Tiny Perfume Bottles

After I got all the glue off my fingers I could sit back and look at my handy work. My little peep doll Mary is such a girlie girl and loves different perfumes yet she only had a few bottles. Now she has a dresser top full of a nice assortment for every day use and any special occasion.

Mom left me with some vintage Spinel Earrings that I was sure I would never wear due to them being clip on or screw on types of earrings. I kept looking at them and wondering what to do with them. I have a big tub of mom's old jewelry and also had little bags of parts and pieces.

I took the earrings apart and learned what Spinel actually was. Definition: a hard glassy mineral consisting of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum; occurs in various colors that are used as gemstones. These stones she had were all clear. So I took apart the earrings and lined up the individual stones that have many cuts so are very detailed.

I sorted through the old bit and pieces and found some single earrings and other stones to use for caps. I love reusing items and now mom has another place amongst the little peeps on Lundby Lane.

First and second photos show all the tiny perfume bottles Mary now has. Third and fourth photos show all the bottles I made from mom's old jewelry. Once I got the glue off my King Kong size hands I sat back and admired the tiny bits and pieces of a fine lady who will always be with me and all have a place in Peepville.

New Doll House

Signe gets another new doll house. She worked hard and saved up for it.

She is admiring the exterior and just is speechless.

Let's see what she's done with the interior.

Signe is so proud of her new house. She bought the house and then picked all the furnishings herself. Yes, she went to the Miniature Show a couple days ago. She and her mom Marta had a blast. They found many, many items that were just too big for them.


I am so grateful I don't collect old cars or airplane engines. It was great fun to buy a new doll house and be able to carry it around for hours. I went to the Miniature Show in Chicagoland and absorbed many great ideas. I was fortunate to meet up with Chris from "Call of the Small" http://call-small.blogspot.com/ and we both commented on how much more fun it is to hunt for tiny treasures and then rejoice in the great prices we paid. I am so pleased she won that Brio House I stopped bidding on. Congrats Chris!


At the miniature show I found a tiny little doll house that already had furniture in it which was firmly in place. I sure liked it but wasn't sure I wanted to pay the price. So I continued browsing, had some lunch and when I went back to look at it again it had been bought by somebody else. Of course I was disappointed but I didn't realize I would have more fun buying a little empty house for a very fair price and spending the next hour meandering the miniature show to find my own furniture and items to accessorize. I guess I wasn't meant to have that house that was all set up. At the miniature show the vendors are so friendly that I was able to first take the little house around so I would be sure I could find proper items to furnish it. Then I went back and purchased it and several other vendors helped me furnish it. Now Signe is speechless because she just can't stop looking and playing with her new house.

Favorite Things

A New Favorite Thing!

Martin says "Oh Mary, you've here. I've been waiting for you. I have a gift for you that I'd like you to open. Mary says "Well Martin... What on earth did you get me?"
Martin says "Go ahead and open it but be careful."

Mary shrieks with joy and says "Oh Martin, it's one of those special Swedish horses. Please tell me all about it."


Mary places the horse on the mantle and Martin begins to tell Mary what is is. "It is a Dalecarlian horse or Dala horse (Swedish: Dalahäst). It is a traditional wooden statuette of a horse originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna. In the old days the Dala horse was mostly used as a toy for children; in modern times it has become a symbol of Darlarna as well as Sweden in general. I thought because we live in a Swedish house that maybe this Dala Horse would bring us good luck."

Mary exclaims "Oh Martin, I just love it. It looks hand carved and hand painted with great details and oh so special. Let's take some photos of it so others can see. I bet Marta and Erik know all about these."

A Closer Look
(Hubby calles it a Kloppen Ploppen. He's so silly!)

Credits: Viking Treasures Store, Long Grove, IL. A Norweigan and a Swedish flag fly outside the door of the treasure trove of gifts shop in a sleepy tourist town in Northern Illinois. Hubby and I had to travel north to pick something up and we stopped at this store. I spotted the Dalahast on a key chain for a reasonable price but it was way too big and mass produced. Then I spotted the tiny Dalahasts in the case that were all one of a kind. The store clerk told us they were all hand carved and hand painted from wood. I would have settled for the key chain as it still would have been usable but Wonderful Hubby bought me this most precious Swedish Horse. I wasn't expecting that and gave him a Big Smooch right in the store while the clerk wrapped up my tiny treasure which is now one of my very Favorite Things.

Favorite Things / Part II

I just cherish that little plate. It measures 3/4" round. What a great find! Maybe Martin will cook Mary something sweet to put on it or Mary will hang it on the wall. I just don't know what they do with all the things they get. (Note: I accidentially deleted this photo from the blog below and I wanted to include the photo to show the cute little plate.)

Favorite Things from the Shopping Trip

Hubby and I went on an adventure yesterday to find a Miniature Doll House

Store we didn't previously know of.

Thanks to the kind Blogger who let me know about Lolly's in Elgin, Illinois. There are only three miniature stores in all of Chicago Land and Lolly's is loaded with tiny treats for all. We meet Lolly herself and I asked her if she had any Lundby items. She said she didn't and almost all items were 1:12 scale. Of course I had my little Peep (Mary) and some furniture with me for sizing. After a long time browsing and playing I found the doll house that the visiting children are allowed to play with. Well just look at what I found on the front porch. I showed it to Mary and she sat on the swing and really wanted it. Lolly said it wasn't for sale. Well, Mary wanted it badly. In a tough economy everything is for sale if there is a buyer. We negotiated and now Mary has a nice porch swing to rest on under the shade. (I spruced up the fringe with some Febreeze and it is about as good as new! I am very grateful the kids didn't destory it or smear chocolate all over it.)

Just look at what else I found! The bird cage is from Caroline's home catalog. The table and chair are Lundby. I found the bird cage in the case and the table and chair were with the kids play house.

The tiny little blue birds are incredible. Mary just had to have the thermos for Martin. (Adorable) Mary wanted the hot chocolate mix, the two cups and spoons for those cold winter nights sitting by the fireplace. Mary also begged for another vase for herself as she is a collector of tiny vases. The tiny plate was found amongst the childrens items and is the perfect Lundby size. Mary thought Martin would like it too. Close up it has two tiny rabbits on it and is made of ceramic. All told we could have gotten more but Mary and I got just what we needed.

Thanks Lolly! Thanks Hubby!

27th Some of my Favorite Things...

A Lundby Vase is on the left in the photo. I went to my first Miniature Show and Oh My Gosh... I went back the next day with my Lundby dolls and precious furniture items in tow. I had to be sure everything was the right size. I purchased the two vases on the right. They were handmade in England a few years back and I was told the artist was no longer in business. Then Hubby took me to the only Miniature store still in business in the Chicagoland area and purchased the tiny roses to put in the vases. My rule is "It must be LUNDBY or better". Once in a while I do find better! Very happy that Miniature store isn't close by either! We only visit on special occassions because I get lost inside for hours and hours.Below are two Antique Store finds. The box of Tinsel on the left has actual foil made to look like small strands of tinsel in it. I forked over a whole 50 cents for that. The little book on the right I find amazing. The title is "Santa Claus - Paper Dolls in Full Color". I also bought that at the antique store in a tiny lot of books for 50 cents. The Xmas tablecloth I made from vintage fabric.

The setting below was inspired by Swede Pat and Lundby. She sent me two very old Lundby placemats with tiny plates glued on and a fork attached. I could not find anymore of those in current Lundby items so... During my summer travels I searched everywhere I could for vintage small print fabric. If the fabric was dirty I would clean it with some mild soap and then starch it and press it flat. I would then figure out the size I wanted and begin cutting. (Very hard to get straight lines for me.) Once I got the size and shape I wanted I would pull the tiny threads to fray the edges just the other Lundby items. Then I made the white placemats to add to the tablecloth. Then I went mad and made very tiny squares for napkins and folded them so they looked very life like. A tiny dab of glue holds the center and I was agast at what I could create. So I continued and made the tiny chair decor thingies. I'm not a fancy lady but I sure do want my Lundby Peeps to have the best of everything.

Thanks for letting me share. More posts to come. The next miniature show in the area is early January and I don't care if its blizzarding and ice blocks are falling out of the sky, I will get there. I'm sure they'll remember me. I went the first day last time by myself. The second day hubby showed up to join in the fun and to pull me out of there before I sold the house for more miniatures.

27th More of My Favorite Things...

When I first received the Lundby bags in my Advent calendar I quickly thought they were just too darn big. Shortly after I lost my job I decided to get busy and try to make some smaller ones. The two bags that say Merry Christmas on them are made by Lundby. The other five bags in the photo were made by me. I'm so glad I took the time. I examined the Lundby bags and made a pattern and away I went looking for the thick paper and adornments. I also have plainer bags that I use for groceries. The fancy bags I use to store extra clothes in and put in the wardrobe or leave them out for decor. I have some extra of these bags that are currently listed on eBay along with some Lundby size vintage groceries.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180449345333&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT