Welcome New Followers

I am delighted to welcome a number of new followers, I hope you will find some interesting things here and I will enjoy following your blogs too. Isn't this the most divine chaise, I would love it in miniature.
Forgot to mention, we are getting awfully close to the 200 followers giveaway, must get working on the electrified chandelier I promised some time ago. Hope it works out OK!

A bientot!

My Garden Swap Gifts!

Yesterday a small parcel was delivered to my door, all the way from Finland, from Ira of Merry Jingle Crafts.
Look at all the lovely flowers she sent me, with her own matching handmade vases. Plus some great little metal stands that can all be used in PP. There is also a small potted fern, on the right, a little journal made from really soft leather which is hardly visible under the printed boxes and seed packets that I will put together. Oh and the large potted greenery, and two unpotted ones at the back also. They are all fantastic, thank you, thank you Ira :D I will work on yours on the weekend.
A bientot!

New Purchases from Glenda

My little purchases from Glenda (Peppercorn Minis) arrived yesterday and they will be perfect for the PP. I can put flowers in the baskets and I think the mat will go inside the door. Glenda kindly added one of her amazing journals which is made from the softest leather. Thank you so much Glenda I love them!

Remember Me, a Giveaway!

The note found with these beautifully embroidered gowns, contained in a case found at auction in 2010. My story for the Giveaway at My French Country Home

30 June1909

My name is Martine Bonaparte, and yes, the great Napolean was my great-great uncle, thus I have grown up in a very traditional French family with a long association with the armed forces. I am writing this note as a way to tell my story, the very personal story, to someone who may open this case in the future.
This small package of linen robes is not so important as the rest of my estate which will go to members of my family when the time comes, but it is very close to my heart, so much that I will never open the case again in my lifetime, however long that may be. So whoever is reading this note, you may know something about me, about why I made these linens and the love story associated with them, in the hope you will find value in them and hold them dear.
I know I am not the only young woman whose life has been changed by war, and the loss of a beloved. I hope that this will be the end of war, for whatever perceived good that may come of it is far surpassed by the sorrow and grief caused. I have cried my tears and will continue to cry for my most loved Henri, whom I was to marry in the Autumn of 1909. He was called away to fight in January last, to serve his country bravely, but alas never to return. I spent the months preparing for the wedding and many an afternoon I sat quietly at the window in my room, embroidering these linens nightgowns to wear as a wife, and perhaps as a mother, with my heart almost bursting with love and excitement for what the future may hold.

I grew up in this chateau which overlooks the beautiful Loire river, often a favourite retreat of my famous ancestor. I loved this time I spent sewing, feeling close to my Henri and awaiting his return. This morning a rider delivered the message advising my beloved had been killed in battle - my life stood still. My dreams for the future are have turned to ashes. I wrap these garments and lock them away in this small case as a memento to the life that will never be. Perhaps some young lady may find this and I wish her every happiness and joy in her life and hope she will appreciate the many hours I spent lovingly stitching these, so she may experience all that love too. Please don't feel sad as I will live my life honestly and my love will never die, I wait until I am reunited with Henri and I trust that a love like mine will be experienced by many in the future, for love is the most important thing in life and this is something that should be recognised before it is too late.

My love to you,

Mademoiselle Martine Bonaparte

Once there was a wardrobe ...Welcome

The lovely little wardrobe on the right of the photo is the one Linda (Une Petite Folie) had for sale a while back and it was intended for a future bedroom. However as I am impatient when I get an idea and with nothing else to work with I decided to transform it into a shelf unit for the shop and this is the result (so far, for now). I kept the colours neutral as I have yet to decided on the wall coverings for the shop and with next to no experience I am reluctant to commit to a particular look as yet. So I'll continue to fiddle with the smaller things :)

While cutting out the shelves from fine mdf I realised I am hopeless at cutting a straight line, at least the front is straight and I managed to sand the cut edges fairly smooth. I really need an electric saw if I am going to do much in the way of furniture making! Appears rather dull in the photo but is a little 'fresher' in reality. I added the little metal finding as moulding for a 'Frenchy' look.

Now I would like to welcome all newcomers to my blog and I hope you will find something to enjoy, as I continue to discover new and exciting projects on all of your blogs.
A bientot!

My Holiday Swap Gift from Nina

Finally time to open my holiday swap gift from Nina, for my holiday with her at the Northsea. What gorgeous little things she has made me.
A pretty swimsuit with matching carry bag - inside the bag is a towel and a bottle of coke for refreshment and a German treat, pommes frites, to eat while we walk along the beach at the water's edge. After that we fly the  lovely red kite in the breeze. Finally it is back to the hotel for a shower and with my new soap, Syreeta, made in Germany. What a great day to remember at the Northsea with Nina, thank you so much Nina!

What the Mailman Brought Me!

Today I got a parcel in the mail from Nina at MiniMumm, all the way from Germany. All these pretty little packages were inside but I cannot open them yet. She is taking me on a virtual holiday to the North Sea and has posted lots of lovely photos of the area on her blog. Thank you Nina, can't wait to see what you have made for me!

All is Not as it Seems ...

On the surface everything seems normal in the topiary garden, but all is not as it seems. Something very strange has been happening, one of the plants seems to have morphed into a strange being, heard snoring softly early this morning.

I think it is harmless enough, I certainly hope so, don't want rumours to spread about the Petit Parterre having dangerous plants for sale.

This one was inspired by all the witchy and creepy themes of so many blogs and I couldn't resist seeing what I could create, he is my first attempt, maybe I'll make something else later on.
A bientot!

My American Immigrants

Today I am so pleased to welcome my new little friends all the way from Portland, Oregan USA. When I arrived home from the shops there was a small box left on my doorstep, and this is what was inside, and it made my day! I was the lucky winner of Kristy's fabulous giveaway, the prize being the Raccoon which I chose from Kristy's fantastic menagerie of tiny critters. She also made me a Koala to keep Raccoon company as well as the little overnight bag for them. Racoon looks right at home while Koala is busy checking out this new place that seems strangley like home already. My photos do not do them justice, they are so perfect, thanks Kristy. If you want to check out more of Kristy's amazing animals, go to her blog http://minimenagerie.blogspot.com

They are photographed on the table of the setting I made the week before last. It is a prototype and needs some adjustments, I have simply put some paper circles on the seats as I haven't made cushions for the chairs yet. It is something I need to work on a little more to improve.

A bientot, from Petit Parterre