Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Almost a New Year

Almost ... a New Year:

Still 2018 near Vancouver, Canada. At last I have had some inspiration and begun work on my Swedish House.




It began with the acquisition of a prancing deer in the Christmas section of a big box store. 'I may be able to do something with that" I thought. Home I raced and quickly decapitated the representation of a deer to create an over-the-mantle decoration for the season.



No deer were harmed in this post.



 It can take such a small breakthrough to get one energized for a project.  Now I was ready to fill the panels with a mural I had chosen some time ago.


 After a lovely mini day with Elizabeth of http://www.studioeminiatures.blogspot.com and a consultation on fabrics I began to cover the furnishings I had reserved for this house.

This chair was previously covered in a very shiny cream sateen but was easy to reupholster with cotton fabric. The small table is painted with chalk paint. Christmas tree and pastries by Elizabeth.



Lovely Bespaq cupboard bought at a Seattle Miniature Show contains two Elizabeth Causeret casseroles with lids. One from the Paris SIMP in 2017 and one matching a gift from Minteer friend Linda during her visit to the Kensington Show 2018.


 Hide on the floor cut from very fine leather.


Mantle decorated for the holidays.



Peonies by Fatima of Beauxminis, peaches by Elizabeth.



Preparations for a gathering to welcome the New Year.




Time to light the fire.


The Champagne is poured.



 Or perhaps you would prefer tea?


Tea set by Elisabeth Causeret.


I cannot help but be thankful for the view from my workroom window. It is not always so benign nor are the skies always blue but ever-changing and to me awe inspiring.





The closing of the final day of 2018.





I hope you were able to share this holiday season with family and friends.





Second Granddaughter and I wish you a very happy, healthy and safe 2019.

Warm regards and thank you for visiting.

Janine

28 comments:

  1. Happy New Year to you and yours!!!
    What a great post! The pictures of the progress in your house are wonderful, so many great details. What to say about the view from your workroom window, it's so beautiful, it must bring a lot of serenity and peace.
    Geneviève

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    1. Hi Genevieve, You may or may not realize I am having trouble, at times, to leave a comment .... even a reply.
      So, thank you for your greetings and for looking at my work. It felt so good to feel inspired to settle down and get things done.
      All the best for 2019.
      Warm regards Janine

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  2. Jolie ambiance de fêtes, j'adore votre maison suédoise. Bonne année 2019!

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    1. Dear Jean-Claude, Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I always admire your work.
      Regards and all the best for 2019.
      Janine

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  3. Happy New Year Janine! I must say that once you get "started" you go... WOW!!! I Love Love LOVE the murals on the wall and the mantel decorations too! The whole atmosphere is so serene but luxurious and so Beautiful!!! Elizabeth's "treats" are always exceptional... and the rest of the items you have been collecting show your eye for beauty! I do hope you will keep working on this project! Have a Wonderful New Year!!! :):)

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    1. Hi Betsy, At last I seem to be able to reply. Thank you for your comments. I was so happy with the murals. Of course Elizabeth’s work is heavily featured as my Miniteers have been making things to urge me to continue work on this house.
      Regards Janine

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  4. Happy New Year Janine & Bruce! It was so enjoyable to pause and take in every photo, each fulfilling a different yen! The living room in the Swedish House looks warm and inviting and ready to create wonderful shared memories with welcomed friends! Each little decor piece is made more special by the stories and memories attached to them.
    The photos of the mountains and the sea are simply awe inspiring and must for you do what the views of Mt. Rainier and the Cascades do for me: reconnect you with that magical, invisible sense that all is well and in God's hands.
    I hope 2019 is a great year full of inspiration and satisfying adventures for you both!

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    1. Hi Jodie, I’m on a roll now that Blogger is letting me make comments once again.
      Thank you for dropping by. Yes, those mountains are magical. Re the water. I did say it was not always benign and I did not post the waves crashing over the wall. Too frightening - and I have crossed oceans!
      I am having fun working once again on the Swedish House.
      All the best Jodie,
      Regards Janine

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  5. Wow! "Swedish House" is looking amazing. I can't believe how much it has progressed since I saw it. The ambience is so warm and inviting and all your treasures absolutely belong there. Keep up the mojo! And your view! How fantastic! Your photos (or maybe Bruce's ) are incredible. Happy, happy 2019

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    1. Hi Linda, Your little slippers that you did in petit point will appear in the bedroom post .... soon, I hope.
      Both Bruce and I take pics of the miniature house. I usually take them now with my iPad but grab the Canon for the pics of the mountain.
      Thank goodness for digital photos as we can hardly resist taking multiples of the scenes at our doorstep.
      A wonderful healthy and happy 2019 ahead I hope for all.
      Hugs Janine

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  6. I was determined NOT to press you again regarding A POST so Imagine my Surprise and Delight to actually see one and right in time for New Years- AND I must say- WELL WORTH THE WAIT!!! :D
    Your living/dining room has turned out BEAUTIFULLY Janine. It is warm and welcoming, and presents a timeless elegance along with being a visual feast for the eyes!
    Love the deer head and the way you've dressed the mantle too. I remember when you bought those "sugared pears during one of our thrifting junkets and happy to see how cleverly you have displayed them on the mantle.
    And your re-upholstering skills were just the ticket for the sofa and the chair
    and how lovely they both look with the hide on the floor.
    LOVE the dining table and the heirloom cloth and the greenery entwined in the chandelier- Most Effective! :D
    The beverage table with the oversized painting and the tea table with its treasured tea set, are Spot On.
    The over all effect of your furnishing and accessories set against the backdrop of your quiet walls and Gorgeous mural panels, makes the entire space feel like a well- love and lived in HOME!
    Congratulations my dear friend and thank you for making my day today!
    I have enjoyed each Fab photo several times already, including the exterior views of the eagles in the bay and the sunset on the mountains and Wish you and Bruce and ALL of your family, a VERY HAPPY and HEALTHY 2019 !
    Cheers!
    and "God Bless us, Every One!"❤️

    elizabeth

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    1. Dear Elizabeth, I value your comments and opinion. You know I hang on every word and follow your every suggestion .... well almost. Sometimes you demand the almost impossible! Hard to live up to your expectations!
      I did appreciate your “not mentioning” my lack of posts. However I can read through your “not mentioning” and felt the pressure non-the-less.
      I hope I can do better this winter.
      I am looking forward to seeing what is happening at the Villa.
      The mora clock is in the works ....
      talk soon.
      Hugs Janine

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  7. Oh Deer! What a delightfully mesmerising and visual feast. Your Swedish house room is so beautiful, Janine. The food, the drinks, the decorations, the details. I love it. While leisurely meandering down the post, taking in each picture, it felt strangely familiar. Then it occurred to me, your room is like visiting my aunt's house in Denmark where I spent some of my Best Ever Christmases growing up.
    And for your view... how marvellously distractedly beautiful. I am not sure I would ever get a single thing done with a view like that.
    Best wishes for a fabulous and happy 2019
    Anna X

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    1. Hi Anna, I was so happy that you felt a hint of Nordic flavour in my mini build.
      I do enjoy visiting your blog and admiring your embroidered work. You are so skilled.
      I am often distracted by the view outside and have to run downstairs to get the binoculars to check out what the eagles or other birds are doing.
      Have a great 2019. It almost seems like old hat already!
      Regard Janine

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  8. I love the swedish room and I am amazed at the views outside ! That's breathtaking!
    Happy new year

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    1. Hi Veronique, Thank you for visiting. I have just returned from visiting your very nice postings.
      All the best for this new year.
      Regards Janine

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  9. I loved your New Year preparation photos and was pleased to see you posting again. Very best wishes for a good 2019 from Edinburgh.

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    1. Hi Irene, Nice to hear from you. I am anxious to see what further work you will be doing on the Silkweavers House. It is a great project and I hope also you will offer us more historic insights which I find particularly interesting.
      The snow drops have appeared in my garden. I hope that it is mild in Edinburgh.
      Regards Janine

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  10. Hey Janine,

    Love your Swedish Room. I especially like the murals.

    And I had to post a Thank You for those photos of the mountains. We have moved away from that beautiful scenery (for some new and different beauty, but I MISS those gorgeous views. A touch of "home". Thanks!

    Doug S

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    1. Hi Doug, I wondered what you had been up to. I did not see you at the Seattle Show last year!
      Glad you are well and continuing with your mini project. All the best for a great New Year.
      Regards Janine

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  11. Great photos! Lots of inspiration. Wishing you a Happy New Year.

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    1. Hi Troy, Thank you for leaving a comment. I always imagine you spending time searching for vintage treasures ... and finding them. I do hope you enjoy a great 2019.
      Regards Janine

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  12. Hello, Janine - I've enjoyed this post so much! I'm filled with admiration for your clever use of the deer in making that stunning decoration over the mantel; it's simply beautiful and so perfect for the room. The murals, too, are lovely and create such a warm ambiance. I love the white side tables and your mix of both dark and white wood. This room is filled with an inviting warmth and charm - and I was struck by how absolutely real it looks! Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photos of your enviable workroom view - and of your granddaughter with that happy smile!
    Marjorie

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    1. Hi Marjorie, Seeing your name reminded me that I had not seen a progress report on your sod house build! Hope you have had some time to continue.
      My first inclination was to paint everything white for the Swedish House but as I began to put the furniture together I felt it was a better balance to keep both.
      I am enjoying working on this house again.
      All the best.
      Janine

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  13. Replies
    1. Hi Brandy, Thank you. What more could I hope for!
      Regards Janine

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  14. What a lovely room ! makes you want to be Twelve times smaller to live in it but how on EARTH do you get any work done with that view ! goodness its like living on the edge of Heaven, best wishes Stephanie ( madnessmademurray.blogspot.com )

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  15. A truly beautiful mini scene! I love the murals and the miniature food you have. Very opulent and pretty. The real view outside is spectacular as well! Wow! Best mini wishes for 2019!

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