Dressing a table.

It's not very often that I actually make minis from scratch. I prefer to leave that to the people who are really good at it but occasionally, just very occasionally I'm inspired to make a little something

That little something was a covered table for The Parlour. I had had the table there sitting uncovered since I put it in there but to me it didn't feel Victorian enough so......... here is what I did....


I measured the diameter and height of a table I had that I was happy with and cut two circles from balsa and also a section of the inner tube of a roll of foil to the required height. Remember to allow for the thickness of the balsa wood when working out your height. Assemble as above.

Next, cut a circle of your chosen fabric allowing for height x 2 and diameter, add your selected trim round the outside edges and let that dry. Meanwhile, cover the whole thing with food wrap. Spray the cloth with starch or hairspray then arrange over the table adjusting folds.

The next step is to invert the table into a suitable receptacle (in my case it was a jam pot) of similar diameter and deep enough to take the whole table. Leave to dry.

Et voila! One (hopefully) Victorian looking table. Much nicer, I think, than the bare piece of furniture I had before.

Exciting news....

First things first - a very warm welcome to all my new followers. It's very nice to have you here and I hope you like what you see. Thank you for following my blog.

The latest news regarding the Hall is that I've been published in Miniaturas! I've been grinning to myself all morning.

Miniaturas is a lovely magazine and whilst I had heard of it, I hadn't seen it until a few fellow bloggers were published as well.

I'm afraid I can't follow the content of the articles but looking at the pictures is just amazing. The little clock shop shown on the front cover is a work of art and so imaginative.

Madelva has shown Hambleton Hall in it's entirety and, because there are still three empty rooms, she has inserted pictures of the other two properties I'm working on. (The Tenement top right and left and Apples Tearooms, just underneath on the right). I thought that was quite an ingenious idea.

When I started working on this house six years ago, I never for one moment imagined it would come to this so a very big THANK YOU to Madelva for the opportunity.

Top That!

A couple of items arrived in the post this morning for The Admiral. A leather top hat box and a tiny pair of grey leather gloves.

They're from Margaret, the MiniMillner. Margaret also made The Admiral's hat.



I had to try it out, and yes - the top hat fits! I've had the leather top hat and cane for some time now and they were made by another Artisan. I know the hat should be the other way round, but it looked better in the photo this way - ha ha!

The Admiral's Bedroom

At last, I have something to show of the Admiral's bedroom. There are still one or two pieces I'd like to get for this room but I haven't found them online yet so the search continues. At some point I'd also like to fill his wardrobe and chest of drawers as well.

With the exception of the hat, the uniform, the top hat and the dressed bed everything was purchased either at fairs or online. The little box on the chest of drawers is for collars and there's a picture of his hero "Lord Nelson" on the wall. The picture on the back wall is of Chatsworth House, England's finest stately home.


The green leather sea chart tube in the chest contains his nautical maps, there's a tiny little pocket watch on the bedside cabinet and the glass on the carafe is removeable.

Curtains for His good self.

All I have to get for the Admiral's bedroom is a mirror. Once I get that in place, I'll be able to show you his finished room. In the meantime, I suddenly remembered I hadn't posted pics of the curtains I mentioned earlier. I prefer to make my own curtains as this gives me something a little bit different.

Welcome, new followers........

I've got quite a few followers to welcome today. I'm not very good yet at the code thing that makes sure everyone's blog is click-able (which was obvious from my last welcome post) but I think I've cracked it now - so..........Welcome everyone. It's lovely to see you here.

Carmen
My Realitty
Jayne
Melissa
Carmen
Flora
Ingrid
Synnove
Lisette
Cynthia
Arantxa
Choupavril
Cheryl
Monique
Monika
Sara Carlson (who doesn't appear to have a blog)
Taenia
Nuria, Rossana and Norma
Dona
Lara
Jody

There are more bloggers to welcome but I'll do that very soon. I hope you were all sitting comfortably!

Scottish Miniatura

I didn't do too badly today at the Fair. With the exception of the red book (Jane Eyre for Her) and the single rose, all these items will be making it into the Admiral's room shortly. The blue book is Moby Dick.

The blue sparkly item to the right will be taken apart and hopefully become a medal on the Admiral's uniform.

I also met Julie and Mags which was lovely. Julie I had met at a previous fair but had only come across Mags on her blog although I had bought from her at fairs in the past.