I am reminiscing about the first time I fell in love with all things small... I was just a kiddo - can't remember what age, maybe 6 or 7...

My Mom had the most wonderful custom of making a special trip to the store to buy me treasures and goodies whenever I was sick.  Sometimes it was flowers; sometimes it was a chocolate yummy; sometimes it was a toy.  Well, this time she brought me the cutest little stuffed toy dog.  He was very small and plump, and just filled the palm of my hand.  I fell in love right away with this little toy, and named him "Jonquil."  I don't know why I felt it was a 'he', or where I got the name, but I loved him, talked to him, and took him everywhere!

I was pretty bored from all the laying around, so Mom, as is still her way, found a great way for me to pass the time.  She brought to me an empty shoebox, scissors, pens and some glue.  She helped me get started making Jonquil his very own house!  I cut out little windows and a swinging door.  I found an old wooden spool to use as a table, then decorated it with shiny, green sequins.  Sequins are like diamonds to a little girl!  I liked the look of the sequins so much that I remember I glued them all around the little house.  I made a bed out of a white card box, the kind that contain gifts of costume jewelery.  I left the cotton inside so he would be warm.  Of course, I found some scraps of cloth to make him linens!

I spent hours and hours playing with that tiny dog.  I will never forget the fun and joy I experienced creating a cardboard mansion for a toy!  I have loved miniatures ever since.  While I am thrilled to finally have my very own grown-up dollhouse, that small, homemade shoebox-house will always have a special place in my heart!