It All Starts Here

Sometimes our ideas flow from an existing kit to bash, a house style to scratch (aka custom) build, or from an interesting doll who needs a place to live. Our settings are always modern-day (ca. 2001 when we started this hobby). We try to create things that will make people smile and feel good.

We think that if we had to build the same house twice, we literally could not do it! Fortunately, we have very unique little people who have definite opinions and so far, no one has wanted a house “like so-and-so” has.

We work as a family unit: my wonderful husband, my beautiful sister, and I. We don't always agree as to the direction of the build, but I think that we end up with a better dollhouse because of all our grumblings -- and we do have a lot of fun!

The Purpose of this Blog

We needed a place for all we wanted to say about the background of the build and the nuts and bolts of the design and build process. Thus this blog.

All our dolls' homes have families living in them and a story is built around their personalities and lifestyles. This story is an integral part of our building process. We would like to share these stories -- actually, the little people insist upon it!

Many of our houses are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia because that is my sister's favorite place.

Also, we have started a Rouges' Gallery with photos of our little people and information about the dolls.

If you would like to start with the dollhouse that "started it all", it is the Original Rowbottom Manse; if you would like to see the scratch-built Georgian that our first build gave us the confidence (or fool-hardiness) to do, it is Sunnybrook Farm.

Let the stories begin!

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Friday, July 20, 2012

La Malcontenta is on YouTube!



I finished the video of La Malcontenta’s interior—the landscaping has not really been started so that will go into its own video, whenever…

I could not find any “public domain” music that was the right length that I liked, so the video is “silent”. YouTube offers some nice “public” music but then they put adverts in the video—pretty Ugly looking—so no thanks—silent it is! I guess I will have to commission my own “dollhouse” music!

The other thing I don't like is that "YouTube" picks a slide in the slideshow/video to be used to represent the video in the listing. I would like to be able to put up my own choice. They pick three abitrary shots and I have to choose one of them. Once I had to delete a video because the picks were not the best representation, and then upload it again. Fortunately, the second time had a "good" one to use.

As usual, you can click on the image (see what I mean about not the most meaningful slide?) here, or click on the "We are on YouTube" icon in the sidebar, or go to YouTube and put irismarchcreations in the search box.


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The weather has been fairly nice here (that is, on the days when the temps stay in the low 80s), so I have been in the garden. The flowers are doing well and are a pleasure to look at, except that the weeds are also doing well. We have a garden helper who comes once and week—great to have someone young and strong to move wheel barrows of dirt and bales of peat moss around the yard! And he is always in a good mood and doesn’t mind the heat (as opposed to me on both accounts).

The only thing good about the hot days, is that I can work on my dollhouses in a nice cool basement. I do miss large windows, can’t see much out of standard basement windows eight foot up against the ceiling.

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18 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Simon. I got a chuckle from your comment!

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  2. Great job on the video, Iris! Love Tom's attic apartment.

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    1. Thanks, John. I am still not at ease in making the videos--takes me forever to do one. Tom's apartment was fun to do.

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  3. great video Iris

    The house looks wonderful!!

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    1. Thanks, Andy. I still can't believe that such a Georgian/Palladian person such as I am, made this house and love it!

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  4. Fabulous Iris!

    You must be so happy with the final results. I took particular not of the inside of the opening door, an important aspect when looking in through side doors.

    Hugs, Fi xx

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    1. Hi Fi,

      Yes, I do love this house! Doing the opening doors can be a trial, but I love to do up all of the house.

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  5. Hi Iris,

    I just love La Malcontenta and I agree, a video is a good way to get a real "feel" of the house. I love your posts also and all the nuts and bolts explainations.

    Many hugs,
    Becky

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    1. Hi Becky,
      Thanks, I like the idea of doing a video, I just wish I could it faster!

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  6. Hi Iris! It must be a huge amount of work to put one of these videos together! I am very impressed! If it were me, I would be sure my camera was shaking and bouncing around! I kept wanting to stop the video and really have a good look at the details... but I guess that's what the "still" photos are for! You have done an amazing amount of work on this house! And the size of the attic suite always surprises me! It is so spacious!

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    1. It takes me forever--I don't know why but the process makes me nervous! Weird, I know. I am happy the way this video came out. I keep watching it myself!

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  7. Nice to meet you Iris!! You are in my giveaway list. I was looking your blog and I think that you make fantastic work with your dolls and dollhouses. I stay here as follower to see all your news.

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    1. Nice to meet you too. I enjoyed reading your blog and I am glad you like mine too.
      Iris

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  8. Hi Iris!!!
    thank you so much for the visit :)
    you're so nice !
    I have been busy this summer and I got away a little bit but always is a pleasure to see how beautiful miniatures you have and your great houses
    hugs cristina :D

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    1. I am glad you had a little vacation. Thanks for reading my blog

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  9. Hello Iris,
    I'm so sorry i missed this psot. It was wonderful to see la Malcontenta on Youtube. You know what impresses me, even though you have a very specific style and I can recognize the Iris touch in all your work, it amazes me that your projects are so divers. I've looked at the clip several times and I can't decide which part is my favourite...I'm leaning thowards the Dining Room, but it's hard to say as I have always had a lvoe for Dining Room. that being said, the contrast of the chairs in the Master bedroom with the Gren carpet is one of the most beautiful color combinations I've some accross. What a wonderful project. you have my respect!
    Big hug, and again I apologize for being so late,
    Bigger hug,
    Giac

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    1. Oh Giac--what wonderful comments on La Malcontenta. Thank you so much.

      I, too, can't decide on my favorite room, but the dining room is certainly one of them.

      I am glad you like the chair color (salmon, I guess) with the green carpet. I did wonder if I overdid the "electic" look.

      Thank you again and many hugs

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