Blumshen's Easter Shop

I just love visiting Blumshen. They always have great things for the holidays and this year's Easter goodies are no exception.
They have a wide range of decorations and supplies. Easter grass (real paper) in several different colors, papier mache eggs, dye kits and lots of other cool stuff.

The Spring Hare's Special Delivery is a candy container. The rabbit's head comes off, the cart is a container and the little chick is also a container.

 Aren't the little animal picks cute? They come 144 to a pack.

The chick cut-outs are lacquer-painted cardboard with hand-painted details. Made from German molds from the 1930s.

If you've found some Easter items or crafts you would like to share with my readers leave me a comment!

Blumshen's Easter Shop
The Spring Hare's Special Delivery Candy Container: $194
Animal Party Picks - 144 pieces: $13.50
Chick Cut-Outs - Pkg of 8: $30

Remodeled Bathroom

Those of you who know me personally (Cara!) will know that we did this bathroom a while back but I thought I would put some pictures up since I have not blogged about it.

It was our first real project in our 1850s house. I wish I had "before" pictures...

What we did:
Painted. It's hard to see in the picture but the blue has a white wash over it. It was a pretty blue but just too bright, so I put several layers of white wash (white paint mixed with glaze) over it.

Replaced the floor (it was a horrible, white sheet vinyl before). We used the laminate tongue-in-groove flooring and it is a huge improvement. The floor has withstood a lot of moisture and wear and still looks good.

Built the sink cabinet from an old dresser. This was tricky (for Herby). We still had to have the drawers so we had to cut around the piping to make it work. I painted it white and added vintage hardware. I did a white mosaic tile on the top since it had to withstand being wet.

Replaced the sink, faucet and handles.

I made the backsplash with white tiles. This was to hide some ugliness in the wall behind the sink and also to allow for splashing (thus the term "backsplash").

New window shade and shower curtain.

The little black table has since been replaced with another white dresser to hold bathroom items and clothing.

Much improved!

Yuri Munakata's Miniatures

There's something fascinating about dollhouses and anything miniature really.

Yuri Munakata's work is truly breathtaking, isn't it? She makes nearly everything in these rooms, including the rooms. All done in 1/12 scale.
Seen here: Biscuit Lover's Kitchen, Sculptor's Studio (yes, everything in that room is tiny) and Paris Kitchen.

Lots more including a Flea Market in Autumn and an Antique Glassware Shop with miniature reproduction Depression glass on Yuris website, Angel Berry

Licca's Dollhouse

These are pictures from Licca Licca's 1/16 scale dollhouse.
Amazing attention to details, wonderful color.

Licca is a doll collector and has written a journal about building this dollhouse and the furniture that she makes and alters.

I first found Licca on flickr where I first saw the picture of the kids' room. I had to find out more.

LiccaLicca
Licca's Journal: House of Duke
flickr photos of Licca's Dollhouse

Free Art

Have you seen the Feed Your Soul website?
How would you like some free art!?

From their website:

"Feed Your Soul is a free art project. Each month artists are invited to participate and to contribute a print which is totally free and available for download.

This project is coordinated by Jen Wallace of Indie Fixx to help art lovers feed their souls with art in these recessionary times and to help artists promote their work.

If you are an artist and would like to submit your work for consideration, just send an email with your URL or 1-2 images of your work."

These are four examples of some of the work that is available for download - for free - for real! Thank you so much, Jen & Feed Your Soul, for providing the world with free art!

Sweet Paul's Tea Pot Lamp

Paul Lowe, aka Sweet Paul, made this funky Alice in Wonderland" themed lamp from tea pots he collected at flea markets.

I love it when people make something functional from things that are not what they were originally intended for.

Paul made this lamp for Country Living and their website has complete instructions for how to make this lamp yourself.
And by all means you must check out Paul's blog. It's one of my favorites (see some others in the left column). Absolutely inspirational and Paul is a hoot!

Country Living
Sweet Paul
How to make this lamp.

Pale Pink Blossoms

More dreaming of Spring. Aren't these litle Pale Pink Blossom pins wonderful? Made with clay, fabric and beads by the equally-wonderful Delphine.
Tres jolie, Delphine!

See these and more loveliness at La Fille du Consul

Fils et Ficelles

Fils et Ficelles is a blog I follow regularly and here's one of the reasons why. This very, very sweet necklace she made.

Little felted birdies. Love the soft Spring colors...gives me hope that Spring will soon come.

Speaking of birds...we have some nesters in our transom window at the front door again this year. I'll try to see if I can get some pictures.

Fils et Ficelles