And Don't It Make Ya Merry!

I am so happy to have completed the Sweet Christmas cottage in time for Christmas! Here are my favorite photos of the project. For those that don't know (mom and dad), just click the first photo. It will take you to the viewing screen where you can click through them all in a much larger size.

  

  

 

Here we see Ellie and Jim enjoying the first of many Christmases in their tiny but perfect home. Ginger is pretty excited too! She can smell the treats in her stocking!

Here they are again about to kiss under the mistletoe.

May the blessings of Christmas, or whatever has you celebrating and finding life's meaning, fill you and yours with love that lasts forever!

The kitchen's smellin' Christmas like
with cookies, cakes and 'nog is spiked
the turkey's roasting juicy crisp
makes ya hungry just gettin' a whiff
anticipation, happiness
and don't it make ya merry

The tree's all strung with pretty lights
and ornaments strung perfect right
the gifts all wrapped with festive bows
and stockings lined up in a row
the firelight all warm, aglow
and don't it make ya merry

The night is peaceful, quiet, still
like every creature has the will
to reflect upon the grace
and put perspective in it's place
worry none, there ain't no trace
and don't it make ya merry

Christmas means a lot of things
and varied are the joys it brings
remember why we do it all
and you'll be ready when He calls
gratitude will fill your heart
and don't it make ya merry

It all boils down to just one phrase
"love one another", so simple and straight
show that love, you'll get it back
the more ya give the less ya lack
and on it goes, just works like that
and don't it make ya merry

(inspired by Speakin' O' Christmas, Paul Laurence Dunbar, 1913)

Merry Christmas!
xo xo xo xo xo xo
Jodi

The Elf Has Left The Building...

A very big and very heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway, and also to those of you who take moments out of your busy life to visit and comment. I treasure the learning and supporting that happens in our community almost as much as I do having minis in my life. You are all so awesome in so many wonderful ways!

There were a total of 27 mini enthusiasts who participated in the giveaway drawing from 10 different US cities and 9 countries! Miniatures really do make the world a smaller place! :O)

Enough with the small talk (lol). A very helpful little elf came by this morning. He reached his little hand into the stocking where all the entrants names had been placed. He swished and stirred them until he was satisfied that they were mixed thoroughly. And then, he withdrew a name. And the winner is...

Congratulations Irina!!! I hope you'll share what you make with us on your creative and inspiring blog, and I hope Lily Luna is a happy winner too!

Please send an email with your mailing address to me at:

If I hear back before the weekend ends, I'll mail it out on Monday!

xo xo,
Jodi

Get Creative Holiday Giveaway!

It's that time of year when I start feeling super crafty. The problem is, there are so many ideas and so little time! Fortunately, I started the Sweet Christmas Cottage back in July, so I had a lot of time to make the many little things I dreamed would go into it. There is truly nothing better than seeing your ideas come to life!

But what about those of you who didn't have four months, and still want to do something creative for the holidays? Well, I might be able to help with...

A Get Creative Holiday Giveaway!

I made up some extra minis, and along with an old Michael's Hutch, you may just be able to pull together a nice vignette!

The Giveaway items include:

Gingerbread House on Landscaped Board &

Christmas Stocking (not pictured)

Apron and several Rugs

Gifts, Wrapping Paper Rolls, Gingerbread Cookies, Candy Canes, Christmas Cards, Clock and Art Prints

Old Michael's Hutch

All the items are in 1/12th scale.

The rules to enter are:

1. Follow my blog.
2. Leave a comment on this blog post with your idea for a holiday scene.
3. Live somewhere on planet Earth.

A Christmas Elf will come by on Friday, December 8th to draw a name from the entrants. The winner's name will be posted right here, so check back quick! I'll need to mail this stuff to you pronto!

And if you need some inspiration, get your Google on! There are a million ideas out there so enter, and best of all, let that creativity flow!

Big Mushy Christmastime Hugs,
Jodi

Sweet Christmas Cottage - Last Room Completed

I surprised myself and whipped through the bedroom in record time! It was a fairly simple room to do, because I only had to make up a couple things. The rest were made ahead while working on other similar things, purchased, or made for me by talented mini friends!

I began last weekend making up a spray paint booth from an Amazon box, scrap of stair stringer and some wire. I needed to paint the pot metal bed frame from Phoenix Models. I'd show you photos, but after installing an iPhone update, five of my photos just disappeared. I'm grateful that was all I lost.

I sprayed several coats of black, then several more of ivory. Then sanded a few worn spots. Then I carefully painted the tiny wheels and castors. You could really do a lot of fancy detailing on this frame if you want to spend the time.

Next, I covered the frame board in fabric just in case you ever need to look under the bed. Then a made a dust ruffle and attached it.

Then I made a mattress out of foam board and batting, covering it in an off-white "fitted sheet"

I made all of the rest of the bedding from cotton fabric. All glue and no sewing, including the bed pillows. I didn't even have to pull out my machine! I left rubber bands on it overnight to help shape the sheet and comforter to the mattress.

I would love to shrink myself down and take a nap here for a while. I think it would be a good long time before anyone in our house discovered me here!

Did you notice the gorgeous hand embroidered pillows? They are the handy work of Kat from Kitty and Kat Miniatures! Aren't they wonderful! And they go so perfectly with the bedding fabric!

All of the little things on Jim & Ellie's nightstands were purchases, including the nightstands. There are some good Christmastime reads, alarm clock and pocket watch, glasses, hand lotion and some festive snowpeople.

The bathrobes are ready to wrap themselves into after a nice hot bath. Jim really gets into the season, and looks forward to wearing his Santa robe.

 and more Christmas gifts are waiting on the chair to be placed under the tree. The chair is a good old quick and easy Chrysnbon kit.

For now, Ellie and Jim have all they need to celebrate Christmas in their Sweet Christmas Cottage. Although middle of the night trips to the bathroom could be a little dangerous, Jim is an adventurous man and doesn't mind for now. A hinged stairway floor door is on his To-Do list for the future, along with a small dresser to store clothing.

You'll get to meet Jim and see Ellie again enjoying the season sometime during December. Speaking of December - be sure to stop by sometime December 1st. I have a few little Christmas goodies to give away to someone who needs a little challenge and a little love!

Back soon,
xo xo,
Jodi