Zoe's Dream House featured in DollsHouse & Miniature Scene!

It was just about a year ago that this blog was featured in the magazine DollsHouse & Miniature Scene. Now, this March Zoe's Dream House is featured prominently under 'Reader Projects'! I'm so happy to welcome any new readers that are visiting here from this publication - please do leave a comment below and say hi :)

Here are a few pages from the feature... but to read more and purchase this awesome UK magazine visit their web store here.

I really appreciate all those that have followed my dollhouse makeover journey. I am still seeking a publisher for a book about this project, so feel free to share with anyone that may be interested!

xo Lady Lucas

Dollhouse Valentines

I was in need of some actual valentines to add to my dollhouse this week, so I thought it would be fun to make some little greetings with art supplies that I already had hanging around my desk...

Pictured here is a heart paper punch from Flying Tiger - but you can get one at any craft store. You'll also need super tiny stickers - these finger nail stickers from OOLY are perfect!

 This satin heart ribbon trim (also from Flyer Tiger) is perfect for mini 'puffy valentines'. All you need to do, is carefully cut out each heart shape with sewing scissors.

So there you have it - it couldn't be any easier to make 1:12 scale valentines! All you really need is a heart punch, some scrap paper and heart trim.

Display your mini valentines prominently in your favorite room. My mom just found this adorable handmade, blue box of chocolates for me at a dollhouse shop in Lancaster, PA. Isn't it cute?

I hope you enjoyed this cute idea for your own mini space today. 

By the way, I've just started an Instagram feed all about Zoe's Dreamhouse! 

You can follow along here.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
xo Lady Lucas (& Zoe!)

WANTED: A Publisher for this Book!

Well folks... it's done! 

Finally the sample book I've been working on telling the tale of my dollhouse makeover is complete!

Now all I need is a publisher! I have had various books published in the past, but I do not have connections with a DIY / craft pub world that would be interested in a book such as this. If you happen to know someone in that industry, please do share. I would be forever grateful!

The working title for the book is, "Zoe's Dreamhouse: A Dollhouse Inspiration Book". The sample book is approximately 50 pages detailing each room in my dollhouse. Regardless of whether the book is picked up, I intend to get into the hands of miniature lovers sometime this year, so stay tuned!

xo

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:

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