Leprechauns, colored eggs and mother-in-law's tongue!

                                     WARM GREETINGS TO YOU! 

It's been a long, hard winter for many parts of the United States. Though the frigid temps and heavy snows may continue for several weeks more, there is something about the month of March which reminds us that the gentleness of spring will soon appear -- at least we can hope. Whether mid-March is snowy or warm, we can be sure that this month is the open door to some well-loved holidays.

We recently visited the Cottage Industry Miniaturists Trade Association Trade Show in Las Vegas and brought back some great and highly detailed miniatures for you. Photographs of all would take more pages than Google will allow, so we've posted a few here to tempt you and hope you'll come in to see the rest.

Starring in this collection are beautifully crafted porcelain dolls, plants that look too real to be fake, a stunning array of quarter scale furniture -- enough to fill a house, sporting goods including bows and arrows, and accessories galore such as sewing goods, pet supplies, holiday accents, decorative shelving and...well, as the saying goes, the list just goes on and on. Come by and enjoy these treasures!

     ~St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time -- a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.~ 

                                                                                 Adrienne Cook

There's a good selection of St. Patrick's Day themed posters in the store which will add a punch to your March 17th decorating.  Select a print of an extraordinarily cheerful leprechaun querying, "Who's your Paddy?" or others with equally typical Irish quotes. If your project's people have an  Irish name, such as Corrigan, you'll be able to hang a chart showing the history of that family (or at least of some Corrigan family).

In the United States, corned beef and cabbage is the usual fare for St. Pat's Day, but did you know that other foods are just as likely to be enjoyed for the holiday in Ireland? For example, there's a lobster dish called "Dublin Lawyer" that's been around for an awfully long time and features Irish whiskey in the recipe.

Whether you decide to go with the American tradition or have your miniature house family feast on lobster this year, we have just the set of dishes to make the presentation perfect. With a lobster motif, a cracker and bibs, this set is a natural for the Dublin Lawyer, but such a novel pattern would be a great conversation starter for any other meal, including that corned beef and cabbage. After dinner head over to our selection of desserts and other festive foods for a green accented funnel cake.

When the leprechauns depart, the colored eggs, fuzzy toys and baskets arrive.  Our wonderfully fluffy stuffed rabbit heralds in Easter. With  sky blue pads and a matching nose, this bunny is dressed in a pink sweater and matching hat. Pair her with any of the Easter baskets for a pleasing display of the season. The baskets come in several designs, quite frou-frou and sure to add a bit of wonder to any Easter display.

And, we have an Easter cat! We can only guess where this irresistible little tabby is going but it's entirely possible he's headed to the newspapers upon which eggs were just dyed. He is adorned with ribbons and carries his own Easter basket.

Or maybe he's interested in the Easter craft displaying strips of construction paper all woven to form a basket. In any case, the Easter selection is perfectly sweet and a great addition to your project.

Easter Egg Hunts are often held in gardens and in gardens there are trees. The last Friday in April is Arbor Day in the United States. Established in 1872 the story goes that one million trees were planted on that first observance. But let's say you don't need one million trees for your dollhouse. Maybe, you just want one, and a sapling at that. You're in luck! At the recent show we bought a couple of perfect ones all set to be planted, in a manner of speaking of course. One might even make a nice touch for Mother's Day.

There are lots of possibilities for Mother's Day gifts at Ms. Peggie's Place. There are always many plants available and we've plumped up the selection with some new ones from the Las Vegas trip. For sewers we have needlework supplies such as 12:1 tape measures and a skein of wool and needles to go with it.

For the baking mom there's dough rising and some delectable pastries. Jewelry? It's all here, along with a pretty box to keep it in.

Is it an anomaly to say that Father's Day comes in on snow shoes in San Diego? Maybe so, but in the world of miniatures our mild winter is no deterrent to a snow scene and if snow shoes are just the thing for Dad, we have them, intricately detailed and looking just like the real thing. There is also a snazzy fishing vest and shop apron. You'll find a band saw and an array of tools fitted to a pegboard, too.

We have lots and lots of wonderful miniatures to show you and are looking forward to your visit soon!

Cordially,
Michael Sue Nanos
Proprietor

Michael Sue's Tips:

Mother-in-law's tongue

Here's a nice plant you can make yourself.

Materials

Small gauge florist wire

Masking tape

Acrylic green-colored paint

Acrylic cream-colored paint

Flower pot or your choice of container

Filler for pot, such as clay or Styrofoam

Acrylic brown-colored paint

Ground cover, such as landscape soil, coffee grounds, etc.

Paint brush

Scissors

White glue

Modge Podge matte finish

Old piece of Styrofoam to use as drying rack

Let's get started

1. Cut wire into 2" lengths, cutting as many as you need to fill your container. A few need to be shorter.

2. Sandwich wire in the middle between 2 pieces of masking tape. Leave 1/4" of bare wire to insert in clay later.

The blades of the mother-in-law plant are long, straight, and tapered at the tip. To cut them, I start at the tip; the wire does not need to reach the tip. I cut down one side at a time, keeping the middle nice and straight. At the bottom I taper it just a little. I want the blade to look like it's coming right out of the soil, so I'll push that little bit into the soil with the wire later.

3. Paint all the blades green. Push into old Styrofoam to dry.

4. Using dry brush method, apply cloud-like horizontal stripes down the length of blades on each side. Let dry.

5. Apply Modge Podge to both sides of blades and let dry.

Remember, no leaf in nature is ever just flat. Shape the blades by slightly twisting some, curling the long edges of some into the center just a little, and bending some of the tips back a little.

6. Prepare your container. Fill by pushing clay into it. Paint the top brown and let dry. Spread white glue over the top and cover it with ground material.

7. While glue is still wet, push your blades into the clay. Start in the center and work out to the edge. The blades on the outside will be new growth and therefore shorter. This plant does not grow from a center root; it spreads to fill its container by running shoots under the surface and sending up new growth.

I hope you enjoy making this plant and that it will inspire you to try others!

Miracle on Cass Street!

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation made the charming movie "Miracle on 34th Street" in 1947 and remade it in 1994. A sweet drama-fantasy, the original starred Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, while the 1994 version had Richard Attenborough in that role. This is a simple tale about a little girl coming around to believing in Santa, and how that faith propels a city into believing in Santa as well. 

But what does this all have to do with Ms. Peggie's Place? Well, first of all, we have an excellent array of accessories for the holiday season, including a dollhouse Santa with a remarkable resemblance to Edmund Gwenn. (If Richard Attenborough is your preference you'll have to do a little cosmetic work, but maybe not; it's all up to you.)

Our shop on Cass Street is where all kinds of little (as in miniature) miracles take place. Name what you want for this season of miracles, love and giving and chances are good that Ms. Peggie's Place has it. Begin with a pretty wreath adorned with shiny tinsel, varicolored Christmas balls and a big red bow attached. Mount a glittery Advent calender to help count the days until Christmas and offer your dollhouse people a warm drink to ponder things as you do. Good things to eat and drink are plentiful in our food department.

If your decorating scheme will feature the Chanukah Festival of Lights, we have a fine menorah to get the celebration going. Also, check out our collection of Olszewski figurines, in particular a Ted DeGrazia sculpt of a little girl carrying a menorah.

Gingerbread houses are always fun and we have one in the process of being built and another already constructed. The former would be perfect for a grandma figure to prepare and features the partially adorned house along with a scale book aptly entitled "Gingerbread Houses."  It's surrounded by peppermints and other typical hard candies used to decorate such a creation. The layout sits on a cutting board and even has a pastry bag attached.

Our assembled cottage has a sugared roof with Christmas candies affixed to it. The two windows and a door are drawn with an icing look, and a red heart adorns the area above. All in all, quite adorable!

Talking about Christmas candies, ours are so realistic you'll be tempted to dive right in and remember Christmases past. They are available both boxed and on a silver tray, appropriate for the most formal of holiday parties. Our candied apples are tops and you'll also find other confections throughout the store.

But suppose your family is done with decorating and just wants to settle down to a good read? We heartily recommend the Dr. Seuss classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," available here along with other children's books. And perhaps this would be a good time to write that bedtime note to Santa. We can help you there, too. And when all is said and done, a traditional stocking will complete your look.

 If you decide to set up a wrapping station to gift those books, or anything else, Ms. Peggie's Place has all the pretty wraps and bows you could desire. In fact, if your family would rather not think that hard, we also have pre-wrapped gift boxes. They're empty, but we won't tell if you won't!

Enjoy the holidays! We hope this season will bless you with all the best -- good health, dear family and friends and warm memories of Christmases past. May 2015 bring you all that you desire.

We hope to see you soon!

Michael Sue Nanos

Proprietor

Michael Sue's Tips:

Wreaths are synonymous with Christmas and following are instructions for one of our favorites. The wreath shown in the posting above was constructed using this method. Hope you enjoy!

How to make a Silver Tinsel Wreath

Supplies needed:

Silver tinsel pipe cleaners; a package of 25 should fit your needs for this project and others

Adhesive such as Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue, or your choice

Decorations such as beads and bows

Here's what to do:

1. Cut a pipe cleaner 3" long and shape it into a circle.

2. Cut lots of pipe cleaner pieces 1 1/4" long. I lost count of how many I used but it will take a lot to make your wreath full. I made mine flat in the back.

3, Apply a little adhesive to the circle as you go. Fold the cut pieces in half and attach to the circle in different directions. Don't twist onto the circle, but attach over it so the fold is sticking to the circular pipe cleaner. Keep applying them until you're happy.

4. I filled in with some brightly colored beads that look like Christmas bulbs and a big silk bow.

Hang the wreath where desired and have a Very Merry Christmas!

A Very Happy Autumn to You!

Autumn is a time for change. It's the season when schools reopen, elections are held, and leaves change color. Well, maybe not the leaves thing in Southern California, where Ms. Peggie's Place is located, but in most parts of the country. However, those of us living here do create a fall ambiance by going all out when it comes to two favorite autumn holidays, Halloween and Thanksgiving.

There was a news article a few years ago which reported that Halloween is becoming the most decorated holiday in the United States. We don't know whether this still holds true but our shop carries a generous amount of decorations in orange and black to tickle the fancy of any miniaturist. We've got pumpkins and witches, magic potions and candles. Fly on in, leave your broomstick at the door, please, and take a gander at what the shop can do for your October 31st celebration.

Pumpkins are always fun and whether your preference is for a gourd that's whole, one that's already grinning, or a pumpkin in the process of being carved, we have a nice selection for you to choose from. You'll find the other standard ghouls as well, posed in various ways.

How about a portrait of a friendly witch? Or maybe a very skinny hand creeping out of a chest of drawers would fill the bill for you. And a black cat! Surely you need a black cat for Halloween.

If your scene features a Halloween Party, we can arrange for that, too. Though we don't cater in the traditional sense, we can supply you with appropriately sized caramel or jelly apples and our extensive food inventory will certainly provide you with whatever fixings appeal to you. And, don't worry about the table! There are Halloween decor place settings, too.

Talking about food reminds us that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

This holiday of thanks can be portrayed in so many ways, such as with a Pilgrim figurine collecting the foods for her feast.    

   

Or maybe your choice is a contemporary dining room table set with the luscious foods traditionally served at this holiday. Whichever your preference, pair it with the other autumnal standards -- bales of hay, still more pumpkins, rakes, and pretty centerpieces in all the shades of fall for a truly beautiful scene. Of course, we can cater your party in the way that Ms. Peggie's Place does best, with true to life miniature food, 1:12.

You'll enjoy the traditional feast of roast turkey set temptingly on a platter with stuffing, sliced carrots and greens, fluffy whipped potatoes, string beans with button mushrooms, pumpkin pie (or sweet potato, if you prefer) and a very beautiful apple pie with a top crust that would put Betty Crocker to shame. Salads? Of course, along with lots of desserts and everything else the well dressed table would require.

We wish to you and yours a wonderful autumn season, with fun on Halloween and the warmth of family and friends on Thanksgiving. We hope to see you soon.

Michael Sue Nanos
Proprietor

Michael Sue's Tips: A Happy Pumpkin & Easy Dressing

HOW TO CARVE A PUMPKIN

In the good old days we could get Styrofoam balls that were not fire retardant. You could encase the ball in oven bake clay and the the ball would shrink as you baked the clay. Not now! The silly thing grows and cracks the pumpkin. Ugh! So now it's not as easy but still doable.

Here's what to do:

1. Wad up tissues or toilet paper and wrap your clay around it. Pumpkins come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so keep that in mind. Do not use paper towels. I did that once and couldn't get it out later without breaking it all up.

2. With the back of your craft knife press in the lines. Now, remember that pumpkins don't have perfect sections, so make them a little irregular.

3. Cut the top as you would a real pumpkin. Cut an eye or a mouth out or whatever suits your fancy.

4. Bake as per instructions on the package. Cool.

5. Run the whole thing under water, or soak in a bowl of water. The tissue will shrink up to nothing and you'll be able to just pull all that out, leaving you with a perfectly carved Jack-o-Lantern.

6. The rest is up to you. You could use as is, with a little light in it maybe. Or put it on miniature newspapers, to look like you're in the process of carving it.

7. If you decide to make a carving scene, here are a few things that might help you:

     A. Sesame seeds make great pumpkin seeds.

     B. The stringy pulp can be made with tatting threads or natural fibers in the right colors. Mix it up with some white glue and sprinkle on some seeds. Great!

     C. Stick a knife in the eye, lay a big spoon on the paper and you've got a cute as the devil Jack-o-Lantern.

     D. Don't forget the stem! I used to use the tops of hot peppers and they still work, but tear off some of the base since it really is a little big. Cherry tomato tops work really well. You do get some funny looks in the produce department when you're pulling them off, but the next guy won't want them anyway. If you're not that adventurous, you could buy the whole thing. You won't be sorry.



EASIER THAN STOVE-TOP RECIPE

You'll need:

1. A roasting pan or other container of your choice

2. A cereal such as Grape-Nuts, and some spices for color

3. White glue

Instructions:

Mix the cereal and spices together.  Add a little of the glue and then fill your pan.

Voila! There's your dressing! I've had mine for at least 20 years and haven't had any insect or other problems with it. You'll get a lot of "How did you do that?" It's absolutely the easiest pan of dressing I've ever made.