Isabeau

There’s a new mini kitty in my collection. :D

Isabeau is a beautifully made Maine Coon cat by Maya Schippl.

Isabeau is slightly smaller than the other cats I have when shown in comparison, like Ophelia here, but they both fit perfectly in 1:12 scale. :]

So pretty, so bewitching.

Her small stature reminds me of a real life kitty from my past. I worked at Save-A-Pet one summer and took care of the incoming cats. This was a room with individual cages for quarantine before the animals could be integrated into the general cat room. My responsibilities included cleaning the incoming cat room cages as well as those of the “sick” cat room where the vet oversaw more intense cases.

One incoming cat the staff named Howard was about the size of a 10 week old kitten when he came in. He was so ill. He had a terrible respiratory infection and was sick for quite awhile. When I would clean his cage, he would lie limply around my shoulders like a scarf. He had so little energy from fighting the infection that the vet wasn’t sure he would ever get any bigger. He would spend his adulthood at the size of a 10 week old kitten. I fell in love with that cat in the time we spent during his recovery, but my parents didn’t allow animals in the house so adopting him myself was out of the question. He was adopted one busy Saturday later that season, and the staff came to get me to break the news. The people adopting him let me hold him as they filled out the paperwork, and he fell asleep in the hustle and bustle around us. Sweet little kitty. I always wondered how his life turned out. :]

Categories: Animals and birds
October 27, 2015 | 0 comments

It’s hot, it’s cold

In the ping-pong weather of autumn, I now have my choice of vintage fan or parabolic heater. :D

I’ve shown you the vintage fan before. I thought it was by The Kummerows, and Barbara Kummerow said she did think it was their work. :]

I didn’t show you the back, however. The rattan side table was purchased on a business trip to Vancouver from Ross’ Miniatures.

I’m not sure who made the parabolic heater, but it’s so well done.

It, too, has a false cord just like the fan. The table is my recreation of the Oly Studio Ichibad Side Table in miniature.

Categories: Miniatures
October 26, 2015 | 0 comments

Making a custom door, part 4

I’ve finished working on the custom door. I cut some Avery silver labels to add some interest around the door knob from ELF Miniatures. I didn’t add a lock detail because all of my attempts fell short of what I wanted. So, we’ll just say it’s a smart house and it knows who should come and go. :D

I like to cut out the underside of the hinge pin to countersink the pin head. This will keep the door from tipping or floating over the flooring surface.

I painted the door frame Warm White and the base step Neutral Grey, both by Americana. Here’s a sneak peek!

Categories: Otter Cove
October 21, 2015 | 0 comments

Autumn color

The orange vase is a vintage piece found last autumn at an antiques mall. The LED twigs are from Bed, Bath & Beyond. It’s the perfect item for a hard to decorate space.

Categories: Art and paintings
October 12, 2015 | 0 comments

Another grail find – vintage table fan

A long time ago, I saw this lovely image at Hither, Thither and Yon. I fell in love with the vintage table fan by The Kummerows. I did a quick search back then and found nothing, so into the inspiration file it went. Fast forward to now, and I believe I’ve found one of these originals on eBay. I’ve asked the original fan artisan if this is their work and am waiting to find out. It’s so much like the inspiration photo that it just has to be. :D

This is one of those great pieces that will likely make the rounds in many houses and scenes. :D

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Update: The artist confirmed it is their work.

Categories: Miniatures
September 21, 2015 | 0 comments