THE FRENCH DOWAGERS

 

Young & Aging

These two lovely ladies now have "portraits" of themselves! 

Aren't they darling?

Won't it be fun to get the chateau put together with all of the wonderful things that I have purchased for them over the past year...fancy iron bedsteads, pretty painted commodes, lovely dressers, ornate fireplaces with mirrors, period carpets, knickknacks galore, even a pet or two.. 

I'm really trying to be patient, but my mental juices are flowing in every conceivable direction!!!

I know that I have to get my Real Life in order BEFORE I settle down to the miniature tasks at hand, though it would be so easy to just put off emptying boxes and dive into my passion....miniatures. 

Sadly, the other individuals in my Life would not appreciate that scenario!  And, do believe me, I would hear about it.  Don't want to go down that path.  LOL

So for the present, I will sneak time on my blog and add photos to entertain you and me!!  (hee hee)

IT'S BEEN A YEAR!

I cannot believe that it is just over a year since I last made an entry!

Where did my Life go???

I'm still wondering that myself.

There have been moves, illnesses, births and deaths which have taken up my time, energy and stolen many hours, days and months from my very existence. 

Miniatures have had to take a back seat!  I've missed them terribly.

Now, that my latest move is nearly behind me, I'm thinking again about my beloved miniatures.

I have to locate my camera and begin taking photographs of all that is "new."

Stay tuned...

I may have been out of circulation for quite a while, but my "collecting" has never suffered.

There will be so much to share!!!

:  )

MEET OUR

NEWEST 

"MINI!"

 ...Kaylee...

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

These are photos taken 2 days later!  

What a contrast!!!

WILD FIRES!!!

Western Montana is shrouded in smoke today!
 The sky has a yellow tinge to it and looking both East and West there are no mountains to be seen!

The smell of burning wood is permeating everything.

May God protect His wild-life 

& the firefighters.

  

"SHABBY" PRESSED-BACK CHAIRS

Today's mail brought these extraordinary Bespaq chairs 

that have been "shabby-ed" by miniature artisan, Matthew Weston.

I adore them!

The featured doll is a Marcia Backstrom reproduction.

[Don't forget to click on the photograph to enlarge]

These items will be used  in a "shabby" bakery.
Absolutely beautiful!!

"OLD-WORLD" WINE CABINET

I've just returned from a two-week road-trip
to the East Coast.

L@@k what I found when I got home!

[Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge]

This "Old-World" wine cabinet was designed,
and created by miniature artisan, Matthew Weston.
Most unique.

The sweet little girl in green is a Bonnie Justice doll.

The rose-laden wedding cake is a creation by Christina @ Majestic Miniatures.
So beautiful.

Once I get things organized,
I will once again engage myself
in my many miniature projects.

The weather is humid, but fair,
and I'm eager to find my way out to the workshop!!

: )

TWO VERY "SPECIAL" LITTLE CHAIRS

~ Okay, my camera finally has a new photo-card ~

Here are two charming armchairs 

that I have chosen to "showcase" tonight...

Both were hand-painted by talented artisan Sue Ayers.

The detailing is phenomenal! 

 Refreshing daisies!

Sweet rosebuds!

[Don't forget to enlarge the photos to see the details!]

The colors are clear, bright & alive.

My plan is to "create" a Mary Engelbreit house 

in which I will incorporate these wonderful miniatures.

Too cute!

: )

You might like to check out another photo site of mine:

 https://www.flickr.com/photos/97498585@N06/with/9076639585/

 

IT IS JUNE 2014 ALREADY!!!

[Don't forget to click on photo to enlarge!]

These are just three of my latest little-people.  

Aren't they precious?

Well, as you probably didn't know,
I've been "locked out" of my blog 

ever since before Christmas 2013!
 

Just this past week I was actually able
to get myself back in.  

I am so thrilled.

  

Now, to pick up where I left off.

  

If that were not excitement enough, 

I located "the link" to the new site that I put together:

http://iamminteriors.blogspot.com/

 but I'm pretty sure that I will abandon that one 

in favor of this original blog!  

So now, the best is yet to come.

: )

A WHITE CHRISTMAS IN THE MAKING???

This is what I awoke to this morning!

Can it be true? 

A white Christmas in the making for us here
in Montana, USA???

It all depends now upon the up and coming weather.
If the temperatures stay lower for a week this may actually happen.

IF, however, the temperatures rise, as they have been this past week...high 40s
low 50s (I'm not complaining), then we may not get a WHITE CHRISTMAS
after all.  That would be sad.

Time alone will tell!!

*</:)>

FULL MOON ON THE RISE

Caught this night before last.  Beautful experience.
I moved the camera.  Darn!

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!

The temperatures have been brutally cold the last several days!
It does feel like winter is here.
The river is beginning to show signs of icing.
Brrrrrrrrrrr!

L@@K WHAT WAS HIDING IN THE CLOUDS...SNOWY MOUNTAINS





After two days of clouds, rain and grapple, this is what emerged from behind the shroud!
Sunshine on the snow-capped range.  Winter is on its way.

  

NO MOUNTAINS TODAY



Only clouds today! 
The mountains are totally obscured.



You would never guess that behind these white clouds reside our lovely mountains!

My workship basking in the morning sunshine.



MOTHER WHITE-TAIL & HER TWINS!!!

Enlarged photo of deer.

I apologize for the grainy quaility of the photograph.  I had to take the photo quickly from inside the house.  It has been hunting season and I'm sure these creatures are ever so skittish.  When I hear the gunshots I cringe within, KNOWING what each means.  There are hunters out there stalking their prey!  I don't like this time of the year...

Mother white-tailed deer and her twins grazing before the sun came up!

THE COLOR PURPLE

Not many people like the color purple,

but I have a little witch named "Violet"

who just adores the color PURPLE!

She has been hinting for quite some time

now that she would really like it if I would

build her a small cottage.

[Oh yeah, that is just what I need, a PURPLE house!]

I do agree with her on the reference to small,

but I am really struggling with the color PURPLE.

I suppose that I could use A LOT

of white around the windows and door, plus

I could also consider adding plenty of

"gingerbread" to all of the eaves, as well!

Sounds good to me.

Violet is an Aquarian, so she does exhibit

eccentric tendencies.

For starters, she wears quite a bit of PURPLE,

and she decorates with it as well.

Her kitchen is unusual, to say the least.

You have never seen anything like it!

[I will have to go out to the workshop

and dig about in the boxes to find it and photograph it.

It is truly one-of-a-kind!!!]

Today, I'm posting a photo of Violet and her

nearest neighbor, who also likes the color PURPLE.

Sweet "Violet," a little witch.

Gladys Nightshade, a neighbor, with her feline friend, "Spooks," who loves to ride along!

This is an ancient screen that will be used in the PURPLE cottage.

 

A well-worn armchair.  It belonged to Violet's grandfather and she refuses to replace it.
Obviously it has seen better days, but Violet insists that it is comfortable and has a lot of life left in it.



One of many PURPLE pillows.
 


One of many PURPLE plants.




A pair of Violet's garden boots.  Too cute!!!





I CAN'T STOP SHARING THE BEAUTY OF MONTANA

I feel so blessed living in God's Country...MONTANA.
The beauty is ever-changing.
I thank my lucky stars that I get to live this miracle everyday.
And, I just wanted to share it with YOU!

ANOTHER WIZARD "CORNELIUS"

This extraordinary fellow is by BellaBelle Dolls.
Cornelieus will be joining the other wizards at Wanda's (my lst witch)
for some good old-fashioned shop-talk! 
There is much to discuss...books, potions, spells and the like.
Makes for an entertaining evening for one and all.

Be sure to CLICK ON PICTURE to ENLARGE!!!
Enjoy.

Close up of a pair of very fine eyes, full of wisdom, understanding & kindness.

AFTERNOON'S END

This is the view I came home to this afternoon.
River is like glass.
There is a slight haze in the sky as there is a fire burning on the hills opposite.
I LOVE MONTANA!

THE BEGINNING...SANTA'S VILLAGE!!!

This is side # 1
Picture window is being test-fitted.
As I was cutting out the hole for the first window, the vibration of the jigsaw snapped a section along the grain lines leaving me with a gap that has to be remedied, thus the scrap.

Side #2

End #1, with one of the signs. 
This one will read, "SANTA's WORKSHOP."
Inside there will be a workbench filled with projects being worked on by busy elves.
Each shop will have a picture window for easy viewing on one side. 
The other side will have either two little peek windows or a door and a peek window for extra viewing.

This is end #2. 
I'm wondering what to put in this shop.
Perhaps a "MEET SANTA" complete with highbacked chair, Santa himself, a camera on a tripod for photos with Santa and an elf or two???
I don't think this unit is going to be large enough to hold Mrs. Claus' bakery & gifts.

The two shops will sit upon a small snowy foundation.

This is a winter birdhouse that will stand by the door of Santa's Workshop./
My buildings will get the snow treatment that these little houses have...
Let it Snow!!!

This second birdhouse will stand by the other shop's door.
I thought these were so cute.
They are going to be my inspiration for the Village itself...lots of snow!
*</;)>

WHAT A MESS !!!

The movie Chocolat melted my heart! 
Having lived in France as a teenager, the nostalgic street scenes and shops brought back many warm, fuzzy memories.
I wanted to capture some of that in a roombox.
When I saw this table it struck a cord with me.  It was an ah-ha moment...I'll create a chocolate shop!
Then, I stumbled upon this precious girl eating chocolate. Another ah-ha moment erupted.  Of course, perhaps it was she who overturned the chocolate syrup.  ???  Do you think?  She is after all in possession of a bowl of chocolate frosting!  Hmm. 
Do you catch a storyline developing?  I certainly do.

Someone has created quite a MESS!
This piece is total inspiration.
My plan is to use it in a Chocolat display box.

One of the close up shots.

A broad shot.

Every shop has to have an ACCIDENT now and then!

Could this be THE culprit caught in the act?
Perhaps.  We shall see.

What a waste of perfectly good chocolate!!!