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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.