I did these pages about Noah's recent love for books, and more importantly, his love for sitting in my lap while I read to him. As a second child, he's learned that if he wants attention, he needs to demand it. So any time I happen to be sitting on the floor, it's not long before he's there with a book, plopping down in my lap before I've even realized it! It doesn't matter what else I was doing, I'm now supposed to read to him! Of course I can't deny him, since he gets so little one-on-one time as it is. I'm just glad that he's learned an effective way of asking for it!My next step with Noah's book will be to do the cover, since this was the last spread in this book! I always love doing the covers, so that will be fun.
And here are a couple of my latest thrifted finds. The first I am so excited about. It's a handmade wooden truck/toybox. Riley absolutely loves semi trucks (spurred by Mack from the movie Cars, no doubt), so I knew he would be wild about this. I love the graphics on it- I have no idea who A.M. Hall & Co. are, but it looks cool! It's really large (about 2 1/2 feet long), and the fact that it serves as a toybox is a huge bonus. And it was half price, so I got it for only $8!
The second I have a feeling is going to be a big disappointment to me, but I love it nonetheless. It's a wonderful dollhouse from the 70's/early 80's (my guess from the decor) for only $5.
The reason I think it will be a disappointment is that I'm sure the boys will not play with it as I wish they would. Why oh why was I not blessed with a girl to share in my joy of these sorts of toys??? Oh well, maybe someday... And maybe they boys will surprise me and be really into it. 
One of the reasons I liked this particular house so much is the way the side is opened up to two other rooms. It just makes for a more unique play experience, I think. Two children can more easily play at the same time. And as outdated as all the wallpaper is, that's one its charms, I think. 
Does anyone out there have any suggestions for kid-friendly furniture and dolls that would fit with this style/size of house? The ceilings are 5 1/2" tall, so I think that's a touch smaller scale than most dollhouses. I wonder what was sold with it originally?Okay, that's it for now....hope everyone's enjoying their summer!
i can't quite tell the size of your house, but i really like the wooden bendy-limbed dolls that plan toys and melissa & doug make. they also make furniture here's a link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Wooden-Family-Doll/dp/B0006NUI76/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1213983960&sr=1-1
animal figurines and playmobil people tend to be popular with boys since they can set up "scenes" and the figures all stand up easily. i do play therapy with kids aged 4-10 and we have a doll house in every playroom. an equal number of boys and girls play with the houses, but often in slightly different ways. good luck!
Fabbo finds! You could always try telling the boys they mustn't play with the doll house; that might make them want to! There's a book from the 70s on making dollhouse furniture that I remember as being pretty good, I think it's called Dollhouse Magic. Check your public library. Or you could do what a friend of mine did once--she had a housewarming for her new dollhouse, and all the guests brought gifts for it!
ReplyDeleteI love your finds! But I'm actually more in love with the two dolls next the house. Those are great! I was also wondering what your primary source is for all the images you use in your art? Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeletegreat finds!
ReplyDeletei love the toybox. (we're having a little boy soon and very soon and i'm totally adding that to my mental wish list for my garage sale days!)
It is a Lundy dollhouse.I found one recently at a fleemarket that is even slightly older than yours and once i started googling i loved it even more!
ReplyDeleteI just love your little doll house~ what a bargain!!! I once saw in Country Living magazine that someone had taken an old doll house and hung it on the wall of their studio and was using it to hold little jars and things for art supplies~ it was absolutely adorable and I have been keeping my eye out at the fleas, garage sales and thrift shops ever since- hoping to find a doll house to use as a shelf in my studio~ anyhoo it's just a crafty idea that I loved :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe when your boys are done playing with this beauty you could repurpose it as a shelf for your studio :) I am a big fan of your blog and your artwork~ so unique!! and I love the images and colors you choose~ so fabulous! Craft On!
~Jenelle
The cute dollhouse for only $5.00. You can't make it for that! (This is a favorite saying of my aunt's used to imply an awesome deal for something fabulous.) I read your book a while ago after finding it at Michaels in Vermont and am wanting to buy some of your favorite supplies like the Fresco cream and glazes and water soluble pens. I could have sworn that you listed a web-site that you like but I can not find the info in the book now. That Michaels is several hours away and I'm looking for ease of shopping. I enjoy your work immensely and being a mother of two boys myself (11 and 16) I wonder how your work will evolve with their maturity. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Patti
ReplyDeleteHi Patti, I don't have your contact info, so I hope you check back here!
ReplyDeleteI buy my Golden glazes at www.misterart.com, and my pens on Ebay.
I hope that helps! :) ~Corey