A Dollhouse

Someone in our neighborhood has outgrown her toy:

This four story doll house, with six rooms and a balcony, could be any little girl's answered wish from Santa Claus. But now it's on the curb. I do hope someone saved it for their own little girl. It's still in good shape, move-in ready, and most importantly -- FREE! 

Barbie Dream House 

It reminded me of the Barbie Dream House that I longed for when I was a little girl. I'd visit it often at the toy store, pretending it could be mine someday. It was so expensive, I found it shameful to even ask my parents to buy it for me. In a sense, this house remained a dream. 

I did have a doll house that I received one Christmas. It was similar to this, made of wood and the sides connected like a puzzle. I also received some furniture, but where it lacked, I made up with my imagination -- a box for a table, a bigger box for a bed (covered with a handkerchief "blanket"), and string taped to the wall, a makeshift closet if you will, to hang my doll's clothes. 

My aunt, who was an interior designer, gave me some wallpaper swatches that I used to spruce up the different rooms. 

I loved this doll house that I filled with little treasures to make it a home. But when I became a tween, I passed it along to a younger cousin. 

There's a museum in Amsterdam called the Rijksmuseum and one of the items on display is a dollhouse.

It was owned by Petronella Oortman, based on the canal house that she and her husband lived in. It wasn't really a toy but a display of wealth. It's said that the value of this dollhouse is equivalent (at least in the time it was assembled) to a real canal house!

The accompanying description reads:

Dolls' house of Petronella Oortman (Amsterdam, c. 1686-1710)

This dolls' house is exceptionally realistic. All the contents have been made of authentic materials, and the proportions are exactly correct. The fine cabinet, of tortoiseshell decorated with pewter inlays, was made by a cabinet maker from France, who worked in Amsterdam for several years. Petronella Oortman was married to the Amsterdam merchant Johannes Brandt.

Just look at the ornate details! If you're interested, you can read more about Petronella Oortman's dollhouse here.

One very well-written book I read recently is "The Miniaturist" by Jessie Burton and it's based on the dollhouse at the Rijksmuseum.

In the early pages of the book "The Miniaturist" is a photo of Petronella Oortman's Doll House. The author writes, "Grateful acknowledgement is made to the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, for use of the photograph of Petronella Oortman's cabinet house. This book is a work of fiction."

Here is a quick summary of the book:

 

In 1686, eighteen-year old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam as the new wife of Johannes Brandt, a distinguished merchant trader. Her new home is not welcoming even with the people who live there: Johannes who is always busy, Marin (his sister) who is very critical, Cornelia (the maid) and Otto (Johannes's man servant). One day, Johannes presents Nella with a wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish the rooms, she seeks the help of a miniaturist, an artist whose tiny creations mirror real life in the Brandt household, as if she is watching closely and predicting their future. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation or the architect of their destruction?

"Enchanting, beautifully written, and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth."

"The Miniaturist" was adapted as a miniseries in 2017 starring Anya Taylor-Joy as Nella.  

The sequel to "The Miniaturist" is "The House of Fortune."

Here is the summary of the book:

Set in 1705 in the same Brandt household with Nella, Cornelia, Otto, and his eighteen year old daughter, Thea. Nella and Otto worry about their finances and how they can keep the family home. Nella believes the solution is to find Thea a wealthy husband to guarantee her future. But Thea wants none of this and wants to make decisions on her own. But she is now the recipient of parcels from the Miniaturist, warning her that she is being watched and giving her clues to her fate and future. 

"A feat of sweeping, magical storytelling, The House of Fortune is a novel about love and obsession, family and loyalty, and the fantastic power of secrets."  

I loved both books and how the author Jessie Burton wrote a story of historical fiction based on a display at the museum. I think that's blah to TADA! 

And finally, here is another dollhouse. I received it at a gift exchange.

I can't wait to put it together. It's called Sam's Study and I'm in love with the little books already.

I hope that these stories about dollhouses has turned your day from blah to TADA!

*****

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Seashell Wall Decor

Over the years, I've collected seashells during visits to the beach. I've used them to make jewelry and holiday ornaments and they instantly take me back to the ocean even in the off season. 

I even took an interest in these imperfect-shaped ones -- broken seashells, the rough edges smoothened by the waves over time. They are just waiting to be the star of a craft project.

One summer at the Jersey Shore, our vacation rental had this wall decoration in the bedroom.

There was also another one in the kitchen. I love the simplicity and muted tones that mimic the sand on the seashore. The organic shape of each ceramic tile added a uniqueness to each wall hanging.

Maybe I can create something similar with my broken shells? Let's find out:

Aside from the seashells, I'm also using pebbles that I picked-up from the shore. 

I'm using thin yarn (two strands, each measuring 24 inches) to string together the shells and stones.

I started by knotting one end of the yarn. The loop will serve as the hanging device. 

Add the stones and the shells alternately, tying a double knot in between each addition. 

I still had a lot of yarn...

So I added more shells!

Here is my seashell wall decor...TADA! To keep the shells and stones from falling off, you can add hot glue at the back side, directly on the yarn.

And that is how I turned my seashell and beach rock collection from blah to TADA!

*****

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Three Things for August

This August, childlike wonder is the vibe I'm going for.  This is what I mean:

A carousel ride or a ride on the swing in the playground are a few moments of carefree fun.

Coloring books, whether personal or a giant one to be completed by a group of people, brings us back to a simpler time. It also allows us to be mindful, playful, and relaxed.

Shopping for school supplies has always been a little thrill that I enjoy to this day. These cute sharpeners remind me of something I used to keep in my pencil case in first grade. 

Never lose the child in you. This trait helps turn your difficult days from blah to TADA!

Wishing you a delightful August!

Art Journaling: Lessons from Kasia Avery

Have you ever tried making an art journal? It's essentially a from of self expression using a sketchbook and mixed media like paint, collage, and journaling. Travel albums, bullet journals, and inspiration boards are a few examples of art journals.

I've dabbled in simple art journaling in the past but I'd like explore a little bit more, this time with the help of mixed media artist, Kasia Avery. 

She has a book called "Creative Wanderlust" that allows anyone to bring their inner artist to life through art journaling and intuitive mixed media.

Here are some of valuable insights I picked up while reading her book:

1. Let go of perfection and limiting beliefs

We are our biggest critics and a common stumbling block to making art is the idea of what the end result should look. If we expect ourselves to create work like that of Picasso or Van Gogh, then we'll feel defeated. Kasia, instead, suggests we define art this way:

2. Choose an art journal and create a supply kit

There are many options to use as an art journal like old books or handmade books using paper remnants. I'm on a mission to whittle down my paper stash so I'm using individual sheets of paper to make my art journal pages. Then, once I'm done, I put the pages in a binder. I also have my sketchbook (watercolor paper) as an alternative: 

I have a small art table where I work and my materials are already laid out -- when I see them ready, it's an invitation for some creative time:

My art journaling supply kit includes: acrylic paint (black & white), 

paint (watercolor & gouache), brushes, modeling paste, gesso, and paper.  

Not in photo: scissors, glue, magazine pages & smaller paper scraps

3. Learning how to use gesso

Gesso is a water-based medium that gives a toothy layer to paper so that when we apply paint, it sits on top of the gesso instead of being absorbed into the fibers of the paper. 

Kasia suggests to apply a thin layer of gesso on your paper (especially the thin ones like tissue) and letting this dry completely. 

Here I am testing gesso for the fist time. I used white gesso applied with a paint brush on printed tissue. The upper part of the tissue is just a layer of paint. The lower part of the tissue started with a layer of gesso, then paint was added on top of the gesso. Notice that on the bottom part, you can't see the design as clearly as the upper part. The tissue also provided a less delicate surface (no fear of tearing) with the layer of gesso.     

I'll keep experimenting and let you know what I discover. 

4. Before making a spread, choose a color palette and a focal point 

Limiting the colors when making an art journal spread helps create a mood and tell a story. That's why Kasia recommends swatching our colors before we begin. Another decision to make early on is the focal point. It's the first thing you see when you look at an artwork like a drawing, word, splash of color, strong pattern or handwritten text. The focal point should stand out.

An art journal spread made using a paper bag, watercolor, and a Sharpie pen.

5. Create a ritual for your art journaling practice and assign a mindfulness reminder

In the book, Kasia also says, "Having certain practices right before you start creating will take your art journaling to a whole new level. It will immediately put you in the zone, giving your inner artist a sign that this is their time to sparkle, explode with color and go absolutely wild."

Here are some of the things I like to do when I start an art journal page: I light a scented candle and play some music to help me process my thoughts and feelings. Then I write down an intention for the spread I am about to make. I also determine how long I want to work and set a timer. When I'm done, I applaud myself for showing up, whether or not I like the page I created.

Kasia also recommends having a mindfulness reminder: "Choose an object that will bring you back to being in the moment every time you see it. It could be sticky notes you leave around your house or a little precious stone you always have in your pocket and every time you touch it, it reminds you about appreciating the now." The mindfulness reminder I chose is this ceramic origami crane (meant as a chopstick rest but I use it as a paintbrush rest).  

Here are some of the spreads I painted using the prompts in the book:

Prompt: What does it mean to you to be kind to yourself?

Prompt: What makes you feel at home? When and where
do you feel most yourself?

Prompt: Write a letter of reassurance to your inner child.

And finally:

I hope these tips will help you turn a blank page from blah to TADA! as you embark on your art journaling journey.

*****

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Stationery Swap Kits

It's so nice to see you!

Last week, I updated the look of some plain gift tags by adding some baker's twine and floral fodder:

They look so fun and festive! I can use them to turn a paper bag or a gift box from blah to TADA!

But I made so many, I thought, "Why not share these gift tags?"

It reminded me of the stationery swap kits that I've been fortunate to receive from fellow stationery lovers.

This envelope was from Kelsey (@kelsonplanning) who I met at a travel journaling workshop. She gave everyone an envelope!

Inside are these pieces of ephemera and stickers to decorate a journal or scrapbook...TADA!

These wax seals and washi tape collection are from Michael (@theenchanteddesk). I met him at a letter writing workshop.

Stationery lovers and journal enthusiasts are some of the most thoughtful people on earth! It wasn't required but they did it anyway as a way to share their stash. This kind gesture also made them more memorable. I felt so bad that I didn't have anything to trade with them.   

So maybe it was time to make my own stationery swap kits.

I saved this printed tissue paper from a package.

I cut the paper into smaller rectangles.

I turned them into envelopes, gluing the open sides together, and leaving one side as a flap. Also, I decorated the envelope with a floral rubber stamp and a sticker label. 

It serves as packaging for my handmade gift tags...TADA! I can also include D.I.Y. stickers and handmade stationery.

On the blank labels, I can write "Handmade for You," "A Little Something for You" or personalize with the recipient's name. I can even add my business card or links to my website and social media accounts if I want to make more lasting connections.

And that is how I turned some plain paper from blah to TADA! I can't wait to make more stationery swap kits so that I'm ready when the occasion calls for it. 

*****

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Floral Gift Tags

Thank you for stopping by today!

I was rummaging through some gift wrapping supplies and I found these:

They are gold gift tags that I got at Ikea many years ago. While they are cute and versatile, they are looking a little blah, don't you think?

I drew some flowers and leaves on cardstock, painted them, and outlined them using a black fineliner pen. Instantly, we have scrapbooking or collage fodder...TADA! 

I cut around the different flower shapes to make them look like die-cuts. Then I attached these on the gift tags using a glue gun. 

I also added some confetti (the little paper dots left inside a hole punch), securing them in place with more glue. Then I looped baker's twine to the little hole on top of the gift tag.

Look at my gift tags now! It's like they got a glow up from a tropical vacation! They are ready to embellish gift bags and gift boxes, with a sweet note inscribed on each one.

And that is how I turned plain gift tags from blah to TADA!

*****

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