Overdue update.....

I inadvertently forgot to wish my blog Happy Birthday on 4 December.   It's now 17 years old!!! 

Over the years I've written a grand total of 1840 posts, which yields an average of 108 a year.  Of course that isn't a true reflection of how regularly I posted.  The zenith was in 2009 when I penned 284.  The nadir was last year, when I managed a paltry 21, although I can most definitely plead mitigating circumstances. 

It's fascinating to do a 'lucky dip' and choose a post at random to re-visit.  Many of them involved Small Dog in some way, and those were the ones I had most fun with.  Way back in 2006 I was just about to embark on the build of a wonderful toy shop, and in the intervening years I've documented lots of different projects.

I've been remodelling La Mignonette over the past 6 months, and haven't posted about that at all, which is an omission I should correct.  I will have to search out the before, during and after photos and write a proper update.

I also have a lovely little 1/24th scale shop, which has been in kit form since it was gifted to me more years ago than I care to admit, which I fully intend to get to grips with over the winter months, as it's been languishing for far too long.   So watch this space!

I think I can feel some planning lists coming on..... 😉

Toy Dolls for Sale....

During summer, before the Advent Box madness began, I made some little toy dolls which are now available to buy. 

SOLD

Amelia is dressed in soft shades of dusky pink and green.  Her jacket is sprigged with rosebuds over a tiered pleated silk dress.  She wears a matching silk bonnet, trimmed with feathers and silk buds & bows and stands unsupported. She comes in a bespoke tissue-lined box with illustrated lid.

Bella £60

Bella wears a pale blue and green patterned silk jacket over a pleated silk and lace dress. Her jaunty hat is trimmed with braid and silk buds and bows.  She stands unsupported and comes in a bespoke tissue-lined box with illustrated lid.

Primrose £60

Primrose wears a primrose yellow silk dress, trimmed with lace and silk bows.  She has a pretty tipped hat decorated with braid and silk buds and bows trim.  She stands unsupported and comes in a bespoke tissue-lined box with illustrated lid.

SOLD

Rosalie wears a rosebud sprigged dress in shades of pink, over a tiered pleated silk dress decorated with silk bows. She has a dainty hat trimmed with braid and silk buds and bows. Standing unsupported she comes in a bespoke, tissue-lined box with illustrated lid.

Christmas Minis Box £12

I also have a few pot luck Christmas minis boxes.  Each contains a porcelain toy, a set of 3 vintage Christmas wooden picture blocks, a set of 3 vintage litho-style rocking toys and a Christmas book.  

To reserve any of these, use the contact form on the right.  P&P will be charged at cost.  

Advent Box....SOLD OUT!!!!

Whoa!!!  That was intense!

All of my 2023 Advent Boxes are now sold out.  Thanks to you all.

Now comes the job of packaging and starting to get them into the post..... later this week.

Meanwhile.... my mood in a Small Dog picture.

It's almost time...!!! 2023 Advent Box ...#8

After almost 3 months, my Advent Box is now ready and the first few are packaged and ready to go.

I will be sending out an email tomorrow afternoon, Sunday 5 November) at 4pm BST, with details.  PLEASE read the email before clicking 'reply' as it will contain details of cost, P&P and payment methods.  As I no longer have a business PayPal account I have a preferred method of payment so do make sure you read through before requesting a box.

Last year demand totally outstripped supply and I know many people were disappointed, however, once again my boxes will be offered on a 'first come, first served' basis, this time with advance warning of the email.

I also have four little dressed toy dolls available, which I will list here early next week, as well as just a few little Christmas boxes with a selection of tiny toys.  Again, I will list them here next week when the dust has settled.   I am happy to combine postage on any of these with an Advent Box. 

If you are hoping to reserve an Advent Box tomorrow, GOOD LUCK! 

2023 Advent Box ...#7

 

Eeeek.... the countdown timer ran down yesterday while I was in a mad flurry of activity.  At times recently I've wondered if I'd ever be able to get my Advent Box finished, particularly as I've been in and out of hospital over the past 6 weeks for an existing condition which flares up from time to time, especially when I'm under stress.

Go figure. 

However, today, I finally completed the last few kits.  Granted my workroom looks like a small thermonuclear device has detonated, and I have absolutely NO CLUE where anything is, BUT...... they're all done.

Now I have to package them all into their little Christmassy bags, and affix their Advent numbers, which will take another few days.  I've ordered the postal boxes which should arrive by Monday but, unbelievably, I'm on the home straight.

I showed PP the results of my labours earlier and she made me promise, on pain of imminent death, that I will never, ever, do this again.  And I gave my solemn promise. 

So.... stand by for the release of my final Advent Box.

Further details will follow this weekend......

2023 Advent Box ...#6

 

Currently multitasking like a mad woman.  I know I won't be able to get everything done and ready to despatch in the next 10 days but I'm tentatively hopeful that by the end of the first week in November I'll be good to go.  All the remaining kits are under construction and I want this final Advent Box to be the best so I'm definitely going the extra mile.

It hasn't helped that one of the items just wasn't working so I've changed tack completely and started again from scratch on that kit, which has definitely put me back a few days, especially as there will be more elements in the kit which I'm going to have to make but it was definitely the right decision as the replacement is going to be far better and I'm much happier with it.

Right.... best go and get on then! 

. 

2023 Advent Box ...#5

I've been a bit lax with Advent Box updates lately, but in my defence I've been quite poorly and juggling multiple hospital visits for scans and tests.  As a result, my deadline of having all the boxes ready to despatch by 1st November is definitely going to slip, possibly by up to 2 weeks.  

That said, so far, I've managed to design, make and package 17 sets of kits, and the remaining 8 are all in progress, although I've left the hardest ones till last so they will take longer than most of the others. 

Last year's theme was Fairy Tales.  This year's theme is, of course, a closely guarded secret. Well, to be fair, there are two closely linked themes, with a few tangential kits thrown in.  It will include a 'structure.' Also, this year I'm including 2 doll projects, neither of which have ever been available as kits.

The growing collection of completed kits is pleasing, and knowing I have just 8 sets to complete is satisfying.  Of course it doesn't stop there.  I'll have to decide on the daily sequence of kits, conceal them in their stealth packaging, and number each one.  It's only then I'll be able to finalise what size mailing box I'll need and order them.

I now have 78 people on my 'interested' list, which is brilliant.  However, I will have a grand total of 25 Advent Boxes available, so unfortunately, not everyone will be successful.  Last year I produced 20 full scale 25-day boxes, which was a major undertaking.  The additional 5 this year may not sound like much, but it's an extra 125 kits, on top of the existing 500.  A total of 625 kits, and I've designed and made every single one of them. 

One thing I can say for absolutely certain sure.  This is definitely my final Advent Box ever. 

I'm all boxed out.  But I'm finally on the home straight.

So when I package the final kit, you'll likely hear a whoop of victory, closely followed by the sound of a bottle of something cold and fizzy being popped.  

Can't wait.....