First of all, to Michigan, the state where I was born and lived for 30 years: I’m sickened that these terrorists were plotting to kidnap and harm the Governor. I’m so sorry you have these people in your midst. Make no mistake, they were urged on by the Orange Man. He incited this behavior.
There are no words.
Thank God Gretchen Whitmer is safe.
Now. In an abrupt change of direction, let’s go to the world of miniatures. I want to share some of the miniature books I ordered – they arrived yesterday.
These are from Sarah, who has a shop called Landau House on Etsy.
Through the Looking Glass, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and 8 King Penguins, all of them centering on a certain topic; spiders, flowers, ballet, the Crown Jewels, the sea.
Poetry, Lyrics, Little Lord Fauntleroy, etc.
Shakespeare. (Of course I ordered these!)
And a gift, included with the order:
Beauty and the Beast, with illustrations by Walter Crane.
Inside:
All of the books have turnable pages, but this one has text and illustrations on the inside as well. The spines are wonderfully executed, something I don’t always see in mini books. Some include bookmarks. Sarah’s work is truly excellent and I will definitely be buying from her again. The shelves in Dove Cottage need to be filled, as well as the shelves in the Lake House.
I could make books, and I have, but I know my strengths and this is not one of them.
She has some French Art Nouveau books that I have to have! I’m ordering them today.
Of course, after I took the photos, I immediately placed them on the shelf unit. I just had to see them there.
I’m so excited! There’s an endless amount that has to be done to this structure before it’s ‘finished,’ but seeing this downstairs room take shape makes me very happy.
I get so excited at the thought of filling all those drawers.
By the way, I put those beams in the ceiling for two reasons. First, I love that period English cottage look. But most importantly, I removed the stairs that had been supporting the second floor. I needed some other source of support. The beams are doing that.
Okay, my friends. It’s a beautiful day. I got some sleep. I’m going to work on said dollhouse this afternoon and make a list of supplies I need to order.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
I can see a few pieces of pottery on the shelves with the books.
Oh, of course. I’m already planning on that.
Stay safe, Linda.
I enjoy the tiny bookmarks placed in the books – what a nice detail! The books look so real sitting on your shelves! A fun hobby!
It is the BEST hobby – at least, for me!
Stay safe, Ellen.
I got so excited that I had to order 2 of the books in a bottle, one for me and one for my daughter. I love miniatures soooooo much!!!
Huzzah!
Stay safe, Carol.
I love the books. Such amazing detail.
As for Michigan…We’ve just had the Mi supreme court rule that some of the Governor’s orders are unlawful. Health depts are trying to step in with some orders regarding masks, etc. but the anti-maskers don’t recognize their authority either. Stores and restaurants are starting to get lax about it now. They had a hard enough time before this ruling. There is an organized effort to “unlock michigan” and I guess these terrorists took it a bit further.
This election can’t come soon enough.
The stupidity of some is unbelievable over such a small matter as wearing a mask! I’m sorry there are so many whackos in the world and I’m very grateful the governor is safe.
I will never understand why people won’t wear masks. It still boggles my mind.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Those tiny books are amazing! Can she make you “To Kill a Mockingbird?”
Chy
I already have a copy in Hummingbird Cottage. Since this is a British cottage, I’ll most likely go with more Brits: Enid Blyton, etc.
Stay safe, Chy.
thank God that the governor is safe. and thanks to the informant who revealed that awful plan. NO thanks to anyone who believes that violence is the answer to a problem or difference in opinions and especially NO thanks to the one who keeps ‘whistling’ for such extremists to “stand by”.
that those people were planning to kidnap and kill her over the lock-down (set to help keep people healthy and safe)? nothing but crazy. if they were that angry over not being able to go to the gym (which is a reason i heard cited on the national news), imagine how they’ll feel being in prison for years. they’ve ruined their lives and those of the people who love them.
as you said, changing the subject …
incredible work by sarah … those miniature books are marvels to me and just beautiful! how fun for you to be able to stock those shelves. :)
i need to get some things done at home (chores), also knitting, cross-stitch and working on those children’s books … and then keep those balls rolling. seeing other people’s creative endeavors is enjoyable and inspiring to me. and seeing anyone’s progress toward a goal is motivating. thanks for sharing that!
pretty day here, weather-wise (though we sure do need rain). and i am happy that it is friday. not to wish time away, but just want to do things for my family and be able to see them, talk face-to-face (from a distance) and not only by phone.
hope you and don and everyone else have a good day ahead and stay safe!
kathy in iowa
A well deserved weekend break for you, Kathy!
TGIF!
Stay safe.
The miniature books are exquisite! To be able to work in such fine detail is fantastic. I’m enjoying seeing your doll house taking shape.
Happy Friday
Thank you so much, Dee Dee!
Stay safe.
Oh, it’s already a wonderful room; that sofa! The new books! Loved seeing the books; I just delight at the craftmanship. Thanks for sharing them today and I hope you and Don have a calming, quiet weekend, all stocked up in the house and with beautiful weather.
Although I’m not outside of my house much, I actually felt that for us in SoCalif, the daytime temps might have been slightly cooler yesterday so I’m hoping for the same today; we’ve been in the 80s, 90s, 100s for so long that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a Fall day in the 60s or 70s here. When my husband left for the grocery stores this morning (he got a late start; 7:45am), we were fogged in, damp and 60 degrees. Nothing follows history anymore here when it comes to weather, but it used to be that we could drop into frost or even a freezing temperature in the week of November 1st; however, we haven’t had a hard freeze for so many years that I’m forgetting what that’s like as well. We’re instead the dry, dusty, barren, brown landscape.
I spoke with a customer service rep on the phone yesterday, located in Vermont, and she was rapturously answering, to my query, about autumn color and she said it was glorious out there right now in their state, enjoying a day of 50 degrees, with all the beautiful turning leaves; just ablaze in the reds, oranges, yellows. I’ve never seen anything like that, in my entire life.
All I can do is hope that my town’s few trees (can count them on one hand) that do drop leaves will give us a mini show, but it won’t be til November or December. Until then, if I want this seasonal splendor, I have to look in books or watch travel shows on TV, although there are a lot of beautiful photos to be found on the web, too. I guess the trade-off is that, for what we don’t get in autumn, we have our magnificent purple jacaranda trees in late spring/early summer; also, I’m thinking our hot-pink silk trees may be popping out, so I want to take a little ‘drive’ this weekend to see if I’m right!
Yes, Vermont should be peak color right now. We’ve had two windy days, so a lot of leaves are down that wouldn’t be otherwise. That makes me sad. It cheats us out of a bit autumn beauty.
Stay safe, Vicki.
Appalled by the news headlines yesterday. You’d think in my line of work I wouldn’t be surprised anymore by people’s behaviour, but there always seems to be a new low to sink to.
Aren’t those little books the best?!? I just placed an order for a set for my little writer’s retreat as I want everything in it to actually be made in Britain. It’s Thanksgiving weekend
here, so I’m hoping to have some down time which hopefully will include miniatures.
Happy Thanksgiving, Barbara!
I hope you can kick back and enjoy your hobby.
Stay safe.
The books are lovely! I’m about to order but concerned about customs/duties.
Can you tell us how that works? I’ve not ordered from England before. The site mentions it might be held at the post office.
Thanks
Barbara
I’ve ordered life-sized books from England, as well as lots of minis and I’ve never had to pay customs or duties. I suppose it could happen, but it has never happened to me!
Stay safe, Barbara.
Thanks, Claudia
I just ordered the Beatrix Potter set.
Barbara
Wonderful! That’s on my list for the future.
xo
Oh books!! Big, small, fat, thin, old, new…glorious books!!! These are simply beautiful and you made great choices. I just ordered some of her 1/24 scale for my place…which has been placed on hold. I’m getting a knee replacement in a few weeks and don’t have room for my “workshop” (which is the floor) and a walker. I miss it!! Watching you progress is a real pleasure.
No room on a table, Nora?
Sorry you have to go through surgery, but hopefully, you’ll feel much better on the other side.
Stay safe.
Thank you. I’m not nervous just annoyed that I have to pick up my stuff. LOL
xo
to nora mills …
best wishes and prayers on that upcoming knee replacement surgery … may you have a quick, easy and full recovery!
kathy in iowa
Thank you Kathy! The doctor says I won’t like him for about a month and then I’ll feel much better. XO
hej, nora mills …
i hope and will pray that you have a much faster and pain-free recuperation!
hope you have a good weekend now, too.
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
Thanks, Claudia, for sharing these books. So detailed, even with bookmarks and turnable sites, ideal for me to put them in the foreground, while my bookshelves are filled with my dummybooks. I marked this seller.There is even an inexpensive postage from Great Britain to Germany. Stay safe!
Glad to have helped, Helga.
Stay safe!
I love these books…especially Shakespeare. After I became a teacher-old age of mid forties…my dream come true…I studied a month at The Folger’s in D.C. one of thirty teachers in the nation…a month at Shakespeare and Co. in Mass…also about thirty…in 2006 and 2008-twenty teachers chosen to go to London and Stratford upon Avon-all Shakespeare studies…love love love…I was known in the schools as the Shakespeare guru…I absolute adore those little books…so so cute…I am glad you have something to enjoy during this stressful time. So happy for you too. Have a good weekend-what is a weekend by the way? LOL…take care and continue to write for us.
Yes, I studied at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford and I’ve been doing text analysis and vocal coaching on productions of Shakespeare for the past 30 years. It’s very rewarding isn’t it? I never tire of Shakespeare and I know you don’t either, Brenda!
So wonderful that you love WS as much as I!
Stay safe, Brenda!
I love these little books. I have a miniature cedar chest that has a few books in it and Scout is in love with it. Maybe she will want a dollhouse one day to work on. I’m so glad to be counting the days until the election. I truly can’t take much more. Hugs!
Wouldn’t it be fun to work on a dollhouse with Scout?
Stay safe, Linda!
Those exquisit books brought the wonderful shelving unit to life! Just fabulous!
Thank you, Kelly!
Stay safe.
Claudia,
Ah! Those miniature books!! I loved them when I saw them in your IG stories :) I need to clean up my dollhouse, but I still enjoy decorating it during the autumn and Christmas festivities.
You momentarily questioned your wallpaper choice, but look at it now!! It looks fabulous with the floor, beams and furnishings. It brings endless joy to watch your process.
Do you have a dremel that you use to clean things like the glue on the floor, etc? I need to get something. I have paint drips and glue to tend with before I can start on the fun stuff.
Our ballots arrived on Tuesday and were dropped off to the registrars office on Wednesday. Crossing my fingers that we will be out of this mess soon. I wonder how on earth each day can possibly be worse than the last???
I never liked Pence, but he truly sealed my opinion of him during the debate. I felt he was as bad and in some ways worse than Trump in that he calmly and quietly lies straight to our faces. He was so absolutely rude to both Harris and the moderator. Then to hear someone I know say that she felt Pence was masculine and presidential…GROSS. It kind of hit me at that moment that maybe some of our differences in opinion stem from how we perceive toxic masculinity. Some may have been raised with it, find it normal and even desirable. Others see it for what it is. Who knows.
Have a lovely weekend! Be well and stay safe!
Christy
No, I don’t use a dremel. Dried on glue responds well to a hairdryer – the heat helps to melt it and then you can pry it off. Maybe the same thing would happen with paint? I won’t be using a hairdryer on this particular clump of glue, though, because I don’t want the heat near the wallpaper.
Glad you got your ballots and voted, Christy.
Stay safe.
The books are absolutely lovely! I wouldn’t mind some for my own bookshelves.
Me, too!
Stay safe, Jan!
Oh Claudia, every photo — looks better and better! I love your new books. They are exquisite. So beautifully done and I love how they have things inside. And the floor looks fabulous, as does the hutch with the books inside them. What joy. Yes, I can see the doors and windows would be very hard. Well done.
We’re a little numb with the governor kidnapping plot. The FBI charge is horrifying and it looked like they were getting close to acting. I feel like stress level is so high here, I wonder how much more we can take.
Then just now the NYT reported that the WH overruled a CDC mandate for masks on airlines, buses, public transportation, etc. He is a madman.
I can’t imagine how horrifying it must be to Michiganders, Jeanie.
He IS a madman. I want him out of my life. Our lives.
Stay safe.