Happy New Year!
may it bring you everything good ....in miniature, of course!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
I hope your Christmas day was a happy one and that Santa was as good to you as he was to us
Thought I'd just pop on to show you the lovely gifts I received from Rosa in the International Christmas swap. She sent me some extras like this lovely cathedral painting
A Halloween centerpiece made with real plants
...not one but two toys
... a basket filled with the most exquisite mushrooms and blanched asparagus, an angel pyramid
and if that weren't enough ....look at this table runner!! The photo just doesn't do it justice
Rosa, thank you so much! I love it all.And here's what I sent to my swap partner, Natlaie
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Just wanted to wish you all the very best wishes for the season. May Santa bring you your hearts desire.
Your fellowship and your comments have made this blog what it is; you keep me posting and striving to do and show my best work. Your blogs are not only a pleasure to read but also a constant source of learning. Together we're shrinking the globe to a common village ...well, afterall we're all into miniatures anyway LOL
Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo; Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo; Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan; Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok; Glædelig Jul; Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!; Ruumsaid juuluphi; Hyvaa joulua; Joyeux Noel; Froehliche Weihnachten; Kala Christouyenna!; Buone Feste Natalizie; Boas Festas; Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto; Feliz Navidad; God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År
If I've left anyone out, then let me wish you a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Seasons Greetings.... and as Tiny Tim put it so eloquently: God bless us everyone!
My Christmas starts tomorrow; we spend a day with my family and the next day with Kens family.
I'll be back before years end to show you what lovely things I've sent and received in the international swap; my Christkindl market stall is still a long way from being finished and I'll show you my excuse ...of which I'm exceedingly proud.
May you all have a wonderful day(s) filled with family and friends....
big hugs Karin
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Christmas International Swap
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things":
Remember I needed to make 1 Christmas gift, 1 toy and 1 gift representing autumn for the Christmas swap.
I was a day late sending off my swap gift to Natalie. No less than a day later I got my gifties from RosaMaria
Can't show you what I made for Natalie until Christmas and in turn I won't peek at mine.
But finally, it's mailed and I can get back to my Christkindl market stall.
Not finished by a long shot but here's what I'm thinking: the bottom shelf will hold boxes of candles, gingerbread, sparklers. Amazing how much time it takes to glue a printie box together. I'll put toys on the middle shelf while the top shelf is for creches, Christmas ornaments, etc. Still need to make gingerbread houses and hearts, more teddies, boxes of cookies; if there's room I have Advent calendars, pop-up books....
Remember I needed to make 1 Christmas gift, 1 toy and 1 gift representing autumn for the Christmas swap.I was a day late sending off my swap gift to Natalie. No less than a day later I got my gifties from RosaMaria
Can't show you what I made for Natalie until Christmas and in turn I won't peek at mine.
But finally, it's mailed and I can get back to my Christkindl market stall.
Not finished by a long shot but here's what I'm thinking: the bottom shelf will hold boxes of candles, gingerbread, sparklers. Amazing how much time it takes to glue a printie box together. I'll put toys on the middle shelf while the top shelf is for creches, Christmas ornaments, etc. Still need to make gingerbread houses and hearts, more teddies, boxes of cookies; if there's room I have Advent calendars, pop-up books....
Sunday, November 28, 2010
In case you wondered
...where I've been hiding, I thought I'd better touch base. Rosanna's Christmas swap will be ready for mailing on Monday; I'm still working my way through the Christkindl Market Stall. It's all stained and I'm in the process of filling the lowest shelf with product ...all printies as they won't be that visible.
I've had to switch to a different type of building project that was meant to start in the spring but unexpectedly got started early due to the availability of our builder. This is what the first 8 x 18 ft of my kitchen looked like, after we emptied it of furniture on Friday:
After our first winter, we replaced the roof; unfortunately two years later we're still working on it ...but this time from the inside!
Of course with a fully furnished house, this can be somewhat harrowing. What you see ...or not see in this photo is a 7ft long table with all the bits and bobs piled on top. And to make it even more "fun", we've had to partially empty an upstairs storage room so a retro vapor barrier could be sprayed into the attic...
So what you're seeing in this photo is the result of that, another room turned into a storage pile.
This was the view Saturday morning. The blue tarp kept the remainder of the kitchen "clean".
and this is what came to light, a prior build that gave new meaning to "building code".
All the existing ceiling framework had to be removed ....in pieces.
Above that we had our new roof with its scissor trusses. This part of the kitchen was meant to have a vaulted ceiling from the time we had it built and since the far wall and all my cupboards are pine, my new ceiling will be clad in pine as well.
The other three vertical walls will be drywalled ....which I will have the privilege of finishing and then painting.
We had planned to finally put up our Christmas tree this year. It would have been the first time in 3 years. Thankfully we'll be celebrating both the 24th and the 25th of December with family at their homes and who knows maybe next year we might even be able to invite everybody to our house...
I've had to switch to a different type of building project that was meant to start in the spring but unexpectedly got started early due to the availability of our builder. This is what the first 8 x 18 ft of my kitchen looked like, after we emptied it of furniture on Friday:
After our first winter, we replaced the roof; unfortunately two years later we're still working on it ...but this time from the inside!
Of course with a fully furnished house, this can be somewhat harrowing. What you see ...or not see in this photo is a 7ft long table with all the bits and bobs piled on top. And to make it even more "fun", we've had to partially empty an upstairs storage room so a retro vapor barrier could be sprayed into the attic...So what you're seeing in this photo is the result of that, another room turned into a storage pile.
This was the view Saturday morning. The blue tarp kept the remainder of the kitchen "clean".
and this is what came to light, a prior build that gave new meaning to "building code".
All the existing ceiling framework had to be removed ....in pieces.
Above that we had our new roof with its scissor trusses. This part of the kitchen was meant to have a vaulted ceiling from the time we had it built and since the far wall and all my cupboards are pine, my new ceiling will be clad in pine as well.
The other three vertical walls will be drywalled ....which I will have the privilege of finishing and then painting.
We had planned to finally put up our Christmas tree this year. It would have been the first time in 3 years. Thankfully we'll be celebrating both the 24th and the 25th of December with family at their homes and who knows maybe next year we might even be able to invite everybody to our house...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
a little birdie told me...
that in the USA, the third Thursday in November is a special day where all over the country, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime. ....
So I thought I'd wish all my American friends...
that in the USA, the third Thursday in November is a special day where all over the country, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime. ....
So I thought I'd wish all my American friends...
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
Happy Thanksgiving
...may your team win and your dinner be joyful!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Best Laid Plans
...don't always work out no matter how hard you try!
The other day Nikki Rowe, who I follow avidly because she makes the most incredible wizardry accoutrements, showed some books on her blog that she'd made with faux leather covers.
Now you may remember my writing portfolios a while back,
which I originally tried to make using leather; I just couldn't stop my leather from cracking. So faux leather got me very excited. I had a Dickens Carol Christmas swap coming up and got the bright idea to make some account ledgers that Bob Cratchit might have used.
Well long story short, I asked, Nikki replied & sent me her how-to. Turned out to be extremely easy to do which was fantastic as there wasn't enough time left to put my original idea into effect for making Tiny Tim stools & crutches. I got my ledger covers finished in two easy sittings! I'd already printed off the account pages. My intent was to have the ledgers open & send a tiny ink well and a quill pen as my swap contribution. Next morning after leaving them to dry overnight, I realized that I'd made them too wide. At that point, I could have resized the printed pages but now I was really under time restraint, and totally frustrated.
I made something else ...which of course, I can't show you until my swap partners receive them. Rushed to the post office with my parcel, only to be told that the zip code marked on the box was unknown. I was on my way out of town for the weekend so I couldn't even go back home to check for mistakes. It seemed like one of those hair pulling situations where no matter what you do, it goes wrong!
Yesterday morning I checked, the post office was wrong, my zip code was correct and off the parcel went!
Now just because the book covers didn't work out for my swap doesn't mean they're garbage. I'd made an extra one with the imprint of a dragon on the front that could be used as a wizards book
and if I ever want to show a stack of books, I'm all set. Thank you sooo much for your fantastic tutorial Nikki!!
I'm now going back to my Christkindl market stall while I still can. Turns out that with less than a month til Christmas, my kitchen will be torn apart by the end of the week for some long planned renovations.
The other day Nikki Rowe, who I follow avidly because she makes the most incredible wizardry accoutrements, showed some books on her blog that she'd made with faux leather covers.Now you may remember my writing portfolios a while back,
which I originally tried to make using leather; I just couldn't stop my leather from cracking. So faux leather got me very excited. I had a Dickens Carol Christmas swap coming up and got the bright idea to make some account ledgers that Bob Cratchit might have used.Well long story short, I asked, Nikki replied & sent me her how-to. Turned out to be extremely easy to do which was fantastic as there wasn't enough time left to put my original idea into effect for making Tiny Tim stools & crutches. I got my ledger covers finished in two easy sittings! I'd already printed off the account pages. My intent was to have the ledgers open & send a tiny ink well and a quill pen as my swap contribution. Next morning after leaving them to dry overnight, I realized that I'd made them too wide. At that point, I could have resized the printed pages but now I was really under time restraint, and totally frustrated.
I made something else ...which of course, I can't show you until my swap partners receive them. Rushed to the post office with my parcel, only to be told that the zip code marked on the box was unknown. I was on my way out of town for the weekend so I couldn't even go back home to check for mistakes. It seemed like one of those hair pulling situations where no matter what you do, it goes wrong!
Yesterday morning I checked, the post office was wrong, my zip code was correct and off the parcel went!
Now just because the book covers didn't work out for my swap doesn't mean they're garbage. I'd made an extra one with the imprint of a dragon on the front that could be used as a wizards book
and if I ever want to show a stack of books, I'm all set. Thank you sooo much for your fantastic tutorial Nikki!! I'm now going back to my Christkindl market stall while I still can. Turns out that with less than a month til Christmas, my kitchen will be torn apart by the end of the week for some long planned renovations.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Queen Mary's Dollhouse
"This is a wonderful video of Queen Mary´s Dollhouse. There are close-up pictures of many details and the dialog is filled with interesting descriptions.
It opens with the background of the palace photographer and then the first 10 minutes are about the dollhouse, so get a cup of coffee or tea, relax and enjoy this trip."
Unfortunately it's in English only but even without sound, the photos are amazing!
Royal Collection
Enjoy!
It opens with the background of the palace photographer and then the first 10 minutes are about the dollhouse, so get a cup of coffee or tea, relax and enjoy this trip."
Unfortunately it's in English only but even without sound, the photos are amazing!
Royal Collection
Enjoy!
Friday, November 19, 2010
We've had our first snowfall...
and I am so not looking ready for it!
OK, OK, so I exaggerated! We only had a light dusting of snow overnight but it feels like those photos.
OK, OK, so I exaggerated! We only had a light dusting of snow overnight but it feels like those photos.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Flowers....
Remember this Kathryn Gray workshop that I did...
It was my first time doing flowers using laser cut paper ...actually my first time doing flowers of any kind! When I emailed to thank Kathryn for such an incredibly easy workshop, we discussed different types of materials and she recommended that I try some cold porcelain. Here are some photos of plants that she made using CP:
If you didn't know better, wouldn't you think these were real hops:
For any of you fortunate enough to go the Chicago Bishop show in April, Kathryn will be teaching this pretty English garden workshop:
I think Kathryn's photos have finally convinced me to try cold porcelain. I'd never be able to get fimo that thin!
If you need some flower making supplies, laser cut or CP or just friendly advice, check out Kathryn's site at Templewood Miniatures.
Happy flower making!
It was my first time doing flowers using laser cut paper ...actually my first time doing flowers of any kind! When I emailed to thank Kathryn for such an incredibly easy workshop, we discussed different types of materials and she recommended that I try some cold porcelain. Here are some photos of plants that she made using CP:
If you didn't know better, wouldn't you think these were real hops:
For any of you fortunate enough to go the Chicago Bishop show in April, Kathryn will be teaching this pretty English garden workshop:
I think Kathryn's photos have finally convinced me to try cold porcelain. I'd never be able to get fimo that thin!
If you need some flower making supplies, laser cut or CP or just friendly advice, check out Kathryn's site at Templewood Miniatures.
Happy flower making!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Look who arrived at my doorstep today.
First came Little Noel, the Christmas mouse:
I have long been a fan of Robin Joy Andreae. Although her needlefelted animals are larger than 1:12, I think next year, Noel will be pulling the Christmas sleigh into fairyland.
Robin is currently showing a new little mouse on her blog. Thank you for Noel, Robin. She looks even better live than she did in photos.
At the same time, Haggatha arrived in a puff of smoke, holding out her poisoned apple.
With her came her familiars: a raven perched on her shoulder, her grey rat prowling the cooking pot and her wooden staff.
Haggatha is a Christel Hutson creation. She's not a pretty creature with a wart on her nose and a number of teeth missing; she even has a greenish tinge to her skin. Haggatha is destined for a particular witch's emporium that I've been thinking of for more than a year.
Again, if you'd like to see more of Christel's wee faes and other not so gentle folk, have a one of Christel's blog. I also have one of Christel's impish faes.
First came Little Noel, the Christmas mouse:
I have long been a fan of Robin Joy Andreae. Although her needlefelted animals are larger than 1:12, I think next year, Noel will be pulling the Christmas sleigh into fairyland.
Robin is currently showing a new little mouse on her blog. Thank you for Noel, Robin. She looks even better live than she did in photos. At the same time, Haggatha arrived in a puff of smoke, holding out her poisoned apple.
With her came her familiars: a raven perched on her shoulder, her grey rat prowling the cooking pot and her wooden staff.
Haggatha is a Christel Hutson creation. She's not a pretty creature with a wart on her nose and a number of teeth missing; she even has a greenish tinge to her skin. Haggatha is destined for a particular witch's emporium that I've been thinking of for more than a year.
Again, if you'd like to see more of Christel's wee faes and other not so gentle folk, have a one of Christel's blog. I also have one of Christel's impish faes.
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