I am back... at last

Hello everyone,

My sincerest apologies for being absent for so long.

I am hoping to start showing you pictures now of my latest projects, including crafts that are not just minis.

I am off now to catch up with everyone's news , I have really missed the whole blog community

A Face To Love

Apologies for my absence again recently, life just seems to be constantly busy just lately.

Ok, I have been unable to make any minis lately or even continue painting the units I have bought for the tower but, I wanted to show this beautiful item I bought from Magsnificent Miniatures when I went to Miniatura earlier this year.

He is sooooo lovely, bless...

I have decided he is going to live in the shed.  The shed needed a little more interest adding to it besides what you would normally expect to find.  He is going to be my first  'interesting addition'.  I think he will be happier there than the tower, especially at the moment as I have so much work left to do on it. compared with the shed which is mainly just adding bits and pieces and finishing touches.

For your convenience

Before I get any further with what I have been up to, I wanted to show everyone a very special item that I have recently purchased.

Unfortunately, I do not know who made it.  There was no box or label.  I love it though.

I saw this outside toilet and knew I had to have it.  It is made of resin.  I haven't needed to touch it at all.  It is perfect just the way it is.

I love all the little details that are all round the outside and inside.  There is even a hole in the back pre prepared for lighting at a later point.  Something I think would be great for the future.

It is just waiting now for the right character to be found in here with a shocked look on his face.  Judging by the artisans that were at the Miniatura earlier this month, I should be able to find one next time I go there.  This building is just crying out for a more unique person I think.

Shed Progress

I sorted out all the little items I had bought from the Miniatura for the shed.

All these were bought from Teepee Crafts.  I haven't used all these items yet, some need a bit of planning and extra gluing.

I must admit, next time I go to another fair, this is one of the stalls I would look for again for some of the small items.

I believe I bought these from Magsnificent Miniatures.  I know I bought a lot from this lady, she had so many lovely things some of the things I bought are going to live in the tower so I haven't taken a photo of them yet. I believe the garden sieve came from a different stall, apologies, I will find the name later... I am tutting at myself but there was so much to see and some of the items were not put in bags and I had to put things together so they didn't get lost.

And here is the shed so far...

I am finding difficult to add characters to my buildings.  I want there to be people in them to add a 'story' but, I haven't found the right ones yet.  I think when I see the right ones, I will know straight off.  I would like them to be handmade rather than mass produced because I think there is that something extra about items hand made that is just missing from mass produced pieces.

I bought the garden tools from a stall called Olde Charm Crafts.  They are lovely quality.  There are some in one of the drawers that you cannot see but, those who have read my blog before, know I like drawers and cupboards to be filled.

Fun, fun and more fun...

Well, even though the snow had me worried for a while, luckily the train service kept running and I made it to the Miniatura!

Wow, ok, well... I saw so much and there were so many talented people there.  I spent more than I thought but came away a very happy bunny indeed and totally spoiled myself and my daughter (who also spoiled herself with many minis).

I am not going to show all the photographs all at once because I would like to show what I have bought and where they are going to live and I am having to fit things in round real life.  When I first arrived back at home I just looked through all the items I had bought.

I decided that even though I still have not completed my other projects, I would start another one... but, this one had to be on a budget.  So I bought a shed.  I bought the kit from The Dolls House Builder.

I also bought some plain wood furniture for inside

 I bought the table from Jennifers of Walsall and I shall have to try and remember the name of the stall I bought the chair and unit from later.




I have been busy the last couple of days and here is how it is looking so far.

This is the shed with a basic coat (no glass in the window yet etc).  It may not look exciting yet but I have plans...

Here is the furniture stained but, as with the rest of the shed, in its basic form.  I need to make the furniture more shabby and add a cushion/padding to the chair.

I have lots left to do but, for tonight that is all as it is getting late and I have work tomorrow.

Cant wait till I can go again... although I think it will be next year at the earliest before I can afford it haha.

Impatiently Waiting

Well, not long now till the Miniatura this weekend and I am keeping my fingers crossed the weather stays ok.  I have been a little concerned because they keep mentioning snow on the weather and that would make it difficult for travelling.  Oh my I am so impatient when waiting when I know I have such a lovely day ahead.  Impatience is not just for kids :)

I have been sorting out more mini items.  I have been surprised by just how much I have to sort through.  I am still feeling the excitement though.  

I love making bread with fimo, I find it so relaxing.  

These are my first attempts at making plates, bowls etc.  I think once they have been sanded, and possibly painted/varnished they will look ok and may be of use in a future project. 

The final picture for tonight is of eye shadow tins cleaned and ready to use as baking trays for maybe some cakes or buns.  I love the effect of using these for baked goods.

Does anyone else have stashes of useful mini items stored and ready to use?  How do you store them to keep them safe?  I would love to hear from people on this subject.

Change of direction

Well, after a short break, I managed to fit in a little time on minis today.  Unfortunately, no time was spent on the tower.  This is because I have decided the dresser and desk are going to be replaced.  I have decided they are going to have to be replaced sooner rather than later and I am hoping I will find the ideal pieces at a reasonable price.  Fingers crossed on that one.

In the mean time I started looking at material I have to make a mini bear.

This is the scheme I think I will use for the first one.

As you can see, I decided the first bear I will make is using a lyrical bear pattern.  I think I could end up being a day or two because I need to sort out my reading glasses so that I can see to sew etc.  

The other day I managed to finally get round to staining the plain wood book case I bought a few weeks ago.  I am quite pleased with the results.

Then I added all the books I have made so far.  Each of these books can be taken off the shelves and opened.  I have added my own small writing and doodles on some of the pages.  I want all the books to be like this and hand made by me.  

I am rather slow at making the books so it could be a while before I manage to fill all the shelves.