The Addiction

My serious addiction to Stokesay Ware continues, I'm afraid. These pieces arrived today and I am once again so happy with the quality of them.

I was a little hesitant about the cups and saucers because on their web site they are photographed straight on. The cups have a bit of a curve that goes up to the rim, so I couldn't see if they were as thin as I hoped they would be. They are perfect! Also I couldn't see if the big bowl had a design on both sides. It has a design on three sides and a surprise one inside the bowl.

Making A Mattress

Sometimes you just have to make some practical things. Today I made a mattress for the iron bed. Not that it will ever be seen after the bed is dressed. Yancey (Button's brother) and the cat had to see if it was going to be comfortable. ;-)

It took me forever to paint the bed with oil paints. Paint hates me and it is mutual!!! I can't even get the top off before I have it all over me and many times everything in the vicinity. I added all the brass medallion findings to the head and foot boards (56 of them if I remember correctly.

I bought the fabrics and some lace in Chicago. So this week I hope I will be able to find time to dress the bed (another first)

I am STILL stuck on Federal Jury Duty until the end of the month.

Rose Cottage

Please click on photos to enlarge them.

This is a little cottage I stitched on silk broadcloth with silk threads and ribbon. It is 2 inches wide X 2 1/2 inches tall. Not a house as we refer to them but still a miniature of sorts. The inside is also stitched and houses a embroidered tape measure. The roof is padded so it can be used as a pin cushion. I still have to make the loop that goes over the bead to keep it closed.

A Gift From France!

I have received a beautiful gift from the very talented Oiseau. Just look at these gorgeous pastries!!! I am so thrilled to have them in my collection. They are just perfect!

I have seen and read about French macaroons and pastries in so many miniature blog sites. I was feeling my collection was quite deprived and me too for that matter! I am sure the first thing I am going to do if I ever get to France is head straight for the nearest macaroon for my first real bite (a coffee flavored one I think). I am so curious about them.

Do check out her blog to see all of her gorgeous work on her blog and in her ETSY shop!. http://www.etsy.com/shop/oiseaudenim http://oiseaudenim.blogspot.com/

Thank you soooooo very much Oiseau! I adore them.

1: 12 Scale Dollhouse Miniature Lamb Toy

I have been working on a few toys this weekend. This is the only one I managed to finish. I am trying to decided if I want to bother making it into a pull toy.

For the coat...I thought I would try to stitch thick patches of French knots on Solvy (which dissolves in water). After the knots were stitched, I rinsed way the Solvy and applied the French knot patches to my lamb sculpt. OMG! Talk about trying your patience to a new level. Once the Solvy is gone there is nothing holding your stitches together. I can't tell you how many times I thought about pitching this lamb in the bin! The whole time I was working on it I kept telling myself... Throw this out it looks awful but being free for the first time in days, I just wanted to play.

Her face and part of her legs are flocked. I only had 2 mm silk ribbon in white. So I brewed up some raspberries and a batch of blue berries and dyed the ribbon in that.

http://www.sulky.com/stabilizers/solvy.php

Button's Has A New Brother

I have been working on another little Westie. I am not sure he is finished yet, I will have to take a few more photos before I decide. He hasn't got a name yet, I am not sure I will keep him.

More Stokesay Ware arrived today and I am once again thrilled with it. It is playing a part in the design for the kitchen.

I bought the plate of cheese, crackers and salami from Tiny Towne Hawaii. She had it on her web site on sale and I couldn't resist the price.

The box of Cornish Shortbread Cookies by Carol Cook I got on ETSY.

I have struggled with trying to resolve so many house design issues. I have come to the conclusion that I want a four sided house that opens from the front. I don't want to have to turn it around to see the inside. Plus I think an open one might be a bit too much for Kilmouski to resist. Then there are all the problems with dust, so it seems like the best choice for me. Every time I think I have things worked out something else occurs to me. Hopefully by next month all these problems will be worked out and I will be able to start building.

I have thirty days of Federal Jury Duty to serve. That is why I have not been posting. It will hopefully be over by the end of this month. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Catherine XXX