miniatures — Page 58

Some Notes and Some Minis

January 24, 2017 at 10:08 am by Claudia

Two quick notes:

• My host has been having a bit of trouble with the server. Yesterday, for example, it was down for about an hour or so. It’s maddening, but it happens. So if you tried to visit and couldn’t, that’s why. It’s out of my control.

• I’ve likened this blog to my cottage. It’s the online version of my home. Most everyone is welcome, but I expect visitors to behave with maturity and respect. If someone came to my home only to try to have an incendiary conversation, I would ask them to leave. Not acceptable. The same holds for the blog.

Yes, I often talk about the state of our nation nowadays. But, far more often, I don’t. That means that most of the conversations here are about something other than politics. If the only reason you come here is to agitate or be rude, never having participated in any other constructive way, then you are what is called a troll and you are not welcome. You will be blocked.

I haven’t visited any blog where the writer has a different political viewpoint than mine and left a comment when I’ve never commented in the past or had some sort of give-and-take relationship with the author. I may be disappointed, I may disagree; however, I simply move on.

This isn’t the Op-Ed page or a place on the web where anyone can leave a comment, no matter what is said, and it isn’t Twitter. This is my home.

Over and out.

• Okay. On to something entirely different.

Every time I think I might stop my subscription to the monthly SquintBox (simply because I want to save some money) it arrives in the mail and I’m charmed all over again.

This month’s box arrived yesterday. The theme for February is A Little Romance. This was a fun one, with actual packages to open! (Photos taken with iPhone, late in the day.)

This little package had a perfume bottle inside.

A plate of cookies and a terrarium with a butterfly on top. (Cookies from Sharon Harbison. Terrarium from Judy at Butterly Nature.)

This little case was sealed (I had just opened it when I took the photo.)

Inside: Jewelry! (Made by Jen from MiniMakes.)

This box had lovely wrapping paper and ribbon. Inside:

Something wrapped in tissue paper with a flower embellishment.

Inside the tissue paper, this lovely handmade book, which opens to:

A designer stationary kit. Isn’t this amazing? It’s made by María de Hoces, a miniaturist and bookbinder.

Darrin, who created SquintBox, does such a lovely job of coming up with a theme and sourcing wonderful miniatures. Thanks to Darrin and the miniaturists who created these treasures.

• I will have a book review up on Just Let Me Finish This Page today. It’s for Robert Dugoni’s latest – The Trapped Girl. I’ve reviewed his books in the past – he’s a wonderful writer. I’m off to write it now, so stop by, if you can. Here’s the link.

Happy Tuesday.

Heading Back

January 9, 2017 at 9:47 am by Claudia

I just finished Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George. I was determined to finish it this morning as, at over 600 pages and in hardcover, to boot, I didn’t want to lug it back to Hartford. Excellent! The complexities of the characters and the plot are George’s strength. The mysteries are always character driven and aren’t necessarily tied up neatly at the end of the book. As in real life, things can get messy, remain unresolved. I love that about her writing. I’m officially on an Elizabeth George catch-up binge now, so it’s on to another one later today.

The horizon last night. Pretty dramatic!

I’ve had a lovely time here at home with the love of my life. Being apart means, for us, a greater appreciation of what we have between us. That we are fortunate and blessed we know. That we don’t take it for granted is a daily truth. As I get ready to head off to Hartford for the next 14 days, I am so grateful I got a little time here at the cottage.

We watched Sherlock last night – how can it get even better? How is that possible? It is simply extraordinary. One more episode next week. I hear rumors this might be the last season. I hope it isn’t. But the producers and writers seem very wise, so if they feel it’s time to end it, I understand.

The newest Squint Box full of minis arrived while I was away. This one is all about winter and nesting and comfort. There’s a tray with a vintage travel poster (come to think of it, it could also work as art to hang on a wall), a kit to make succulents (isn’t that neat?), a tray with candles, a loaf of bread and knife on a cutting board, and…a Slinky! Boy, does that bring back memories! I remember trying to get my Slinky to come down the stairs just as they showed it on the commercials. I was only moderately successful.

Very, very cold here today. Soon, I have to get ready to head back to Hartford. I love my work, as you know, and I can’t wait to see what the production looks like onstage.

Don will be back at the ranch, taking care of things. By the way, he has done an excellent job of watering the plants! I’m quite pleased. I’ll be back home for at least two months before I head off again to Hartford, but Don will be off to the West Coast even before that – at the beginning of April. Busy times ahead for both of us. We don’t take that for granted, either.

Happy Monday.

Wee Decorations and Nancy Drew

November 29, 2016 at 9:14 am by Claudia

Two nights in a row of less than ideal sleep means that I haven’t started my text research for The Comedy of Errors yet, but I have plenty of time. Hopefully, tomorrow or Thursday.

I did run some errands yesterday and added a few holiday touches to the dollhouse(s).

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I found these tiny little bottlebrush trees at Michael’s. I ran the idea by Caroline and she gave it a thumbs up.

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I now have four of these Petite Princess chests – two were purchased by me, and two were gifts. I love them.

In hopes of pleasing the resident of the Loft (whose name has yet to be determined) I added a little tree to the coffee table.

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The bowl of Christmas candies was a part of this month’s SquintBox.

And then I decorated the somewhat hideous door to the Loft, with another Michael’s find:

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The door is very wide and made of plastic and I do not like it. I’m thinking of changing it out with something else – maybe french doors, or some sort of two door-combination. But for now…it’s decorated for the holidays.

If you read yesterday’s comments, you know that I was determined to find those Shiny Brites, so yet again, I dragged out all my boxes and searched for that tiny little box. I’m happy to say I found it.

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They were nestled in a box that also held some wrapped packages, so the amount of presents under the tree has increased.

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I found the star, but it’s a bit wobbly up there at the top of the tree. It will do. I need to make a little tree skirt of some kind – the simpler the better – and then Caroline should be all set for Christmas.

I have absolutely no desire as of yet to decorate my own house, but I sure love decorating my wee little houses. As Brae said in yesterday’s comments, it’s so much easier!

In the mail yesterday:

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Another Nancy Drew with a dust jacket illustration by Russell H. Tandy. I had to take a picture of it on the French bistro table in the late afternoon sun. I can’t help it, it’s my favorite ‘staging’ surface.

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This book is in excellent condition! Hardly any wear at all. The Whispering Statue is #14 in the series. Tandy illustrated the first 22 books in the series in this format, with the script “Nancy Drew Mystery Stories” in gold at the top and a white spine. He also did the covers for 4 additional books in the series in what are called wrap-style dust jackets, where the picture wrapped over onto the spine.

I have another one on the way, which will bring my collection to 9 books. That means I have 17 to go!

It’s a rainy day today. Sigh. I know we need the rain, but there have been a lot of gray days lately.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Some Notes and Some Minis

Heading Back

Wee Decorations and Nancy Drew

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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