The Mary Engelbreit House

It's been so long since I have blogged. In April, my dad had some terrible falls that resulted in a 3 month ordeal for him. This included 3 hospital trips, time back and forth to rehab, moving him out of independent living to assisted living and lots of changes. A great deal of the coordination and planning fell on me. We did it and survived and it really drew our family together. As you can imagine, it was really exhausting and did not allow for anything! The end of April, I was able to sneak away for a day to the Portland Dollshow. We had only arrived when my Jimmy spotted this charming Mary Engelbreit dollhouse that someone had almost finished. She sold it to him for $35. I still can't believe it, but oh, how I love it. As I have shared many times, my sewing and crafting cottage is decorated with ME things, so this was so exciting to find. I have never had a dollhouse like this. All the work was done and it does have lights. I had to furnish part of the bedroom and most of the living room. I was so lucky to find a couch and chair for the living room done in ME fabric. I do think the kitchen is my favorite room in the whole house. I made a place for it in my large wall shelves. Thanks to my Jimmy for spotting it and buying it for me. I will treasure it always.
I keep saying that I am trying to get back to blogging..it's been almost 2 years since my health issues were discovered. I had a new scare this week and am waiting for test results. It just seems to go on and on. I was always so healthy with NO problems most of my life, so this has been difficult. I am thankful for good doctors and good care. I should get some test results back on Tuesday, so we shall see. Meanwhile, I get great happiness from my doll world. Enjoy.

A look into the furnished house!

The kitchen has to be my favorite room. The first owner put so much detail into this sweet kitchen.

Everyone needs a bathroom!.

The bedroom was fun to finish. I added the dresser , the little doll and doll bed plus some smalls and accessories. I like all the pink and green in this room...a nice little change up from the ME bright primary colors.

This was the room that needed the most additions. I added the couch, chair, lamps, table, little shelf, rug and basket. I had some of the minis and ordered a few items to complete the room.

I wanted to show the outside of the cute window in the kitchen. All so cute.
So hello to all my old blogger friends...not sure you even remember me! Sending lots of love out there to you all. I do miss you.

Tea Time Tuesday # 168...Another Day With Ava

Ava was over today, so I didn't have time for tea. One of my Tasha Tudor friends was asking to see some of our tea cozies. I was working down in my sewing cottage with Ava, so I was looking at some of my ME tea things. I love this book. It's really just so charming. I never tire of it.

A great Jane Austen quote with a wonderful illustration by Mary Engelbriet.

Summer means more time babysitting for Grandma Linda. I had Ava today and Otto tomorrow. I love being a grandmother, but I sure get tired out.

This is my tea cozy that I made years ago. It's my favorite pattern for a homemade tea cozy.
I have made many of these but I have given most away as gifts.

This is my funny tea cozy. She is more like a doll. Her head is painted on a large wooden bead like object. She makes me smile.

 
When Ava arrived this morning, I decided to make stamp shortbread cookies with her. It fun to watch her in the kitchen. She enjoys it and even knows how to clean up.

Ready for the oven!

They turned out great and they are so good with tea. They are almond flavored.

I also wanted to start teaching Ava to sew on the machine. She has done a bit of handwork. Her other grandma sews, but Ava wasn't to interested to do it with her. I made a big deal about her doing so well and we made a simple pillowcase. It's a beginning. She was really proud of it.
Soo

Tea Time Tuesday....a little late!

Good morning! I just got the fire started in the wood stove and thought I would get this posted before I have to leave to babysit Otto today. Snow is in the forecast, so we will see what the day brings.
Yesterday, I got my crafting cottage all decorated for Christmas. I didn't think it would happen, as we had misplaced the tub of decorations. Hubby helped me find it! I wrap presents there and with Gina being home (she's coming in day or two), I wanted it to be all Christmasy.

I had a cup of tea late in the afternoon in my Christmas teacup by Mary Engelbreit. I love it.

Since this is the 3rd week of Advent and the JOY candle was lit, I thought this cup of COMFORT and JOY was perfect. Doesn't it just make you happy?

A few more tea things to enjoy. The dolly is actually a tea cozy. Pretty fun, heh?

The stocking was hung...no chimney down in my cottage, but lots of JOY! I made this one a few years back.

A newer dolly has joined the fun this year! She's not quite sure!

I love fun pillows!

This one is so cute...with buttons!

I got a surprise package yesterday from my sister...flowers for my birthday. So pretty and such a total surprise. She is a sweetheart.

Full moon tonight! It's the cold moon and what a perfect name. I caught this last night, but not sure I will get to see it tonight  with our weather.

Have a great day.

Thursday Treasures

I was busy last weekend with the estate sale, so Jim and I didn't get to go "shopping" as we usually do on the weekends. Today, I took a few things to the Goodwill to donate, and thought I would just pop in to see if there was anything to take home. At first, I didn't find any goodies, but then, there they were!

How could I leave this sweet little demitasse teacups? It is a keeper for sure!

I thought this wallpaper trim would be great for card making! I often make cards for my tea group....Afternoon Tea Across America!

Ava will like this for our American Girl Dolls. This will be great for them to have a party.

I always look for paper goods too. I found a some great scrapbook papers, some Daisy Kingdom garland to sell and a cute chicken pattern for resale too.

Look at this wonderful German smoker! I'm going to give it to Jimmy with his Father's Day gifts. He loves these and it's a fisherman! Perfect!

I HAD to get this darling small red teapot for my Mary Engelbreit stash. It's really a nice little size.

I couldn't resist this little goodie! It's a darling little salt and pepper set. I even love the box...two little peas in a pod.

I didn't find this today. My dear friend LaVonne sent it to me! It's a great cardboard house that has little drawer and the roof lifts up for storage. Isn't it just adorable?

Well, it is late, so off to bed I go. I have been working on hand sewing the binding on my dad's quilt tonight. I will have it done tomorrow! 

Tuesday Treasures

Last Saturday, I went to another doll show. This will be the last one until summer. I found a few treasures for sure and a couple ladies I know want me to join their UFDC doll club. I'm a bit nervous about that. I guess I will have to attend 3 meetings and see how it all runs before being accepted. Hummmm. They meet once a month.

I didn't find any vintage dolls that I fell in love with this time, but I did find this most wonderful Mary Engelbreit Madame Alexander doll called Cherry Girl. She looks a bit sad...I hope she becomes more happy once she is living in my craft cottage with all the ME things. she is a cutie.

My photo of my goodies didn't take too well...the sun in the afternoon in my craft cottage makes for tricky photography.

I found some more little tin dishes that I like! I will sell these. The one set is Mary Had A Little Lamb. Love the red colors.

I have sold some of this pattern before with the little kitten. I think it's a favorite with collectors.

This single cup is probably a keeper. It's not in great condition, but it is fro Pinocchio.I have never seen it before.

These sweet little antique doll cards were only 25 cents each! Had to have these for my dolly friends.

Two sweet little pink luster plates for my dolly's pink luster tea sets. You always need extra plates for tea time.

I couldn't resist these fun heels from the 50's. They are in great condition.

This is my favorite find. I'm going to use it by my red chair in my cottage as a little end table. It's child size, so just the perfect and fun fit.

Linking up with Bernideen'sBlog Party. She has moved and is getting all settled in her new home. Congrats Bernideen!