Oregon Farm Stand

 

It's Friday already--and the 17th of December at that!  My-oh-my the days are just flying by.  Does it seem that way for you too?  'Tis the season.  I just looked up from my piles of various ongoing projects and realized I hadn't shown you guys the pictures of the FARM STAND.  If you missed the part about why we made another dollhouse, the back story goes like this . . .in 2009 the girls and I entered a contest hosted by Hobby Builder's Supply--the challenge was to do something with their GAZEBO kit.  Our theme was for a "Garden Party Reception" (see it over here.)   We didn't win, but were surprised to get a great BIG BOX in the mail a few weeks later; the consolation 'thank you' gift from HB, containing THIS dollhouse kit for the 2010 contest.  (This is their 17th annual -- check out the gallery of past winners and entries--all very inspiring.)  Well, we were in no way obligated to participate, but found we could not resist doing so!  However, at that point in time, I was still working on my book, Embroidery Craft:  Stitching Through the Seasons, and had absolutely no time to start anything new, so it just sat in the box until the December 15th deadline started creeping up, and for the past few weeks it's been a mad rush to get it done in time.  (When I tell you that I am bouncing from one activity to another I am so not kidding.)  Anyway, here it is and we think it turned out pretty cute. 

 

Here's a close-up of the "shop".  I knew I wanted scales, but for the life of me could not imagine how to make them.  I asked Grace, and she made both scales by cobbling together bits and bobs from old spice can lids, broken Barbie accessories, jewlery rings, and chain.  She is just SO brilliant that way! 

 
I made the chalk board signs and fashioned a produce stand.  Ginger has tiny delicate little hands and went to work making miniature crates of goods, preserves, fruits, & veggies . . .

 
. . .  free range eggs, impossibly small  fruit pies and wee jars of honey.  Those innocent looking honey jars had us reeling.  Ginger hand-painted the labels and spent quite a bit of time on them so I was trying my best to handle them gently.  But as I attempted to place the three jars in the basket, old fumble fingers here, dropped the whole thing and it went tumbling down under the table.  There's a very colorful wool braided rug under that table and in the fading light I could not find those honey jars, (which are actually glass beads with lids on top).  I crawled around under that table on my hands and knees for ten minutes.  Then Ginger joined me with a lamp and we both crawled around looking--and eventually we found one.  The other two seemingly had vanished into thin air.  We lifted the rug and looked far beyond where they could have possibly traveled, queeried the cat who was watching from the corner of the room.   Hmm . .  It was a mystery...until I stood up and felt something in my slipper.  Sure enough, that's where they were hiding.  What a shock!  I still can't figure out how that even happened.  After our hysterical laughter died down, we got back to work and glued them into place once and for all. 

 
We made the crates and tried to use Oregon packing labels for authenticity.

And pickles! Of course had to have those.

 
Here's the front porch.  I am so happy with my Dutch door!

 
Grace made the perfect paper flowers in the window box.  We gathered moss and lichen from tree branches for the greenery.  Those cedar shingles were left-over from another dollhouse roof (made long ago), and Ginger and I spent days and days and days gluing each one down.  I forget where I found the wheelbarrow.  It seems we've had it a very long time as it was broken, and needed repairs to stand upright.  I couldn't resist adding the 'Happy Bee' crate label.

 

Here's the back side view.   I've got another dollhouse to show you too, along with more thrift shop treasures.  But now it's cookie baking time (still bouncing here), so until next time...have a great weekend! 

Comments

[Velma]

Oh Vicki, your Oregon Farm Stand is absoultely darling. You win 1st prise in my book. It is just amazing to see the detailed items you girls have made. All of you are so talented. I just love it.

[Natalie VV]

This is truly stunning, as much art, as endearing wonderland. It brings my heart and dreams to that still tender place, where I longed for a doll house, a miniature world... my own to adore.
Blue ribbons all around!

[Bridgette]

All that hard work has produced an awesome produce stand! Over the top cuteness:)

[Wendy]

Absolutely incredible. I want to live, well, shop there or work there! How great for the three of you to have this special tradition to share!

[louise hatchard]

oh my! i am going back to look again after posting this comment - so perfectly beautiful - clever, clever girls!

merry christmas and a happy new year! x

[Cgirl]

You and your daughters are gifted crafters. I always enjoy seeing and reading about your projects. Doll houses (as well as toy tea sets) are some of my favorite things. I do not have the talent to build doll houses and the already built ones are too expensive so I enjoy yours. And I don't have to find a place to display them. I just visit you and enjoy yours.

[tinker]

Oh - what a wonderful farm stand! I could look at that all night...Such amazing detail - you ladies take the cake!

[Jodi]

The detailing is amazing! What a wonderful creation you have made.

[Vee]

You gals are amazing! That is one impressively darling little farm stand. The details are a pure delight!

[StorybookWoods]

Oh my gosh Vicki, how sweet is this. And soo much fun to do. It must mmake you smile everytime you look at it xoxo Clarice

[yvette]

WOW. This is JUST INCREDIBLE! I absolutely loved doll houses when I was a kid. The detail,the imagination here - I can't get over it. I hope you win.

[tammyCA]

Too, too cute! I'm slowly refurbishing a dollhouse and we have the cute cottage to build...we took it out of the box & saw it needed shingles, which I can't find at the craft stores.

[Lena]

Can I come live with you? I'd help make dollhouses. This one couldn't be more charming. It has truly put a smile on my face. I love the scales. I have a hanging scale like that in my kitchen. It belonged to Mr. Staggs grandfather, and holds special memories of him.

Ginger returned? I'm so glad. I missed her. 'Course now I'll miss Sarah. She seemed a spunky sort!

All of you are so talented. What wonderful memories you are creating for your girls. What wonderful memories you will have as well.

[Yvette]

It is just fantastic! I would never be able to make something that fancy. It's amazing what nimble fingers can do, and especially you and the girls' fingers!!!

I hope you win.

[Emmmylizzzy]

Oh my goodness, this is simply fantastic! Your posts inspired me to make a dollhouse awhile back, and I had so much fun building it that I put the entire thing together in less than 24 hours. I finished one room, but work, a baby, and general life has left it sitting empty for awhile. I definitely need to jump back in after seeing this!

[Dianne]

You did a super job! I've seen 'miniatures' at the Philadelphia Flower show and this is right up there with the ones in the competition.
Since my paternal people are from Oregon, I'm touched by that too.
I've done a dollhouse many moons ago and I still have it.

[Sharon M.]

Beautiful and very impressive! Way to go, girls!!

[mosaicme@charter.net]

That is so fabulous! And what a funny story--a couple weeks ago, I was crawling around under the dining table trying to find tiny, little perfume bottles made out of beads and old jewelry findings--on an oriental carpet. I had to work fast to beat our dog, Max, who would have chomped them is a heartbeat!! Ahhh, miniatures!

[Amy]

OK - this HAS to be a winner! I wish I could go there and buy my produce - adorable!

[DEB]

I love this one! Kudos to all of you for those pumpin' creative juices you "sprouted" on this project!

[Suzanne]

All I can say is WOW!!!

[Elizabeth]

Fantastic work! I've been "doing" minis for about 15 years and I love what you've done with the Country Cottage! GREAT! :)

[Lynne]

Wonderful job, all of you! I love how you collaborated on this project, with each of you working adding your particular skills. It is so fun to see how one project can be interpreted in so many ways. Yours is delightful. Well done!