12 Days of Christmas Winner and Halloween Winner!

Camille Minichino is the 12 Days of Christmas winner!

And as I'm so slow.... Lone Dollier is the Oct. winner! Marilyn H - got your address on my other computer! Thanks for everyone's interest!

Now back to writing.

Next a poll - what writing topics to discuss?

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 12: Night Before Christmas - To All a Good Night!

Welcome to Day 12 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the classic tale, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (click link to go to day 1.)



'Twas the Night Before Christmas

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!"

* * *

Merry Christmas and thanks for visiting! Wishing everyone God's richest blessings, the best of holiday cheer and a wonderful 2010!!

(Photo: Santa and his favorite reindeer by Lucie Winsky.)

** Enjoy part 2 of the slideshow of artists' works featured during this year's 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 11: Night Before Christmas, Up the Chimney He Goes!

Welcome to Day 11 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the classic tale, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (click link to go to day 1.)


As we are nearing the end of the story, enjoy the slideshow featuring the work of various miniatures featured in the past 12 Days of Christmas - in miniature.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

Make a Smilebox slideshow

** Next: 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature - Day 12

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 10: Night Before Christmas, Santa at Work

Welcome to Day 10 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the classic tale, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (click link to go to day 1.)


'Twas the Night Before Christmas




A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,


Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

* Photos: The two incredibly cozy sitting rooms with fireplaces are by Jody Raines. Jody's secret: these are only scenes! (very clever!)

The scenes were staged in a homemade lightbox her husband made from plywood with windows on the top and sides covered with layers of sheer interfacing to allow light to come in at each side for photographing. The back of the room is foam core board covered with various wallpapers/scrapbook papers which can be changed to create different back walls.

See more of her photos at Flickr and visit her blog.

Jody has been collecting "for over 35 years at least" beginning with a dollhouse she had as a child. she is now building a house for Joanna, her youngest daughter age 10.


** Next: Christmas in Miniature Day 11

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 9: Night Before Christmas; A Christmas Room

Welcome to Day 9 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the classic tale, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (click link to go to day 1.)


'Twas the Night Before Christmas

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.








He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;



* Uh-oh, someone's peeking at the gifts already! (No wonder she's smiling!)



* Photos: Santa by Bonnie Glazier.

* Christmas room in bag by Chris Pecherzewski. This was her first Christmas room. See more of her minis here.

* The charming older lady, titled, "The Gift," is by Gina Gagnon of Lone Wolf Miniatures. Gina makes some incredible characters!

** Next: Christmas in Miniature Day 10

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 8: Night Before Christmas and Old St. Nick

Welcome to Day 8 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature featuring the classic Christmas story, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. (click link to go back to day one.)

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!


His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;




* Photos: Traditional red-suit Santa by Bonnie Glazier.

* Christmas room and Santa by Fern Rouleau.

** Next: Christmas in Miniature Day 9

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 7: Night Before Christmas - It's Santa!

Welcome to day 7 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the Christmas classic, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." (Click link to go to day 1.)




'Twas the Night Before Christmas

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

* Santa photos by Diane Pietrocola

New Yorker Diane Pietrocola has been collecting miniatures for 14 years, with pouring, painting and dressing porcelain dolls one of her favorite activities.

Instead of the usual Thomas Nast-style Santa in a red suit, Diane wanted to make a more classic Santa.

"I have wanted to do a Victorian Santa for a few years and this year I just decided to do a Google search and find several that I liked," she said.

She chose several elements of different Santas and joined them, with great success, wouldn't you agree? He looks like he stepped out of Victorian Christmas card.

Her favorite part? "Adding all the gifts. He just wouldnt' be the same without all the presents. It was so much fun to see him 'finished.'"

Diane sells her dolls (Ebay seller id, dollartbydiane. See more of her work here.

* Next: Christmas in Miniature Day 8.

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 6: Night Before Christmas; Santa's Toys

Welcome to Day 6 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature for 2009.

This year we are following along with the classic tale, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."(click link to start at day 1.)


'Twas the Night Before Christmas
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,


With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.





And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.



* The darling toys are by Massachusetts sculptor Morena Ciambra. Morena hand-sculpts these adorable little animals working in porcelain and recently in polymer clay. She often accents her charming figures with vintage laces and trims, or with hand-crocheted touches, only a few of the steps she takes to make each doll or figure special. She also includes a signed certificate and gift box to make them truly collector's items.

"There is something about the feel of these older pieces that brings that magic to miniatures," she says. "Crocheting tiny accessories that I have trimmed with tiny thread roses just finish these tiny dolls and give them that handmade feel.

"I sometimes will make a little wicker basket or crib if the doll needs something special. Each of my little ones has it's own personality. I do not make two that are exactly the same. Presentation is very important since these little ones are passed down through the generations. Nothing leave my hands unless I feel that it is my best work because my name is on it. Each piece finds its way to a good home, for that I am grateful, because I know that a new creation is just about to appear."

* Photos: Handmade toys and Santa with toys by Morena Ciambra. Visit her blog.

* Handmade reindeer with sleigh by Alice Zinn. Read more about Alice and see other animals and dogs she's made here.

* Next: Christmas in Miniature Day 7.

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 5: Night before Christmas; Read Christmas at the North Pole Compound Ebook

Welcome to Day 5 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature. (Click link to go to day one.)


'Twas the Night Before Christmas
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

(Hey, don't forget Rudolph!)




To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"


* Photos: My Christmas house

** Next: Christmas in Miniature Day 6.

* Enjoy a fun story during the 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature.

TODAY: Featuring my story, "Christmas at the North Pole Compound" by Christine Verstraete

It's not all Fa-la-la and Ho-Ho-Ho at the North Pole. Chief Elf Investigator Finius Flaherty is on the case. Can he find the missing gifts - and save Christmas?

In the story, Chief Elf Investigator Finius Flaherty is not only alarmed by the decrease of Christmas cheer (it's enough to threaten Rudolph's ability to pull the sleigh, he says!), but is even more disappointed that crime has come to the North Pole – and is most likely an inside job.

Excerpt:

"Before I continue, let me introduce myself. I'm Finius Flaherty, Chief Elf Investigator. No, I don’t bake cookies. I leave that to the West coast cousins.

My branch of the family was hand-picked by the big guy for his security team at the North Pole. Big responsibility, though I’d prefer to sit on a beach in Florida.

Not that I don’t enjoy my job. I do, but unfortunately, our services have been needed more in recent years. Christmas spirit doesn’t prevent crime, you know. We’ve been feeling that lack of spirit lately ourselves, too. Just ask Rudolph. This is a real hazard as even the smallest drop in Christmas cheer influences his ability to pull the sleigh. Can’t have it dragging now, can we?"...

*** BUY: Christmas at the North Pole Compound

12 Days of Christmas in Miniature 4: The Night Before Christmas, Santa's Sleigh!

Welcome to Day 4 of The 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature where we are following the classic tale, "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." (Click link to go to day one.)

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow



Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,



With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick!

* Next: Christmas in Miniature Day 5








* Photos: Sleigh: Simon Howden

* The amazing Victorian Santa was made by New York dollmaker Diane Pietrocola. (dollartbydiane). See more of her work here. I'll share more about her work and additional photos on another of the 12 Days of Christmas in Miniature posts.

* The cool sleigh and reindeer are by Florida miniaturist Alice Zinn. She made the reindeer and their leather tack. Don't they look like they're ready to take off?


* Enjoy a fun Christmas story, sure to brighten your holiday. Buy: "Christmas at the North Pole Compound" - see ebooks