My Miniature World: The Mouse House in The Sewing Room

Monday, 9 February 2026

The Mouse House in The Sewing Room

Hello everyone,

How are you? I hope you had a great weekend. I have been quite busy over the past couple of weeks since returning from the beautiful Netherlands. Once I was back home, I went straight into gear and finally completed a small project that I have been wanting to create for years.

At last, I can say that The Mouse House in the Sewing Room is complete.

A few years ago, through a dear friend from The Netherlands, I acquired a cover from an old Singer sewing machine that had been cleverly turned into a room box.

I have owned my great-aunty Mary’s Singer sewing machine for many years now, something I cherish with all my heart, and the cover fitted perfectly on top of it. Today, it stands proudly in a small corner of my home.

Originally, the room box had been decorated as a bedroom, but from the very beginning I knew I had other plans for it.

Over the years, through my visits to The Netherlands for various dolls’ house and miniature fairs and shows, I have met many wonderful artists and made dear friends through this beautiful hobby and art. One of them is Mr. Han J. Goergen, together with Janet, his partner in trade.

One of the very first pieces I purchased from them was the old wheelchair used by the physician in The Apothecary.

From that moment on, whenever I visited, I would always come home with a special miniature piece—handcrafted by Han and lovingly finished by Janet.

Without even realising it at the time, I had been carefully keeping these pieces safe, always thinking they were meant for a special project, without knowing that they were all destined to come together in the very same one.

Along the way, I had also purchased two adorable mice made by Mirelle Both. They were originally intended for a completely different project, yet somehow they fitted far better here.

I gently removed the original flooring and wallpaper from the room box and covered the interior with beautiful scrapbook papers, transforming it into a more brocante, shabby-chic style. I immediately fell in love with how it turned out.

Slowly, piece by piece, I began adding the miniatures made by Han, and everything seemed to fall into place as if it had always belonged there. I also added a few old thread spools that once belonged to my beloved Aunty Mary, making the space even more personal and meaningful.

As the story grew, two more mice joined the scene. The baby mouse was made by my dear friend and colleague, and Poppy was created by the talented artist Kamilla Szots. With that, the family was complete, and thus the Nibbleton family was born.

The pieces made by Han include the beautiful buffet cabinet, which holds The Mouse House mantel clock that I designed especially for this project.

The charming toy aeroplane the family uses for their adventures.

The book stand holding The Mouse House in the Sewing Room, a tiny storybook written and made by me.

The little buggy that Poppy loves to play with.

The two beautiful armchairs placed right at the heart of the room.

My absolute favourite piece is the old rocking horse, beautifully carved and handmade.

There is also the high desk where Mr. Nibbleton works.

The hanging cabinet holding a small glass jar of cinnamon; one of my favourite scents.

Finally, the pram that cradles the baby mouse.

The only piece not made by Han is the sewing machine used by Mrs. Nibbleton.

The room is also adorned with two wax paintings by Hazel from Art in Wax, a beautiful tiny teddy by Dutch artist Betty Horsten van Leeuwen, and delicate felted toys made by Margate.

Now the project is truly complete, and I couldn’t be happier with how it has turned out. In many ways, this little Mouse House feels like a tribute, not only to Han’s wonderful craftsmanship but also to our friendship over the years. I am sure that both Han and Janet would be very pleased to see it finished.

Here are a few photos capturing the beauty of The Mouse House in the Sewing Room.