With Love from Petit Connoisseurs – Announcing the Lucky Winner of Our Give Away!

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Petit Connoisseurs

It is time to announce to Lucky Winner of
Our Second Blog Giveaway.
Thank you to everyone that entered –
each one of you sent in the most original answers to the question:
What did Rebecca see at the window?

Here is the lucky entry walking away with the knitted bear girl and her bobbin lace stand –
Why she saw me of course!!!
Rushing up to the door to pick up
my fabulous Teddy and Bobbin Lace Stand :D
Hahaha thank you Francois for such a fun giveaway

No it is not you Mrs Patmore!

The winner is
Linda Larsen!

Congratulations Linda and thank you for entering.

Hollywood is celebrating its awards season this month and
I would like to invite you to join us every week on our red carpet at Petit Connoisseurs
to welcome the arrival of the most beautiful miniatures.
Real shining stars for your collection.

Happy Valentines Day! Hope you get a special something in miniature.
- Francois –

Posted in My Give-A-Ways, My Treasured Dolls by Lisa Johnson-Richards, New Arrivals | 6 Comments

A Day in the Life of Crown Prince William

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Petit Connoisseurs

Imagine there was Blue blood in this family who calls the address Peacock Park home,
then Sweet William would have been a Right Royal Prince.

William played with his cousins on the estate for the best part of the morning.
Afterwords he practiced violin together with Mama and his cousin
for the secret celebration at Peacock Park.

This afternoon Papa took him to the park to look for a sailing boat
while the women were getting dressed at Peacock Park.

A very proud little boy heading home…

William decided to play outside with his red balloon
so that he could watch all the guests arriving.
However the wind had a mind of its own
and decided to take William’s red balloon for a dance…

…up, up in the blue sky…

A Day in the Life of Crown Prince William
featuring the dolls of Lisa Johnson-Richards

Cast of Characters
Crown Prince – William
Mama – Lucille
Cousin – Kitty

“till we meet again at Peacock Park…

Petit Greetings
- Francois -

Posted in My Treasured Dolls by Lisa Johnson-Richards, The Story of Peacock Park | 8 Comments

What did Rebecca see at the window?

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Petit Connoisseurs

Announcing My Second Blog Giveaway!

I would like to wish you everything that is good and healthy for the year ahead.
It is Giveaway Time at Petit Connoisseurs
and everyone is invited to enter
My Second Blog Giveaway!

What did Rebecca see at the window?
If you think you know the answer,
enter today and you could be the lucky winner of the giveaway.

Here is a preview of what you would take home with you!

A little bear dressed in her favourite sun dress knitted by Jenny Tomkins.
She is starting 2012 with a new hobby – bobbin lace.
The bobbin lace cushion was made by Montserrat Folch.
We will launch a collection of Montserrat’s miniatures to buy on our website later this month.

To enter our giveaway you must be a subscriber
to our Petit Connoisseurs Newsletter.
You can join up today by visiting
Petit Connoisseurs Newsletter Subscribe

Once you have joined up for our newsletter,
please email your answer to
francois@petitconnoisseurs.com

You will have time to enter until the 31st January 2012.
The Very Best of Luck to All of You!

Please visit the following websites showcasing the talents of artisans featured here:
- Rebecca was created by Lisa Johnson-Richards -
- French Lovers Settee was painted and dressed by Maritza Moran -
- Petite Point Carpet was made by Jacques Andre Human NEW PILLOWS COMING SOON! -

Best Wishes
- Francois -

Posted in My Give-A-Ways, My Treasured Dolls by Lisa Johnson-Richards, The Story of Peacock Park, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

One Magic Christmas – Part III

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Petit Connoisseurs

Dear Loyal Petit Blog Followers, Clients & Artisans -
I hope you had the most wonderful Christmas and Holiday time
with family and friends.
I would like to send you my good wishes for now and for the year ahead.
Thank you to each and everyone for your continued support.
My apologies for the belated third part of One Magic Christmas
that I promised to write on Christmas Eve.
So here then is my Night Before Christmas…

The Darling children are visiting their grandparents
at their house in the Swiss Alps.

All the (adult) shopping has been done…

…most of the presents have been wrapped…

Santa is expected to arrive somewhere after Cinderella time
with a few more special deliveries for the grandchildren.

The warmth of the fire hugs everyone together
while the children dream of more snow days of fun…
maybe tomorrow or the day after…
Cindy Lotter painted the beautiful lady
waiting in the snow to meet her love.

Little Christian is putting the finishing touches on the tree
that he and his siblings decorated with grandma.
He was made by Susan Scogin.

Grandma made a sincere promise that each of them can have a special sweet treat…

…before it is time to say farewell to the night before Christmas!

Harry is admiring one of grandma’s gingerbread houses.

Lisa Johnson-Richards created Harry and dressed him in his best pajamas for Christmas Eve.
His favourite bear is by Anita Oliver.

From one little angel to another…

Angelique has just fallen asleep while she was reading The Christmas Carol
to a few of her travelling friends.

Her collection of bears were made by Anita Oliver, Lisa Lloyd and Anna Braun.

Angelique was made by Susan Scogin.

Grandpa is about to whisk her away to dreamland…

Grandma has prepared most of the surprises coming from her kitchen.
Now it is time for her to enjoy her Christmas decorating
before bedtime.

Grandma’s collection of Christmas decorations and ornaments
bring their beautiful home to life during the festive season.

Grandpa will now go and read to the children
the Clement Clarke Moore poem that inspired my Night before Christmas.

“Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hope that St Nicholas soon would be there.”

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Best Wishes
- Francois –

Posted in Holidays, My Treasured Dolls by Lisa Johnson-Richards | 10 Comments

One Magic Christmas – Part II

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Petit Connoisseurs

I would like to send a Special Christmas Wish to all my loyal blog followers.
May you have the most wonderful time with everyone dear to your heart.

Welcome to my home in spirit.
I hope you enjoy this gallery of my Christmas decorating as much as I do…

Thank you for your visit.

Part III of One Magic Christmas will appear on Christmas Eve. See you soon.

Petit Christmas Wishes
- Francois -

Posted in Holidays | 4 Comments

One Magic Christmas – Part I

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Petit Connoisseurs

Every week until the 24th December, I would like to share with you
special and beautiful things celebrating
my most favourite time of the year.
This week I invite you to meet a little girl Clara and her Yorkie Tallulah.
Clara can dream up the most amazing scenarios…
they’re on the other end of my mantelpiece.

In her dream Clara sees Saint Nicolas visiting her to grant her a wish or two…

“All I want for Christmas…mmm…only two things.”

“I wish that all my toys and my doggie Tallulah
can start to talk to me, just for one night a year…”

Tallulah & Clara are inseparable.

What Clara does not realized yet, is that her wish is about to come true…

“My second wish is that all the children and all the pets
that don’t have a mommy and a daddy,
will also get a home like mine…please…please.
I can give you a grandfather kiss to say thank you!”

St Nicolas blows a whisper and a wish to his trusted magic wand…

His book of dreams and wishes agrees and winks…

So he makes Clara’s first wish come true –
every year on Christmas Eve, Clara’s room will come to life.
The toys will be alive and they as well as Tallulah
will be talking and laughing in Clara’s imagination.

St Nicolas then says a prayer hoping that everyone will have courage
to find kindness in their heart
and to hold their hand to someone
that is walking alone without joy and hope tucked away in their heart.

- Both Saint Nicolas & Clara were made by Gudrun Golenda -

A special gift for Clara with love from St Nicolas…

Festive Wishes ’till we meet again next week
- Francois -

Posted in Holidays | 4 Comments

Cakes, Tea & Music at Peacock Park

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Petit Connoisseurs

Dear Friends
It is time again to visit Peacock Park and have a peek at the secret celebration.

I would like to introduce you to Rebecca
who loves to help serving tea
when her mother Lucille invites guests for tea.

Pretty and serene Rebecca was made and dressed by Lisa Johnson-Richards.

Lucille and her daughter Rebecca are about to have a cup of tea
while they are waiting for their guests
to arrive for the secret celebration at Peacock Park.
Cousin Kitty will entertain them in the meantime…

Kitty will perform a heartfelt recital composed by her father for the celebration.

Lisa Johnson-Richards created Kitty
with the same angelic sweetness and beauty as her cousin Rebecca.

Is it not the most beautiful music…

“Till we meet again at Peacock Park.

Petit Greetings
- Francois -

Posted in My Treasured Dolls by Lisa Johnson-Richards, The Story of Peacock Park | 8 Comments

One Magic Christmas – Coming Soon

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Petit Connoisseurs

My most favourite time of the year…

My treasured collection of Christmas ornaments…

My miniature version of The Night Before Christmas…

- COMING SOON -

December 2011

Petit Greetings
- Francois -

Posted in Holidays | 4 Comments

Best Witches

Posted on October 29, 2011 by Petit Connoisseurs

With Halloween a moon or two away,
I would like to invite you to the house of a dear friend…

Don’t be afraid, you are about to meet a Darling of a Witch.

The beautiful Witch’s Hollow was built from a Robin Betterley kit
that was designed as a display box frame.
I decided to change into a mini dollhouse
to show two rooms that tells the story of the witch living here.

The owner of this charming little house
has her heart in the right place and she loves children.
Just look at all the beautiful gifts
waiting in her kitchen window
to give to the children when they come pass here
on their Trick or Treat route.

- The spiders web lace curtain comes from a lace ribbon
I spotted in a florist one day
and I had to buy half a meter to get that little piece! -

- The finely painted cats are from another of my miniature “heroes”, Karen Markland -

I would like to introduce you to Tabitha…

…masterfully created by Gudrun Golenda
in her Feathers, Lace & Clay Studio.

I started collecting Halloween themed miniatures in 1990
with the original idea to make a childrens hospital on the eve of Halloween.

My mom bought the witch for me in 2000 from Gudrun at Kensington.
I still collected things over the years to come which was kept and admired in shoe boxes.
I saw the Witch’s Hollow kit that Robin made in 2005,
ordered it and it arrived that December.

Here you can see Tabitha’s magical broom that is also her assistant!
I started working on the kit early in 2006
and later my dad built the two floor unit to add.
He also made all the furniture for the witch.

A collection of more Halloween Treats
prepared by Tabitha and her broom for the children.
Sadly my mom never saw the “finished” project
as she passed away later that year.

A lot of the witch’s sadness is hidden away in her attic.
Here you can see one of her new brooms that just arrived with Fedex.

Ghosts from the past -
a lost love,
a longing for children of her own,
memories of what once was…
Here you can see reflections of her dark side in the mirror:
the toys she bought a long time ago,
a photo album.
torn love letters,
dead flowers in their original box
and even at one stage she tried to drink her sorrows away…

On a more cheerful note,
I would like to wish each and everyone of you
The Happiest of Halloweens!

Best Witches!
- Francois -

Posted in Holidays | 4 Comments

There is no Business like Show Business!

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Petit Connoisseurs

I was so fortunate this year to get the talents
of three miniature artisans together on one stage
for Our Annual Holiday Ad in the Miniature Collector.
Remember our first one last year
with Diane Yunnie’s Nutcracker ballet dancers dancing of the page…

After weeks of “rehearsals” with Brad the Clown and his entire cast
we proudly present our Showbiz theme ad
in the latest November issue of Miniature Collector
designed by Cindy Lotter.

- CAST OF CHARACTERS & CREDITS -

Brad the Clown by Diane Yunnie
Gisele the bunny ballerina by Anna Braun
Audrey the elephant ballerina by Anna Braun
Doris the little doll by Diane Yunnie
Debbie the little doll by Diane Yunnie
Ginger the monkey by Jenny Tomkins
Gene the monkey by Jenny Tomkins
Gigi the baby monkey by Jenny Tomkins
Pierre the french clown by Jenny Tomkins
Marie the french clown by Jenny Tomkins
Edward the bear by Anna Braun – SOLD

Visit Petit Connoisseurs
to see them in action!

You can also be on the lookout for
the Antique Christmas Star Bear
beautifully made by Anna Braun
featured in the Holiday Gift Guide
of the November/December 2011 issue of Dollhouse Miniatures.

Anna sends all her love and a special thank you
to each and everyone of her fans
that cannot get enough of her special bears!

We are also counting the days to Halloween
with the arrival of two charming characters
knitted by Jenny Tomkins.
They are ready to come and knock on your door…
Trick or Treat? You decide…
Both are now available from Petit Connoisseurs

NEXT TIME: A VISIT TO A DARLING OF A WITCH…

- Francois -

Posted in Holidays, New Arrivals | 2 Comments