What's New

Recently Linda http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/ sent me several beautiful pieces of Stokesay Ware to add to my collection. It was a thank you gift for something I made for her. I was thrilled! I love their new "Chelsea Plates". They blend so nicely with my mismatched blue & white collection. She also sent me the blue willow tureen and the little leaf dish. Thank you so much Linda!!!

 

I bought the Guinness stone bottle by Terry Curran from Peeps by Post. Elaine wrote and said she was moving house and she had just found a brand new Jane Newman dresser she forgot she had. Right before Jane retired she came to visit her for tea and brought a few of her last pieces. How lucky because it is a bigger hutch and I obviously am out growing the one I have. It is unfinished so I can choose what sort of stain or paint I want on it. I will be very glad to have all the cup hooks it has too.

 

Stokesay Ware Leaf plate and Teresa Martinez's canned string beans, tomatoes and olives. 

 

Beautiful Petit Point Carpet ...Finally I HOPE!

I am afraid I had to cut the photo in half to try to get blogger to publish the quality. I keep getting an error message. Grrrrr Blogger is being a real pain today!!!

You are going to have to click on this photo to see the amazing detail of this petite point miniature rug. It is well worth a closer look.

This is a insanely gorgeous petit point carpet was designed and stitched by Catherine Soubzmaigne on #40 count silk gauze. The rug is 8 1/4 inches by 11 inches. It has been stitched with beautiful variegated cotton threads.

I have looked for a very long time for a carpet I wanted to stitch. When I saw this one I knew it was the one! The detail is so amazing when I first saw the photo blown up (full screen on my computer) I thought...No way this is a miniature. I was in total awe. I immediately ordered the chart from Catherine. In less then 24 hours after the first time I saw it, it was in the mail to me. I am thrilled.

It is going to be a real labor of love.

eBay Auction Wild Rabbit

I have listed a OOAKwild rabbit on eBay. The auction ends next Sunday. http://www.ebay.com/itm/310981084718?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
He will make a great addition to an outdoor scene or garden.

New IGMA Forum....Everyone is Welcome!

 

 

The International Guild of Miniature Artisans has created a new exciting forum. I have stolen Elga's words below from the announcement she made on her blog http://elgakoster.blogspot.com/. Forgive me Elga, I have a bit of chaos going on here this morning. Catherine XXX

 

The forum was officially launched last night at the opening ceremony at Guild School in Castine. http://www.fineminiaturesforum.com/ The web site went live about two months ago but was kept a secret with the exception of a few people who were asked to join and start posting so that there would be some content by launch date.

 

You don't have to be a Guild member to join the forum, please read through the forum's guide lines before you start posting. I hope many of my friends here will join, this is going to be a great online place to share and inspire each other to build great miniatures! 

Please share this on your blogs and other social media so that we can spread the word among as many miniaturists world wide as possible.

Memorial Day Weekend

I have had a family member who fought in every war since the American Revolution. My father (who fought in WW 11) gave me a deep respect for those who serve our country and those who fought for it. I am very grateful to those people for the freedom I enjoy.

 

My mothers family came to the US from Northumberland, England. In 1600's. I now own the very same farm they got through a land grant in 1630. That is a very long time for one family to own the same property in the US. My great-grandfather returned from the American Civil War to the farm in 1865. He had fought in 27 battles. He hid woods until dark because he returned without his pants. I have no idea what happened to them. That explanation isn't in my great-grandmothers diary. LOL

Handmade Ceramic/Porcelain Tiles.

This is not the final arrangement. I just keep playing with them like they were puzzle pieces. Sometimes mixing in the white and blue matching solid ones. The square ones are 1/2 inch.  I love the Greek key tiles and the tiny square corner ones.

 

As usual I couldn't make up my mind. Terry Curran's work is so beautiful. Choosing one design meant leaving all the others behind. So I have what looks like a patch work quilt of tiles here. 

 

No, I am not sure exactly how I will use them in the kitchen. The idea was to use them around the sink as a splash guard or behind a stove. I will have enough to do either one. I have tested that on the drawings I have of the walls. 

It is a perfect color match to the Stokesay Ware I have. Which is also a mismatched collection because I loved all the blue and white designs they have too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collecting Terry Curran's Porcelain

I adore Terry Curran's porcelain pieces. His work is hard to find in the US. Although I have found several things on eBay. None of those dealers bother to tell you it is his work they have for sale. I have just looked at enough of it to recognize it when I see it. All the pieces I have, have been signed by him. I am waiting for several tiles I ordered he made. I am very excited about those. They are soooo beautiful. I ordered 6 of each blue and white design I liked. Along with Greek key border tiles and tiny corner tiles. I can't wait to see those in person.

 The Ginger jar and the barrel jars are 1 1/8 inch tall. I am planning to have a pantry/closet in the kitchen with shelves visible through an open door. That is where these porcelain pieces and other food items will be. I am still not sure where I want to use the tiles. I also bought four of his terracotta chimney pots.