Shabby chic...quarter scale

I am indulging myself in shabbiness this week...my worktable has disappeared under a mountain of chiffons, organzas and silks in scrumptious shades of ivory, cream, pistacho, teal and raspberry. Blush, oyster and endless shades of white have been discovered lurking in the vintage lace boxes and anything with embroidery is being pulled to the top of the pile.

The results can be seen below...and if you are a collector of quarter scale items you may be interested to know that all are available under auction this week on Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/miss_amelias_miniatures/m.html?item=200815102230&_trksid=p2047675.l2562&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&rt=nc

A quarter scale sneak preview

Only hours to go and I think I am finally as ready as I can be for the third

 Miniature Online Show! 

It was really hard this time to decide what to include as the setting up of the table takes quite a while and I try to have some items that haven't already been available on my website. I decided to concentrate mainly on 1/48 scale this time which will hopefully be a nice surprise for those of you who have been patiently waiting for me to get round to adding something new to the range.

This is just a little peek for now...if you want to see more you'll have to wait until tomorrow :) Shelly likes to keep us guessing so keep checking the link above!

I believe there will be nearly 100 artisans taking part which is really impressive considering no one has to even leave the house to attend!

A huge thanks to Shelly Norris and Karen Isaacson for making it all possible.

See you later :)

Janine x

Why I will be in my pijamas all weekend...

I have a 'To Do' list.

Well, actually, I have  quite a few 'To Do' lists.

I have lists stuck onto my fridge, in my computer, on my email account. I have lists on the back of bus tickets at the bottom of my handbag, in my jeans pocket and beside the bed (yes, really :D)  I even have a dear little Astroid on my phone looking after yet another list.

Most of my lists are taken up with earth shattering reminders such as 'take the chicken out of the freezer' and 'clean out the turtle' (don't want to mix those two up if you can help it...). I have Christmas present lists from years ago, lists of miniatures commissions to complete and of things I plan to make when I get to the end of the commissions... But there is one list which is unlikely to end up in the washing machine or disintegrate in my bag and that is the one in my head entitled 'THINGS TO DO WHEN THE CHILDREN LEAVE HOME'.

Don't get me wrong...this list is not a long one and there is no hurry to start it. Despite being extremely happy with my family in my little corner of the Canary Islands, with no wild desire to try bungee jumping in Australia or see my babies married off (or otherwise), I do have a few things that I am keeping on that list. I am not an adventurer by heart. I 'travelled' for a year when I was 24 and stayed in the first place that I arrived in for the next 25 years. The trouble is that, since I discovered a passion for miniatures, I can't help thinking that rather than looking at photos of the Chicago Tom Bishop Show...I'd rather be there. When I read that there is a miniatures fair in Paris, Barcelona or Arnhem next month I would quite happily pack an overnight bag. Phoenix, Philadelphia and Kensington are calling me, Toronto in the Fall would be beautiful. And, of course, each year there are workshops held in Europe and the USA which I know I could just squeeze in...not to mention the trips for miniaturists organised by the indefatigable Molly Cromwell, whose enthusiasm for the miniature world has me itching to join in! Over the years on the internet I have made such wonderful friends of customers and artisans in so many places and I would love to be able to meet some of them in person. 

Of course my long-suffering husband hasn't seen the list, although he does of course suspect that it exists, but is he really likely to turn down Paris???...I think not ;)

Anyway, the point of all this rambling is really to say that while I'm waiting for my own little taste of 'empty nest syndrome' (or whatever they're calling it these days) I'm very grateful to Shelly Norris for organising yet another Online Miniature Show this month. I know that dealers and customers alike have very much enjoyed the previous ones and for those of use who are unable, for whatever reason, to visit a 'live' show it is a wonderful experience and very much appreciated. I adore setting up my  virtual 'table' and wondering who will be first through the door. The system is easy to use for dealers and customers alike.  The time difference between various countries makes it impossible to sleep and I love that I can be a dealer in my pijamas (probably not quite the done thing at the NEC). I still get the 'chat'. Whether by Skype or email it's great to receive comments and questions from people browsing my work.I understand from friends who regularly attend the big shows that it can be hard to get away for 5 minutes for a sandwich or a visit to the Little Girl's Room...not this weekend!...pizza delivered to the door and...well, you get the idea.

Check in tomorrow for a sneak preview of some of the treasures that you will find ...and more details of how to register for your visit to the Miniature Online Show

And in the meantime...roll on Chicago 2019...!!

Delectable dresses...Victorian style

I was recently asked to create some dresses for a 12th scale lady's bedroom and dressing area and took the opportunity to make a few extras.

The dresses below have all been added to the Couture Collection and each one will be supplied with a padded silk hanger so that it can be displayed in your scene.

 

Mushroom silk with cream lace trim

 

 

Sage silk with cream lace anf fringe

Berry and chocolate silk

Teal silk with golden tulle beaded shawl

Mulberry and cream lace and silk

Powder blue silk

Aqua and gold silk with cream lace

Apricot silk with floral lace overlay and neckline

Website makeover for Miss Amelia

You know what happens...one day you just wake up and decide to start clearing out the garage, the basement, the freezer, the drawer that everyone shoves all the rubbish into as they pass...??? Well that's what happened here this weekend, except that it wasn't any of the above... This weekend my website received the full treatment and, having promised myself for ages and ages to get sorting, I finally got round to it!

It took two nights, sitting up into the early hours, to give every page a complete makeover, removing links to past promotions and collections and changing the design and navigation system.

I had a little (actually huge!) panic this afternoon when I pressed the 'publish' button and only half the site seemed to change but I think it was just a bit sluggish on a Sunday afternoon and seems to be alright now.

Anyway, it desperately needed an update and hopefully over the Summer I will be adding lots of new goodies to each section too!

If you fancy having a peek at the new look just click on the link below

Quarter scale goodies on Ebay this week

I have been working on some new quarter scale items and have added a few of them to my Ebay auctions this week. The link is http://www.ebay.com/sch/miss_amelias_miniatures/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 if you fancy taking a look. I will be adding more new pieces over the next couple of weeks...

...and more beds

Hi and welcome to the two latest followers to my blog. Having had a few months without a chance to post anything new I hope to be able to share a bit more from now on...

These are my two latest beds...both will be available on my website at some point over the weekend but if you fall madly in love with one of them then please email me quickly and I'll reserve it for you :)

The first one is a shabby chic style called 'Rosemary'. The beautiful country style quilt falls into fat folds of roses and vines on an ecru background. An elegant selection of pillows with intricate details in cream and deep ruby brocades, silks and laces adorn the mahogany bed with co-ordinating padded headboard and base. A stunning addition to your 12th scale cottage or country home.

The second bed this weekend is 'Desirée' and if I had a bed like this in my life I doubt that I would be leaving it to take my son to football this morning. I did ask my youngest what he thought of this bed...'er, it's nice but...too many pillows', was the reply....MEN, they just do not understand!!

Layers and layers of creamy silk, an exquisite quilt of pintucks with tiny cream pearls, a silk brocade throw, a hint of buttermilk in the most subtle drapes of striped silk and of course a mountain of the most gorgeous pillows...

Back to blogging...and bedding

Being the sort of person who wants everything 'now', or even 'yesterday',  I am constantly amazed by the outstanding patience of my customers. I do my best to give a time schedule for completing commission work but so often things take longer than I expect, real life interferes with my work schedule, materials don't appear when I expect them to...and deadlines are stretched like long pieces of elastic.

I find myself starting every email with, 'apologies for the delay', 'hope to get started soon', 'sorry to keep you waiting' etc. Despite it all,  these wonderful ladies never moan or fuss and ever so patiently bide their time until I finally get started on their project.

Of course, while they are waiting we start getting our ideas together. I send samples of possible fabrics to be used and they send me their first, second and third ideas. This is a period which I think is important not to rush and many times we have both agreed that a particular silk was worth hunting down, or a certain design was worth the searching and waiting. Unless I am reproducing a particular life size image or design it is important for me to get a feel for each customer's style before starting work. The possibilites are endless and what will appeal to one collector will maybe not to another. Eras and styles can be interpreted in so many different ways.

Anyway, an enormous thankyou to all you very patient, long suffering people!!

The bedding set below is a prime example...several months after we first discussed this collection it is finally on it's way to it's new home (and a gorgeous bed)  in the UK

A combination of embroidered silk taffeta, paisley chiffons and several shades of caramel silk make up the set, which consists of sheets, a heavy luxurious quilt, double valance ruffle and a mass of ornate pillows...all of which my customer can arrange herself on her own 12th scale bed...I hope it was worth waiting for!

Sylvie's drawing room

For those of you who have been following the work that I have been doing on Sylvie's dollshouse, I thought you might like a little update. We started talking about ideas for the drawing room before Christmas and Sylvie loved a set by Bespaq with gilt woodwork. She sent me some paint samples from the Farrow and Ball collection and the colours that had been used to decorate the room were Lichen and an antique white with slightly bluish tones.

Lichen by Farrow and Ball

Sylvie chose the DuVille set by Bespaq

I looked at lots of  fabrics to use on this room. I wanted to try to keep it as light as possible but still create a very opulent and special room and blend together the colours. It was almost by accident that I came across a duckegg blue silk with a slightly bronze stripe that when held against the 'lichen' looked as if it was made for it! I only had a small piece and it is no longer available but it meant that I could add in another tone into the decor and the blues and greens combine beautifully with the golds.

Bespaq DuVille sofa re-upholstered in duckegg blue silk with olive stripe from the Silk Route

Over the following weeks I was able to find another green silk shot with gold which I could use for the curtains and combine with some bluey/green silk brocade. I printed some asian style silk for the cushions and for a small throw which will drape over one of the chairs. We decided to leave the 2 chairs in the original green for now as it toned in fairly well with the rest.

Two sofas and two co-ordinating chairs will furnish the large 12th scale drawing room

To finish the room we also ordered matching tables and plant stands which are finished in a green/grey marble effect and a huge gilt cabinet to show off Sylvie's china or figurines. I can't wait to see it all in place when it arrives in the UK!

Back at last!!!

Well, that has to be one of the longest Christmas breaks in the short history of my little blog! Apologies to all for my absence and a BIG thank you to all the new followers who have signed up in that time!...family life and a long line of commissions have kept me spinning since November and, just when I thought I was catching up with things, our carnival season arrived.

Those of you who have followed my blog since last year will know that I ADORE the Carnival here in Lanzarote and, as always, every room in my house is taken over by costumes, make-up and (last year) a huge pink flamingo! We are tripping over giant pirate hats and fairy wings this year and somehow, in under 3 hours, managed to create a crocodile from a shopping trolley. After our little group´s success in carrying off the first prize for group costumes with our 'Alice in Wonderland' theme last year,  we were very excitedly planning 'Peter Pan' for this year. Well we didn't win this time but the kids had a great time and the crocodile seemed popular...we had to drag a toddler out from between it's jaws at one point!

All set now for the Grand Parade on Monday!!

I have added a couple of snaps taken last night but hope to get some proper photos taken next week at the Grand procession.

Frilly undies for tiny ladies!

I am absolutely delighted with the fuss that's been made over my quarter scale bits and pieces over the last few weeks! I have met some lovely new customers and become hooked on this tiny scale that I couldn't believe I would enjoy working in.

I have even returned to Ebay and love the buzz of checking to see who is bidding and what has sold. I have just added a few new little pieces for this week if you fancy taking a look...including a set of 1/48 chemise and bloomers!

The link for this week's auctions is

http://www.ebay.com/sch/miss_amelias_miniatures/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686