Season's greetings!


It's this time of the year again to be with friends and loved ones and family and enjoy the warmth of love and steal a bit of well deserved rest to enter the new year with a renewed energy and zest! I wish all of you, my readers, a happy and healthy new year, full of love and joy and many many fulfilled desires!

I photographed Jason Wu's Androgyny Avantguard doll dressed in Mel Odom's Gene Marshall Criss Cross gown - wig by Facets by Marcia, jewellery by ...(if anyone recognizes these, I got them ages ago from a great lady in Prego and lost her card, cannot remember her name), shoes by Joe Tai, chair by Bella! Studios, ornament on her hand by Depot in Dusseldorf.

Black & white dollhouse by artist Janine Rewell


Janine Rewell is a Helsinki-based freelancing illustrator and graphic designer. She has studied illustration and graphic design in University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH, Finland) and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD, United States). Rewell has won several awards for her work, including a bronze Design Lion at the 2009 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. Her works have appeared for example in avertisements, product packaging, interior designs, book covers, magazines and posters. Rewell's clients are Nokia, Qatar Airways, Finlandia Vodka, Marimekko, just to name a few. As an illustrator she’s represented by illustration agency AGENT PEKKA. Janine’s computer-based vector style combines basic geometrical forms with small decorative elements. Inspired by by the geographical location of Finland, her illustrations represent an original mix of Scandinavian design and Slavic folk art. In the photo you can see her modern, black & white dollhouse, created for personal use, with imagery reminiscent of playing card illustrations. It looks incredible! Proof that a dollhouse does not have to be stuffy or old-styled to be appreciated!

Resume text and photo from the artist's website.

Kensigton Dollhouse Festival 2009

Established in 1985 by Caroline Hamilton & Sue Atkinson, The Kensington Dollshouse Festival (formerly the London Dollshouse Festival), has become the top international show for quality dolls' houses, miniatures & models. this year it was held on the 21st of November (only one day unfortunately), attracting thousands of collectors and shop owners. Enjoy some photos of the festival, published by The Guardian. The next one will be held from the 14th to the 16th of May 2010, at the Kensigton Town Hall, Hornton Street, London.


Furniture is the obvious thing to see in a dollhouse...

...but how about some miniature cheese and ham!

Vegetables for the vegetarian dolls.

Of course no doll is ever without her handbag and shoes...


...but pickles are necessary too!

This photo gives you the sense of scale...

... and even on the hands of a child, things look small indeed.

Dinner is served! Notice how even the lids are hand-painted!

Everyone is charmed by beautiful doll houses!

Teddy bear anyone?

Flowers are always a welcome decoration at any home, real or miniature.

Toast anyone?