Vintage by Crystal

Sheep and Bunny Rabbits

March 30, 2024 at 8:24 am by Claudia

Today, the last of the pre-Easter posts with some photos of my putz sheep and spun cotton rabbits:

Starting from the left…

This mantel shelf is too long to get in one shot. I could do it, but you wouldn’t be able to get any details on the sheep. So I do it in sections.

The sheep wearing a “Vignettes or Bust” sign was a gift from dear Lori, the owner of Vignettes in San Diego. It was a complete surprise. The sheep on the left was a gift from dear Judy. I think I missed the one on the right, we only see the hind end. Sorry!

Next…this section includes The Lamb with the Party Hat, the symbol of this blog. She was my first putz sheep, found 15 years ago when I was coaching in California.

More little sheep.

And more putz sheep, along with some sheep that wandered over to join the group .

Seven of these sheep were a gift from dear Helga, a follower of my blog who lives in Germany. They arrived in the mail on the same day we got our first vaccination for Covid. What a day! Helga has an incredible collection of putz sheep. She also has a beautifully decorated Beacon Hill dollhouse, and she lives on a gorgeous piece of property.

And, finally…

My spun cotton bunny rabbits from Vintage by Crystal.

Decorating for Easter is such fun! I love all the pastel colors and the little rabbits and birds and ducks and chicks.

If I were to rename this cottage, it would be “The House of Whimsy.”

Maybe it should be: Mockingbird Hill Cottage (The House of Whimsy.)

Don’s car is back home, my car passed its inspection, Don has a busy week ahead with a wardrobe fitting in NYC on Monday and then a long day of filming on Wednesday. SO…we’re taking it easy this weekend. I may start to prune some bushes since it will be sunny today and Sunday. We don’t make a special meal for Easter as we’re vegetarians. (I can’t even look at the ads for ham or lamb.) But Don made a pie the other day, so I’m sure we’ll have a piece. And there are always a few pieces of sugar-free chocolate.

Happy Easter (if you celebrate.)

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

A Shelf and the Hangout

June 11, 2023 at 9:38 am by Claudia

A favorite shelf. This one is in the pink cabinet in my office. I especially love that blue and green paper.

If you’re interested, from the left:

Back row: the very old candy box that is the home to all the letters my grandmother and her little sister exchanged when Gram was in nursing school. Rhoda died from the Spanish flu when she was 15, as did the oldest sister, Maggie. Two sisters gone within days of each other.

Next to that is a framed motto about friendship, given to me by Lori, the owner of Vignettes in San Diego.

Next row:

Several pieces of cream-colored McCoy pottery. Sticking out of the piece on the right, a beautiful handmade powder puff by one of my earliest blogging friends. And now, to my embarrassment, I can’t remember the name – wait, it was Lori who had a blog that I loved. She no longer blogs, but I got the initial inspiration about putz sheep from her, as well.

Front row:

A piece of McCoy. Inside is a little plate given to me by my friend Donna. It’s the Claudia pattern. I’m pretty sure it’s Spode.

A Vintage by Crystal girl who reminds me of my mom as a little girl.

A cream-colored McCoy flower pot.

A deer – not sure who made it, but I love it.

Another McCoy flower pot.

A little vintage Christmas elf playing a horn.

Two pieces by Vintage by Crystal.

Another McCoy piece that looks like a gravy boat, but is a planter.

The Smurf was a gift from Michael Ausiello, the author of Spoiler Alert. Those of you who have seen the movie know that Smurfs are a key plot point.

Two Swarovski bunnies from Barbara.

I’ve done this before, but it’s been a while, so I may highlight some other shelves in the near future.

The kids have decided that even though they have a new home, this is their hangout in the afternoon. And sometimes even earlier. Yesterday, I did a lot of chores around the house because Don was out getting an oil change (I always get more done when he’s not here.) I was outside and there was no sign of them, so I thought: Maybe they’re established in their new home!

Nope. A little later, one appeared.

And even later, there were three, just as there were the day before. I saw one go in the garden, but the other two were dining on the green things near the Funky Patio. I don’t mind that at all. That’s where the rabbit sometimes eats, as well.

Then they just sort of hung out, lazing away on the rocks.

The blue bin lids were my ‘wall’ which we foolishly took down right after mama moved the kids. I retrieved them and leaned them against things, but it was very windy yesterday afternoon and they fell over.

The kids appear unfazed.

By 5:30, they were gone, having headed back to their house. It’s funny to watch them leave, they walk along the side of the house, hugging the wall, hop on top of the door to the basement, go through the gate, then the secret garden, then up the stepping stones to the back forty.

I felt a bit more tolerant yesterday, because they’re so gosh darned cute.

In a month or two, they’ll leave home and establish their own residences. There are babies around here every year, but I’ve only seen them on the part of the property that is nearest to our house twice. The first time, they lived under the shed.

Anyway, all this is to say, that they’ve been here for decades and decades and usually we coexist with them rather nicely. This time, a bit too close for comfort, but we’re okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Some Details and a Valentine

February 14, 2022 at 10:23 am by Claudia

Happy Valentines Day.

It took me a while to realize it was Valentines Day. Once the coffee kicked in, I remembered. I hope you have a lovely day. I think our most important Valentine is ourself. So give yourself a Valentine treat today – a hug, a bubble bath, some chocolate, a nap, some cocoa, or just a little time to yourself – even if it’s five minutes.

The figurine was created by VintageByCrystal on Etsy.

It’s frigid today. We went from about 55 degrees on Saturday to snow on Sunday to wind chills of below zero today. By Wednesday, we’ll be back up in the 40s. It looks like we’ll stay that way until the end of February.

I’m working on a puzzle by the makers of the all the “World of…” puzzles I’ve been doing lately. This one is, surprisingly for me, The World of Dracula. I love it. I’ll share more when I have a bit more of it put together. The illustration is fabulous.

Are you tired of dollhouse photos? I hope not, because here are some more with some details about where I purchased some of these pieces:

I added a book and a cup of tea to the bedside table. The lamp is just a place marker until I find one I like – this one is from the Petite Princess line of minis from my childhood. (I have some bed pillows on order.) The teacup was a gift from Barbara, the book is from LandauHouse on Etsy (It’s an Agatha Christie.) The quilt was also a gift from Barbara and the handkerchief used as bed linen was a gift from Martha.

The wicker table was a purchase from the IGMA Show a couple of years ago; made by Uncle Ciggie’s Miniatures. I love it. The bed was made by TinyIronMiniatures on Etsy. Rug was found at the IGMA show.

Boots, boot tray, and umbrella stand. The lovely print is from MiniMyEye on Etsy – it’s called Les Muses. Boots are from miniatures(dot)com, tray from LavandeHouse on Etsy. The umbrella, walking cane, and umbrella stand were purchased through TinyDollHouseNYC. (Don gave me the umbrella stand as a gift.)

The teacup and saucer are from LavandeHouse on Etsy. Her creations appear everywhere in this house and in my very first dollhouse. The teapot is from TinyDollHouseNYC on Etsy. The chair was also purchased at TinyDollHouse – it was made by June Clinkscales and I cannot tell you how much I treasure it. June is a rockstar in the world of miniaturists. Sofa by my dear ArlettesMiniatures in England (on Etsy.) Rug is from TinyHomeGoods on Etsy. The table was also from Etsy. I copied the link for Don and he purchased it as a gift. So I can’t remember the shop’s name. Sorry.

Another view of the living room. I have to thrust my iPhone inside, point it, and hope it comes out.

Bookshelves. Most of the books, if not all, came from LandauHouse. I have more on order. The seashell is one I found on the beach. I can’t remember where I got the candlesticks – maybe from Barbara? The vase on the floor is from Maddie Gerig Shelly. I got it at the IGMA show. The stone piece on the shelf was a purchase made long ago at a dollhouse shop in Chautauqua. The clock was one of the miniatures Ben gave me at the end of filming. The shelves themselves were a custom order made by Cinen on Etsy. I love, love, love them.

Most of the plates are from TwelveTimesMoreTeeny and LavandeHouse on Etsy. The blue pitcher and matching plate were a gift from Barbara, as was the tin. The white bowls/cups were purchased in Paris – I thought they were egg cups but they’re out of scale, so now they’re dessert bowls. The butter crock is by Jane Graber – purchased on eBay, I believe. The domed cake plate was purchased at the IGMA show – it was made by Veronique Cornish who lives in England. The tiny egg cups were made VictoriaFasken on Etsy. The cupboard – one of my prized miniatures – was made by Bubba’s Miniatures, aka Barbara Vajnar, who has since retired, making this even more precious.

A closer look.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Sheep and Bunny Rabbits

A Shelf and the Hangout

Some Details and a Valentine

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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