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Puzzles and Egg Cups

February 8, 2022 at 9:36 am by Claudia

Dickens puzzle in progress. I spent a fair amount of time on it yesterday. It’s very engrossing, which is what I need now.

We ventured into the neighboring college town and I bought some boxes and bubble wrap and tape. Since we live in such a small house, I’ve learned not to hang on to boxes because we just don’t have the storage space. We recycle all that cardboard. I did have a bit of bubble wrap on hand, but I needed more. Then we came back to the house and I proceeded to wrap each egg cup in bubble wrap, placing sheets of it between the layers of egg cups. Country Living sent me a UPS label and today I’ll drop it off for shipping. I have to say that that the woman I’m working with couldn’t be nicer. She completely understands my worries about the egg cups in transit and during the time that CL is doing the shoot. Since this is what she does for a living, I think all will be well.

A lot of the ice on the trees and plants melted yesterday and more will melt today. But in the meantime, it’s gray and foggy out there.

We’re watching the Olympics, as we always do, and are grateful for the distraction. I’ve been a bit distracted myself by my worries about the weather and the need to package up the egg cups and send them off so they arrive in time for the shoot. Once I drop them off today, I’ll breathe a sigh of relief.

I’m gearing up to do some work on the exterior of the English Cottage. I want to seal the stones with Mod Podge and then add some mortar. The process will be messy, but I’ve been thinking about it a lot and I realize that the stones will look more realistic and aged that way. I’m excited about it.

Okay, my friends. I have to get going.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Monday Morning in Ice Land

February 7, 2022 at 9:55 am by Claudia

Do you think Santa has had it?

Time to retire these two and move them upstairs to their off-season home.

We are so tired of ice everywhere. A warm-up is on the docket for today, but at the same time, we’re having the dreaded ‘mixed precipitation’ which has resulted in a winter weather advisory.

I AM OVER IT.

In the meantime, we have to go get a box and bubble wrap, etc. this morning because I have to let Country Living know the dimensions and weight so they can send me a UPS label. I need to get the box to UPS tomorrow. I briefly considered whether this was worth it. Sigh. I did wash all the cups yesterday, so they’re ready to pack.

At least I don’t have to be at a rehearsal or travel.

Here’s a photo of the miniature Tintin book that was in the tote bag that came with Madeleine. Isn’t it adorable? It’s 1:6 scale, so it would be too big for the dollhouse, but it’s perfect for my girls. (The title is in Spanish.)

I decided that Madeleine must be tired of her traveling clothes, so I put her in another dress.

It was her turn to walk Bertie. The girls take turns – it’s one of their chores.

There was a discussion in the comments the other day about the size/height of Blythe dolls. They are 11.8 inches tall. The head is about 3½ inches tall. There are also slight differences in the size of the bodies that are used. There is the neo Blythe body, which is the original, or close to the original size, there is the Licca body, and there is the Obitsu body. I have all three. I’ve noticed that the Licca body, which is the body that Olivia has, is a little shorter and the arms and legs are thinner, as well. Therefore, she always looks like the youngest sister because she’s a little smaller. I’m not sure about the Obitsu 11 body, which is the one that Pippa and Mei have – it might be a bit shorter. I’ll have to check. The Obitsu is the most flexible, the most posable. But it’s also the most fragile. The rest of the girls; Sophie, Maeve, Zoe, Imogen, and Madeleine have the standard Blythe body, sometimes called neo Blythe or Azone.

I’m fine with all of them. The only thing I want to change is the neck support on Sophie and Maeve. As it is now, the head can turn from side to side but it can’t be raised or lowered or tilted – all of which make for more interesting poses. I have to resort to shooting from below so it doesn’t look like they’re constantly looking down.

Probably way more information than you wanted or needed this morning!

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Ice Palace

February 6, 2022 at 10:18 am by Claudia

Ice crystals everywhere. The views are stunning. For a few days, a magical world. We’re living in an ice palace.

We did lose a bit of ice yesterday, simply because the sun was shining. I suspect the same thing will happen today.

But the real thaw will be tomorrow.

With all this ice, I haven’t been able to get out to get the boxes, bubble wrap and tape that I need to send the egg cups to Country Living’s headquarters in Birmingham, AL. I’ll do that tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ll wash the cups today.

I’ve started a new puzzle. It’s from the same makers of the Shakespeare and Jane Austen puzzles. This time it’s Dickens. All I can say is: Thank God for jigsaw puzzles. Especially when you’re encased in ice.

I’ve been meaning to recommend a movie to you for several weeks. It’s on Amazon Prime and it’s called The Tender Bar. It’s a coming of age movie and it’s beautifully done. Usually, I find Ben Affleck’s work good but not necessarily inspiring, but I have to tell you, his work in this movie is powerful and beautiful. I’m so impressed. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it highly. He is gaining gravitas and depth as he gets older. It shows in this performance. Very inspiring.

Okay. I’m off to wash the sheets and work on the puzzle and read. But first, some oatmeal.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Puzzles and Egg Cups

Monday Morning in Ice Land

Ice Palace

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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