Tuesday, 17 June 2025

Les Demeures de Poupées at The Workshop.

 Hello Everyone,

How are you all? I hope you're doing well. I've been busy continuing work on my beloved project, The Victorian Miniature Parlour, and this time, I’ve focused on the little workshop tucked away in the upper room.


The very first miniature scene for this space is one I’ve titled 'Les Demeures de Poupées', which translates to The Dolls’ Houses. It’s essentially a street of charming little dolls houses, crafted in 1:144 scale using kits from Petite Properties. Each house has its own personality, and I had so much fun painting and decorating them.

The houses are called:

  • L’Emporium du Printemps (The Spring Emporium)

  • Maison d’Été (Summer House)

  • Maison d’Automne (Autumn House)

  • Maison d’Hiver (Winter House)

While the original kits came with a simple street plinth for display, I decided to give it a little makeover. I wanted to raise the houses higher off the ground for a better visual impact, but I also wanted to retain the charm of the base. So I modified it to include two small display units underneath, where I could showcase miniature dolls and furnishings.


In these units, I placed some adorable quarter scale furniture kits from Melissa’s Mini Wereld and Petite Properties. I even managed to make the tiniest tea set for the table in the sitting area, truly a test of patience and steady hands, but such a rewarding detail!






One of my favourite additions is a collection of tiny dolls I've been gathering over the years, all handmade by the talented Italian artist Claudia A. Taigete. I absolutely adore these miniature dollies. They're incredibly detailed, full of character, and fit perfectly beneath the little street of houses. It's like a tiny community came to life under one roof!






So that’s what I’ve been working on lately, and I have to say, I’m quite happy with how it’s coming together. The upper workshop room now has a soul of its own, and I can’t wait to continue filling it with more lovely little pieces.


Thank you for stopping by and following along on this journey into my miniature world. Be sure to stay tuned for the next update and the latest news. I promise there’s always more magic to come.

Take Care and See You Soon.

Hugs,


Rebecca xxx






Monday, 9 June 2025

The DollsHouse at the Window.

Hello Everyone,

How are you all? I hope you had a lovely weekend. Summer is finally here, and very soon the school break will begin — something I always look forward to, as it means more precious time spent with my children.

In between the usual summer preparations, I’ve continued working on my ongoing project, The Victorian Miniature Parlour. And today, I’m so excited to share the latest addition with you — a tiny dollhouse that I’ve lovingly named "The Dollhouse at the Window."


As the name suggests, The Dollhouse at the Window will be displayed in the shop window of the parlour, giving onlookers a charming view of both its exterior and interior. I wanted this feature to be something truly special — a miniature within a miniature — that draws people in and adds an extra layer of magic to the storefront scene.

This tiny treasure started as a kit I purchased from Melissa’s MiniWerld during my visit to the 1zu12 Miniature Show in Rheda, Germany. The moment I saw it, I knew it was the perfect piece for what I had in mind.


I didn’t leave the kit untouched! I started by kit-bashing and modifying it to better suit its role in the shop display. The original version had a fixed back and a removable front to access the interior. Since I wanted the dollhouse to face outward in the shop window — allowing viewers to see the rooms from behind — I did the opposite. I removed the back completely and fixed the front in place, creating a display that can be admired without needing to open it.

I was so pleased with how the modifications turned out. It was a bit of a challenge, but absolutely worth it. For the exterior, I painted the house in creams, golds, and a soft touch of blue to coordinate beautifully with the colour scheme of the shop window.




I also resized and printed miniature wallpapers to suit the scale, and carefully decorated each room.


 I built custom furniture for every space, including a grand piano, which might be one of my favourite details. The layout now includes:

  • A kitchen in the basement

  • A dining room and sitting room on the ground floor

  • A master bedroom and bathroom on the first floor

  • A cosy bedroom in the attic


It’s full of tiny, thoughtful touches — but one detail in particular holds a very special place in my heart. Some of you may remember Binksy, my beloved cat who passed away a couple of years ago after 18 wonderful years together. He was such a character — sweet, cheeky, and often up to mischief. I can’t count how many times I found him nestled inside my first collector’s dollhouse, either hiding, napping, or simply seeking my attention.


To honour his memory, once again, I created a tiny kitten figure, painted in the same white-and-black pattern as Binksy. He now has a little home inside The Dollhouse at the Window, where visitors can spot him if they look closely. It’s a subtle detail, but one that means the world to me.

Since the dollhouse kit didn’t come with a base or table, I decided to build a custom display table for it. I wanted it to look like a proper showroom piece in the shop window — something elegant and fitting for such a lovely miniature.


I’m honestly thrilled with the outcome. It's moments like these that remind me why I love this craft so much — the ability to create stories, memories, and magic in such tiny spaces.



Below, you’ll find a short video showing the final result of The Dollhouse at the Window. I hope you enjoy it!


That’s all for today — thank you so much for following along with my miniature adventures. Make sure to stay tuned for more updates and the latest news from The Victorian Miniature Parlour.

Until next time,

Take care and See You Soon!


Hugs,


Rebecca xxx



Tuesday, 27 May 2025

A Miniature Escape: My Weekend at Europe’s Largest Dolls House Fair

 Hello everyone!

How are you all? I hope you had an amazing weekend. I have to say, mine was absolutely mind-blowing—especially after just getting back from Germany. I'm so thrilled to share that I attended the largest Dolls House and Miniature Fair in Europe for the very first time!


I visited the 1 zu 12 Die Messe 25 in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Germany, and it was simply incredible. There are so many reasons why I love traveling and attending dollhouse and miniature shows, and this event reminded me of every single one of them.


It’s always wonderful to reconnect with artists and old friends—especially those you rarely get to see. Coming from the little (and often forgotten) island of Malta, where dollhouses are still considered a bit of a taboo, I often feel isolated in my miniature-loving world. That’s why visiting these shows uplifts me so much. They remind me that there’s a whole world out there that sees what I see, especially when it comes to miniatures.


When I attend a show, I’m no longer the “weirdo” who loves playing with dollhouses—I’m part of a vibrant, creative community. I meet people who think like me, who share my passion, and with whom I can discuss and exchange ideas freely. It’s incredibly encouraging, and one of the best feelings is when someone recognizes me, we strike up a conversation, and I walk away with a new friend.

My favourite part is always finding the friends I’ve made through the years—and I’m happy to say, that number keeps growing. Two days never feel like enough, but I always leave with a full heart and something to look forward to: the next show.


Of course, the biggest disadvantage of the show—apart from how quickly it flies by—is the temptation to spend! Unless you’re very disciplined, you might as well throw in the towel and wave goodbye to your bank account. 😄

That said, I was more mindful this time—especially since I’m hoping to attend two more shows abroad before the end of the year. I also try to remind myself that I love creating pieces myself whenever I can.

Still, I couldn’t resist picking up a few treasures!

Here’s what came home with me:

  • A handmade vintage pram by the Dutch duo Han Goergen and Jeanet Dekker. Han crafts the pieces, while Jeanet adds her charming shabby chic style. 

Han, Jeanet and me.


I’ve known them for years, and it’s become a tradition to collect one of their creations.


  • Some beautiful laser-cut kits from Melissa’s Mini World. Melissa Verhoeven is an absolute delight—always smiling and full of positive energy.



  • Printed miniature fabrics by Italian IGMA artist Susanna Alberti of Fashion in Miniature. Her warm personality is as lovely as her delicate fabrics.



  • Supplies for chandelier-making from Bindels Ornaments by Marijke Bindels. I have a big project in mind and can’t wait to see how they turn out—fingers crossed I do them justice!


  • A tiny, intricate pop-up book by Japanese artist Yuriko Kitano of Miniature Pop-Up Book—a true gem that becomes a miniature paper house.


  • And finally, some hand-painted miniature pottery by Danish artist Lisbeth Pedersen of Minipot. Her work is always stunning and incredibly detailed.



And now for the biggest surprise of all…

I’ve been invited to exhibit at the fair next year in 2026!
At first, I felt completely overwhelmed by the idea. The pressure! The expectations! I almost said no. But in the end… they won me over. So yes, it’s happening! I’ll be exhibiting for the very first time, and I’m both nervous and excited. It’s going to be a completely new experience, and I can’t wait to share that journey with you as it unfolds.

I’m sure all these beautiful pieces will eventually find their perfect spots in my miniature scenes. But for now, I’m off to get back to my workspace and dive into some mini-making!

Thanks so much for reading, and make sure to stay tuned for the next update—I’ll be sharing a sneak peek of my latest ongoing project and some exciting things on the horizon.

Take Care and See You Soon.

Hugs,


Rebecca xxx






Thursday, 15 May 2025

A Peek into The Folly 1:144 Scale

 Hello Everyone,

How are you all? I hope you’re doing well and finding moments of creativity in your week. Things are good on my end — busy, but in the best kind of way! I’ve been steadily working on The Victorian Miniature Parlour, which continues to be such a joyful (and sometimes all-consuming) project. As always, I find myself getting completely absorbed in the tiniest of details — especially with all the micro-scale dollhouses and accessories I keep adding. They’re fun to make but definitely take time and a lot of patience!

Today, I wanted to share one of my recent miniatures that I’m particularly proud of: The Folly, made in 1:144 scale.


 

For this piece, I used a printable design from Alison Davies Miniatures, which I carefully downscaled to better suit the needs of my project. I’ve admired her work for quite some time, and I was eager to see how the intricate design would translate at such a small size — and I’m thrilled with the result!



Despite the tiny scale, the architectural features came through beautifully in the print, and I couldn’t be happier with how much detail survived the downscaling process.

Once printed, I hand-painted every inch of it — a time-intensive but incredibly rewarding process. I paid special attention to the ceiling and the arches around the doorway, adding layers of color and shading to bring out the texture and form. It’s amazing how even the smallest touches can completely transform a space, no matter how tiny it may be.




I’ve also started adding miniature furniture and interior accessories, all painted by hand. These pieces are almost impossibly small — think match-head size! — but they make a huge difference in creating a sense of life and purpose inside the structure. Eventually, I plan to add lighting, which I think will elevate the atmosphere even further and really make the architectural features pop.



I’ve put together a short video showing The Folly’s progress as it came together. It includes some close-up shots of the interior work and the painting process — I hope you enjoy watching the transformation. Let me know what you think!



Next week brings something I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time — I’ll be traveling to Rheda, Germany to attend the 1zu12 Miniature Show! It’s the largest dollhouse and miniature show in Europe, and I’m absolutely buzzing with excitement. Not only is it a great chance to see some of the most incredible miniatures out there, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends and fellow miniature artists and collectors from all over the world.

If you're attending, please do say hello — I’d love to meet you in person! I’ll be sure to take plenty of photos and videos to share in an upcoming post, so keep an eye out for that.

That’s all for today’s update. Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to follow along on my miniature journey. I hope you’ve enjoyed this little behind-the-scenes look, and I can’t wait to share more with you soon.

Take care, stay creative, and see you soon!

Hugs,


Rebecca xxx



Friday, 25 April 2025

Creating a Quarter Scale Display for the Miniature Victorian Parlour : Tutorial

Hello Everyone,

It’s been a wonderful week, and I’m so pleased to share this easy, cute tutorial just before the weekend!

As part of my ongoing project The Miniature Victorian Parlour, I’ve been working with various small scales such as 1:144 and 1:48. While the micro scales are perfect for tiny dollhouses, I find that for small displays, the 1:48 scale (also known as quarter scale) is just ideal. It works beautifully with 1:12 scale dolls and adds such charm to miniature scenes.

This week, I completed my very first quarter scale display for the shop — and I have to say, I’m thrilled with how it turned out!


🛠️ What You’ll Need:

  • Thin plywood (for base and back wall)

  • Stanley knife

  • Acrylic paints (white and gold)

  • Mini wallpaper and flooring printouts

  • Wood glue

  • Miniature cabinet kit (from Melissa’s Miniworld)

  • 3D printed busts, frames, and pedestals

  • Patience and a steady hand!


🎨 Step-by-Step Tutorial:

1. Preparing the Base & Back Panel
I began by cutting and designing the base and back of the display using thin plywood.


2. Scoring & Folding
Using a Stanley knife, I carefully scored both sides of the back panel, folding them in to create angled side walls. Then I gave the entire piece an undercoat with acrylic paint.


3. Wallpaper & Flooring
I resized some lovely wallpaper and flooring designs to fit the quarter scale, and applied them to the interior walls and floor using glue.


4. Assembly
I glued the base to the back wall and let it set completely, then painted the outer edges with gold acrylic for a lovely finish.


5. Printing & Painting Minis
While waiting for the glue to dry, I printed out and painted some tiny accessories: busts, pedestals, and frames.


6. The Cabinet
The star of the display — a miniature cabinet kit from Melissa’s Miniworld — was fun to build and turned out so cute after painting.

🪄 Final Touches

Once everything was dry, I began arranging the pieces. 


The busts looked adorable, and although placing such small items can be fiddly, it was absolutely worth it.





And here is the end result.



Here is a short clip step by step how it was made. 


It now sits beautifully as part of the Victorian Parlour project — I couldn’t be more delighted with the result!


That’s all for today! I hope this inspires you to try a quarter scale scene of your own. Stay tuned for more updates and tiny adventures in my miniature world.

Take care and see you soon.

Hugs,

Rebecca xxx