Additions to the Miniature Population

With thanks to

Robin

the lovely lady who made them!!

Lil in her new domain.

Much persuasion was needed to induce Lil

to emigrate Downunder.

Janet and Jim

were in dire need of some quality help

with their large family

so Robin was asked if she knew of a nice

trustworthy lady who might like to travel

and see a bit of the world 

and take up a position with our family.

Lil was consulted but she wasn't immediately convinced,

she had the possibility of a good position

coming available close to home.

Inducements of a well appointed kitchen

and the great Australian weather

didn't appear to be much help convincing Lil to leave England.

I had a very nervous weekend waiting to hear

what her final decision would be...

Joy when the news came through

that Lil would be coming!!

(Gossip had it Lil was persuaded to emigrate

only when she heard that her dear Vicar,

whom she'd

"done for"

for years,

had accepted a posting Downunder.)

The Vicar is visiting to chat with Young Jim

about christening arrangements for the babies.

Lil and the Vicar appear to have taken

"The long way round"

on their journey to Australia,

arriving many days later than expected.

Robin and I feared Lil had had her way with the Vicar

and the two of them eloped.

Perhaps we'd never see them again!

They eventually showed up,

nonchalantly unpacked themselves

and made themselves at home,

without forwarding any explanation 

re their tardiness.

The Vicar is saying nothing whatever of their whereabouts.

When questioned, Lil firmly closed her lips

around a tiny smile.

 As soon as

the new arrivals had been revived from their journey

with a good cup of tea,

a photo session was arranged

to commemorate the occasion

but Lil was nowhere to be seen.

A frantic hunt ensued.

Grave fears were held for her safety.

Miniature people are warned

on their arrival

of the danger of

Miniature-Eating Wolves

lurking about.

(Chihuahuas - who also eat miniature crochet)

To everyones great relief

she was found to have

skived off to the computer desk for a quiet fag

(a habit I hope I can break her of soon)

and wasn't happy  about being required

to pose for a photo.

Her mood improved markedly

when she was shown the kitchen

where she immediately donned her pinny

and set to work with mop and bucket.

Woe-betide anyone

who walks dirt through her domain

again!

And finally,

our older teenage daughter.

A horse mad lass!

She wasted no time

but made a beeline for the stable

to feed her horse an apple,

give him a good brush down

and pop a saddle on him for

a lovely ride.

Some New Treasure

As you probably know,

I love collecting beautiful artistmade

Treasures!

So,

as I've not had much of my own work to share lately,

I thought I'd share some photos

of recent additions to my collection.

Around Christmas time

Adelaide and Christopher

found they needed a new brother and sister.

From

Alliebean

This is

Little Dot,

about 2 3/4"long, squished into Midgets cot.

Adelaide has loaned her a play suit

but it's a trifle on the tight side!

Adelaide and Little Dot get on well together.

Next we have

Henry.

Also squished into Midgets cot.

He's not in the least concerned that he's 'naked'!

Henry and Christopher have something in common,

they both enjoy a good snooze!

I absolutely love Alicia's OOAK babies!

Next aquisition via ebay

is for the stable.

I'm gobsmacked by the craftsmanship of this set.

The riding crop is a perfect rendition.

That crash hat is silk lined!

And the boots are beautiful thin leather

made to appear well loved.....

I do love them!!!!

Then along came another exquisite

handmade miniature

to tantalise!

One of

Pamela Junks

little dollies.

Adelaide took one peek

and claimed her for her own.

And last but most certainly not least,

a recent exciting parcel arrived

from

Christine

I've loved Christines miniature toys

for a long time,

they're her own unique style

with such appealing little personalities.

This little bear spoke to me

and said it belonged with Midget!



Just pottering around

It's mid-winter Downunder, meaning time to do the heavier gardening.

Not a lot of time for miniatures but the school holidays couldn't pass without spending time with grandkids making something for their projects.  

No.3 grandson requested a paper towel holder for his kitchen.

No.2 grandson made a trash to treasure planter box for his stable a while ago, 

he has painted it and planted some of my dodgy flowers. 

I'm sure the horse will find them appetising

even though they look like they came from another planet ;)

And,

my own pottering with paperclay.

That's a trotting pole in front of the planter.

The flowers were a kit from

Georgie Steeds

Long Absence...

Not much time to post of late but keeping up with

all your beautiful blogs

during spare moments keeps me almost on the level ;)  

Do I suffer from insanity?  No, I enjoy it! 

Also enjoying cooking.

Croissants, brandy custard and prunes - upmarket bread and butter pudding - a fave with family!

 And making soap - perfume and additive free.  No photo, it's still maturing.

And knitting RL size dish cloths when my hands are shaking too much for miniatures.

Knitting dish cloths is addictive. 

 Zen knitting my friend Bev calls it,

automatic movements that let your mind roam free.

There have been some moments for miniatures.

Pink for my kitchen. 

Enamel mugs for no.2 grandsons stable.

Egg carton pavers for the stable.

Grandson made a planter box and I had help building a Feed Bin.

  

Pet dishes made by no.3 grandson for his kitchen while he was off school with Chickenpox. 

That lad is good with poly clay!

And a cat bed made by me.

 Second set of dishes made by me for the stable because no.2 grandson didn't have chickenpox

......and had to go to school!

Yellow for grandsons kitchen.

Just small projects for my butterfly mind.

What did you do on Boxing Day?

I first counted my blessings.....miniature and otherwise.........

This blessing is a gift every Christmas, it belonged to my Pop who passed away in 1970, was cared for by Nanna till 1995 when it came into my care.  It must be well over 50 years old, I recall it being around when I was young.  I love the rich colour of the abundant blooms and treasure the memories they bring.



Then some miniature christmas goodies.

Meet Imogen Iris.

A special gift from my other 'arf, dressed in cream and old christmas red. 

She joins her older sister Isabelle Ivy, 

(sitting down)

in the Christmas Shop with Ambrose,

(the dog with the face only a mother could love but he is a precious memento of a dear departed friend) - where both girls dream of

Christmas Presents. 

Please don't look at the naked christmas tree, I promise I'm trying to make decorations..........

From a very dear friend who has a very new blog. 

I collect Depression Glass, now I have some in miniature!   How cool is that? 

The phone is a symbol of our legendary chat-a-thons ;)

That tatted doiley, handmade, gossamer fine.  Isn't it gorgeous?

It deserves a photo on its own to show off the awesome detail.

The bridle kit is again from 'imself and the totally grogeous silver trophy is from another lovely friend.  It looks like I'd better build my own stable soon!

After counting blessings I thought, since Grumpy is off his oats and on paddock rest, it would be appropriate to make hay while the sun shines............

OK, end of horsey puns, and the sun hasn't shone here for a week. 

Nevertheless, a large part of the day was spent making up that bridle kit.

I rarely have that much time to play all in one day, it was like christmas mk.2!

Shadow looks pleased with his new 'clothes' :)  Here he is visiting my grandsons horse who is as yet unnamed.  If I was a trifle younger, and a trifle smaller, I'd hop right on that saddle and take a wonderful ride but since I'm neither of those things I'll have to do the grandmotherly thing instead and spend some time with grandson making up his christmas bridle kit for his horse very soon.

The Phantom Stable Update

Stable Mk2.  I guess this stable seems like a phantom, heard but not seen so here is proof it exists. 

 No.1 was discarded due to the effects of vinegar and steel wool bug juice warping the timber and the acidity levels remaining may have had an effect on the contents, particularly the horse. 

This project is slow going with real life interfering with available time.

With the acrylic front and roof in place.  Roof needs a skylight insert.

Overview.

Loose box.  Twisted wire forms the hinges on the gate.

Tack and feed room.  Inner walls are pegged for strength.

Feed trough.

Made and painted by the 13year old owner.  The only help he had was with inserting the wire in the rim which bends into hooks for hanging.

Tool boxes and crate made and painted by 13year old.  He had a tiny bit of help with the metal tin of nails.

Great Excitement!

A dear friend called in today with the most amazing gift for me. 

How lucky am I?  The luckiest person in the world!!

Thankyou Lidi!!!

   

Moon Shadow has "clothes"!!  He was a bit jealous when my grandsons horse got a saddle for Christmas ;)  Now he feels all smart!
Shadow is very proud of his new dressage saddle with double buckled girth and bridle with egg butt bit and cavesson, see him arching his neck and showing off for the camera.

The RL size horse shoe is a memento from the rear hoof of my beloved Thoroughbred - Black Prince - who I rode as a teenager a long time ago ;) 

Lidi recently was awarded IGMA Artisan status, she will be at Miniatura in October with her unique baskets.  Please visit her web shop and flickr photo album to see her wares.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lidistroud/

http://www.intominis.com/service1.html

Shabby but not too chic............

Grandson came over and we played with knives! 

We think the loose box needs to be 1" wider but apart from that we're happy with the mock up, we'll use mdf and ply for the stable proper.  The front fence will be uprights in the finished stable so the horse can't get his foot over a rail ;)