Meet Vera and Virgil
Vera and Virgil are the mice who will be taking up residence in each of the two Lisa's Country Cottage kits. They are next door neighbors who are courting one another, and are engaged in budding love. With new homes to look forward to and getting to know one another, it's an exciting time for them! As their names suggest, they are old fashioned to the core and will be taking things as slow as molasses on a cold winter's day. :O)
Speaking of slow... I have been making slow progress on the yellow cottage. I bet you won't be surprised to know that the yellow cottage will be Vera's. Can you guess the color theme for Virgil's cottage? :O)
I started by painting the windows and doors, finishing the pop outs with T-111 like siding, and using the Cricut to create a fun texture stencil for the gables.
Here's how the facade is coming along. The main body of the cottage will be finished in clapboard siding but not until I have the interior painted, papered, floored and trimmed.
A little more about Vera and Virgil...
The creator of these precious needle felted critters is Yuliya of WoolenBoutiqueUa on Etsy. I contacted her about a mice couple that she had listed and asked if it was possible to have clothing done for them in yellow and blue. She happily agreed and knitted them new sweaters. She also made the adorable and color perfect dress for Vera at no extra charge! And then shipped them lightning fast! Her pricing was so affordable and the shipping charge was so reasonable, especially since there was tracking the entire way from Kherson, Ukraine.
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| Original Listing Clothing |
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| After Yellow and Blue Request |
When they arrived, they were wrapped in a box in beautiful wrapping paper and finished off with a bow! So thoughtful!
They stand on their own by adjusting their wired tails, and the craftsmanship and finishing are excellent. Look at those whiskers and the tiny wooden heart buttons! I love them, and based on my experience, can't recommend Yuliya's work highly enough. She has a nice variety of mice and other animals, and her costuming is charmingly detailed.
I am excited about continuing work on the cottages for Vera and Virgil so that they can get settled in and start living their dreams! Now that they are here, I'm sure I'll get lots of input on their wants and needs. Hopefully, each cottage will be novel enough and will reflect each of their unique personalities!
But first... We have a drawing to get to!!!
I'd like to thank each of the 53 entrants and also each of the followers who come by to share this passion and it's seemingly never ending excitement and creative possibilities with me!
~Thank You~!
I only wish I could show my gratitude by giving a mini treasure to everyone!
Drum roll...
And the winner is...
Congratulations Jocelyn Redmond!
I hope that you are more than delighted when
you receive your minis in person!
I have your email so will send you an email to get your address!
This was so much fun and thank you again to all who entered!
Come back soon and I will share my crazy 3D printed kitchen farmhouse sink disaster story and how Vera's little kitchen came to be!
Be safe and well, my friends, and with an open mind and a loving heart we'll get through this. And maybe even be better people for it. đ
xo xo,
Jodi
First, congratulations to Jocelyn! Now Cottage #1 and the charming neighbors... The mice are just adorable and I’m sure will keep you on your toes to make their homes just right. I love the fresh color scheme of Vera’s cottage and the way you are using the floral texture on the exterior. Now I’m curious about the exterior finishes Virgil will have.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherrill! I've got ideas for Virgil swimming around but no set plans as of yet. It'll be fun to see what he suggests and learn the character of his personality!
DeleteI love the mice. I can not wait to see the completed house you have planned for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Unknown! It's nice to have you here discovering them with us!
DeleteAh. Congratulations to Jocelyn. She will certainly enjoy her prize. The mice are adorable. I love the felted mice. I began collecting when they were very popular Christmas decorations. I should take them out of Christmas storage and enjoy them. The cottage is going to be so cute and the floral stencil will be wonderful. You are just so imaginative. I can't imagine your 3-D printer is getting the best of you. You'll get the kinks worked out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann! You should take the Christmas mice out of storage and make a Christmas mice house for them! That would be adorable!!!
DeleteJodi,que nuevos personajes tan adorables van a habitar tus casas! Vera Y Virgil son muy afortunados con las bonitas casas que estĂĄs haciendo para ellos.Me encanta el avance de la casa de Vera,las ventanas tan divertidas y esa plantilla floral en la fachada! ya nos contarĂĄs que ha pasado con la cocina....
ReplyDeleteMuchas felicidades a Jocelyn por ser la ganadora de tu preciosa escena! Y gracias a ti por tu generosidad para con todos tus seguidores!
Besos.
Gracias pilar! El edificio se vuelve mucho mĂĄs agradable cuando lo estĂĄs haciendo por alguien, ¡incluso sintiĂł ratones! Veremos a dĂłnde llevan sus personalidades ...
DeleteCongratulations to Jocelyn! Thank you dear Jodi for the chance.
ReplyDeleteThe mice couple are adorable. It will be intriguing to follow their romantic courtship and the homes being prepared for them. I already love Vera's kitchen.
Hugs, Drora
Thanks Drora! It's going to be fun to work in this cute and fantasy type of setting and to explore the personalities and quirks of these two sweet critters!
Deleteenhorabuena por tan bonito trabajo, espero seguir viendo pronto los avances. Losratones son preciosos me encanta
ReplyDeleteGracias ram! ¡Me alegra que estĂ©s aquĂ para seguir la exploraciĂłn conmigo!
Deleteesas cabañas en construcción prometen! felicidades a la ganadora...
ReplyDeleteGracias carmen! ¡SerĂĄ divertido ver a dĂłnde nos llevan!
DeleteVera and Virgil are beyond cute, Jodi, I love their soft look, their nice clothes (dressed to fit in their own house ;o)) and the fact that they have fallen in love with each other. Their story is a true romance ;)!
ReplyDeleteYour Cricut machine does create wonders for this love couple, even their houses are made to fall in love with!
I like the story about their spiritual Mom in The Ukraine, who made her clothes in the colors of your choice, how lovely of her! And especially because their original clothing was wonderful too, and still Yuliya did understand your wish for other colors, how kind of her!
I'm looking forward to see how their houses will look like, I can't wait to see it!
Congrats to Jocelyn for winning your beautiful vanty set, I'm sure she will be over the moon with it.
Stay safe, dear Jodi, and take care!!
Hugs, Ilona
Thanks Ilona! Yuliya said she dreams of creating a mouse house one day, too, and I bet with her abundance of creativity it will be a spectacular one! I always get pulled in the direction of traditional and cottage-y when I build but we'll see where Vera and Virgil bent. I hope I am up for the job!
DeleteKeep safe with busy hands, too, my friend! Hugs!
Los ratones son preciosos, muy tiernos. Bonito trabajo el que tienes en proceso. Felicidades a Jocelyn por ser la ganadora. Gracias por el sorteo. Un abrazo. Arantza.
ReplyDeleteGracias arantza! ¡Es muy divertido saber que estoy construyendo las casas para que alguien viva allĂ!
DeleteCongrats Jocelyn! Hey Jodi-any chance you'll be doing a giveaway on Vera's cottage? Lol. Its lovely so far. Can't wait to see more
ReplyDeleteHa ha! You never know!!! But there are no plans to give them away at this point. In fact, I am still pondering where the cottages will live once they are completed!!!
DeleteCongratulations, Jocelyn on winning such a beautiful and generous prize package. And Jodi - thank you not only for offering it but also providing the list of the entrants. I enlarged the list so I could read it better and will have so much fun visiting each of the blogs listed there that I may not have dropped in on before. Your new project - absolutely to die for!!! You are so creative and talented. I am so envious of your expertise on your Cricut. I bought a Maker several months ago and have only used it twice because I know so little about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you also for giving us Yuliya's link - you are going to keep me completely away from housework today as I sit by my computer and look through Yuliya's creations and all those other blogs. What fun!!!
Thanks Marilyn and I hope you enjoy your visits to each blog and to Yuliya's shop! I know you can't help but leave inspired and happy in the knowledge that we live in a world of such abundant creativity and talent!!!
DeleteYou just floor me with your creativity!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link for the mice. I believe I'm going to have to order a couple to populate one of my roomboxes.
Marilyn
Thanks Marilyn! I am so excited that you are going to order some mice!!! I know that I won't be able to resist going back for more critters at some point, too!!! They just elevate mini homes to a whole new level of adorability!!!
DeleteOkay... I give up... I surrender... I have not the tiniest clue what colour scheme you're going to use for Virgil's cottage... *LOL*
ReplyDeleteAh, what a wonderful post - and what a wonderful introduction of the most lovely mouse couple ever. What a talented artist, and how kind of her to make them the outfits you hoped for. The beginnings of Vera's cottage are beautiful and so promising, what a great idea to use this paper lace for the gable.
Btw I love their names very much. Perhaps you remember that I like the drawings of Dutch artist Marjolein Bastin very much. Next to her stunning paintings of nature she is well known for children's books about (guess what) Vera The Mouse. If you don't know her already I recommend you to ask Uncle Google about her. ;O)
Congrats to Jocelyn, she will be over the moon with her price, and once more a big "Thank you" to you for spreading so much generosity and kindness. And now I'm looking forward to see more of the cottages... and to hear about the kitchen sink desaster. Would it help if I reminded you that mice are cheese lovers and would much appreciate cheesy structures? We'll see... ;O)
Hugs
Birgit
Oh Birgit I am so sorry about the color riddle and I promise next post to leave more clues, lol!
DeleteThe stencil gable credit goes to you! Remember in my comments in your last post how I said your lace like wainscoting gave me the epiphany for a problem I'd been stuck on? Yep! The inspiration for the gables came from you!!! I wanted a texture up there, but could not find one that was unique enough until I saw your wainscoting! That gave me the idea to go out of the box toward a fun stencil, and I already had this one in my Cricut program. It was a failed attempt on the bakery a few months ago. So, Thanks to you Vera's gables are feminine and pretty!!!
Thank you also for cluing me in on the art of Marjolein Bastin. I see why you love it - it's absolutely enchanting! I only just scratched the surface, but went to her web site and got to see Vera and her friends. Don't be surprised if you see some of this charming art work in both cottages!
Making cheese structures sounds like a lot of fun but I am afraid that would give new meaning to the phrase "eating one out of house and home", lol!
Big hugs my friend!
Tanto Vera como Virgil, son una monada y esas cabañas que estas preparando prometen!!.
ReplyDeleteEnhorabuena a la ganadora del sorteo, no ha habido suerte, pero otra vez sera!!
Besotes
Ana (analabea)
Gracias ana! ¡Hay tantas cosas que quiero incluir en las cabañas pero tengo que elegir! ¡Con suerte, satisfarĂĄn la picazĂłn creativa al final!
DeleteVera and Virgil are adorable. I love their little sweaters. The design on the gable is such a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteemjay
Thanks Emjay! It's so much fun to work in the "adorable" genre! Anything goes!!!
DeleteCongratulations to Jocelyn! And Vera and Virgil are just too cute for words! I think I've looked at some of her mice and considered them. She's really done a beautifully detailed job. Vera's cottage is coming along nicely. That stencil on the gable is so pretty and turned out so well. And the house is such a pretty, sunny color. It made my day brighter just to open your post. I'm sure Vera will be thrilled to move in there. đ
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb! I am so glad that you like where Vera's cottage is heading! These mice are so cute in person, too and Yuliya definitely has smaller scales and is happy to customize. I think your next project should have a critter or two!
DeleteCongratulations Jocelyn! I love Vera and Virgil. I love the sunny happy house with the detailed gables. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sheila! That yellow just infects you with a happy feeling, doesn't it?!?
DeleteHow can such tiny and seemingly simple creatures have so much character. Virgul is clearly very pleased with himself and Vera is obviously a little shy but I suspect she can wrap Virgil round her little finger. I am certain her home will be tidy and well organised as for Virgil's house... those old slippers really do need to go and there will be no pipe smoking indoors when he moves into Vera's.
ReplyDeleteI hope the lovely lavender creation settles happily in its new home and brings much joy to Jocelyn. Such a kind act. I hope kindnesses find you too.
How indeed, Marilyn?!? I think one of the things that drew me to the couple originally was that Virgil is so much taller than Vera. I like a tall man and in fact married one myself! They also look so jovial as though they are happy through and through and that must mean that they are embroiled in young love. I am beginning to get the impression that Vera is definitely a traditionalist, tidy, careful and measured. Where as Virgil is creative, spontaneous, adventuresome and witty. This could get interesting if ever there is a time when the two combine households!
DeleteIt's OK, there won't be any squabbles, Virgil is happy to 'go with the flow' and, any way, all his favourite stuff will be in his mouse shed.
DeleteMe encanta la pareja de personajes que van a habitar tus casitas.
ReplyDeleteEstoy deseando ver como disfrutan de ellas.
Un saludo
Gracias marian! ¡Espero que algo en ellos inspire algo en ti!
DeleteI want a cute little mice couple....they are so adorable. I book marked the Etsy shop.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jocelyn as well, that is a spectacular prize.
((Mini hugs)) Can't wait to see how the sink was made.
Oh good, Carrie! They really are charming and I hope you get them, soon! đ
DeleteHello Jodi,
ReplyDeleteI love Virgil and Vera already. What a sweet couple (to be). And I want to congratulate Jocelyn with winning this lovely set of miniatures!
And I am quite intrigued by the kitchen sink story too!
Huibrecht
Thanks Huibrecht! It is such for to create cottages for these little mice! Oh the sink story... I think there is still a red mark from slapping myself in the forehead!
DeleteEsos ratoncitos son adorables, y van a ser muy felices en su nueva casa.
ReplyDeleteMe encanta la cocina.
Muchas felicidades a la ganadora, se lleva un regalo precioso.
Gracias Eloisa! No puedo decir que me encanta cocinar, pero probablemente sea porque no soy muy bueno en eso, ¡jaja!
DeleteOh My Goodness, Jodi, Vera and Virgil are Adorable!!!!!!!!! I can't believe how perfect they are for these cottages.... and I LOVE that there is such a sweet story driving the whole project!!! What a find! The change in costume is perfect and I can imaging these two are going to be running your studio in short order! LOL! I can't wait to see how everything develops! (I would do a larger "mouse house" myself... except that my "little people" would object.... and I already have the Tree House with the Rats needing to be finished.....! I better get cracking!) And congratulations to the Lavender Vanity winner!! :):)
ReplyDeleteThanks Betsy! I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for when I started looking for mice, but the minute I saw them I knew that they were the ones! Yuliya really has a talent for giving her creatures personality and kindness in their demeanor! There is a deeper story to Vera and Virgil, as they were real people who showed me incredible kindness and love during a very tragic time in my childhood. I may or may not share the whole story on the blog because there are some very sad elements to it. But to me, Vera and Virgil were angels, and their home was a safe and stable place for a time when everything else was terrifying. :O)
DeleteThe treehouse is yet another of your wonder filled ideas that is so much fun to follow! I am excited because I know that one day you'll be filled with inspiration for it again and it will have it's turn in your hands to progress! I know mice are a little more socially warm and fuzzy than rats, but I admire all creatures and can't wait to see them living a happy life in their beautiful tree home!
Oh my word, Vera and Virgil are just GORGEOUS, they look so cute in their lovely outfits. They will be so happy in their new homes. I have a project in the pipeline for a mouse house, and bought a felting kit. I've never done felting, I wish I had seen Yuliya's shop, but I'm confident that I will manage to make a nice mouse, and my daughter will help :-) Congratulations to Jocelyn, I'm sure she will enjoy her lovely gift.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Polly! Felting looks like so much fun! I am excited to hear about your success with it and see your plans for the mouse house!
DeleteCongratulations to the winner!! I was crossing my fingers but did not have luck. I thank you Jodi for your generosity and for the chance. Vera and Virgil are adorable and their houses are looking so cute, this post should be renamed "Cuteness overload" ❤❤❤ Love what you are doing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex! I am sad that I could not make a vanity set for everyone but with your talents and skills you can create an even better version! Speaking of which, can't wait to find out about your next project!
DeleteTwo white mice in colorful sweaters to match their individual abodes as they flirt and court each other as next door neighbors- Utterly enchanting!:D
ReplyDeleteI love the filigree relief you've added to the front facade of Vera's little house and I ADORE the set up of her kitchen too!
Virgil will have to have something equally enchanting otherwise Vera will never want to give up her place when they are ready to marry!
Thanks Elizabeth! It has been such a crazy week with my PC and my eyes "going out" that my mini projects have been my last priority! Hopefully, with a little luck and answered prayers, both will be back up and running Friday. Vera and Virgil must be getting tired of my excuses!
DeleteVera and Virgil are adorable and their home is wonderful. The reliefs of the facade make the house unique and particular with a fantastic kitchen, perfect for these mice.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to the lucky winner.
Thanks Faby! đđđ
DeleteHooray for Jocelyn! Vera and Virgil are too cute for words. I always have reservations about putting people in my dollhouses, in my mind they spoil the idea that it's actually mini-me living there. I think a pair of mice are a great alternative to small humans.
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand what you mean. I am always torn but critters do make more sense in the tiny world fantasy. :O)
DeleteThe mice, oh how beautiful they are very cute and they get a beautiful house. I am very curious about the 3D printing
ReplyDeleteThanks Gonda! I hope to get back to utilizing the 3D printer soon!
DeleteHi Jodi,
ReplyDeleteThere i was, thinking you had skipped my comment and not replied it. But it is not you but me who is at fauult. For some reason What I had written has never materialised here in the comment section.
Oh well, that happens from time to time. I wanted to say agein, that I adore little Vera and Virgil. And who could not?
The two dwellings that you are decorating for them are super sweet. I like what you have done with the outside and the inside of both. When the buildings stand close together, and those two finaly decide to tie the knot so to speak, They/you can build a corridor between the two buildings and turning it into a mousetastic country vila.
Returning on Vera and Virgil. With their names and their looks, the seem to me as a lovely mix between Disney's 'the rescuers'and Agatha Christie's 'Tommy & Tuppence'. This is meant as a compliment in every way. :-)
Huibrecht
Hi Huibrecht! It is so maddening when you've taken the time to leave a thoughtful comment only to have it evaporate into the ethos! I can't count how many times I have pressed "publish" only to realize that it's happened again! I have taken to regularly highlighting and copying my thoughts to my invisible clipboard just before I attempt to submit and it has saved the day several times! All that said, I appreciate very much that you took the time to rewrite your kind and encouraging thoughts!
DeleteI love the idea of connecting the two cottages one day, and because these two are romantic dreamers, that will give them lots to plan for.
It has been YEARS since I've though about The Rescuers! In fact, we subscribe to Disney+ so I must watch it again! And I am embarrassed to say that I don't remember Tommy & Tuppence, but it sounds like fun to read up on their adventures!
Que bonitos personajes me encantan,muy tiernos y encantadores, estĂĄs logrando una casa encantadora. La combinaciĂłn de colores es perfecta.Felicidades a la ganadora y gracias ti por esta oportunidad.Besos:-)
ReplyDeleteGracias Rosa Maria! ¡Es muy divertido imaginar a Vera y Virgil como reales y construir las cabañas para ellos!
DeleteVera and Virgil are cute! Vera’s colorful courage reminds me of the courage in UP.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the month ended in a positive note. Sorry you had to go through the problems you did with the unemployment process.