinary nice for doll play! And isn't that often the case? Something that gets marketed for one thing - that it doesn't quite look right . . . can become a perfect fit in an alternative venue. I mean, this designer should have been employed by a toy company!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> What I love most about these cabinets is that when put together, they look like row houses or townhouses in San Francisco, where I once lived.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The paint needed sprucing up a bit so I brightened the colors and repapered the interior shelves to look like dollhouse rooms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> These particular rooms are the perfect generous size for 1:48 Scale or quarter scale; this being the furniture size that I chose to work with on this dollhouse project. I could have opted for 1:24 just as easily but the rooms would have felt over-crowded and the decorations limited. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> If readers find a cabinet or two like these, and plan to give them as a gift to a little person, 1:24 scale may be a better choice for a younger child's <i>play </i>dollhouse. In this scale they won't need as much furniture and durable, wooden peg dolls (1-3 inches) could live inside the <i>''vintage look''</i> rooms easily.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I will eventually include photos here of all my updates once these townhouse dollhouses are finished. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> So far, I have just finished some of the wallpapers and floor treatments. Tiny 1:48 scale furniture has been purchased for most of the rooms. I will need to make some of the furniture by hand as this project is getting a bit expensive. All of the decor will be altered to match the color schemes of the wallpapers which are a bit flamboyant for my taste but appropriate for Victorian townhomes, especially for those little girls that prefer them in dollhouses.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Yellow Townhouse for Dolls:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqTDemb-OD1ileLXhVtZp2kfDXoT0fQUgcVfKj6W7HgRBwPJiCa6HGN4nDA7YaGp-gm-BnEJZdF8Ylzg6zTffqs-N1G8Q1sD7upEEHAkn_6Kp3IneeIJKP8PvKuON2DbG7CHIA7PXLsPhizpWbLltPI773wL7QydzyyvQirG7fXrb8FbQuR6hgi6R9KHI/s666/changesforyellowtownhome.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="666" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqTDemb-OD1ileLXhVtZp2kfDXoT0fQUgcVfKj6W7HgRBwPJiCa6HGN4nDA7YaGp-gm-BnEJZdF8Ylzg6zTffqs-N1G8Q1sD7upEEHAkn_6Kp3IneeIJKP8PvKuON2DbG7CHIA7PXLsPhizpWbLltPI773wL7QydzyyvQirG7fXrb8FbQuR6hgi6R9KHI/w640-h528/changesforyellowtownhome.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, I will either need to name the townhome or change this 'music' sign to a home address.<br />Right, See the sides of this cabinet are painted with just as much detail, very nice.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="824" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLs8Iv-PsQKmdOzvYcjJr1gs05Zn-z0IWdVAdas796LXoZMMADm2h9BkG0mhCvWkk1gyiUt3DTuCB250CcspWNL4XEk5vlfoYwyhnQPTWxljUOAUoX_oygFwepzYwfMtve2ERNBHZ7k0ctGl_MI1Xv67JIAKeXHYbuwtPBsqC2HB5msiNVMKia514Ii9Jk/w640-h160/3and4rmsyellowtownhouse.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, wallpaper and 'linoleum' floor added. Left center, just thinking about furniture arrangement. <br />This bedroom suite is complete and needs painting. Right center, the wallpaper treatment is for a<br />pink nursery, I still need to find a faux white floorboard paper. Right, I have a tiny crib, rocking <br />horse, dresser and chair for this room so far.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tI9kzhkFPfXh4F-AdmQydVEvNBN5-oidt6Gg6BwYvBXp3ZyIIxD3juLIM1HP3WMkiwn6XTcQvZTgFW5KhsWqnL3R3eWT-uBXfur4gkNi0mARtPAuebT0CUbXTFVuR_p2WVi-IxJscX1n0gfjtDS5OmQx2BhSJEx1jxeW1BDL-nHinwmWFWLXjFkDb003/s827/1and2rmsyellowtownhouse.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="827" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tI9kzhkFPfXh4F-AdmQydVEvNBN5-oidt6Gg6BwYvBXp3ZyIIxD3juLIM1HP3WMkiwn6XTcQvZTgFW5KhsWqnL3R3eWT-uBXfur4gkNi0mARtPAuebT0CUbXTFVuR_p2WVi-IxJscX1n0gfjtDS5OmQx2BhSJEx1jxeW1BDL-nHinwmWFWLXjFkDb003/w640-h170/1and2rmsyellowtownhouse.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, The wallpaper and kitchen tile floor are finished. Center left, all I have for this dollhouse <br />kitchen thus far is a white table and chairs and one planter. Right center, both stripes and flowers <br />in purple for the living room walls and a grey checkered floor treatment are finished. Right, all the <br />furniture that this living room can comfortably hold will need to be painted to match the purple <br />color scheme for this room.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Pink Townhouse for Dolls:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw94-wMvIRxkcG4z4gqc_s2t6WpWh4BfQPMDkKBCdHgXxjNmto8X1RekwGWFZsa2_b6tzrtt0ZJ9PcZGixzeEgyCOImLSxupqBrEZhKai1qHJ2APNAQYZgBDZT1MkNZtjYH64-HCb23-FlYAHr4n_afRz44Ed1QZnOZrV2pQXVJI4B3OstPk_LGVtLv76/s819/pinktownhomedetailchanges.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="819" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw94-wMvIRxkcG4z4gqc_s2t6WpWh4BfQPMDkKBCdHgXxjNmto8X1RekwGWFZsa2_b6tzrtt0ZJ9PcZGixzeEgyCOImLSxupqBrEZhKai1qHJ2APNAQYZgBDZT1MkNZtjYH64-HCb23-FlYAHr4n_afRz44Ed1QZnOZrV2pQXVJI4B3OstPk_LGVtLv76/w640-h430/pinktownhomedetailchanges.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, this door will need a set of front steps for it. Right, there is an extra room for this pink <br />doll townhouse. I will turn it into a bathroom.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj1x7ZpaPg0c1PDit4_ak7UaldNaj5kALhSk0lylVF8SZO4yKv_3hrvYmMJpTDSCgsgPnaag-pv949seCUkODLN5tmeMpBBv8URabsILnoXhOw_uH4cn36oDCtme6RhwN7htEjwTx8Te-zZfpK9E39Y-sdW867Rk65YHkpIfXn94aGoFFP2SwJ4T99YNi/s824/5atticbathwindowspinktownhouse.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="824" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj1x7ZpaPg0c1PDit4_ak7UaldNaj5kALhSk0lylVF8SZO4yKv_3hrvYmMJpTDSCgsgPnaag-pv949seCUkODLN5tmeMpBBv8URabsILnoXhOw_uH4cn36oDCtme6RhwN7htEjwTx8Te-zZfpK9E39Y-sdW867Rk65YHkpIfXn94aGoFFP2SwJ4T99YNi/w640-h216/5atticbathwindowspinktownhouse.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the pale blue and grey figured wallpaper is finished. The linoleum floor will need to be <br />reapplied. Center left, a sink, toilet and bath wait to be installed. Right center and Right, before<br />and after photos of window repaint. I applied highlights to the windows and brightened up the<br />pink outside walls.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyX54-WhgToWETwKLb0rT9hccs73SBu9qwRCveBRe0pk8WDDZ8twUi6aYipFKxj0YMfibYEDcENAmeb_hBfxmr38K7ZR8JFN6-Do-VnKFUuroq6dMhmkKK6zLt43Ti-bczUR3TxfDAlTl9ViJ6r-p2vOs58W3aDpCCSuf4OasFOgUhgqkAU-Gc7KdR4qS/s824/3and4rmspinktownhouse.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="824" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyX54-WhgToWETwKLb0rT9hccs73SBu9qwRCveBRe0pk8WDDZ8twUi6aYipFKxj0YMfibYEDcENAmeb_hBfxmr38K7ZR8JFN6-Do-VnKFUuroq6dMhmkKK6zLt43Ti-bczUR3TxfDAlTl9ViJ6r-p2vOs58W3aDpCCSuf4OasFOgUhgqkAU-Gc7KdR4qS/w640-h182/3and4rmspinktownhouse.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, The study/family room has hand painted wooden floor and green wallpaper finished. <br />Center left, a few furniture pieces: T.V., side table and desk set. The television needs to be painted<br />for certain and I will craft a couch and chairs for this room. Right center, the rose colored wallpaper<br />is finished, the floor still missing. Right, see the furniture I have for this bedroom thus far: bed,<br />two dressers, crib and potted plant. All will be repainted for the decor.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nWFdvPovAp1_sPc26aj4vzhmkIivbMSYN1b4z04HAFL1-xzFkfHYu7govJDVoW9IHHKl6mKfVA3WSu0VifPJqoZQTyl60exr6BblAALhzG6W4Vk0PKZSvolq4HE5SDlbHu1scjjxCwYJTsciZyFfW5gcYZyt9Dh6416vNoMIAmJPu6HeZeW8B-cRebu5/s824/1and2rmspinktownhouse.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="824" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nWFdvPovAp1_sPc26aj4vzhmkIivbMSYN1b4z04HAFL1-xzFkfHYu7govJDVoW9IHHKl6mKfVA3WSu0VifPJqoZQTyl60exr6BblAALhzG6W4Vk0PKZSvolq4HE5SDlbHu1scjjxCwYJTsciZyFfW5gcYZyt9Dh6416vNoMIAmJPu6HeZeW8B-cRebu5/w640-h174/1and2rmspinktownhouse.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the wall paper and linoleum floor are finished. Center left, the kitchen sink, stove and refrigerator<br /> are a perfect fit for the room. Right center, the butterfly wallpaper and stained wood floors are finished;<br /> but, the wainscoting needs to be applied before finished. Right, here you see that I have acquired the<br />tiny dining room set and a piano for the room. I may alter the dining chair cushions.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>More City Living for Dolls:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2018/09/apartment-dollhouse-modernized-with.html">Build a doll sized apartment including an elevator and multiple stories</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9PXaSia0E">KPO crafts a working elevator for Barbie's cardboard dollhouse</a> and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JACOJm9BUWs">pulley system for a dollhouse elevator by Inventor Crafts</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdze5iNeyRU">A Barbie Town House from 1979</a></li></ul></div><p></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-12455574012292045362024-03-21T06:40:00.000-07:002024-03-21T06:46:13.830-07:00How to make a matchbox bed for a mouse...<div style="text-align: justify;"> Here are the craft instructions for the matchbox mouse bed displayed in <a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-pink-thrifty-flip-dollhouse.html">Rosebud Cottage</a>. It is very easy to make and every little mouse doll
needs a cozy place to sleep. The matchbox is a larger size than most; it ordinarily holds 5000 wooden matches. Although our mouse came with a slipcase bed of her own, it was a little too large for her new home, so we made her a new bed to fit just right into her art studio...<br /></div><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F3AjO054MW7qWIBI4jvvI_cpRKTravYVZ6ejoFBJIwIdh_-P619ks2rnt9ouUGV0knQ9RYiVH-BQYTknDvE0f62L5Q3HaXPslYJTYP7HmgvQD__Dy4jkb-dzf8Hto6GDsxjL_Wn8TA4FIIq9ANf_7oEEMRKOXGYkE4Q-nGq1ZSF506xuGhOSVWdaZK5m/s800/Beatrixmouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="556" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F3AjO054MW7qWIBI4jvvI_cpRKTravYVZ6ejoFBJIwIdh_-P619ks2rnt9ouUGV0knQ9RYiVH-BQYTknDvE0f62L5Q3HaXPslYJTYP7HmgvQD__Dy4jkb-dzf8Hto6GDsxjL_Wn8TA4FIIq9ANf_7oEEMRKOXGYkE4Q-nGq1ZSF506xuGhOSVWdaZK5m/w278-h400/Beatrixmouse.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beatrix mouse posed in her matchbox bed<br />made especially for her very own mouse<br />house!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Supply List:</b><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>one large matchbox empty</li><li>one acorn for a pillow</li><li>scrap fabric for the bedding</li><li>paper covered wire, green like a vine</li><li>button for trim</li><li>small amount of batting</li><li>decorative scrapbook paper</li><li>white school glue</li><li>hot glue gun and glue</li></ul><p><b>Step-by-Step Instructions:</b></p><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li>For this little mouse bed, you will only need to use the 'drawer' part of the large matchbox. So remove this and cover all of it's parts with a decorative paper, layering Mod Podge on top to give the bed a durable surface. </li><li>Next, cover the wire with white glue and green paper if it is not already in this state prior to working with it.</li><li>Now bend the wire into a headboard for the bed. You can make any design you like or copy the one shown in the photos below. Use more wire to secure connections between the bent areas. These are obvious in the pictures because they are wrapped with brown wire.</li><li>Paint the wire head board as you go if it pleases you. This one has been left green to look like a vine.</li><li>Bend approximately 1/2 inch of the wire frame to attach just beneath the edge of the bed and hot glue the headboard onto the back and bottom of the matchbox to hold everything in place.</li><li>Sew and stuff a little pillow for your doll mouse to rest her head on. </li><li>Cut a fabric scrap blanket to keep her warm at night and collect a small acorn to display as a 'natural' sort of pillow.<br /></li></ol><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEkIGJUczqcB4oq3pVNHh3v7r-ioZ8dt7Y-EHA6GXarvDD_gF6iziX90p0v1N3gmFQa1L8vEEuuknaMDN-Rh8ET6jkND1cbFRHnK6NSPeJcKtEekexqLwsm9XZvzLXbctZ-6EA6oqfE7Vq1-TYQclhwI_4eG6U4aJM0VKJ5M5K7ENLY7vSveQtZK1LYeB/s770/vineheadboardformousebed.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="770" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEkIGJUczqcB4oq3pVNHh3v7r-ioZ8dt7Y-EHA6GXarvDD_gF6iziX90p0v1N3gmFQa1L8vEEuuknaMDN-Rh8ET6jkND1cbFRHnK6NSPeJcKtEekexqLwsm9XZvzLXbctZ-6EA6oqfE7Vq1-TYQclhwI_4eG6U4aJM0VKJ5M5K7ENLY7vSveQtZK1LYeB/w640-h306/vineheadboardformousebed.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, side view of Beatrix's matchbox bed. She has an acorn for a decorative pillow. Right, the <br />view of her 'vine-like' headboard from behind.</i></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /><b>More Mouse Fun: </b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://lutheranchurchbasementladies.blogspot.com/2022/09/how-to-make-sock-mouse-for-display.html">Go here to see our directions for sewing a little sock mouse to play with.</a></li><li><a href="https://lutheranchurchbasementladies.blogspot.com/search/label/Church%20Mouse%20Companion">Read the Church Mouse Companion for Fun!</a></li><li><a href="https://arteducationdaily.blogspot.com/2011/10/craft-project-dangeling-nut-head-people.html">Learn how to turn your acorns into dolls too!</a><br /></li></ul></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-36842072967205041552024-03-20T09:07:00.000-07:002024-03-20T09:10:06.246-07:00Sleepy Dandelions<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYnQd4FgReEJ40B33QJOvUFL-lAUubvRslWecpYhBaeEeT-lq1AlTk6ARyp8utvS8__txBPeVLlg9gjuRHSNm06c_Ekvhmmh8IWhims6z_8Yg6aPpDnf5k1c65cYhwjzIwxC22N3s9NOvIwQ18j8s28aHSlDtvZHxDNUf2-dJRyykJUySzMseyswfKUOe/s800/Sleepy%20Dandelions.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="800" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYnQd4FgReEJ40B33QJOvUFL-lAUubvRslWecpYhBaeEeT-lq1AlTk6ARyp8utvS8__txBPeVLlg9gjuRHSNm06c_Ekvhmmh8IWhims6z_8Yg6aPpDnf5k1c65cYhwjzIwxC22N3s9NOvIwQ18j8s28aHSlDtvZHxDNUf2-dJRyykJUySzMseyswfKUOe/w640-h555/Sleepy%20Dandelions.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Illustrated spring and summer flower poem.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Sleepy Dandelions by Harriet Putnam</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">The dandelion children<br />Have on their nightgowns<br />white.<br />They left their yellow dresses<br />In cupboards for the night.</p><p style="text-align: center;">And quite forgot this morning<br />To leave their dewy beds;<br />So in their lacy nightgowns<br />They dream-the sleepy-<br />heads!</p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-60782243657932273112024-03-20T08:54:00.000-07:002024-03-20T09:40:16.595-07:00My small Asian Gofun doll...<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> This eight inch, vintage, boy(?) doll dressed in Chinese folk costume has a head molded using layers of ground oyster shell (gofun) and wood pulp. He also has real human hair braided and attached into one whole in his head at the back.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> The child's costume is embroidered with Buddhist symbols: a red feather, incense burner, and yellow <i>Bon </i>hat. It's coat was once brilliant blue and the pants red still... The doll's shoes are in excellent condition given it's age.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Doll artists in China made dolls using oyster shell and sold these to an American market during the 1920s, 30s and 40s. However most collectors in the United States are familiar with the Japanese Ichimatsu versions from those decades, 1920s through the 1950s.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn6tn3CCrQ0sxfO0TnsnDQWVt2mcBeK7F3Eqx5YeP42Hz82YFXfrH778E9mtLU5U7VU7R5F-iX5E9bLn1zObtQKcpjxyHh8MJQ1YiSvE_QnzqkrhIPW971v1ZcpkjExucErk_VZuXIcpHs3pPvRq7pAdI7rBk0tSFj5H3d6fx2dnagiDOU9hPQWvCE0Ex/s807/chineseoystershelldoll.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="807" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn6tn3CCrQ0sxfO0TnsnDQWVt2mcBeK7F3Eqx5YeP42Hz82YFXfrH778E9mtLU5U7VU7R5F-iX5E9bLn1zObtQKcpjxyHh8MJQ1YiSvE_QnzqkrhIPW971v1ZcpkjExucErk_VZuXIcpHs3pPvRq7pAdI7rBk0tSFj5H3d6fx2dnagiDOU9hPQWvCE0Ex/w640-h330/chineseoystershelldoll.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the jacket unbuttoned to reveal 'Made In China' printed in red. Center, the hands are very<br />worn; this must have been a toy well loved. Right, The jacket embroidery includes lucky, <br />Buddhist symbols.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> This version above is of an Asian doll made using gofun is from China. He or She is most likely older than those Japanese dolls made with the same methods and materials. However, I am unaware of it's exact age, but I do know that the doll is Chinese, not Japanese.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> "Gofun is scrapings from the shell of a Gofun oyster, ground into a fine powder and mixed with glue from Nikawa seaweed. This mixture is painted over a wood pulp composition face or other body parts many many times. The number of coats determines the quality of the doll. If the doll has a gofun covered face, it is much more valuable than the modern hard plastic head of dolls now being made in Japan. One way to determine if gofun has been used is to gently see if there is a small hole where the hair is inserted in the head.'' <i>Judd, Price Guide African and Asian Costumed Dolls, 1995, edited</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tips For Cleaning Dolls Parts Made With Gofun:</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">If the doll's face, hands or feet need cleaning desperately, only use very tiny amounts of mild soap and water on the tip of a cotton swab! Do not press down hard, this will remove the top coat of paint if you are not careful enough.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Some folks will not use water, but <i>gum erasers</i> only. In either case, these dolls are extremely delicate and should be only cleaned with the utmost care.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">The dust on a doll's clothing may be removed with a small blow-dryer on it's cool setting only. Otherwise you may need to opt for a clothing replacement altogether if the garments are beyond saving. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Caution, the garments are often <i>not</i> color fast and if washed they will bleed out in the water and discolor other pale colors in the same garment, even if you use a mild soap!</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Many smaller, antique Ichimatsu have clothing that is sewn directly onto their rag bodies. These tiny stitches may be removed and the body parts replaced with duplicates if necessary. You will need to take these apart entirely and trace around the original patterns to restore some cloth body and costume parts. Do this only if the doll is hopelessly damaged as it will affect it's collectible value.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Ichimatsu can be repainted/restored by a doll hospital that will research it's original history. Of course these cleaning tips are only for the less valuable friendship dolls that are circulating among the general, ordinary collecting public. There are extremely valuable friendship dolls that are museum quality dolls made with wood not wood composite. Those dolls must be cleaned by a museum conservator.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">There are <i>eleven</i> of the original <i>58</i> <i>Friendship Dolls</i> given by Japan many years ago (1927) that are missing. These dolls where all 33 inches tall and should be only cleaned and altered by museums. They are very valuable and should be identified by experts and only altered by them.</li></ul><div><b>Learning About Japanese Traditions in Doll Art:</b></div><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/journals/conservation-journal/issue-24/painting-in-japan/">Painting in Japan by Sandra Grantham</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwH0IsDszw">The art and care of a Japanese Friendship Doll </a>- These are the pricey, 58, historical ones folks! This special collection is housed in multiple museums.</li><li><a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/painting-with-gofun-wataru-kawashima/MgFnqDn7aIm9ew?hl=en">See what gofun looks like here and read about it's history...</a></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/p/internet-doll-guide.html" style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: #cc6411; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-decoration-line: none;">Return to the Doll Guide Index Page</a><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: white; font-size: 15.4px;"> </span></div></div><p></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-27762974721319779812024-03-15T07:16:00.000-07:002024-03-26T10:14:14.592-07:00The Pink Thrifty-Flip Dollhouse<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8hDzsAXK-Yuiz_DZY1nTdDQO0QKa7T8aRUhik6gL4K5v_NlRQAyIYtpy2nQ83vr4whWIKOm9rlBYeNcFt9aE_ZLcF9pZYFFp6Ppjd176K7MA5oOEXDfoXOT1-PMtnMBDWuKsAl27Ib5wOc21LZQmsumocyTqZk_h98v0rwTFYzmyTuHc06hw6bIC12OU/s933/thrifty-flipped-pink-dollhouse.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="933" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8hDzsAXK-Yuiz_DZY1nTdDQO0QKa7T8aRUhik6gL4K5v_NlRQAyIYtpy2nQ83vr4whWIKOm9rlBYeNcFt9aE_ZLcF9pZYFFp6Ppjd176K7MA5oOEXDfoXOT1-PMtnMBDWuKsAl27Ib5wOc21LZQmsumocyTqZk_h98v0rwTFYzmyTuHc06hw6bIC12OU/w640-h330/thrifty-flipped-pink-dollhouse.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The finished front and back of my eldest daughter's dollhouse/art supply storage and display.<br />The dollhouse sits on top of a rubber turntable to that it may be turned for the display of the <br />dollhouse when the supplies are not needed. She keeps it on top of a waist height, cupboard <br />in her room. <a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2024/03/craft-whale-of-weather-vain.html">The whale shaped weather vane at the top of this dollhouse was crafted like this.</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> This dollhouse (<i>mouse house</i>) purchased from a thrift shop was transformed into a kind of shelving unit for my eldest daughter's art supplies. A mouse named Beatrix, after one of her favorite artists/authors of children's books, lives in the studio apartment above the supply shelf! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> And just like her landlord, Beatrix is also an artist who loves to paint watercolors of simple small things like: acorns, flowers, mushrooms and bugs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> Small creatures sometimes visit Beatrix at her "Art Bar'' to learn how to be creative themselves and trade stories about the latest news from other dolls that reside in the community below in our toy room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipevgs3p3t4USkQzbCGIbF9i3ay7NeaUY-sg4uamhb_u00kMWlTyxkEg3AL1OHXMS_BhI1rzhXXhcIsN4JceNAX7a1OwArrQpiNPE37xxzAucohIaWgKcZ_AmikUo__VCePWu_FSjg7SvBmJo0ayc73asJdGNFnFEL2WgRrC9lUp3_jGkSOqaQETdyn8t1/s952/pinkthriftyfliphouse.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="952" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipevgs3p3t4USkQzbCGIbF9i3ay7NeaUY-sg4uamhb_u00kMWlTyxkEg3AL1OHXMS_BhI1rzhXXhcIsN4JceNAX7a1OwArrQpiNPE37xxzAucohIaWgKcZ_AmikUo__VCePWu_FSjg7SvBmJo0ayc73asJdGNFnFEL2WgRrC9lUp3_jGkSOqaQETdyn8t1/w640-h308/pinkthriftyfliphouse.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>She originally swore that none of this project would be painted pink . . . and then this paint job <br />happened. I love the painted green tile roof the best! However, the pink is appropriate for a <br />cottage called 'Rosebud Cottage,' don't you think?</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mXQpoVWaYYFU2AfZWFkeV5seMBreszYe7Abpi5fF5za9WS5DRCUTDjd3k_nMHtZAVOsrTWPhaez-7aaI4WEWW4q412mxy-SYuZy8-nO3yy6RFvKvismdCS1gJlSgdsdTlOd8MMAjkV4oShcLI6rFhU1wcZZTYuzpNMd1pKQSkzFB73ICrqY-UHVtx5Qf/s955/lowerandupperdollhouseflrs.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="955" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mXQpoVWaYYFU2AfZWFkeV5seMBreszYe7Abpi5fF5za9WS5DRCUTDjd3k_nMHtZAVOsrTWPhaez-7aaI4WEWW4q412mxy-SYuZy8-nO3yy6RFvKvismdCS1gJlSgdsdTlOd8MMAjkV4oShcLI6rFhU1wcZZTYuzpNMd1pKQSkzFB73ICrqY-UHVtx5Qf/w640-h244/lowerandupperdollhouseflrs.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Most of the items included inside and out were handmade by my daughter. On the lower floor<br />of the dollhouse you can see how my daughter has organized her watercolor supplies. Dollhouses<br />do not need to be used strictly for doll play. Older teens may refurbish a dollhouse into clever<br />storage or display a once beloved toy on a bookcase.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Detailed Photos of The Interior</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQukhdiwIxSAsuMzcgXbcex098FF76LnBikQBtaA1SXuvggjyDVTGleuE7Bte18GG3Iq48QnfA7xhN8A2Ji-1Wg8ljTNWm63IQ-pkfUNevL6hFInuOBAR4a8KjQx2hIPLgKs-YDzQ2_puj8m2-2-5PQRy42x_YEjLfCnDOE_R1W5oirKJXPlhyVEJ8SKV1/s691/rosecottagedetails1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="691" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQukhdiwIxSAsuMzcgXbcex098FF76LnBikQBtaA1SXuvggjyDVTGleuE7Bte18GG3Iq48QnfA7xhN8A2Ji-1Wg8ljTNWm63IQ-pkfUNevL6hFInuOBAR4a8KjQx2hIPLgKs-YDzQ2_puj8m2-2-5PQRy42x_YEjLfCnDOE_R1W5oirKJXPlhyVEJ8SKV1/w640-h342/rosecottagedetails1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, <a href="a matchstick box decoupaged with vintage paper. It also has a wire shaped headboard. ">a matchstick box bed decoupaged with vintage paper. It also has a wire shaped headboard. </a><br />Center, painted block dollhouse and painted, folk heart needlepoint.<br />Right, a handmade easel using skewers with tiny clamp and decorative tags.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxXlB7FGaaQ1BUPhoMxxkFjr9ONjt1HVPa5TaA6yoExsNxcGvpUMe2Jlauk4swgxs-8bbiFzXjz4ab-jSwG3kDzv4xNNRZh0Rs0p8Jwf7-kTzZLauSR5FGVT4av4CbKIAvgKNJUBkFif7W9cbvk_j6qO-vLYqPsz8SPB24QKUbC3UDcnn5X0EBrpKdUOm/s904/rosecottagedetails4.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="904" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxXlB7FGaaQ1BUPhoMxxkFjr9ONjt1HVPa5TaA6yoExsNxcGvpUMe2Jlauk4swgxs-8bbiFzXjz4ab-jSwG3kDzv4xNNRZh0Rs0p8Jwf7-kTzZLauSR5FGVT4av4CbKIAvgKNJUBkFif7W9cbvk_j6qO-vLYqPsz8SPB24QKUbC3UDcnn5X0EBrpKdUOm/w640-h230/rosecottagedetails4.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, a stool or bedside table made with driftwood and skewers glued together; this is where <br />Beatrix sets her teacup and saucer. Next to the crude table is her charming little 'chair' made<br /> from driftwood and a wooden spool. Right, is a rustic wire 'willow' wreath trimmed with <br />tiny petals, leaves and a bumble bee charm. <a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-behavior-of-bees.html">Learn more about bees here.</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzbr2NZNgIlubywKBVs7UqjoMbr_-I6lf2Wz5OdIqISKrYlrr-0anJXMR656Nle55C-p89xoZISbCwVWvd166QyZLTRO4vvVs0Rh4EUhseOMxbdLW9wmDXo6qR4kLp3LrPeQNPZ0os0Di8Js3D-syHI0UunXbQhC_avKtygn9_ASLJhSEQ3PY6G6YFGde/s921/rrosecottagedetails2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="921" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzbr2NZNgIlubywKBVs7UqjoMbr_-I6lf2Wz5OdIqISKrYlrr-0anJXMR656Nle55C-p89xoZISbCwVWvd166QyZLTRO4vvVs0Rh4EUhseOMxbdLW9wmDXo6qR4kLp3LrPeQNPZ0os0Di8Js3D-syHI0UunXbQhC_avKtygn9_ASLJhSEQ3PY6G6YFGde/w640-h294/rrosecottagedetails2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the winding staircase painted brown to match the Popsicle stick floors. <br />Center, a tiny basket at the foot of the mouse bed has a tiny thimble charm and spool of thread.<br />Right, Beatrix's art supplies include a set of watercolors with artist palette, brushes and box. Her<br />easel displays instructions for painting pansies; behind this is a roll of mouse sized canvases<br />and bobbie pin stored together inside of a jam jar.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiO8N088P9YB3VX_P7hSEK2-3sF7faoiT4Q1uPFX6zonBM5MfFh5osvW_5lVUbn0NW80vifoQit4mxIyqI1jP693MWLct2nlZZgNDOpCuLNmzpwldVMUp_18pCYQzUau1c5dPFUMNzWUKO4bOju-6Q82VXI5yXvRd70BaL3YIzO6IfafYqVphtsL6nspQ/s911/rrosecottagedetails3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="911" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiO8N088P9YB3VX_P7hSEK2-3sF7faoiT4Q1uPFX6zonBM5MfFh5osvW_5lVUbn0NW80vifoQit4mxIyqI1jP693MWLct2nlZZgNDOpCuLNmzpwldVMUp_18pCYQzUau1c5dPFUMNzWUKO4bOju-6Q82VXI5yXvRd70BaL3YIzO6IfafYqVphtsL6nspQ/w640-h262/rrosecottagedetails3.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, tiny clay critters; an earth worm, snail, toadstool and wooden stump are all made from<br />Sculpey oven-bake clay and painted. <a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2022/06/craft-faux-straw-skep-hive-for-doll.html">A tiny bee skep made by twisting yarn and glueing the edge<br />together.</a> Center, tiny lace curtains hung on a toothpick 'curtain rod.' Right, little woven piece of<br />fabric with hemmed edges serves as a cozy rug for Beatrix feet to land on in the morning.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrfsmSkE70cMhoFgFiPA2zMHS8kE9hunCQHNaV1qqc-PYlGjxrYYft3ql8uXIzZddbTZYRS2dypf8xHTxUxU8bNs5UoAxt_jKr2vdsG58F33JIJOUUOM0G6faVMH0iX2hktjOrqkmeKPpJVCCGPmgEM0ueil3hVLPfvPATheIKZcT31L2oWd16QQQNPts/s912/rrosecottagedetails5.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="912" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrfsmSkE70cMhoFgFiPA2zMHS8kE9hunCQHNaV1qqc-PYlGjxrYYft3ql8uXIzZddbTZYRS2dypf8xHTxUxU8bNs5UoAxt_jKr2vdsG58F33JIJOUUOM0G6faVMH0iX2hktjOrqkmeKPpJVCCGPmgEM0ueil3hVLPfvPATheIKZcT31L2oWd16QQQNPts/w640-h214/rrosecottagedetails5.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the front of a folk cupboard with tiny sewing machine. Center, the backside of the same<br />cupboard painted to look antique. You can see that this piece was constructed with Popsicle sticks.<br />Right, tiny bolts of fabric for the enthusiastic mouse seamstress.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Detailed Photos of The Exterior</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5u-xfPmz90JL-PCE0zHdA_y2dyJUzDbtBsuye1xIoYLJWvF0cKZXTzMkh2RrVbtyeTQ4wFPSqJJ5mfLS9cEijxscKFmSUw-f84mR_P-gjSbWBqsIP4-XX_-mldExxagkIIZcyPDg9OyopJWtIZsPUv_y0wrT87wbFJyKsTDniFvEjYR7G7hTWY-HMxdB/s820/detailsrosecottage6.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="820" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5u-xfPmz90JL-PCE0zHdA_y2dyJUzDbtBsuye1xIoYLJWvF0cKZXTzMkh2RrVbtyeTQ4wFPSqJJ5mfLS9cEijxscKFmSUw-f84mR_P-gjSbWBqsIP4-XX_-mldExxagkIIZcyPDg9OyopJWtIZsPUv_y0wrT87wbFJyKsTDniFvEjYR7G7hTWY-HMxdB/w640-h362/detailsrosecottage6.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, a miniature doll hose with reel and metal fittings was purchased and <br />also the white picket fence.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU02r9xOCSQ6iWPNI6n4A5eMm6VgQayBh4CrsZ3Tttx_KdD5jxDEOXgFPNA6JtzwlHXq36O8NnJevaEn9zLFZLh4oGfyDHaFbEWIV75W1X0_zRDnzIS34loqRYQF5mJ6WDaQuxHk9zd1Y-kS9QqT6bS8x8SLUfCFKNOP7WZPqEGXF78GU1TjUafe5kOobR/s903/outdoordetailspinkdollhouse1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="903" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU02r9xOCSQ6iWPNI6n4A5eMm6VgQayBh4CrsZ3Tttx_KdD5jxDEOXgFPNA6JtzwlHXq36O8NnJevaEn9zLFZLh4oGfyDHaFbEWIV75W1X0_zRDnzIS34loqRYQF5mJ6WDaQuxHk9zd1Y-kS9QqT6bS8x8SLUfCFKNOP7WZPqEGXF78GU1TjUafe5kOobR/w640-h264/outdoordetailspinkdollhouse1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the gingerbread trim has hand painted rose designs. Center, the wire wheelbarrow was <br />purchased at a hobby store. Right, handpainted spool stools for visitors to the 'art bar' <br />at Rosebud Cottage.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGf80uug5Wx8JIOlPJDQbhzkPxJwXyerDAySuQUJLw0mgKJg8uUod1_QXQjdyJ34xPdJzFQca_luM-twadpwy0JxbunfDxgSVK2LPrwU2VI47kngvPg75iY4FGjowQhOsmpwOMEXCVrhh7GvKKW_RSjg0EkXRt3EmdplktPIEIIU636Wh9vLKE1kPtln30/s891/rosecottagedetails3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="891" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGf80uug5Wx8JIOlPJDQbhzkPxJwXyerDAySuQUJLw0mgKJg8uUod1_QXQjdyJ34xPdJzFQca_luM-twadpwy0JxbunfDxgSVK2LPrwU2VI47kngvPg75iY4FGjowQhOsmpwOMEXCVrhh7GvKKW_RSjg0EkXRt3EmdplktPIEIIU636Wh9vLKE1kPtln30/w640-h290/rosecottagedetails3.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, a miniature birdbath purchased from The Dollar Store was repainted and marble added to it's <br />center. Center, tiny painted toadstools made from wood were also purchased last autumn from the<br />same craft store. These are glued to the surface of the dollhouse base. Right, potted, peach colored,<br />silk flowers arranged on the front porch.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5nePsrKkoPjeFK5jQpUPPVnZRU2Y9nItw25NvwNM933ySJn3v9jpuW3uvZiiSVM2C8UW4QjC2mf8OgKMrKO0-gguSpDL0OaiyAohUefbR4eZbU7rwAIqbP1S7K5mqatus0ay_4oTcqW55Ohl-0gZZXca0RwvmKk91pM4wWrN60mPvfP_47F4TW_qAwER/s941/rosecottagedetails5.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="941" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5nePsrKkoPjeFK5jQpUPPVnZRU2Y9nItw25NvwNM933ySJn3v9jpuW3uvZiiSVM2C8UW4QjC2mf8OgKMrKO0-gguSpDL0OaiyAohUefbR4eZbU7rwAIqbP1S7K5mqatus0ay_4oTcqW55Ohl-0gZZXca0RwvmKk91pM4wWrN60mPvfP_47F4TW_qAwER/w640-h312/rosecottagedetails5.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, <a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2024/03/make-miniature-rose-trellis.html">The handmade trellis directions are included on this blog here.</a> The birdhouse was<br />sculpted from clay and then mounted to a skewer. Center, her Beatrix mouse doll was designed<br />by Levlos. Right, is the dormer window; my daughter added the windowsill and purchased the<br />tiny, clay flower boxes at a local hobby shop.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE19ONui8oBieecvyLo3fJg6GwUNmrq7QwaUOc0P88j_pV0G5F-NByx_E8sLzFmFpBMPDC4pj64bq82sqsrJlB7nMWReTXWB0Sb1BndHS0VzyZ8OAjIImKP5iIKkWGKr_3qwO4SIyR7X3MdinH3eZ2m9w1sT_1k2jVcvcjXUVgB8pxOpD1jvo6JI_bSEo/s852/signsatrosecottage.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="852" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE19ONui8oBieecvyLo3fJg6GwUNmrq7QwaUOc0P88j_pV0G5F-NByx_E8sLzFmFpBMPDC4pj64bq82sqsrJlB7nMWReTXWB0Sb1BndHS0VzyZ8OAjIImKP5iIKkWGKr_3qwO4SIyR7X3MdinH3eZ2m9w1sT_1k2jVcvcjXUVgB8pxOpD1jvo6JI_bSEo/w640-h278/signsatrosecottage.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, 'Beatrix's Art Bar' sign with rustic painted frame and lace detail. Center, 'The Rosebud Cottage<br /> has it's own sign with rosebud painted detail. Right, the counter top at the art bar is a faux painted<br />biscuit; beneath it are the spool stools for guests to sit on and learn how to paint from<br /> Beatrix the mouse.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkSv95KS2Rf6u9nF5A64uDM1zfZQoBwS6psUjbIi_ux5B0oEe95oB9acBZ-e3L_pkj5-9F8J5dxaCr9xKH5knAeg7ieyILaAGUlauDn_NLGBDtbR0njdK0-R15XQe6iC5sSx35HQgGc2m_3H7IafE3FvdmPaibVeVsIIoEWdyVAhaozmkFUbFVt7qEVtM/s818/penantbanneratrosecottage.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="818" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkSv95KS2Rf6u9nF5A64uDM1zfZQoBwS6psUjbIi_ux5B0oEe95oB9acBZ-e3L_pkj5-9F8J5dxaCr9xKH5knAeg7ieyILaAGUlauDn_NLGBDtbR0njdK0-R15XQe6iC5sSx35HQgGc2m_3H7IafE3FvdmPaibVeVsIIoEWdyVAhaozmkFUbFVt7qEVtM/w640-h314/penantbanneratrosecottage.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2021/12/easy-to-make-birthday-garland-for-dolls.html">Pennant banner hangs above the art bar to decorate the scene. </a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><p></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-53896533014199851512024-03-14T12:36:00.000-07:002024-03-14T12:37:02.429-07:00A Teeny-Tiny Story<p style="text-align: center;"><b> A Teeny-Tiny Story</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;">Once there was a teeny-tiny lady.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She lived in a teeny-tiny house.</div><div style="text-align: center;">One winter night the teeny-tiny lady had been</div><div style="text-align: center;">asleep a teeny-tiny while.</div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7cXJdfgKAghrA1Cf1KqaqAxxTQLbyHQ00NTz4aH_6dxN4POxs3xjmw3iisQ6Ssd3hJ-erZ5EOAVnOi5m0vF6z9QvJ-P6sjLo-TYerEZiV5dZ-4M0SwArkH-5z-YwuGD_QjRd1SrwF1oob3Zl6iqAyTbxA8cDJQAU21dyqjfQh0rG1INzA2hY0rPENmPn/s800/teenytinyhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7cXJdfgKAghrA1Cf1KqaqAxxTQLbyHQ00NTz4aH_6dxN4POxs3xjmw3iisQ6Ssd3hJ-erZ5EOAVnOi5m0vF6z9QvJ-P6sjLo-TYerEZiV5dZ-4M0SwArkH-5z-YwuGD_QjRd1SrwF1oob3Zl6iqAyTbxA8cDJQAU21dyqjfQh0rG1INzA2hY0rPENmPn/w400-h265/teenytinyhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Teeny-Tiny house for a minuscule lady and mouse.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;">All at once she heard a teeny-tiny noise,<br />''Tap, tap, tap! Tap, tap, tap!''<br />At first she hid her teeny-tiny head.<br />But she heard the teeny-tiny noise again,<br />''Tap, tap, tap! Tap, tap, tap!''<br />She jumped out of her teeny-tiny bed.<br />She took the teeny-tiny candle in her teeny-<br />tiny hand. <br />Then she stole down the teeny-tiny stair.<br />She looked under her teeny-tiny table.<br />There was nothing under the table.<br />She looked under her teeny-tiny chair. <br />There was nothing under the chair.<br />She went back up her teeny-tiny stair with her<br />teeny-tiny candle.<br />She got into her teeny-tiny bed.<br />Soon the teeny-tiny lady heard the teeny-tiny<br />noise again.<br />She took her teeny-tiny candle.<br />She stole down her teeny-tiny stair.<br />She looked under her teeny-tiny table.<br />Out jumped a teeny-tiny ...!<br />"A mouse! A mouse! A mouse!<br />cried the teeny-tiny lady.<br />And up her teeny-tiny stair she ran.</p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-73899257781668303882024-03-14T08:15:00.000-07:002024-03-14T08:15:19.132-07:00Wading On The Beach<p style="text-align: center;"> <b>Wading On The Beach by Abbie Farwell Brown</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">I like to go a-paddling<br />Upon the squishy sand,<br />And holding up my dress, to see<br />How close I dare to stand.</p><p style="text-align: center;">A little wave curls very near,<br />Another laps my toes.<br />Ugh! How the sudsy foam is cold!<br />Ah-oo! How fast it goes!</p><p style="text-align: center;">And then I see a great big wave<br />Far out to sea begun.<br />His greeny head peers up at me,<br />He roars, "You'd better run!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">So then I turn and scamper back<br />To get beyond his reach,<br />But my! How fast he chases me,<br />Careering up the beach!</p><p style="text-align: center;">He splashes all my petticoats<br />As wet as wet can be,<br />And then he slyly creeps away;<br />And people laugh at me.</p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-56407688796290741822024-03-14T05:59:00.000-07:002024-03-14T06:31:03.752-07:00The Lost Valentine<p style="text-align: center;"><b>THE LOST VALENTINE by Emma Tuomy</b><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1lhYy6WG8niEOcOCmWxbVGJKbsMPChDDL5FcUMH0Cg8yt2LT7JI3vSDIkA9HcncTN2W-agKGV00rAKbzP26iW6MSN4O9mqbV_RcrI5Kvmjje9XYSqVLp1zSMerq2na69tPmg8tuiBIIKYGPtoClWqfNESERy7Wylt3MifhLegPqJrUTW2WPJv-ylPoYc/s697/lostvalentine2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="697" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1lhYy6WG8niEOcOCmWxbVGJKbsMPChDDL5FcUMH0Cg8yt2LT7JI3vSDIkA9HcncTN2W-agKGV00rAKbzP26iW6MSN4O9mqbV_RcrI5Kvmjje9XYSqVLp1zSMerq2na69tPmg8tuiBIIKYGPtoClWqfNESERy7Wylt3MifhLegPqJrUTW2WPJv-ylPoYc/w400-h295/lostvalentine2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Finally she found the one she wanted.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"> Marian was making valentines. Her mother helped to fold the paper into booklets and to tie them with bits of bright ribbon, then Marian pasted in clipped pictures and hearts, and printed in short little verses. <br /> "I am not going to give Kathleen a homemade valentine," Marian said, stacking up her booklets. <br /> "Why not?" asked Mother. <br /> "I do not believe that she would care for it," answered Marian. <br /> Kathleen lived in the most beautiful house in town. All the children loved to go there to parties and to see all of Kathleen's beautiful playthings. <br /> Marian felt that the homemade valentines were not pretty enough to go with Kathleen's other things. So she decided to take her own money and buy the best valentine that she could find for this special friend. <br /> She went to a store where she had seen many beautiful valentines in the window. She looked and looked; finally she found just the one that she wanted. It was a big white card, covered with forget-me-nots, hearts, and a long verse about friendship. She felt sure that Kathleen would like it very much. <br /> On the way home, Marian met Stella coming out of a grocery store with several packages. Stella and Marian were in the same grade at school. Stella lived in a little green house almost out of town, and she was kept so busy taking care of the baby and helping her mother that she never had very much time for play. Marian helped Stella carry the packages, and the two little girls chatted about valentines. Stella said that she did not expect very many, as she could not give any at all. The baby was getting teeth and he needed her loving care and attention so that she had no time to make valentines, and she had no pennies with which to buy them. <br /> When Marian reached home, her mother said: ''Where is your valentine?" <br /> Marian looked down at her hands. They were empty. She had lost the beautiful valentine which she had chosen for Kathleen. <br /> ''What shall I do?" cried Marian. "I must give her a valentine. We are such good friends." <br /> "You will have to give her a homemade one," answered Mother. "You cannot buy another one." <br /> Marian picked out the booklet which she liked best and put it into an envelope. Her brother gave her a stamp and took the valentine to the mail box, so that Kathleen would get the valentine through the mail. The other valentines she got ready to put into the valentine box at school. <br /> The next morning, Marion waited while her mother fastened her coat. She put her free hand into her muff, which hung from a cord around her neck. She felt something and pulled it out. It was the valentine which she had bought for Kathleen. <br /> "If I were you," suggested Mother, "I should give it to some little girl who is not likely to get many valentines.'' <br /> ''Oh,'' cried Marian, ''I am going to give it to Stella.'' <br /> Kathleen met Marian in the hall at school, the morning of St. Valentine's Day. <br /> ''I just love the valentine you sent me,'' she whispered. ''Mother says it shows real friendship if you take the time to make them yourself.'' <br /> At recess time, Stella ran up and hugged her. ''It is the most beautiful valentine I ever saw,'' she cried. ''I can hardly wait until I can take it home and show Mother. It will make her happy to know that you are such a good friend of mine.''<br /> ''I am glad that I lost it,'' Marian said to her mother that night, ''because, I made two friends, instead of one, very happy.'' <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcToC15FzHOMdfcG6nmVVP9DzP3roclFoz-7FyGLcSLPy19T__RKRrcQtRiRS4cdVAz8VzULxJ3Z-5P1bUF_quiO3C5AgPhovwthXxCOZtUQmQ_3DfUrJ1wkHUvd3PUVfpHvw3Sm68KXaWaCcIWExVaiRCxs_PxAILYmcal1Lqjba8wXJSzfO5N9lvU3k/s800/lostvalentine1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="649" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcToC15FzHOMdfcG6nmVVP9DzP3roclFoz-7FyGLcSLPy19T__RKRrcQtRiRS4cdVAz8VzULxJ3Z-5P1bUF_quiO3C5AgPhovwthXxCOZtUQmQ_3DfUrJ1wkHUvd3PUVfpHvw3Sm68KXaWaCcIWExVaiRCxs_PxAILYmcal1Lqjba8wXJSzfO5N9lvU3k/w325-h400/lostvalentine1.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Marian waited while her mother fastened her coat.</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-32994618339583027762024-03-13T04:40:00.000-07:002024-03-13T06:43:45.938-07:00DIY an Upholstered Tweed Armchair<div style="text-align: justify;"> Our dolls love to grab a cozy blanket and sink into a big comfortable chair after a hard day's work with a book or warm drink.<br /> This tweed upholstered chair craft is simpler to make than it looks! It is made in much the same way as the <a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2024/03/how-to-make-faux-leather-club-chair.html">leather club chair posted here.</a> <br /> Remember to start by making the arms and bottom in the shape of a "U" with 4 inch by 4inch sized pieces of cardboard to size for a 10 -12 inch doll, layering on multiple cardboard cut-outs to bulk up the chair as you go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhIYQsOFgc50X71nXgOvvK0mm2EaFp8CEL_aJYGNrrrO6sh2YFUpxQfEZ5sfrZ_C43q7fkfH-Z9DgEtiMRT6RL98nv0Ly5qttdNgv0SppaQYUqbea_6dtO5dlhGpB5XRqbBvmNLZ_Z2-_fzqE390uoBV6YExiL-736VS2WF4LOEqbcnsB4yp56esc8-oz/s800/tweedchair.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhIYQsOFgc50X71nXgOvvK0mm2EaFp8CEL_aJYGNrrrO6sh2YFUpxQfEZ5sfrZ_C43q7fkfH-Z9DgEtiMRT6RL98nv0Ly5qttdNgv0SppaQYUqbea_6dtO5dlhGpB5XRqbBvmNLZ_Z2-_fzqE390uoBV6YExiL-736VS2WF4LOEqbcnsB4yp56esc8-oz/w300-h400/tweedchair.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Finished doll armchair.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b>The doll sized couches our tweed arm chair was made to go with:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2020/03/barbies-bohemian-patchwork-sofa.html">Barbie's Bohemian Patchwork Sofa</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-to-assemble-no-sew-couch-for-barbie.html">How to assemble a no-sew couch for Barbie</a></li></ul></div><div><b> </b></div><div><b>Supply List:</b><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>tweed upholstery, 1/2 yard</li><li>masking tape</li><li>corrugated cardboard</li><li>white school glue</li><li>hot glue and hot glue gun</li><li>matching plaid for pillow, just scraps</li><li>two wood blocks for the base<br /></li></ul><div><b>Step-by-Step Instructions:</b></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Cut
4''x4'' pieces of corrugated cardboard for the arms and bottom sides of
the club chair. Triple these cut layers from cardboard to make them
sturdy. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Glue the pieces together to shape a "U" Shape.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cover the surfaces using masking tape.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Make the backside of the chair by cutting the cardboard into a "T" shape with a rounded back. <br /></li><li style="text-align: justify;">Glue three of these "T" cut pieces of corrugated together to make the back sturdy and cover with masking tape as well.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Glue and shape the tweed fabric around the parts of the club chair using a hot glue gun. (See photos below)</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Apply
glue to the edges of the back piece of the chair and fit it between the
side and bottom shaped "U" piece. Use a rubber band to hold these
together while the glue dries. (see photos)<br /></li><li style="text-align: justify;">Craft
a thick cushion using either Styrofoam and cardboard or layers of
cardboard or a stuffed fabric cushion. Any one of these alternatives
will suffice! For this chair version I used layers of cardboard for the seat cushion.<br /></li><li style="text-align: justify;">Glue the wooden base to the bottom of the chair.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">I left the wooden blocks on the bottom of the over-stuffed tweed chair in their natural, original finish and then covered the wool upholstery edges with additional fabric to finish the surfaces.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cut extra thin pieces of covered cardboard to hide the wrapped edges and finish the over-stuffed chair.<br /></li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cut and stuff a plaid pillow to display in the seat of the chair.<br /></li></ol></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8wBPHL2z0IDSR38q6zbV0QE19cFOCV6AfC5xfmUdFRQBNAhCKu-x4-qN4IHZvdPKmiua8_9MGavTgWcGv9yEoTkTZPbCQLUeg2x0HPT1eZdt1sA9OGnGzZeKr9hoeddLG96J5iasYtxEOJURAYVQ43XWPwCLRpn7zjQSFMGihmYtHX0QUN2XAUyF23Fu/s823/tweedychair2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="823" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8wBPHL2z0IDSR38q6zbV0QE19cFOCV6AfC5xfmUdFRQBNAhCKu-x4-qN4IHZvdPKmiua8_9MGavTgWcGv9yEoTkTZPbCQLUeg2x0HPT1eZdt1sA9OGnGzZeKr9hoeddLG96J5iasYtxEOJURAYVQ43XWPwCLRpn7zjQSFMGihmYtHX0QUN2XAUyF23Fu/w640-h286/tweedychair2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the parts of the chair without the wooden blocks for it's base. See how the back is shaped to <br />slide neatly between the arms of the chair. Center, the seat cushion in this instance is just layers <br />of cardboard. Right, see how the backside of the chair construction looks.</i><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Oi2tuSs1l8NG7VJYuneJKz9WWwBhtYSKtUmJnexBuelYZtZRIh_zX73t499yXBQZSNZB-LE75iuK40v4RIueWcGfV2KprrgIYzr3i2kcY9FD5pkXbYUZgnBRe8Dz8AX3UBqIeWLlDymCXMrV68y53y1CIEW6V1ZvMCrn8R-8-6qSqlB3Cqyfop_Z_yEG/s873/tweedychair3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="873" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Oi2tuSs1l8NG7VJYuneJKz9WWwBhtYSKtUmJnexBuelYZtZRIh_zX73t499yXBQZSNZB-LE75iuK40v4RIueWcGfV2KprrgIYzr3i2kcY9FD5pkXbYUZgnBRe8Dz8AX3UBqIeWLlDymCXMrV68y53y1CIEW6V1ZvMCrn8R-8-6qSqlB3Cqyfop_Z_yEG/w640-h222/tweedychair3.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the chair assembled prior to hot gluing on the fabric. Center additional cut pieces for the neat<br /> finish of the arms and seat. I used only single layers of cardboard wrapped cuts for this technique.<br /> Always wrap and hot glue fabric to end around the arms and then cut fabric to cover the edges. <br />Right, see the thin layers of cardboard wrapped with masking tape and tweed.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguV9ixB0JR2a8TFg9zH0-Ap-DQmQ4O8mlUf3fwu8yToQsnydUshoAox5x_rwxYrd3PQmUu4jz5SF9npJwqfI-4CdGpZy1V1y1oUPaEPSIcLDtjO14PHU7K4Ff1Gs-9-9PrXQGdBfeBLX_mcFhzwLvoa7TWHnLMGUdvZSBtnUfpiYm2BC2G8vwHP9BJ5n74/s923/tweedchair4.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="923" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguV9ixB0JR2a8TFg9zH0-Ap-DQmQ4O8mlUf3fwu8yToQsnydUshoAox5x_rwxYrd3PQmUu4jz5SF9npJwqfI-4CdGpZy1V1y1oUPaEPSIcLDtjO14PHU7K4Ff1Gs-9-9PrXQGdBfeBLX_mcFhzwLvoa7TWHnLMGUdvZSBtnUfpiYm2BC2G8vwHP9BJ5n74/w640-h238/tweedchair4.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the finished backside of the arm chair. Center, see the wrapping of the fabric ends with the<br /> armchair side edges. These will be covered up with the end pieces shown above. Right, one of <br />our many small dolls is seated comfortably in the finished chair.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><b>Additional Upholstered Furniture for Larger 18" Dolls:</b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b></b><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2020/03/diy-upholstered-wingback-chair-and.html">Wing-backed chairs designed for larger dolls by Mattel</a><b></b><br /></li></ul></div></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-48893325460001483712024-03-11T15:40:00.000-07:002024-03-11T15:40:45.194-07:00The Rhyme of The House<p style="text-align: center;"><b> The Rhyme of The House by Grace L. Klock</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is the house all <br />painted white<br />That the carpenter<br />builded snug and tight<br />To shelter the little children.</p><p style="text-align: center;">These are the boards <br />that were planed just right<br />To use for the house<br />all painted white<br />That the carpenter <br />builded snug and tight<br />To shelter the little children.</p><p style="text-align: center;">These are the logs of <br />sturdy might<br />That were sawed into boards<br /> that were planed just right<br />To use for the house<br />all painted white,<br />That the carpenter <br />builded snug and tight<br />To shelter the little children.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-30673648812204265072024-03-11T14:33:00.000-07:002024-03-11T14:37:46.905-07:00The Good Night<p style="text-align: center;"><b> The Good Night by John Martin</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">The night has soft and gentle wings<br />That spread sweet magic everywhere<br />Night whispers many cozy things<br />To fairies hiding here and there<br />In woodland, field, and air.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Night tells the Fairy of the Wind<br />To blow a happy dream to me,<br />Or move the shade, or hide behind<br />The window curtains, just to see<br />How good my dream can be.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Night asks the Fairy of the Rain<br />To patter on the window-sill;<br />Or splash against the dripping pane<br />To take good care of me until<br />I'm sleeping, still as still.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Night's fairies make a cozy noise<br />Behind the wall, then take a peep<br />At all their little girls and boys;<br />But oh, what careful guard they keep<br />While we are fast asleep!</p><p style="text-align: center;">The little noises that I hear<br />Are fairies hidden out of sight;<br />They love to linger very near<br />To see that everything is right<br />All through the long good night.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Night is God's messenger of peace,<br />And comfort nestles in its breast<br />Where busy thoughts and troubles cease<br />Night loves us little children best<br />While we all sleep and rest.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-90445604638541658022024-03-11T08:02:00.000-07:002024-03-11T08:05:19.155-07:00How to make a faux leather club chair...<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKpwxVFtMVtzB6PeXfwVgn4GEakHgTSnJQITVHdYNw0PpuDtDWs7_Vx9UgQjlNFRdbMVcBcnhqDl-7cICtTSaoZMKgG3kIsWWzLO9RNa-r0MPoYWvrGBbhA9U5uYYZpcyspD263p_e0ercYNz32Hz1GPU4dAvIwWarEGuGaNyvaXM8L2mDDawxv3951ju/s868/finishedfauxleatherclubchair.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="868" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKpwxVFtMVtzB6PeXfwVgn4GEakHgTSnJQITVHdYNw0PpuDtDWs7_Vx9UgQjlNFRdbMVcBcnhqDl-7cICtTSaoZMKgG3kIsWWzLO9RNa-r0MPoYWvrGBbhA9U5uYYZpcyspD263p_e0ercYNz32Hz1GPU4dAvIwWarEGuGaNyvaXM8L2mDDawxv3951ju/w640-h406/finishedfauxleatherclubchair.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, finished faux leather club chair for a Barbie or any other 10 to 12 inch doll.<br />Right, the blocks and underside of the chair have been painted black and sealed with Mod Podge.</i></td></tr></tbody></table> <br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> This side club chair is a classic addition to our growing collection of Barbie dollhouse furnishings. I covered it with faux looking leather paper instead of real leather. The paper was purchased on sale at a hobby store for a dollar a sheet (I needed two sheets). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I chose to give it a coat of Mod Podge in order to keep it clean, however, it looked just as nice without this coating, if you would prefer to leave it "as is."</div><p></p><p><b> Supply List:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>leather look paper (2 large sheets)</li><li>white school glue</li><li>two wooden blocks</li><li>corrugated cardboard</li><li>masking tape</li><li>recycle Styrofoam sheet</li><li>Mod Podge</li><li>black acrylic paint</li></ul><div><b>Step-by-Step Instructions:</b><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Cut 4''x4'' pieces of corrugated cardboard for the arms and bottom sides of the club chair. Triple these cut layers from cardboard to make them sturdy. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Glue the pieces together to shape a "U" Shape.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cover the surfaces using masking tape.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Make the backside of the chair by cutting the cardboard into a "T" shape. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Glue three of these "T" cut pieces of corrugated together to make the back sturdy and cover with masking tape as well.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cut and shape the faux leather paper around the parts of the club chair using a decoupage technique. (See photos below)</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Apply glue to the edges of the back piece of the chair and fit it between the side and bottom shaped "U" piece. Use a rubber band to hold these together while the glue dries. (see photos)<br /></li><li style="text-align: justify;">Craft a thick cushion using either Styrofoam and cardboard or layers of cardboard or a stuffed fabric cushion. Any one of these alternatives will suffice!<br /></li><li style="text-align: justify;">Glue the wooden base to the bottom of the chair.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Paint the base and bottom of the club chair to finish with black paint.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Layer on a finishing coat of Mod Podge to all the chair's surfaces to give it protection from wear and a professional look.</li></ol></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrVnJpW23Jd4s-dRjy6FBvf2byGOGOFlmX3DBrwGr0Z8jzIo-J-9PsfeuL3ndxdgYOI8GpVFh1eH-eWI4NnAgiXccFX2hMK0Q8j7Egjs62wJ4CmltI0PxWycrdeb3oP9g0jJlJ-1-CI-vBlRzZJbTHm-1A3xSr-X_hm0McD6dBZNKsouiwS6PpiINGuIA/s633/leatherclubchair1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="633" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrVnJpW23Jd4s-dRjy6FBvf2byGOGOFlmX3DBrwGr0Z8jzIo-J-9PsfeuL3ndxdgYOI8GpVFh1eH-eWI4NnAgiXccFX2hMK0Q8j7Egjs62wJ4CmltI0PxWycrdeb3oP9g0jJlJ-1-CI-vBlRzZJbTHm-1A3xSr-X_hm0McD6dBZNKsouiwS6PpiINGuIA/w640-h418/leatherclubchair1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, see an average size 11-12 inch doll seated and standing next to my club chair.<br />Right, the finished faux leather club chair without Mod Podge layer.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoEesbszJgKtH4dpGDYCoK2Bd59K3pPy3hpAf6wqi4okrJ8mnFKu2ayQsnpeMT7yMFQqJR142onfRCXfeIEv5VOMRFZy7BNSdWzOJl_FJpv9wIPZE-Mf9zYUgfiI-vdrRdXlxOyhPgsIFbfleMII6Pi_p2loMW4ITclwYq1ZGuQ6FB6tVK7UUxznymjbb/s945/clubchair2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="945" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoEesbszJgKtH4dpGDYCoK2Bd59K3pPy3hpAf6wqi4okrJ8mnFKu2ayQsnpeMT7yMFQqJR142onfRCXfeIEv5VOMRFZy7BNSdWzOJl_FJpv9wIPZE-Mf9zYUgfiI-vdrRdXlxOyhPgsIFbfleMII6Pi_p2loMW4ITclwYq1ZGuQ6FB6tVK7UUxznymjbb/w640-h254/clubchair2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>How the club chair is constructed from different angles. There are essentially two four pieces to the<br />chair made of three to four layers of corrugated cardboard.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGFoNR-L-HDeV_SMoajI6yvvu3bPXtZcZQn1riUIemkpcDspU-_zDVc14yEQSM7veIkPzaqVC5IMpg4v-8q7P-te7Rg_mTmjXO4l4SPPIJiS5LniDcOKpPJvvBZojPf-kBPmtzZLhyphenhyphenqvP5ipT9_qvrDOOAdJ1kudC7J7S9gynlgi4Oqt9fdbQcxQSv83U/s774/clubchair3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="774" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGFoNR-L-HDeV_SMoajI6yvvu3bPXtZcZQn1riUIemkpcDspU-_zDVc14yEQSM7veIkPzaqVC5IMpg4v-8q7P-te7Rg_mTmjXO4l4SPPIJiS5LniDcOKpPJvvBZojPf-kBPmtzZLhyphenhyphenqvP5ipT9_qvrDOOAdJ1kudC7J7S9gynlgi4Oqt9fdbQcxQSv83U/w640-h250/clubchair3.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, construct a "U" shaped cardboard piece and a "T" shaped cardboard piece that will make<br />the back side of the chair once it it glued in place.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc6Y6harYx2gWQH-Rkz7rDQz3x7NBWeXnjjDm48EtHN0JeOCr-cVfcM_tXWwX1kDtuoh7OK_3_seyQKaKGk0oqLDCLpa6L_bHxjvf4i846KjTFSTq5voqLOthBCNwZD0ik3raGe9-M0buQVB44_1bqtqZEGO47mKWkQ0mp01S8Kl2kysSpKkNbTHCrMgN/s928/clubchair4.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="928" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc6Y6harYx2gWQH-Rkz7rDQz3x7NBWeXnjjDm48EtHN0JeOCr-cVfcM_tXWwX1kDtuoh7OK_3_seyQKaKGk0oqLDCLpa6L_bHxjvf4i846KjTFSTq5voqLOthBCNwZD0ik3raGe9-M0buQVB44_1bqtqZEGO47mKWkQ0mp01S8Kl2kysSpKkNbTHCrMgN/w640-h276/clubchair4.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Above you can see the two pieces glued together after they have been covered with the paper<br />and glue. Always cover ''upholstered'' furniture wrapping the ends to the outside edges. The<br />arms, top of the chair and underside of the chair or couch are covered last. This method of <br />wrapping gives a "seamless" appearance to the finished piece. I used a rubber band to hold <br />the armchair top and bottom together while the glue dried. </i></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjs-t3LgEbfWFmDnoiQedwLchwJYGohpYweYQ2n_qdfM67VyZ3OjARbtUp0ZH8hz_1qnlwmIT4joF773xskbNHK4q8WP05RgbghSRWtiS1DxU1JIKhyphenhyphenrKlkdJaXIgkbMcIRGVnKbyuDy4ZGwaaQXzMIlz3oEueYA0dzQNyGXBEpWUBEx8xcggrxFKthC9/s981/clubchair5.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="981" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjs-t3LgEbfWFmDnoiQedwLchwJYGohpYweYQ2n_qdfM67VyZ3OjARbtUp0ZH8hz_1qnlwmIT4joF773xskbNHK4q8WP05RgbghSRWtiS1DxU1JIKhyphenhyphenrKlkdJaXIgkbMcIRGVnKbyuDy4ZGwaaQXzMIlz3oEueYA0dzQNyGXBEpWUBEx8xcggrxFKthC9/w640-h212/clubchair5.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, you can see that I used Styrofoam covered with cardboard to make the chair cushion. <br />Center, then I glued on two wooden blocks side-by-side to make a modern base for the chair<br />instead of four individual chair legs. I also neatly covered the bottom side of the chair <br />with masking tape to hide wrapped paper surfaces. Both underside surfaces of this chair<br />will be painted black before the project is finished.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b>More links to upholstered Barbie doll sized furniture:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2020/03/barbies-bohemian-patchwork-sofa.html">Barbie's Bohemian Patchwork Sofa</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2023/06/diy-vanity-chair-for-barbie.html">DIY a vanity chair for Barbie</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-to-assemble-no-sew-couch-for-barbie.html">How to assemble a no-sew couch for Barbie</a></li></ul></div><p></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-65063153702552027642024-03-07T04:22:00.000-08:002024-03-07T04:28:57.889-08:00Make A Miniature Rose Trellis <p style="text-align: justify;"> Here's how to craft miniature trellis for your dollhouse or fairy garden. Gather wooden skewers, paper covered wire and some tiny little flowers together with a bottle of white school glue to make the versions depicted in my daughter's dollhouse below.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DATeZIjSdUy16DsI0EzoTlFyDcEA1z_-xBGtZY8d9L-UKUfySVHGAk-A28fb2P-400ZV1oz9JP92ehAGKbUj0vkfYBIPeXrmsOnpBB72d7HvPpWQYIAxWUFsNS2_s7ZsQu6yxgQfUwmf2M49jQk89-pnlQWNlW2a0B6v7-pqm8rEEZQLJVVt6emxQXUJ/s844/minitrelliscraft.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="844" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DATeZIjSdUy16DsI0EzoTlFyDcEA1z_-xBGtZY8d9L-UKUfySVHGAk-A28fb2P-400ZV1oz9JP92ehAGKbUj0vkfYBIPeXrmsOnpBB72d7HvPpWQYIAxWUFsNS2_s7ZsQu6yxgQfUwmf2M49jQk89-pnlQWNlW2a0B6v7-pqm8rEEZQLJVVt6emxQXUJ/w640-h332/minitrelliscraft.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the taller of the two rose trellis to be displayed on her pink dollhouse flip.<br />Center, the shorter trellis is propped against the cottage behind the wire wheelbarrow.<br />Right, my daughter wrapped rose vines about her dollhouse banisters on the front porch.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /> Step-by-Step Instructions:</b><p></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Cut two equal lengths of wooden skewers to the hight you desire your dollhouse rose trellis to be. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Paint the skewers to match the brown, paper-wrapped wire.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Next wrap the wire back and forth between the two wooden skewers to shape any pattern you wish. The two samples above are wrapped in a zig-zag pattern up to the tops of the skewers then, arch shapes extensions were bent above the top of the larger trellis to give it added height. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Using the white glue attach the tiny roses randomly to the trellis. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Try twisting small pieces of wire around a pencil to then wrap more decorative vine between the trellis openings.</li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>More Handmade Spring Flowers and Fun:</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2020/08/30-tiny-floral-embroidery-ideas-for.html">30 Tiny Flowers to Embroider for Spring</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-flowers-doll-children.html">Discover a whole flower garden of fun!</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2023/07/little-blossoms-doll-summer-camp.html">"Little Blossoms'' Doll Summer Camp</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2019/02/how-to-make-felt-roses-for-doll.html">How to make your own felt roses for a spring trellis</a></li></ul></div><p></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-33156289529077605602024-03-06T06:37:00.000-08:002024-03-06T06:42:13.765-08:00How the Plantaganet's found a new home . . .<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASc46jZrp1O95tjq_jz5yEwSRwe6_RGsEgKgIJWFkj8ESBSf9A6LnDlqDL1UVnyYUw9lnnsV-LTQ1fEAtvvgyyv_yHJrtHTIzDPdHHQRBamUxzWihI86HF6IgqFkCBOQx_4GZDRfECnvANqMnX-wcoO6wIELR_Wyc34GF1UHgrXQdVQVJXDTrtHds_rR8/s800/dollshousebyrumergodden.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASc46jZrp1O95tjq_jz5yEwSRwe6_RGsEgKgIJWFkj8ESBSf9A6LnDlqDL1UVnyYUw9lnnsV-LTQ1fEAtvvgyyv_yHJrtHTIzDPdHHQRBamUxzWihI86HF6IgqFkCBOQx_4GZDRfECnvANqMnX-wcoO6wIELR_Wyc34GF1UHgrXQdVQVJXDTrtHds_rR8/s320/dollshousebyrumergodden.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Doll's House" illustrated<br />by Tasha Tudor.</td></tr></tbody></table> Rumer Godden in her book "The Doll's House" explains that dolls may live for a very long time when cared for. The doll Tottie, although a little girl doll, has lived longer than any other doll in her doll family. She has lived for more than 100 years! Her parent dolls, Mr. Plantagenet and Birdie, have lived for fewer real years even though they are doll parents to Tottie; this can only happen in the make-believe world of children. The Plantaganet's in this book also have a baby boy, approximately 3 or 4 years old and his name is Apple. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Godden herself, is particularly sensitive to the growth of child empathy through doll play. Her dolls teach their child owners to understand what is means to be kind, to be considerate and to be gentle while they are growing during playtime.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Dolls 'wish' in order to communicate with their owners and they seem to communicate with some sort of mental telepathy between each other. The Plantaganet family of dolls have many earnest conversations with all of Godden's imaginative characters in her book. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Dolls also have feelings, sometimes very strong feelings about the places where they must spend their lives while their child owners are busy elsewhere. In fact, most dolls wish very much for a comfortable little home where they may experience their very own adventures in relative safety, of course! The chapter book "The Doll's House" is an extended story about how this doll family acquires a dollhouse and keep it over time. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r48Skg0QZRU">Rumer Goddens' Book, <b>''The Doll's House''</b> read aloud at Quarantine Kids Story...</a></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de9xWaAlhH4">Learn about Tasha Tudor, one of the illustrators for Rumer Godden's books - video by You ARE an artist</a></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2020/12/four-doll-stories-by-rumer-godden.html">Four more doll stories by Rumer Godden...</a></li></ul><p></p>
Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-41370956538252880012024-02-15T06:09:00.000-08:002024-02-15T06:09:17.327-08:00Beautiful six-pointed star tile printable for dollhouses!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> This printable six pointed star in full color would look stunning on the floors of any dollhouse! It could also be printed on fabric as a transfer and used as a dollhouse quilt. In either case, it is free for crafters and students to use but not sale or give away on alternative websites. Enjoy, from kathy grimm.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3w0iSjcVQ5wc0zMYv1xDsOIJDzJzek28jQ1fvN4lP3kShlXi7vRKCkHruDP1Perw8qTh3p4JdvzDpA-gJ21ufJXyz3ncYJF-cTzT3ettg0_JPHJg37mQ0Lwnqdan81ddWijpgelRD1iG-yuLbtU4dWs5abHm85ALl-WHXoVXwjxPXq7uEo55U8xk_Yh7/s797/tilestarpatternsmallgrimm.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="633" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3w0iSjcVQ5wc0zMYv1xDsOIJDzJzek28jQ1fvN4lP3kShlXi7vRKCkHruDP1Perw8qTh3p4JdvzDpA-gJ21ufJXyz3ncYJF-cTzT3ettg0_JPHJg37mQ0Lwnqdan81ddWijpgelRD1iG-yuLbtU4dWs5abHm85ALl-WHXoVXwjxPXq7uEo55U8xk_Yh7/s16000/tilestarpatternsmallgrimm.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cleaned and restored 6 pointed star pattern tiles in: gold, red, navy, white and baby blue colors.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-89238501410796823272024-02-04T14:30:00.000-08:002024-02-04T14:56:11.697-08:00DIY a basketball fan's dream Valentine mailbox!<p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ytbmOqhQo0vHBKDUKL9UM_-b9eMKrROyI1M3kcgsR4cCJFl9Nt61rtIqHQPTAgZbIh7X1YtpOh7Cpk60P6rypIogvhcNCr82ect24VEJ0QIRYL7kU5Z9Xm9dy2hSNUYH422iVIA6ywZ1qB5o9lh5GrRl6agzgOPtAv2MJBOJF9-e2vr3HwkJPPn0-Q/s800/basketball-court-mailbox.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ytbmOqhQo0vHBKDUKL9UM_-b9eMKrROyI1M3kcgsR4cCJFl9Nt61rtIqHQPTAgZbIh7X1YtpOh7Cpk60P6rypIogvhcNCr82ect24VEJ0QIRYL7kU5Z9Xm9dy2hSNUYH422iVIA6ywZ1qB5o9lh5GrRl6agzgOPtAv2MJBOJF9-e2vr3HwkJPPn0-Q/w400-h300/basketball-court-mailbox.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The slot for the Valentines is located on the floor of this basket-<br />ball mailbox. Students may also access their delivered mail from <br />the end of the box opposite the hoop</i>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> Sporty girl or boy 18'' dolls will love this example of a Valentine mailbox for their February 14th classroom contest!</div><br /><div><b>Supply List:</b><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>small rectangular box (for the basketball court) <br /></li><li>back, white solid color paper, one sheet each</li><li>faux 'wood grain' decorative paper</li><li>black permanent ink marker</li><li>scrap cardboard</li><li>recycled plastic netting bag for garlic cloves</li><li>small Styrofoam ball</li><li>orange and black acrylic paints </li><li>chenille stem(1) or wire</li><li>Mod Podge</li><li>white school glue</li><li>masking tape <br /></li></ul><p><b>Step-by-Step Instructions:</b></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"> Cut a slot big enough for doll sized Valentines to fit inside of a rectangular small box.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cut out a basketball backboard and pole from the extra cardboard and glue this to the end of the court/Valentine mailbox.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Then cover the court with faux wooden floor paper using white school glue.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Mark the court using a permanent black ink pen.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cover the sides of the box and the pole with black paper, or you could paint these areas using acrylic paints.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Cover the backboard with white paper and mark it using the same black magic marker that was used to mark the court.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Next make the basket by bending a white chenille stem into a ring. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Then sew the netting from recycled net used to package garlic cloves around the ring.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">I painted a Styrofoam ball orange to represent the small basketball caught inside the basket.</li></ol><p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xWH02PADvr07rsnHjPE85NiNyqEWD_QUz4BeXzAngTbYMHf4pZ013QJhmaOiBbTtqL8PGGEyLWtNq_xmH8ibVylQ2lI56qx6bf0pEBAhReRZh3qXnsr5AtE1a923DBHA0Qc969hhutwGYKoqpR1YTdb06s6QYKmZxXiI2v8DN30ZStXxVIRV_jnQ0g/s454/basketball-Valentine-mailbox.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="454" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xWH02PADvr07rsnHjPE85NiNyqEWD_QUz4BeXzAngTbYMHf4pZ013QJhmaOiBbTtqL8PGGEyLWtNq_xmH8ibVylQ2lI56qx6bf0pEBAhReRZh3qXnsr5AtE1a923DBHA0Qc969hhutwGYKoqpR1YTdb06s6QYKmZxXiI2v8DN30ZStXxVIRV_jnQ0g/w400-h388/basketball-Valentine-mailbox.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left, the basic cardboard assembly of the basketball court <br />Valentine mailbox. Right the finished sporty mailbox.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGr-WMUQDI7qjDg5670wXhWmb8cit7HxCxJ8mrzS_TRSumWoiRyQdY-2qQJZA7U6kRNjK1rpBscN_FS8yc6-w_sjuCnkoFK1XJTNWlLWoSrJVVLCLSt3qPXbOQQjALYh3aTxTC8Y8o5Et8fSWU8DFmDgGd-duA5zzdk4fulYcEBFROd7tm7peM3W1-g/s743/ball-in-hoop-detail.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="743" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGr-WMUQDI7qjDg5670wXhWmb8cit7HxCxJ8mrzS_TRSumWoiRyQdY-2qQJZA7U6kRNjK1rpBscN_FS8yc6-w_sjuCnkoFK1XJTNWlLWoSrJVVLCLSt3qPXbOQQjALYh3aTxTC8Y8o5Et8fSWU8DFmDgGd-duA5zzdk4fulYcEBFROd7tm7peM3W1-g/w640-h252/ball-in-hoop-detail.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Left and center the details of the mini basket before I attached this to the backboard. Right, the <br />basket attached to the backboard.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></b><ul><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2023/02/valentine-mailbox-contest-for-dolls.html">Back to the Valentine Mailbox Contest index page.<i style="text-align: justify;"> </i></a></li></ul><div><div><i style="text-align: justify;">You can cast a vote for this Valentine mailbox entry in the Comments Box Below, if you'd like. It would be interesting to see if people/kids on the internet judge our doll's Valentine mailbox competition in the same way as the children judging them in our home.</i><p></p></div></div></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-75863738179591867842024-02-04T05:59:00.000-08:002024-02-04T09:38:53.944-08:00The 5WH of Dollhouse Building<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaaZHNBvLlFrPFe0wY4IClVqwjub7DSsTeORQBzMtGxD4-1Xf0nh8ihEKoNgrTLuufuCogduP_mbBCkBWBED2kPt9cOOGsEijLt7to-z7ukNbBprBfPHFOY9tWwcDxE-00SlVDp8zErcpKoaeTY83pk0H11ogIw87USdXUpZTtFFbdIrbbXnFKbP5jYmE/s640/640px-OKWA_dolls_house_1974.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaaZHNBvLlFrPFe0wY4IClVqwjub7DSsTeORQBzMtGxD4-1Xf0nh8ihEKoNgrTLuufuCogduP_mbBCkBWBED2kPt9cOOGsEijLt7to-z7ukNbBprBfPHFOY9tWwcDxE-00SlVDp8zErcpKoaeTY83pk0H11ogIw87USdXUpZTtFFbdIrbbXnFKbP5jYmE/w400-h300/640px-OKWA_dolls_house_1974.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A dollhouse made for children to play with. It is<br />both durable and simply built. It is made with<br />wooden parts and the furnishings may be re-<br />arranged inside of any of the four rooms.</i></td></tr></tbody></table> Who, what, where, when, why, and how to plan a thousand small details that go into the making of a dollhouse. Just to begin this process requires much more study than many people anticipate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Think about <i>who</i> you are. What are your tastes and interests? Dolls may live in any kind of a built environment; the doll's home does not need to be an ordinary residence with walls, floors, doors and chairs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <i>What</i> will be needed to accomplish this long term goal: the gathering and selecting of supplies, the organizing of those materials, the time table for crafting all of the chosen elements. Is it realistic to craft the dollhouse from scratch? Perhaps, it would be better to build a dollhouse using a kit? Or, maybe, you would just like to craft furnishings or dolls to go into a completed dollhouse instead?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <i>Where</i> is the building of the dollhouse to be accomplished? It will take many long hours to complete this task: will it be stored while under construction, if so should it be kept in a room designated for it? Do you have a workbench in a spare room or in the basement? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <i>When</i> will you have time to work on the dollhouse and when will it need to be finished, if ever? Will you be working on it one night a week or will you be working on it for three weeks in a row, or perhaps you will be working on it for one year prior to Christmas or a birthday?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <i>Why</i> have you decided to build a dollhouse? Are you building the dollhouse for yourself or as a gift for someone else? Is the ultimate intent behind it's building to gratify your own interests or is this dollhouse to be a toy for a young child? This is an important decision that will determine so many other choices to be made about the dollhouse design and materials in the future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <i>How</i> will the dollhouse be displayed once it is finished? Will it need electricity for special lighting, do you have a display space in mind for others to view the dollhouse or even play with it?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> If you can answer these questions with ease and clarity, construction on that future home for your most cherished doll friends has a realistic future!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxItwFNtNU3t1tZ5vdJmxJhQrNT5Up-5BaZ3FshWvFBMEgPQI2nswkXuCMVuUUORISKfCGbiV2whIoJx-u1Uh0LrsXilbsaCedfaWa64lCyQbL_WVmpARj1vvejX1t7_6ABd-DGgBdsJxXHO9k6qGwjlqFgMIlR4KU0TTF8NiV_-antuTV96DxyVjfFa3/s640/DollHouse_Image_1982.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxItwFNtNU3t1tZ5vdJmxJhQrNT5Up-5BaZ3FshWvFBMEgPQI2nswkXuCMVuUUORISKfCGbiV2whIoJx-u1Uh0LrsXilbsaCedfaWa64lCyQbL_WVmpARj1vvejX1t7_6ABd-DGgBdsJxXHO9k6qGwjlqFgMIlR4KU0TTF8NiV_-antuTV96DxyVjfFa3/w640-h300/DollHouse_Image_1982.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The <a href="https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/959710">Nostell Doll's House</a> is one-of-a-kind. Built in the 1730s in England; it's furniture is period <br />perfect and was not built for children to play with but to tell a story about how people once lived<br /> and what they valued in their homes... It is a model, a three dimensional way to describe <br />history and culture.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVdpMRX41Ildgkr3pmFMTAPr_y4FhCpOludGmwfVO82pBwJ6jjv7Pmrx6asanbALspcBKVnkHsc4xnE7KlVXkGjdGgDptLctx9vMFv643Kwk14vBZwdsQt1CnRHk68MiW4DmnkkeeF2JLWQdeiVbE60PTMwRwIf9D-Tyme1waRv4deD9M6qiXO6Ej0E7c/s601/Dollhouse_Mauritania_20th_century_BM_Af1982_15_1a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="601" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVdpMRX41Ildgkr3pmFMTAPr_y4FhCpOludGmwfVO82pBwJ6jjv7Pmrx6asanbALspcBKVnkHsc4xnE7KlVXkGjdGgDptLctx9vMFv643Kwk14vBZwdsQt1CnRHk68MiW4DmnkkeeF2JLWQdeiVbE60PTMwRwIf9D-Tyme1waRv4deD9M6qiXO6Ej0E7c/w400-h319/Dollhouse_Mauritania_20th_century_BM_Af1982_15_1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This dollhouse is made of clay, a material not normally <br />used for crafting toys in Western culture. The artisan, from<br />Mauritania, made and important choice in the selection of <br />his materials. He or she chose to use what was available<br />and affordable; the end result . . . quite charming!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><b><br /></b><div>
<b>See More Dollhouse Types:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://tynietoy.org/id4.html">Tynietown Dollhouse Model </a></li><li><a href="https://my-vintage-dollhouses.blogspot.com/p/more-little-houses.html">Schoenhut Dollhouse</a></li><li><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Dollhouses/comments/16wk7nc/identify_a_dollhouse/">Arrow Handicraft Corp of Chicago</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2018/06/my-vintage-tudor-doll-house.html">Rich Toy Dollhouses</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2020/02/build-1960s-dollhouse.html">Mid-Century Modern Dollhouse Design</a></li><li><a href="https://dollcoloringbook.blogspot.com/2021/03/turn-bookcase-into-dollhouse.html">Turn a Bookcase Into A Dollhouse</a></li></ul></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-46854641890352092632024-01-31T08:29:00.000-08:002024-01-31T08:33:13.870-08:00How to make a "boombox" for your 18" dolls<p><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQdJ5eBW-Nzh5JgiOjWBjJcAWgZX_beOIgidb5wjpqTOcnU-8q_nM7eaZyqxW2nlIbFODo0FKvSWAbw_ri6GftaeukXU9QWxhVyrSZ7gzbXFuFc_oeH0bJ9nWXHHKS7giaNqw67wl05a8Mp4DhxJCgXnioQeu6Q_3uBDXCH_XH1X7bKQXdixSCEmV0iCO/s800/dollboomboxcraft.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQdJ5eBW-Nzh5JgiOjWBjJcAWgZX_beOIgidb5wjpqTOcnU-8q_nM7eaZyqxW2nlIbFODo0FKvSWAbw_ri6GftaeukXU9QWxhVyrSZ7gzbXFuFc_oeH0bJ9nWXHHKS7giaNqw67wl05a8Mp4DhxJCgXnioQeu6Q_3uBDXCH_XH1X7bKQXdixSCEmV0iCO/w400-h300/dollboomboxcraft.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Finished 18" doll sized boom box from the 1980s.<br />A crafted toy like this would be so fun for a Courtney<br />Moore historical doll to play with.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> The boomboxes of the 80s were portable, played cassette tapes and the radio through loudspeakers. Later models also included CD players as well. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Where I grew up a boombox was considered very necessary at school social events, sporting events and dances wherever these occurred . . .</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><b>Supply List:</b><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>recycled soap box</li><li>two milk carton lids</li><li>extra light weight cardboard</li><li>black construction paper (One sheet should do it.)</li><li>1 wooden skewer for the handle.</li><li>acrylic black paint</li><li>Mod Podge</li><li>silver tape or aluminum foil</li><li>magazine clippings of digital buttons</li><li>mesh fabric or woven plastic mesh</li><li>one silver/black button (radio dial)</li><li>hot glue gun and hot glue</li><li>white school glue</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Step-by-Step Instructions:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol><li style="text-align: justify;">Tape and then cover the soap box with black construction paper using white school glue. In doing this step, the surfaces of the black paint will become smoother and professional looking. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">The speakers of our doll's boombox are shaped by inserting and gluing the backsides of two milk caps through two cut holes inside the soap box. These holes may be cut out using tiny scissors or an<i> Exacto</i> knife.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Glue foil paper to line the interior of these caps, shiny side up.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">I pasted on a few layers of extra cardboard to extend the length of my doll's 'boombox' a bit because the proportions needed to be improved once the speaker were glued in. So the entire 'boombox' measures approximately one inch longer compared to the length of the standard sized soap box.<b> </b>If you use alternative caps from some other recycled container to be the speakers, you may find that enlarging the soap box is unnecessary.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Next, I glued a plastic mesh over the silver speakers and then glued a cardboard ring over this ragged edge. The cardboard rings were also covered with silver foil before these were glued to frame the "woofers." (speakers)</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Poke two holes into the top of the boom box to glue in a long narrow handle made from a wooden skewer. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Now decoupage the magazine clippings of digital buttons wherever you would like them to be on your doll's boom box.</li><li style="text-align: justify;">Hot glue on the button to act as a radio dial. </li><li style="text-align: justify;">Paint the finished 'boombox' black and seal this with Mod Podge.</li></ol></div><p></p></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1736786726580348935.post-53553821306837845082024-01-29T18:14:00.000-08:002024-01-29T18:14:27.943-08:00Vasilisa The Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwf9rRbwGhW1RxgU80NadDTg3IK7W9VqxhARWkZDBk6pImPF7Bw6NEHfeEAhSq5T-32S3jQ1CUuzOXKVp9ScdlipItOHoWrGCgFhqrv7JB6qpLOsQ83xtSTYJA_AcwdNZ2aaZ97OZ20oq8l5HWoUXCyybsl1KttGrkZnmn2v2n55W233geOuPsArQfrWC/s790/vasilisathefair.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="790" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwf9rRbwGhW1RxgU80NadDTg3IK7W9VqxhARWkZDBk6pImPF7Bw6NEHfeEAhSq5T-32S3jQ1CUuzOXKVp9ScdlipItOHoWrGCgFhqrv7JB6qpLOsQ83xtSTYJA_AcwdNZ2aaZ97OZ20oq8l5HWoUXCyybsl1KttGrkZnmn2v2n55W233geOuPsArQfrWC/w640-h241/vasilisathefair.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b> Vasilisa The Fair, A Russian Folk Tale<br /></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> ONCE upon a time there was a merchant who had been married for twelve years and had only one daughter, Vasilisa the Fair. When her mother died the girl was eight years old. On her death-bed the mother called the maiden to her, took a doll out of her counterpane, said: "Vasilisushka, hear my last words. I am dying, and I will leave you my mother's blessing and this doll. Keep this doll always by you, but show it to nobody, and no misfortune can befall you. Give it food and ask it for advice. After it has eaten, it will tell you how to avoid your evil." Then the wife kissed her daughter and died. <br /> After the wife's death the merchant mourned as it behoved, and then he thought of a second wife. He was a handsome man and found many brides, but he liked one widow more than any one. She was no longer young, and had two daughters of about the same age as Vasilisa. So she was an experienced housewife and mother. The merchant married her, but he had made a mistake, for she was no good mother to his own daughter. <br /> Vasilisa was the fairest damsel in the entire village, and the stepmother and the sisters envied her therefore. And they used to torture her by piling all the work they could on her, that she might grow thin and ugly, and might be tanned by the wind and the sun. And the child lived a hard life. Vasilisa, however, did all her work without complaining, and always grew more beautiful and plumper, while the stepmother and her daughters, out of sheer spite, grew thinner and uglier. Yet there they sat all day long with their hands folded, just like fine ladies. How could this be? <br /> It was the doll that had helped Vasilisa. Without her the maiden could never have done her task. Vasilisa often ate nothing herself, and kept the tastiest morsels for the doll; and when at night they had all gone to bed, she used to lock herself up in her cellar below, give the doll food to eat, and say, "Dollet, eat and listen to my misery. I am living in my father's house, and my lot is hard. My evil stepmother is torturing my delicate hands. Teach me what I must do in order to bear this life." <br /> Then the doll gave her good advice, consoled her, and did all her morning's work for her. Vasilisa was told to go walking, plucking flowers; and all her flower-beds were done in time, all the coal was brought in, and the water-jugs carried in, and the hearthstone was hot. Further, the doll taught her herb-lore; so, thanks to her doll, she had a merry life; and the years went by. <br /> Vasilisa grew up, and all the lads in the village sought her. But the stepmother's daughters nobody would look at; and the stepmother grew more evil than ever and answered all her suitors: "I will not give my eldest daughter before I give the elders." So she sent all the bargainers away, and to show how pleased she was, rained blows on Vasilisa. <br /> One day the merchant had to go away on business for a long time; so the stepmother in the meantime went over to a new house near a dense, slumbrous forest. In the forest there was a meadow, and on the meadow there was a hut, and in the hut Baba Yaga lived, who would not let anybody in, and ate up men as though they were poultry. Whilst she was moving, the stepmother sent her hated stepdaughter into the wood, but she always came back perfectly safe, for the doll showed her the way by which she could avoid Baba Yaga's hut.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgECx-1dGTl2fVm8QUrwxDL_kWTRhVPMh6r2OO8OP7UcV2BTMsDbK_S_rLzCVTPwygX1qniLiKds4ShI7WnQBOJh-L0RzCBRBzG4fPrqF-kJPUjnKx3-a8NHK3ZAcf2gKd4DzS8ZPpgreJpKHiD-oI4ZzihyphenhyphenTOBisqAbxAsiMzdPiPfGqZMcJ-z_o7teR/s807/vasilisathefair1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="639" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgECx-1dGTl2fVm8QUrwxDL_kWTRhVPMh6r2OO8OP7UcV2BTMsDbK_S_rLzCVTPwygX1qniLiKds4ShI7WnQBOJh-L0RzCBRBzG4fPrqF-kJPUjnKx3-a8NHK3ZAcf2gKd4DzS8ZPpgreJpKHiD-oI4ZzihyphenhyphenTOBisqAbxAsiMzdPiPfGqZMcJ-z_o7teR/w506-h640/vasilisathefair1.png" width="506" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The horseman in white.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> So one day the harvest season came and the stepmother gave all three maidens their task for the evening: one was to make lace and the other to sew a stocking, and Vasilisa was to spin. Each was to do a certain amount. The mother put all the fires out in the entire house, and left only one candle burning where the maidens were at work, and herself went to sleep. The maidens worked on. The candle burned down, and one of the stepmother's daughters took the snuffers in order to cut down the wick. But the stepmother had told her to put the light out as though by accident. <br /> "What is to be done now?" they said. "There is no fire in the house and our work is not finished. We must get a light from the Baba Yaga." <br /> "I can see by the needles," said the one who was making lace. <br /> "I also am not going," said the second, "for my knitting needles give me light enough. You must go and get some fire. Go to the Baba Yaga! "And they turned Vasilisa out of the room. <br /> Then Vasilisa went to her room, put meat and drink before her doll, and said: "Dolly dear, eat it and listen to my complaint. They are sending me to Baba Yaga for fire, and the Baba Yaga will eat me up." <br /> Then the Dollet ate, and her eyes glittered like two lamps, and she said: "Fear nothing, Vasilisushka. Do what they say, only take me with you. As long as I am with you Baba Yaga can do you no harm." Vasilisa put the doll into her pocket, crossed herself, and went tremblingly into the darksome forest. <br /> Suddenly a knight on horseback galloped past her all in white. His cloak was white, and his horse and the reins: and it became light. She went further, and suddenly another horseman passed by, who was all in red, and his horse was red, and his clothes: and the sun rose. Vasilisa went on through the night and the next day. Next evening she came to the mead where Baba Yaga's hut stood. The fence round the hut consisted of human bones, and on the stakes skeletons glared out of their empty eyes. And, instead of the doorways and the gate, there were feet, and in the stead of bolts there were hands, and instead of the lock there was a mouth with sharp teeth. And Vasilisa was stone-cold with fright.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T0G_df_mpWDpsiRDENmEcUiXLLot_QurbzyJ-guUO-CsPPl6R2fBFmZwcSqeCM9TgULH4Jp5ZOOT51QO2pVsVEBlzsViw27qG52vfkJnDH-oF4BjM7RlIOVOTl__toSvp_T80dL8OjIeN32iaGLDoJn_XKrpqsKNIG1sra5YM23jpJzQPnZDxDXj__sf/s800/vasilisathefair2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="531" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T0G_df_mpWDpsiRDENmEcUiXLLot_QurbzyJ-guUO-CsPPl6R2fBFmZwcSqeCM9TgULH4Jp5ZOOT51QO2pVsVEBlzsViw27qG52vfkJnDH-oF4BjM7RlIOVOTl__toSvp_T80dL8OjIeN32iaGLDoJn_XKrpqsKNIG1sra5YM23jpJzQPnZDxDXj__sf/w265-h400/vasilisathefair2.png" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The horseman in red.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> Suddenly another horseman pranced by on his way. He was all in black, on a jet-black horse, with a jet-black cloak. He sprang to the door and vanished as though the earth had swallowed him up: and it was night. But the darkness did not last long, for the eyes in all the skeletons on the fence glistened, and it became as light as day all over the green. <br /> Vasilisa trembled with fear, but remained standing, for she did not know how she could escape. Suddenly a terrible noise was heard in the forest, and the treeboughs creaked and the dry leaves crackled. And out of the wood Baba Yaga drove in inside the mortar with the pestle, and with the broom swept away every trace of her steps. At the door she stopped, sniffed all the way round, and cried out: <br /> "Fee, Fo, Fi, Fum, I smell the blood of a Russian mum! Who is there?" <br /> Vasilisa, shuddering with dread, stepped up to her, bowed low to the ground, and said: "Mother, I am here. My stepmother's daughters sent me to you to ask for fire." <br /> "Very well," said Baba Yaga: " I know them. Stay with me, work for me, and I will give you fire. Otherwise I shall eat you up." <br /> Then she went to the door, and she cried out: "Ho! my strong bolts, draw back, my strong door, spring open! " And the door sprang open, and Baba Yaga went in whistling and whirring, and Vasilisa followed her. <br /> Then the door closed, and Baba Yaga stretched herself in the room and said to Vasilisa: "Give me whatever there is in the oven. I am hungry." <br /> So Vasilisa lit a splinter from the skulls on the hedge and fetched Baba Yaga food out of the oven, and there was food enough there for ten men. Out of a cellar she fetched kvas, mead, and wine. Baba Yaga ate and drank it all up. But all there was left for Vasilisa was a little of some kind of soup, and a crust of bread, and a snippet of pork. <br /> Baba Yaga lay down to sleep and said: "In the morning, to-morrow, when I go away you must clean the courtyard, brush out the room, get dinner ready, do the washing, go to the field, get a quarter of oats, sift it all out, and see that it is all done before I come home. Otherwise I will eat you up."</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKn4sFVRIgGGINQjeWv8-jB1cG64jx5giibhOkMlXsGEXzONUPmX5uG9VEt_OGiZIwQ9SmNIqWqBv6WRMQcqpRuAme_BJ4CMbWQiM0pYX7RQDeD-fyxPwPXht63a_WVKgIavyUnIOPHKa9H2lajsQN1TwKnYmX2xemuN2yWi_IzPmDieUlsn2FUrwPQg4/s807/vasilisathefair3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="631" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKn4sFVRIgGGINQjeWv8-jB1cG64jx5giibhOkMlXsGEXzONUPmX5uG9VEt_OGiZIwQ9SmNIqWqBv6WRMQcqpRuAme_BJ4CMbWQiM0pYX7RQDeD-fyxPwPXht63a_WVKgIavyUnIOPHKa9H2lajsQN1TwKnYmX2xemuN2yWi_IzPmDieUlsn2FUrwPQg4/w500-h640/vasilisathefair3.png" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The horseman in black.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> And, as soon as ever she had given all the orders, she began snoring. <br /> Vasilisa put the rest of the dinner in front of the doll and said: "Dollet, eat it up and listen to my woe. Heavy are the tasks which the Baba Yaga has given me, and she threatens to eat me up if I don't carry them all out. Help me!" <br /> "Have no fear, Vasilisa, thou fair maiden. Eat, pray, and lie down to sleep, for the morning is wiser than the evening." <br /> Very early next day Vasilisa woke up. Baba Yaga was already up and was looking out of the window. The glimmer in the eyes of the skulls had dimmed; the white horseman raced by: and it dawned. Baba Yaga went into the courtyard, and whistled, and the mortar, the pestle, and the besom appeared at once, and the red horseman came by: and the sun rose. Baba Yaga sat in the mortar and went by, thrusting the mortar with the pestle, and with the besom she removed every trace of her steps. <br /> Vasilisa, left all by herself, looked over the house of the Baba Yaga, wondered at all the wealth gathered in, and began to consider what she should start with. But all the work was already done, and the doll had sifted out the very last of the ears of oats. <br /> "Oh, my savior!" said Vasilisa. "You have helped me in my great need." <br /> "You now have only to get dinner ready," the doll answered, and clambered back into Vasilisa's pocket. <br /> "With God's help get it ready, and stay here quietly waiting." <br /> In the evening Vasilisa laid the cloth and waited for Baba Yaga. The gloaming came, and the black horseman reached by: and it at once became dark, but the eyes in the skulls glowed. The trees shuddered, the leaves crackled, Baba Yaga drove in, and Vasilisa met her. <br /> "Is it all done?" Baba Yaga asked. <br /> "Yes, grandmother: look!" said Vasilisa. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Me3IpXw5nId19lpuFvqTQvXwDTEEDDawIGdvKGdAcnJkJTb9L3i20HkwxKpbGkbETFBg_Khq-a-gnSN9idVJtweYpA9RHybJInROolh1L1iTxXKNdKr2j6Vj3uRnbhg_oMBbHzOtOK3c_ljxFgzKf8tTAEvRzEZtKFcNrYyW6PBkwhB276TLS_0lpteI/s800/vasilisathefair4.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="635" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Me3IpXw5nId19lpuFvqTQvXwDTEEDDawIGdvKGdAcnJkJTb9L3i20HkwxKpbGkbETFBg_Khq-a-gnSN9idVJtweYpA9RHybJInROolh1L1iTxXKNdKr2j6Vj3uRnbhg_oMBbHzOtOK3c_ljxFgzKf8tTAEvRzEZtKFcNrYyW6PBkwhB276TLS_0lpteI/w508-h640/vasilisathefair4.png" width="508" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Baba Yaga flying in her motar.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> Baba Yaga looked round everywhere, and was rather angry that she had nothing to find fault with and said: <br /> "Very well." Then she cried out: "Ye my faithful servants, friends of my heart! Store up my oats." Then three pairs of hands appeared, seized the oats and carried them off. <br /> Baba Yaga had her supper, and, before she went to sleep, once more commanded Vasilisa: "Tomorrow do the same as you did today, but also take the hay which is lying on my field, clean it from every trace of soil, every single ear. Somebody has, out of spite, mixed earth with it." <br /> And, as soon as she had said it, she turned round to the wall and was snoring. <br /> Vasilisa at once fetched her doll, who ate, and said as the had the day before: "Pray and lie down to sleep, for the morning is wiser than the evening. Everything shall be done, Vasilisushka." <br /> Next morning Baba Yaga got up and stood at the window, and then went into the courtyard and whistled; and the mortar, the besom, and the pestle appeared at once, and the red horseman came by: and the sun rose. Baba Yaga sat in the mortar and went off, sweeping away her traces as before. <br /> Vasilisa got everything ready with the help of her doll. Then the old woman came back, looked over everything, and said: " Ho, my faithful servants, friends of my heart! Make me some poppy-oil." Then three pairs of hands came, laid hold of the poppies and carried them off. <br /> Baba Yaga sat down to supper, and Vasilisa sat silently in front of her. "Why do you not speak; why do you stay there as if you were dumb?" Baba Yaga asked. <br /> "I did not venture to say anything; but if I might, I should like to ask some questions." <br /> "Ask, but not every question turns out well: too knowing is too old." <br /> "Still, I should like to ask you of some things I saw. On my way to you I met a white horseman, in a white cloak, on a white horse: who was he?" <br /> "The bright day." <br /> "Then a red horseman, on a red horse, in a red cloak, overtook me: who was he?" <br /> "The red sun." <br /> "What is the meaning of the black horseman who overtook me as I reached your door, grandmother?" <br /> "That was the dark night. Those are my faithful servants." <br /> Vasilisa then thought of the three pairs of hands and said nothing. <br /> "Why don't you ask any further?" Baba Yaga asked. <br /> "I know enough, for you say yourself 'too knowing is too old.'" <br /> "It is well you asked only about things you saw in the courtyard, and not about things without it, for I do not like people to tell tales out of school, and I eat up everybody who is too curious. But now I shall ask you, how did you manage to do all the work I gave you?" <br /> "By my mother's blessing!" <br /> "Ah, then, get off with you as fast as you can, blessed daughter; no one blessed may stay with me!" <br /> So she turned Vasilisa out of the room and kicked her to the door, took a skull with the burning eyes from the fence, put it on a staff, gave it her and said, "Now you have fire for your stepmother's daughters, for that was why they sent you here."<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBe89PpL-Wqh44qAJohoOe6y3IKkCj5gKvEIPxChLDXpQSpIwcVT9YrHQfIT2OQTyrj82VRUiJH3L0Nnr3QAjBZbQlkkH1q5iFMbE6l08VAm7kYPouDy-h_1j9rEJzq6yVP-EkisreI5pSjOjk4TWQanuCGDTbwGqnRmQtXJdz3CqXNEHBVtZbOjGAl-J/s800/vasilisathefair5.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="629" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBe89PpL-Wqh44qAJohoOe6y3IKkCj5gKvEIPxChLDXpQSpIwcVT9YrHQfIT2OQTyrj82VRUiJH3L0Nnr3QAjBZbQlkkH1q5iFMbE6l08VAm7kYPouDy-h_1j9rEJzq6yVP-EkisreI5pSjOjk4TWQanuCGDTbwGqnRmQtXJdz3CqXNEHBVtZbOjGAl-J/w504-h640/vasilisathefair5.png" width="504" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Vasilisa returns home by the light of the skull.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> Then Vasilisa ran home as fast as she could by the light of the skull; and the flash in it went out with the dawn. <br /> By the evening of the next day she reached the house, and was going to throw the skull away, when she heard a hollow voice coming out of the skull and saying : "Do not throw me away. Bring me up to your stepmother's house." And she looked at her stepmother's house and <br />saw that there was no light in any window, and decided to enter with the skull. She was friendlily received, and the sisters told her that ever since she had gone away they had had no fire; they were able to make none; and all they borrowed of their neighbors went out as soon as it came into the room. <br /> "Possibly your fire may burn!" said the stepmother. <br /> So they took the skull into the room, and the burning eyes looked into the stepmother's and the daughters' and singed their eyes out. Wherever they went, they could not escape it, for the eyes followed them everywhere, and in the morning they were all burned to cinders. Vasilisa alone was left alive. <br /> Then Vasilisa buried the skull in the earth, locked the house up, and went into the town. And she asked apoor old woman to take her home and to give her food until her father came back; she said to the old woman, "Mother, sitting here idle makes me feel dull. Go and buy me some of the very best flax; I should like to spin." <br /> So the old woman went and bought good flax. Vasilisa set herself to work, and the work went merrily along, and the skein was as smooth and as fine as hair, and when she had a great deal of yarn, no one would undertake the weaving, so she turned to her doll, who said: "Bring me some old comb from somewhere, some old spindle, some old shuttle, and some horse mane; and I will do it for you." <br /> Vasilisa went to bed, and the doll in that night made a splendid spinning stool; and by the end of the winter all the linen had been woven, and it was so fine that it could be drawn like a thread through the eye of a needle. And in the spring they bleached the linen, and Vasilisa said to the old mistress: "Go and sell the cloth, and keep the money for yourself." <br /> The old woman saw the cloth and admired it, and said: "Oh, my child! nobody except the Tsar could ever wear such fine linen; I will take it to Court." <br /> The old woman went to the Tsar's palace, and kept walking up and down in front of it. <br /> The Tsar saw her and said: "Oh, woman, what do you want?" <br /> "Almighty Tsar, I am bringing you some wonderful goods, which I will show to nobody except you." <br /> The Tsar ordered the old woman to be given audience, and as soon as ever he had seen the linen he admired it very much. " What do you want for it ?" he asked her. <br /> "It is priceless, Batyushka," she said; "I will give it you as a present." <br /> And the Tsar thought it over and sent her away with rich rewards.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HfdooXF1zkmmmSBeSc4_6niCcW7Ol98jO7PH1AyuwJpR8VpJKGM_SMDlNIngR0j6pFJltdJL64s9u3AovJZPd4dbZRxN8GI_BTnK11xjiPf4yJ7k_PndTXe8ZhGc8CukQ20umlTXpxDRIqT-jZHoAoh7ykDqLdJnppRv52YvWVuJouIUoazGaVs-UmAg/s800/vasilisathefair6.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HfdooXF1zkmmmSBeSc4_6niCcW7Ol98jO7PH1AyuwJpR8VpJKGM_SMDlNIngR0j6pFJltdJL64s9u3AovJZPd4dbZRxN8GI_BTnK11xjiPf4yJ7k_PndTXe8ZhGc8CukQ20umlTXpxDRIqT-jZHoAoh7ykDqLdJnppRv52YvWVuJouIUoazGaVs-UmAg/w640-h428/vasilisathefair6.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fair Vasilisa is brought before the Tsar.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> Now the Tsar wanted to have shirts made out of this same linen, but he could not find any seamstress to undertake the work. And he thought for long, and at last he sent for the old woman again, and said: "If you can spin this linen and weave it, perhaps you can make a shirt out of it?" <br /> "I cannot weave and spin the linen," said the old woman; "only a maiden can who is staying with me." <br /> "Well, she may do the work." <br /> So the woman went home and told Vasilisa everything. <br /> "I knew that I should have to do the work!" said Vasilisa. And she locked herself up in her little room, set to work, and never put her hands again on her lap until she had sewn a dozen shirts. <br /> The old woman brought the Tsar the shirts, and Vasilisa washed and combed herself, dressed herself, and sat down at the window, and waited. Then there came a henchman of the Tsar's, entered the room and said: <br /> "The Tsar would fain see the artist who has sewn him the shirts, and he wants to reward her with his own hands." <br /> Vasilisa the Fair went to the Tsar. When he saw her, he fell deep in love with her. "No, fairest damsel; I will never part from you. You must be my wife." <br /> So the Tsar took Vasilisa, with her delicate hands, put her next to him, and bade the bells ring for the wedding. <br /> Vasilisa's father came back home, and was rejoiced at her good luck, and stayed with his daughter. <br /> Vasilisa also took the old woman to live with her, and the doll ever remained in her pocket. <br /></div></div>Kathy Grimmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18295696077498829657noreply@blogger.com0