Getting Closer to the Look...

I'm getting closer to the look that I am going for on the mannequins. I love that numbered vintage look. Of course it's super scary marking up your "almost" finished work. So I needed time to figure how what to do. Here's one idea (below) that I feel pretty good about. It still needs something, I'm thinking maybe a little tea stain on the fabric to make the number look as though it's been there a while. I will give that a try this week.
I also purchased a few "no bleed" markers (thank' you Kat). Need to play around with them a little more (will show the results once I get something good).

Here's a peek (will see what happens when I do light tea stains)

Working on number vintage style mannequins
by Anita Smiley for fabulouslyflawedminiatures

Back to Mannequins...

Sometimes I start projects and get a little frustrated when I run into difficulties. Well, late last year I started working on covering mannequins with muslin. The goal was to cover, age, then add a stencil number on the fabric. I just love that look…but I ran into some problems getting the fabric to lay nicely on the curves of the figure. I thought about it for a long time and now I think I know how I can resolve the problem. So, next week, "I'm working' on mannequins!

Here's a look at where I stopped last year:

Working on Muslin Covered Mannequins

…my inspiration. LOVE!!

Not so bad, right?

Gotta get this together???

So Much Fun...

I've been working on a few things this week as I continue the Trailer project. Sometimes I get seriously distracted by the ideas dancing in my head and I just have to tackle one or two.

This week it was Suitcases, Art Deco Bust, French Flea Market Suitcases and Clogs!

As I'm working on the Trailer, I'm also thinking of accessories I would love to include in the project. The Art Deco bust is something I've been wanting to do forever. It looked pretty easy to do, but once I started working on it, I realized how difficult it is going to be. I have my fingers x'd on that one.

The French Flea Market Style suitcases. I envisioned them next to the iron bed, kinda using them as a side table. I played around with a few ideas (see below). Not sure if this set will go in the trailer, but I'm liking the way they turned out, so I will make more in the theme of the trailer.

Okay, the clogs, these are the cutest EVER! I own several swedish hasbeens clogs. When I saw this picture, I went ABSOLUTELY CRAZY, I must have a pair in the trailer!! The Etsy store is Minis2you, she doesn't have any available right now but it looks like you can ask for a custom. Of course, I just have to give it a try, not sure if they will turn out this fantastic, but I will do my best and I'm sure they are super fun to create.

Lastly, the Trailer. I used plaster on the walls and it did not turn out too well. There was crackling and peeling where I covered the windows. Probably should not have used scotch tape in those areas. I was able to get the plaster pretty smooth, but when I painted, it crackled (not the look I'm going for). So I came up with an idea that worked out perfectly…
First I sanded the walls to get them smooth, painted them in white and let dry. I cut a piece of muslin fabric, gave it a glue bath and let it dry, it was pretty stiff when dried. With a brush, I put a nice amount of glue on the wall, then covered with the muslin, making sure every area was glued and there were no bubbles. Let dry, then paint.
The walls now look very nice with a slight texture. I'm thinking I may use this technique on the exterior of the trailer instead of the corrugated paper, it looks great when painted.

Here's a few photos, have a wonderful weekend and I will catch up with you next week.

-Anita

Art Deco Bust Inspiration

My attempt at the bust and clogs…fingers x'd on both!

Seriously, the cutest miniature I've ever seen!
My inspiration

The French Flea Market Suitcase
(first attempt)

French Flea Market Suitcase
(2nd attempt, different technique)

The suitcases together and a few new topiary plants for the trailer

Turning ugly mini walls into beautiful, slightly textured I'm happy walls! :)

After windows cut out and a few coats of Annie Sloan "Old White"
The wainscoting in Annie Sloan "Pure White", still need work, but looking good.

Contemporary Country??...

I like to think of this one as a play on country. Possibly, Contemporary Country??? (lol). Made with a beautiful khaki and black fabric. It has piping, a skirt, wood feet and a tea stained throw pillow.

Coming soon to fabulouslyflawedminiatures!

Coming to fabulouslyflawedminiatures
An Assortment of Upholstered Chairs

Contemporary Country Chair
in Khaki and Black with Tea Stained Throw Pillow

Close up of Chair

A Little Staging Today...

Today I played around with staging the placemats. I had an idea of what kind of table top I wanted to use, so I quickly put one together. I believe a normal 1:12 scale dining table measures 3 1/2 x 5 1/2, this table top is a little smaller, measuring 4 1/4 x 3 3/8. I wanted you to have some idea of how the placemats fit on a mini table.
I am so happy with this project. I have a bunch more colors coming. I have uploaded the settings you see in these images into my Etsy shop.

After I have exhausted my enthusiasm for this project, I'm thinking of making fabric suitcases like the french inspired one below.

Have an great weekend :).

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkins
French inspired red stripe

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkins Sets
by
fabulouslyflawedminiatures

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkin
in Soft Pink Linen with Chevron Design Napkins

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkin Sets
by
fabulouslyflawedminatures

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkin
in Shabby Turquoise w/white and white linen napkins

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkin Sets
 by
fabulouslyflawedminiatures

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkin Set
by
fabulouslyflawedminiatures

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkin Set
Seafoam Linen

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkin
in Soft White with Blue Stripes and Blue Linen Napkin

Miniature Dollhouse Placemat and Napkin Sets
by
fabulouslyflawedminiatures

next project…vintage inspired suitcases.

Vintage inspired fabric suitcase

Growing Miniature Art Book Collection...

The Art Book series continues to grow. Late last night while everyone was sleeping, I designed several new miniature dollhouse art books. I'm so excited about this series, I'm thinking of actually listing them as a custom order for a group of 3 or 4. Today I put together the miniature Warhol.

Here a peek:

Miniature Dollhouse Warhol Art Book

Warhol Miniature Dollhouse Book

Miniature Dollhouse Art Book Series
(a little dust on the page, did not see before taking the pix)

Miniature Art Book Series
by
Anita Smiley for fabulouslyflawedminiatures

A Few New Things...

Today I worked on more lavender, mannequins and more topiary pots. I'm playing around with different ideas for the topiaries. Some turn out nicely and some just don't. Here I have a few different styles that I think turned out well.
I finally finished a few mannequins (pictures not so good) that I started a way back. I will get these items listed tomorrow.

Lastly, this morning I made a quick stop in Michaels and found a bunch of frames. I was so excited, I bought 6 packs! I really wanted them to be in todays photo, so pulled out the Annie Sloan paints and did a quick (and not so good) paint job. I have some fun ideas on how I can use them for your mini homes…stay tuned!

Round Topiary in Aged Terra Cotta Pot
by
fabulouslyflawedminiatures

2 Tier Topiary in Aged French Pail
by
fabulouslyflawedminiatures

Small Round Topiary in Aged Violet Pot

Vintage inspired Mannequins
by
fabulouslyflawedminiatures

Lavender Love...

Yesterday I started working on miniature dollhouse pails and lavender. Today I was able to finish the pails and lots of lavender stems. I love everything about lavender, so I was so happy to finally find a wonderful tutorial that showed how to make them. I played around with color until I was happy. I wanted them to be a deep blue/purple…I love the way they turned out.

I plan on selling lavender pails like below and lavender bunches with pretty bows.
Here's a peek:

Miniature Dollhouse Lavender in Aged Pail

Miniature Dollhouse Lavender Stems in Aged Water Pail