Sharing Sundays!

No, I haven't forgotten about Sharing Sundays! :)

What is that expression, "If you want something done, ask a busy woman."

I just might be that woman. ;)

If you had forgotten what Sharing Sundays is, it is when I share with you what is in my private collection of miniatures and I share where or who I got them from.

My attempt at trying to catalog my minis. :)

I apologize for the not so hot photo, not really much time for playing and at least I did get in this little bit. I'm beginning to think my pictures all look the same, I just keep tending to gravitate to my favorite items. :)

Photo credits below.

Okay, lots to share with you, today! :)

Thought I would share with you some of my wall art, especially since I've been adding a lot to that collection as of late.

 

A Monet replica from LittleTimeWasters.

I love Monet! 

It's a nice large painting that will be wonderful above the couch or above a fireplace.

This was one of my first purchases from etsy.

Originally her shop was called SandBoxArt, but now she goes by the name DollhouseLittles.

You know how partial I am to pink. :)

It's kind of become a joke anymore, when ever someone lists something that is pink they are always sure to let me know. :)

These last three items come from LyssasBudgetMinis.

Lyssa and I did a trade a while back and she painted both of these special for me and added in this cute little crate.

The crate is doing a great job of storing the artwork, don't you think? :)

These all have been sitting on my desk, since... since... well, you can barely see the desk given the piles of paperwork on it and around it. Let's just say that several months have passed. ;)

Come to be that just recently, Lyssa had a giveaway on her blog and I was a winner.

I think it's only like the second time I have ever won any thing, so that was nice. 

Very nice indeed, thanks Lyssa! :)

What else to share with you?

hmmm....

Well, Caterina is holding another holiday swap, if you have never participated before, give it a try. She does a great job of running the swap- it is a lot of work to run and it is also so much fun, like Christmas morning! You can find her blog here.

I've participated in a couple of her swaps in the past and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jazzi Minis is doing something really fun, perhaps you will want to join in on this. I know I am signed up. :)

Jazzi is sending the mini version of herself around the world and it will be documented by all of the bloggers that are participating. Doesn't that just sound like such fun? Kinda like the "Traveling Gnome."

I've been trying to catch up with as many of you and your blogs as I possible can. Life has got to slow down at some point, doesn't it?

LOL! We shall see, we shall see.

Here's to hoping that your week is off to a good start. :)

Cheers!

Photo credits:

Turning by Mike Rowe

Ikea tables by Yuki

Greenery arrangements by Golden Unicorn Miniatures - while she is not currently creating, she has been highlighting very talented artisans on her blog, so do take a look there. :)

Furniture my private collection from the Art Deco Museum Shop in Miami Beach, FL

Rug and pillow from my etsy shop

Vote for me! :)

Yes! The next time about.com has a vote, vote for me. Oh, not about best mini blog, I surely don't qualify, but, for worst blogger of the year or ever? Definitely! And, I am counting on your vote! lol, just kidding, but, that is what I feel like, worst blogger ever! :( 

I have been busy!

And, I can see from my shop stats, that I get busy this time of year. Not the year after I started my shop, but, since then, this month represents my kids' lives have been moving on.  For some reason I thought when they reached college age they would not need me so much. Not! ;)

I have tried to keep myself busy in the interim. Recently, I picked up my eldest at Penn State University, brought her and her pigs (guinea pigs) back home and then loaded the car back up and drove her down to an internship in VA. NASA, yes, NASA! How cool is that? I think it is pretty awesome. :)

So, my youngest, my son is about to graduate from high school, God willing, and then start in less than a month for schooling for diesel mechanic and that will go on till the second December passing.

Middle is moving into a house soon nearby her University...

and, I'm trying to make minis...

take care of the house and home...

Oh, did I say I got back to gardening?

I did. :)

and home renovations?

Yeah, we are back at it!

Slowly but surely!

So, when I say I am busy.

I am. :)

Please, join me on facebook :)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/dales-dreams/107190135987923

You can also do a friend request, I'm always happy to accept a new friendship. :)

Oh, yeah, these items can all be purchased from my etsy shop.

click below

http://www.etsy.com/shop/dalesdreams

I'm especially tickled about the chair and already one of the kitty pillow sets has already been purchased.

There are more sets available in my shop.

Bear with me, I will be back to socialize and I very much appreciate your support.

dale :)

New Line of Miniatures

I've been a little busy. :)

All of these minis will be heading into my etsy shop shortly.

With the exception of the desk and chair.

They will be the subject of an upcoming tutorial. :)

Pillows :)

a memo board...

"Are the calla lilies in bloom?"
One of my favorite flowers after roses... I carried calla lilies as my bridal bouquet. :)

 
a desk set; blotter, journal, memo pad and pencil holder complete with three pencils.

of course you have your loved ones close at hand...

a folding screen and some bunting, because, bunting is fun and playful :)

 a coordinating bench with pillows...

 you can never have too many pillows!

Rug was listed previously in my shop.

Thanks for letting me take you on the tour! :)

If you are celebrating Mother's Day today, I hope you are lounging about watching movies and eating bonbons.... and perhaps going on a shopping spree. ;)

Enjoy!
dale <3

Sale! at dale's dreams and dale's dreamsII

That's right, I'm having a sale in both shops until the end of this month.

Use coupon code April2012 during checkout and you will receive 20% off your entire purchase, excluding shipping.

click on either shop link below to begin shopping

dale's dreams designer decor for the dollhouse

dale's dreams II everything else, vintage, handmade and supplies

Have fun! :)

and thank you for your patronage! <3

dale :)

Look what has come in the mail! :)

Aren't these just so cute? 

I love the rooster, I can see him in a French Provencal inspired kitchen, can't you?

This was a very pleasant surprise that I received from Karin of

Karin's mini and maxi interior 

A while back she put out a plea for small seashells for her mini surf shop. Being the avid beach comber and shell hoarder, I was able to send her off a bunch of shells I had gathered to help her out.

We had fun emailing each other back and forth and were busy using Google Earth to look at each others homes.

Thanks so much, Karin!

This was so sweet of you, you didn't have to do this,

but, I'm glad you did.

<3

dale :)

Sharing Sundays!

Okay, this was me just playing. ;)

Credits at the end of the post.

Well, a girl has to have some fun, right? After I took some pictures of my minis, I took a few minutes to play and threw this scene together. Now, I know why you gals create scenes like this for your blogs!

It is so much fun to play!!! :)

The more I added the better it looked. When I added the plants, the whole scene came to life.

Hubby and I are sitting here, Sunday morning, having our coffee and tea, catching up on reading the mail and reading the Velveteen Rabbit to our little Tommy. :)

Okay, now on with the show!

 This adorable tole tray was a recent purchase from

GlimpsesofNewEngland

I have a huge collection of tole painted trays in real life much like this one. I have so many, I could wallpaper the walls with them. I admit, I am in impulse buyer when it comes to minis. I know many of you have lists of things you want to add to your collection and I admire that. I just know, when I see something, I want it, I buy it. ;)

And here is one of the very reasons why I am starting to catalog my miniatures.
I bought this at the most recent Philadelphia Miniaturia...
and I have no idea who I bought her from or how much she cost. :(

Not really fond of her resin coloring. I'll paint her up a bit so she looks more like a stone carving at a later date.

Anyone know where she might have come from?

You might recall having seen this before. This is a handwoven basket that I received from my friend Sans!
Right now, she is busy with a month long travel through Europe visiting blogging friends.
You can follow her travels here.

I know I have shown this on my blog at least three times. I can't help it. I love it so much, even though it is just a bottle cap, it combines my love of little black cats and flowers. How can I not celebrate that?

You can find Lisa's etsy shop here.

I hope you have enjoyed Sharing Sundays with me.
Thanks for stopping by!
dale :)

credits for top photo:

large urn of greenery Golden Unicorn Minis

bird of paradise flowers Cecilia Colo

black IKEA inspired tables Amatheria

turning Tom Saunders

velveteen rabbit book Pat Carlson

letters Linda Carswell

occasional stool, rug, bust, and pillow dale's dreams

couch, shopping bag, mug, cup n saucer, pottery my private collection

PS light bulb moment

found this bead sorting tray in my bead drawer.... since all of my beads are organized, I had a wonderful revelation that I could use this to store the teeny tiny minis. I had nabbed this from one of my daughters and knew it would come in handy someday... the day has arrived! :)

<3

 

New listings.....

are now live!

Come take a peak!

click here^^^^^

Thank you!!! :)

Just a taste! ;)

Just a taste of what is coming to my etsy shop Sunday night! :)

Click here to see my etsy shop. :)

I hope you'll stop by and join in the fun. :)

A huge thank you goes out to all of my customers for their continued support in my creative endeavors. You all mean the world to me and making your dreams come true is making my dreams come true. :)

Creatively yours,

dale :)



Welcome New Followers! :)

Oy, it's been a while since I've welcomed my new followers and there are whoa the many!

Nice to see I was even gaining followers in my absence from blogging, that was sweet! :)

And, just as spring welcomes us with flowers....

I welcome all of you! :)

Heleni

lluna45

ayamontinomaria

maria I

dee

klara

Brujita

Linda

Dave Williams

Chrissey

Marlies

Laurie H.

Stan

Beatriz Martin

Fabiola

Alison

Gemma

inglebor willigenburg

anna

Jaana

Vinweeda Magic

Heidi

CARMEN

Jenny

Angela

lula miniland

Paco

PolkadotShroom

chourparvril

Tanya

Jollie

May

Dave Fluty

Susi

Violet

Mrs. Pitstop

Nuno Mata

Malu 2

Debbie Mise

Pepita

GWCC

Eli en Karina

weelittlewest

Just

Lenira

Eva

Roberto Ferres

Miniatures by Natalie

lisajohnsonrichards

Daisy

clerk

Sara Scales

berri

Ester y su Mundo

Tabitha Corsica

XIONY Miniatures

Enchanticals

Clara

Daydreamer

Kim

Lirael

Andriana Guedes

Art of Mini

mini_babies

ARTISANNE

Nina

Heather

BiWuBar

Tracy

otterline

mairi

marie

and..........

from out of the shadows we welcome...

erika

ta_pozzo

Marrin Powell

maushaus17

oneill686

rivervujc@comcast.net

mspapelita

mattysdolls

Mini Aussie

wrovsell

Thank you all so much for becoming a follower of my blog! :)

Everyone, there's lots of links to click and new blogs to be found!

Really, there are a lot of fabulous links here. :)

Stop by and tell them I sent you and tell them I said Hi! :)

If you have a blog and don't see a link at your name, please let me know by commenting on this post with a link and I'll try to catch up with my next posting. :) Hate to leave anyone out! :)

If you speak in another language, I strongly encourage you to add the google translate widget. You can steal if from my blog. While I love looking at the pictures, I also love to see the words you write and be able to read them in my language. :) Just a thought, you might gain more readers that way. :)

anyhoo....

If you haven't signed up for my giveaway, see this post and follow the directions! :)

If you are having any problems with getting in touch with your swap mate, email me and I will help you as best I can! :) dales_dreams@comcast.net

Hopefully, more info to come soon! I apologise for the delay, but, I've been compounded with computer issues as of late and you know, that stuff we call life... when we're not making, buying, playing with minis. :)

Wow, remind me to welcome followers more often! This took hours and hours to do! :)

But, I hope you all find wonderful new great blogs to follow as a result!

As always, if you've been following my blog for a while, you know, everything that is highlighted in pink is a clickable link, so click around! Have some fun! :)

Until next time my friends! :)

Would you like Pink or Blue? :)

You can't see it too well in the pic, but there is a white faux fur rug there.

I adore the lace trim on these pillows, it's vintage. :)

Can anyone guess what the core of the over-stuffed ottomans are?

Those are things I've been working on for my giveaway. I also have two other color combinations I'm thinking about doing.

I've also been working on my swap items, but, I can't show you that, because it's a Secret! shhhh!!! :)

At the moment, I've got about twenty different projects on my work table in various stages of completion.

Do you do this?

 I find I start one project, which makes me think of another project, which leads to another... and so on and so on and so one. lol I like having a bunch of things going at one time, makes the time pass so quickly.

I was working with some stuff, which led to this.

I know! Wrong season... but, I've had this greenery for a while and was just dying to see it come to life.

How about an alternative color combination?

If they can have a Chanukah bush, why not a wreath too?

If you are having any problems with the swap, just let me know or drop me a line dales_dreams@comcast.net

If you have not signed up to be in my giveaway, please see this post for instructions.

I have many new followers to welcome, I see. :)

So glad to have you all along, I'm behind in my welcoming, but will tend to that shortly.

For now, I say, Welcome All!

Enjoy!

:)

Thanks so much for stopping by, I love to hear what you have to say. :)

Swap Details! :)

So sorry for the delay! I had quite the busy day creating yesterday and by the time evening came along, the brain was just misfiring. ;)  So, I had some leisure time and read blogs instead of posting on mine. :)

(naughty girl, I know!)

Okay, so here we go with the swap details.

I had to really rattle my head to think of a  random way to figure out who was going to swap with who.

I know!

 This required brain power on my part.

Which is why it was probably best left for a fresh start on a bright and sunny Monday, as it is here. :)

I alphabetised every one's blog names and that is what determined who would give to whom.

Sonya >>>>> Lyssa

Lyssa>>>>>Cecilia

Cecilia>>>>>Dale

Dale>>>>>Kim

Kim>>>>>Rosanna

Rosanna>>>>>Linda

Linda>>>>>Marlies

Marlies>>>>>Patty

Patty>>>>>Fabiola

Fabiola>>>>>Chrissey

Chrissey>>>>>Jaana

Jaana>>>>>Sonya

 

Okay! So, you see your name and >>>>> is who you give to. Does this make sense? I hope so! :)

See this post's comments to find their color preferences.

And, be sure to contact each other for addresses. :)

As soon as you create your item, please take a pic and send it to me here. But, don't share it until the big reveal on May 8th. I'm hoping we all have enough time to create and send and receive by then!

(wipes sweat off brow)

The top pic is a doll that Patricia made me. Isn't she just adorable? We even have matching bracelets, she and I. :)  Patricia makes the most wonderful dolls and has fabulous films and stories on her blog.

The chocolate and cherry crazy cake was made by Deb. Isn't it divine? I love it so much! She's busy celebrating the return of her hubby from Iraq. You can find her blog here.

Since so many people have pink and blue as their colors of choice, I've been making things in pink and blue and thinking about what the giveaway prize will be. I wish I had more to show you this far, but I don't. ;)

If you want to be included in my giveaway, just follow the directions and comment on this blog post here.

I think we have a great crew for the swap and I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone makes. :) 

Thanks so much to all of you for participating!

Happy Creating!

until next time.......... :)

Big Reveal!

Happy First Day of Spring everyone! :)

I hope you are enjoying the day.

 The sun is bright and shining, the birds are busy singing, and flowers in the garden are blooming. :)

It's a good thing! :)

This is my new line of miniatures.

Gingham in many colors!

This is what has kept me very busy in the studio for the past month.

I have made chair cushions, coordinating trimmed pillows and place mats complete with napkins in rings.

My inspiration.

Where do you find your inspiration?

This is  from Country Curtains.

I enjoy the images in their catalog and have ordered from them in the past for my real life size house.

Always a positive experience there. :)

Gingham is very versatile, as it lends it's self well to many different decorating genres.

In black, it looks traditional.

Red looks great in cabin decors.

Classic blue and white looks wonderful in beach houses.

Pink for shabby chic styling.

I will be listing them in pairs (chair cushions, pillows, place mats and napkins) and also as an entire set, two of each, at a discounted rate for buying the entire grouping.

These will be listed this week in my new Art Fire shop.

You may have noticed something a little different around here?

My banner and avatar have received a little spring pick me up and refresher from my friend Beth of berrybluecreations on etsy. I had sent her a copy of my old business cards and she recreated the graphic digitally and revamped my avatar, banners and business cards. Beth was wonderful to work with, she was quite professional and very accommodating.

Have you seen this?

Brought to you courtesy of teamMIDS. :)

Are you on facebook?

 Have you, liked my page?

  I have almost four hundred following me now on facebook.

Thank you! :)

Many thanks to all of the new followers of my blog as well!

 I have some welcoming to do! :)

Seems I passed over three hundred followers some where along the line. ;)

What to do to celebrate?

 A giveaway? Seems like it's giveaway season in blogland. :)

 How about a swap? Swaps are fun. :)

What do you think?

Let me know,

enjoy the rest of your day and thanks for stopping by.

dale :)

News Flash!!!

I've reached 300 sales in my etsy shop!

Many thanks to all of my customers! :)

Join my mailing list! :)

Just email me, dale's dreams, put mailing list in the subject line and you'll be informed of private sales. Your privacy will always be respected, I'll never share the list and you can opt out at any time. And, don't worry, they won't be that often! lol Maybe once or twice a year. :)

Welcome and Feature :)

Welcome, welcome, welcome to my new followers! :)

Kate who is a miniaturist and is planning to start a blog soon, Kate let me know when you do and I'll link to it. :)

BlueKittyMiniatures who is another founding member of TeamMIDS, her blog is here, her etsy shop is here. She is a dear friend and makes the most beautiful cakes in miniature and occasionally other items as well.

Christel Jensen, a miniaturist that specialises in sweet treats, her blog is here and she also has an etsy shop here.

mini mago, I see no blog listed.

Jackie her blog is here.

Oiseau deNim who is a new member to teamMIDS, I don't see a blog listed, but you can find her etsy shop here. She specialises in French desserts.

synnøve, who has a beautiful blog, which you can find here, she does lovely work. :)

Welcome all, thank you very much for following my blog. :)

One of my followers, Kim from Dear Daisy Cottage, recently purchased the above hutch for her dollhouse. She mentions it on her blog here.  (unfortunately, I can't give you a direct link, scroll down to Feb. 19th post for You've Got Mail, my computer is giving me issues, grrrrr....)  If you've never seen her blog before, do check it out, it's one of my faves! :) And, if you've got a box of tissues handy, read about the hearts for Jack.

It's really cute how she decorates her dollhouse in much the same way that she decorates her real house.

Thank you, so much Kim! :)

More next time. :)

Using Organic Materials in Dollhouse Miniatures

I love how this shell decorated mirror came out.

I've been collecting shells since I was big enough to walk along the beach.

It's definitely a treasure hunt!

 I've refined my beach combing to just miniature shells.

This drastically cuts down the volume of shells that get brought home, that's for sure!

Most of the shells I collect are too tiny to be seen from standing up.

Recently, I went through my now extensive collection of  tiny miniature sea shells, so that I could start using them in my dollhouse miniature creations.

The shells were sorted by shape, size and type and then carefully washed with a mild solution of bleach in water.

Some people in the miniature world think Halloween all year round.

I think beach all year round. :)

I enjoy using organic materials when ever I can, when I make minis.

These twigs were gathered along the forest floor when I visited the Smoky Mountains.

I love the homey appeal it gives the print. :)

Well, that's all for now, until next time!