MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Please know that I will be sending a new post in January 2018

with lots of photos,

Hugs,

                                                                            XXXXX

                                  MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL MY WONDERFUL FOLLOWERS

                      

                           There will be a longer post in January along with pictures of our trip to France

Today was a great day!!  It rained!!  I didn't have to water my garden, today!

Instead, I can create a new post for my loyal followers.

We, in the Pacific Northwest, had quite an unusual spring and summer this year.  We had hot weather in April and May and then, June and July were below average temperatures with rain.  August went back to hot weather until the last few days, which have been cooler.  Well, I won't have to worry about the garden after September 12 because my husband and I are away for a month to...................... FRANCE!!!!!

We are so excited to be going to France again after 27 years.  Way too long to wait to see this incredible country.
The start of the trip is to Normandy to see the D-Day beaches and explore the many beautiful cities and towns in the region. Next, we go to see Versailles again, both the chateau and the city.  Following this up, with a trip to Fontainebleau. The last two weeks will be in Paris...............how wonderful to enjoy the sights again and all the wonderful patisseries and bakery shops!!!!

Now, I have a favour to ask ................does anyone know of any miniature shops that are still open in these regions?  Also, any artisans that I should try to see?  I'd really appreciate any input that you can give me.

After 2 years of stitching, I have finally completed my 'Antique Farahan' rug for my chateau's 'Salon'.  After starting it way back in 2014, my source for petitpoint silks was gone, so I had to find another source.  When you use 50 colours in your design, you cannot afford to pay a lot per skein.  I found another source so I could start all over again.  Here is the result..................

Antique Farahan  9" x 11"

I managed to fit in another project.......................a rug for the 'Foyer'................

Foyer oval rug 6 1/2" x 71/4"  Add caption

This only took 7 months and was fun to do.......................I am now working on my kitchen rugs..............

I know that many would like to know how my fur-babies are getting along........................well, Sophie grudgingly agrees to being chased by Oliver every day but Mimi will have none of it.  She refuses to be where he is but is intriqued by him.  Oliver on the other hand has the best time chasing them and all the squirrels and birds that arrive!!  I, sort of had the idea that they would all get along and play together.  Boy was I wrong!

However, the three of them agreed to get into the spirit of our trip to France and showed their support:

Actually, Oliver is excited to go and spend more time at his favorite kennel and the cats always get spoiled by our cat sitters. The only uncertainty is the weather while we are away...................so will have someone water the yard as needed.

Well, as usual, I have rambled on too long, so will say bon soir and go and enjoy a cup of herbal tea.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my faithful followers!!!  I really appreciate that you have all stayed with me since my last post!

I just wanted to send a quick note to say that I am alive and (now) well and will post a longer note soon.

I was catching up on everyone's blog today and felt so inspired that I am finally starting to draw out my 'petit chateau'plans.  But first, I am going to do a lot more research.

Right now, I am enjoying a good cup of tea with some reading

And Oliver is beside me and says to say 'hi' from him

Hugs,

Merry Christmas to all my loyal and wonderful followers.  I am sorry that I have not posted since March but,
once again my health got in the way of everything!!!!...................I am finally feeling better and will be posting in the New Year with miniatures that I have been working on and hopefully (FINALLY) will start the construction of my mini house!  I will also be showing pictures of our latest trip this fall to Budapest, Krakow, and Prague

In the meanwhile, everyone enjoy the holidays...................and be safe and don't (well try!) eat too many sweets.

Good Night to all

Oliver waiting for Santa

 Is SPRING really here?

Suddenly, it seemed like we went, from this:

to this:

We were lucky, here on Vancouver Island, in that, we only had 15 inches of snow.  It came all at once and stayed for a couple of weeks (because we are located on a high ridge)...............and now, the rains have begun chasing away the last remnants of snow.

There was some snow damage to my shrubs and trees but looks like it will be minimal.  Oliver and I went into the yard to inspect the damage:

and we both came back, cold and tired!  So, after a nice warm drink,

I will begin my post...............

I will start with my visit to Larrianne's Small Wonders, in Ventura, California, from last spring..............
This large store is wonderful.   The hardest part of going to this store is trying to choose, what to buy, without breaking the bank account!!  Incredible selection and very helpful and friendly service made the visit very enjoyable.  I went with my husband and another couple and everyone was very impressed!!.

So what did I buy?.......................

Reutter Porzellan Espresso set  for the 'butler's pantry'

 Cat Family  (7mm. high) made by Randall Zadar

Cat House ( 9mm. high) by Randall Zadar

The figurines from .Randall Zadar are so incredible................the detail is exquisite!!  The pictures do not do them justice at all.....

Next, I will show you the new 'little guy' in my life.......his name is 'Felix' and he was made by a sweet lady named Mary Anderson from Paws of Love Miniatures:

'Felix' and Sherlock

Felix is so adorable...he is perfect in every detail.  He will be the first, of many, to add to my animal menagerie for the dollhouse!  The 'Sherlock Holmes' cushion, by the way, was made by me in 60 count.

I also finished stitching copies of my mom's old petitpoint (regular size).........I still have the frames to finish
.

Garden Ladies 1.5in by 1in 60 count silk gauze and threads

Now, last but not least (especially, for all the time that it is taking)..............................I started this area rug  quite a while back and was not happy with the edging, so, I started over, last fall.  Major problem was that I needed to order more silk thread but the company that I had previously bought from, went out of business!!
That'll teach me to always order way more, than you think that you will need!!!!  I finally found another source (not easy, because I use 50 colors or more on my projects and that is expensive) .  I found a good source from China and hope that I can use them for a long time. This is what I have accomplished, on this, in 6 months!!! Will show you the completed rug as soon as it is done!!

Antique Farahan 10in x 12in  with silk gauze and threads

Well, I will sign off for now because I have sat at the computer long enough!  I think that I need a massage..............................

Hugs,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Finally................a post!!!  So sorry to all my faithful followers that I have not written in quite a while!
2013 was quite a year for me..................a great holiday followed by a garden overgrown that needed tending, then several visitors to share in 3 months of dry weather and watering everyday!!  Then, I also had several health issues to work out.

Then, as if I didn't have enough to look after already.................I bought my first dog!!!  His name is 'Oliver' and he is 6 years old and is a purebred Papillon.  He is also a rescue dog, having lived the last two years in a car with his homeless owner..  He is absolutely the best dog and even my 'Sophie' seems to get along with him.  My other cat, 'Mimi', stays in the laundry room when he is around.  We have already had him for 5 months so maybe in a few more months, she might get to accept him as well......  Having had cats all my life, I have been spoiled!!  Cats will let you sleep in and decide when they need your attention!! Dogs are like children (which I have never had) and seem to demand constant love and attention.................just trying to do emails gets him very upset with me, so, I am trying to train him re this and also excess barking. Big problem now is trying to find someone who can stay with him at our house while we take trips in the future!!  I know that saner minds would question my sanity on getting Oliver but sometimes the heart takes over and I couldn't leave him.

'Oliver'

I will post some miniature finds in the next post but will sign off for now

Many hugs,