Springtime at Cupcake Cottage

Flossy got really artsy-craftsy after she learned that the "kitty grass" that Anna sent us from Finland was actually the base for a "rairuoho." The rairuoho is an Easter tradition in the Nordic countries. As Anna explained, usually this time of year there aren't many green plants growing yet, so they grow Easter grass on a tray indoors and decorate it with Easter eggs and chicks to celebrate spring. Flossy got so excited about this idea that she made her own rairuoho in Anna's dish of grass:

It has Flossy's own style, doesn't it? ;-) Thank you for the interesting information about the rairuoho, Anna!

Then Bluebelle (our resident "chick") came over for a visit to Cupcake Cottage, and she and Flossy made special bunny cupcakes together. Mmm, don't they look pretty and tasty?

Mini Easter cupcake set by CuteinMiniature on Etsy. Set doesn't include
duck or bag of Easter eggs. The Peeps box was a gift from Beverly of CiM.

Wishing all of you a belated vernal (spring) equinox and happy Easter! Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

How to Miniaturize an Image

I'm really struck today by how much we learn from and are inspired by others through blogging. On Thursday, I was reading Julia's most recent post on Postreadiccion blog, when I saw that she had posted a free printie: a Cath Kidston-style washi tape holder. I left a comment that my dollhouse needed one of these darling tape holders too and could Julia help me?

It's chocolate chip cookie time!

A little while later, Julia emailed me with the full-size file and a 1:12 scale version of the printie and told me it was really easy to resize an image in MS Word. Not only did I print out the miniaturized version of her printie, I followed her instructions carefully and miniaturized a bunch of images! Wow! It opened up a whole new world to me!

Cath Kidston-style washi tape holder!

In case you're interested in trying this at home, here are Julia's instructions for making a miniature image:

"If you want to change the size, just open the file in Word, click on the image and then push the right button of the mouse and click in "Size" and just change it, it's very easy."

BTW, I have an earlier version of Word, so for me it was open the image in Word, click the image, right click and choose "Format Picture," then choose "Size" and then change the size. As Julia said, it's very easy. What I love about this method is that the image maintains its clarity and aspect ratio, so it looks just as good as the original. Yay!

Thank you so much, Julia! Be sure and check out her blog for that freebie printie and also to see her gorgeous work. She's an amazing food decorator specializing in cookies, cupcakes, and pops. She also teaches classes in this gorgeous art form and makes party kits that are amazing. Prepare to be blown away!

My own Nestle Toll House chocolate chip bag!

Remember I said that I used Julia's instructions to miniaturize other images? Well, I recently purchased these sweet chocolate chip cookies on a tray from Allies Minis on Etsy (her food is so cute!), and then today when I was "stalking" Beverly's Cute in Miniature Etsy shop, I saw this darling set of heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies with a mini Nestle Toll House chocolate chips bag. 

Matching Cath Kidston mini bunting!

Yes, using my new-found miniaturizing skills, I made my own little chocolate chip bag. Again, I'm so inspired by both of these mini food artisans (too inspired by their work to try making the food myself, but inspired to build on the skills that I do have!). ;-) Thank you, Allie and Beverly!

OK, I am really overdue in showing some beautiful gifts I received from special blog friends, plus there is major dollhouse news at my house, so I'll tell you about all of that in my next post. Until then, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Happy Holidays From Cupcake Cottage

Today is the winter solstice. Now the days will get longer, and there will be more light. Flossy and Sophie are so glad, because they started baking before dawn this morning.

Now, in the early morning light, they finally have a chance to stop and appreciate the results of all their hard work! Mmm, there are vanilla cherry cupcakes with coconut frosting, a moist chocolate bundt cake drizzled with peppermint frosting, and chocolate cookies frosted thick with creamy peppermint frosting.

Flossy, ever the shy one, loves the cupcakes the most.

Sophie prefers the peppermint chocolate treats. Oops! Flossy's paw gets a little too close to the bundt cake. "Grrr!" Fortunately, friends forgive such things.

Happy holidays from Cupcake Cottage! Thanks to Beverly at Cute in Miniature on Etsy for all of this amazing miniature food. Her shop is full of wonderful things! :-) Keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Waiting to Open the Presents

Sophie can hardly wait to open her gifts. She keeps sitting by the tree, squeezing and rattling each present. When, oh when can she open them?

She and Flossy have been baking again. Look at what (or who?) made it to the top of the tree!

Speaking of amazing gifts, here's a teeny tiny miniature winter scene made by Volker Arnold and given to me by Birgit of BiWuBaren on the Blog. Do you see all of the details? Can you believe it is extremely thin laser cut wood?

I committed a "faux paw" (faux pas), I'm afraid, when I painted it white, but I just love how it looks in Cupcake Cottage's shabby chic bedroom. Thank you again, Birgit! You sent so many generous gifts!

Now it's time for some hot chocolate and gingerbread men, a gift from Sophie and Flossy to all of you, dear readers. Please have a a sip and a bite. Is it tasty?

The wonderful hot chocolate set is by Beverly of Cute in Miniature on Etsy. Her combination of realism, vintage charm, and fun in dollhouse miniature food is unstoppable! Check out her shop and enjoy!

Until next time, keep having fun! xoxo Jennifer

Flossy and Sophie Pick the Winners!

Flossy and Sophie were just about to get their paws on some cupcake cookies, when I asked them to pick the winners of the Miniature Holiday Giveaway.

Don't the cookies look yummy?! Beverly of Cute in Miniature baked them! Mmm, mmm, yummy!

OK, Sophie has her honey tea, and Flossy has her glass of milk. They are ready to pick the winners now. Drumroll, please! The two winners of the Miniature Holiday Giveaway are:

Victoria Stitch

Begona

Congratulations to the two lucky winners. Please email me your addresses (through my Blogger Profile), so I can mail your prizes to you right away! Thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway. I have at least two more planned for the very near future, as I am grateful to all of you who follow this blog and leave such sweet comments. xoxo Jennifer