Remember when I told you that something was coming in the mail for the dollhouse? Something a special someone had made? Just because?
It came in the mail yesterday. All the way from Australia.
Yes, you’re right. You can’t miss it. It’s that incredible bed! (Pardon me while I take a moment to scream with happiness.)
Do you believe this?
Let me tell you the story. My friend Norma, who is a very talented miniaturist, lives in Australia and we have been blogging friends for quite a while now. (She once sent me a stuffed koala bear when I was working temporarily in San Diego. That post is here. ) I’ve said it before on this blog; dollhouse and mini bloggers are amazingly generous people. They are willing to share their advice and their tutorials and are always ready to answer a question. When I first got the dollhouse, a couple of bloggers sent me some pieces to help me get started. Just because.
Norma sent me an email after reading a post in which I mentioned that I still needed to find a bed and said that she would like to make me one. My jaw dropped. Could I pay her, I asked? No, was her answer. She simply wanted to design a bed that would suit the bedroom at Hummingbird Cottage.
We had a conference about style and fabric choice. I chose a toile and decided to go for pink. And Norma took it from there. She sent it out in the mail last week – on Monday. I’ve been watching the mail like a hawk ever since.
Yesterday, as I was raking outside, Lori, who is our mail carrier, stopped and called me over to her vehicle in order to have me sign for a package. Was it from Australia, I wondered?
Yes!
I ran into the house, shouting “It’s here!!” I’m not kidding.
Norma made all of the bedding. It’s exquisite.
The lace is gorgeous. The fabrics are wonderful. The bed is perfect for this attic hideaway. (The owner loves pink.)
She also included a few other treasures. I don’t have photos of all of them yet, but I’ll share the ones I managed to get.
That’s a box of macarons from Laduree.
A tea towel for the kitchen.
And another.
There’s even more but I have to get out my macro filter to take some sharp close-ups. Coming soon.
I’m thrilled with this new addition to the dollhouse. But even more thrilling and heartwarming is the fact that Norma took the time to do this for me. This is a treasure, pure and simple, made with love and heart. Another beautiful story for the dollhouse, which is full of things that many of you have sent to me. They are what makes the dollhouse a true and loving home.
Thank you, dear Norma. I can’t stop looking at it. Bless you.
By the way, I have wanted to do something with the potting shed and, with some trepidation, I finally did it yesterday. That’s a teaser, my friends. More tomorrow.
Happy Thursday.
It is absolutely gorgeous! All of your little touches sure makes the dollhouse inviting. Enjoy the rest of your day!
I will, Shari! Thank you.
OMG – the bed is so beautiful! It reminds me of beds I slept on as a child when we would vacation at my grandparent’s in VT or stay at a friend’s lake cottage. Norma is so talented…and you are so lucky:) Love all the bedding and the tea towels are to die for as well (especially love the first one). I don’t have a dollhouse and never considered having one, but all your wonderful postings have got me thinking…(of course there already aren’t enough hours in the day for what I want to do – lol). Can’t wait to see your potting shed updates!!
I am very lucky, Vera!
Oooh – start thinking about a dollhouse, Vera!
((SWOON)) That is SO pretty!!! I love the little towels and the box of macaroons, too. Such attention to detail. That Norma is quite the designer. Congratulations on the new doll house items. I had a doll house when I was a young girl (10-14) and have long thought about starting another one; this might be my inspiration. God bless and have a beautiful day, Claudia. :-)
I hope you think about starting one, Charlotte!
OH how lovely! Perfect for your charming dollhouse! She is a talented and generous friend!
She is, indeed. I’m very lucky!
Wow….what a wonderful bed. The bedding is absolutely wonderful as are the tea towels. Such attention to details. You are going to have quite a masterpiece there, Claudia, when you are finished. Maybe doll houses are never finished… like our homes.We always seem to be changing and adding and subtracting things.
Maybe someday a magazine will do a feature on your Hummingbird Cottage.
Balisha
I have a feeling you’re right, Balisha. A dollhouse is never finished. Always tweaking!
Claudia, I keep telling you how well Loved you are! -Judy A-
I am very, very fortunate that the loveliest people read this blog, Judy!
Oh, Claudia! I am so intrigued by the little things in the cottage! How she made the bedding, the pillows and the tiny tea towels….. I can’t even imagine. I have a hard enough time stitching on a large piece of fabric. Is it all by hand or does she use a machine? If she uses a machine, that is even MORE amazing!! Those little pillows….. seriously, just wonderful!! It all just fits in so perfectly!
I don’t know, either! I know that she puts sand in the pillows, she mentioned that in an email. It is beyond my talent level, that’s for sure.
I am speechless with the generosity. That bed is exquisite and the macaroons and tea towels. Oh my! So sweetly beautifully. You are indeed loved Claudia and it shows.
Blessings,
Betsy
I am, too. I don’t know how I managed to deserve this, but I’m very grateful.
How nice that Norma took all the time and trouble to make the bed for you, Claudia. As you said, very generous. PS – I had bed linens in the same rose-pink and white gingham in my very first apartment. Sheets, comforter, pillowcases and shams, the whole deal. It was the prettiest “bedscape” I’ve ever owned – I loved walking into my bedroom. I even found a nightie in the same fabric somewhere.
Oh, maybe I’ll have to find a matching nightie, Janet!
That would be TOO cute, a matching nightie draped at the foot of the bed. When I found mine, I felt like Barbra Streisand in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever…” Her nightie matched the wallpaper in one scene – and at that time, and at my age, it blew my mind. :>)
Oh my Claudia..could it be any more perfect for you..that bed is gorgeous and just my style..lol..what a talent she has..what a sweet friend she must be!!
She is very sweet and very generous, Nancy!
I do not need a dollhouse. I do not need a dollhouse. I do not need a dollhouse. I need a dollhouse. I mean, I do not need a dollhouse.
Keep chanting, Laura. But you just may have to succumb to the lure of a dollhouse…
Claudia the bed is gorgeous and the linens stunning. What a sweet and special gift from such a talented friend. The bed is perfect in your doll house. Love the other sweet treasures she sent and can’t wait to see more.
hugs,
Linda
It IS perfect, isn’t it? It suits the room and the wallpaper and the white floors.
Claudia, I think it’s almost time for your tenant/owner to move in. The home now has all the essentials, which are stunning. Since the Lady of the house is creative and somewhat of a free spirt she will fill in what is needed as she travels the world scouring flea markets for just the perfect pieces. Please introduce us to the “Lady” of Hummingbird Cottage and let us get to know her.
You have come so far in turning the ugly doll house into a beautiful Hummingbird Cottage.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Vanessa
There’s still no toilet, Vanessa!
What special gifts! That bed is so lady-like and inviting! I love toile and the touch of gingham is so light-hearted. Because of your inspiration, I have ordered a set of room boxes, wallpapers, and flooring and plan on using some summer days to try to get the rooms ready for my furnishings. The simplicity, beauty, and comfort of your real little cottage is reflected in the warmth of Hummingbird Cottage!
Oh, wonderful, Nora! I’m so excited for you! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
The bed, and bedding, are absolute perfection! What a lovely and generous gift.
Amazingly generous, indeed, Debbie.
That bed and the bedding is gorgeous! What a talent she has…and so generous! Can’t wait to see what you did with the potting shed! ;)
You’ll see tomorrow, Donna!
How beautiful! What a talent Norma has!
She is very talented!
Claudia, Your doll house is really shaping up to be a beauty. I love the new things you got from Norma. Very pretty and oh so nice. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
I told Don the other day that I love, love, love my dollhouse. He understood.
I’d be happy settling in for some dreams in that white bed with the beautiful linens! You have a generous and kindhearted friend in Norma, Claudia.
Karen
I do, Karen. I’m very lucky. I saw Poppy’s post about your blogger get together, Karen. It sounds like it was wonderful!
Claudia, You could make this into a Bed and Breakfast. We all want to visit!! Doris
I know. If I could only shrink people, I’d be in business!
How very adorable! Not only is the bed itself darling but her choice of fabric and materials is marvelous. I just LOVE it all! What a wonderful thing to get from a friend- xo Diana
I think she printed the designs on the fabric, which is amazing to me. It’s feminine but not too frilly – perfect!
Claudia, arnt you are lucky!!! the bed is just perfect. I have a beautiful dolls house that my grandfather made me for christmas when I was 5….it a tudor style mansion and decorating it over and over is where my love of interior design comes from I am sure. Its been relegated to the attic in all our renovation chaos but reading about yours, makes me want to take it down and play with it again so much……Yours is just gorgeous xx
Oh, do get it out and play with it, Hayley!
Claudia, dare I admit I was never much into dollhouses until I started reading your blog. Yours is wonderful and I just love all the special touches you’ve given it! The new bed is so pretty and inviting. Are those eggs on one of the tea towels? I also adore your potting shed and am looking forward to each addition to your cozy little domicile! Many blessings to you and yours and that precious Scout, Bess
Yes, I believe they are eggs, Bess.
Love the bed! Norma is such a lovely lady and so talented, I love her style. It’s been a pleasure strolling through your pretty blog pages.
Thank you, Susan!
Norma is one clever woman! The bed is wonderful, I like the white and pink. And I love the dollhouse. These ‘friendly’ additions are perfect. Someone caring enough to give of their time (read that THEIR LIFE) to make someone else’s life better. Kind of like a good blog – bits of someone’s life told in a way that when read life is better for the reader. It’s been a long day and I fear I’m tripping over my words (sinus medicines) but I just feel blissful, your post has reminded of friendships – old and new, home… o dear, now I want to move into the dollhouse (that’s probably the Nyquil)… drugs or not, love this post.
Hope you’re feeling better, Joy!
The bed & linen set are both beautiful! I love the soft pink gingham and toile combination.
The details are wonderful! Seeing this makes me want to start a dollhouse! I love all the detail
You have added to yours! Love reading your blog!
Go for it, Gwen!
Beautiful gift. It’s one amazing house…………if on the market some day let me know, I’ll move anywhere to have an AGA!!!!!!!
Happy weekend dear – Mary X
Oh, me too, Mary!
What a lovely bed, Claudia, and the “iron” work is perfect for a Victorian house. I love the toile. So feminine. I hope the owner will be very comfy in her new bed. (Now you both have new beds!)
Yes, new beds all around!
Claudia, the new additions are just darling. What is the bed frame made of? It reminds me of paper lollipop sticks. Is it made of papier mache over wire, perhaps?
Bed frame is made from metal of some kind.