...while Sophie is about to sit down to a huge plate of warm, delectable strawberry pancakes...
...and Bluebelle is taking a load off with some tasty strawberry cupcakes (in her new house, since Strawberry Shortcake is traveling for the summer).
Latest News
Ah, there is so much catching up to do since my last blog post. Rufus, my precious guinea pig, has had a painful bladder infection, which we are treating with antibiotics. :-( Both my husband and I were ill but now are better. Since then, I've been trying to catch up on home projects and manage my greeting card accounts. I've missed writing blog posts so much, but I've had little to no time for it.
There's something else: For a long time now, I've had very little free time for working on my own creative projects, such as creating new characters, decorating their homes, and developing new stories. On top of that, postage in the U.S., especially international postage, has skyrocketed (not a joke!). It is $10 minimum to send an extremely light package to a foreign country (usually it costs $12-15 or more). For these reasons, I will not be able to participate in any more Christmas gift exchanges for the foreseeable future. And starting in 2015, I won't be able to participate in any more birthday gift exchanges either.
I've loved being part of these exchanges, but now I need to carve out time for my own creative projects. If a solution can be found so that the gift exchanges take less time and cost less money, I'm all for it. Until then, the gift exchanges have been a fun way to make friends, and I still value the friendships I've made and the wonderful gifts I've received.
Now I hope to be able to post on the blog more often. I still have some more gifts and giveaway wins to show (from April and earlier!) and now not just one but two (!) new interests to share with you. I also have a new diorama on public display to show. Then it's on to new characters, a new dollhouse, new stories, and more! I hope you'll all be here to share it with me. :-) Until next time, keep having fun! xoxo Jennifer
glad to have you around again I love seeing your needle felted characters especially!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you've been ill, I hope you and your husband get well and stay well. Poor little Rufus, Cheryl send piggie chirps for him. Thanks for another peek into the fairytale world of your little people :)) I absolutely understand the dilemma with swaps/giveaways, postal charges have gone insane and many blog friends share your concern. We'll just have to enjoy friendships through our blogs. I look forward to seeing your new projects!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, Thank you for the guinea pig chirps from Cheryl. Rufus really appreciates it. :-) "Insane" is a good word for it, and it's heartening to hear that many blog friends have it on their minds. I thought it was only me! We're so lucky to be able to enjoy friendships through our blogs, aren't we? :-) xo Jennifer
DeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you, Brandon, and Rufus have all been ill. That is really hard on everybody. I'm sorry I haven't gotten to see you much recently either. But, I'll get to see you at Baby Cat's wedding!
I understand about your gift exchanges. It was nice while it lasted though, right?
Take Care!
Désolé pour votre petit compagnons Rufus !
ReplyDeleteQue de jolis gâteaux ! Pas de cadeau, ce n'est pas important, ce qui est important c'est de pouvoir montrer nos créations. Les temps sont difficiles pour beaucoup.
Bonne continuation ! Amicalement. rosethé
Hi Rosethe, Thank you. Yes, I agree: what is most important is to be able to show our creations. I think that is what blogging is all about, and community. Thank you for your words of support! xo Jennifer
DeleteВаши сцены замечательный!
ReplyDeleteНадеюсь, вы и ваш муж чувствуете себя лучше! Если болеют твои любимцы, это очень грустно! Очень хочется, что бы Руфус был веселый и не болел!
Татьяна
Hola mi querida Jennifer, me alegro de que tu cobaya esté mejor, menudo susto! Respecto a los intercambios es cierto que es un abuso los gastos que suponen, a veces no merece la pena enviar nada sólo por los gastos de correos. A mi lo que verdaderamente me gusta es disfrutar con las divertidas historias de tus encantadores personajes de tu blog. Un gran abrazo
ReplyDeleteI agree, Esther! The postage is really outrageous! As a result, we miss so many opportunities for fun! xo Jennifer
DeleteI LOVE the tiny maple syrup bottles!!! And the box of hello kitty strawberries! SO CUTE. Glad you and your husband are feeling better and hope Rufus feels better soon too!
ReplyDeleteAs always so cute pictures and stories you have made.
ReplyDeleteIt is not easy to achieve all that you want, and it's so difficult priority has something from. I like to it all.
Yes shipping is so expensive, too bad for all of us. I found a wholesaler in the U.S., but it's too expensive to buy it from Denmark.
I hope you all have been completely fresh again. Take care of yourself.
We get visitors from the United States next week. You know the family my daughter lived with, their daughter come to visit us. We are very delighted about that. I still hope we two meet once here in Denmark.
Hugs and many thoughts
Wyrna
Yes, it would be wonderful to meet someday, Wyrna. Thank you! xo Jennifer
DeleteGood to read you back Jennifer! I hope you will post more often and you will show your new projects soon.:)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back and feeling better (hubby too) and I hope Rufus is doing better soon. Love the strawberry goodies...everything looks delicious!
Hugs,
Lisa
Hi Jennifer, I hope you all will feel better soon, that poor Rufus.
ReplyDeleteI love to see your pictures and miniatures on your blog.
Nowadays those postal shipping costs are much too expensive, I fully agree with you. Here in The Netherlands the registered post cost € 26,00 (converted to US dollars=35,20!!) minimum to send a light weighted parcel to the USA, or Australia!! That's why I really can't afford myself, to do exchanges and I also can't participate in swaps with blog friends :(...
Because I mostly make my OOAK miniatures, it is an absolutely must for me to send with the registered post. But this is even more expensive to do so, that way I fully agree with you: it is no fun anymore to make someone happy.....how much I have wished that I could do that.
I love to see soon more blog posts with your lovely miniatures and new characters! Take good care for yourself!
Hugs, Ilona
It's really a pity about the postage costs, isn't it Ilona! We'd both like to do some exchanges and swaps, but it costs too darn much! :-( xo Jennifer
DeleteПривет, Дженнифер!
ReplyDeleteЯ рада тебя видеть! Всё это время переживала и скучала...
Клубничный сезон такой душистый и вкусный, надеюсь, твои маленькие герои наелись её )))
С наилучшими пожеланиями из России. ♥Елена
Good for you Jennifer! Taking care of yourself. :) All my love to Rufus and prayers for s speedy recovery, as well as you and hubby. Looking forward to hearing more about your new projects. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support, Jeni! I really appreciate it! xo Jennifer
DeleteDear Jennifer, Your posts always make me so hungry! I want some of those
ReplyDeletestrawberry Pancakes! Sorry to hear you have all not been well, I wish for speedy recovery for all. I look forward to seeing your new projects.
All the best, Philip
Me encanta cuando tus chicas se ponen a cocinar dulces.
ReplyDeleteEspero que tu cobaya se haya recuperado del todo.También espero ver tus nuevos proyectos.
Wonderful photos of your strawberry loving critters Jennifer as soon as it stops raining we are going to go pick some!
ReplyDeleteOf course you need to concentrate on your projects!! That's why we are all in this hobby! You have been so generous to so many people I am sure folks will be more than happy to know you are going to work on your projects and maybe blog more, that is sharing with us all ;)
Big hugs! ~J
Hi Jane, Thank you so much for your kind words of support. That's really kind of you to say and a good way for me to look at things. xo Jennifer
DeleteLove the whipped cream and strawberries, I get very hungry looking at this =) And I see a very cute soap in the back of the first picture =)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that you all have been sick, I have been thinking about your husband (since you told me he was not well) and hoping he got better soon, it seem I should have been thinking of both you and Rufus too then.... Hope you all are well now!
The diorama on public display, sound interesting, I'll stay tuned =)
Good luck with all your new projects!
Hannah
I hope you all are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteLove the strawberry goodies.
I'm curious to see yout new craetions.
Wow what yummy strawberry treats.
ReplyDeleteDear Jennifer, I am sorry to read that you too have been sick and hope you, your husband and darling Rufus are well by now.
I too noticed that the US postage prices are very high indeed. It is quite
understandable that you want to stop exchanging gifts.
I' love to see photos of your diorama and am happy that you'll find time
to work and post more.
Take care.
A warm hug, Drora
Hi Jennifer! Sorry to hear you were ill (and Rufus too!) and I hope you are all better now.
ReplyDeleteLovely strawberry cupcakes and pancakes, they always lighten the day!
Here in the UK the international shipping prices have gone up a lot recently too, so I guess it's pretty much a world-wide thing. Your decision is perfectly understandable from shipping and time point of view.
I look forward to seeing more of Flossy and Sophie in the near future!
Kind regards, Brian.
Your strawberry themed settings are so sweet. I love Flossy's little strawberry teapot and cup. I want one of those in 1:1 scale!! I am so sorry to hear and all the illness. When pets get ill it is awful because we cannot tell them we are trying to help. Poor little Rufus.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about US postage makes sense now. I have noticed that some of my fav Etsy stores postage has become ridiculous for what I would consider something no more expensive to mail than a letter. I am lucky to have a friend who travels to and fro every few months at the moment. She even brought me back a whole dollhouse kit last time!!!
Anyway, love the photos and glad to hear you are going to take more time in future for YOU and YOUR creative needs. Big hug, Carol :) x
Hi Carol, Yes, it is so sad when we can't even tell that something is wrong until our little pet is crying with pain! Rufus was so stoic! Thank you so much for your support re: my creative needs. I really appreciate it. xo Jennifer
DeletePS My brother and his wife have just returned from a month in Oregon and were blown away. N California is gorgeous they say, but Oregon even better! Lucky you!! Carol x
ReplyDeleteYummy goodies: strawberries, pancaces..everything looks so delicious! There is water in my mouth!
ReplyDeleteI am happy you are back, and speed recovery to Rufus!
It is very understandable that you want to stop exchanging gifts in those postage prices!
Take care my friend
Hugs
Kikka
Tus personajes, además de encantadores, son unos estupendos cocineros. Un abrazo grande.
ReplyDeleteVictoria.
Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteGlad to read your update. Is Rufus getting better now?
Yes the international shipping is so high. : (
I like all your characters and can't wait to see the new ones.
take care,
- moonrabbit
Hi moonrabbit, Thanks for asking! Yes, it looks like Rufus is getting better. He acts like his old self again. We will check his urine in a few days to make sure the infection is completely gone. Fingers crossed! xo Jennifer
DeleteNow it's safe for me to comment... Fluby is asleep in Strawberry Cottage. *phewey* I don't want to imagine what would have happened if he had seen all those delicious, tempting, yummy strawberry treats in your post... I can't afford a new monitor... ;O) I'm glad to see a new post of yours and to hear things are better in your family now, including your little furry boy of course. And about the news... I think that's very reasonable. And I truly think blogging should be about projects and inspiring and sharing techniques... and this takes a lot of time for sure!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Birgit
So true, Birgit! Even if we only focused on sharing projects, inspiring others, and sharing techniques, we would be kept very busy indeed. I'm glad you didn't have to get a new monitor! ;-) xo Jennifer
DeleteI always love the cute little scenes you create with your characters. Everything is so colourful and bright and uplifting! Looks like you will be very busy! Looking forward to seeing your new projects! One stamp in Canada now costs $1.00 and if we buy a booklet of six, we pay .85 cents each. Crazy!
ReplyDeleteHi Lucille, Yes, I've seen on Etsy that postage from Canada to the US is very, very high. It is a pity! :-( xo Jennifer
DeleteHi Jennifer! Nice to hear from you via your blog posts again. :)) It seems that so many pet owners have been having "pets with problems" lately and I am sorry to hear that yours has had a bladder infection. I know how painful that can be for humans so for a pet.... ? I am glad that Rufus is now on the mend.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the postage cost either, and one has to wonder WHY? It doesn't seem to be any faster, yet we are having to pay more! Currently in Canada, there is a government proposal to Officially Retire all door to door postal delivery!!!!! That means More jobs to be AXED. We are being financially bled to death at every turn they can think of and there seems to be no escape. :((
elizabeth
I feel your pain, Elizabeth! Hopefully things will get better soon! xo Jennifer
DeleteSorry that all of you have been ill. I love your characters and your vignettes.
ReplyDeleteKisses
Alessandra
Hello Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you're doing better, and that your pet is healthy again :)
Hugs and see you around!
Angelina (El arte de Angelina)
Hi Jennifer:) I hope Rufus feels better very soon, and Flossy, Sophie and Bluebelle enjoy their strawberries:) My little bear Ellie has made strawberry cake, don't miss my post, which I will publish later:)
ReplyDeleteI hope your bus and and you are also getting better:)
Hugs, Candy:)
Welcome the strawberries season!
ReplyDeleteI wish with all my heart a quick recovery for Rufus.
Hugs, my sweet friend.
oh my! Hoping your guinea pig feels better soon and that you and your husband are well! I would love a piece of strawberry pie please! www.catchatwithcarenandcody.com
ReplyDeletethat rich strawberries! I love the bowl with strawberries and freshly bought at the grocery store. what a session!
ReplyDeleteFinally made it to read your post! I always ADORE your beautiful pictures and i love watching them carefully, as there are so many cute details to see! :)
ReplyDeletesorry to read you were ill...take good care!!!!! I 've got the same "time-problem" ...but it is wonderful to be able to find a little corner of the day (or night ) from time to time to continue blogging even if it might be more seldom! :) Verymuch looking forward to seeing your new projects! :) Love and hugs from faraway :) Anne
I'm very happy to see you back and to know that all of you are better now!! I can't take my eyes off your wonderful settings....all those super cute minis are just perfect with your super lovely characters!!! I'm always happy to come see your pictures, your critters, your minis and to read your stories. I know what you mean about not having time for you because you are too busy doing things for somebody else and you really need to learn to also put the time for you first....otherwise you will not be creating and we will get bored without your stories!!! Big hug Jen, nice to see you posting again!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are all on the mend now. I think it is good some times to take a step back and review your priorities. You need time to make creative things for yourself not just for others. I remember feeling the same many years ago when I was making bears and everyone wanted them. In the end I stopped enjoying making them because I wasn't making what I wanted. Being from New Zealand I cannot participate in many swaps because of the cost of postage - not just for me to post to other parts of the world but I am also conscious of the cost of others to post things to New Zealand. I look forward to seeing your future posts.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteit is great to see a new post. Now I want strawberry pancakes! the pictures were great. I hope all 3 of you are feeling much better. I hope you manage to get more time to work on your projects. it is always great to see what you have been up to.
big hug,
Giac
oh Im so sorry to hear that you G-pig is sick I hope it feels better soon :(
ReplyDeleteI hope you all feel better! Did Rufus get over his infection yet? Poor little dear. It's hard when we are sick but animals or children getting sick is even worse because they sometimes don't understand why they are feeling this way and they get all upset. I hope you'll become stronger soon! Good luck with your projects! I totally understand your need for more time devoted to your art and creativity. It's fun to purchase and exchange but creating is more fun and yields the best rewards :)
ReplyDeleteWell it's great to see you back! The photos are heavenly as usual! All the yumminess is fantabulous!! Poor little Rufus! It's so hard to watch those tiny creatures suffer. I know he'll get better very fast now that he has his medicine. Give him cranberry snacks!
ReplyDeletehugs♥,
Caroline
Hi Jennifer it is wonderful seeing you post again. I am very sorry to hear that you all were ill. Poor Rufus it is hard to see our pets suffer I hope he and of course both of you are all better. Fantastic pictures your pictures always bring a smile to my face. The tables are filled with so many delicious items.
ReplyDeleteHugs Maria
I hope Rufus will be fine soon, and you too... I think you are right: If you need time for your own projects, let's do them! It's a pity that you don't participate in gifts exchanges because you make beautiful miniatures, but I think that, the most important thing is you feel well, so, I agree with you, enjoy your projects a lot... A big big hug,
ReplyDeleteHello from Spain: delicious cakes. Nice pictures. I read that you want to have more time for your projects. That is fine. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteI hear ya on USPS pricing... it's painful! I think taking more time for you, though, is a really excellent idea!
ReplyDeleteYum!!! I love strawberries, especially freshly picked ones! So delicious and sweet! The mini strawberry shortcakes are perfect for the season. And darn! for the increase in postage! Let me know if you are still willing to do any exchanges within the country!
ReplyDeleteCiao Jennifer, sempre deliziose le tue scene. comprendo l'aumento di prezzo una volta o l'altra mi sarebbe piaciuto scambiare un piccolo regalo con te.
ReplyDeleteUn abbraccio. Manu
So sweet, love all of your baking. Our strawberries have been ripening so quickly we can hardly keep up.
ReplyDeleteI love how you combine rement minis and 1:12 minis, it always looks incredible. Thinking good thoughts for your entire family to get well soon.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I agree that postage is insane!
I love strawberries! Your mini versions are absolutely luscious. Glad to see I wasn't the only one on hiatus but glad to hear there will be more of you in the near future. XOXO John
ReplyDeleteThe postage is always a problem. And it is sad that that hampers exchanges, but a very wise decision. Can't wait to see more on your blog though!
ReplyDeleteBellissime creazioni! Mi dispiace leggere che avete avuto problemi di salute, prenditi tutto il tempo che desideri, noi ti vogliamo bene anche senza scambi e regali perchè sei una persona fantastica, un grande abbraccio e buone mini,
ReplyDeleteMely