Accessorizing for Miss Leah's Boutique

Hello dear friends,

It has been a few days and I hope you have enjoyed your weekend. I can't believe how time flies one day it is Halloween and the next day you're thinking of Christmas. I have been very busy with my everyday life, kids, work and didn't have much time for my miniature world. I don't like it when it happens but sometimes certain things come first. The weather here hasn't been very good. We actually had some rain, thunder and we have been hit by a cyclone. Not bad!

Any way, As I said before not much has been done but I have focused very much on the boutique. There is so much to do that you don't know from where to start and as I am doing most of the miniatures well you all know it; It takes quite some time.

I have been making accessories for the shop and see what fits in nicely for the shop.  Firstly I wanted to share with you two original Encaustic Art in Wax paintings which where made by my dear talented friend Hazel Rayfield. She has painted them especially for the boutique. Miss Leah loved them and they will eventually be framed and will be put in the boutique. You can see more of Hazel's work on her site and blog Art in Wax.

Art in Wax Paintings by Hazel Rayfield

Miss Leah is so proud of her new paintings

I have also noted that most of the items that I will be having in the boutique will be actually made by me. I highly doubt that there will be anything that I won't be making myself unless the obvious stuff. I have been also printing quite some printouts for the boutique to make boxes, posters and labels for the shop. They do take quite some time to do but at the end they are worth it.

I have been making perfume bottles from beads and also added labels to them to make them look real. The small table that I had in the dressing room I decided to decorated a little and make a perfume display instead of just keeping a mantel clock. It definitely looks much better like this.  

The hall table with the perfume display

Perfume bottles made out of beads. 

I have also managed to make some perfume displays for the boutique. They look quite good as well. Unfortunately the perfume boxes of the ivory set had a little accident. While making the display. I had the 2 year old Miss Leah trying to open the boxes. You might see some dents in them as her tiny fingers tried to open them. I wouldn't change them for the world. They where touched by the real Miss Leah and so I will keep them as a memento of her.

Can you see the little finger's work on the perfume boxes?

The Ivory perfume display

The purple perfume display

Finally I have made four sets of accessories for the boutique. The first one I made was the Ivory set. It was the first bonnet I ever made and to match I have made gloves, a bag and the parasol. I am really happy how this set turned out. 

The Ivory set accessories

After that I have tried to make a blue one. Like the other set I made the hat, bag, gloves and parasol. I even hand painted the shoes. Also the boxes where printed and made by me. 

Blue accessories

After the blue set I tried to make a pink one. The hat is very similar to a lady's top hat which also has a matching bag and gloves. The lovely bow ties shoes where hand painted by my father.

Pink Set accessories

And the last set that I made was the light green set. I have also made the hat, gloves, parasol and bag. I think all the colors can be mix and match. 

Light Green accessory set

I am really happy how they turned out and I am really enjoying it. I have also tried my hand in making miniature lady's hand fans. In the Victorian era they where quite in fashion so I did give them a try. I am really happy how they turned out. With a little practice they will get better.

Miniature lady's hand fans. 

And here are some pictures of the how the displays will look in the boutique. I still have to finish 2 more but here are the first three. I have tried to make a combined color scheme for each section. 

Ivory

Blue

Pink

So this is how it all looks. And finally here is Miss Leah's Diary Entry.

20th October 1879

Dear Diary,

The last time I wrote was on Quelina's birthday and believe it or not today is Matty's birthday. The two of them celebrate their birthdays in October. We didn't plan anything festive for his day. He doesn't like them very much and to prove it he isn't even in the city to celebrate it. I think he knew that we would end up doing something for him behind his back. He is a good lad and a fine gentleman. No wonder that the young ladies are swooned by him. 

I have been very busy in the boutique and have been really working hard to start filling up the shop. I have managed to make some fine hats and matching accessories with the fabric that Matty has gotten me from Madrid. Some shoes have arrived yesterday from the shoe maker. I gave him some designs of how I want them and he did a brilliant job. I also received the latest perfume orders from Paris which are being displayed both in the shop and in the dressing room. The fragrances are amazing and there are so many choices to choose from. Quelina is having a ball with them. She enjoyed fixing up the table I had in the dressing room and they look quite nice.

Today I had quite a surprise. Madam De France came to visit me. She was impressed how the shop is turning out. She helped me with some designs and gave me some useful tips for hat making. She sketched some under garments which I still need to work on. They are not my forte but they are definitely wanted. I really hope that she will visit me again. We had tea and cakes at The Coffee Corner. Madam De France really enjoyed it.  Manuel has such a way with his clients. During my way back home a came across two beautiful paintings which I couldn't resist. They where just perfect for the boutique and they where at a very good price. Hazel the artist was really happy to give them to me. 

I am still hunting for an apartment and I am losing hope now of finding one. It is getting very difficult. I am sure I will eventually find what I am looking for. Until then I am happy staying with my sister. The place is getting smaller as I got more of my stuff from the Manor house. Most of it I am keeping it in the boutique. 

So this is all for today my dear friend. Hopefully I will be opening the shop very soon. I am hoping that it will be done before Christmas. I am really excited about the festive season. 

Time for some shut eye.

Nighty night.

Leah xxx

So that is all for today my dear friends. Keep tuned for more updates on Miss Leah's Boutique and her adventures. 

Take care and see you soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx