Uh Oh!

Uh oh! Today I am experiencing some dreaded Blogger troubles! I cannot see my followers nor the followers on some other people's blogs--yikes! Just empty space on the template. Is anyone else having this trouble today? I know that several of you have had these problems.

I'm feeling a little nervous about it. Is it just a temporary glitch or a sign of more trouble to come? I would love to hear from others if you're having this trouble now, if you had it before but are not anymore, and if you had this trouble but solved the problem. Solutions would be fantastic, but even some moral support would be great. :-)

I feel that Mr. Sad Slug is in order as a photograph to accompany this post. :-( What do you think?

Don't forget that my blog giveaway is still running through June 18, 2011. It is not too late to win a prize!

Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer and Mr. Sad Slug

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

My Interview on Carina's Craftblog!

When Carina of Carina's Craftblog asked me for an interview, I was thrilled! My first interview--yay! And what an honor to be asked by Carina! I've been following her blog for quite a while, and I enjoy it so much. She has a really nice mix of subjects on her blog, including embroidery projects, photography tips, giveaways, lovely photos from her travels, freebies, and interviews with crafters like me. I love how her blog is so positive and inspiring.

Check out my interview, where Carina asks me about my creative process and more. I share about plushies, miniatures, my craft room, and some bits from my personal life. It's a chance to get to know me better. There's even a photo of me!

I'm laughing about that photo bit, because when I first started my blog, I was really shy and only included a picture of Plushpussycat and didn't even have my name on the blog! Over time, I got a little more comfortable and added my first name and a picture of me from a funny angle (the one that is on my right-hand sidebar now). Finally, I put my full name on my blog. Now, with this interview, there's a big photo of me--no hiding anymore. ;-)

I hope you enjoy the interview and enjoy checking out Carina's Craftblog--it really is lovely. And Monday I really will show you Klara's wonderful giveaway gifts--I promise! And I'll give you an update on my blog giveaway! 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

Blog Giveaway!

6/19/11 Note: The giveaway is now closed.

Today is the day! I'm ready to announce my blog giveaway! This is my chance to say thank you! I appreciate you all so much. Without you, I'd be talking to myself and my life would not be nearly as joyful! This giveaway is open to both new and long-time followers, and it is open to anyone in the world (I will mail your prize to you)!

First, here are the prizes. Prize #1 is Victorian-style miniatures (vintage baby cradle, vintage tin bathtub, vintage miniature Victorian photographs, vintage miniature Victorian paperdolls, pair of baby books, shabby metal pot with lid, washbowl set, and mini metal basket with mini eggs), home-grown dried lavender in a drawstring bag (I grew and harvested it myself!), and one set of three of my new greeting cards!

Prize #2 is the handmade chick plushy, the repurposed flower and nest toy it is resting in, home-grown dried lavender (I grew and harvested it myself!) in a drawstring bag, and one set of three of my new greeting cards!

To be eligible to enter this giveaway:
1. Follow this blog using Google Friend Connect (in the right sidebar of this blog, near the top). Follow publicly (not anonymously) so that I can confirm that you are a follower. You can already be a follower or become a follower now.
2. Leave me a comment on this post telling me which prize(s) you’d like to win (prize #1, prize #2, or both)!

***Here's how to become a follower of my blog: Scroll to the top of this blog and look at the right-hand column. Very near the top, just under the cute picture of two kitties having a picnic, it says "I love new friends!" Just under those words, there is a "Follow" button with tiny pictures of people underneath. Click the "Follow" button and follow the instructions. Choose to follow publicly, so your picture (or a standard image representing you) is with the other peoples' pictures when you come back to this blog. You don't need more than your name (or a stage name)and to pick a standard image to become a follower. Your email can be anonymous, if you so choose. It is really a very simple process(as long as Blogger is running smoothly!). ;-)***

It’s that simple. You can be entered into each prize drawing, or if you really only like one of the prizes, you can just be entered into just the one drawing. I want each winner to really love their prize!

For extra chances to win:
1. Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog. (1 chance)
2. Feature this giveaway on your blog's sidebar (giveaway photo with link to this post and the date that the giveaway ends--see example on my sidebar) and leave a comment on this post with a link to your blog. (1 chance)
3. Tweet this giveaway and leave me a comment on this post telling me you did so. (1 chance)
4. Post about this giveaway on Facebook and leave me a comment on this post telling me you did so. (1 chance)

Giveaway ends Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 11:59:59 pm my time (Pacific Daylight Savings time). I will pick the two winners on Sunday, June 19, 2011 and announce the winners on Monday, June 20, 2011.

Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart! It really means so much to me that you read my blog and support me in my Plushpussycat endeavors! Welcome to new followers of this blog too! Good luck! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Cards, Anyone? Plus Giveaway Update

Have you ever run to the store at the last minute to buy someone a greeting card, only to find that the card selection was really limited? If you're anything like me, you've had to settle for second best at times, picking something that will work, but not necessarily a card that you like that well.

Drum roll, please! Ta-da! I have created a line of greeting cards featuring pictures of my plushy miniature vignettes. Now you can take into your home and share with your friends a little bit of Plushpussycat! Now you can send greeting cards that you're really happy to send, because they express your interests: plushies, miniatures, cuteness, or all three!

There are three cards in my product line (so far!), and I couldn't be more thrilled! Note: The greeting cards are as pictured, but without the watermark that is across these photos.

OK, here they are (now available in my Etsy shop):

Card #1 “Little Mouse Has a Treat” Inside the saying is: “It’s your birthday. Time for a treat!” Great birthday card for anyone you know.

Card #2 “Oh My, You Shouldn’t Have!” Tomcat has flowers for Plushpussycat. Her reply is the phrase inside the card: “Oh my, you shouldn’t have!” This card can be used both as a thank-you card and as a card celebrating love (i.e. valentine, anniversary, wedding, bridal shower). There are so many possibilities! :-)

Card #3 “Houndstooth Pup and Raccoon Make Friends” Inside: “I’m so glad we’re friends.” Perhaps you’re mailing a small gift, such as a mini exchange or giveaway drawing prize (!), and need a card, or you’re just sending a card to say “hi.” This card is ideal for acknowledging a long-time friendship or even for growing a new friendship! :-)

As you may know, first I source recycled materials to hand sew the plushy critters and design and build the sets for the miniature story vignettes that I feature on this blog. Then I photograph the mini scenes and use photo editing software to tweak the pictures as needed. Finally, to create these cards, I designed the inside sayings and had the cards printed.

I'm really happy with how the cards turned out. They're made from good quality heavy paperstock, and the images printed beautifully. The matching envelopes are a crisp white, also on nice paper. These greeting cards are something I've done that I'm really proud of (taking a bow now!). :-)

OK, now for the giveaway update. I've been busily preparing for the official drawing announcement. Today I will do final tweaks and take photos of the giveaway gifts (yay!). If everything goes according to schedule, I will officially announce the blog giveaway on Monday (yippee!). I'm looking forward to thanking all of you, my followers, for your support by offering the giveaway. Stay tuned for Monday's blog post, so you can enter for a chance to win! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Big News!

I have some big news, something I finally did that I've been meaning to do forever! Yesterday I finally listed some critters in my Etsy shop! It took me six hours to list nine plushy critters, but now it's done--whew! Am I glad that project is finished!

Only two of the stuffies in my Etsy shop are pre-made: that's the banana slug and the pair of love worms(!). The others are all made to order (I'm keeping my originals, since they are ongoing characters in my miniature vignettes). Each critter takes me approximately four hours to make, and that doesn't include the time it takes me to source and process my (mostly recycled and vintage) materials (or all the time it takes me to list items--just kidding!).

There will be more big news tomorrow or the next day. I will have something more to tell you all. Hope you have a beautiful and lovely day. Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

The Birth of Venus

Here's my latest creation! It's a little chick plushy made from a kit from The Little Experience. It took me almost four hours to sew by hand--so many little stitches!

I've made several critters from their collection of craft kits, including Spot the dog and Raccoon. I was able to buy the last two chick kits before all of The Little Experience kits were sold out at New Seasons Market here in Portland. And the sad thing? The Little Experience is no longer selling in the U.S. Rumor has it that they are only selling in parts of Europe now. When you check their web site, it is under construction. So I'm not sure what is going on, but I bought the last two kits I could find--yay!

Like the other kits, the chick was supposed to be a keyring, but I preferred it as a stuffed animal, so I left off the keyring.

OK, now this might sound funny, but I put the chick in this recycled toy and feel that it resembles something familiar. What do you think?

Is that silly? Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

I Didn't Forget the Giveaway + Welcome

Hello to all my dear readers! I wanted to let you know that I have definitely noticed that this blog has reached and actually exceeded 50 followers--yay! And you must remember that I promised a blog giveaway drawing once we reached 50. I haven't forgotten, and I am working on the prizes as I write this. It will come together very soon--I promise! As soon as the prizes are ready, I will officially announce the giveaway, you can be sure of that!

In the meantime, let me tell you that I treasure each and every one of you. It means so much to be able to share my creative endeavors with all of you. The comments you leave me are priceless! I feel part of a precious community. Today I want to thank each and every one of you:

Jeni

Ann Knutson

missy lewis

Brandon

Linda

Bitterbetty

Maureen Mackey

pop-i-cok

Hawaii Kawaii

Mirja

Catherine

Societe des Monstres

starscastle

Lara

Peggy

Jollie

Cara Carmina

q.D.paToOtieS

The Sun and the Turtle

Elaine Accioly

Wynter Chan

anna

kikithespunkymunky

Cr8zCat

kate

Heleni

Jill D

Oiseau deNim

REread

Fiver

klara

drora hed

Rosamargarita

Jenya

Raquel

Petra

petitesorbet

Nuria

Agata Pie

carmen

Tracy

Susi

La Belle Brigante

MrsPitStop

Nati

beatrice

Minna

rebeltakipte

Miniature by Juli

Flor

Sans DD

Thank you for following my blog! :-)

There are a few people missing! The people above are the ones who have followed this blog publicly by clicking the Follow with Google Friend Connect button, which puts a small picture (or standard image, if you so choose) of you amongst the other followers. Some of you have followed privately (so no picture shows up) or have only followed by email or via a reader, without using Google Friend Connect. I cannot see who these people are, so I cannot thank you by name. Thank you, though! Thank you one and all!

I am so looking forward to thanking you further with my upcoming blog giveaway. It will be ready soon, so keep a close eye on this blog for the upcoming official announcement. 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