Hello, Hello!

Hi All! I've missed each and every one of you. Sadly, just as Facebook has taken many people away from blogging, Instagram has done that for me. I've been creating stories with Blythe dolls there, and I'm starting to work Flossy, Sophie and Bluebelle into the stories now too. In case you're interested, I'm at www.instagram.com/blythegrl.

This blog allowed me to express an interest in plushies and miniatures that has now turned into a successful greeting card business. Along the way, I met amazing, sweet, and generous people and had a ton of fun. I'm grateful for all of it.

Back in January, I promised a blog giveaway. If there are still readers of this blog, there will be a giveaway. :-)

But first, Flossy and Sophie want to say hi. They're busy as always, having fun baking goodies in Cupcake Cottage. Here, they're taking a break from baking for a yummy snack, including bubble tea.

You may have noticed that there's been a change at Cupcake Cottage too! Sophie no longer hides the fact that she eats her natural diet alongside the amazing cupcakes and cakes that she and Flossy bake together:

Let's face it, we need both! Healthy with a sweet treat go hand in hand. Maybe Flossy will eat more salads now too! ;-)

I hope you're all well and having fun. Blogland is a wonderful place full of friendships that can last a lifetime. Big hugs! xoxo Jennifer

Flossy and Sophie Celebrate Halloween

Hi Everyone! I hope you're having a super-fun Halloween! Here's an updated version of a photo from a while back that I felt like showing again. Flossy and Sophie just LOVE dressing up in costume AND eating delicious treats! Happy Halloween from Cupcake Cottage!

Hope you're having lots of fun and collecting lots of candy! Until next time, keep it fun! ;-) xoxo Jennifer

Trick or Treat!

"Trick or treat!!"

"Happy Halloween!"

Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Favorite Mouse Plushy Photos

Yesterday, my mouse plushy was featured in an Etsy treasury called I love everything mouse. It got me thinking about a couple of things. First, I had wanted to take some new photos of my greeting cards for my Etsy shop. The original ones I took weren't very effective for viewing in Etsy treasuries, and since they hadn't been put in any treasuries, not many people had been exposed to the cards. To make a long story short, I took new photos of my cards, put new listings in my Etsy shop, and * reduced the price * on the cards while I was at it. You see, I added a new card to my line:

And I ordered a batch of these cards while Moo was having a sale. Then I added a coupon onto the sale price, so I got this order of cards at a really good price. So I'm passing my savings onto anyone who buys any of my cards. Yay!

The second thing I was thinking about was that there are some really cute pictures of my mouse plushy, and Friday is a great day for cuteness, so here are my favorites:

This last photo is on the front of two of the cards in my shop. One is a birthday card, and one is blank inside. These mouse photos are some of my very favorites, so I offer them for your viewing pleasure, my dear readers. Have a great weekend! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

A Love Letter

Sent by Bert....

...and treasured by Bella.

If this is your first time on my blog, you may not know that the story of Bella the bride bunny and Bert bunny started a while back. You can see previous episodes of this story (and other miniature vignettes I've done) here. Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Bella and Bert Go on a Real Date

Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

My Prizes From Klara's Giveaway!

Klara Meijer had an amazing miniatures giveaway a few weeks ago on her blog. I couldn't believe I was so fortunate to win her prize #1. When I heard about it, I was giddy with excitement! It took a couple of weeks to receive Klara's package--the postal service was taking forever (at least in my mind). Finally, one day I opened my mailbox, and what a surprise! The package was there.

I brought the package up to my craft room and started opening it. The first thing I found was an inner package with these words written on it:

I opened the inner packet and found several gift-wrapped presents. Of course, my heart was pounding and my fingers were shaking, I was so excited!

Finally, I opened each present and found treasure after treasure:

Klara made each miniature item with so much thought, care, and skill. I am so touched by her thoughtfulness. Now you can see them laid out in my partially-refurbished vintage heirloom dollhouse:

Klara's mini hat is at the foot of the bed, which is difficult to see in this photograph. Her miniature ladies suitcase is sitting on the settee, her shoes and purse on the pink rug in front of the dressing table, which holds several more of her gifts.

As you can see, this miniature bedroom is very much in the process of being refurbished. However, you can also see how her items set the mood of the room, they are so lovely. Bella the bride bunny fits in so well here with all of this pretty lady-stuff. I will take a better photo once I've completed the house remodel--then you will be able to see Klara's items in all their glory!

Thank you, Klara, for a lovely blog giveaway! I feel so fortunate to have won your lovely prizes! Oh, and speaking of giveaways, don't forget mine here. It closes June 18, so there is still time to enter it for a chance to win several prizes. Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

I Will Not...

Hello everyone! I hope you're enjoying my blog giveaway. There are two prizes: one features a handmade chick plushy and the other features some vintage Victorian dollhouse miniatures. The giveaway ends June 18, 2011. Welcome to all of my new followers! I hope you have fun every time you visit here!

Here's a new miniature vignette story for you. School is almost out for the summer, it's getting hot outside, and tempers are flaring. Looks like Freddie the frog is in trouble with the local school teacher, Bella the bride bunny. Freddie's brother Teddy watches it all unfold. His eyes are huge with fear. Will he be next?

Gosh, it looks like Freddie can't do anything right! He was just being himself! (Did you see what is written on the blackboard? If not, look at the third photo again now. You will get the joke!)

For newbies to this blog, or anyone else who wants to see these again, here are some links to previous miniature story vignettes: Intro to Bella, Bella the Bride Bunny Goes Shopping, Bella Goes Shopping Part 2, Bella Goes Shopping Part 3, New Puppy!, and Conclusion: Houndstooth Puppy and Raccoon.

Next post I'll reveal the amazing gifts I won in Klara's giveaway. I can't wait to show them to you! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Bella the Bride Bunny Goes Shopping Part 3

In our last episode, Bella and Bert were gazing into each other's eyes after meeting for the first time.

Finally, Bert spoke: "Say, Bella, I was just about to take a break." He pulled out a thermos and poured them each a latte. "Would you care to join me?" Bella, having thought ahead (you never know when Mr. Right will show up!), pulled out a piece of cake from her picnic basket. "I'd love to!" she cried. "Would you care to share this cake with me?" "Why, yes," Bert replied. "How about we sit down in the grass near the barn?" "That would be perfect!"

Ever prepared, Bella's picnic basket liner miraculously turned into a picnic blanket, and the two sat down together in the field. Bella and Bert drank lattes, ate cake, and chatted. "So what do you do, Bella?" Bert asked. "I'm the local school teacher" replied Bella. "How long have you had your farm?" "Just a few years," replied Bert. Turns out they both are committed to growing and eating organic produce (we already knew that!). Both of them are single (we knew that too!), and both want to start a family soon (we could have guessed that!).

After a long while, drunk on infatuation, they wandered back to the farm stand, where Bella picked out her fruits and vegetables. Oh, yes! She had come here to shop. She'd almost fogotten!

She had such a large load of produce that Bert offered to walk her home. "Oh no! That's too much trouble for you, Bert! I couldn't ask you to do that!" Bella pretended to resist his offer, but she was secretly thrilled. "It's my pleasure," said Bert, as he carried the large vegetable crate in his strong paws, while Bella carried her picnic basket, now laden with fruit, at his side.

They didn't talk much on the walk home. They were a little too giddy for that! Both of them were savoring the moment, neither of them wanting this time together to end. When they got to the gate of Bella's cottage, they set down their things and were about to say their farewells.

Just then, Bert pulled out a bouquet of fresh Forget-Me-Not flowers that he had picked for Bella when she wasn't looking. "Oh Bertie," Bella cried. "These are so beautiful! Thank you!" "Thank you, Bella. I am so glad to have met you." With that, they said their good-byes and shook paws again. The tingle was still there! "Oh my!" Bella thought she might swoon. Bert had to pull himself away from Bella's intoxicating eyes.

Bella went into her little cottage and reminisced about her day. Night was falling as she got into her warm, cozy bed, but she couldn't sleep. Her heart was pounding. It had been so lovely meeting Bert. "I hope I get to see him again soon! He may be the Mr. Right I've been waiting for!"

Bert walked back to the farm, thoughts of Bella dancing around in his head. After closing up the farm stand for the day, Bert decided to call it a night. Bert went to bed in the barn, his usual spot. Because he didn't have the benefit of a female influence in his life, Bert had never gotten around to fixing up the farm's dilapidated house. "Bella's cottage sure looked warm and cozy. Oh, and that Bella sure looked warm and soft too! I wish I could be in her arms right now!" thought Bert.

Is Bert Bella's Mr. Right? Is Bella Bert's Ms. Right? Will Bert and Bella ever be in each other's arms? Will Bert always have to sleep in the hay barn? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions and more! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Bella the Bride Bunny Goes Shopping Part 2

In the first episode of this story, we learned some important background about Bella, our heroine. Next, Bella the bride bunny had walked to a local organic farm to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables. Last we saw, Bella had reached the produce stand, and the farmer was behind the table of produce, with his back turned toward her.

Just then, the farmer turned around. Bella sucked in her breath. "Oh, my!" she softly whispered to herself, for the farmer was dressed in a tuxedo shirt and bow tie! "How can this be?" she thought. "Is this a male after my own heart?"

Oh, and what a handsome bunny he was, dressed in his finest while selling the fruits and vegetables of his labor. Turns out, while this handsome farmer, hereafter known as Bert, was carrying out all of his duties, the only thing on his mind was "When will I meet my Ms. Right?" Like Bella, Bert was always thinking like this. He was waiting and waiting.... And there she was! "Could she be the bunny of my dreams?" he wondered.

Bert came from behind the produce stand and approached Bella.

Bella was feeling so shy that she could hardly speak. They exchanged names and shook paws. When their paws touched, both Bert and Bella felt a tingle. Bella could hardly breathe. Bert couldn't stop looking into Bella's beautiful eyes.

They were completely alone together. If anyone had come by just then, they would have thought that Bella and Bert were newlyweds, not only because of their outfits, but also because of the energy that was between them. Was it a match made in heaven? Stay tuned for the next part in this ongoing series to find out! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Bella the Bride Bunny Goes Shopping

Hello, dear readers! I promised you more about the bunny bride-to-be and her search for Mr. Right. Our little bride bunny is officially named Bella now! Bella, because she is so beautiful!

Bella, as you may recall from our previous episode, always wears a bridal veil, because the only thing on her mind is, "Who is my Mr. Right? When will I meet him?" She is always thinking this way.

Today, Bella the bunny must take care of practical matters. She is going to go shopping. No, not shopping for a man, but shopping for food at one of her local farms. First, Bella prepared a small lunch for herself, and then she headed out of her little cottage and into the nearby woods.

After walking for a while, she made it into the deep forest. There she found a clearing with a comfortable place to rest and eat her lunch.

Once she had eaten her fill, she continued her journey. She needed to stock up on some organic fruits and veggies. She would take them back to her cottage and store them for a bit.

After a little while, she found the new farm she had been looking for. "Ah, here it is!" The sign even said that there was fresh fruit. "Oh goody!" Bella walked up a short path which led to the actual farm. The farm stand was filled with delicious-looking fresh fruits and vegetables. Behind the farm stand, with his back toward her, stood the farmer.

What will happen next, dear readers? Stay tuned for the next episode! xoxo Jennifer

Vote for My Project! Please!

I can hardly believe it: one of my projects is in a national Art of ReUse Contest! It's sponsored by NBC and Etsy. Martha Stewart is one of the judges!!! I'm so excited!!!!! Here's the project. It's my most recent miniature vignette, featuring my little bride bunny pondering her future as she waits for "Mr. Right":  

The materials for this project included a piece of reclaimed foam board and recycled fabric for the backdrop; recycled plastic toy chair; and hand-sewn bunny plushy (felted vintage recycled cashmere sweater, vintage recycled embroidery floss, recycled fiberfill, vintage recycled lace, and recycled tulle).

Voting and commenting are open from Saturday, April 9 until Friday, April 15 at midnight Eastern time. Voting requires you create a log-in, but commenting doesn't. Both voting and commenting (or one or the other--any combo!) would be much appreciated! :-) 

Dear friends, here's how to vote for my project: Go to http://www.greenisuniversal-reuse.com, click login to create an account and log in. Go to "Projects," then "Toys, Games and Gadgets." Mine is "Miniature Vignette with Cute Plushy." Click it, scroll down to "Cast Vote in This Category" and click it!

To leave a comment on my entry (this is easier than voting): Go to http://www.greenisuniversal-reuse.com/toys-games-gadgets/miniature-vignette-with-cute-plushy, scroll down, and where you see "Add a Comment," write your name and a comment, then click "Post Comment."

It would mean so much to me if you would take a moment to cast your vote for my project. :-) If you have time and the inclination, please leave a comment too! Many, many thanks! Bless you! xoxo Jennifer

New Bunny Plushy!

And she's a bride! :-) I've been wanting to make a bunny plushy forever, and here she is! She is made from a white vintage cashmere sweater that I felted, vintage and new embroidery floss, and she's stuffed with renewable bamboo fiberfill. Her bridal veil, which is removable, is made from recycled tulle, vintage embroidery floss, and vintage lace. She is completely sewn by hand except for one seam on the back of the veil that I sewed with a machine. She's super soft and huggable!

Oh, sweet little bunny bride. She is waiting for Mr. Right! That's the one thing on her mind. See how even when she is doing something, her eyes are always looking to the right? Looking to the right symbolizes looking to the future, and that's what she's always doing. She is imagining meeting her Mr. Right, getting married, and living happily ever after. Until then, she is just waiting, waiting, waiting....

Let's see what happens in this little bunny's future, shall we? Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer