Sunday, October 2, 2011

Just to say hello

It's definitely about time I reappeared! It's been so long since I posted that I have moved past feeling guilty and now feel exceedlingly virtuous for even showing my shamefaced self in blogland after such a long absence. I haven't been here at all - haven't even had time to read any blogs or anything. It's not through lack of enthusiasm, just overwork and lack of time. I didn't completely stop blogging, though.... .....if you want to see where my blogging energy has had to go, have a look by clicking here.

Anyway, now the crazy rush of the Spring season at work is starting to die down (oh, please, please let this be true), I am hoping to have more energy for the other things in my life, including miniatures!!
I did have one very happy moment in the middle of a very stressful time. I was the very very lucky winner of Daphne's wonderful giveaway. (If you haven't visited her blog - In the Court of the Gypsies - then go and check it out!!) I was so excited because I had never won a giveaway before. Thank you so much, Daphne, for these beautiful miniatures!!! They realled cheered me up just when I needed it! I just love the French shabby chair and the flowers and picture and antiqued flower tub are just lovely! I feel really lucky to have won this giveaway. And they arrived just when I really needed cheering up. What a lovely surprise!

Unfortunately, being so busy means that I don't have very much to show you this time. There are a couple of small additions to the cottage that you might like to see. I bought a cute little French planter from Pei Li - it is just so sweet! I have put it just inside the door of the cottage - I might pop some mail in it or maybe the lady of the house casually throws her keys in there when she comes in from outside.

I liked it so much that I couldn't resist doubling up by buying another one, this time with a pretty flower in it. This one is outside the cottage by the front door and I really love it. It is so pretty!
I recently attended a dollshouse show (sorry, I didn't take my camera) and bought a pretty porcelain candlestick from the neighbouring stall - here it is on the bookcase.

Earlier in the Spring, before life had ground me to a pulp, I decided to re-do the plate display in my "real" house. The chintz patterned plates are all Crown Ducal. The bottom plate had two corners broken off and badly glued back on when I received it. I managed to remove most of the old yellow glue-globs with acetone. Whoops - removed too much glue and the corners fell off. So I glued them back on and now it looks as good as new. The two plates with floral rims are Royal Doulton and the small one in the centre is a very hard to find (well, I found it hard to find!) pattern by Winton called "Caravan", which I really love. Hubbys comment: "Are you going to cover the whole wall with plates?!" No. Just these ones.


So, here I am back in the land of the living again, and realising that while I was a.w.o.l. I have undeservedly reached 500 followers. So one of my next posts will be a little giveaway to celebrate getting through the Spring season (yes, I know Spring is lovely, but it gets awfully busy when you work at a seed company!), and to celebrate still having some followers even though I haven't blogged for ages.

Thanks for still being there! xxxx

13 comments:

Nina in Germany said...

Nice that you are back!
I look forward.
Nina

Lataina said...

Carolyn, I'm so happy to see you posting!!! Congratulations on your giveaway win. It's all so pretty! I love your purchases both mini and RL. Your plate display is just precious and I love, love love the one at the top. Very beautiful!!! They all look stunning together. =)

hannajaleijona said...

Lovely to see you!

The photos are amazing, the additions are just wonderful and the glimpse of your real home looks like you make things beautiful around you in real life too.

Hanna

debbie1608 said...

How pretty it all is, I love it!

Norma Bennett said...

Nice to see you back in mini blogland - you have been doing some nice work on your 'work' blog though, the violet post is beautiful, and by the way what does one actually do with violet syrup?????

How lucky you were to win Daphne's giveaway, I think there were many of us out here green with envy.

I can see why you bought the other little wall planter, they're SO sweet.

Seeing the pic of the Canal House and the wall plates brings back memories of a lovely (too short) time spent at your house :)

miniacollection said...

Glad to see you back!
Your post is as lovely as the previous ones. I love your miniatures and photos.
Geneviève

Jackie said...

The shabby chair is beautiful, I love it. Of course I love the planter from Pei Li - I have the very same one here in Scotland so they are well travelled :-)

malu2 said...

Me alegra verte por aquí otra vez.
Besos.

Ivana said...

Que bonitas minis!!! Besosss desde Argentina!!! ;)

Patty said...

Carolyn, You have been missed. I always look forward to a new post by you and the wonderful photos that you share. Love your plate wall! I am partial to anything chintz when it comes to dishes!

Flora said...

Dear Carolyn, good to hear from you :-)
Sometimes we live so intensely that they momentarily forget everything else, but then ... here we are again :-)
Small innovations are delicious :-)
When one is cool as you, can live off their wealth, and this is justified to 500 followers :-)
So I look forward to your next give away :-)
Mini hugs, Flora

Sandra said...

Carolyn it is lovely to hear from you again - you are missed. I love your seeds blog, violets are among my favourite flowers. Spring is wonderful for those of us who benefit from the hard work of people like you who supply the goodies we so happily plant into our gardens at this time - so thank you!!
I love your plate display,they are all so beautiful. And you have a knack for lovely settings - in real life as well as in miniature.
Your mini buys are super! Your beautiful cottage reflects your touch of magic in decoration.
Congratulations on your win too - what lovely items.
Hugs
Sandie (Snippets from my Studio)

montse-riqueblaupusa.blospot.com said...

Hola!!
He descubierto tu blog y me encanta, me gusta mucho...tienes verdaderas preciosidades. Un gusto seguirte
Saludos
Un beso
Montse