Seasons Greetings!

Wishing all the lovely people I've met in blogland

a wonderful 

and

Happy Christmas

Filled with family joy and peace.

Take a moment for yourself midst the bustle

and have a cup of tea and a piece of Christmas cake.

Teacosy made by myself,

cake from an Australian artist whose name escapes me,

it is decorated with Australian Christmas Bells,

a Native Australian plant which flowers around Christmas Time.

A Tribute to Talent

Or,

The Great Unveiling 

Of a Miniature Portrait

Two lovely and talented miniaturists agreed

to help make this miniature dream possible.

This post is a tribute to their talents,

Thank you both!

Robin and Gill

Robin makes wonderful humorous miniature characters,

she made all the people for my dollhouse.

I was thrilled when she agreed to a portrait commission.

Photos were sent and descriptions written....

Gill is a miniature artist whose work I've long admired,

I danced a jig when she said she'd step outside her comfort zone

and make something totally different.

Many photos, many measurements....

Much patience from both artists,

and the final result....

MiniGraff!

Our grandchildren call their grandfather Graff.

Robin excelled herself!!!

Everyone who meets MiniGraff instantly recognises him

and laughs :))

Gill exceeded all hopes!

She made the double spoked rear wheels herself

and even duplicated the webbed pushrim!!

The front castors actually turn!

 See the camber on the back wheels?

Gill included the tool pouch that hangs beneath the seat,

also the small leather knife pouch where you can just see the

red top of the folding knife peeping out.

and on the back is the Quickie Wheelchair logo

just like the RL wheelchair!

This is the RL version,

it's hard to tell which is the miniature isn't it?

MiniGraff will eventually inhabit a 'Man Cave'

much like his RL counterparts favourite place to hang out.

In the meantime, he's been visiting round the miniature scenes,

meeting people, horses and dogs,

and cuddling the babies.

He loves the babies!

Christopher was so comfortable he closed his

little eyes for a nap. 

Adelaide was happy to share her teddy with MiniGraff.

A toast to Robin and Gill

whose very talented hands created

a portrait which will become part of our family legend.

Additions to the Miniature Population

With thanks to

Robin

the lovely lady who made them!!

Lil in her new domain.

Much persuasion was needed to induce Lil

to emigrate Downunder.

Janet and Jim

were in dire need of some quality help

with their large family

so Robin was asked if she knew of a nice

trustworthy lady who might like to travel

and see a bit of the world 

and take up a position with our family.

Lil was consulted but she wasn't immediately convinced,

she had the possibility of a good position

coming available close to home.

Inducements of a well appointed kitchen

and the great Australian weather

didn't appear to be much help convincing Lil to leave England.

I had a very nervous weekend waiting to hear

what her final decision would be...

Joy when the news came through

that Lil would be coming!!

(Gossip had it Lil was persuaded to emigrate

only when she heard that her dear Vicar,

whom she'd

"done for"

for years,

had accepted a posting Downunder.)

The Vicar is visiting to chat with Young Jim

about christening arrangements for the babies.

Lil and the Vicar appear to have taken

"The long way round"

on their journey to Australia,

arriving many days later than expected.

Robin and I feared Lil had had her way with the Vicar

and the two of them eloped.

Perhaps we'd never see them again!

They eventually showed up,

nonchalantly unpacked themselves

and made themselves at home,

without forwarding any explanation 

re their tardiness.

The Vicar is saying nothing whatever of their whereabouts.

When questioned, Lil firmly closed her lips

around a tiny smile.

 As soon as

the new arrivals had been revived from their journey

with a good cup of tea,

a photo session was arranged

to commemorate the occasion

but Lil was nowhere to be seen.

A frantic hunt ensued.

Grave fears were held for her safety.

Miniature people are warned

on their arrival

of the danger of

Miniature-Eating Wolves

lurking about.

(Chihuahuas - who also eat miniature crochet)

To everyones great relief

she was found to have

skived off to the computer desk for a quiet fag

(a habit I hope I can break her of soon)

and wasn't happy  about being required

to pose for a photo.

Her mood improved markedly

when she was shown the kitchen

where she immediately donned her pinny

and set to work with mop and bucket.

Woe-betide anyone

who walks dirt through her domain

again!

And finally,

our older teenage daughter.

A horse mad lass!

She wasted no time

but made a beeline for the stable

to feed her horse an apple,

give him a good brush down

and pop a saddle on him for

a lovely ride.

Why this is an Award Free Blog

Plushpussycat

has said what I feel so much better than I can express myself.

I want to thank all of my followers

and especially all who leave comments,

without you there would be little reason

to share my humble creations.

The Current Fur Family

It's been quite a while since I mentioned
the Furkids,

so I thought I'd share a recent photo of my darlings.

The current family keeping my seat warm for me!

Four wonderful, eccentric, joyous

Furbabies.

The Whinnying White Ninny

(white with chocolate nose)

Flossie Flannel Drawers

(Fawn with chocolate sabling, chocolate nose and white bib)

Freddy Frog

(Fawn with black sabling)

The Blonde Bomber

(Fawn and white, her sabling has faded with age)

They are my constant companions,

wherever I am, they also can be found.

The specially love to 'help' me crochet ;)

A lovely warm doggie blanket in winter,

not so welcome in summer!

When there were eight.

We have sadly lost four of our little troop

in the past couple of years.

The loss of a loved pet is such a private grief

don't you think?

It's especially difficult to lose a young one.

Georgie

was only 4 years old when she was diagnosed earlier this year

with Glaucoma.

Removal of her beautiful eyes was not an option

for this outrageous, energetic

Wild Child,

she would have suffered severe depression.

Choosing blindness for her would have been

a much easier decision for us

than choosing euthanasia

but knowing well the difficulties of life of a blind member

of a pack of dogs

and taking into consideration

our beloved Furbaby's age and personality,

we could not do that to her.

Vale my precious George,

we miss you.

Collaboration between Friends

Remember this gown from a few posts back?

A lovely and clever friend embroidered it,

hasn't she made it special?

She also made the doll,

a very talented lady!

She also did the embroidery on this Heidi Ott crawler doll romper.

Welcome Downunder Bella Mouse!

Recently I was stunned to find that I'd

won a most beautiful give away

from

Lucy and Annabelle

Bella Mouse arrived

today!

I am so delighted with her

and utterly gobsmacked

at the perfection of her dear little face

and lovely clothes!

Thankyou so much

Lucy and Annabelle

for your kind generosity,

you have warmed my heart.

When Robin heard that the postman had left a parcel

all the way from the USA

she knew instantly whom the parcel was for

and jumped out of the bath in great excitement!

(remember she was having a bath 

in our last visit to the dollhouse?)

She grabbed a dressing gown

and quickly wrapped herself in it

and flew down the stairs, 

nearly tripping in her haste and excitement,

into the lounge room

and unwrapped

the tiny and most gorgeous

Bella Mouse!

Bella grabbed up her wee basket and purse

so they wouldn't be lost midst the chaos

and plonked them on the couch

while she and Robin hugged one another

and danced around the room.

Robin could barely speak she was so happy

at meeting her new friend.

When they began to be dizzy

Robin sat on the lounge with Bella on her knee,

she couldn't bear to be parted from her special friend

for even a second.

(I must admit myself to having a little tear in my eye

seeing their happiness together)

Poor Bella was a little jet lagged at first

but a heartening cup of tea set her to rights quickly.

When she was feeling revived

she told us her journey had been quite comfortable

and she hadn't been travel sick at all 

but she is very pleased to be on terra firma again.

The upside-down weather had her a trifle puzzled

as it had been warm when she set out

on her journey.

On arriving in the Land Downunder

she was very glad she'd packed her warm coat

because,

although the sun is bright and the birds are singing happily,

it is mid-winter in her new homeland

and quite cool.

Robin and Bella fell in love instantly they saw one another,

the smile on Robins face says it all!

One of the dogs seems to have fallen for sweet Bella as well ;)

Robins pet rattie Camilla

(aka Milla)

thought she might be a tiny bit jealous of the newcomer

who was receiving so much attention

but Bella is such a gracious and sweet person

that they've become best friends already.

As for myself, I too am under the spell of

Sweet Bella Mouse.

I can't believe my luck in winning such a wonderful

Give Away and can't say thankyou enough.

Bella is loved by all,

and will be a treasured member

of the dollhouse family.

Belly Button Baby Cradle

Midget is an obliging little babe,

here she is happily showing the size of one of

Lidi's

beautiful rocking cradles,

a perfect fit!

  She's modelling bonnet, knickers and bootees

made in vintage cream

to match the vintage style cradle.

And a shawl made in the matching cream.

7 Little Australians

Or

The Continuing Tale of the Dollhouse Family.

The lovely

and talented

Robin

of

Coombe Crafts

recently completed the rest of our dollhouse family,

so here we have a little of their story.

Each of these little people has been named

with my own families names.

We have a couple of sets of twins in the extended family

and the name Robin appears twice

so together with the creator of the

Dollhouse Family

being also Robin, we of course had to have a Robin.

Hilda Grace and James George

are an amalgamation of family characters.

James/Jim is so often used

my mother used to say-

"We have old Jim and young Jim

and young Jim's son Jim

and baby Jim as well."

True Story!

I've had so much fun endowing these little people

with characters and names

in memory of loved ones

and Robin has given them faces to go with their character.

Well, enough history, on with current events.

Mum Janet has been enjoying the warmth

of the late autumn afternoon sun

on the upper balcony

reading to the 3 year old twins 

Pip and Pippa.

Dad Jim arrives home from work

and knows where to find his family

so he's headed straight upstairs

after a quick pat for a couple of the dogs.

Jim owns a small bus company.

He started out driving buses when he first arrived Downunder.

He saved very hard and, 

thanks to a loan from his dear Dad,

he was able to buy his first bus.

With good management,

being handy and doing his own repair work,

he now has the beginnings of a fleet of buses.

A hug for his wife and a pat on the head

for Pip who has run to greet him.

G'day to Gran and Granddad

who have also been enjoying the weather.

Looks like Granddad is hoping for a game of chess

with his son before they have tea.

One of the 8 month old twin babies has woken from an afternoon sleep

so Gran brought her upstairs for some fresh air.

She is excited to see Daddy!

Young Jim has been looking for his slingshot,

it must have been on the seat beside Mum!

He's glad to have it back in his possession,

that annoying little brother would love to get his hands on it ;)

Oh, no, Pip is playing with Young Jim's billy-cart!

He's going to get a good scolding from big brother!

Pippa is the quiet one of the three year old twins,

she's happy to play dollies

and enjoy the company of the bunnies

and the chihuahuas.

The two older girls are sharing a bath

after their busy day at school.

You can see Robins pet rat

sitting patiently on the chair

waiting for her to cuddle him again.

Sissy is horse mad but she doesn't bring her horse

into the bathroom!

With so many

Little Australians

in the family,

Robin and Sissy know it pays to get in early!

The sun is sinking quickly

and the evening chill will soon

send our family indoors for their evening meal

and later,

some happy time sharing the events

of their day.

It's evident that

7 Little Australians

will be

8 Little Australians

in a few months!

Janet and Jim don't mind another mouth to feed,

they always wanted a large family

and they love their brood.

(I can't help thinking two sets of twins is enough though,

lets hope the new arrival is a single!)

Gran and Granddad are reveling

in their life with their loved ones.

A New Cupboard for the Modern Kitchen

It's a couple of years since Real Life allowed time

for creative thinking and putting ideas together,

so,

when I found myself with half a day free and

nothing desperately calling for attention,

I played!!

Bashing cupboard doors out,

fitting paper to the back,

finding pretty things

for the shelves.

Miniature time at its best.

I don't like the drawer/tray in the lower right opening

so it hasn't been painted.

Any suggestions what I can put there instead?

A Gift from Lidi

Look what I brought home from

The Great Miniaturist Get-together :)

A very detailed waste basket!!

Isn't it lovely?

How lucky I feel simply being able to see Lidi's baskets,

I drool over every one of  her designs,

but to own them is such pleasure!

It actually lives in my dollhouse but I couldn't get a decent

photo of it there, there isn't enough light in that room,

so the stable agreed to host the photo shoot.

I could easily just collect one of each of Lidi's designs

for the sheer pleasure of looking at them,

without including them in scenes.

I've had a Lovely Day!

I had the chance to meet a lovely blogger

and her equally lovely husband

and charming son

yesterday :)

We had known one another from miniature groups

and blogs for quite a long time so it was amazing to finally

meet face to face.

Sandie

does quarter scale to perfection and she brought

half a dozen of her tiny treasures to show me.

I've often said it's hard to pick the scale of Sandies work in photos

and seeing them up close in Real Life was certainly not disappointing!

It was a real treat to see such beautifully made little cottages

with the most gorgeous tiny furniture you could imagine.

Thanks Sandie.

Today we got together again and went to visit Lidi

and spent a couple of hours looking at her paperclay buildings.

I never tire of seeing Lidi's artwork.

The conversation was all miniatures!

Such a treat for me to meet another miniaturist.

My blog has been quiet for a while,

I've been busy making Midget a new dress but

I didn't want to show it until Sandie got to see the one I made for her.

Some New Treasure

As you probably know,

I love collecting beautiful artistmade

Treasures!

So,

as I've not had much of my own work to share lately,

I thought I'd share some photos

of recent additions to my collection.

Around Christmas time

Adelaide and Christopher

found they needed a new brother and sister.

From

Alliebean

This is

Little Dot,

about 2 3/4"long, squished into Midgets cot.

Adelaide has loaned her a play suit

but it's a trifle on the tight side!

Adelaide and Little Dot get on well together.

Next we have

Henry.

Also squished into Midgets cot.

He's not in the least concerned that he's 'naked'!

Henry and Christopher have something in common,

they both enjoy a good snooze!

I absolutely love Alicia's OOAK babies!

Next aquisition via ebay

is for the stable.

I'm gobsmacked by the craftsmanship of this set.

The riding crop is a perfect rendition.

That crash hat is silk lined!

And the boots are beautiful thin leather

made to appear well loved.....

I do love them!!!!

Then along came another exquisite

handmade miniature

to tantalise!

One of

Pamela Junks

little dollies.

Adelaide took one peek

and claimed her for her own.

And last but most certainly not least,

a recent exciting parcel arrived

from

Christine

I've loved Christines miniature toys

for a long time,

they're her own unique style

with such appealing little personalities.

This little bear spoke to me

and said it belonged with Midget!



Midget and Gidget

For the benefit of new readers,
the gown that Midget is wearing
was inspired by a Doris Thurlow design.


Today is the first day that feels like autumn,

Yay!!

Yippee!!

It feels soooo good :)

Enthusiasm returns,

get the camera out and

do some pics!!

A few weeks ago,

Midget

acquired a twin sister.

Her name is

Gidget!

(what else?)

Here they are together.

Gidget never cries.

Midget is a sweet natured baby too ;)

I really love these little ones!

Midget gave Gidget her christening layette to wear

while she waited patiently for some clothes.

Poor naked baby!

Meantime I started working out

a layette for Midget

using finer thread than the previous set

that I'd done as part of the swap for

Midget and Gidget.

With the finer thread I thought I'd try crocheting the entredeaux

instead of using the machine made type.

It turned out quite well,

a bit smaller than the bought version.

Here she is in her

"smalls".

In her petticoat.

And in her gown.

Not ready for a sleep?

Play time.

Midgets Bed

Finally the wee mite has somewhere to lay her sweet

head but she isn't very sleepy right now.