Gray days here.
I took this shot of the Catalpa tree because, if you look closely, you can see the bean pods hanging from the branches.
Did I ever tell you we had some honeybees come back to the Catalpa in late summer? If you remember, we had honeybees that lived in the tree for years and then a few years ago, an aggressive bee or two got in there and they were attacking us if we got too close, so we called in a beekeeper. We didn’t do anything because we decided to wait it out until winter, when, sadly, the bee colony died out. They didn’t come back that spring. We covered the access holes with window screen material.
But one day this summer, Don saw bees going in and out of an impossibly tiny opening at the top of the screening. They weren’t aggressive and we were happy to have them back. They disappeared at the first hard frost, but I’m hoping they come back next spring. Honeybees, you are welcome here. Just don’t attack us.
Clarification: When I mention hanging lights on the porch, let me assure you there is no climbing involved. We drape the lights over the railings, from post to post. Easy as pie and nothing I can’t do rather easily. No ankle worries.
New topic: I knew this was coming out in December (it’s the January 2016 issue), but since it’s published in the UK, I have to wait for my copy to arrive in the mail. Honestly, I was afraid they might have scuttled the article – these things happen all the time in the magazine industry – and when I wrote to the Editor yesterday to see if I was indeed in the issue, I got an automatic reply that she was on maternity leave. I finally found some info online that led me to believe I was indeed in the issue, so I bought a digital copy at pocketmags.
Shabby chic cottage renovation? That’s Caroline’s dollhouse! We’re the lead article. Whoo hoo!
This is a screen capture from my phone. It’s much easier to read the digital copy on the phone than on my laptop.
Gosh, they did a lovely job on this. Katie Holloway, who is the editor, contacted me and asked me if I would consent to a feature. Of course! She sent some interview questions, which I answered, and asked me to send along some photos of the dollhouse. Since I had also been featured in American Miniaturist this year, I made sure to take all new photos so that each magazine had a different (and not duplicated) set.
The interview was fun; it gave me the chance to tell my dollhouse story. And the last page shows a photo of the bedroom, along with the title:
Get the look…Shabby Chic Bedroom. Replicate the style of Claudia’s shabby chic bedroom with these similar items.
And there are photos of a bed frame, rug, dresser, chair and wallpaper in the style of the room I decorated. Such fun!
I’m thrilled.
I haven’t told Caroline yet. I’m going to wait until the actual magazine arrives and then I’ll give her a copy, just as I did with American Miniaturist.
A big, big thank you to Katie Holloway and everyone at The Dolls’ House Magazine for the article. They really did a bang-up job and I couldn’t be happier with the end result.
I’ve seen this magazine at Barnes & Noble occasionally. But it takes a while for British magazines to arrive. Since I know this question will come up, the best way to get a copy is to buy a digital copy at pocketmags (dot) com. It’s very reasonable at $3.99.
I don’t mind telling you, seeing that article yesterday was a much needed bright spot in my day. In my month, actually.
Happy Monday.
Congrats!
Thank you, Cindy!
Claudia, I am so happy for you and Caroline! I love your doll house and it’s wonderful to find it shared all over the world!! It’s a rainy day here, so perfect for curling up with a cup of coffee and the latest David Baldacci book from the library! Happy Monday!
hugs,
Linda
I agree – rainy day here, as well. I’m ready for some books and some hot chocolate! xoxo
How fabulous Claudia – it appears to be a great article on you and your amazingly beautiful dollhouse. I’m sure it is one of the most charming ones this magazine has ever reviewed and written about – I’ll be looking for the real mag on the shelf later when at B&N.
Congratulations – bask in the glory my dear!
Mary
Thank you, dear Mary. I’m very happy. Or ‘chuffed’ as you Brits say!
What a wonderful feeling to have one’s crafting validated and appreciated by other enthusiasts. Hope this won’t go to Caroline’s head!! Enjoy the spotlight, Claudia!
I hope it won’t, either! That’s why I’m being careful about when I tell her the news, Wendy!
Thrilled for you Claudia…and for Caroline too! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae!
How lovely to have your work recognised in a feature article. I am so very pleased for you!
Thank you, Barbara. Honestly, when I see all the incredible miniaturists out there, I feel humbled and am very surprised that anyone would want to write about my dollhouse. Don’t get me wrong, I love what I’ve done, but there are so many more talented people out there!
Congratulations!! So well deserved!
Judy
Thank you, my friend!
Claudia you must be thrilled or as they say in the UK….” Chuffed.” Congratulations.
I am, Mary!
Three cheers for you!
Thank you, Margaret!
Well done Claudia — so excited for you ! Glad that your love and labor on Caroline’s tiny residence is recognized here in the US and across the pond.
And thank you for including the link for us to get a digital copy.
You’re very welcome and thank you, Regina Anne!
Good for you, Claudia! How exciting! It looks wonderful!
Thank you, Linda!
Congratulations, Claudia! This is certainly well deserved for all the hard work and LOVE you have put into your house. Proud of you! ( Caroline will be so excited!)
Thank you, Sharon!
Oh, Caroline is going to FREAK!! I suppose she will soon be entertaining the rich and famous.
You did such a wonderful job. I remember times when you would post pictures, and I had no idea it was something for Caroline’s cottage and not yours!! Everything is so amazing.
Be proud, kiddo!! Congrats!!!
Thank you, Chris!
Congratulations Claudia, this is wonderful news and well deserved. It
could not have come at a better time for you.
Thank you, Lea!
Congratulations Claudia, people will enjoy looking at the spellbound! Doris
Thank you, Doris!
Dollhouse!
Ha! xo
Congratulations Claudia! As they say in the UK, well done! (I love that!)
Thank you Patricia!
Congratulations! It’s wonderful when a labor of love is recognized!
Thank you, Sue!
Congrats on being featured in “Doll’s House” – that’s great. You deserve a little boost after all you’ve been through. PS – I heard a news blurb a week or so ago that there’s good news on the “bee front.” Apparently, colonies are coming back in some spots of the country – and in other spots, the bees are managing to hold their own. ?
I hope that’s true, Janet. We were surprise to see them return and felt that might be a good sign!
Congratulations Claudia. That has to feel so good that something you love and cherish is written about in a nice magazine. What a wonderful keepsake that is too.
Hope you get some good honey bees there at the cottage. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
Thank you, Susie.
Congratulations, Claudia! I’m not surprised – your dollhouse is one of the most charming I’ve ever seen.
Thank you, Melanie!
Oh my! Caroline will be excited indeed. Congratulations Claudia. I know you’re thrilled with the article and I’m SO happy for you to have good news today. It’s really nice that they’ve shown people how to decorate in your, oops, Caroline’s style. What a great compliment.
Blessings,
Betsy
Thank you, Betsy!
Awesome news Claudia!…I hope this has brought a bit of happiness into your life..it has brought me a smile…You are getting quite a bit of recognition in the miniature world aren’t you?..and well deserve in my opinion..They must see the secret project when it is finished..I will have a look at the magazine…Did you get my email last night?…I have to call the hospital tomorrow….I do hope your bees return…our honeybees need all the help we can give them…..
Thank you, Nancy!
Bravo Claudia! Two articles in one year!
Thank you, Nancy!
Hi Claudia, I am TICKLED PINK about your published feature in The Doll’s House Magazine and I know that Caroline will be too once you tell her! :D
All of my heartfelt Congratulations to and yours; and What a lovely way to end the year!!!
Thank you, Elizabeth!
Congratulations! Do theses magazines publish print copies in miniature so you could put copies in the doll house?
No, I have to make them in miniature, Sylvia. Thank you!
Congratulations on having another article published about your dollhouse – very exciting!! You can be very proud of the work you’ve done with rehabbing Hummingbird Cottage. Now everyone will get to read about, and see, the roof patio too.
Thank you, Debbie!
How fantastic!!! :D Congrats on a well deserved feature. =claps furiously=
Oh, thank you, Brae!
Congratulations on the article Claudia, it is so well deserved. Your work is fantastic. I feel a little guilty, only commenting on your post today, but I’m glad to read that your ankle is better and that you received a printed copy of the magazine in the meantime! Hugs from windy Amsterdam
Oh goodness, Susi, I’d like to sit with you and learn what you do so well. Your project is spectacular. I’ve shown it to my husband and I sent the link to another mini lover. Your work is amazing!