Changes....lots of changes!!

Lots of changes.....? You might be looking at the photos and wondering what on earth is she talking about! I did infact make changes....lots of them!!! I spent most of the weekend moving furniture about in my petite maison.....taking photos, standing back surveying the changes, making more changes.....until I realised I had changed everything back (almost) to where it was originally!!! I'm not saying I got it right the first time, I'm just saying with the furniture to hand I think I must have made the best choice way back then!!! So being terribly frustrated with not a lot of furniture changes, I decided to 'refresh' a lot of the accessories.....this was a lot of fun. The entrance hall is the only room that I can show you at the moment, but I have replaced the floor rug, some of the content on the side table, all of the content of the centre table, a new picture over the couch etc. They are sutler changes but I think it freshens it all up.
Frustrations were (again) high today trying to get my lovely little Ray Storey lamp to work.....nothing wrong with the lamp, just the electrician (me)!!

"Sous Le Figuier"....

I am terribly pleased to say that a 'big effort' has gone into my latest miniature project these past few weeks. My dear friend Catherine felt sure that you would (might!....my word) be interested to see my progress.
All the detail (wood) work is done to the actual shop front, the roof has been re-designed, I have used 'strip-wood' to make different mouldings around the (gutter area) of the roof and detailing on the actual house. Unlike the 'Petite Maison' there is no (and will not be any) plaster 'over window' details or balconies with corbels. I have used two main photos for the inspiration for this project......one photo I took many years ago while staying in Chinon and the other is a small building in the heart of Paris....both are simple but delightful building.....and gosh I hope some of that has reflected into what I am desperately trying to achieve here!?
You might notice the stairs through the front shop window......these will not be visible when work starts on the interior, but I fear there is still a lot to still do to the exterior before too much work can begin inside. I want to make all my own wooden shutters....whether they will be louvred I am not too sure....but I do have ideas. There are many roof tiles to make, cobble stones to sand, a chimney to design and make and "plants" to make......not to forget the "plants"!!!!!!! Okay....wish me luck, there is still much to do!

Pretty little doilies....

I am constantly amazed by the fabulous talents of some miniaturists, there are so many people making lots & lots of wonderful things! It is one thing to see these items on some-ones blog, but it isn't until one of these items arrives to your own home & is sitting on your own desk do you really see the fabulous workmanship, detail & scale that is in these items!! I am talking about the wonderful skills of Susan from http://minicrochetmad.blogspot.com/ . Susan sent me these 2 gorgeous little doilies, (which arrived Christmas eve)....they are so detailed that I am at a loss to understand how Susan works something so small, yet soooo neat by hand....truly beautiful!!!

Thank you so very much Susan, as you can see they have 'pride of place' in the 'Petite Maison'.

Strawberry cake selection....

There aren't too many miniatures being made by my hands at present, but this is a fabulous purchase I bought from Sarah Maloney. When I set my eyes on this wonderful little piece I knew immediately that it would work in my next project. It is lovely selection of French cakes blushed with a soft shade of pink. Sarah has a great website http://www.dollhousekitchen.com/

as well as her blog, I am never disappointed when I go there for a visit......Thank you so much Sarah!

...just to prove that after several hours work, the 'petite maison' all back together again!!

All work and no play....

....makes Linda a very dull girl!

So I have been making more aubusson rugs! I have acquired some very pleasing new designs and was thrilled with how they printed out. I'm happy to add that a couple of these rugs are soon to find new homes on the other side of the world. Through blogging I have found many wonderful people happy to share their work with me and I am only too happy to be able to repay their kindness.

...just have to find time to now make it to the post office...lol!!!

"news alert".....one week until Mercedes comes to visit, I'm so excited!

Miniature Mail....for sale!

I have been busily working away on a few commissions for miniature mail and I though I would make an extra one.....if any one is requiring miniature mail I have 1 lot for sale. It includes, an aged covered shoe box with approx 26 postcards, 14 envelopes (posted mail), 2 envelopes with revealed content (letter & photo), a bunch of letters tied with a silk bow and 3 unused airmail envelopes with a sheet of stamps......there are lots of possibilities of how you could use these about your miniature house.....if you are interested contact me regarding price.


PLEASE NOTE: this little box of mail is now sold, if you feel that you can't live without your very own box of miniature mail, contact me and I shall see what I can do.....Linda x

Buttons has arrived....

....yes, dear little Buttons has arrived at the Petite Maison....

....he's been having a good look about....

....I hope he will like his new home....

....I think he looks happy to be here....

....he found the shopping basket, he must be wanting his dinner....

....yep! the bowls empty....!

As most of you already know, I am the very proud and happy winner of the fabulous 'give away' held by Catherine of http://kilmouskiandme.blogspot.com/ . Buttons is all hand made by Catherine....it makes my mind boggle as to the talents of some people. Catherine sent Buttons via "Express Mail" from America to his new home here in Australia...(so in my mind he flew 'business class and not 'economy'..lol!)...but we are both pleased that he arrived safely!! He is the most adorable little fellow and I am thrilled to bits to have him living in my little French house.

Once again a very big thank you to Catherine, little Buttons shall always be a treasured addition to the petite maison.

My lastest acquisition....

This is one of my latest purchases....aren't they divine? These are made by Eve at 'After Dark Miniatures'. She makes the most fabulous items and there was no-way that I could allow myself to miss-out on these beauties!! Eve has some amazing miniatures on her blog and I know I shall be back for more.....Thank You Eve, I adore them!!

I believes these will work in perfectly with all my ideas for my next project......Yesterday saw me buy the timber to start my next project & today might see it actually get 'cut-out'!!!!....so I am excited to say that the next project has officially started!!!

...I must thank Eve also for the use of her photos for this post....

p.s....the wooden stand is made by Canadian miniaturist Thomas Saunders...it is exquisite!!!

I have made a start....

I have finally made something for my new project.....it's not a huge accomplishment I know, but it is a start. It is a little letter rack kit from McQeenie Miniatures, they have some fabulous kits and they are always a delight to make....and what does one do with a 'miniature letter rack'.....you fill it with 'miniature mail' ofcourse!

I have been drawing plans for my new project and ideas have been coming 'thick & fast'....so I may have something to show soon.....or then again, I'm not a very fast worker so who would know?

....my husband asked how long this project would take.....I was happy to answer....another 5 years!!!

par avion....

This afternoon has seen me making more miniature mail. This is a special order from a very talented miniaturist and fellow blogger. I have used a few new items as well as retaining some of my old favorites. Once again I have included little envelope with removable letters and photos. I hope the new owner will enjoy this little collection. I am happy in the knowlegde that these miniatures will be finding a new home in France.I do hope I haven't ruined the surprise, but I couldn't resist adding these to my blog.

Exquisite....

Once again I have been so fortunate as to recieve in the mail, these "exquisite" petit point cushions....from my dear friend Sandi Quance of Canada.They are an absolute joy, so beautiful!!! (I am ashamed to say that my photography does not do them justice.)

The workmanship, colours, detail & finishing is to the highest standard. I am honoured to own such beautiful pieces.

Thank you Sandi....much love, Linda x

"Miniaturas"

I am thrilled beyond belief with the article in "Miniaturas" magazine! What a perfect way to celebrate the completion of the 'petite maison'.

I thank Madelva very much for the care she has taken with the article....all 10 pages of it....wow! Plus I love her 'creative sence of humour'.

I've had many of you say that you are unable to obtain this magazine, well these details may be of some help!

Subscription to the magazine is available and can be sent world wide, or you can simply purchase individual 'back issues'. To do this go to: http://www.miniaturasrevista.com/ or email to: miniat@arrakis.es .

Madelva also takes copies of this fabulous magazine to the Chicago International Dollhouse Fair, Kensington Dollhouse Fair in London and of course she will be at SIMP in Paris.

*Madelva has a 'surprise' for a few followers.....but I shall say no more......?

I must thank you for all the beautiful comments that you leave me in regards to the 'petite maison', it has been a joy to share it with you all!

The lights are on....but no-one's home!

...did I ever show you evening photos of the 'petite maison'? I found these this morning, you may notice in these shots that the house isn't 100% finished, but I thought you might like to see them just the same... (there are countless bulbs and metres upon metres of wiring)...

I am still working on plans...(mostly in my head)...for my next project, but life is busy at present as we are building a 'real-life' house which also occupies a lot of time and thought.

I am still eagerly waiting the arrival of my copy of the 'Miniaturas' magazine....I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Published in Miniaturas....

Once again I am thrilled to say that the 'Petite Maison' in all its glory is published in the Miniaturas magazine!
I am being teased, as these are the first images I have seen of the article! These pictures were found on the blog belonging to Maria at.... http://nukketalo.vuodatus.net/ and ofcourse with her kind permission I have used them here. I am awaiting my copy of the magazine to arrive in the mail, but so far I am so pleased with what I see. No -doubt some of you already have the latest issue of the magazine, so I shall wait to hear from you to tell me what the rest of the article is like.
I thank Madelva very much for her patience in waiting ever so long for me to finish the petite maison so that she could publish it and I thank Maria for allowing me to take a copy of this photo from her blog and a thank you to Rosanna who alerted me to the fact regarding these images.
Now I shall just have to wait for the postman to arrive.....that will be the hardest part!

I wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Ideas for my next project...?

I've been playing with a few ideas for my next miniatures project. I have no firm ideas of what I want to do, but I do know that with my love of all things French it will certainly have that feel about it.....again!

I would like to take this chance to thank you all for the beautiful comments I recieved regarding the completion of the 'petite maison'. Your comments were wonderful and I was thrilled with each and every one....thank you so very much! Linda x

"La Petite Maison"....part 4.

Before I show you the final photos of the petite maison (....the exterior of the house and how all the rooms sit in relation to one another....) I though you might like a quick refesh of all the rooms, I hope you don't mind seeing some of these photos again....!

I have recieved some beautiful 'comments' on my blog and some wonderful emails, I thank you all so very, very much, I cherish each and every one!!! I have also recieved lots of 'requests' for information...."where, how, why, with what" etc. and I am extremely flattered that you ask, but it is becoming very difficult to keep up to date with my replies. If for some reason I have not answered your email, please do not be offended.....with luck I shall get to it!