Crochet Mats and Doilies

I go shopping in the middle of the night - in my pajamas! Any time I need retail therapy I browse Etsy or Ebay or FaceBook and find some beautifully made miniatures for sale.
I've just received these gorgeous crochet doilies from Frances Brown who sells these in loads of fabulous colours on Ebay

I also bought these crochet mats from Mary who sells them here on Etsy

All I have to decide is whether to add them to one of my scenes or start something new - a linen store maybe?
I have made crochet mats myself before but nothing clever and mine are only in single colours.

Oly and I are looking forward to our annual miniatures fair near Malaga in June where we can't wear our pyjamas!

Maybe we'll meet you there?

2013 Minutes, Dolls and Vases

Oly, who is the other member of the 'Smallest Miniatures Group in the World' came up with such a good idea and a great solution for me to finish all the projects I've started and not finished.
In the year 2013 I have to spend 2013 minutes working on the UFPs.
If my maths are correct it means less than 6 minutes each day - even I can manage that!
Last night I finished a kit of pansies which I bought from Bonnie Lavish and started four years ago! I know I'm terrible, especially as I dislike making flowers but I did it!
Here are the pansies in a beautiful vase turned by the very talented Bertie.

I've had a slow start to the year because my mother passed away. I'm trying to get myself together so little jobs are the way forward, nothing to concentrate on for too long.
 Lucy kindly sent me two of the little china head dolls she makes and a selection of very fine wool she uses to knit the clothes. I really appreciated her thoughtfulness which was a grateful diversion and gave me something new to think about.
My husband took me to Portugal for a few days and as it rained most days I was able to start knitting. I only got one set of underwear made, using Gutermann silk sewing thread using the basic pattern which Lucy shares on her blog evalinarose.blogspot.com

I'm now planning to finish more flower kits as they look so good displayed in Bertie's vase and I bought more from Bertie last year. Here are three more.

Here is a photo I took in Porto. Wouldn't these houses make beautiful dollshouses!

 Thank you for dropping by, have a good week,