Reddiker Woodes

Found Items Shadow Box for Constance

I have his this project sitting on the shelf literally for months to get done. First I had to get Constance's room finished, which meant taking all of the old wall paper down, putting up new, doing the trim and arranging the furniture to actually display what I wanted to do. Her bedding will be done by Bunny and then her room will be done. She's had a lot of stuff in her room that was jus random and after the years really didn't belong there, but the stuff she needed didn't' have a place. So what's the best thing that a scrap booker can do who owns dolls? Add the two together.

I have been in love with altered art and found objects for a while now but haven’t really had a chance to get anything done until now. I was looking at an old shadow box I had in the doll room and decided now was the time to get one done and make it for my Constance.

So a quick trip to Hobby Lobby to get some really cool moss and some other items and pulled out my huge box of altered art supplies and Constance now has her very own miniature bookcase of goodies for her room and her room isn’t as cluttered.

Here is the box how it started out.

In progress.

And finally done. I’m so happy with how it turned out and I think Constance is happy also. See below pictures.

 

Each individual box was customized just for her and can come out and be rearranged, but right now I like how they are set up.

 

And with the plastic dust cover and lid.

 

Inside Constance’s room for size along with Izzy and Joey to see how tall it is.

 

Joey has already asked for one in her size.

Wysp Gets a Home of Her Own

Little Man has been home with the Black Plague for the last couple of days, and he's been sleeping and watching TV in his room.  So that I could keep a better eye on him, I've been staying upstairs and hanging out in the Doll Room. Well, this turned out better than I thought it could. While he's been going in and out of fevers and overdosing on SpongeBob, I've been extremly creative.

I was cleaning up some things in the Doll Room and noticed that Wysp is always hanging on JoAnna. I mean, just sitting on her lap or on her shoulder. I know she's imaginary but sometimes you need your own little space. And little space is what she got. I had thought about finding her some sort of little Faery dwelling on line, but I didn't want it to be too big. So after giving Little Man some medication to keep his cough under control, I got to work scrambling around my craft room and what I could use for her, before he woke up for his next dose. I had several little boxe's set up for her but they just didn't seem right and then I went into the Nursery to look for something and found a 10x10 hat box that had been used for the wedding that was just holding stuff and then I figured it out. The hat box would be the perfect little room for her. It really wouldn't take up much room in JoAnna's room as it is and I could pack it full of everything that I think Wysp needed. 

I placed everything to how I thought it would look, then found a paper for the floor, the ceiling and back major wall. Then go the idea to give her light. I had a little battery operated candle tea light and cut a hole in the top of the box and now she has a nice warm glow from above when needed. 

Here is JoAnna's room, the Parfume shop above and in the left hand side is Wysp's little house.

 

Wysp in her new little home. She doens't need much space, just a space of her own.

 

Major back wall of green striped paper, cloud paper on the ceiling, and the little candle light that can be turned on from the top of the box.

 

Little bottles and things that I already had in JoAnna's room, now they are all in one central place and just for Wysp to use.

 

 

Little box of precious stones and gems, and how did that string guy get in there??

 

She dabbles in the magical arts.

 

I think she's content now.

 

And now her and JoAnna can talk a little better.

 

This little box even gave her a roof top terrace.

 

Light on...

...light off

To Slice or Be Sliced

That's the question, answer and statement.  Along with yesterday's post of Little Man Going to school finally, I had to get some of my other scrap booking projects under way. And in order to do that, I had to finally, get my Making Memories Slice machine and all the bells and whistles that went with it. I so wanted this last year, but with everything going on for the wedding, there was no time or extra funds in the budget to justify it. I was able to get all of mine now, but had them in lay-a-way for the last several months and just got them all out.  Along with Little Man's scrap books, our Wedding book, my BOS, my Dolly book and about a half dozen other projects, this little 2 pound machine will come in extremely handy. 

So first up, everything in it's glory. I even got an apron and some Valentine crafts with everything that I bought.  The only thing I haven't gotten yet is the storage bag.  I don't think I'll be taking the machine out to do projects.  I'm not that hard core yet.

 

The Inspiration Recipe Box. This I had to get on evilBay, and was a little hard to track down.  They either aren't making them anymore, or making new ones, but I found the original.  It's just like a regular recipe box, but with scrap booking/Slice Ideas instead.

 

I figured if I was going to get all of this now, to get as many of the cartridges that I could, or at least the ones I'm really interested in.  So I got Story Time, which is filled with tons of nursery type die cuts.

    
 
 

Next up, Holidays, and Christmas.  The FaLaLa set and Mistletoe cards

     

     

Of course no collection of mine could be complete without Halloween die cuts.  Their Spellbound and Spooky Alley would have been so great to use for the wedding, but time constraints, just didn't allow it. But now while putting our wedding book together there are a ton from these that I can use.

     

     

Holiday Expression and Faith were two that I was on the fence about.  But after seeing them, I'm glad I included them in the sets.  The Holiday Expression are all the words for holidays, months, and days. Faith has naturally all church based die cuts, but lots that I can use on other projects.

     

     

The Calendar card will go along with everything.

    
 
 

With my love of vintage styles, Findings had to come along also.  I'm really excited about using these in a few projects.

     

No gadget loving, tool freak would not have all of the tools with them at one time either, so the 15 piece set was included.  This way, even if I do decided to take it on the road, I'll be able to have all of my tools, and cartridges with me.  The card storage case holds 24 cards and their booklets.

    

Now to the actual Slice Machine. You are able to get this in pink, but since all of the other tools are the mint green, I stayed with that.  Design Cutter, Power Cord, User Manual, Basics 1 SD design card to get you started, 6x6 glass cutting mat, foam brush, 5 replacement blades with attached tool, blade wrench and repositionable adhesive.  The basic SD design card has basic shapes, letters, numbers and a few words.

 

Since I do a lot of 8x8 and 10x8 papers, I figured that the 12x12 glass cutting board would be useful also.

And finally my free apron, and storage case on my desk.  I even cleaned off my desk for this little guy. I've arleady gotten my first request. Little Man wants a "ghost" from the Spellbound kit.

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Mini Closet

I had originally bought this for Pearl and all of her clothes, but since she's gotten ahold of my credit card and seems to like shopping on Etsy, she needed a bigger closet, but this is just way to small. And she's outgrown her sewing box.  But it'll be the perfect size for JoAnna's clothes in the perfumery shop.  It's basically a box from Michael's, small drawer dresser, mirrors, and little hat boxes.  I was even able to find a good spot in the shop for it to sit, and will attach little shelves to the open side lid.

The Ghost Writer is Up and Running

After a few weeks of very hard work, lots of paint fumes, and spindle painting oblivion, Ash's Ghost Writer house is done.  FireHoth did such a fantastic job on it and it turned out better than I could've imagined.  Not bad for all of under $50.00 and some elbow grease.

FireHoth is so happy with this, that he wants to do another one.  Maybe in late summer.

The back of the house.  I still have a few signs and things to put up, but it's just so clean looking.

Ash is very happy and can't wait to get to work.

Overview of the entire project. Three main rooms and deckhouse bedroom.

Little weathered chairs on the deck. Many little creatures live here also.

     

Back entrance with ladder to deck.  I still need to put the mailbox up and a few "sea" signs.  We changed out the plastic windows for actual screens and upgraded the railing to real dollhouse railing.

Looking into the bedroom quarters.  I'm getting little green mattress from my good friend Debby that are going to be like JoAnna's, but smaller and not girly.

      

Ash in the galley.

He even has a hand pumped sink.  There still needs some little decorations up in here also.

      

Ash's office where he'll be writing.

    

A little hammock I found at the scrap booking store.  I had to just take the sticky sides off and FireHoth built a bar for it.  There will be a tiny mermaid sitting here in a few weeks.

    

Not sure what he's eating, or why it involves a chemistry set.

    

I've had a pair of wind-chime earrings laying around the house forever and now they have finally found a place.  Ash gets a set for his house and Pearl got a set for the Love Shack.

Cute little accessories for the deck.

Ash kicking back on the deck and relaxing.

    

Uses for your Pool Table

1. Pool

2. Food Display

3. Doll Meets

4. Doll Furniture Storage

5. Lego Building

6. Lego Adventures

7. Puzzle Making

8. Dollhouse Building & Painting

9. Model Plane Making

10. Pool????

THese are all wonderful uses for your pool table.  I'm sure you can come up with more, but these are our top ten.  Yes, Pool is actually listed twice, but that's what it's for.  Isn't it?

FireHoth with the F-14 Tomcat and random parts still of the Ghost Writer.

A Name & A Home

Her name is Pearl, she's sad, melancholy and lives in a Love Shack on the side of the road, selling her potions and wares to the love lorn.  Most days she just stocks her shelves and spouts dirges :)

ME: Pearl, what's wrong?  Your not sad to be here are you?

PEARL: No, I'm not sad to be here, just a little tired.

ME: Oh, well, that makes sense. You have had a long journey to get here.  Coming to a new country, crossing the Atlantic.  

PEARL: Yes, it was long, and trying to get use to the time change also.  I should be asleep right now.

ME: Well,you can sleep anytime you want. I hope you are satisfied with your quarters though? Maybe I can look around for a little cot or comfy cushion for you to sit and mediate on.

PEARL: I am.  But...

ME: Yes, is there something wrong?

PEARL: Not so much wrong as just misplaced.  Look, my little shop is empty.

ME: Well, that can be taken care of in the days and weeks to come.  I'll make sure you have plenty of what you need.

PEARL: Oh, thank you very much.  That will make my job much easier, I think.

ME: Right now, you can check out the one bottle on your shelf, and the baskets and crates will be filled soon.

PEARL: You mean, the Butterfly Kisses?  I can hand those out, at will?

ME: Of course.

PEARL: May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to light on, to bring you luck, happiness and riches today, tomorrow and beyond.

ME: So I hear you are going to start quoting now.  That's good.  You've got a lot to say. who is this one by?  I like it.

PEARL: It's an Irish Blessing, thought it would be fitting for the first one and to bless the my new surroundings, the Woodes.

ME: Well, I love it, and there is always room for Irish Blessing in this house, not matter what the circumstance.  I find that very appropriate and I thank you.

PEARL: I'm curious as to what new items I'll be getting.  Can I get a hint?

ME: Well, they are exotic, much used here in the Woodes, and I think will be a good seller.

   

ME: I've also taken the liberty of outfitting you with many objects for the rest of the holidays here at the woodes.  How do you feel about yellow peeps, crocheted bunnies and Maypoles?

PEARL: I guess I'll adapted, as long as it helps me with my journey and my work.

ME: I think it will.  Oh, and when we do our photo shoots, I liked to get one picture in color, if that's okay with you.  We can make it somber if need be.

PEARL: I think that will be fine, just so long as we don't make a habit out of it.  This will work for this picture...

I laugh (inside deep), I smile (inside, deep), I take Prozac (daily) / Anonymous

ME: Yeah, that's a good way to end this day. So I take it all of our conversations are going to be like this?

PEARL: Most likely, but maybe not as many pictures.

ME: Lovely 

She's Home At Last

Last Saturday during the bitter cold snap we had, I had just in minutes finished up the Love Shack, and had FireHoth go out and get the mail.  What a great surprise that after almost a month in waiting, my Lati Christmas Elf Miel was in the mail. :)  It's so fitting, because all of the dolls seem to come during a snow storm.

These are pictures from Lati.  

      

      

She was issued Christmas of 2007 I think, and with the release of new Flower Latis this spring, some owners are getting rid of their old stock and dolls they no longer want.  A Lati girl has been on my list since I had gotten Ash, and my persistence paid off.  I was in the right place at the right time, and one of the lovely ladies on DOA had mentioned that she wanted to get rid of her Miel.  Well, I immediately emailed her and found out all of the specifics to adopt this precious little one. After almost a months travel time across the Atlantic, she came in on Saturday.  I'm still working on her name, but she's got a huge story already. With her being here I know now that I am going to sell two of my MSD sized girls to replace them with two little Lati girls.  The size is just so much more convenient and I can do more with them.

Like I said, I had just put the last piece of paper up on the Love Shack and brought it down. The timing was perfect.  I still have grass I want to put down, and fill up the shack with everything she needs, flowers, bottles, treats, a little bench on the outside, but it's so perfect for her.

     

I can move it around the house, take it outside, and even take out the little stand in the back for other things.  Maybe now I can get to all of the multitude of boxes of Rement I have saved up for her and for the Two Sprites Pub.

   

For the back, I had leftover brick paper and decided that if I need her to stand by a brick wall, the back would be perfect for it.  And over 100+ shingles.  The most detailed on a project I've done since the main Doll Houses :)

      

Now for Little Miss No Name:

When I knew that she was going to be coming home I started to immediately think of how sad she looked.  Not angry like Lati Lea, but more sad.  All of my little gang seem to have some sort of tragic past to them, and she's no exception.  Since she is so sad looking I wanted her to quote little sad poetry, quotes, even Poe.  But I wanted her to live in a little "love shack".  I love irony.  She's on the side of the road (actually on one of our end tables in the living room, where I can easily get to her) handing out love.  Most of her pictures will be in black and white.  She's fond of Chamber music, old jazz, especially Billy Holiday, warm chocolate, peach cobbler, cute dresses, shoes that match.  The colors, red, pink, white and blue, and likes branches, not with leaves. Since she's an elf, she can hear the cries and moans of those in need.

Here she is in her original outfit, right out of the box.

     

     

     

Checking out her new home.  I think she likes it, but she's very quite about it.

     

     

Her name is also a mystery?  Right now, Pearl, Alysse, Arwin, Zora, Orchid, Victoria, Morrissey, Mallory, Whisper, Ophelia and Siren are in the mix.  But she's telling me Pearl more than any other name.

A Little Old Place...

... Called the Love Shack baby, Love Shack, Love Shack...

Preparations for the Love Shack.  My Miel might not have a name yet, but when she gets here, she'll have a home.

Pretty papers from my Love/Romance stash box.

The Shack in raw form.  Shelves being held up with tape for placement. 

Colors: Red, White, Pink.

I HATE FLASH, AND SO DOES THE SHACK

Little bag on top is the bag of shingles that will be painted red. :)

   

Daytime, proper pictures, with some sample papers and little goodie baskets.

   

   

Repurposing

Fixing up old furniture is just so fun, especially when you figure out what you want done to said furniture.  With doing JoAnna's room, I had a choice to figure out what bed to use.  I took out the old Barbie bed, (just too much plastic and didn't look put together right), and took an old wooden slat bed that I had and combined the two, so to speak.  The four poster part of the bed, got added to the wooden part of the bed.  Slats re-glued and wood glue to stabilize everything.  I went on the look out on Flickr for "doll bedding" and found lace5200 who made this bedding.  I have been trying to figure out for the last four/five years how to do bedding for the dolls, and separate mattresses is just perfect. 

Lace5200 found a wire type basket at one of her local stores and made Princess and the Pea type of mattresses.  How cool is that.  I had been looking for guest towel type size bed for JoAnna, but no matter how much I looked, couldn't find anything.  Well, on Saturday, I did a search and found her.  I love the idea of separate mattresses in coordinating fabrics, bolster pillows, and a sheet.  I contacted her and she's going to make a set for JoAnna's bed like hers, but in a different size.  Her bedding for her Dals is 16x9 and my bed is 12x6.  If she has some extra material she's going to send it so I can make the head/foot boards out of the same material.  I'm even making up a quick story for JoAnna to find something under her mattresses once she gets here.  

Depending on how good this turns out, and from all conversations and pictures, it's going to be fabulous, I might have her make me a set for Evelynn's new room (which still hasn't gotten done) and maybe for Constance. 

So the bed as it was at the start of the week...

   

   

Quick preview of the new room. The pink striped and black striped paper so didn't work. I'm going to use the pink/black theme in another room I think later in the spring. The gold striped and pink flowers works so much better.  I used the same black ribbon on the bottom floor to keep with some of the black, and sea foam green for the top floor.

And now the new bed and furniture with new paint.  I wanted to still find a wrought iron type of bed, but after a week of searching nothing was big enough or the right price, so on to the paint store.  I found a can of metal type spray paint and painted the bed.  It really does work to take your time to spray paint something the right way, and have it turn out great.  I'm so happy with how the bed turned out now.  It finally looks like it's all one piece.

Even repainted the old sorry looking couch in a flat black, and just getting ready to paint the little legs gold.  Still need to make the cushion just a little fluffier.  But it looks so smooth now as opposed to hand painting.

Some other pieces that I've had and glad that I didn't throw out.  They look much better now also.