Dollhouse News
Dollhouse on the Martha Stewart Show
Dollhouse on the Martha Stewart Show? That’s right, but not just any dollhouse, it’s a Greenleaf Dollhouse! Our friends over at Custom Dolls, Houses & Miniatures, better known as CDHM.org and the Storybook Cottage Dollhouse Kit will be on the Martha Stewart Show this Tuesday, November 11th.
Well How did that happen? It all sits squarely on the shoulders of Marlene Buffington of CDHM.org, also know around the Greenleaf Miniature Community as chikzilla. Marlene is on a mission to bring little things into the big time and her most recent promotional push is the upcoming appearance on Martha Stewart Living Television.
The segment of show focuses on miniature food artist Betsy Niederer who will be demonstrating how to create a mini turkey to hostess Martha Stewart. Betsy is absolutely amazing and I would suggest that everyone visit her gallery at CDHM, but do so on a full stomach because you’re guaranteed to get hungry looking at all her delicious food items.
Marlene had put months into making this happen, and when it all began to finally come together, she extended an invitation to her long time sponsor, Greenleaf Dollhouses, to join in the excitement. Of course, we graciously accepted and donated 220 Storybook Cottage Dollhouse Kits to be given away as gifts to Martha Stewart’s audience members.
Of course, there was a need for a painted model for the show so, in steps miniature superstar, Tracy Topps. Time was of the essence and Tracy is always up for a challenge, so she stayed up all night making a Storybook Cottage for Martha that she shipped out FedEx the next day. Tracy also completed the furniture and it all looked fantastic on the set. Tracy also has a gallery at CDHM and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, I would suggest contacting her… she is a true artist.
A big thanks to our friends at CDHM for including us in this great opportunity. The CDHM web site is filled with miniaturists of all genres happily chatting, teaching and attending tutorials, writing blogs, filling galleries, and participating in many, many other features all designed to promote mini artists and the hobby of miniatures. It’s some what like a Mall of Miniatures with each artists having their own store. It’s the first place to start looking for unique goodies for your miniature collecting hobby. I highly recommend you stop by Custom Dolls, Houses & Miniatures and have a look for yourself.
It goes without saying that we want to thank the entire production crew on the Martha Stewart Living Show for showcasing miniatures and Greenleaf Dollhouses to her viewing audience. Of course, a big thanks to Martha for having us and taking a picture with my sister Lisa, Marlene and Alice (I’ll post a copy as soon as I get one). Be sure to set your Tivo’s to see the Storybook Dollhouse on Martha Stewart.
Hurricane Help from Miniaturist
Our friends over at miniatures.com are having a fund raising event to help those who have been effected by the recent hurricanes. If you order the Greenleaf Big Bus Dollhouse kit before October 17th (and use coupon code WPC2820), Ernie will give $5.00 to the the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund. In addition, that same coupon code will give you 15% off, so you will save $6.00 on the bus. It’s a great way to help others while also helping yourself! Hobby Builders Supply has had events like this in the pass which have been very successfully, so spread the word to help make this another winner.
The Spring Fling Sneak Peak Gallery
I’m sorry if I’m jumping the gun, but I can’t sit on these pictures any longer! These 72 entries have me so excited, I put together a Flash Gallery so everyone can get a quick peak. I have cropped a few pictures here and there to better fit this format, but when I post the images into the Official Spring Fling Contest Gallery at the Greenleaf Dollhouse Forum, I will use the originals as I received them. Because of the format here at the blog, I had to make the gallery a little smaller then I would have liked, so you will find a larger version in this post at our forum.
Dollhouse instructions get an upgrade
Dollhouse Instructions always have room for improvement… until now! Thanks to Ben Anderson, the instructions for the Orchid Dollhouse Kit and the Buttercup Dollhouse Kit are now fully illustrated! Ben contacted me when he was working on his Garfield Dollhouse with the idea of illustrating the building process. He sent along some drawings that knocked our socks off. After discussing his Garfield, Ben volunteered to move forward on a complete set of instructions, so I sent him out both the Buttercup and Orchid to choose from. I guess Ben had a hard time deciding which one to work on, so he did both! I am truly amazed at not only his drawings, but his generosity. His hard work will no doubt benefit miniaturist for decades to come and he has made two great products even better. Greenleaf is forever grateful for his amazing contribution!
Greenleaf will be including Ben’s new instructions in the Orchid Dollhouse Kits starting with our next production run scheduled for next week… the Buttercup is soon to follow. There’s no need to go out and buy an new kit, because Ben provided the instructions in PDF format and they are available at the Greenleaf Miniature Community Download Area. You will also find a copy of the Greenleaf Warm-up which is a starter sheet included in all our kits. This tip sheet was also converted by Ben.
Thanks again Ben!
The wheels on the bus go round and round…
Well our good friends over at Hobby Builders Supply have us working on a new project… a bus! It’s in the early stages, but we’re rolling along. This will be our third miniature project with a transportation theme; first the Travel Trailer, then the Houseboat and now a Bus. All three of these projects have been inspired by the miniatures.com crew who are always thinking about something new and interesting. You can catch the bus in the upcoming Hobby Builders Summer catalog!
Join the Greenleaf 2008 Spring Fling Contest
Greenleaf is proud to announce the start of our second annual Spring Fling Contest (formally the Heart Arbor Contest)! Last years contest was such fun, we decided to make a whole new kit just for this contest! This mini workshop is a great project to get you in the spring mood! It’s a fine little building on its own and will look great sitting next to your dollhouse!
To make this years contest extra interesting, we’re going to name this new building after the winner! That’s right, instead of the Greenleaf Workshop, we’ll rename it after you - for example, Mary’s Workshop! Now how cool is that?
In a nutshell, just submit a picture of a scene with your Winners Workshop and you might win one of these great prizes below. The best news is that Greenleaf has put together a special deal on the Winners Workshop for $8.95 with FREE SHIPPING on your order* (more details below)! So join us in the fun as well celebrate the seasons!
Greenleaf welcomes an old friend to the Gazette
The Greenleaf Gazette, our official newsletter, is delighted to announce that our very own mini-expert, HavanaHolly, will be taking over the Quick Tip section of the newsletter each month. For those of you who know Holly from our forum, you know that she’s a walking encyclopedia of miniature information, tips and tricks. Holly’s expertise and her practical approach to building, decorating and creating miniatures is one of our most valuable resources, so we’re looking forward to her gems of wisdom each month. Watch for “Havana Holly’s Quick Tips” beginning in the March Gazette!
The Greenleaf 2008 Spring Fling
We’ve been trying to come up with something unique for our second annual Spring Fling Contest (formally the Heart Arbor Contest) and decided to stay with the outside theme. Our goals were to keep it simple; easy construction, ultra affordable delivered price and something you can use at the end of the contest. So introducing, the yet to be name miniature out building! Stay tuned for more contest details!
The Vineyard Cottage Dollhouse Kit - a new beginning
After a long anticipated release, the Vineyard Cottage Dollhouse is once again available from Greenleaf Dollhouses! We’re just finishing up this wine country wonder and plan on shipping it by the end of next week. As with our other recent releases, the Vineyard Cottage will be shipping with promotional packaging (no label). This dollhouse is a real winner; the access from the sides makes it a very unique house that I’m sure everyone will enjoy!
We have gotten a lot of positive feedback on the Brookwood Select Edition which featured an upgrade to birch plywood, so we’ve done it again! The Vineyard Cottage Select will be available exclusively at the Greenleaf Doll Houses Company Store. The Greenleaf Select houses may become available in limited quantities from time to time (there are only 20 of the Vineyard), but there is no guarantee that they will be run again, so if your interested, don’t delay!
Brookwood Dollhouse ad rallies real estate market
I know that real estate is a touchy subject, but there is no concerns over interest rates when it comes to Greenleaf Dollhouses. For under $150, the Brookwood dollhouse remains an affordable project that will bring you decades of enjoyment! The plans to bash your kit into the house pictured in this ad were published in our Doll Houses to Dream Houses, Book II which is still available at Hobby Builders Supply. The Dollhouses to Dream Houses series of books has been discontinued, so be sure to grad a copy while you still can!
New at the Greenleaf Doll House Forum- From the Greenleaf Forum Memeber Blogs
This looks great! I really like the scale (height) next to the Vineyard Cottage. I am with the other ladies--it ...
My first reaction was Chapel in the Woods - it would make a great outdoor scene. 
I can't wait!!! It looks really good! I'm with Anna. How about a photo of the back? 
I so agree with Holly on this it is a stunning building and I know I will need one later ...
OMG, Dean, this is totally awesome! You have a real winner here, IMO! How will it look from ...
