Junk Shop Cottage 1:24th Scale

I brought this little Cottage, from a Junk shop in Kent, when we lived there. I can't remember how much I paid for it, but its written down in my Dolls house book, which I am still yet to unearth. It's 1:24th Scale and can be carried by the handle in the top that also acts as the Cottages Chimney. I have blogged , about it before.
When I brought it, it didn't have any windows or doors in it. Ron, one of the men that went to our Dolls House Club, kindly made me the windows and doors. The little windows have been etched, so that they look like they have been leaded. If you click on the pictures, they should pop up bigger.

I spent some time on it, the other day while it was raining, trying to get the Green and Gold Shiny paper out of one of the rooms and get the remainder of some other papers, out of the others. I've also measured every room fully, as they are all slightly different sizes and done a rough sketch, of what each room, is going to be.
I've been looking at Bea's, 1:24th Furniture Kits, over at Petite Properties. I'm particularly taken with their Double sink, the Range Cooker, the Double Dresser and the range of Cottage Kitchen Cupboards. I think they would fit in this little Cottage perfectly.
My Grand sort out, is coming along nicely, but is taking hours. There are things packed in boxes, that I'd completely forgotten about. Well they have been packed away for seven years. Lots of arranging and re-arranging, going on at the moment. I've got lots more to show you all.
A big Welcome to all my new followers, I hope you enjoy reading my blog and comments are welcome.

Chapel Road Dolls House

This is another one of my House's, that has been in storage.
It was made by Steve Hilbert of Chapel Road. Chapel Road, were very well known for their Pubs.But unfortunately I don't think they make them anymore. This however is one of their Houses, I love the little Greenhouse and side garden.

My Dad brought me this house, from another collector who was selling their collection. There is some beautiful furniture, that goes in this house, but its still wrapped somewhere in a box. If you click on the pictures, they should pop up bigger..

Mum's House

On the 21st March, I finally unpacked and unwrapped, my Mum's Dolls House. Its been sitting, waiting, in my Garage for the last seven years, to see the light of day. There was some minor damage, but nothing that cannot be fixed.
It was a bitter sweet moment for me, as my Mum never saw her house finished before she died.
The House is huge and opens front and back.  It stands approximately 4ft High and is approximately 3ft wide, so it sits on its very own little cupboard, that is on castor's.
There are internal walls and rooms behind rooms, just like in a real house. Hence, why it opens front and back.
So it's up to me to finish it. Quite a daunting prospect to be honest. But I'm looking forward, to putting all the wonderful miniatures that Mum brought, back in their rightful place.

The Toll House...

About ten days ago, I was having a browse through Ebay, and I came across the Toll House Kit from the Dolls House Emporium. Well actually it was Miniaturia Weekend and I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, as I couldn't go.
Now DHE, don't make this kit any more. I know because I'd looked at the retreats, and this one is no longer available.
It was on a buy it now, for a really good price, so I brought it.
As you can see I opened the box and I've had a dry run at putting it together. I can however confirm, after speaking to Michelle, that the Roof is a bit of a bugger to put together. Michelle has turned her Toll House, into a Witches Cottage and it looks fantastic. Glenda, has also got this kit and has also had a dry run at putting hers together, she's even managed the roof..
I did want to turn this into my Witches Hat Shop, but I honestly don't think it's going to be big enough. It's Kat's fault, she keeps making all those beautiful hats and I keep buying them. Well a Witch, can never have enough Hats, or even Brooms, come to that.
I have got another idea, which also involves a Witch and Dragons, but I'm still not one hundred percent. Ben saw a picture of this on my Facebook and said and I quote " its a tower. therefore alchemist workshop, they always had a tower. Gives you an excuse to do whatever you like then and have mounted animals on the wall and you could get some huge cogs and make it look like a chandelier or whatever". Well I'm still not sure, so I've left it in front of the Log Burner in the Lounge, so that I can look at it and hopefully I will have a Eureka moment.
Now if it was yours what would you make it into?....

Coggeshall Cottage..

Let me introduce you to Coggeshall Cottage.
My Parents were staying over at their friends some years ago and my Dad took them all to visit his Aunt who lived in Coggeshall. Whilst they were there, they got talking about Doll Houses and my Dad's Aunt took them to see a Man who had made this Cottage. It was made to resemble the cottages that are in Coggeshall. Now he had made it to go in the Dolls House Shop, that used to be in Coggeshall, but because he had used real glass in the windows, they couldn't sell it for safety reasons. So my Mum and Dad brought it, and gave it to me when they came home. Unfortunately, the weight on the front two doors, was pulling on the frame, so we've taken them off, until we can fix the problem. I think we may have to mount it on its own base to support them. But that could have an advantage, that I could then have a very pretty country garden around it.

Once More Into the Breech Dear Friends..

Today, I've been back in the van unpacking more boxes. One of the first boxes I opened, contained my melting pot, etching tool and my finished food miniatures and works in progress. Now I knew I'd made some other bits, but I thought they were already in another box that I've been able to get to.
It was quite a discovery opening each little draw, and seeing what was hiding in there after nearly five years. I used to make loads of stuff and then put it in these drawers, to use on different projects as I was making them.
Nikki, can you see all the Cheese? Did you also notice the little newt sausage rolls.
Another little drawer contains lots of my miniature Knives, Rolling Pins, Spoons etc,.
I also found this beautiful Miniature Solid Silver Basket, that my Dad brought my Mum at one of the Fairs they attended together. But for the life of me I can't remember who the maker is. Any help on that score very much appreciated.
I also found my Miniature Conservatory from Ikea. Which was going to be turned into a Teddy Bear Shop. There's lots of Mini Bears in the bottom. Then I opened another Box and found a Dolls House Kit, another thing I'd forgotten about. I'm sure Casey, has one of these on her blog somewhere, so will be going over to have a look later.
The van is in a total mess at the moment, but at least I'm getting somewhere.
On the home front, Ben had a letter today from Aberystwyth University. A few weeks ago he sat a Scholarship Exam, although he didn't win a Scholarship, he did get an unconditional offer and a Merit award of £1,000.00 towards his first year at University. As you can imagine we are all as pleased as punch for him. Congratulations Ben, your off to Aberystwyth in September. What a Mother's Day present... xxxx