Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Fun at the Fair!


Hello every one,

Yes, the 2013 Sydney Dollhouse Fair, we made the trip up to Sydney, all four of us ( although we didn't drag the boys to the Fair) and had a wonderful time seeing Sydney through tourist eyes. Both Paul and I have been many occasions on business ( Paul is there frequently) but this time we had three days seeing the sights...The Dollhouse Fair included.

I spent quite some time going from stall to stall observing all that was on offer.....perhaps something I will do less of next time considering I missed out on some rather gorgeous wall sconces......hey Emily.....; ) To my delight I had the opportunity to meet in person two fellow bloggers Margret from My Petit Parterre and Emily from Architecture of Tiny Distinction. It was wonderful to put faces to names as they say and if it weren't for the pull of pending purchases I'm sure we would have chatted for hours.



So to the purchases.....many were made I am afraid to say ( or delighted) and all with a purpose in mind. I wont list them all today, I just wanted to show you the wingback chair I bought for the Twins room. I was particularly drawn to this one because of the elegant curves of the wings and the roll of the arms, I thought the shape was soft and feminine. Initially I intended to change the fabric but it continued to grow on me....just the right blue and soft pink in the flowers and it is all so beautifully made. Now that I have the chair in place I think I will keep the floor as is, I like the dark brown with the blue.The hand crocheted blanket is made by Lynda Auld who unfortunately doesn't have a blog. I think it looks so pretty there...almost as though the Twins have had a bed time story there. I also found some wallpaper I'm happy with, the photos above are a truer colour than the one below. The little Georgian chair in the hall was just what I was looking for, it is actually a closer in colour to the table than it looks in the photo.




Well thats it for now, I would like to give a warm welcome to my new followers. I will post about my other purchases soon.

Happy minis every one!

ML Fi xx



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57 comments:

  1. ElgaMay 7, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    I love the wallpaper you got for the bedroom and the wing chair, oh gosh, that is really just lovely, I think it is a wise decision to leave it just as it is. And the crochet blanket is just perfection. Your Georgian chair looks great too!

    Glad you had a great time in Sydney and I am looking forward to seeing the rest of your loot.

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 9:53 AM

      Hi Elga,

      Thanks and yes I am finally happy with the wallpaper, I can't wait to put it all together and put all the final touches in.

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
  2. JonquilMay 7, 2013 at 10:46 PM

    I am positiviely pea green with envy - I have yet to go to a miniatures fair...sounds like you had a great time!

    I love the soft blues, they are very soothing, and they really complement the dark woods - incidentally, regarding your post about painting, I think you should leave them dark.... it would look more authentic, but also, speaking as a RL owner of white painted wooden floors and stairs, painted floors are a NIGHTMARE to keep clean... though minis are easier to hosekeep ;)


    Jonquil

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 9:58 AM

      Hi Jonquil,

      Well I think you have one of the best Dollhouse Fairs in your neck of the woods....the Paris one I mean.....I think Sydney would fall very short of it I'm afraid.

      Yes, I knew once I went to the fair I would come back more focused....stained wood floor it is......those naughty little Dolls would probably do a great job of scratching the paint off....; )

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
  3. JonquilMay 7, 2013 at 10:46 PM

    erm, that would be housekeep...

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  4. BLANCHEMay 8, 2013 at 12:11 AM

    What a beautiful chair you found, Fiona! is perfectly in tune with the Pinocchio by Catherine. Your purchases are exquisite. Thanks again for the timely intervention to help me.

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM

      Hi Blanche,

      Oh, you are more than welcome....I'm only too happy to help. As soon as I saw the crochet blanket I knew what I was going to do with it, Catherine's book was jus perfect!

      ML Fi XX

      Delete
  5. Tessa LiduinaMay 8, 2013 at 12:30 AM

    Dear Fiona, such lovely purchases you made! The wingback chair is a perfect addition to the iron bed in the twins room. And I agree; the dark stained floor looks very fine like this. The wallpaper is a bit like a William Morris design; I love it!
    I am looking forward to your next post about the things you bought on the fair. Hugs,liduina.

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:03 AM

      Hello my Dear,

      You know we do think alike.....I actually wrote it looked like William Morris and then deleted it because I thought I might be the only on who thinks so.....lol

      I'm so glad you like my chair, once I got it I knew I would keep the floors.

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
  6. AnnaMay 8, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    I love the colors in that room =) very pretty! have a good time! Hugs /Anna

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  7. PlushpussycatMay 8, 2013 at 1:43 AM

    Beautiful choices, Fiona! Sounds like you had a blast! I am so happy for you. xo Jennifer

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  8. Norma BennettMay 8, 2013 at 6:35 AM

    The armchair is really lovely - these must have been sold out by the time I got there on Sunday because I don't recall seeing any. I did see some of the Georgian chairs. I bought almost nothing, just 'bits and bobs'.

    A great pity we weren't able to meet up. I'm thinking that next year we should all try to make an 'appointment' to meet at the cafe upstairs at 10 am before the fair opens for trading.

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:07 AM

      Hi Norma,

      Even though I did by quite a bit I was a little disappointed at what was on offer, it sounds like you had a busy weekend.

      I think next year we should meet up and I' wish I had known there was a cafe upstairs, Mia and I were starving and had to settle for some very ordinary coffee and cake at the canteen.

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
    2. Norma BennettMay 12, 2013 at 7:56 AM

      I might have misled you with the word 'cafe' - perhaps it's the same place you called the canteen. Nothing to write home about food wise but lots of seating if you get there early. By lunch time it's crowded so an early meet up would be good.

      I was disappointed really too, there were several traders missing including a couple that I had particularly hoped to see. However both you and Margaret got some interesting things so obviously there were a few gems on offer, at least for the early shoppers :)

      Delete
    3. Fi.PMay 12, 2013 at 11:48 AM

      Hi Norma,

      Well, I'm not sure about the Canteen/Cafe but there were no seats at all, just a coffee machine and pie warmer in the hall with the stalls. Maybe they changed it this year? I did think it strange they didn't have anything, at the small fair in Glen Waverley they did at least have plastic chairs and tables where you could sit and have a cup of Tea.

      Delete
  9. IlonaMay 8, 2013 at 7:03 AM

    Oh Fiona, it is so good to hear you've had a wonderful time at the fair and to meet some fellow bloggers, how wonderful!
    You did some great purchases, dear friend, I love the chairs, especially the Goergian chair. The wallpaper and the crochet blanket are wonderful too.
    I really love this blue color.....I am a huge fan of blue :D!!
    Lovingly, Ilona XXX

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:10 AM

      Hello my Dear,

      Thank you I am glad you like my purchases....I feel like I will be able to finish it soon, I just have to get these commissions out of the way.....the Lady has asked me to do more for her Holiday House.

      I love blue too....it's so calming.

      ML Fi XXX

      Delete
  10. Indy_PoppyMay 8, 2013 at 7:14 AM

    Nice purchases. I can't wait to see what else you purchased. It would have been fun meeting the other miniaturists from other blogs.

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:11 AM

      Hello my dear,

      Yes it was fun to meet, perhaps next year you can come along and meet with us!

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
  11. Susan@minicrochetmadMay 8, 2013 at 8:58 AM

    Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Love your purchases, specially the blue chair, it looks perfect!

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:12 AM

      Hi Susan,

      Did you go? Next year I think Norma and I should ralley every one together so we can all meet....it's such fun!

      ML Fi XXX

      Delete
    2. Susan@minicrochetmadMay 9, 2013 at 10:58 AM

      Boohoo Fi, no I didn't go and I'd dearly love to! Meeting online friends would be wonderful. Actually I've never been to a miniatures fair, it's on my Bucket List. Heheh, it's the only thing on my Bucket List ;) I shall spend and spend and spend when the big day comes :))

      Delete
  12. The grandmommyMay 8, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Both chairs are lovely! I really like the whole corner of the Georgian chair...the chair rails, lighted lamp,the plant stand and the color of the walls.
    So elegant!

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:13 AM

      Thank you so much.....you it is a pretty corner....I wish I had a real life one!

      ML Fi xxx

      Delete
  13. JohnMay 8, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    So glad you had a good time at the fair, and what cool purchases you made! --Aren't you happy you didn't pain the floor after all?

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:15 AM

      Hey MR.....yes I am happy I didn't paint the floor......I am however no Honey Badger and I procrastinate too much, so no danger of me painting it before the fair....LOL

      XX

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  14. MargaretMay 8, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    Great buys Fiona, the crochet blanket looks perfect draped over the chair and goes so nicely in the room, I wonder what else you bought? Can't wait to see.

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:16 AM

      I wonder what you bought too......sorry I missed you at the end.....I did look for you before we left.

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
  15. AnnaMay 8, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    Do I envy you, getting to go to the fair...those chairs are gorgeous! Can't go wrong with classic hardwood floors, either.

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:19 AM

      Hi Anna,

      Yes I am happy with the floors now....sometimes you just need the right thing that is going to tip the balance one way or the other.....

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
  16. Architecture of Tiny DistinctionMay 8, 2013 at 8:50 PM

    Hi Fiona!
    I love your chair - lucky I didn't see it considering my track record now!! Glad you had such fun. I am looking forward to next year..
    Emily

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    1. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:21 AM

      Hahaha....yes next time I will commit to purchasing early! My lesson learnt.....it's good to know we have similar taste.

      Great to see you!

      ML Fi XX

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  17. DaydreamerMay 9, 2013 at 9:24 AM

    Hi Fi! Your wing chair is GORGEOUS!!! I'm so glad to hear you had a great time at the Fair! I am actually afraid to go to one... I am Sure I would spend too much and come away with things I didn't really need! No impulse control! I look forward to seeing more of what you got... and the Room update of course! the wallpaper pattern does look like a William Morris design... I LOVE his designs!

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  18. Fi.PMay 9, 2013 at 10:25 AM

    Ahhhh, yes, I said to Liduina I thought it looked William Morris too. It was one of the reasons I chose it. Not that my DH will be an accurate representation of the period or style but I am keeping to those influences.....my objective is to create and overall ambience than anything else.

    ML Fi XXX

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  19. AndyMay 13, 2013 at 1:31 AM

    Hello Fi,

    Sounds like your little break away was great fun. Great to hear that you enjoyed the Sydney show, and picked up such lovely things. The armchair is charming, as is the crocheted blanket!

    regards
    Andy

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    1. Fi.PMay 15, 2013 at 11:04 AM

      Hi Andy,

      Thanks, We really did have fun! As soon as I am done with these commissions I will be back into it!

      ML Fi XX

      Delete
  20. elizabeth sMay 15, 2013 at 10:17 AM

    Hi Fi! You made some exquisite purchases while at the fair! I am a BIG fan of chairs and I have a drawer filled with them, waiting and waiting..... I am so glad to see that the 2 that you chose able to be used right away! I love the print on the wing chair and the throw, waiting for a story time for one of the twins! The chair in the hall is a mini masterpiece and I love it! I imagine that you are happy to have now resolved your wallpaper dilemma. It is so difficult to move forward if something major seems to be stuck in neutral. Brown and blue are the perfect compliment to each other anyway, so the rest should be a cake walk! Have fun with your new toys and I look forward to seeing the way you make it all come together.

    elizabeth

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    1. Fi.PMay 15, 2013 at 11:07 AM

      Hi Elizabeth,

      Haha, I think you must have the hugest stash!!! It is so addictive though, there are so many things to buy it's too hard to choose, why not do as others do and change the furniture from season to season. Now I'm getting ahead of my self!!

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
  21. MargaretMay 20, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    Hi Fiona, Just wondering if you remember the name of the dealer where you bought your chair. It is where I bought my furniture too and I can't seem to find the correct details, I want to contact them.
    Margaret

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  22. Fi.PMay 20, 2013 at 9:05 PM

    Hi Margret,

    I'm in the same boat, I couldn't find anything to say where they were from. I have a feeling she may have covered the chair herself. So I'm afraid I am of no help.

    Fi x

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  23. Dr Huckvale's Castle of Art and IdeasMay 22, 2013 at 5:17 AM

    Hello Fi! - What delightful miniature chairs. I want to be SMALL!!! Anyway, here I am - still here! I've not been much in evidence recently, mainly due to a need to relax (which I have done rather well). Part of my relaxation has been a great deal of gardening. (Though it's been quite hard work physically, it IS wonderfully relaxing.) I must be getting old. When I was young I had no interest in gardening and was all Wagnerian. Now I play Mozart sonatas on the piano and root around in the soil with the ants. I've not been doing any drawing, but I have recently started another one, which will be posted when it's done. I'm hoping to start painitng again in the summer - but there are still some tidying jobs to do - and we need to have a car-boot sale with all the junk we've been accumulating! I have also done a little writing, so hopefully the next book will reach the finishing line- and I feel so much calmer than I did two months ago!!! So glad to see you are busy and being so creative. Andy read me your email! I will be posting pics of our holiday on his blog. Speak soon - Love David xx

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    1. Fi.PMay 22, 2013 at 8:42 AM

      Hi David,

      It's so good to see you back in blog land, even for a short spurt. I had a feeling you might be lost in the garden some where. It is so easy to get involved with nature and loose thoughts of anything else. It's very peaceful....just you and the plants, even if it is hard work, it's good for the soul.

      I did have a look at Andy's post and it looks like you had a wonderful time! The Gate house is spectacular!!! Did it feel a bit spooky staying in there???? It looks like it might have been, but I know you love all that! It has inspired me go on an accommodation search, it looks like a lovely spot!

      Well I'm happy to see you here, I am almost finished my first lot of commissions so I can have a small break soon then on to the next one, then onto some more miniatures!

      ML Fi xx

      Delete
  24. Dr Huckvale's Castle of Art and IdeasMay 22, 2013 at 5:20 AM

    Whoops - I mean ANDY will be posting pics of our holiday on his blog. My camera didn't work!

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  25. Dr Huckvale's Castle of Art and IdeasMay 23, 2013 at 5:38 AM

    Hello Fi - Yes the Tixall Gatehouse was great. I felt like an Elizabethan alchemist when I climbed the stone spiral staircase to my turret room each evening. There was a gigantic open space up there, perfect for a laboratory - but it had only a ping pong table in it. Andy had a very grand bath tub in his room (which I borrowed) and we were surrounded by bleating sheep (who had their lambs scampering around - it was all very pastoral. I began to draw the splendid mullioned windows, which will eventually form the background of the strange little drawing I'm trying to finish. But today, I've been hacking and digging my way through our very overgrown fruit cage. Dandelion city it was - but no more. It's very smart now!

    Pleased to hear you've finished so many commissions. You deserve a break I think!

    Love

    David x

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  26. Fi.PMay 23, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    It sounds fantastic David! I'm not surprised your room was in the turret...lol

    Well I'm looking forward to seeing your drawing, those surroundings sound so inspirational, you have me itching to get over there!

    ML Fi xx

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    1. Dr Huckvale's Castle of Art and IdeasJuly 14, 2013 at 8:27 PM

      There's so much we could take you to see, Fi! Yes, I am well suited to turret life. We stayed in William Beckford's Tower in Bath once - that was quite an experience!

      David

      Delete
  27. LindseyMay 29, 2013 at 11:09 AM

    What fabulous mini chairs! So fun! :)

    toddlindsey.com

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  28. MunirGhiasuddinJune 2, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    Thank you for sharing. Very nice chair !

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  29. UnknownJune 2, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Hi Fiona, beautiful work!! Magnificent!! I live in Victoria Aust! and make 1/12 scale miniature realistic food! Hope we get to meet sometime! Glynnis

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  30. UnknownJune 12, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    I just found your blog ... and I like it!
    want us to follow each other??'ll wait for my blog!

    http://lemonchicbeautyfashion.blogspot.it/

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  31. GiacJune 26, 2013 at 9:33 PM

    Hi Fi,
    I know I commented when you posted this...I guess I must have not hit the right button. Sorry about that! I love all the purchases but the wingback chair is fantastic. it is a really beautifully well made piece of furniture. I also love the wallpaper.
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  32. UnknownJune 28, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    Hello from Spain: I envy! Sydney fair. Major findings. I like the walls of the room. The chair is gorgeous. Great shopping. Keep in touch

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  33. Dr Huckvale's Castle of Art and IdeasJuly 14, 2013 at 8:34 PM

    Fi - Andy has shown me your very nice email! We're so pleased you enjoyed our little package, and Iris sends her love too. Yes, we must discuss the Pre-Raphaelites. I'm fonder of the second wave (Burne-Jones, late Rossetti, Spencer Stanhope, Evelyn de Morgan, etc.) than Holman Hunt and Millais (amazing technicians though they were). My REAL favourites are the OLYMPIANS, rather than the Pre-Raphs - Lord Leighton, Poynter and Alma Tadema.

    Andy has been so busy recently, and now he is hard at work sanding down the little chest of drawers (full-size this time!) that he bought for his room. We'll send you photos when everything is finished - and I'm sure he'll be contacting you soon.

    Love

    David

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  34. Fi.PJuly 14, 2013 at 10:33 PM

    Hahaha, David, I just left a message on your blog only to find just now you have left one on mine....how funny!!! Back in sync again!!

    ML Fi xx

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  35. My Journey To Celebrating LifeJuly 28, 2013 at 6:02 AM

    Absolutely amazing what you are creating using miniatures. Your blog is absolutely amazingly wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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