Getting in the spirit!

Are you getting ready for the festive season? It's such a wonderful time of the year, I'm a total nut when it gets closer to December. I love everything, I start decorating my house waaaay to soon, I already have my eye on a dorky Christmas sweater I want to knit, I'm already looking for recipes and I even secretly slip a cd with Christmas songs in the player and sing along when nobody's at home.

 

And guess what I almost forgot? The International Christmas Swap!

Caterina is hosting it once again this year and I'm so glad I could join just in time. Don't by shy and join the fun.

 

Everything you need to know is on her blog, just follow the link.

http://leminisdicockerina.blogspot.nl/2013/11/christmas-swap-2013-ultimo-avviso-per.html

Can you keep a secret?

 

Did you notice the needlefelted doggy in my previous post? Well...as soon as I published that message someone got in touch with me to tell me that doggy looked a lot like her real life pet dog. She was wondering if I would sell it to her and even sent me a picture of her dog to show the resemblance.

 

I was rather pleased she wanted the dog because she's someone who supported me from the start, giving me compliments about my work and really making my day with her kind words, bringing a smile to my face. Without knowing she kept me motivated so I actually have a lot to thank her for.

 

Ofcourse I didn't need to think for long and decided to give the doggy to her. But, seeing the picture of her pet I wanted to try and make another one for her, one that resembled her real life dog even more.

It is going to be  surprise since the person in question went on holiday and won't be back for another week.

 

Today I found myself in the sunshine, in my garden, poking wool until this little creature appeared. Tomorrow I'm going to sent it on its way.

 

 

 

So shussssssh...let's keep it out little secret, I just love suprises, don't you?

The perfect gift...

Hi everyone!

How was Christmas for you? I had a wonderful time filled with friendship, togetherness, laughter, fun AND gifts under the tree.

I joined the international Christmas swap that Caterina had organised and look what I recieved!

A perfect miniature jewelry box made by Stephanie living in Spain...

...filled with beautiful jewelry; necklaces, broche, earrings and even a tiny ring...

...the drawer hides even more goodies...

...with a mirror in the lid and painted in nostalgic colors!

 

It's an amazing piece of art and the details are stunning. Thank you ever so much Stephanie, you're the best and made me a very lucky girl! If you would like to see more of Stephanie's miniature creations make sure to check out her blog  http://lasminisdeestefania.blogspot.com/

There's a lot of great stuff to be discovered there and I guarantee you'll be amazed at her talent, just like I am.

 

And thank you Caterina, for organizing the international swap again, it is so much fun realizing that all over the world people with a common interest are making gifts for one another, putting time and effort in it just to bring a smile on the face of the recieving person they don't even know. Isn't that the ultimate Christmas spirit?

 

About giving and recieving gifts

It's going to be a busy day..I mean week...nope...a busy month :)

I've been a little under the weather the last couple of weeks, it started with a cold which unfortunately developped  to a huge lanryngitis and bronchitis. But, after the doc told me to take some rest and handed me this familysize package of antibiotics, I decided to be a good girl and listen. I feel lots better now although I'm not out of the woods yet. I still need to take it easy but me and taking it slow just don't match.

First thing's first so let me tell you what I've decided to do the coming days/weeks/month. First of all I'm participating in the International Christmas Swap. Caterina organizes this swap every year and it's loads of fun. If you participate you are linked to someone and you exchange some Christmas miniature gifts. This swap is worldwide and it's a lot of fun being hooked up with someone from far far away. I'm a little late telling you so if you want to join, please hurry!

All the details are found here: http://leminisdicockerina.blogspot.com/

I've secretly been doing some mini's. As I've already posted I've been to the dollhouse miniatures show in Apeldoorn and I was lucky to meet some of the BIG names in miniature land. I've shaken hands with Jane Harrop , Ruth Stewart and Carol Kubrican !

I did some Dutch translations for the beautiful kits Carol sells and in return she showered me with gifts. I haven't been able to do all the kits she gave me (she gave me so much!!) but here are the ones finished so far.

The huge load of gifts I recieved from Carol

The finished kits so far....

Pretty in French style: boxes with dishes

Forsythia branches in a French pitcher

I can't wait to finish the kits, they are really stunning!

What else is on my to-do-list? Let's see... I still need to photograph the miniatures I made for the webshop and update the site (yep..those cats are for sale).There are still a lot of miniatures that aren't finished yet and are patiently waiting for my attention. I have to finish two workshops I promised for an advent calendar the dollhouse forum, of which I'm member, is organizing. Ohw...and there is the usual rush of life (groceries, laundry, cleaning), how could I forget?

 

And yes...no worries...I will take the rest the doctor prescribed...somewhere in between!

Just wow!

Sometimes I can't believe my luck. A few days ago I was cruising through blog land and became a follower of  Sjoukje. She's been into dollhouses and miniatures for some time but just started her blog http://maisondupompier.blogspot.com/ 

I was amazed at the tiny creations she made. After a week of blogging she had 3 followers and wanted to give us something for following her. Now...how great is that?

Look what the mailman delivered just one hour ago!

A fantastic sailboat and an amazing little pillow

Another look at the sailboat, it's just perfect. So tiny and detailed!

The pillow has this cute heart in the middle and is soooooo shabby chic, I love it!

To give you a better impression on how tiny these beauties are I took a picture with a ruler behind them.

I'm going to sit and admire them for another few hours...wait...hold on! I was so hasty to show you these treasures I haven't even thanked Sjoukje properly yet! THANK YOU SJOUKJE!!!

(my day sure is!)

Surprise, surprise

Het was een verrassing hoe er gereageerd werd op de give-away. Wat een belangstelling opeens, je word er gewoon een beetje verlegen van. Welkom aan iedereen die m'n blog is gaan volgen, meer dan 150 al!! Het wordt alweer bijna tijd voor een nieuw cadeautje dus dat wordt nog even iets bedenken en maken!

The reaction on the give-away was a huge suprise for me. So many of you are interested in it, it's almost overwhelming. Welcome to everyone who decided to follow my blog. Already more then 150, isn't that just absolutely great?! It's almost time for another gift so I better think of something and create it soon!

Over cadeautjes gesproken; ik heb voor het eerst 'geswapt'. Ik heb iemand ontmoet op het poppenhuisforum en het klikte, na wat mailtjes over en weer hebben we afgesproken een swapje voor elkaar te maken. Vreselijk spannend, zou ze wat ik had gemaakt wel leuk vinden en wat zou ik zelf krijgen? Hier is de envelop van Charissa vol met verrassingen

Talking about gifts, I have done a swap for the first time. I met someone on  dollhouseforum and we had a 'click', after emailing eachother we agreed we would swap. What an exciting time; would she like what I made for her and what would I recieve in return? Here is the envelope full of surprises Charissa sent me.

Prachtig ingepakt met een heel lief kaartje en met toegangskaarten voor Slagharen Ponypark voor het gezin.

Beautifully wrapped with a sweet card and tickets to an amusement park for the whole family

Daarna de poppenhuis miniaturen, alles goed verpakt. Mijn lievelingsbloemen zag ik al; zonnebloemen!

Then the packages with dollhouse miniatures, everything well packed. I could already see my favorite flowers; sunflowers! 

Prachtige zonnebloemen in een witte vaas.

Gorgeous sunflowers in a pretty vase.

Twee chique kandelaars met kaarsen

Two elegant candlesticks with candles

Een zilveren dienblaadje, een schattig boekje en een kopje met natuurlijk koffie (!) en een piepklein lepeltje.

A silver tray, a cute booklet and  cup with ofcourse coffee (!) and  tiny spoon.

Alles krijgt een prachtig plekje in het poppenhuis. Dank je wel Charissa!! 

I'm so happy with these gifts, thank you so much Charissa!! 

In alle haast was ik vergeten foto's te nemen van mijn swapje voor haar. Ik heb deze foto van haar site afgehaald http://poppenhuischarissa.punt.nl/

In my haste I forgot to take pictures of the swap I made for her. I took this picture from Charissa's site http://poppenhuischarissa.punt.nl/

Twee schilderijtjes, een spiegel, memorybord, vaas, kroontje en hortensias.

Two paintings, a mirror, memoryboard, vase, crown and hydrangeas.

   Conclusie: swappen is vreselijk leuk!

Conclusion: I love to swap!

I'm such a lucky gal!!!

Vanmiddag kwam de postbode met een schattig pakketje voor me, zo leuk ingepakt in lichtblauw papier met witte sterretjes! Hij feliciteerde me omdat hij dacht dat het mijn verjaardag was (grote grijns).

Ik zag de postzegels uit Zweden en dacht...JAAAAAA!!! De give-away die ik gewonnen had van Lena (http://miniatyrmama.blogspot.com/ ).

This afternoon the mailman brought a present to my doorstep, it was wrapped so pretty in lightblue paper with  white stars. The mailman congratulated me because he thought it was my birthday! Looking at the stamps I noticed the package came from Sweden. YES! It was the give-away I won from Lena

(http://miniatyrmama.blogspot.com/ ).

Wat een berg postzegels zeg! Ik heb eerst de fotocamera gepakt om jullie mee te kunnen laten genieten. En toen voorzichtig uitpakken.

There were loads of stamps on the package. First I grabbed my camera so I could give you the opp0rtunity to enjoy the unwrapping too.

Het eerste wat ik zag was een schattig kaartje met een boodschap van Lena. Ze hoopt dat ik de cadeautjes leuk vind en ik er een mooi plekje voor kan vinden. Nou....zeker weten!!

The first thing I saw was this cute card from Lena, she hopes I would like the give-way and I would find a good place for it. No worries...I certainly will!! 

Hier zijn ze dan, de prachtige miniaturen gemaakt door Lena. Echt te mooi om waar te zijn, wat heeft Lena een talent! In het echt zijn ze nog veel mooier dan ik met m'n camera kan vastleggen.

Here they are, the beautiful miniatures Lena made, she sure has talent! In real they're even more splendid then my camera can catch on picture.

Het bankje kan zelfs open! De kussentjes zijn perfect en de potjes zo schattig

The bench even opens! Perfect little cushions and wonderful pots.

Is het niet prachtig? Op de achtergrond het papier waarin het pakketje verpakt zat.

Isn't it gorgeous? On the background you can see the paper the package was wrapped in.

Wat een prachtige dag! Het lijkt echt wel mijn verjaardag, de postbode had toch een beetje gelijk.

What a great day! It almost seems like my birthday, I guess the mailman was right after all.