Tiny Indulgences

Attendees of Ruth Stewart's theme luncheon in Charlotte, received a very special gift! Ruth created unique cake houses in 1/144 scale — 24 houses—each one different. Please visit Ruth's website to see more of her charming creations.

Photo: Ruth Stewart

The inside is just as pretty!

I love the penguin slide! Photo: Ruth Stewart

Photo: Ruth Stewart

Do You See It? Take a Closer Look....

See it now? This exquisite butterfly was a gift from Andrea Thieck. It is a very special keepsake from our meeting in the spring. I have been waiting for the hydrangeas in the garden to bloom the perfect shade of blue, so that I could share the beauty of Andrea's work. Unfortunately, the photo does not show the butterfly's glistening, intricate wings that Andrea has so perfectly replicated! Please visit Andrea's blog to see more of her amazing work.

Spring Gifts from Oiseau deNim

I had a happy surprise when I opened my mailbox to find these gifts from Peiwen of Oiseau deNim. The hens are traditional French Easter chickens! The dishes with Beatrix Potter illustrations are special to me because they remind me of those lovely books that my mother read to me as a child (who doesn't giggle when they see portly Tom Kitten with his bursted buttons?)

As I opened each gift, my husband stood over my shoulder with the curiosity of an 8-year old. When I unwrapped the pink egg we were both surprised and laughed at the two tiny ducklings peeking out at us! Delightful gifts from a special friend! Thank you, Peiwen!

Christmas Swap

These are the beautiful gifts that Lara made for me. They will fit perfectly into my Victorian house. Aren't the childrens' toys amazing? The tiny flowers and berries will compliment a Thanksgiving table so nicely. And the ornaments have hooks! Everything is so detailed and well made. Thank you, Lara!

Here is the gift I made for Anna. Peggy was originally my partner, but was unable to participate for health reasons. Best wishes to Peggy for a quick recovery! And a big thank you to Caterina for organizing the swap!

Delicious Miniatures from Oiseau deNim

This is how my French table would look, if I lived in France. All of these beautiful miniatures were created by Peiwen from Oiseau deNim.

She has sent me a some of her new savory items – a French Terrine (in back with the knife) and Red Fruits Gratin – yum! And, something I have always wanted to try to make in real life: a Creme Brulee. Although I could never make the top turn out so nicely has Peiwein has done. My Creme Brulee would end as a torched piece of coal! The chocolates in the shape of seashells are amazing! They remind me of the Guylain seashells that are so yummy. Peiwen has even dusted the chocolates with a shimmer of gold! And aren't her macaroons to die for? They are simply perfect! The baker has developed a new recipe that gives them pretty, pearlescent colors. The snowflake on top of the macaroon charlotte is a pretty detail. And the box is perfect for a collection of mini ornaments.

I am so delighted to have these beautiful miniatures. Thank you, Peiwen!

Tuscan Treats from After Dark

I returned from vacation to find a package from Eve at After Dark. I mentioned to her that I have a Tuscan kitchen in the planning stage, and she has supplied me with a fantastic assortment of Italian goodies. They are lovely. The tiny little nuts amaze me. I especially love the apples! Perhaps they will find a home on the window sill of the kitchen. Thank you Eve!

Below the photos is a quick video that I shot while on vacation. I thought that you might enjoy seeing some of the unusual foods available at the night market in Beijing; including snake's skin, squid, octopus, scorpion, silk worm larvae, etc. I wasn't brave enough to try any of them. However Hubby said that the scorpion and silk worm larvae were delicious! 

Gift from Eve (After Dark)

Charlotte cakes! I confess my ignorance - until reading everyone's posts on them, I had never heard of a charlotte cake before. But now I have two from Eve at After Dark. And such lovelies! The fruit makes my mouth water. Eve, thank you very much!

Eve has some gorgeous charlotte cakes and other items available in her Etsy shop.

Gifts from Caterina and a Light Tent

Caterina was so kind to make these items for my Victorian house. A pair of men's slippers, books with pages, an envelope of tiny postcards and crocheted potholders which will be the perfect colors for the kitchen. I am in awe of her tiny crochet! Thank you, Caterina!

With the darker months of the year quickly approaching, I decided that I should no longer rely on my bay window as my photo studio. For the cost of some foam core and full spectrum light bulbs, here is my economical solution - a homemade light tent. I can't wait to hear Hubby's reaction when he goes downstairs to the bar in the "man cave" and sees my new studio sitting on top!

Collaborating with Oiseau deNim

As many of you know from my profile, when I'm not creating miniatures, I am a freelance graphic designer. My specialty is packaging design (boxes, bags, cans, etc.).  When Peiwen of Oiseau deNim contacted me about doing box designs and a logo for her work with polymer clay foods, I readily accepted the invitation. Not only have we come up with some fun items, but we've developed a friendship as well.

Please take a look at what Peiwen has sent me. Her work is breathtaking. I feel honored to not only have her pieces in my collection, but to call her my friend.

I call this Breakfast with Peiwen. It makes me imagine that we are dining together al fresco in beautiful France! My camera cannot capture the detail in her work. These items are simply stunning! I think I will have to create a new garden room to accommodate them.

The logos and cake box are from our collaboration. Peiwen lives in France and much of her work is inspired by French cuisine. "Oiseau" in French means "bird". She wanted to capture the meaning of her business name and the whimsical, feminine appeal of her work in her logo. Many of her boxes have lace designs; therefore she wished to include lace in her logo as well.

This is the mouth-watering Passion Fruit Macaroon Charlotte. It fits nicely into the box that she requested from me. Notice how the handles form an "O" like "Oiseau". That is typical of Peiwen's attention to detail! She added the pretty floral motif to the box.

Thank you, Peiwen, for your beautiful gifts and for allowing me the opportunity to work and play with you!

The passion fruit macaroon charlottes are currently available for purchase from Oiseau deNim's Etsy shop.

Gift for Caterina (Le Minis Di Cockerina)

I've been happily creating geraniums to help Caterina fill her tree trunk planter. She has really done a nice job of making the planter look like its full size counterpart!

Gift for Eve (After Dark)

I'm a fan of Evie's miniature food creations. Her beautiful work can be seen at After Dark Miniatures or her Etsy shop. When she contacted me for a swap, I happily agreed. I hope that she likes the bunny box, basket and jar of honey. They were fun to make!

Gift from Maria (Il Cucchiaino Magico)

Look at the pretty items that Maria from Il Cucchiaino Magico has sent me! They are souvenirs from fair Verona and the infamous Romeo and Juliet. The book is so perfectly made; it is printed throughout with lovely illustrations and the binding is perfect. It even feels like a real book! The little box is packed full of pretty postcards and the CD case even has a CD inside! Perhaps the enclosed letter to Juliet will inspire me to make a wish...maybe to finish some of my miniature projects! :)  Thank you Maria!

Gift from Oiseau deNim

If you aren't familiar with Peiwen at Oiseau deNim, you really should pop over to her blog or her Etsy site. Not only is she an amazing miniature food artist, but a really wonderful person as well! Here is what sweet Peiwen has sent to me.

Swap with Ira (Merry Jingle)

I eagerly agreed to do a garden-theme swap with Ira at Merry Jingle. I was utterly surprised when she sent me these fabulous things for my captain's study. Just look at the wonderful items that Ira has assembled! There are so many maps; the captain will be one man who will never need to ask for directions! I can see that a lot of effort and thought went into this swap. Thank you, Ira!

And here are the hostas and geraniums that Ira has requested.  I am a fan of succulents, so I included a misfit mug of hens and chicks (just like I have in my own garden). I hope that all of these items will fit nicely into her Toscana garden.

Holiday Swap - Lovely Things from Ingrid

I'm a bit late in posting, but I don't want to be remiss in sharing the items that Ingrid has made for me. Aren't they lovely? Everything is so detailed! The passport has real stamps and the photo books contain photos from all of the places that I hope to visit some day. Thank you, Ingrid! And thank you to Caterina for hosting this fun swap and opportunity to get to know our fellow miniaturists in blogland.

Gifts from Sonya

A large parcel came in the mail today, all the way from Sonya in Italy. When I opened it, I was excited to see so many little gifts that will fit nicely with my upcoming plans for a Tuscan house.

Look at the purse. It is my first Gucci - a real Italian Gucci!

Thank you, thank you, Sonya! You are a generous and thoughtful friend!

Gifts for Sonya and Printable Books

I love the inspirational photos that Sonya posted of her new project, an American Country House.

I have a few things in my stash that are collecting dust as they wait for me to finish the settings that they will go into (and that's not happening any time soon)! Hopefully Sonya can use some of these items in her house. If not, perhaps they can find another home across the ocean.

Every American country house needs a rocking chair. This kit is from Chrysnbon (open but intact). I was surprised to find out that these detailed, plastic furniture kits aren't sold in every country! They are ubiquitous in the U.S. Does anyone know of website or shop in Europe that sells Chrysnbon?

The hutch and plates were not made by me. The hutch is painted an unusual shade of green. I always intended to paint it a different color. I'm sure that if Sonya chooses to repaint it, she will choose the perfect color for her decorating scheme.

Sitting on the hutch are more things that I didn't make: a 2-tiered plate that matches the fruit plates on the shelves and a brown ceramic platter. An old-fashioned milk can sits in front. At one time, these were used for transporting milk to the processing facility, but now they are often painted with flowers or scenes and used in country decorating.

Sonya asked me about printable books. I quickly put a one together in Photoshop. This is copyright-free.

Click on the image to download a print quality picture.