Tuesday, October 19, 2010

This Blog has moved to....

Just stopping in for a quick note: as of 10/19/2010, The Petite Villa has moved to my Cottage blog: click the link : Cynthia's Cottage Design ... where all my Miniatures fit nicely :) ... Hope to see you there!!

With appreciation and friendship,

Cynthia xo

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

~ Change of Heart ~

Hello sweet friends! I've decided to combine my two blogs into one. The thought was to have 2 places for my creative outlets, but it's proving too hard to keep up with and I don't want one to suffer any less information or less preparation or anything at the hands of trying to keep each place separate. I had the give-away ( on my main blog ) as a way for people to learn about my Obsessions with Miniatures and my new endeavor. But now I'm learning I can just mesh the 2 together at My Cottage blog, after all, it's all still "me" and all still about Design and Life.

So I just wanted to pop in and let you know I appreciated any followers and friends who came here to go on my mini journey!! All my Minitaures will now be featured with my posts on occasions at Cynthia's Cottage Design and any dollhouse transformations and updates and mini making will be there too!

Thank you soooo much for encouraging me! Your support and friendship mean so much to me!!

If you are new here and would like to follow all the happenings at the Petite Villa, they will be featured on my blog now appropriately named: Cynthia's Cottage Design & the Petite Villa .... (click the link to get there)

Today's post there: My newly designed Bakery style Vintage kitchen and mini Aga!

I'd love to see you there!

Wishing you a wonderful day friends!!

Hugs , Cynthia

Thursday, September 23, 2010

~ Loving minis.. and my new little store ~

Hi everyone! I'm busy making minis again this week and it's been such a creative outlet for me! My head is spinning with new ideas and when I have a few minutes I'm daydreaming about what to create next. I've created a long list of items I want to make and I'm keeping a little journal about all the styles and colors I'd like to use and how I can help you decorate your miniature homes, room boxes etc. I've also found fun ways to use miniatures in every day decor too! It's never ending and so much fun! Thanks for coming on my little journey with me! Here's just a few pics of items I made this week...I'm working hard to stock the shelves of my Etsy store, and I've listed a few items already, so pop on over for a visit! There's also a link to it here on my side bar...

Sweet vanilla cakes with soft pink frosting and cream roses on top, and a bowl full of extra icing! The cakes stands are solid chrome with hand painted tops and made to be a replica of a french bakery cake stand. And of course with the first day of fall, I needed to get some apples and cream-ware baskets done too!

The bakery sign is already sold out, (below) but I am hurrying to make more. I loved creating bakery style labels on the glass canisters too. I want a big girl set for myself :)

There's more in my Etsy shop! Enjoy your weekend everyone! I'm back to the studio :) Thanks so much for visiting!!

Hugs, Cynthia xo

Saturday, September 18, 2010

~ Obsessed for sure ~

How come I wasn't forewarned?! Oh my, this is totally addictive! Nope, I'm not talking about blogging, iphones, knitting, or jogging either. Hmm, although, jogging would be better for my health :) but this is the best thing for my spirit! So I'm good with it.... no wait , I'm great with it!! I love it, can you tell? :) Making miniatures is honestly so much fun. I had played with it all years ago and always collected miniatures too. But after 15 years of Designing big girl homes, I am so ready for this fascinating change! Ok enough about me, this is about YOU! Thank you for encouraging me to keep creative! I love you all! and yes, we have a winner to announce too! But first a few mini's I made this week :) .... everything below is handmade by me except the china tea pot and plate.

I loved doing this french bread board ( below ) and all the breads too!



I spent some time cleaning up the house too, oops I mean dollhouse :).....and below is the "before"...I took out all my cleaning stuff out and went to it! Ripping out wallpaper, painting furniture and distressing it, packing up shelves, scrubbing walls, and after all that, I even had time to bake 10 loaves of bread, and make 3 pieces of french pottery!! WOW. I'm so productive in this little world! I'm kinda liking that I can do so much to a house in one day :)

And even though I am no where near finished with the kitchen, here's what I was able to put back before I collapsed from exhaustion :) note: this is the same hutch as above, just some paint and a little wax and some distressing and it was done.

I'm loving this little world !!!

In the next few weeks I'll be opening an Etsy for all my designs and I hope you'll stop in now and then!! Thank you every one for all your wonderful friendship and Thank you to anyone new here too! I am so happy to meet you! Welcome to my home away from home :)

And yes, one more very important thing :) The winner of my give-away is.........Susan at Ash tree Cottage !.......Congratulations Susan!! Please email me your address so I can get your Royal Albert tea cup and saucer out to you :) I wish I could have sent you all one, Thank you so much for being a follower and for such sweet and encouraging comments too!

Wishing you all a beautiful fall week ahead! I'm off to make more minis :)

Much Love, Cynthia xo

Saturday, September 11, 2010

And so it begins....
























Hello Friends! For those of you that follow my Cottage blog, Welcome to my new little obsession :) and for anyone who happened upon this little place another way, Welcome too! I created this blog because my love of miniatures would have over-taken my other blog , so I wanted to make a special place just for tiny things...If you've been a follower or if you're new here, I've spoken of my love of small things and dollhouses. It's actually my love of dollhouses since my childhood that brought me into the world of Interior Design and Decorating. We all start somewhere...My creative side has been put on hold all summer, due to the passing of my dear Father. But as with all things , I need to carry on and honor all the love and creativity that speaks to my soul. I'll be posting about my ventures into miniatures here. I've went on a few shopping sprees with my Mother and bought out the craft stores of polymer clay and all the little necessities to start getting my hands dirty and busy. :) The above photos are just hints of what I've done so far. I've made my own miniatures for while now, but now I'm entering into unknown territories of miniature foods, and smaller accessories, so wish me luck and God help those around me when I get obsessed , lol. Thanks so much for visiting me here. Your friendship has always meant the world to me, and to anyone new, welcome!

Love always, Cynthia