Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Christmas is coming early!

It feels as though Christmas is coming early at the Shabby Cottage. Last week I opened a parcel to find the most beautiful little miniatures, which had been sent by Iris (Lataina). She hasn't got a blog for you to read (maybe we can talk her into it!!). I was amazed at all the little things she has made. These are her first attempt at minis, so I am most impressed!

Iris had included some absolutely gorgeous little birdhouses to add to the "birdhouse wall". I just love them. She is certainly a dab hand with the crackle glaze and has an eye for putting colours together.

Among the presents was this absolutely stunning little peg board for the little boy's room. It is so beautifully done! And Iris even went to the trouble to find out what the New Zealand flag looked like and has painted an approximation of it on the sails of the little boat. Iris - thank you so much - this is so lovely.

....AND THEN....

... a couple of days later, before I had even had a chance to put any pictures or thank yous on this blog, ANOTHER box arrived from Iris, with more amazing little minis!

You can see how good she is at crackle paint effects - this little tub is just gorgeous with its pretty pink and blue.

And it is just the right size to fit these flowers! You can also see Jenn's cute little birds egg soaps, which I don't think I've shown you before.

Iris made all these tiny pencils!! They look adorable in the little boy's room.

Here is a photograph showing all the little birdhouses. My father visited in the weekend and said that they were all too close together because birds are teritorial and don't like to use nesting boxes which are too close together, so I have spread them out a bit. I'm not sure if imaginary miniature birds are as fussy as real birds.

It was my friend Dorothee who inspired me to want a wall of birdhouses. She has made some for her cottage (we all made a cottage from the same kit)....this is picture of her cottage wall with its birdhouses.
And when she saw that I had started adding birdhouses to my cottage, she brought these ones round as a gift! Thank you Dorothee!

So you can see that Christmas has come early for the Shabby Cottage, with all of these lovely things arriving recently.


I haven't forgotten the tour of my first dollshouse - I will show you the living room next....

17 comments:

Catherine said...

WOW! I don't know where to begin! What a wonderful group of miniatures!!! All the bird houses look great on the side of our house. I LOVE the colored pencils!

Catherine said...

OOPS! Wishful thinking... I meant your house. ;-)

Alienora said...

Walls with birdhouses - I love the idea!:))))

Lataina said...

Ooohh, I feel so special to be "featured" on your blog(LOL), and a bit embarrassed because I am just an amateur. I'm very happy you like what I sent. I hope to learn much more from all you talented ladies.

BTW, I love the little log birdhouse your friend gave you. And, what you did with the pink tub. =)

Patty said...

Carolyn, It is all so sweet!! What a huge amount of gorgeous mini's you have received!! Iris needs to blog so we can see more!! I too, love the birdhouse wall!! What a great idea. I really love the kit for this house.....who made it? I love the advice that your Father gave you too....LOL....too sweet!

Margaret said...

Lovely gifts Carolyn, but I think your Dad isn't very familiar with miniature birds, they love to flock together, hehe. The wall looks so good, and your friend Dorothee's looks wonderful with the woodpile near it, there would be lots of bugs there, that is why the wall would be so popular with the birds!

Marta said...

Carolyn, eres muy afortunada por recibir estos preciosos regalos que suerte ¡¡¡¡ la idea de las casas de pájaros es una autentica maravilla quedan muy bonitas de verdad ¡¡¡¡. Besos xxx

Christine said...

What a lucky girl you are! They look gorgeous!

lluna said...

Que cositas más bonitas te han regalado!! Me encanta como queda la cestita rosa con las flores. En general es todo precioso!!! Besitos.Olga.

Margriet said...

So many beautiful miniatures!! Lucky you!!!!
Love the birdhouses!!!

Heather said...

What a wonderful gift! The shelf is so perfect!

miniacollection said...

Wonderful mini gifts! I loe the wall with all the birdhouses, I'm glad you got more.
Geneviève

Gemma (Gempo) said...

Is very wonderful all, congratulations. Best wishes

Yayin said...

Me gustan mucho las casitas de pajaritos,quedan preciosas.
Besos Rosa

Gill said...

What fabulous gifts! I love your wall of bird houses. They'd look good on my Seaside House but I think I'd need bigger boxes for seagulls! Gill

auzilio said...

Que de cosas bonitas tienes en el blog,felicidadesss,Auxi.

Sandra said...

Beautiful gifts, both this lot and the cardigan and the rest with it. You are indeed very fortunate! Your house is lovely and everything fits perfectly in (and on) it.
Sandra
http://snippetsfrommystudio.blogspot.com