Le Petite Patisserie

The dollhouse oven has been stoked up and has been turning out one sweet treat after another in preparation for the grand opening today!  At times we didn't think we'd ever get here, but somehow here we are and we couldn't be more pleased with the whole tiny adorable little thing.   How many months have I been working on this?  I don't remember, but it feels like a very very LONG time because it was such a big project in terms of details.  So many details!  As a matter of fact, we were still painting, gluing, cutting and hanging curtains up until the last moment literally while we were snapping these pictures.  (And still no doorknob!) Think I missed my calling, I should've become a dollhouse stylist.  What fun!  And, hundreds of pictures later I feel like I've earned that title anyway.  It takes quite a bit of fussing to get the right angle, focus, and depth when things are on a miniature scale.  Still, all the teensy-tiny details added up to something wonderful in the end and we are *very happy* with our little place here even though getting there was a bit tedious.  I will admit, it was.  It so was!  Building a dollhouse is an exercise in patience, I tell ya.  Every time I started thinking I was getting close to finishing, I would notice another detail I'd over-looked or forgotten.  Then I'd need sandpaper.  More moulding.    Forget to glue something.  Or run out of paint.  There is a definite order to putting a house together, big or small, and you really can't just forge ahead until each step is complete.  Sometimes days and weeks would go by before I would remember to buy the thing I needed to keep going.  We made modifications too and there are repercussions to doing that, sometimes requiring detective work to hunt for other materials to replace them.  In this case, it was the 'window panes'.  We wanted ours clear but they came stamped with designs.  Ended up using mylar sheets, the kind used for overhead projectors, and they worked really well.  The dollhouse kit I used was called "Buttercup" and was purchased here and for the price you really can't beat it.  It seemed pretty simple and for the most part it was.  But I should've known something was up when the first words on the directions said, "Don't Panic" in big black letters.  Seriously, I kid you not, that's what it said.  Didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read that.  Although it was kind of funny.  Only I'm not sure it was supposed to be.  I think it was meant to be reassuring,  but actually that's the kind of thing that can shake a person's confidence to the core and made me want to turn around and run for the hills.  I thought about it too, because the instructions weren't that clear either.  I kind of just jumped in with both feet and kept on going, in a flying by the seat of my pants sort of way, and somehow it all came out right.  To be honest though, these things do take a huge amount of time and I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking otherwise; so that one day, years from now, you're not still working on your dollhouse long after the children have grown up and left home.  Not that you HAVE to have children to build one.  Afterall, dollhouses are fun hobbies for anyone, empty-nesters especially.  I'm just saying.  So... let me show you around the place!  The kitchen and bakery area is upstairs and the sweet shop is below.  While I worked on getting the bakery together, Grace was busy making the goodies to stock the shelves.  I think she did a great job with everything.  Always amazing! The Mister made the display case for us out of plexiglass.  I love how it turned out.  Not any easy task, but I think he did a great job with it.  He also made the shelves for the bakery window, which was also modified from the original design to be more of a showcase.  (You can click on any of the images to see them bigger.)  I'm planning on putting more pictures into a new photo album in the sidebar and will probably keep adding to it from time to time like I've been doing for the other ongoing projects.   I still can't get over how cute everything looks.  Grace and I  have been hovering over everything, trying to make each tiny detail just right.   And it's all about the details. This has been a tremendously fun project for us.  Especially the last part when we started putting all the different elements together and seeing the magic start to happen when things start to take on a life of their own. Here's a trick: we used small bits of dental wax (from the orthodontist) to stick things down that rolled around or kept falling over.  I would imagine any type of soft wax would work well (like the wax you can buy to hold candles in place), but Grace is scheduled to get her braces off later this month (hurray!) and was happy to donate hers to the cause.  We also couldn't resist pulling out the holiday decorations.  The tiny ornaments are vintage glass just like real ones.  Betsy's bonnet is wool felt, handmade by Grace.  The window pelmuts were inspired by some that Jenny made.  We turned the window boxes upside down and covered them with printed paper cut with scalloped scissors along the edge.  All the mouldings and trims were added and were not part of the kit.  Brit sent me the darling little baby buggy and the birdcage (two actually) and a darling doll quilt she made that Ginger snapped up as soon as she saw it, so no picture, but I'll try and get one as soon as I can.  The sweet china hutch, made by the ultra-talented Alicia, was one of the sweet things we got from her through the Little House Club swap that was organized by Amy, who inspires us all.  The china sets were purchased from this source.  We also borrowed a few things from our Victorian dollhouse to furnish the shop, and I imagine that we will continue to make changes as we go along and think up new ideas.  I was up until the wee hours listing all of  the delectible cakes, sweet rolls, and other mini-treats handmade by Grace and they are now available for your choosing here.  Quanities are limited!!  So here's the deal.  If you want more than one item, order them but don't send payment until I send an invoice with the combined total through Paypal. (The Etsy shopping cart only holds one item so it gets tricky.) You don't need a Paypal account to send payment, but you do need to sign up for Etsy to purchase something.  It's easy and it's free. If you have neither, you can just email me what you want and if it's available we'll hold it for you, or put your name on our waiting list, as Grace may take a few special orders.

Stop by and take a peek ... if you dare.

More pictures here.

Comments

[Cerri]

Oh Vicki, it is so wonderful!!! You and Grace did an amazing job on this, and it really looks great! So sweet. Love the display cabinet that your husband made!
All of the treats look divine as well! I had pushed my doll house to the side lately, but I am re-inspired to get going on it again!

[Mrs. Staggs]

I am sitting here charmed and in total awe!
Everthing about this project warms my heart. I love that you've all worked on it together. The detail is amazing!

[Kat]

What on earth does Grace use for the "sprinkles" on the doughnuts and cookies? Eeeee! So tiny! Squeal!

[Jackie]

Absolutely beautiful! I am in awe of all the details and the talent that you and Grace have for making these little tiny things come to life! It's great that you can work on this as a family. It's just perfect!

[Mama Urchin]

Oh my, it was worth the wait for sure. Really fantastic.

[Dawn]

You have outdone yourselves this time!!!It is all soooooo sweet!

[Pam]

I cannot believe how amazing that little shop is. You all did such a wonderful job. I'm in awe.

[jenny b harris]

Oh! My! Gosh!!! That is the absolute CUTEST! Dang, just when I was getting over my miniature obsession, now I want to pull it all out again! Cute cute cute. Vicki and Grace, you amaze!

[stickchick]

Oh my goodness is that FABULOUS!! You all did such a gorgeous job, what a treat!!! Thank you for sharing that, just breathtaking in it's detail.

[lauren]

The cutest!! I'm so happy that you listed where you bought your house kit from, such a great price. I've been wanting to get a kit for so long now after being inspired by all the gals you mentioned, and now YOURS!! So sweet. (pun intended) Callan and I are simply drooooooling! Now pass me one of those donuts!

Lovely work girls!!
lauren

[Angela]

Sending you all a cyber bouquet of wild flowers to celebrate your grand opening. From minis and Hittys here in Indiana!

[Jenny Holiday]

Oh I just cannot tell you how PERFECT everything is! Not a single detail left untouched! So magical! You both did such an AMAAAAZING job!! Truly PERFECT! Adore everything to bits!! I will be revisiting your photos throughout the day....I know it! I cannot get enough!! Every cake and sweet treat is an incredible work of art!! I had to purchase a few right away!!...and I will be back for more very soon!! Lovely work ladies! You made my week!!

Happy Baking!
xoxo Jenny

[Bronwen]

WOW!!

[carolyn]

This is absolutely superb, you should send photographs to the various dolls house magazines and get it featured. We have a dolls house that the boys (they would kill me if they knew I was telling you this) used to play with, the inhabitants are rubber mice. The boys actually wove carpets and made cardboard furniture etc and had lots of fun with it for several years. It sits on a chest of drawers at the top of the landing a reminder of childhood. I probably will do something with it myself when I am an empty nester. We have been to Dolls house fairs and it seems as if this really is an adult hobby.

[judy]

Oh!

I am nearly in a diabetic coma, that is just SO SWEET!!!

Please publish a book of this, so I can curl up with it in bed and linger over all of the exquisit details.

It is SO beautiful!

Be proud. Be very proud!

[Suzanne]

Vicki,
It is absolulety charming! I am in awe at the beauty and obvious talent you have:-)

[minniepumpkin]

WOW Vicki this is just amazing. The detail is profound... just beautiful!

[Ashley]

I absolutely adore it! I have been waiting for this for a while...I KNEW you had to be working on it and you hadn't mentioned it! It's precious! What a fun thing to share! Blessings!

[Loral]

OH MY! Your teasers this week really whet our appetites here to see the grand reveal...completely fabulous!! My kids and I are poring over every picture, they especially like....well, the sweets :-D They look good enough to eat!

thanks for letting us all in on the fun!
blessings,
Loral

[carol]

*faints*

[Dannielle]

That is unbelievably beautiful!!

[June]

Everything is so fabulous! The attention to detail is amazing and that is why I think truly great creative projects work--even the tiniest detail is so important. Thank you for sharing this beautiful masterpiece.

[Gina]

Now is that cute or what! Grace has her own bakery. You clever gals. I do know what you mean about not taking pictures because you think of this detail or that. I'm wanting to decorate my house up for the holidays and thought about a mini holiday swap but not sure if people would be interested.

[Carol]

That is amazing! I love all the little details, the cat and the milk, the pantry, everything! Many years ago, my Mom made a miniature bakery in one of those old country store candy jars.

[Amber]

A-dorable! What patience!

[Tracy's Turret]

Enchanting!! All that tiny detail is just incredible!!

[Casey Rice]

I have been enjoying your site for a couple of months now. Love the mini project. Great work! I have been in miniatures for about 25 years and have seen a lot of more experienced people that don't do half as good a job! The two of you should be very proud. The shop makes me want to sit down and have tea and cookies.You will have to check out Hobby Builder's Supply for your next project. They have even better prices. No. I don't work for them. I have used the Buttercup for several projects. Their price is 22.99! Most of their houses and roomboxes are lower than anywhere else on the net.

[Lori]

absolutely adorable! What a fabulous job you did, the details are so amazing.

[brit]

one day when the boyz are older i'll be able to dig out my minatures. Oh what fun. Thanks for the pictures! Those christmas cookies are adorable.

[Toni]

Tell Grace that her tiny sweets are perfection! What nimble fingers that girl has!

[Frances]

In awe.

[Tracy]

Absolutely the sweetest thing, just simply wonderfully amazing! You are brillant! Happy Days! :o)

[strikkelise]

Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. The cuteness! And the detail! Your photos are great, too. I could look at them over and over. Did you say you are working on a book? You should!!!
A storybook about the bakery shop! I know some people who would read it to bits.

[Mrs.T]

This is simply incredible... You should indeed write a book -- maybe two! Or three! One about the actual project, with some how-to's, one just to read and drool over the photos, and then a storybook as suggested above.

I am in awe. I'm an empty-nester with an unfinished dollhouse in my basement... You have certainly inspired me.

[Bettsi]

Oh my goodness. I haven't visited here in a long time (just got busy, you know), but what treats were here waiting! I can't believe how incredibly CUTE everything is! You girls did a marvelous job! Now go and enjoy the holidays!

[robin.g]

These creations are so sweet and charming! Love them.

[Calamity Kim]

Oh thank you for posting this link! I just bought one for my Christmas present! I have been looking for a small doll house and The Buttercup will be perfect!!! I can't wait to get it and start! Can you tell me if you ordered doors and other extra stuff? I only ordered the shingles because I didn't know what it came with. Thanks! Your daughters cakes and pies are fantastic by the way!