What Perfect Timing!

I have been waiting for a couple months for an order from Colin Bird. How nice that it should arrive on my birthday! I couldn't be more delighted! Colin's craftsmanship is always perfection. He has all six legs pegged to the seat. That wasn't something I noticed in his sample photo.

This new settee is very like the chair I have of his. They are both destine to be in a cottage living room. Though not right next to each other (too many spokes in one place).

I have not collected any upholstered pieces for that room. I thought it would be wise to wait to see what color the walls are going to be. One thing that these pieces tell me from photographing them is that I am going to need a lighter colored wood floor or they will disappear.

Linda Master, Thank You So Much!!!

If I could live seven more lifetimes I would never achieve a fraction the talent Linda Master has. Ever since I saw her work I have known I was in the presence of greatness!!!

Even though I have never actually met Linda, she has become a good friend. I love talking to her. We laugh our heads off.

She has totally blown me away with this beautiful 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 inch pencil drawing of Kilmouski. I see she did it from a photo I posted here on my blog of him. Unbelievable! I have not done it justice in this photo I'm afraid. You have to hold it in your hand to really appreciate it.

I am going to take it tomorrow to the best framer in town. Then... I will put it on my vanity table so I can see it every day.

Thank you so very much Linda. You have delighted and thrilled me with this beautiful, beautiful Birthday gift.
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Catherine XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

French Flower Buckets / Pails

I have been busy making French flower buckets/pails for the past few days. I have photographed them against a photo I found on the internet of a real Paris flower shop. It is sort of scary to see mine against the real thing.

I used a miniature pot of daffodils, you have seen here before so you could better understand the scale. If these buckets were 1: 1 scale they would be 13 inch's tall. So I am calling this first group size 13. They were made in the same way the watering cans were.

My weather plays a big part in how the faux galvanized finish comes out on these pieces. It has been very humid here since May, so there isn't much choice in when I can put the finish on them. Better fall weather coming, so I am going to take this finish off and re-do it again soon. But for now... Here they are.

A Lovely Surprise Has Arrived From Peiwen

WOW!!! Just look at these beautiful Laduree bags and gorgeous box of macarrons. I love the clear top on the round box with the Laduree logo printed on it. She also made the beautiful white Peonies. There is one of her Laduree wine bottles in one of the bags and a perfect glass pitcher.

Thank you so very much Peiwen!!! I am thrilled to add these lovely pieces to my collection!!!http://oiseaudenim.blogspot.com/

Signing Your Work

Please click on photos for a close up.
I have been busy with other (bigger) work for several days. I am trying to get a piece finished and shipped. So I haven't gotten much miniature work finished.

I thought I would share this because it is a nice way to sign a room box or a dollhouse. I think all projects should be signed, even if it will be virtually invisible on your work, in some inconspicuous place.

I have tried many different ways to transfer a design to a sheet of metal I want to cut out. My favorite way (especially if it is a intricate design) is to draw it on a piece of contact paper first. Which is great because you just peel off the back and stick it onto the metal. Once you have your design cut out, you can either soak off the paper or burn it off with a torch.

I still need to polish the plaque but it is very hard to photograph once there is a mirror finish on it.

Yes, I cut it out of sterling silver. All you need to do this is a drill, small drill bits, jewelers saw , sand paper and polish.