Wishing you a sliver Merry Christmas

((((Hello my dear friends))))

The wonderful vacation is coming…
I sincerely wish you sound, happiness and lots of good fortune in the coming 2012
Have great time and good food with all the family
and… may all your wishes come true!!! :-)

Peiwen xxxxx



Little Gingerbread Houses

Obviously I did not work on sweets and pastries for a long time because I set up the goal and focus on making market fresh food in 2011.

Just several days ago I attempted to make a ginger house for the Christmas; I found it difficult to re-approach the sense perception I wanted.

In the end I got two kawaii candy houses.

It’s said colors reflect the mood and the personality.

 I hope it’s true and I’d love to be a pleasant person with sweet temper as always! LOL

Hope the little ginger houses make you simle too! :)

Eating is believing -4 days in Italy

It was a tight but very pleasant trip in Italy. Since the hubby had three meetings in three different cities, I went visiting when he worked in customers’ places. After the job was finished, he called and gave me the instruction, trying to meet in a place and continued the next trip. Within 4.5 days, we drove almost 2000 km, between Nimes and Roma area.

Genova was the first city I visited in Italy. Before the depature, Maria has mailed me a list of Italian food and suggested me to try. I appreciated too Rosanna spent some time with me at midday. She knew I was eager to taste some local food and she was thoughtful bringing me to an Italian friggitoria.

Sa Pésta
Via dei Gius­tini­ani, 16r
16123 Genoa
+39 010 2468336

Thanks to Rosanna, I knew a lot of traditional food in one time. I have known ‘pesto’ before but this was the first time I tasted the homemade sauce with ‘gnocchi’! It was absolutely fresh and authentic (also very rich)!!

The different salty pan cakes and rice cakes were too very delicious (very special)! I would never know the unforgettable flavors if I haven’t try it!!! Très très bon!!!

I stayed longer in Florence than in Genova and Roma; I had enough time visiting, taking pictures and shopping. It was pity I did not find a good restaurant which offered local dish but I tried vegetable soup and pasta with very spicy red sauce for lunch. I was very happy too!! :)

*Specialty of Florence: Pan Pescatore
I bought a pan pescatore after taking a picture in the shop because I was curious how come the little thing (not look romantic at all) could be the specialty of Florence. I don't look for the receipt yet but it was mixed with very strong flavors of butter and fruits; I swear I will buy more once I go to Florence next time. 5 stars!!!

Around 20h30, we arrived in the hotel in Aprilia, a little city not far from Roma. The customers invited us to another town ‘Ariccia’ for dinner.  

It was a little rustic restaurant but with very good business; we saw many local people there; I tried almost everything in the restaurant, I loved so much the sausages which kept the original flavors and taste. It was an unforgettable table experience too!

Osteria da angelo
http://www.osteriadaangelo.it/

*The specialty of Ariccia: La Porchetta (salted roast pork, a cold dish)--> soooooooo tasty!!!!

What I want to specially point out is the pasta.  It looked so normal without anything special inside but after I tasted, I knew the secret (very fat smoked bacon) of the homemade pasta that no one could resist!

When I wondered if I stayed in Aprilia instead of going to Roma by train on Friday, the hubby tried to convince and told me “Roma was the central part of Europe. You should go and see the city of Cesar!” 

I was totally conquered when seeing the grand monuments in front of me.

It was a beautiful memory thought I had only three hours walking in Roma.
But I know I will be back again someday not only for the sightseeing but also for the inspirational Italian food! :)

Lovely pieces from Paris

I was supposed to stick onto my work bench but… after receiving a phone call from the hubby, I have no mood on my projects now. Tomorrow I will go to Genova, Florence and Roma with him for 4 days. I have never been to Italy before and would like to ask you my dear friends the "Must visit", “Must buy” and “Must eat” in Italy. I will search some traveling info from Google later this evening too. (It would be great if it's easy to find some shops of dollhouse miniatures there? :D)

Since I have no mood in the work now, I upload some pictures of the lovely pieces I got in Paris yesterday.
There were two fairs in Paris: “Paris Création” and “Salon Création Savoir Faire”.

This was the first time I attended both fairs. "Paris Création" is a combined fair with half of dolls and half of dollhouse miniatures.

I was impressed because I have never seen so many lovely and creative dolls in France before but my favorite for now is still dollhouse miniatures. By the way, I had a very important meeting with Catherine and Marie-Laure. :)

The appointment was set at 13h00, in front of Pascale Garnier’s stand. It was a great pleasure to meet and see them both in person. They both were so affable and friendly. We five people had very good time chatting together. Luce (MyFrenchCuisine) took a picture of us. Hey hey! I also go to a treasure piece from Catherine--- an oil painting of lilac. Now I worry if I can find a nice roombox for it. Yes, I am confident I will find it out next year!!(Next Year)

I also found some supply in Salon Création Savoir Faire. Hope that will be helpful for my future projects.

Well, I am going to prepare the luggage and check the travel information. Hope we will have good weather, good mood and good FOOD in Italy this week. :-)

About the first show of mine

It is not a wrong decision to do my first show in Arnhem! It was an attempt but thanks God, it worked!

I have been so spoiled by the table neighbors, the customers and many friends from blogland during the weekend. I was fed on Dutch cakes, Belgium chocolate, ice cream, sandwich and coffee etc; I got several gifts from friends too. Those who have been bringing customers to me, encouraged me and helped me in Arnhem do make me warm and touched. (Yes, I also brought several pieces of Luce, MyFrenchCuisine, to Arnhem)

As a newbie of miniature shows, I am learning by playing! I am lucky to have Bob, my future tutor, served as my part-time taxi driver, and Audrey, my top Dutch sales lady who came from Rotterdam helped me in the show.  I have been introduced to several well-known artisan and senior sellers, like Jens of Jens Torp Design Sliver Miniature, Jacqueline, Bert of aarts miniatures and Lida of The Mini Factory. I was surprised Phil of CraftGlass came to me and said hello when I was on the way setting up the table. When Angie Scarr passed and looked at my works, I could not help but tell her how much I admired her. She was a very important tutor on my mind. When she took my business card, she was curious about my name. Yes, “PETITGRAND” is a real name (from the hubby’s family) and it’s so perfect for the miniature world.

I appreciated Marguerite, the founder of Amis Jouet Ancien Patrimoine Miniature, Michelle and Chantal of Petits Bonheures came to me and brought me to know more French artisans in the show. They are all my stars!!!

During the show, I met 3 show organizers and I probably will consider attending some other shows in the future. I was happy and excited that many Italian friends came and invited me to go to Milan. I wish I could do everything but when I noticed quite many white hairs appeared recently, I knew I needed well organize the planning. I cannot do a show in a rush like this time. Too much pressure!

Several friends asked me if the result was good or not. Was 2000 euros very good and 1000 euros bad? I have no comments since I had zero show experience before. I love see cash coming to my pocket but the very important thing for me is I have packed a lot of friendship from Arnhem back home.  My heart was joyful. I waked up at 03h30 yesterday morning and took 4 trains back to Nimes. It was a long journey but I was smiling all the time.

I miss my husband too. He has been in China and Japan since three weeks. We both have been working so hard when we separated. I will be very happy to have him back home on Saturday. Now what I want to do is take a good rest and EAT EAT EAT. I probably will keep cool and silent for a month again since there is still a huge task waiting for me.

The last thing I want to mention is I was pleased Carol and Tomas (True2Scale) came to my hotel on Sat evening. We had dinner together and walked along the river to their boat. I would never forget about this nice friend, who has been so kind,  helping and encouraging me when I started the little business. I sincerely wish they both will also have great success in Madrid show in Nov. For sure, I hope they will consider coming and visiting me in France someday :-)

Off to Arnhem

I was absent for some days because I accepted an invitation on 10^th Oct that I will exhibit parts of my works in Arnhem show this evening.

It’s a tough work but a great challenge for preparing a show in 14 days.
It’s was crazy but exciting since this will be my first fair. Just the neck and the shoulders are sacrificed due to much working load. I have more than 100 pieces of works to show off in the fair.

I will take the train to Arnhem in two hours.
Once any of you will come to Arnhem show, I sincerely welcome you to stop by.
I don’t know the table number but I will be there with Bob Willans (Tollgate Miniatures)

Arnhem, my first time is given to you. Never let me down!!! :o)