3-Year Blog Anniversary Winner!

The time is finally here to pick the winner of our 3-year blog anniversary giveaway! Flossy and Bluebelle are at the helm this time.

First, Bluebelle will pick the lucky winner's slip of paper:

And she's got it!

Now Flossy will turn over the winning slip of paper to reveal the winner's name. Who will it be?

And it's Elizabeth S of Studio E! 

Congratulations, Elizabeth! You've won this prize:

Please email me ASAP with your mailing address, so I can get your prize to you right away. :-)

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this giveaway, to everyone who reads Plushpussycat blog, and to everyone who comments on my posts. I've had so much fun these last three years, and much of that fun is due to you.

I wish there could have been more than one winner this time, but there will be more chances soon. The next giveaway is just around the corner, in time to celebrate my birthday, which falls around Easter each year. First, there are wonderful miniature gifts to show you, a new story, and a sneak preview of my latest interest. So keep your eyes on this blog, because somewhere in the middle of all that, I'll announce a new giveaway! In the meantime, keep having fun! xoxo Jennifer

Winner! Plus 3-Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway!

Yay! We reached the magical number of 1000 followers! Thank you to everyone who helped to make it happen. On February 16, 2011, I wrote my first Plushpussycat blog post, so I am celebrating three wonderful years of blogging too! The last three years with all of you have been a blast!

So, it's time to pick a winner in the 1000 followers giveaway. Flossy and Sophie are at the helm, ready to pick the winner:

Sophie will do the draw:

Ah, she has found the winning slip of paper. Who will be the lucky one this time?

And the lucky winner of the pink coconut cake with the extras is:

Steinworks!

Congratulations, Steinworks, aka Marisa! Please email me with your mailing address as soon as possible, so I can post your prize!

Now, the celebration continues. It's time for our next giveaway, the 3-Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway:

This time the prize is two miniature loaves of heart shortbread with white icing artfully dripping down the sides by Asakomini on Etsy. The prize also includes a cake stand with paper doilies, a set of tea towels, and a miniature cookbook, all made by me.

To join this giveaway for a chance at the prize above, just:

1) Be a member of this blog or become one now using the Google Friend Connect gadget on my blog's right-hand sidebar.

2) Leave a positive comment on this blog post stating your intention to participate.

3) Not required, but very much appreciated: Please post this giveaway (with a photo and link back to this post) on your blog. If you have no blog, then post it on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, etc. For help in how to post a giveaway photo on your blog's sidebar, there are instructions here.

This giveaway will end Thursday, March 13, 2014, and I'll announce the winner on Friday, March 14, 2014. Thank you and good luck everyone! Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Amazing Minis From Special Friend

Another special package arrived recently, all the way from Italy! A special friend sent them, and they couldn't be more sweet!

The package was from our dear friend MelyMel of MelyMel PiccoliSogni blog. Flossy the bunny has her hands full today, still caring for the orphan baby bunny that Sophie the bear found in the carrot patch. Still, she wanted to show these special gifts:

Look at the strawberry dessert, so delicious!

And the amazing can full of miniature Pringles!

The teapot is extraordinary, even showing footprints in the snow!

And the food bags have mini food inside! Oh joy!

Thank you so much for these gorgeous, precious, thoughtful gifts, sweet friend. Now Flossy must put the baby bunny down for a nap. ;-) Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Spot the Difference

Last post I mentioned that there was something different about Cupcake Cottage's shabby chic bedroom.

Did anyone notice the big difference? OK, I'll tell you what happened and what has changed.

Last year, Mely gave me a gorgeous bedding set, telling me that she'd made it for Dad's Dollhouse. I was afraid that her gorgeous work wouldn't be noticed because of the garish wallpaper in Dad's Dollhouse bedroom, so instead I decorated Cupcake Cottage's bedroom with her bedding in mind.

Then, just recently, I spontaneously tried her bedding in Dad's Dollhouse, and viola! Mely's beautiful bedding looked PERFECT in Dad's Dollhouse, even toning down the wallpaper (which, incidentally, was the same wallpaper in my real life parent's bedroom in the 70s and 80s).

Mely's bedding still looks gorgeous, but she has improved the bedroom decor 1000%. Thank you, Mely! I should have listened to you the first time. ;-) You've made the bedroom in Dad's Dollhouse a very special place.

I only need to build one last piece of furniture from a kit, and Dad's Dollhouse will really be complete. Once I've built the hoosier cabinet for the kitchen, I will show you the completed house. Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

P.S. Now I'm using a vintage handkerchief as a bedspread in Cupcake Cottage, and I love how the room turned out.

Gifts From Jane of MiniFanaticus

Now that Sophie is back living in Flossy's house, Cupcake Cottage, both of them can show you the gorgeous and thoughtful gifts we received from Jane of MiniFanaticus blog. First off, we have lovely autumn leaves, roasted veggies, and caramel apples to get us in the fall spirit!

The roasted veggies look incredible, with roasted winter squash included too! Jane knows that Flossy is a vegetarian, as all bunnies are, so this gift is especially thoughtful. Of course, Sophie will gladly share in all this delicious food!

Now Sophie wants to show you the gorgeous shabby chic pumpkins Jane sent. They're at the foot of the fireplace in Flossy's bedroom, and there's even a tiny one on the mantle. What incredible artistry!

Finally, we want to show you a beautiful feminine candle that Jane made. It's resting on Flossy's bed along with the darling diary and pen that Mary gave us.

Jane also included beautiful beads, supplies for making miniature polymer clay foods, and lovely papers for mini fun. Thank you so much, Jane! You've really brightened our autumn and provided so many craft supplies for creative inspiration! It's so nice having sweet blog friends like Jane. :-)

Something in the final photo has given a clue to our next post. I'll tell you the full story within a few days. Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Flossy's Feeling Flustered

Flossy's feeling a bit flustered. She's expecting Sophie the bear at her door any minute, but first she must feed her baby and eat some breakfast herself. Good thing for healthy, quick smoothies! Flossy whips up a smoothie for herself while preparing milk for her new baby.

Sophie is going to take Flossy to the new cake shop. Don't worry Flossy, you'll feel better soon!

I've been very busy with distributing my greeting cards locally. My cards are now in eleven stores in the Portland area, and they are selling quickly. It's an exciting time but doesn't allow as much time for making miniatures. I'm in the middle of a mini cake project that I hope I can finish soon. I hope you are all well. Thank you for your sweet comments and blog friendships. Keep having fun! xoxo Jennifer

Flossy Feels Like Vanna White

Yes, Flossy the bunny feels like Vanna White of Wheel of Fortune fame, but here she is anyway, showing you one of the new miniature baking sets I've made that are now in my Etsy shop. There are several different sets in my shop, so please take a look and let me know what you think. Can you picture one of these baking sets in your mini dollhouse kitchen? If so, which one is your favorite?

By the way, all of my newest cards are sold out right now(!) but are still available at select brick and mortar outlets). You can still see my other birthday cards while you're at my shop looking at the miniature baking sets, though. ;-)

Thanks so much for looking and for your sweet comments. I hope you're having a good weekend. Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

More Mini Birthday (and Other) Gifts!

Flossy the bunny, as usual, has been busy baking cupcakes at Cupcake Cottage. This time it's vanilla cupcakes with creamy coconut frosting and a cherry on top. These are definitely a Cupcake Cottage favorite!

Flossy has been using a favorite cookbook, but in case that's not enough, look at all the darling cupcake books sent by Anna of LITTLETHINGS blog:

Aren't these tiny books precious? Anna also sent a pretty card and two more books, including a vintage one for my mid-century modern dollhouse and a special bear bedtime stories book. Sophie the bear has already gotten her paws on that one and has moved it to Brambleberry Farmhouse. ;-) Thank you so much for your thoughtful birthday gifts, Anna. We all love them!

Next up, Maria of Pretty Things Ireland blog sent a wonderful birthday package filled with darling minis and craft supplies:

Isn't her card beautiful? And that miniature bicycle is too cute! See the tiny red lipstick on the white tray? Flossy has put that in her bedroom already. :-) The pink hat and purse were hand crocheted by Maria too. I keep the tiny guinea pig candle holder near my computer monitor, so I think of Maria often. Thank you so much, Maria! You helped make my birthday so special!

Finally, I received a wonderful package from Sans! of The Dollhouse Diaries blog. Sans! offered her readers some miniature paper sunflowers, and I jumped at the opportunity. Then Sans! surprised me by sending all these:

As soon as I received the package, I started making mini bouquets with the tiny rosebuds. You'll see some of them in future posts. I'd also love to make a mini pond with huge pink lotus flowers, so maybe you'll see that one day too. Thank you so much for your thoughtful gifts, Sans! You really brightened my day with all of these gorgeous flowers.

Blog friends are real friends--isn't it so? I feel very blessed indeed. Until next time, keep it fun! xoxo Jennifer

Flossy the Bunny is a Calendar Girl!

Maybe some of you remember when my banana slug plushy became a calendar girl. She was discovered nearly two years ago by The New Fat, a born in Nottingham, UK graphic design agency specializing in design for brand communications. The New Fat publishes fun free downloadable desktop wallpaper with a calendar each month.

I received an email from Suze Moore a few weeks ago, as they were looking for a new "calendar girl." This time it was Flossy the bunny's chance for fame. I created this summery miniature scene just for The New Fat (notice how there's plenty of room on the left side for the calendar):

See what great work they did with her photo? There are even cute strawberries on the calendar!

A big thank-you to Suze and everyone else involved at The New Fat. 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