PIF Gifts from Amalia

2011 is not yet over and one more parcel arrived containing beautiful miniatures.  Those of us who joined the PIF are supposed to send one hand made gift to five blogs who joined this program.
Amalia - http://maliminminiaturas.blogspot.com/ sent me, not one but a whole lot, as can be seen in these photos.  THANK YOU MALI !!! I love all and am very grateful.

I have been extremely lucky this month.  Received so many wonderful gifts and won two giveaways.
I have almost 20.000 visitors.  I visit your blogs and get so much pleasure just looking at your works.  I have learned so much.  I love your generosity in sharing your tutorials.  Only good things happen here so you really deserve a new giveaway draw from me.  I love making things for my friends and  shall soon let you know what it will be.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ! !

Christmas and Hanukkah Side by Side

I changed the shelve holding the Hanukkia (Menora).  I was not pleased with what was there before. Here is one last shot before I gave the boxes away.

Not a very good photo.  These Ikea picture frames are too heavy in relation to their size.  I am not sure I'll continue to use them.  Ikea once sold wooden boxes with a sliding glass front.  Those were very good for miniature scenes.  Now, much to my regret, they don't sell them here anymore.

I am very happy to welcome new followers

Elly - http://ellyinamsterdam.blogspot.com/
Sionchi - http://casitadesionchi.blogspot.com/
Keli - http://iseeblue.typad.com/
Neseli - http://neselioyuncaklar.blogspot.com/
Cristina Diego - http://constuirtucasamini.blogspot.com/

A warm hug to all of you and blessings

2011 International Christmas Swaps

I joined the 2011 International Christmas Swaps organized by Caterina - http://leminisdicockerina.blogspot.com/ 
I am absolutely delighted with the swap gifts received from Patrizia - http://www.lemagiedipatty.com/ who is so talented and her work is fantastic.

I pinned the tiles to a piece of foam, just to show how beautifully they are painted.  Thank you Patrizia for all these beautiful treasures!  Also thank you Caterina for organizing this program.

Here is a photo of the Christmas swap I sent Alicia - http://aliciaminiaturas.blogspot.com/

I look forward to more wonderful future swaps and am very happy with all my swaps this past year.

Blessings and Joyful Holidays to you all.

Santa keeps surprising me

A surprise parcel arrived yesterday.  It came all the way from Holland and was sent to me by a very dear friend, Gonda = http://gondasminiworld.blogspot.com/
This was totaly unexpected. Wow!!!  I am so delighted with all the new treasures, some of which made by Gonda herself, who is too modest to admit it and does not want rewards but I believe she is one of the most talented miniatures artists.  You just have to visit her blog and see her log cabin, to prove me right.

Tiny chicken just out of the eggs with pieces of egg shell still stuck to them.

Assorted cakes and a white porcelain plate.

A tiny Santa, perfectly made from fimo.

A precious wooden rocking horse, a lovely wreath a beautiful little box which can be opened, a beautiful carol singing doll, a little teddy bear , a candle holder, a wall brass candelabrum and the little fimo Santa.

I am astounded, emotionally moved to tears by this generous gesture.  And if all that was not enough, Gonda added DIY supplies.

Narrow trimings, ribbons and laces and white lacy curtain materials.  Also three pieces of cloth with Christmas motives.

A lovely card which I suspect is made by Gonda, some gourds and popsicle sticks.

THANK YOU GONDA !!!  I love everything and am very grateful.  I wish you and your family a marvellous Christmas, joy and good health.

I did not mean to post before the holidays were over, but I couldn't keep this surprise to myself. 
Blessing to all of you my dear followers!

Christmas Greetings

My previous post was too long so Blogger cut me up in the middle.

Here is a warm welcom to a new follower:

Vicky Lovejoy - http://lovejoybears.blogspot.com/

I wish all my followers and friends A MERRY CHRISTMAS, A HAPPY HANUKKAH AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2012 FILLED WITH JOY AND GOOD HEALTH!!!

Blessings

Hanukkah Box

Tonight we light the first candle of Hanukkah.  Actually there will be two candles, we light one and when it's lit, we use it to light the other. Each night of the 8 days of Hanukkah an additional candle is lit. All nine candles are lit on the 8th night.  In the old religious quarters of Jerusalem Menorahs are placed on window sills for walkersby to enjoy the sight.   Gifts for the children are part of this eight days festival of lights, a gift each night. It is customary to give children Hanukkah coins.  Nowadays children receive chocolate coins wrapped in golden foil. Songs are sung when the menorah is lit and games are played, especially with the dreidel.

Hanukkah celebrations include traditional food and activities rich with symbolic and historic meaning.

We eat traditional potatoe pancakes fried in hot oil.  Also big yeast- dough sweet puffed balls, fried in deep oil, sprinkled on with sugar powder and  red marmalade injected into them. Don't go near them if you watch your weight.


the Hanukkah Ikea box is completed.  On Saturday Tali will receive both boxes.  I am not very satisfied with this one so I haven't glued it shut yet.

And there is a warm welcome to one new follower - Vicky Lovejoy - http://lovejoybears.blogspot.com/

I wish you all A MERRY CHRISTMAS, A HAPPY HANUKKAH AND A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR, FILLED WITH JOY AND GOOD HEALTH!!!

I made the traditional puffs and  panckaes from Fimo.

The menorah with all nine candles.  The one in the middle, is the service candle.  It has to be higher then the rest.

Found these little dolls with hideous dresses on key rings.  Usually I don't use dolls in my scenes, only if they are special ones.  I made one a new dress.  She looks better now.

Also, knitted her a tiny tedy to hold.  Her first day gift.

I even made a tiny yellow dreidel.  It lies on the green wrapped box.

Another visit from Santa

This time all the way from Mexico via Beautiful Lady Flor - http://florff.blogspot.com/
bringing exquisite miniature gifts, hand crafted by Flor.  I hope the photos do them justice.

THANK YOU DEAR FLOR!!!  I love these treasures. The planter with the unbelievable tiny flowers is stunning and so is the mirror with its mosaic frame.  I took out the basket from the little shelve unit, just to show you what great work Flor did with the lining.  I'm also very grateful for the very tiny glass beads which cannot be found here.  I'll certainly use these for making some more jewelry.

Blessings to all

Santa came down my chimney

I caught Santa just as he came down the chimney with a sack loaded with gifts. Took photos for you to see.

Another IKEA picture box.  It is a small box, measures only 16x16 cms (6.5"x6.5") but my Santa too is short and plump.  I was very fortunate to find him here.  I built the fireplace and made the tree from a green bottle brush (No miniature trees to be found where I live).  The chimney is an empty tic-tac box covered with the same wallpaper as the walls. The Xmas cards and the wallpaper are printables from the net.  Santa is holding one of Maria's - Pretty Things Ireland - gifts.  On the left corner is Jennifer's - Plushpussycat - pine cones filled straw basket.  I used a cheap trinket frame to make the mirror. I hope you like this box.  It was fun to make.

Now I'll have time to make a little Hanukka scene in an identical IKEA box.  Both boxes will be my gifts to my beautiful grand daughter Tali.

I am delighted to have more new followers

Alicia - http://aliciaminiaturas.blogspot.com/
Stephy - http://miniaturedreamers.blogspot.com/  (No posts yet)
Caroline - Cindrellamoments & http://pourlieduns.blogspot.com
Asli - http://derintasarim.blogspot.com/
Sole - http://minis-sole.blogspot.com/

A very warm welcome to you.

I wish all my followers a very lovely weekend.

Another visit from Santa

I am starting to believe I'm Santa's favorite this year.  A surprise gift, from a very lovable lady, made all the way from Ireland to Israel and arrived safe and sound. It was completely unexpected, I am delighted and happy to receive these gifts.  Thank you Maria - http://prettythingsireland.blogspot.com/ for your wonderful and generous gesture.

Here are some very beautiful miniatures Maria made for me. A bed cover with matching cusions, Two lovely Xmas cushions, a stocking, a mirror, a very cute angel, a wreath and glass trinkets to decorate the tree. Two cloth baskets and a very cute little cloth tray.

A lovely Christmas Card with wonderful inscriptions.

The glass trinkets are adorable.  Maria made the little angel from beads.

THANK YOU MARIA!

Santa came early (2)

Blogger published my post before I even finished.  (I probably pushed the wrong key.)
The 3 beautiful hats are made by Jenny.  I intend to add flowers and ribbons to the the other hats,  and make them a special stall for my straw market.

Aren't these cute! I love the bear rug.  Attache cases, a mini stove (Magnet) a little grand piano, rocking chair, children' board, fireman helmet, trophy cup, little Xmas present, book... I am thrilled.

Two of Jennifer's so cute and precious cards which I treasure most, especially for the inscription inside.
I am happy to be your friend and I love you dearly. THANK YOU!

Santa arrived early

Jennifer - http://plushpussycat.blogspot.com/ sent me all these wonderful miniatures.  I am not sure the photos are good enough.  You be the judges.

These minis will be for the Gentleman's Study.

Beautiful beads - I am going to use them for many scenes.

Hats - will go to the straw market.  The two tiny baskets, one with little pines the other with tiny grapes are very delicate and beautiful. Jenny made the grapes. Maybe if you poke the picture you can see how lovely they are.