Advent calendar 2020 - day 2 of Santa's workroom

I had ordered the booklet with the 24 challenges/tutorials (instead of getting a daily tutorial by mail). Apparently the first couple of days we'll be working on furniture but the Balsa wood I've ordered hasn't arrived yet :')

So instead of making the standing desk I've made 2 counter roll holders for wrapping paper. 

And this weekend I've already made 30 rolls of gift wrapping paper, some presents and a guirlande. Nothing complicated, just some bits of Balsa, and/or paper and glue.
Some might end up in the workroom and others in the toyshop :)

Advent calendar 2020 - day 1 of Santa's workroom

It's December 1st, so it's the start of Thea's Advents Calendar.

Last time I showed you the roombox I thought I could use for this project.

It turns out the roombox is almost three times the size of what Santa's workroom is supposed to be. I've thought of just doing a larger workroom and fill that up, but after some thinking I've decided to use one side of the space for the workroom and keep the rest for a toy shop. Which I won't be making this year obviously ;)

The workroom will still be the recommended size; 26 x 13 cm.

I made a plan for my roombox. There will be a wall/partition between the workroom and the shop, maybe a door with big windows on either side, maybe an open arc, because I don't want the work room to feel crammed.

The first day's challenge was to build the room (from styropor or something) which I didn't have to do (a) and the floor and wall paper. So I've done that. I made removable inserts just in case I'd change my mind on the wall paper, or having to make decisions about lighting later etc ^^

One wall I painted and tried to give it plaster-with-a-pattern look 😉

For the other I used a christmassy design pad. The floor is an insert as well. Maybe I'll change that and make a flooring with real wood but for now I'm okay with this.

Traditionally there will be a voting for the best/most beautiful roombox after the challenge and so you should stay anonymous untill then and not share photo's on FB or blogs.

But I'd rather share, because I’ll definitely get more enjoyment from that. I don't want not being able to post photos on FB or my blog for four weeks while everyone (not doing this challenge) is sharing their Christmas miniatures :)

Crafting together (November) - Santa project

Since crafting together in October I have done quite a bit by myself and the same goes for Jolinda. Again it was just the two of us last week so we started showing what we'd done so far :)

I had ordered some fabric for the waistcoat at Minidoor, as well as viscose hair fiber for Santa's wig and chenille to add fur trim to his clothes.

I went with the red fabric since everything
else would be red and/or white too.

The 'onesie' was the most difficult pattern to redesign :') 
The stockings however were easier then I thought.

He won't be wearing his coat, trousers and hat,
they will just be hanging on the back of the chair.

While Jolinda was here we both worked on the coat for our 

own Santa. And later that afternoon I made the hat.

I got some white velour to use as 

faux fur trim and finished the hat :)

So, Santa is progressing nicely. He obviously needs a new chair and some 

other props, but I don't have to worry about not finishing him in time for 

Christmas ;) That's probably why it didn't take Jolinda long to make me 

eager about joining Thea's Advents Calendar this year (a) It has been awhile, 

and having another project to focus on in December seems like a good thing 

during this semi lockdown :') I've already dusted off this roombox I'd bought 

a few years ago in Rijswijk, so I'm ready to go! :)

Christmas Cookies

 

As a birthday treat this year I'd ordered some cookie 
cutters from Svetlana Pavlova at Sweetminidollhouse.
I've wanted to try and follow one of her many amazing
tutorials for a long time and I've finally done it ;)

I used Svetlana's tutorial for the icing.

As well as her tutorial for using the cutters.

It took me awhile but I'm very pleased with 

the result of those first cookies made with cutters.

Crafting together (October) - Santa project

Seems like the only time I'm working on miniatures is when the crafting group comes together like yesterday.
And unfortunately that's true :')
Due to corona and other issues it was only Jolinda and I, though Monique dropped by to give the birthday swap she made me.
She had made a gorgeous painting, a trunk and some pumpkins, and Jolinda had made a pretty candle stand table with four candles and two kinds of Harry Potter candy ;)

 

Very happy with all of the gifts and they will certainly be placed in the cottage or in some other scene!

With just the two of us there was still enough chatting going on, but we still felt like we had been  productive after three hours. Jolinda worked on the robe for her Scottish Santa, outer fabric and lining both Tartan. 
I had worked on better patterns in the previous weeks and had done some padding after I'd given the doll feet instead of boots (for his stockings) and hands that would work better for the half undressed, sitting Santa ^^

I started working on the trousers and finished them later that evening :)

They only need a faux fur trim and then they're done. Santa won't wear them, just has them laying in his lap after he came in after a long night and was too tired to go upstairs right away ;)

Crafting together - September (birthday swap and Santa)

I keep lagging behind in writing these updates, so I'll keep this short and simple ;)
In September it was Jolinda's turn to get birthday swaps. I knew she had been working on a cheese farm so I made her a cheese grater and some blocks of cheese :)

I also made this kind of ancient Greek/Roman flower pot, hoping it would fit in her Greek project or in either one of her houses :) It was fun to do and I was really happy with the result. Liked making the Caledium plant as well.

And here are all Jolinda's presents. A Christmas tree and some wrapped presents from Connie, and Monique made a  plant and flower pot as well and a pretty storage box.

Links to the tutorials I used:

• 4 Simple Types of Cheese by SugarCharmShop 
• Cheese Grater and other kitchen utensils by SugarCharmShop
• Flower pot by Casa Andalusa tutorials
• Printable leaves for Caledium plant

The previous crafting afternoon we'd talked about doing a little project together. Last year we did an autum scene, so we were thinking about something for Christmas this time.
Monique suggested we could dress up a Santa. We all liked that idea and Monique offered to make the dolls.

Meanwhile Jolinda looked through her stack of dolls house magazines and found patterns for six different Santa's. You can also find them online.

Jolinda had done the first one (in white) in the past and chose the Scottisch this time. Monique went for the Russian version and Connie chose the classic one (second one in the top row).

I decided to go for this nice seated Santa (DHN annual number 62 from 2010);

So, Monique had made the dolls. The hands and boots not yet glued, which is a good thing since my Santa has stockinged feet ;) 

Other than clothes he'll need some padding, a face paint, and a wig. (I've only given his face a thin layer of Gesso so far).

The four of us had an enjoyable afternoon working on our Santa's. I started on the ... uh, well 'onesie', I guess? Can't find a (good) translation for 'hansop' ^^

Unfortunately the pattern didn't match my Santa's size so I've been making new patterns these last couple of weeks. 

I'll show you after our next crafting afternoon though :)

Crafting together - August (birthday swap)

Last week Jolinda and Monique came over for another afternoon of mini crafting :) And our group has now four members because Connie has decided to join us. It's also the month of Monique's birthday so Jolinda and I had made her something.
So before we started crafting, we exchanged gifts, enjoyed the cherry pie Monique had brought and chatted a bit to get to know Connie and visa versa.

For the birthday swap I've been inspired by the little painting we've made in June. I know Monique has made lots more so some art supplies and artists' materials would be a nice addition and fun to make.

With the finished painting I've made in June.

Jolinda has made two vases with beautiful flowers for Monique;

Monique's photo

Some links to the tutorials I used:

• Diy miniature paint brushes
• Diy miniature paint tubes
• Printable labels for the paint tubes