Back for Breakfast

Been away from miniatures a little lately as you know (and my online shop has been closed for most of April), so I just wanted to let everyone know that my shop is back online.

The other day I enjoyed a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant to my American friends) and decided over breakfast that I was up-to-date with things enough in real-scale world for a return to business in miniature-scale world. New items will be listed in about a month from now.... but until then you can still choose from many many teeny tiny and lovingly handmade miniatures and mini food jewelry from my shop.

Caroline xXx

The Dolls' House Magazine - little appearance

Have you seen the latest Doll's House Magazine (April 2012 issue) yet? It's been out since beginning of March of course, but I've been waiting to share this with you until I could get my hands on a working scanner, so I'm a tad late!

At the end of last year I was contacted by an editor at the magazine who heard I was leaving America and returning to the UK. She asked if I wanted to be featured in their news page, so they could 'mark the move' and let their readers know. Of course I love any exposure, so was quite chuffed.

Funny thing is, it now looks as though I *may* be moving back to the US later this year... if all goes well. Fingers crossed for me anyway! It's exceedingly hard to get back into the US once you've left. Technically because I have worked in the US I shouldn't be allowed back in, even as a tourist (even if I say I just want to pop over and collect the rest of my belongings) for 12-14 months. Tricky tricky business.

Anyway, this post is about my Tudor Range making a little appearance in the Doll's House Magazine's April issue. Have a look, let me know what you think. :)





The Dolls' House Magazine featured artisans - Hummingbird Miniatures, Tudor food, miniature Tudor dollhouse or dolls house

What a Surprise

For a change, this post has little do do with miniatures! :)

The morning started early with the pounding sound of hail hitting the 16th century terracotta roof tiles above my head. The clock said 8 am but the dark rain clouds let so little light into the house it felt like late evening so naturally my motivation to create / work was pretty dismal. But then, a knock downstairs and a young delivery bloke ran off so fast from my door you'd think he'd left a bomb. In my dressing gown and slippers I unlocked the door and found the massive box. The strange part is that it suddenly stopped raining / hailing as I stepped out to pull the box inside. The dismal clouds peeled away and the sun appeared, but I didn't even notice. I was so excited at what I had received. My fiancee and I may be separated by 5,500 miles and visa restrictions which don't allow him in my country or me in his, but it didn't stop him sending me these gorgeous flowers. I'm so chuffed. :)

Please note that my shop is on 'vacation mode' at the moment, but I'll be back soon and you can always email me in the meantime for a commission / query.

Opening my surprise box of flowers....!



The view from my bedroom after the rain stopped and sun came out.

Mother's Day Discount

Mother's Day is this coming weekend, so whether you're buying something for your own mother, your mother-in-law, for yourself as a mother or none of the above, take advantage of the 20% off discount available at the Hummingbird Miniatures online store.

I can't wait to go home for the weekend! I've missed the past 3 mother's days because I was in America, so I am so thrilled I can spend it with my amazing mum this time. Besides, last weekend I went home and my mum had made Stilton and broccoli soup and Cornish pasties (all homemade) and the next day she did some more of my favourite food. She's an amazing cook. This weekend is also St Patrick's Day so she's making Irish stew and dumplings (one of my absolute favourites!)

Decided to share a couple of recent pictures of my mum since we're on the topic! I took these when she visited me in California last summer. Hard to tell she's in her 50s isn't it?!


DETAILS of Discount

Just enter the coupon code: MOTHER after you click to buy, but before you pay. 20% will automatically be deducted from your entire order except for shipping.

This coupon cannot be applied to items currently on sale, but can be used on anything else in store.

The offer commences this Friday (16th March 2012) morning at 8am PST and ends at midnight PST on Mother's Day (Sunday 18th March 2012).

Happy shopping! C xXx

My Inspiration

Hi everyone!
Just got back from Cancun, Mexico today! Wow... hours and hours of traveling but so, so worth it. I had a wonderful time, it was so hot, I swam with sea turtles, snorkeled with colourful tropical fish in the Caribbean Sea, saw ancient Mayan temples, and stayed at the Ritz-Carlton (the hotel made a mistake and thus upgraded us from the Marriott hotel!! Lucky us).

So, I hope everyone else has had a good week. My shop is now back online and business has resumed as usual. :)

For fun, I thought you might like to see some of my photos of real food which I use for reference. I often just use them as inspiration rather than a basis to create an exact replica. Coming up with slightly different designs is more fun. Let me know what you think...
Hugs, Caroline xXx





realistic miniature dollhouse food handmade by Hummingbird Miniatures for your dolls house

Hummingbird flies away on vacation

Hi everyone,
Just a quick note to let you know that I am taking a vacation for 10 days (for my birthday - off to Cancun, Mexico) so you can still make purchases from my online shop

at - www.HummingbirdMiniature.etsy.com

but items will not be shipped until March 3rd at the earliest. (Anything already sold has been shipped already, so don't worry about that). I'll be answering emails at my shop sporadically. :)

Stay tuned as there'll be a super duper sale when I'm back and I'm also doing a free-to-enter competition as well!
Bye for now, Caroline xXx

Happy Birthday... to me!

It's not until the 23rd February, but it's coming up, and I am turning 30!!! So it's a big one and I am so excited as my boyfriend is taking me on a special holiday, and I just can't wait! We were going to do something simple like Paris or Venice, but heck, it is my 30th so he's taking me somewhere a bit more exotic.... Cancun, Mexico!! It's something like a 16 hour flight for me I think, but I don't mind at all. We're going to go snorkeling and see the tropical fishes, swimming with dolphins, visiting Mayan pyramids and enjoying warm weather (can't wait as it's so freezing here in Oxfordshire!)

So, yesterday I made myself a cake (lame?!) :) And here it is! It's three tiers, lots of colour and teeny tiny candles.





one inch scale dollhouse / dolls house birthday cake miniature, miniature faux food, miniature birthday cake for dollhouses or dolls houses

An English Village, Hopping the Pond and a Classic Cake

Hello everyone - Well the online Hummingbird Miniatures shop is back! Had to put it on hold as I flew across the pond from California to the UK... with no less than 9 suitcases!

From one film hub to another - I've just moved from Hollywood to Turville - *the* location most filmed in Britain. I remember coming here as a teenager and being told that 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' was filmed here, and then spotting a film crew with Sam Neill ('Jurassic Park') and Helena Bonham Carter. It was Sam Neill's birthday and we got to have a slice of his cake.

Speaking of cake, here's my very last 'cut open' Rudolph Christmas Cake with slices and it's available at my online shop. Been sooooo busy with the move that I haven't been able to offer a new design this season. But this one was popular last Christmas, so hope you enjoy.

Scroll past the cake to see pictures of the English village of Turville which I'm staying in. Population 100, 16th century brick cottages, 10th century stone built church and a pub named after Henry VIII at the time he executed Anne Boleyn.







And here's some pics of Turville...

Turville has been used to film many movies and TV shows, including:
'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', 'Little Britain', 'An Education', '101 Dalmatians', 'Goodnight Mr Tom', 'Pride and Prejudice', 'Bride & Prejudice', 'Midsomer Murders', 'Jonathon Creek', Miss Marple'... the list goes on and on. Seen a film set in the English countryside? You've probably caught a glimpse of this beautiful village. ;)







one inch scale Christmas miniature dollhouse or dolls house food