Merry Christmas 2017

The Miniteers met last week and as always my compatriots gifted me and each other with wonderful mini treasures.  Unfortunately Fatima was unable to join us .. . next time we hope she will be with us.

Linda has been busy once again and made this amazing bee cushion for the French House. The bee was a symbol that Napoleon took as his own.  I have used in the Empire Room but as Bruce and I have kept bees it is a very appropriate gift. Linda also made the amazing little bee slippers that I have in the Empire Room. 

I have placed it on a chair where the lady of the house spends time (when not gardening), refurbishing old linens.

The cupboard and laundry basket is full of these linens - repaired, washed and bleached in the sunshine and then ironed to crisp perfection... if only in my imagination!

Many of the neatly packaged linens with minute lace trim are from Studio E.  http://www.studioeminiatures.blogspot.ca - she actually does rescue all kinds of handkerchiefs  and converts them to folded linens or bedding. I try not to look at them in Thrift Stores as I already have an ample collection.

The room above is named for the birds in the wallpaper. Breakfast tray on the desk by Studio E. Door panels are painted to match the wallpaper. In the picture below you can see the petit point cushion on the chaise that Linda http://www.lindasminiworld.blogspot.ca made using my initial.

The Swedish House has not been forgotten. Perhaps Christmas is happening there at present as here in Vancouver it is Christmas Eve.
Wrapped parcels, pink snowballs and cinnamon buns from Elizabeth. Candles by Linda.

Can you see the little circles on the gifts - they are tiny fimo circles with santa motifs. Look how the icing and cream looks so deliciously edible.

The reality that the Swedish House has turned the living/dining room into a construction zone has not yet become an urgent problem as this year our children and grandchildren are at the "outlaws" for Christmas day. We will celebrate together at the end of the week.

Below:
Decorative gable lit from behind. I bought this some time ago. I thought I might use it to imply a decorative ceiling in the French House. We have cut it in half to fit into this space.
In the French House I did do a decorative texture ceiling. I took a plastic doily and painted it on to the ceiling, when the paint was still wet but stable I gently peeled the doily off and it left a plaster-like impression. A happy accident I must admit.

Red doors on the upper balcony. The balustrade has not been installed. This railing was from the previous incarnation of the house and I am not sure if we will use it.

The "four inch" extension piece fitted but not permanently in place to enable us easy access to the interiors.

The entry vestibule, also fitted, but not glued. Interior and exterior lights to be added.

Front door open - inner door also painted red.

The weather outside is frightful!

But occasionally, it is amazing, the rain ceases and the sky clears revealing the mountains in all their breathtaking glory.

In the Northern Hemisphere we have reached the winter solstice and once again turn our thoughts to the seemingly elusive possibility that Spring will return.

Merry Christmas everyone.
warm regards,
Janine and the trusty man, Bruce.