Advent Day Two

Thank you to all who commented on my post yesterday.  It was so lovely to get such sweet comments on my first 'new blog post' and to hear you all liked my little Advent tree.

The second advent ornament went on the little Christmas Tree today.

The first Christmas display has been set up.  This can be seen just as you come in our front door.  I have never had one here before as our telephone used to sit here.  Once the Christmas decorations are down from the loft I will exchange the white cloth for a more Christmassy one.

The Christmas Elf, yet to be named. is sitting on the shelf about our DVD monitor.  I wonder if anyone else in the family will notice him?

I used up two of our older bananas today to make a banana cake.  Any hint of brown on the skins and DS2 will not touch them and they get left.  I use them either in a smoothie or to bake with.  I'd run out of enough plain flour so used wholemeal instead and am actually really pleased with the result, it tastes lovely!

I used a recipe that I learnt at school when I was 12 years old! Yes I still have this handwritten 'Cooking' book.

My books I ordered for my research project finally arrived today.  They were due to arrive on Saturday, but I am guessing the postie didn't want to deliver them then!

I have yet to look inside them, but hoping they will assist in my recreation of my Dad's childhood home.  As mentioned in my old and now private blog, my Dad used to tell me bedtime stories of his childhood and the adventures he got up to.  For a very long time I have wanted to record these, while he can remind me of the bits I have forgotten!  I thought I would recreate his childhood home in the form of a dolls house and tell the stories using the house as a setting.  I have already had a lovely long conversation with him about some of the interior of the house and am looking forward to this project very much. 

Lastly a couple of fun books I wanted to share.

A child's book, but none the less a lovely fun read.  In fact I enjoyed the writing so much I have ordered the next two.  I had also read another child's book before this one, it was about a bear, but I really didn't enjoy the writing quite so much.  I can't quite pinpoint why, but I don't think I would recommend the other book, and I am not downloading any more in the series onto my kindle.  I would have done if they were free, but don't feel they were good enough to warrant me purchasing the next book in the series.

The next book will be another project I will start once I get my new glasses.  I have really missed my varifocals and just cannot work successfully, particularly in the evening when I am watching a DVD without them.  I have tried, but get into a right muddle having to take my very old single vision glasses off each time I want to look at the stitches and even then it is not easy to see what I am doing!  Ah the delights of getting older!

I saw this made up at the Dolls House Exhibition I went to a couple of weeks ago and thought what fun it would be to make.  I miss not living on a farm surrounded by farm animals and thought I would make my own little farm!

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.

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!