Tuesday 29 December 2009

Christmas is Over, the Turkey has Gone and I am Truly Stuffed







I hope you all had a peaceful and joyous Christmas or holiday. I am sitting here at my computer, at least one dress size bigger, contemplating how I am going to lose my extra cushioning. The weather is dull and wet so I tried to watch one of my Christmas DVDs but it wouldn't work as I don't know what I have done to the DVD player, I must have pressed every button on the remote control, I thought it best to turn the player off and pretend I have not touched it.LOL

I am feeling a triffle odd after the last of the Christmas ham today for breakfast. I should have done the cat test. I offer the ham to the cat and if she turns her nose up I know its off and if she eats it I know the rest is fine.


Well back to something I know a little about, this is what I have been up to after the excesses of Christmas

Monday 21 December 2009

Mini Christmas Present


As a mini Christmas gift I am including a free miniature gift with all purchases from now until 25th December.
Even though I am trying to have a break from minis I just cannot stop myself. So heres my latest creation a Strawberry and Kiwi Charlotte Cake.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Joyous New Year.

Thursday 17 December 2009

Mini Holiday







My Etsy shop will be shut from Saturday 19th December until 23rd December, opening again on Christmas Eve. So if you want to get that last minute item before Christmas be sure to visit before Saturday. I am accompanying my partner on a business trip to Dubai. We are leaving our 18 year old son at home alone........ Please let us a home to come home to.



Here are a few extra bits I have made. I know I said the Christmas feast was the last Christmas thing I was making. I just got a little carried away.

Thursday 10 December 2009

Feastive Feast




This is the last Christmas thing I will make for Christmas 2009 now I have to concentrate on buying presents, eating mince pies and having the odd Baileys.
Oh yes and resting.
Merry Christmas one and all

Wednesday 9 December 2009

Santa's Little Helper




I just couldn't resist this photo its my beautiful -well beauty is in the eye of the beholder- cat tired after a hard day making minis. Some would say she is sleeping on the job and possibly that I work her too hard.

Tuesday 8 December 2009

Christmas Party


I am so excited I am going to a Christmas party 12th December I have bought a strapless little red number that means I am unable to eat anything - real or mini- until the 13th. I have not been to a Christmas party for years so I have alot of catching up to do.

In between dreaming and shopping here are my new items, not many as I am slowing down for Christmas. These little jars are the last for this year - Christmas sauces with festive labels.

Sunday 6 December 2009

Christmas in Real Size







Today I decided to put my tree up. First we had to go and buy it which is always the hardest part, trying to find a tree that is not too big. For many years we have had to cut bits of the trees off as they have been so bushy we couldn't see the tv properly. In the shop the trees look perfect its only when you get them home and remove the netting you realize you have a monster. This year we have the perfect tree its only taken us twenty odd years.
The cat was very interested in the tree she came into the lounge, sniffed it, played with a few baubles and watched me decorate it as though at any minute she was expecting something unusual to happen. Well I managed to break the customary one bauble while decoratoring it however, this year I surpassed myself I managed to knock the fairy off the top as well. She crashed to the floor and broke her head - not to worry all mended with superglue.



Afterwards I worked on the above

Wednesday 2 December 2009

New "Artisan in Miniature" Magazine




Just to let you know the Artisan in Miniature December issue magazine is now ready to download. This month there is an added bonus, an Advent Calender revealing a project behind each door. So come on in and enjoy http://www.artisansinminiature.com/issue10.html




See if you can spot my work, I'll give you a clue its in the article about Turkeys, ducks and geese.


Apart from reading the mag I have been really busy with the above.

Monday 30 November 2009

Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me, Me,











I was invited to join a group and provide 16 facts about myself I thought I would share them.
1. I make 12th scale miniature dollshouse food from polymer clay




2. I have a beautiful, moody, black cat.




3. I like reading fantasy fiction and wish it was reality




4. I live in London in the UK5, I have been making miniatures for about 5 years and have just started making them full time.




6. I like swimming and walking.




7. I probably drink far too much green tea but only from a bone china mug.




8. I have an eighteen year old son with my life partner Julian




9. My favourite colour is burgundy




10. My favourite fabrics are velvets and silk




11. I do not like the rain but I love playing in the snow




12. I love Victorian and Medieval dresses




13. I prefer to be outside than inside as long as its not raining.




14. I prefer the countryside to towns.




15. I love big open fires.




16. My favourite things miniature to make are cakes.




Just a snip at what I have been upto when not thinking about me.

Thursday 26 November 2009

Those Darn Pesky Cats
















Don't get me wrong I love cats and I don't really mind that neighbours' cats come through our magnetic cat flat ( we all seem to have bought the same cat flap) and eat our cat's food but, when they mark the kitchen with their spray or pee - enough is enough. For the last three nights I have awoken to the vile smell so, last night I locked the cat flap so the culprit could get in but not out. This morning I found a very nervous black cat in my utility room I opened the back door and he scarpered. I don't think we will be seeing him for a while. The worst case was a stray was so bold he use to wander the house and onec sprayed in our bedroom while my partner was reading on the bed.

Now onto a fresher note here's what I have been upto: a jar of meringues, a jar of Champagne Chocolate truffles and two Charlotte cakes.

Tuesday 24 November 2009

Busy Busy Busy Busy











The Kensington dollhouse festival I was so excited I only just remembered my ticket as I was going through my front door. Only to find on arriving I had forgotten my list of what to buy. I was a little disappointed as I could not get all the silk ribbon I needed and I should have bought that darling little honey pot with honey in it. Instead of being mean and saying I can make that I don't need to buy it.


Well as Christmas approaches fast I am like an insane dog chasing its tail. I am working from 7.00am until 4.00pm with a lunch break and the odd toilet visit. Yet I feel I am achieving very little. It feels like I am on the Merry-g0-round of madness. Having said all that I am pleased with my creations I just did not realize how much time is taken up photograghing work, putting up on line etc.

Saturday 21 November 2009

Kensington Dollshouse Christmas Festival











This morning I am off to the Kensington dollshouse festival with my Aunt and my niece thats 3 generations of dollshouse enthusiasts in one family. I am hoping to top up on supplies and treat myself to a little mini something as I have been working so hard. Well I think I have and thats what counts.Meanwhile here's what I have been busy with.

Wednesday 18 November 2009

Too Many Cooks - No You Can Never Have Enough!











Today my 18 year old son returned with the ingredients to make his dinner to say I was surprised is an understatement. He went straight to his father for advice. I could hear them cooking away so, I offered some help. Both agreed they were happy to carry on and did not need any help. Well is that because they wanted me to relax and enjoy some peace or was it because the smoke alarm usually signals that dinners ready when I'm cooking? LOL




I hope they continue to cook so that I can have more time doing what I love. I have been really busy of late here's what I have been upto.

Monday 16 November 2009

It Just Keeps Raining







What better excuse for making minis I cannot go out its raining. Although my partner and I decided to drive into Central London to have a look in the Burlington Arcade - a beautiful covered arcade built circa 19th century- and then to walk along The Thames. Lets just say it poured with rain and our plans were curtailed. However we did treat ourselves to a small box of Laduree macaroons the pralines were a little taste of heaven. Above is a sample of what I have been upto. I just love the Full English Breakfast earrings although all I get in the morning in porridge. Yes I know its good for me but it has the consistency of wallpaper paste.

Wednesday 11 November 2009

Danger in the Real World






Yesterday I returned to my old job as a volunteer to go on a trip with the children, it was great but it also reminded me of why I gave up in the first place. By the end of the day I was exhausted. Ah yeah and I nearly got knocked down by a mop head in central London while trying to stop the traffic to allow 20 children to cross.



Today luckily I am back to the relatively safe domain of dollshouse miniatures. Yes I know but a few burns from the oven, the odd nick from the scalpel and glueing one's fingers together or to another item with super glue is nothing compared to the dangers of safe guarding children on the underground and walking in central London.



I have been really busy preparing for a mini Christmas. As yet most items have not been put into displays and photographed.

Saturday 7 November 2009

Ready for Winter











I have just moved my work table away from the French doors which lead into the garden as, the draft is too much to bear. My table is now right infront of the radiator. Thats as near as I get to hibernating. I can just about ranch out and put my feet on the radiator - shear Heaven. Although it is my fingers that really get cold while I am sculpting I have tried gloves but to no avail (only joking). Unfortunately I can no longer stare into the garden in a dream like state for hours so, hopefully I should get some work done.




Enough of my rambling here's what I have been working on.

Monday 2 November 2009

Leaves Leave Me Flummoxed




Here in North London in the UK the weather has been mild with an illusion of warmth causing me to hang my washing out to dry. It didn't. So, I have just bought it in and hung it on the clothes horse. I just keep making more chores for myself as though I don't have enough to do as it is.

I even moved three leaves when I was in the garden only a tree load more to collect. I will do the leaves when they have all fallen. I learnt my lesson there last week. My mother was moaning about all the leaves on her drive. So I roped my son into helping me to sweep her drive and bag the leaves. There I was expecting a big "Thank You" however, Mum didn't even notice - by the time she had got home the wind had blown a whole heap of new leaves onto her drive. I won't be caught out again.

Finally, I managed to take a decent photograph of the Christmas Preparation Table I have been working on. I was getting so fed up....... I must have taken at least 100 photos before being able to locate just 5 that were decent. I have to upgrade my photographic studio. Currently it is a cardboard box with a sheet of white cardboard at the back and lots of kitchen foil. I need to upgrade from a shoebox to a fruit box.

Saturday 31 October 2009


My partner and I are going out tonight for dinner which is something we rarely do. So when he rang - while I was helping my mother - to say he had booked the table for 6.oopm my mother piped up has he booked you in for the Kiddi menu. He heard and laughed and then replied he was worried I would be too tired for a later booking. I had to remind him I'm 41 not 81. I made him re-book.

Well I am going to treat myself tonight to a lovely chocolatey dessert no cheese and biscuits for me.

Friday 30 October 2009

Adjusting to a Mini Life




Its been really odd this week realizing that I can make minis everyday now if I so choose. Now I am trying to achieve some sort of routine so, that I get regular exercise and my daily dose of sunshine. I do not want to turn into a mini hermit who only ventures out on public holidays LOL. This is what I have been upto.

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Mini Mayhem


What am I doing now? Well the answer is making a bl...dy mess my hands are covered in brown glass paint and super glue. I have just knocked a pot of glass paint over. I went to wilko this morning and forgot to buy the wax polish I need. Yet managed to buy another pumpkin full size when I already have one. Oh yeah and I am cold. So as you see I am happy as a lark LOL.

Its one of those days when all I touch turns to disaster I dare not do any sculpting LOL. I think a nice cuppa tea and a biscuit is what I need.

Sunday 25 October 2009

A Mini Celebration







I had a little wine last night to celebrate my plunge into the miniature world full-time. Suffice to say there will be no mini making today due to the everso painful after effects of too much merry making.
Below and above are pictures of my new range of cufflinks I have been working on in better times. I have made more but, partner keeps claiming them. I think he's had enough freebies I will have to start charging him LOL.
Ah yes now I remember why I do not usually drink!



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