Love is in the Air

On this wonderful historic day, I'm happy to be blogging about something love related - the innocence of Valentine's Day. I've been looking forward to it so much this year - and have spent a good deal of time designing some products that highlight Linzer Lane's adorable new character, 'Resi the Raccoon'.

My son Leon for some reason has really taken to her, and talks about 'Resi' more than he does his truck toys, which of course gives me a big smile and a boost of confidence too! 

As of today, you can now find all these sweet items in my online store. They are the perfect way to entertain little ones still in the throws of quarantine this winter.

xo Ashley (aka Lady Lucas)

Zoë's Dreamhouse

I think it's finally the perfect time to reveal my dollhouse makeover to you. It's been months in the making, and many many hours of painting, gluing, cutting and creating!

*  you can catch up on previous posts about the dollhouse renovation here *

After painting the walls of the house white, I needed some sort of inspiration regarding how I would decorate each room. I had this thought that Zoë, one of the characters I often draw, should live in the house. 

What would her bedroom look like? Where would she entertain guests? What food would be in her kitchen?

Zoë is based on our family's pet cat that passed away a few years ago. She had a personality bigger than the room for such a little tabby cat. She was smart, beautiful, and always plotting something - usually something devious! 

She also had a love for crafting items - like tissue paper, paintbrushes and pens.

I created a mood board (pretty much in my head!) for Zoë's house first. I pictured soft, pastel colors and many pops of pink and purple throughout the house.

Instead of a living room, I thought it fitting that Zoë have an Orangery to entertain guests in. Within it is a selection of beautiful plants, flowers, fish bowls and even a mini turtle aquarium!

Her bedroom is one of my favorite rooms in the house. The wallpaper is a beautiful bold pattern I found in the scrapbook aisle of Michael's, and the floor is decoupaged flowers. There's also a gumball machine and a felted heart pillow that I made for her bed. And who can resist the fairy donuts on her breakfast in bed tray?

The vintage art on the wall is from the 'Graphics Fairy' website. I shrunk down the files and made them mini.

Zoë's craft and sewing room comes equipped with a rad pink sewing machine, miniature buttons, a teeny tiny pincushion, bunny wallpaper, and a tea party nook for entertaining guests. I always imagine Zoë holding monthly 'button clubs' for ladies that sew in her neighborhood; so this is the perfect spot for them to meet!

Zoë's kitchen is filled with sweets at all times. If it has sugar in it, it passes the test!

Everything below was made by me out of clay when I was a young girl. The only item purchased is the lemon meringue pie.

The wallpaper trim in the kitchen is cats of course! I used patterned washi tape from a NYC bookstore.

Cute alert - a mouse!

Of course the bathroom has to be stylish too. A Parisian theme fits this house's aesthetic perfectly.

The journey to finish this dollhouse has been such a happy one for me. It brought back many memories of my family, my childhood and my beloved Zoe. Stay tuned for updates as I decorate the house for Halloween and Christmas!

xo Lady Lucas

PS - I am currently seeking a publisher for a book about this dollhouse makeover. If you know any editor or company that you think might be interested, please leave a comment - I would love to run it by them! xo

It's the Little Things...

Well, my dollhouse makeover is almost complete - but I'm not ready to reveal the whole thing just yet! In the meantime, I wanted to share with you some little touches that make the whole thing come together, like this bold fruit assortment that adds some color to the Orangery.

In the kitchen I have my summer foods on display like a watermelon, ears of corn and a gallon of fudge swirl ice cream. The tub of ice cream is one of my favorite items ever!

The pink sewing machine finally has a spot on Zoe's craft table. For the 'how to' on how to make your own check out: Drab to Fab: Mini Sewing Machine Tutorial

I refinished a rusty frame with acrylic lavender paint, then added a cute cat doodle inside to compliment the hall stairs. The tiny mouse I used on the staircase used to be available in the miniature aisle of A.C. Moore. Not sure if they still have one, but everyone seems to have a fairy garden aisle these days!

xo Lady Lucas

PS - Check out this new mini wall art collection exclusively intended for dollhouse kids rooms & nurseries on Etsy:

A Dream Comes True ❤ Zoë Dollhouse Doll

I had a little idea about a year ago to produce my ideal 'dollhouse doll'. I have never liked the generic ones of a four person family with bland clothing and expressionless faces. Of course, my ideal doll needed to be an animal, and since my dollhouse will be a home for Zoë - what better animal than a skeptical tabby cat!

The first step on my quest to create a the perfect doll was to sketch out the idea. I wanted something simple, Scandinavian looking, and cute ;)

After I got my drawing exactly as I wanted it, I ordered a laser cut Zoë from Skill Mill NYC. They did a lovely job of producing her exactly the way I wanted! 

Then using pens and acrylics, I added some color and details...

Ta-da! Here Zoë stands in the first room I've completed in the dollhouse makeover - The Orangery. (I can't wait to decorate this room with plants and furniture!!!)

So, what do you think of little Zoë? ;) Could you imagine her in your dollhouse?

xo Lady Lucas

PS - Did you know the Linzer Lane blog has a new Instagram account? Follow along here!

Drab to Fab: Mini Sewing Machine Tutorial

My dollhouse renovation continues, and probably will for a few more months, but I've been itching to get to the fun part - which is getting all the miniatures ready to fill each room! I've had this tiny, metal sewing machine for many years. It's manufactured by Darice and I would guess you can find the same one in any craft store such as A.C. Moore or Michael's. 

To take your own mini sewing machine from drab to fab - follow these simple instructions:

- Make sure the sewing machine is free from any dirt or dust. Remove any dirt with a Q-Tip.

- Coat the entire item with a thin layer of nail polish. I used light pink, but lavender would look great too!

- Allow the sewing machine to dry completely before adding another thick coat of nail polish. 

- Once your mini machine is completely dry, you can add details with acrylic paint such as a heart, or little knobs. A toothpick or skewer dipped in paint is perfect for this part.

Thank you for reading & for stopping by!

xo Lady Lucas

This tutorial was inspired by the pink sewing machine accessory that Zoe uses on this cute paper doll sheet that can be found in my Etsy shop:

Dollhouse Update

Just wanted to update you on my dollhouse renovation this week. I've finished the exterior painting and started repainting the shutters today. Also, here are some furniture pieces I hope to refinish as well and some accessories that I CANNOT wait to add inside! 

The colors for the outside are magenta, dusty rose, mint green and soft grey. I'm hoping to continue the pastel palate inside as well for all of the rooms.

Hope you are all having a lovely start to May!

xo Lady Lucas

I've Got Big Dollhouse Plans

After watching back to back episodes of 'Fixer Upper' with my husband this week on HGTV, I realized my own tiny home renovation needs a 'blueprint' as well.

Here's a sketch I completed with some ideas for my dollhouse. I was thinking it would be cute to have my Linzer Lane character Zoë inhabit the house and have a big craft room on the top floor where she can sew and scrapbook!

So far, I'm only on the first coat of white paint for the interior rooms.

So much more to do!

xo Lady Lucas

PS - Need some last minute Easter basket stuffers? Check out my Etsy shop for some cute coloring books and instant paper play items ;)

Dollhouse Reno - Part 2

Thanks to feedback online, this process is now called 'Dollhouse Demo" in addition to "Dollhouse Reno" ;) Just wanted to update you on my progress this week:

Since moving into our new apartment a few weeks ago, I need to be working on this project like I need a hole in the head - basically this is the last thing I should be doing - yet I start each morning by working on this house and listening to the news.

Here's a recap of what I did this week:

- Dusted & cleaned the exterior

- Removed the window shutters for painting

- Removed most of the wallpaper from all eight rooms

-Discovered that the interior is painted white, which will make my life much easier!

My mom sent me this picture this week - I was SO excited when I got this dollhouse on Christmas morning! Here you can see how it looked over 25 years ago!

What do you think? Anyone else out there have an old dollhouse they would love to redo? 

Don't forget to say hi below... comments are always appreciated!

xo

Lady Lucas 

Miniature Dime Cakes DIY

I tend to get really crazy ideas when it comes to crafting. Just like the day I looked at my cereal and saw fairy donuts ;) Well, I'm an avid ear plug user since I'm a very light sleeper. The other night I realized if I cut a set of new foam ear plugs up - they might look exactly like miniature sponge cake!

My experiment worked! All you need to make these adorable dime cakes, is a pair of beige colored foam earplugs. Cut them into sections as shown above.

Trace something small and round to make the plates for your cakes. I used watercolor paper for this. 

Add some acrylic paint for icing and add some mini berries to complete your cake. I made my berries out of red crepe paper, but you could use clay or even red seed beads.

These dime cakes would be perfect for any fairy garden, dollhouse or miniature setting. 

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

xo Lady Lucas

P.S. - Need a last minute gift for you sweetie? Check out my online shop and snag something special! Your support means so much to me and helps me keep this blog rollin'!

P.S.S - What are your plans for Valentine's Day this year? Anything special? ;)