Kensington Dolls House Show

For my last public blog post on this blog I thought I would show pictures of the Kensington Dolls House Festival Christmas Show.

It was held at the Kensington Town Hall and there were stalls and displays on three levels.  I only got a few photos as there were just so many people!  

My first port of call was Jane Harrop's stall as I had a 'shopping list' for my 1940s project.  I managed to get all but one item on my list which was good.  I will feature these in the future on my new blog...they are going to be Christmas presents, so are now tucked away.

It was all very mind boggling and the sheer scale and precision of work really was incredible!  Did I mention the prices?  Also mind blowing!  But then the work really was exquisite. 

Take the Georgian and Regency Furniture by Tarbena Miniatures...

Simply wow!

Such amazing work and a delight to look at indeed.

There was an amazing house by Dolls House Grand Designs.

Simply amazing to take a look inside at all the wonderful detail.  I wouldn't just need to be a millionaire to have something like this....I would also need to buy a new house!  But then I guess if I was a millionaire, I would already have the house...

I was immediately drawn to the music room.  Isn't it just perfect?

Grand hallways with chandeliers...

Lovely swing come writing room...definitely tidier than mine!

The heart of the house were all the work is done.

Complete with resident Bull Terrier, one of my most favourite breeds of dogs...my Mum used to breed and show them when I was a teenager.

Lush bathroom!

Just love this nursery, isn't it wonderful complete with the panda.

Another beautiful bedroom.

Anyone for a game of chess?

Some more displays of gorgeous furniture...

Below are some of the 1/24th dolls houses on display by the North London Dolls House Club.

This was a project where they all had the same size house but chose to decorate it in a period and style of their own.

They were all really wonderful and individual.

This stand is Herdwick Landscapes.  I loved the school room.

Some 1/24th scale miniatures.

Just look at these!

Oh and I think this was one of my favourite things that I managed to photograph.  A wonderful library!

A lovely morning out and worth braving the trains for.

Thank you to all who have followed me on this blog and supported me over the years with their comments and encouragement.  I really don't know how many of you are still 'following' me....I am sure not as many as are actually on my followers list as I get on average 30 views per post.  But for those that are interested I will be posting over here from tomorrow.

Me and Music.

Sometimes, like this morning I wake up wondering...wondering where my passion and drive for music and the making of music has gone.  Okay I can understand that not being able to play my beloved clarinet has something to do with it, but at the beginning of this year I still had that need and passion to want to be able to play something and this was reflected in my enthusiasm for learning the cello until it all went pear shaped. Now I am able to try again, I just find myself lacking any enthusiasm, drive, get up and go, mojo or what ever you call it.  The cello and music stand are within easy reach and accessible, yet I never quite make that step to actually getting it out and having a go.  Why is that I wonder?  How can all those years of drive, passion and NEED to play have just disappeared?  Has it been too long since I was able to play properly? Is it the pain factor?  Or is it something else?  I really don't know and I wonder what to do about it.   Was it because when I went to book a lesson I had to  phone at the end of the week?  Couldn't because of the lines going doing and then well apathy sets in...Now I think, well perhaps it is too close to Christmas and then I can see myself saying...well I'll only have a couple of months before I am away visiting my parents and then before you know it, it will be April next year?  Is this REALLY the way it is?  Should I say well that part of my life really is well and truly gone now and perhaps this is just acceptance, something else has taken its place, or do I need to get back into at least trying and pursuing it properly again before making such a decision.  I don't really know.  I do know I feel guilty.  I feel like that all those years of sitting exams, getting my teachers certificate, degree and masters are wasted...what were they really for at the end of the day?

In the meantime my cello sits and stares at me reproachfully...as for the clarinet...well we don't even talk about that!

Blog Address Changing.

Blog address change:

From Sunday 1st December, the first Sunday in Advent, my blog address will be changing and you will find me over here.  Same name just a slightly different address.  Much of it will be similar...I will still have a books read list.  I will transfer my Vintage Singer Sewing Machine page and of course will continue to post my photographs of nature.  

This blog will become private and it is here I will still document my daily struggle with Chronic Neuropathic Pain that has and continues to change my life dramatically.  I need to keep a record so that I can refer to it to see if any changes and progress has been made, to note when things are bad, and also when things are good, to see if there is any pattern.  I am going to be seeking further help after watching a TV programme on Pain and how much it affects and changes lives.  I am hoping that I may be a possible candidate for some different treatment, but will need to write to the Professor and see if I can be used on his research project as at the moment this treatment still isn't available to the general population.  I have to try something as it is when the pain is at its worse that I realise it just 'ain't getting any better'!

I have had a really rough couple of weeks pain wise and then for the last four days I have had terrible head/neck pain, headache/migraine.  I haven't had this problem since I came off all medication so I am hoping it is just a 'blip' and will go and not the Chiari Malformation making its presence known which is always a concern at the back of my mind...literally!

I have been for a walk today in the hope that it would clear the head, but no such luck.  However, I do have a few photos to share.

The fields we walked past.

We had a large flock of Starlings stop by for a feed.

Haddenham Dolls House Exhibition and Fair.

Do I really need another hobby?  Probably not, but I am curious...and have some ideas...that are in the planning stage so today took the opportunity to attend the Haddingham Dolls House Exhibition.  I took these photos for a good friend of mine who couldn't attend and am hoping she will enjoy looking at them.

The wonderful interesting stand of Celia from KT Miniatures.

The fantastic displays from Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops which are run by Celia and Robin of Coombe Crafts. These looks like such fun to make that I hope I will be able to attend their next workshop.  

This is Robin's wonderful display of character dolls, furniture and accessories.

I just love these people, they really are wonderful and it was great to see them 'in person'.

Wandering around the hall I was delighted by some of other wonderful displays.  Such talented and imaginative people who are willing to show of their work.

These are some of the displays by members of the Aylesbury Dolls House Club.

This house was just absolutely amazing and I could have looked at it for hours!

Such attention to detail it really was amazing.

Really loved the stable, it reminded me of my late teens when I worked on a stud farm!

Such intricate work and some handy tips!

Doctors bag.

An amazing lego railway.

Such fun!

I NEED a bigger house!

This next house was very clever I thought.  It was made from old wood coat hangers, cardboard and papier mache.

You can see where they have used the coat hangers.  What a clever idea!

A really wonderful Tudor House.

So do I really need another hobby?  Oh yes!

I had a thoroughly enjoyable morning chatting to some really lovely, friendly and knowledgeable people whose enthusiasm for this hobby was contagious!