My love of wicker continues....

I have long admired the work of miniature artist Lidi Stroud .....in particular her wonderful French picnic basket (with wine carrier attached). So you might imagine my delight (& immense joy!!!) when it arrived in the mail. As we all always say....a photo never does real justice to someone work, but I tried very hard to capture all of its detail.....it is REALLY wonderful!!!

Many many thanks to you again Lidi x.

...dont forget to visit Lidi's Etsy store!!!...

Chippendale Bookcase....

Just this morning I added the final details to the exterior of this kit. I used little  draw pulls and key plates I purchased on-line from  Janny at Art of Mini.....I am very pleased with the result. But what also pleased was ALL the Elisabeth Causeret (France) porcelain I found to fill it. I am a huge fan of Elisabeth's work (if you cannot tell..?) and when I get the chance to do so I add to my collection. If it will remain this way I do not know, time will tell when I have more work to my 'shop' completed.

My wicker train basket....

Can you imagine my delight when this order (finally) arrived. I say finally as it seemed to take for ever to get from the Netherlands to Tasmania!....BUT well worth the wait!

I am having a love affair with 'wicker' at the moment and was thrilled with this little gem. I am amazed at the skill required to make something like this....it is so detailed, see the lovely detail at the base of the basket....and it sits perfectly.

The artist responsible for this beautiful piece is Will Werson, I have previously purchased from her  in the past and find her work amazing....Thank you so much Will, I know the postal service made us both very nervous, luckily it all ended well.

If you do not know Will's work, please take a look....you will not be sorry!!!!

Thank you so much for the lovely comments on my last post.....it was so lovely to read them all, so pleased to know you are all still 'out there'.

I am back....

I am back!....back from where you might ask?....well, from absolutely 'no-where'!! But I am back into my miniatures with a refreshed vigour and new interest. With no work what-so-ever done on 'sous le figuier' (my latest project) for several years....well, since 2014 to be exact it was time to start...again!!

I have bought many miniature treasures in that time, so my collection for this project kept growing....but sadly no actual work was happening. But over the past few weeks I have once again been working on the house/shop. I have done lots of work on the windows to finish those off prior to painting and I am presently painting shutters.....10 pairs in all!!

I have also been playing with ideas for (faux) ironwork for the front door....but something didn't sit right with me....the window above the door wasn't what I wanted anymore. So...with a bit more thought and a pair of corbels that have been floating about for about 15 years, I redesigned the area above the door. I enclosed the 'hole' and used a wonderful French finding and made a new pediment....sounds a bit easier than it actually was. I think (hope) it all comes together nicely once painted.

You will see that everything is simply sitting in place (and held with Blue-tac)......but to silence my dear friend I have done this 'post'. Catherine thought you would be interested in my progress...? (as small as it is!!) 

Still collecting....?

I know it has been a terribly long time since I last posted anything....I could try and find an excise, but sadly I haven't any...!

At present I am loving the work of Alison Davies. I know most of you know Alison already, as I have seen her work on your blogs and I understand she has been most successful at recent miniature fairs...no question at understanding why! I bought this gorgeous little table from Ali a few months back, the detail is wonderful and the size and scale is perfect....I adore it!!! WhileI am waiting for my next order to arrive I thought I should do a blog post, as I fear that my dear friend in America will 'spontaneously combust' if I do not.

While my blog has been quiet, so has my spending habits when it comes to miniatures....with not a lot that is new to show you. Although I have bought a few items for the florist...(that has now been stored away in a wardrobe)...I couldn't bare to look at it any longer in it unfinished (and neglected) state. I bought the little posters and chess board from 'A Lavender Dilly'....I always manage to lose myself for several hours in her Etsy shop.

I am not totally certain of the eventual home for Alison's table....do I start changing a few items in the Petite Maison, or save it for the florist.....please don't answer that question. But, what I do know is that it was a 'must-have' and I so love seeing what Ali has already made and I dream of what she might design in the future.

Wishing you all a Safe and Happy 2017.

My Old Lady....

"My Old Lady".....this movie without a doubt is my all time favourite. I do hesitate to tell you just how many times I have watched it....(I just can't seem to get enough of it!)....I love everything about it!!! It does of course stars some of my favourite actors....being the magnificent Maggie Smith, the fabulous Kristin Scott Thomas and the adorable Kevin Kline.

As you might guess (due partly to my love of it) it is set in Paris. Some of the locations used were instantly recognisable to me, but other not so much......?

I hope you enjoy these photos I have selected from my 'location spotting'....I certainly had fun finding them.

I must add....if you have not seen this movie....well, I think you really must!! Enjoy x

Senlis....part 2.

Senlis part 2 as promised......Enjoy x

Senlis....

The beautiful medieval town of Senlis is located just 10 kms east of Chantilly. Chantilly itself boasts the stunning 'Chateau du Chantilly'. Late last year we made a long awaited visit to Senlis....it is a gorgeous town to visit and boasts a market each Saturday....(it is in total only about 50 kms north of Paris)....with easy access via train from Gare du Nord to Chantilly, then a bus onto Senlis or of course you can drive yourself as we did.
We found beautiful accommodation in a lovely B&B and we loved wondered the town and exploring wonderful little streets, shops etc. Although it was very cold it was an absolute delight and I long to return there again one day.
I hope you enjoy the photos I post today....there might well be a Part 2 to this post as I found it very hard to minimise my choice of photos. Enjoy x

Le temps passe.....time flies!

Time does fly and I have been away from my blog for far too long.....sorry!