The Gingerbread Men Christmas

This year, I don't know why, Christmas had a very different feel.

Is it because I feel a bit more settled in my new country? Is it because I wasn't out of work for once ( since the last 3 years) at this time of the year? Is it because there were so many friends ( far and near) to share it with?

Let's start by lovely things that arrived by the post.

First, a delightful doll purchased on Etsy at Rafael's lovely store.

There were a few extra gifts in the bag and I was like a little girl in a candy shop!

Then, there was another treasure made by my friend Evelyn.

She had added some delightful caramels to the parcel ( which didn't last ve

ry long)

(yes, I am wearing red glitter on my nails for the holidays!)

Then MORE treasures arrived!

from Spain!

AND...my absolutely wonderful and very talented KIM sent her usual handmade Christmas

decoration which I was excited to put in my tree!

Each year, Kim takes time to make something and send it on this spe

cial occasion.

Kim and I have met through blogging and I am so proud to count her amongst my very loyal and true friends, even though we have never met in the flesh.

Not yet... I know we WILL meet one day.

As I hope I will also meet Evelyn, and why not YOU who is reading this post right now.

This year, Christmas was filled with friendship and precious moments shared with people who made it clearly exceptional.

It was just about being together and having fun!

Robert's son, Ben and his girlfriend Fanny ( who is French too!) came home to join us in a lovely quaint church to celebrate

Christmas carols by candlelight and spend Xmas day with us.

I was saying how disapointed I was not to have found the very traditional biscuits when Fanny gave me a huuuuuuuuuuge smile saying in her soft voice " there is no problem with this!

It happens that I have made plenty and I will need to finish them tomorrow if you don't mind me using your kitchen? They still need eyes and smiles".

So, after a magical Christmas eve, singing carols, then gathering in the lounge sipping sherry and watching The Muppets Christmas Carol, we all went to bed.

The next day, Christmas operated its magic before my very eyes.

Fanny started working on a whole army of gingerbread men!

Giving them little souls,

...and crimson smiles.

This was definitely one of the best touch ever to my Christmas table!

Handmade Gingerbread men!

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas !

I will see you again in 2012!

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All my love and hope all you wishes come true!

My lovely aunt at Ladurée !!!

Sometimes is good to pamper yourself and feel special.

Because you ARE!!!

I only really treat myself once or twice a year but when I do, I love to go to Ladurée.

This time, I went with a very special person: my aunt!

Here she is showing one of her favourite pages of my last book.

She is the one with whom I spent the greatest holidays in my childhood.

She was always spoiling me and making me feel great and special all the time.

She would buy me really girly stuff like: pink and glittery clothes, shiny shoes with tiny heels and pink nail-polish.

In fact, she would get me anything that was forbidden at home by my parents!

My heroine!!!!

So, this time, I thought it would be nice to give the same in return.

No...not glittery clothes and pink nail polish...but, something to make her feel special.

So we went to Ladurée at Covent Garden!

This delicious Ispahan didn't last long, believe me!

My lovely auntie tried to take several pictures of me but it seems that photograpy isn't part of her skills...he!he!

Anyway, we truly felt like princesses and it was such a delightful time to spend together.

Next time, I would love to go with her and my mother.

I will have to write about my mum one day.

She lives far, far away in Australia and I miss her like crazy.

Super big sigh...

The dolls had a last photo session and were delivered to Benjamin Pollock's after our meal.

Covent Garden was illuminated with Christmas lights but I forgot to take some pictures as my aunt and I were too busy chatting and giggling!

Then , at the end of the day,we had to part.

On my way home, on the train, I remembered all the good times we had together, how she made my childhood special and it gave me a huge smile on my face.

Happy thoughts and happy memories...

I hope you do have many too.

Need a few mice...

...who could help me finish everything in time!!!!

You know? like in those lovely children's stories where the tailor or the shoemaker are super tired and when they wake up the next morning,

K'TCHING!!!!!!!!!!

Everything has been finished by mysterious mini hands during the night.

Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig sigh...

At least, I have finished one...

And the others have been sent to their new sunny destination.

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1st December

AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Have finished another one! YAY!!!

And I wasn't helped by a mouse nor a ... rat, as I read in one of the comments! He!he!

Next week, destination London with the girls!

Petit goûter entre filles

Am going slowly but surely.

I have so much to catch up with!

I have managed to blog hop a little today and yesterday.

I really try to visit each of you.

Meanwhile, I have also managed to finish 2 dolls I had started ages ago.

They will be flying to Spain with Apple very soon.

The mini muffins and mini fairy cakes are by Christel Jensen.

3 new dolls are in preparation for Benjamin Pollock's in London.

One is in the making for my Etsy Store.

Also, I am preparing some parcels for 2 little girls who must think I have forgotten all about them.

Patience is a vertue that needs to be rewarded...

To be continued.

Apple and her candlelight

Just enjoy the pictures!

(don't feel like writing today)

Et voilà.

Saying goodbye

25th October

I am ever so sorry to have missed the lovely evnt otganised by the sweet Vanessa of A FAnciful Twist.

Please, if you do visit for the party, do not think I couldn't be bothered.

Tonight I am saying goodbye to my sweet Taz that I have been fostering since July.

Tomorrow, I will be with him for his last little moment on Earth.

But, I would like him to be the star of this post.

I love you Taz.

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26th October

My baby's gone

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Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Ze second book! (Preview) + dolls WIP

Pssssstt!! Me again.

You know? it has been a few months since I have been preparing Ze second book.

This time, I haven't been through a publisher but through Blurb.

You can try it too, it is fun and easy.

I thought it would be nice to gather photos of some of my artwork and present some new unpublished stories.

Anyway, here is a preview of the firts 15 pages.

Hope you will like it.

Just click on the book cover.

And here are some photos of work in progress.

I am currently working for

Benjamin Pollock's in London and also for a lovely store in Spain called Bambolinos.

My dolls travel more than I do.

Speaking of which, if you have read "The Orphans of Sainte Cécile", one of the characters, Solange, has finally found a family ( in real life!!!) she is now in the heart of Texas in a super ranch. Her little mum, Carolina, has made her a fantastic house! I am very impressed!

Look!

You can see more about Carolina's family right here on the Shannon Ranch website.

Oh, by the way, pleeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase, keep on writing to me and sending news, I don't have time to visit everybody but I absolutely LOVE to hear about what you've been up to.

A bientôt!

I am Soooooooooo bad...

My oh my...I cannot believe it has been a month since my last post...

I am so bad...

Ok, here is the deal, I will be back for Miss Vanessa's blog party with new dollies, ok?

In fact, they are already in progress...

Also, I am overloaded with work at the moment ( artistic and absolutely non artistic) so am struggling a bit as there are only 24 hours in a day... all I can say is that I am currently working on TWO new books.

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  One will be for the wonderful team of doll artists I am proud to be part of : Much Ado About Art Dolls which we also call Art Dolls Only ( ADO) click here for our super website

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  The second one will be a book/ portfolio in which I will include unpublished stories ( super short ones). here is a "méli mélo" I have made which will be include at the end.
  

So, see you for the party, ok?