I received an unfinished Colonial doll house for Christmas in 1985 when I was about 11. It was one of those real "dream come true" gifts for me and is still one of my most cherished possessions. It has been all packed up since we moved 5 years ago and I decided that it was time to set it up again. It sits in the sun room now where I sew and makes me smile. Many, many hours of serious crafting went into the doll house from the time I was in 5th grade through highschool. I have no desire to redo the house because I like all the memories I have of creating it just the way it is. And honestly, I am not very different from my 11 year old self so I would make many of the same decisions today. I would like to finish things I never got to though, like trim around the doors and windows. I thought I would take you on a tour, one room at a time.
This is the children's room, shared by two beautiful porcelain dolls.
I made this woven rug for the floor. As I recall, I folded strips of fabric and wove them through twine. Then I backed it to keep everything in place. I still love it to this day.
I used a cheater print that my Mom had to make a wall quilt. I tied it with thread.
I made bedding, again with scraps from my Mom's fabric trunk. I taught myself to make little yo yos and made bedspreads with them.
And because no child's room is complete without toys scattered all over the floor, I made this tiny, tiny soldier out of a toothpick.
And I made a drum. If you look carefully in the full room shot, you can see a little set of blocks that I cut and painted and get this, wood burned. What was I thinking burning wood on blocks that were 1/4" big and that I was holding in my bare hands? I must have gotten some burns but if so, I have blocked that out successfully.
I will be back another day with another room! I hope you enjoyed your tour!
That is a beautiful doll house! My in-laws have a beautiful doll house in their home too that my girls play with all the time.
ReplyDeleteOMG....We were married in 1985...man do I feel old!:)
ReplyDeleteLove the tour, looking forward to more. My dad made me a doll house when he was recuperating from an operation...I need to go find it. He also made Maria one that is big enough for her Barbies to inhabit....then it became the perfect bookcase for our budding author!
.....I....can't.....believe.....you.....woodburned.....
something.....soooooo.....small!!!!
That is adorable and I would leave it just the same too. I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely dollhouse! My dad and I have been discussing making dollhouses together which is EVER so exciting, both being able to work with my dad AND make dollhouses, miniature things have such a special place in my heart. I am VERY impressed with your handiwork here!
ReplyDeleteOh....precious. Makes me want to get a dollhouse for my grand girls!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! You are just naturally talented! I have my old doll house but it never got decorated. It's my son's now and I feel some renovations coming on...
ReplyDeletewow- you were always crafty! I too had a doll house that was great but now mine needs a reno for my daughter. I would like to spruce it up a bit and you have given me some inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm wanting a doll house so badly! I know -- I'm too old for one but I have a collection of little wooden Polish dolls who need a place to live. Your house is really nice.
ReplyDeleteThat is crazy amazing for an 11 year old! You're a freak of crafting nature, girl. Tin soldiers out of toothpicks, gah!!!! I never had a doll house - something like this one was the stuff of my dreams (but there's no way I had the patience to create those intricate treasures). The yoyo coverlet is incredible.
ReplyDeleteI love the blanket on the wall! My friend Keli does miniatures and I'm always thinking about trying a miniature quilt just because it would make her day to have one.
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! I keep hoping that my daughter will ask for a doll house ; )
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! I wish I had this sort of crafty drive as a child. You did amazing things. Now it's even more obvious that craftiness is in your blood!
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely, I never had a dolls house. The beautiful detail on something so small and you were so young. My second child was born in December 1985, it makes me feel old. I'm looking forward to seeing what you did with the rest of the house.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful. I love how bright and cheerful you made the room look and tooth picks for drum sticks - ingenious! I also love the tiny quilt hanging on the wall.
ReplyDeleteWhat a WONDERFUL house full of memories! You were so clever even back then! I can't wait to see more rooms and hear what you made and how you made it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAmy, I just adore your dollhouse! I told my mom she has to look at it, she's in the process of building/furnishing one right now. I am in awe over the tiny yoyo's and how perfect everything is!
ReplyDeleteRobin :)
How cute were you spending your time making teeny little things for your dolls houses! I have to send you pics of all my Mum's dolls houses next time I go there - now I'm making her sound like some kind of crazy dolls house lady which I suppose in a way she is!
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