Thursday, December 8, 2011

Beautiful Mini Blessings Prizes Plus Shabby Chic Cottage Update

I received Kathi's Beautiful Mini Blessings giveaway prizes late Monday afternoon, and boy, did she spoil me rotten! Not only did she send these amazing beauties (all made by her!),




but she also sent all of these extras! Fabrics, ribbons, lace, a shelf, a hutch, and a bunch of cute dollhouse miniatures! There's a tiny pink flamingo leaning against the hutch--so cute!


And this photo is a close-up on a darling dollhouse book and a bunch of lovely mini magazines. Wow--I'm thrilled! Thank you again, Kathi! I love everything! :-) You all might want to be following Kathi's blog now so you can enter Kathi's next giveaway! ;-) Besides, her blog is really fun!


I'd been doing some work on my new shabby chic cottage in anticipation of receiving Kathi's prizes. I wasn't sure the flocked white Christmas tree would fit in Dad's Dollhouse with its Victorian decor, but I figured the tree would look really nice in a shabby chic environment. So I've done a little bit to the house, which as you may remember, arrived in pieces from Greece.

First, I removed two small areas of wallpaper in the attic:

Wallpaper before

I did some research online and found the suggestion to lay a hot steamy wrung-out cloth on the wallpapered walls before scraping off the loosened wallpaper. It worked, although it took several tries to get the wallpaper and ALL of the glue off. Patience was the key word! :-)

Wallpaper after (no wallpaper--yay!)

After I removed the wallpaper, I gave most of the pieces a first coat of gesso. So that's how I got the pictures of Kathi's prizes above. I removed the wallpaper, I painted the inside walls of the house with gesso, and then I leaned the house walls together long enough to take some photos (!). Next steps will be more painting and then wallpapering--yikes! If anyone has wallpapering tips for me, please do share! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer
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46 comments:

  1. AnnaDecember 8, 2011 at 1:05 AM

    Beautiful pieces all! So great to make "mini" friends from all over the world! The little "roses" bed is on its way to you! Hope it won't take ages to get there!!

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  2. carmenDecember 8, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    hermosos regalos, disfrutalos

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  3. Drora's minimundoDecember 8, 2011 at 4:11 AM

    Jenny how wonderful! And you made a lovely scene with the beauties Kathi sent. Kathi was very generous and the extras are fabulous. Enjoy your treasures.
    Hugs,

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  4. ElianaDecember 8, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    Beautiful gifts! Enjoy them!
    Hugs

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  5. UnknownDecember 8, 2011 at 4:43 AM

    The things you get are beautiful. Kathi is a generous lady. I think the christmas tree will fit well in your Shabby Chic Cottage. Enjoy your prize.
    Hugs from Craftland

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  6. AnonymousDecember 8, 2011 at 5:46 AM

    Great to see a big change on the cottage! And as I can see you discovered the pencil lines on attic.I was going to put a window there but then I changed my mind.

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  7. The Old MaidDecember 8, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    I love the way you photographed the pretty gifts from Kathi!
    Beautiful light:) Lucky you Jennifer!
    Hugs

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  8. otterineDecember 8, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Wonderful gifts! Congrats!

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  9. Maria IrelandDecember 8, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Your gifts are fantastic. Lucky you. Congratulations.
    Hugs Maria

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  10. MALINIKDecember 8, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Beautiful pieces Jennifer, love them!
    Ina :)

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  11. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Hi anna! Aren't they beautiful? Kathi did an amazing job. You are so right--half (or more) of the fun of blogging has been making mini friends all over the world. And I'm excited to receive your roses bed--yay! I will let you know as soon as it arrives. Thank you for your lovely comment!

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  12. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Thank you, Carmen! I will! It is always so nice to hear from you! :-)

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  13. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Thank you for your nice comment about the scene I created with Kathi's beautiful prizes. I love the light in these photos (if I do say so myself!). :-) It is great hearing from you! :-)

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  14. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    Thank you, Eliana! I will! Thank you for taking the time to leave a lovely comment! :-)

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  15. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Thank you, Craftland! Everything you say is so true! :-) And I am so enjoying Kathi's beauties! :-)

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  16. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Hi Tam toum! It is great to hear from you! I'm loving the little cottage I won from you. I'm glad you like seeing changes. I wondered what those pencil lines were--thanks for sharing your knowledge here! :-)

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  17. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Hi The Old Maid! It is always so nice to hear from you. Congrats on your win on Birgit's blog giveaway yesterday--you are very lucky! Thank you for mentioning my photos and the light--I appreciate that soooooo much! :-)

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  18. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Thank you, otterine! It is great to hear from you again! :-)

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  19. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    Thank you, Maria! Your comments are always like a ray of sunshine! :-)

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  20. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Thank you, Ina! Kathi makes beautiful things, doesn't she? It is great to hear from you! Thank you for your lovely comment. :-)

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  21. *Mieke*Petitevictorianrose*and*PastTimeChildhoodDecember 8, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Hi Jennifer, what stunning mini's you received from Kathi, I like the tiny pink flamingo very much.
    Your shabby cottage already looks lovely, can't wait to see more !!

    Hugs Mieke xxx

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  22. NaránDecember 8, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Es todo muy bonito Jennifer. Disfrútalo.

    Besos, Narán

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  23. FabiolaDecember 8, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Congratulations! Very nice gifts. Kathi is a generous lady.
    Bye Faby

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  24. juliaDecember 8, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Felicidades, son una preciosidad de regalos, un gusto exquisito.
    Mil besitos...Julia

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  25. Cinderella Moments December 8, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    OOOH! How fun. I already like the way this looks. The only tip I have for you is to use things you find irresistible! This makes the work zip by because you are so excited to see what it will look like. Other than that have fun trying things out.

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  26. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Hi Mieke! So true, Kathi's gifts are stunning. Thanks for your supportive comment on my shabby chic cottage! It's scary building one for the first time! :-)

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  27. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    Thank you, Naran! That is very kind of you. I will enjoy everything! :-)

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  28. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Hi Fabiola! You are so right--Kathi is so very generous! :-) Thank you for taking the time to leave a lovely comment! :-)

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  29. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Hola julia! So true--Kathi's gifts express exquisite taste! Thank you for noticing! And thank you for your lovely comment! :-)

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  30. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Oh, thank you so much for your advice, Caroline! And what good advice it is--for minis and for life! :-)

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  31. dalesdreamsDecember 8, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Jennifer, my goodness, you really lucked out in winning this giveaway! Kathi is very generous indeed. I love all of the things she created. :)

    I'm with you on the wall paper removal. Perhaps we can share the joy? of wallpapering together. ;)

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  32. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    Hi Dale! Great to hear from you! I'm one lucky woman, aren't I? :-)

    I'm so glad we're of the same mind on wallpapering. I don't look forward to it. I only look forward to it being done! ;-)

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  33. dalesdreamsDecember 8, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    Wall papering terrifies me! lol I think it is Casey of Casey's minis, among others that have suggested putting the wall paper on poster board and then installing that.

    So, that is my plan. I'm sure you can find tutorials on her blog about it. She is most generous.

    You totally hit the jackpot from Kathi, but, I'm not surprised one bit though. :)

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  34. BiWuBärDecember 8, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    That was early christmas for sure - lucky you, so many wonderful items... Kathi is a lovely and generous lady, I know what I'm talking about, I was lucky to win one of her giveaways. I don't envy you about that wallpapering, I hate that too, comfort yourself with the vision of how it will look like when ready. Btw - in this state it looks already very pretty!

    Greetings
    Birgit

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  35. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Thanks Dale! I appreciate the tips! I'll check out Casey's back posts for ideas. :-) Good luck with your wallpapering too! :-)

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  36. PlushpussycatDecember 8, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    Hi Birgit! Oh, lucky you! What did you win in Kathi's giveaway?

    Thanks for the moral support on wallpapering. I can use as much of that as I can get! ;-) I'm tempted to leave the house as-is--I like the way it looks now too! I'll do another coat of paint and see what I think then. :-)

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  37. AscensionDecember 9, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    Enhorabuena, Kathi es una maravillosa mujer.
    Yo gane un sorteo suyo y sus trabajos son fantasticos.
    Tu casita quedara fantastica, estoy deseando ver los nuevos pasos que vas a dar.
    besitos ascension

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  38. PlushpussycatDecember 9, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Hola Ascension! Thank you so very much!!! I'm so glad you like my work and that you think the house looks fantastic! :-D I appreciate that so much, Ascension! I will keep working on it and show more soon. :-)

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  39. UnknownDecember 9, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Fantastic gifts!!!!
    Looking forward to see more of your shabby chic cottage.
    Mona

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  40. PlushpussycatDecember 9, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Hi Mona! They're beautiful, aren't they? Kathi is a master! I can't wait to show you more of the shabby chic cottage! :-)

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  41. Lovejoy BearsDecember 10, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    Hi lovely Jennifer,
    what wondeful giveaway prizes!!! and the progress on the shabby chic cottage is looking good.
    I agree about Dolls house miniatures and plushies being a LOT of fun :0) Lovely to meet someone who shares my passion!!
    hugs vicky xxxxxxx

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  42. PlushpussycatDecember 10, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Hi Vicky! So great to hear from you! Thank you for your sweet comment. I agree, it is SO lovely to meet you! :-)

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  43. RosamargaritaDecember 11, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Que preciosa casa, me gusta con el gesso, yo no le pondría tapiz!
    Los regalos de Kathi son hermosos.
    Muchos besos

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  44. PlushpussycatDecember 11, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Hola Rosamargarita! You and I are really thinking alike! Since you sent me the link to the beautiful shabby blog yesterday, I feel I want to keep the gesso walls, no wallpaper for now! And, you're so right, no carpet. I like hardwood floors and am happy with the paper I am using in the photos to simulate real wood. I will keep the house like a plain canvas and add color and details through the furniture and accessories. Thank you for your opinion! That is what I needed to hear! :-)

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  45. Amy FletcherDecember 27, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    I adore the little Christmas tree! It is so cute! What a nice blog you have. Amy

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  46. PlushpussycatDecember 28, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Hi Amy! It's great to hear from you! Thanks for leaving such a sweet comment and becoming a follower of Plushpussycat! :-)

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