Miniatures and My New Cards at Green Bean Books

Green Bean Books' plushy dispensing machine

Remember Green Bean Books? Home of the plushy finger puppet dispenser in a vintage cigarette machine and the fab mustache machine? Yes, that Green Bean Books. :-) Jennifer gave me my big break, by being the first to buy my cards for her shop, and then by offering me a chance to put up a diorama in her shop, right after Maggie Rudy of The House That Mouse Built fame had her diorama there--yay!

Jennifer Green in her amazing store!

Here's the latest: I was visiting with Jennifer last week, and she's now carrying miniatures in her shop. They're perfect for your dollhouse or next diorama. She had so many cute miniatures for sale that I was bowled over! I even bought a couple of minis while I was there. :-)

Plushpussycat's new birthday cards!

The other fun news is that Green Bean Books is the exclusive seller of my new greeting cards, both the new birthday cards and the new baby card (remember Flossy with the orphan baby bunny?). So if you're in the Portland area, I highly recommend a visit to Green Bean Books--you'll be so glad you did! Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Why Is Flossy So Happy?

See how happy Flossy looks?

Could it be because of these gorgeous gifts in the mail from Julia of El Minimundo de Yuli blog?

Oh, yes, that's at least one reason. Julia's gifts are so beautiful and thoughtful, and they all look so lovely in Cupcake Cottage.

There's one of Julia's beautiful pillows, which she has available for sale on her blog now, a shabby chic "Home Sweet Home" tray, a gorgeous pink basket of homemade bread, a DARLING snowman cake with a beautiful cake box, a sweet cookie jar filled with homemade cookies, and one of Julia's precious angel candles, which Flossy always wished for.

Sophie the bear wants to get her paws on that "Home Sweet Home" tray. It would be perfect in Brambleberry Farmhouse, she keeps telling Flossy. :-) I think there might be a physical fight if they even thought about discussing who will have the snowman cake, so no one is mentioning that. ;-)

Thank you so much, Julia!!! Your gifts are so thoughtful and precious. Flossy is also happy that our package finally reached Julia. The first one was lost in the mail. :-( So sorry you had to wait so long, Julia! Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Giveaway Prize From Flora!

When I first saw Flora's blog giveaway announced, I thought that the prize of this set of shabby chic luggage would be perfect in Cupcake Cottage's bedroom. Then when I actually won it, I was absolutely thrilled.

First, it was such a joy to open Flora's beautifully-wrapped gift:

Then, to see the prize in person: her luggage is SO perfect! The tiny locks on each suitcase are exquisitely detailed, and the tags on each piece are so lovely. This one says "Paris" and "Love."

The colors and style are indeed perfect in Cupcake Cottage's bedroom, and I'm happy beyond measure. Thank you for offering this fantastic giveaway opportunity, Flora.

If anyone reading this now feels that he/she MUST have this gorgeous luggage set, there is another one in Flora's Etsy shop right now. Good luck in getting there first! ;-) Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Surprise in the Carrot Patch

Sophie was busy preparing vegetable soup, when she suddenly realized she needed more carrots for the carrot cake she was baking next.

So off she went to the carrot patch, but shortly after she arrived she discovered something that needed Flossy's attention. Meanwhile, over at Cupcake Cottage, it was just another day.

Flossy was putting frosting on the last few cupcakes and cookies when Sophie rushed in. Sophie had brought something really special along with her carrots.

Flossy was the best one to take care of this little orphan bunny's needs.

Hope you enjoyed my little story! The last photo is my latest greeting card. Inside it reads, "Congratulations on your new bundle of joy!" Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Gifts and Challenges

More gifts arrived to help me celebrate my birthday, but first, a challenge. Rosie at Rosie's Treehouse blog tagged Flossy for a Fashion Challenge. OK, let's get to it:

1. How would you describe your style?
Flossy: My style is sort of shabby cottage with a touch of cute kawaii mixed in!
2. What are your wardrobe staples?
Flossy: As you can see, my one wardrobe staple is a red skirt. :-)
3. Most expensive clothing item you own?
Flossy: Expensive? My skirt wasn't expensive. It was made from a scrap of vintage red cotton fabric, some vintage rickrack, and some string to tie it in the back.
4. Most wanted item?
Flossy: I could probably use an apron. I'm baking all day, after all. ;-)
5. Favorite designer?
Flossy: Designer?
6. How much do you spend on clothing?
Flossy: Nothing--my skirt was free!
7. Favorite places to shop?
Flossy: At the grocery store, for staples like flour, butter, milk, chocolate, sugar, sprinkles, etc. :-)
8. Favorite fragrances?
Flossy: The smell of home-baked cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and brownies! Mmm....
9. What is your go-to outfit when you don't have anything to wear?
Flossy: I always have something to wear--hadn't you noticed by now? ;-)
10. Most prized possession?
Flossy: My most-prized possession is my friendship with Sophie. She's so nice!

Thank you so much for including Flossy in this fun Fashion Challenge, Rosie! Now it's on to the gifts. Drora  of Drora's minimundo blog sent a package filled with miniature wonders. Just look at the goodies she sent:

Can you imagine how many hours it took to make that gorgeous rose trellis? Each of the flowers is hand made! And all of her gifts are so perfect for Cupcake Cottage and Brambleberry Farmhouse. Those desserts look so yummy, and Sophie is looking forward to putting the Hamsa on the door to keep out the evil eye, especially after her recent incident with Raccoon. :-) Thank you so much for your thoughtful and beautiful gifts, Drora. You've made my special day that much more special.

After I won the fantastic Easter giveaway prizes from MiniFanaticus,  Jane wanted to make me a special gift to add to the prizes. Just look at her gorgeous shabby chic white enamel veggie soup pot:

Mmm, yum-yum-yummy! Thank you so much, Jane! Flossy and Sophie both love it!

And a big "thank-you" to all who left comments about the new Plushpussycat birthday card designs. I appreciated your thoughtful feedback so much. All three designs (including the updated Flossy card) are being printed now. More about that later. Until next time, keep having fun! xoxo Jennifer

New Flossy Card Added to Previous Post!

Hello, sweet friends. I have so appreciated the feedback you've left me on my previous post. I learned from your comments and created a new Flossy card image. I've attached it to the previous post, and I'll include it here now. Please tell me if it would attract you as a buyer, or if you would be more likely to purchase cards two and three from the previous post. I am so grateful for your help!

New version of Flossy Bakes a Birthday Cake.
What do you think now?

Thank you so much, and keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Market Research

Update: I've added a different version of the Flossy card below. Please tell me what you think! Thank you so much to everyone who has given me constructive feedback so far. I appreciate your help so much!

Hello dear friends! Yesterday was very productive for me. I put the final touches on three new card images. I'd love to get your feedback on them. If you were going to buy a birthday card for a friend, which of these three would you be most likely to buy? And is there any one that you wouldn't buy? I'd really appreciate your thoughts before I send these off to the printer!

All three cards say "Happy birthday!" inside, and the printed cards won't have my copyright notice on them. You might have to enlarge the photos to card size to see the details:

"Flossy Bakes a Birthday Cake"

"Flossy and Sophie Have a Birthday Bash"

"Sophie Has the Best Birthday Ever"

Flossy Bakes a Birthday Cake (Version 2)

Thank you very much for your feedback. Much of the food was made by Beverly at CuteinMiniature on Etsy. She made all of the cakes, frosting, cupcakes, confetti, candles, and candle box, EXCEPT for the cake, cookies and macarons in the last photograph. Yay, Beverly! Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Just For Herself

Easter is over, but Flossy managed to save a treat just for herself.

Mmm, yummy!

Peep! Until next time, keep it fun! ;-) xoxo Jennifer