Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for Pippa

Hello, March

March 1, 2022 at 9:29 am by Claudia

Goodbye, February! You were a true pain in the tush.

Hello, March, you changeable month. You tease us into thinking spring is here and then, suddenly, snow. Or ice. Hopefully, not ice, as we’ve had enough of that this year, thank you very much.

The first thing I heard this morning was the song of the Carolina wren coming from somewhere on the porch. I took this as a good sign.

Unlike sunny yesterday, today is a gray sky day with rain in the forecast.

I worked on this relatively simple 500 piece puzzle while waiting for my newest puzzle to arrive. It’s a charming scene from La Jolla Cove. I spent lots of time there when I was living in San Diego.

It was fun. I have another one of San Francisco (both of these were sent to us by a fellow Old Globe alum.) Do I start that or wait for my new puzzle to arrive in today’s mail?

This is what is called a quality problem.

What else? We’re watching Stranger Things  on Netflix – a series we’ve known about but never got around to until now. I’m enjoying it. I’m still reading and loving Dead Lions, the second novel in the Slough House series. I did the grocery shopping yesterday – something Don loves to do – but needs must! I could tell he wished he was doing it instead. I mailed off some bills at the post office. I wore a mask, and even though masks are no longer required here, I saw quite a few fellow shoppers wearing them. I will continue to do so because, frankly, I don’t trust the virus not to resurface. I’m so accustomed to wearing a mask for  14 – 15 hours a day that I often forget to take my mask off when I’m back in my car. It’s no big deal. And to hear whiny truckers complain about it (though I suspect all of that is about disruption rather than an honest protest) makes my blood boil, especially when we see what Ukraine is going through each and every hour of the day.

I needed some cheering up the other day, so I grabbed one of the girls and changed her outfit. Somehow, it’s quite comforting.

Pippa says hello.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, jigsaw puzzles, Pippa 22 Comments

English Cottage Bedroom

February 12, 2022 at 9:08 am by Claudia

While Don was cleaning out his file drawers up in the studio and dumping stuff in a big trash bag, I was across the room in my half spontaneously working on the bedroom in the English Cottage. I played around with a few things in order to begin dressing the bed. I have two ‘iron’ beds and I’d been using the single bed because this bedroom is so tiny. But, I decided that the double bed would be the better choice. So I switched them out. Then, I put something together that works enough for me.

I’ve since tweaked that dust ruffle so it hangs correctly. The dust ruffle is a handkerchief that was sent to me by Martha, a longtime reader of the blog. It was her dear mother’s. Thank you, Martha. I finally put it to use and I love the way your mom’s hanky graces this house.

The quilt is a patchwork quilt sent to me by Barbara. When I turned it over, I discovered this print which works perfectly in the bedroom. Thank you, Barbara! I have to get pillows and a lamp and some books on the bedside table and I’m not sure if the red chair will stay, but for now, I really like it there.

Can I tell you how much I would like this to be my  bedroom?

The rug was in the modern dollhouse, which I packed up for storage. Thankfully, I quickly realized how perfect it is for the bedroom.

Since I moved the red chair (made by Arlette’s miniatures) into the bedroom, I decided to use this chair that had been in the modern dollhouse in the studio:

The interior so far:

I don’t know about you, and I’m certainly not blowing my own horn, but this is a place I would find utterly charming and want to move into immediately. Preferably, somewhere in the Cotswolds.

I’m really happy about finally getting my miniature mojo back. I’ve accomplished quite a bit this week. Still more to go, but my dump-dollhouse is becoming a swan.

From the archives:

Maeve and Pippa on the piano.

Oh, as for yesterday…we did get out, just to drive to a neighboring town to buy groceries (we were out of practically everything.) I wanted to stop at an antique store there, and we did. It was the mustiest smelling place I’ve ever been in and the “antiques” were not antiques but junk. Ah well. At least we have a full larder and we took a nice drive.

Stay safe,

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: dollhouse, friends, miniatures, Pippa 44 Comments

Currently Reading

February 2, 2022 at 10:01 am by Claudia

Well, over the course of two hours, I managed to fit a grand total of 6 blue pieces into the puzzle. At this pace, I should be done by July.

We’re in a bit of a warmer patch today and tomorrow – it’s nice not to have to run a drip from the faucet – but on Friday that will change. And it will be subzero again on Saturday. Such is the weather merry-go-round of January and February. One piece of good news, the forecast is for just an inch of snow and ice on Friday, rather than the larger amount of the previous forecasts. Fingers crossed that this forecast holds true.

I finished the Julia Dahl and have started this book, Slow Horses  by Mick Herron. I found it last year at Oblong books and it’s been in my TBR pile ever since. At least one of you told me at the time that it is a great series. I’m only about 20 pages in.

At the same time, I’m reading:

The Wood  by John Lewis-Stempel, a book I’ve had for a couple of years. Lewis-Stempel is British and he writes about nature. So many people I follow raved about this book. It’s written in a monthly form, starting in December, so I’m going to read December and January this week so I can eventually read February when it’s February, etc.

Some new outfits arrived in yesterday’s mail – made by Qiuilizo, who made that adorable blue hooded jacket and pants that Imogen modeled for you recently. I’ve been wanting some casual wear for the girls and these fit the bill.

She made the bags, as well.

I can’t stand it, these two sisters are so cute!

Once again, I am in awe of the talent out there, people who are creating and designing clothes for these dolls. When I think back to my grandmother making doll clothes for every doll of mine from Tiny Tears to my Barbies, I cannot comprehend how she did it. But, bless her heart, she sat down at her little sewing machine in their den and created beautiful clothes.

And I have none of them now. My mother either gave them away after I moved out of the house or, more likely, my sisters inherited the dolls and clothes and my mom gave them away after they had grown out of playing with dolls. Whatever reason, how I would treasure having some of the clothes now. I do have quilts Grandma made, thank goodness.

Is there a toy or doll you had as a child that you still have? Or that you wish you still had? I’m curious.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, books, dolls, Mei, Pippa, reading 46 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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