"PERSONALITY"

When I was a little girl, I learned a lot of popular music from watching kids singalong cartoons and by
 "Following the Bouncing Ball!"
As a result
 I know all the lyrics to "Ain't she sweet" and " I got spurs that Jingle Jangle Jingle"
this makes me very popular at trivia parties

Any adult in North America, who grew up watching a lot of Saturday Morning T.V. in the mid 1950's and 60's would be very familiar with these musical cartoons.

I even learned to spell "Mississippi"from listening to cartoon songs.
however,the only time I have ever needed to know how to spell "Mississippi"  and use it in a sentence,was just now,
educational television works! :D

  I learned the following song, ( printed below), from a cartoon featuring

 "Herman the Mouse and Katnip the Cat."
Originally recorded in Real Life by Bing Crosby, it was later featured in a Harvey Cartoon and sung by Louise the mouse

here are some of the lyrics, which have stuck with me even after all these years

"When Madam Pompadour was on the Ballroom floor

Said all the gentlemen "Obviously"

the Madam has the cutest... "Person al ity"

And think of all the books, about DuBarry's looks

What was it made her the toast of Par-ee?

She had a well-developed.... hmmm

"PERSON AL ITY"

  

Mae Questel, the voice of Betty Boop, Olive Oyl & Sweet Pea ( from the Popeye cartoons), Casper the Friendly Ghost, Little Audry and Little Lulu, sings this song as a mouse named 'Louise'.
I just learned all of this through google

***

so I am sure that you are no doubt asking yourself, 

"Why in the world is she talking about cartoon songs, and how is any of this related to miniatures?"

(here is my answer)

  when I was getting this post together, that 

"PERSONALITY" song about two iconic FRENCH WOMEN, sung in

 burlesque by an American cartoon mouse-lady, with a rather high and squeaky voice,

 kept playing in my brain, all because of THE FAUX FRENCH WIG that I made many months ago for a French inspired roombox which I had started last year and then had abandoned.

I needed props for my new series of Faux Rococo Vanity Trays (destined for etsy),  and in looking around at what I could use, I spied my wire mesh hair piece, perched upon my rather uninteresting and very bland- looking dresser. 

( the music in my head, kept on playing)

Then one thing led to another and before I knew it, not only the perfume trays were new and improved, but the French Dresser as well.

And since the dresser was re-vamped, so too, was the gothic wall mirror;

in fact, EVERYTHING within the old roombox was hauled out, and given 

a new and cuter

"PERSON AL ITY"

Here is how it happened

These are the original perfume trays that I  made and then had second thoughts about.
I didn't feel that they had enough "Pizzazz" 
so I took them all apart and tried to make them more frilly and fun!

NOW WERE SPEAKING FRENCH!

but then I needed a prop or two for display
enter the
Dowager
French Dresser

(not very exciting)

so
 from

' ho hum'

 to 
oui oui
some
SERIOUS PERSONALITY!! :D

and now,
for  your viewing pleasure
 may I present to you
 the series of my new
rococo vanity trays

girly

 floral

romantic

fun

feminine

formal

exuberant!

delicate

 and chic!

instant replay
I have grouped them in pairs to show you again

and
The entire French collection at a glance
***So now for a closer look at the contents of the French styled dresser
(from my personal collection)
  inspired by the wig and the song from the cartoon

My up-dated French Vanity
This scene contains bits and pieces from my personal collection for a future French Project.
It no longer fits the old roombox anymore.

A look at my designer bags.  The Chanel shopping bag is a resin
"token of appreciation"
(which I certainly do appreciate! )
I painted a pair of plain, pot metal shoes with black, gold and white nail varnish and then I added 
a gold shoe buckle ( a section of metal filigree cut from thrift store earrings)
a la' Chanel.
The Bestey Johnson "Betseyville"handbag is made of fimo and found at the thrift store in a bag of junk jewelry.  The paper Hermes shopping bag is made by Janine, clever girl! She reduced the actual Hermes ribbon and draped it over the side of the bag! 
tres chic!

Linda Park made the paper roses and I made the hot pink silk cushion for the stool from a man's silk tie.... purchased from the thrift store.

the dresser is painted with Larkspur Blue Patio acrylic Paint,
purchased at Michaels craft store.  I, of course, layered brown water-based gel stains to age and tone down the color. I then used both gold and silver nail varnish (dollar store) to add the faux gilding to the wood. 

I would also like to point out the floral carvings on the middle drawer front as well as further down.
The carvings are from dimentional nail art that I recently purchased from Sally's, a local nail supply house.
If you scroll back up to the perfume trays, you will see more of the nail art used for the ornamentation on the trays as well as on the bottles and on the hand mirrors.  They are rather pricey but I love them and trying them out on the dresser was a spur of the moment idea but I think it works.
What do you think?

The Laduree Macaroons are a hand-made gift from Fatima! Oui Oui!
I believe that these were a new thing for her to try out and Oh My Goodness,  don't they look good enough to eat ?!

They are sitting on the Beautiful French cushions that were a Giveaway Prize from Margaret at
 My Petit- Parterre.  C' est Si bon! 
the ornate resin boots are former earrings that I bought from the thrift store and then hand-painted in the fun and funky fashionista colors that you see.
I haven't collected enough French things as yet, to fill a house, but
 I CAN FILL A ROOMBOX! :D

 The  oval mirror is fashioned from dollar store hair clip, to which I added tiny metal cupids and a back support.   The larger mirror was a Christmas tree Ornament from many years ago.
Do you see the etched pattern in the glass?  There is a story behind that  I think you would find quite interesting.  I had purchased a few of these gothic mirror Ornaments and passed some onto both Janine and Fatima.  I used one in my GOTHICA, roombox which I painted to look like a dark heavy wood.  But when I was getting ready to paint a second mirror for the French roombox, I couldn't easily detach the glued in plastic mirror, so I decided to TRY to soften the glue  by placing the ornament in the microwave for JUST A FEW SECONDS.    I LAID A PAPER TOWEL OVER THE GLASS TURNTABLE INSIDE THE MICROWAVE TO PROTECT THE SURFACE AND THEN I TURNED THE MIRROR FACE DOWN, thinking that by covering the shiny metallic "glass", I would would fool the machine and thus prevent any harm and/ or Ruin my Microwave, in attempting to get the glue softened.
I kept my fingers crossed and turned the machine on....
3 Seconds LATER there was a FLASH!!! 
 I stopped the microwave and opened the door.
The plastic glass was still stuck fast BUT on the surface of the plastic mirror, there was 
the MOST BEAUTIFUL CRAZING!   Just as if Jack Frost had touched the glass and left his finger-prints.  I told Janine about what I had done and she tried it out too. 
It works beautifully!
I am only telling all of you this because sometime you just never can tell where an experiment will lead you.  In the process, I would say that this gothic mirror ornament acquired some additional
"PERSON AL ITY"
(and my microwave is still going strong)
:D

And about THAT FAUX FRENCH WIG, that got the ball rolling  for me....
I made it out of some super fine gold metal mesh.  I stuck flowers, feathers, paper roses, jewels and gems and black filigree butterflies all through it. Then I made a mask using paper and more nail art gems and glitter.  I glued the concoction to the wood wig stand that I embellished with even MORE nail art, and a large pearl choker.
I think that both Madam du Pompadour and Madam du Barry would be pretty impressed,
except that is ...  if they actually had to wear it! hahaha


And since I was able to find the cartoon song through google on youtube,
 I will leave you to listen to what I was able to remember so well after  50+ years.
(yet I still can't remember my email passwords)
go figure?

Thank you to the Saturday morning television of my youth
inspiration can be found in many forms
even in singing cartoon mice
 Sing it, Louise!

enjoy

 elizabeth

The Cat's Meow!

At the end of last week, a parcel was delivered to me here in Canada, from Portland, Oregon U.S.A.
It was from Jennifer of
 "PLUSHPUSSYCAT".

 I HAD WON FIRST PRIZE IN HER MOST RECENT GIVEAWAY!
( HOOORAY FOR ME!!!! :D )

 Inside was one of Jennifer's cute custom cards and a lovely hand-written note.  It was such a pleasure to read and I thoroughly enjoyed it, Thank You Jennifer. :)) Of course, there was also a little box of goodies that I couldn't wait to open and see!

Jennifer, had packaged everything very neatly inside and into groups and the first things I saw were some sweet little tea towels.  I have taken everything out so that you can see them better. 
How Exciting!  

I LOVE THESE LITTLE POUND CAKES!
Jennifer has forwarded a lovely little china cake stand and a little glass pitcher that has a really delicate and pretty shape but is very difficult to photograph well, and also two little cookbooks
entitled
"Home Baking Made Easy" and "Vintage Cakes"
Two thumbs up!

Here again are the pound cakes, and an ADDITIONAL tiny extra gooey chocolate cake, now sitting on a white and red polka dot doily.  There is also a serving of some cute iced chocolate brownies.  There were 4 brownies until one of them decided to disappear and take a short walk as I took this picture.  I guess it wanted to have a quick look around my studio, ....
 but now, ( gratefully), he is back on the plate again. :)) 
There is also, as you can see, a small pink lace trimmed tea towel, and a tin heart- shaped cookie cutter.... So cute!
 It is all displayed on a larger square-cut paper doily of rosey pink with white polka dots which makes such a charming "girly" presentation;
wouldn't you agree?  

I just love how Jennifer has made these two little cakes!  I think it is so delightful to have them wrapped in a thin strip of parchment paper and then tied so prettily with the red string.  It is such a wonderful
FINISHING TOUCH

And I should mention that
the icing on both of the cakes is
 Mouth-wateringly PERFECT!

Inside the box there is also 5 assorted
Vintage Style tea towels.
Two of the tea towels are tied together with more red string and a pretty little bow.
This tiny detail makes a world of difference
 and
 I KNOW THAT TYING THAT BOW WAS NOT THAT EASY!
 our big fingers always get in the way
(smiles)

And a Nativity scene
( joy to the world! )

Jennifer also sent along a package of white paper roses, a tiny church and a baby doll.
Funny enough, I had, ( not long ago) completely depleted my package of paper roses and couldn't find any more so this new delivery will come in handy right away!

Good Timing Jennifer! 

And at the very bottom of the box were these.....
7 Stunning Vintage Perfume Labels
(How did she know.....?!!!!)
LOVE THEM
:D

SO A BIG 
THANK YOU to
 PLUSHPUSSYCAT!
THESE GIFTS ARE
PURRRR-FECT
AND FOR ME,
THEY'RE TRULY CAT'S MEOOOOW!
:D

elizabeth

"SO WHAT'S TAKING HER SO LONG, ANYWAY!!!? "

 INDEED!  What is taking me so long?  
I had every intention of getting this finished by Friday night but then things went awry and nothing I made would cooperate.  Then when I thought I had a finished product, I would take a picture and upon examination, there were errors that needed attention and then I was back to square one again.
But now it is over and here is the SECOND PLACE PRIZE,  A VINTAGE STYLE PERFUME VANITY TRAY.

Now the next question is who gets it????

Let me take care of that question right now  The winner is ......... (pause)......... It ..... is ......

LINDA CARSWELL!

CONGRATULATIONS LINDA, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL ENJOY IT

( oops!  typo...  the photo above is the original tray before I changed the bottle on the right.  The photos above and below is the actual set. )

BUT if you would prefer a simpler crystal set instead, you can substitute it for the one below 

The clear crystal perfume vanity tray

This set is much simpler and is primarily crystal and glass with no labels.
Janine is a big fan of the clear glass where as Fatima and I like a little color.

The choice is yours!

so that is it for the second place winner and stay tuned Wednesday for the third place prize draw!
 (Gotta go and make it ! )
bye for now!

elizabeth

"HAL YAY YOU YA!" ( the bedroom of #43 )

                                                                  *******
When my sister Catherine's daughter, Amber, was just a small child, she use to come running into my sister's bedroom, first thing every morning, jump into her mother's bed and sing, 

"It's a great new day mommy,... Hal yay you ya!" 

  Today, I also am singing "Hallelujah!" 
 This bedroom of #43 Green Dolphin Street is pretty much Done, Finished, Over!  
After just staring at it for nearly a month, I finally got the old mojo up and moving again and plowed through it to nearly the finished line and so Here it is finally ......   'Hal yay you ya!'  

Rise and Shine!

The sun is up and streaming through the bedroom window and falls first on the contents on the top of the hand- painted chest of drawers
***
This chest of drawers is dressed with assorted perfume bottles, photos and lighting.
All of the perfume bottles are made by me from my collection of baubles and beads .  They are displayed on half of a silver locket which I found at the thrift store,  and which made a perfect vanity tray. I also made the picture frames and the pocket watch on a fine chain from jewelry findings and various odds and sods .  There is a chinese mud figurine that is a reference to the novel Green Dolphin St. when William, the hero, is shanghaied  in China.  The tilting mirror was a gift from a friend and the globe lamp is by Ni-Glo.
In this cottage, the vintage lighting is 'upgraded' to electric so that I can use a great variety of styles and mix it all up as desired.

This little chest of drawers is by author unknown, but it is such a pretty piece of furniture!   It is hand-painted on both  sides as well as the top and on the 4 drawer fronts, which all open but are not yet filled.  On the left you can see a brown leather bound journal that Janine of MINWORKS made for me.  It has a metal clasp and two tiny letters tucked inside that peek out from the top . 
( Perhaps, Love letters that William might have written to Margarite, the sister in the novel that William had loved and meant to marry, but didn't. )

The left side of the bedroom

To the left of the dresser is the bed.   I added some cotton fringe to the edge of the bedspread, new since my last posting, and I like the effect.  The picture is in the same position as before but now there are wood beams framing the walls.  The beams are made from the cedar flooring that is included as part of the Greenleaf doll house kits;  horrible for floors but great for rough ceiling beams!  I glazed over the wall paper and muddied it up a Lot!  You can see the streaks of the glaze that should have been better applied than it was, but no matter.....  The subtle pattern is now a whole lot harder to distinguish, and that is Good, because the fireplace wall was different  paper pattern and now it  blends in better, and the difference won't now be so obvious.  
( hallelujah)
 I like the look of the walls to be rather 'old' looking, although I feel I was a little over generous with the glaze in some spots!
 sigh....
 too much of a good thing, this time, but it does add more atmosphere.

Fresh laundry

Ah, I see that the laundry has just been brought up and is on the bed waiting to be put away.   I wonder where, because there is no cupboard in this room;
 But anyway, doesn't it look pretty?

An overview of the left side of the bedroom and bed.

Folded Bed linen and on top;
 some fresh ladies handkerchiefs

And on the carpet,

a leather satchel that I purchased many years ago at the Seattle Show.  It has a couple of straps with tiny buckles and stitched handles, very Victorian looking.  The area rug is photocopied from a magazine and then onto fusible cotton copy-paper purchased from Wal-Mart. I then glued the copy paper   onto thin wool felt to give it some body.  The package instructions suggest that you iron it onto your project, but I found that some of the color faded out when I did it before and so I by-passed that step and just cut out the print, spray glued the back and adhered it to the felt and then cut the carpet shape from the felt.  I touched up any white edges and then installed into the bedroom.   This is not the carpet I had originally planned to use but  I ended up choosing it because of the bold floral pattern that picked up the more delicate painted design on the chest of drawers.  Blues and terra cotta, russet and browns,  are a running theme in both the Parlor and the Bedroom.  The colors in the rug are big, bold and strong enough to downplay the pattern in the vintage linoleum that is on the  floor.  Mixing these two patterns, one on top of the other, is not always easy and yet to me I like the unique strangeness of this combination.

A closer look at the bag
and the rug

And tucked under the bed, is an old suitcase a long ago purchase,  that is used for extra storage in this room.   When planning this space, it came down to whether I desired a fireplace or a closet for clothes in this bedroom and I opted for the fireplace, so the overflow of any extra clothes has to be stored under the bed. 

Looking towards the right  side of the room you can see the second half of a folding screen, that I made  ( the other half is downstairs in the Parlor).  It was made using a magazine photo and pasting it onto mat board and then cutting into panels and sealing with paint and glaze.  It carries the terra cotta color that is initially introduced on the walls and also in the area rug and in the pattern on the curtains.
The screen serves no other purpose than to fill a corner.  Some storage boxes are right in front of it on the floor.  The boxes contain the toiletries and other necessities that are not able to be stored elsewhere in this cupboard-less cottage

the ceiling fixture
Above the curtained window hangs a milk glass chandelier.  This is a standard commercial fixture that use to have a plain white shade.  I customized it with a very thin layer of Pink Gallery Glass Paint, followed with a touch of Amber glass paint.  It gives a softer glow when lit.  Right behind the hanging lamp is an oval framed vintage picture of a still life with fruit.  No doubt more kitchen/ dining room appropriate but I like it here anyway.  Sometimes, things don't necessarily seem logical but are 'quirky bits' that make the space seem more personal and real.  I have many art pieces in my own home that I mix in with the unexpected and they work beautifully together.  Personally, I like things to compliment and to harmonize, but to Not Match if possible,
  and Other than the bed comforter and the curtains, nothing else in this room is a perfect match. 

The fireplace wall.
 This wall is not yet entirely finished and later I will show you what is left to do , but as you can see, it is upright and the lights are on and the mirror is anchored and I've added a medallion above the mirror and painted it out to look like a carving in the wood panel.  In reality it is a gold plastic button backing that had an interesting cut-work pattern and a flat back. It eats up some of that dead zone between the mirror and the ceiling without being too obvious;

 there but not there.

and on the mantle,
I've opted to keep the mantle rather sparse, unlike the mantle in the Parlor which is fully loaded.  This display features a pierced porcelain plate that I purchased at the West Coast Miniature Show this past June.  I found the plate stand in my junk box only just recently.  The bronze French calvary officer is a RISK gaming piece.  This was an older edition that had French Napoleonic soldiers, canon  calvary and infantry in boxes of colored plastic armies that you tried to 'conquer the world' with.  I  bought the game for my son's Christmas Present, many years ago.   When he got tired of 'thrashing his foes'  he put the game away.  I would  secretly raid the game pieces and steal a soldier from each color.  Later, I would paint and age them with different finishes.  Fortunately, My son never missed these casualties of war, and now the company who makes the game RISK, uses only generic blocks for colored armies rather than these little figurines.  Boy, was I thinking ahead or What!!???
( heeheehee )
yes I know...
My Bad

Detail of the front of the fireplace and the mantle and mirror

These bronze baby shoes and the double  baby photograph is from
FATS.  Isn't it wonderful?
She's such a clever lady!

An overview of the fireplace wall.  I have a William Clinger Windsor chair, stationed to the right of the fireplace, with a slouchy toile cushion on it, which at least gives the lady of the house a place to sit and read comfortably, sip a cup of coffee or tea  and/or put on her shoes.  Visually, it balances the  visual 'weight' to the right of the fireplace. 

A closer look at the focal point of the bedroom
and the 3 storage boxes in the corner, on the floor.

the coal fire
I made a coal fire for the fireplace and discovered that if you use Gallery Glass 'Lead' Paint, it gives a very dense and realistic looking charcoal briquette.  I let it dry a bit and then squeezed on a tiny bit of gel school glue and then topped  it with some Real Life ashes from my Real Life fireplace and let it fall onto the hearth as well

 Real Ashes!

A nice warm fire to curl up next to

The sun is still up
so let's do a quick review
***
The view with the lights off and the sun light streaming through the curtained window.  I like this photo.  It looks like it could be a garret room in a tall walk-up apartment somewhere in Paris.

View from the top

With the lights on

and
My very favorite shot with the lights off and only the sun shining in.
 I Love this picture!

So this is the end
 and this is my
 Vintage Victorian  Bedroom,
 as it stands right now.   It is finished ..... well almost .  All it needs now is a 
DOOR!
(to the loo)
***

my door
To be continued .........

"Hal yay you ya!"

elizabeth