Gifts Galore!

One of the lovely side benefits of having blog friends in the miniatures community is the lovely gifts exchanged during the holiday season and on birthdays. My holidays have become so much sweeter since I started Plushpussycat blog, and this year has been no exception. Can you see how happy Strawberry Shortcake is?

It's no wonder! She received this exquisite hand-knitted sweater from Maria of Pretty Things Ireland blog. I love the colors, and the yarn is so delicate and soft. Maria, however, didn't stop with the gorgeous sweater! Even my little baby Sylvanian Families bunny got a pretty crocheted dress. Now she feels like a princess!

Maria also sent all of these treasures:

Oops! Maria also sent yummy chocolates, but they didn't
make it into this photo! ;-)

She sent so many cute things that I can use in upcoming scenes. Everything is so lovingly made and darling. Thank you so much for your beautiful, thoughtful gifts, Maria. You are a treasured friend!

Next up, I received some exquisitely made miniatures, including handmade miniature paper flowers, from Drora of Drora's Minimundo blog:

Pictures cannot do these beauties justice, but believe me, they're even more gorgeous in person. I know that some of these flowers will go on the front stoop of Bluebelle's Cake Shop. :-) I adore the delicate knitting basket and handmade Santa and elf that Drora included too. Drora is such a talented artist and special friend. Thank you so much for all of these thoughtful and beautiful gifts!

Last but not least, I received a special package from Birgit of BiWuBaren on the Blog:

Birgit sent a beautiful handmade card with a picture of Flutterby the bear inside, some delicious marzipan candy, a darling glass piggy that reminds me of my guinea pig Rufus, a gorgeous handmade wreath that is already hanging in Strawberry Shortcake's house, another beautiful wooden ornament, and a special raccoon friend for her "darling" Raccoon! Too cute! Thank you so much for these special and thoughtful gifts, Birgit. I'm so grateful for your friendship.

What amazing friends! Thank you all for brightening my holidays. And thank you to everyone reading this post and to those who leave comments. I appreciate you all so much! Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Sweet Miniature Gifts

After doing a search online for cuddle sacks (cloth bags) made specifically for guinea pigs like my Rufus, I suddenly thought of something: Maria of Pretty Things Ireland blog had made me the sweetest miniature cloth bag for our first miniatures swap. See:

It's perfect! Little Gino loves it! Thank you again, Maria!

Speaking of sweet gifts, yesterday I received a precious surprise package from Drora of Drora's Minimundo blog. Look at the sweet gifts she made for me:

That fancy purse belongs on Plushpussycat's arm, and that rug beater has already moved to Dad's Dollhouse. I always wanted a miniature rug beater! Drora's handmade miniature flowers are exquisite, and these daisies are no exception. The snowman teapot and doll are so cute, and the seashell box is really delicate. Thank you so much, Drora! Your gifts are all so precious to me.

I have so many cute little things to show you before the end of the year, so stay tuned! And until next time, keep having fun! xoxo Jennifer

Drora's Precious Gifts

Drora of Drora's minimundo blog sent me some precious dollhouse miniatures! She is a master at making miniature plants, so when she asked me if there was anything she'd made that I wanted, I jumped at the chance for one of her beautiful plants. Here is Drora's gorgeous philodendron, looking like it was meant to sit on the patio of my mid-century modern ranch dollhouse:

And she sent all of these wonders, including a miniature strawberry plant, ceramic pieces made by her daughter Nilly, and a tiny heart-shaped jewelry box with matching necklace and earring set--wow!

I've placed the miniature ceramic water pitcher, bowl, and strawberry plant in Dad's Dollhouse's country kitchen:

The pitcher fits perfectly in this country kitchen setting.

Drora's delicate strawberry plant is exquisite!

The strawberry plant rests on the windowsill above the bowl of fresh veggies as Mavis Mouse fries eggs in the foreground. Of course, her cheese is close at hand! And the exquisite miniature ceramic chamber pot is resting on the bathroom floor of Dad's Dollhouse:

Sneak peek of the remodeled bathroom in Dad's Dollhouse.

I love everything you sent, Drora! Thank you so much for your friendship and for your thoughtful gifts. If you don't know Drora's blog, you're missing something special. She shares wonderful miniature tutorials and holds frequent giveaways. She's also a dear person and a bona fide miniature treasure. 

Keep having fun! xoxo Jennifer

Tiny Knitted Teddy Bear!

My dear friend Drora of Drora's Minimundo sent me a miniature knitted teddy bear all the way from Israel. You see, after I wrote about my miracle miniature teddy bears, Drora asked if I'd like one of her hand-knitted teddy bears to add to my small collection. Would I like one?! Are you kidding? I'd LOVE one!

The new teddy bear is totally adorable and fitting in famously with my other miniature teddy bears. Here's a candid shot I took of all of the bears making friends. Drora's bear is second from the left. Isn't he cute? :-)

Miniature teddy bears making friends

And then look at all of the other precious things Drora sent:

More beautiful gifts from Drora

There's a bigger bear that was cuddling the tiny knitted one when I opened the package, an adorable mini water cooler, and one of Drora's famous Ferrero Rocher candy boxes--yay! She also sent several beautiful shell ornaments, including a wall hanging, a bowl, and two covered boxes, one with a teeny tiny necklace inside. Everything is so lovely and precious.

Thank you so much, Drora! I love all of your gifts, especially your gift of friendship! If you haven't seen Drora's blog, please check it out. She has great tutorials, makes wonderful miniatures, and holds fun giveaways.

I received another precious gift late last week all the way from Norway--a blog award from Mona at Remme Dollhouse, one of my favorite blogs. If you haven't seen Mona's blog, I recommend you check it out too. :-) Thank you, Mona! How thoughtful of you. I'm sharing this award with all of you, dear readers, because this blog would be a very lonely place without you. :-) Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Gifts from Drora Plus Sewing Room Update

I never cease to be amazed at the kindness and friendliness of the miniaturists I have met online. It is something I am most grateful for!

Recently, I commented on a lovely sewing basket that Drora had made and then featured on her blog, Drora's minimundo. Soon after I left my comment, Drora sent me a message that she had a second one and would mail it to me. I was so touched! The postal delivery took longer than either of us expected, but that just increased my anticipation, as I looked for the postal delivery worker every day. Finally the package arrived, and I was actually moved to tears at Drora's thoughtfulness.

Not only had Drora sent a sewing basket, but she had also included these beautiful items: two teapots for the hat shop/teashop that I am planning for my newest dollhouse; a Chinese vase with beautiful yellow flowers; and a seashell collage made from precious tiny seashells from the Sea of Galilee.

As if these were not magnificent gifts all on their own, here is Drora's masterpiece, the miniature sewing basket that I had originally commented on:

It is full of tiny spools of thread, a pair of gold scissors, tiny button cards, and mini lace. Isn't it amazing?! Thank you, Drora! You are so very kind and so very talented! I am lucky to count you as a friend. :-)

OK, now that we are in my dollhouse sewing room (in Dad's Dollhouse), I thought I would give a little update on it. Here's where it is today:

Now that I'm looking at this photograph more closely, I see two things I want to change. First, I need to change the lamp to something more feminine and Victorian. I plan to make some lamps and chandeliers from beads and jewelry findings in the very near future.

Second, I just made the chair shown in the above photograph from a Chrysnbon kit. I changed the fabric from what looked like a cheap black polyester blend to a piece of burgundy-colored cotton velvet. I'm not, however, happy with the stain that came with the kit. I want to re-do the color with a mahogany finish to coordinate with the sewing machine table. Another project! :-)

Now, here's a close-up on a little scene in the sewing room:

The cat is absorbed in his own reflection in the full-length mirror. He is so absorbed that he doesn't even notice the mouse right under his nose! Next time you see my mini sewing room, it may be all torn apart as a result of the cat chasing the mouse! ;-) Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer