Happy New Year to you and your families

Where did 2011 go?

Every year it happens, doesn't it?  It is Christmas, then New Year, we turn around and marvel at the fact that it is mid-year already.  Two blinks and we are preparing for Christmas again and then it is another year knocking on our door!

I wish each of you a happy 2012, with good health, people who love you, good friends, lots of laughter and lots of minis.  Several things over the last 3 years have really made me more aware of my mortality and the fragility of our life.  We can't take it for granted, but need to make the most of every single day.   

there is a saying that keeps coming to my mind, I'm sure you've heard it often.  I googled it and found not only it, but the thought I've included below it here:

"Yesterday is history,
tomorrow is a mystery,
and today is a gift;
that’s why they call it the present."
- anonymous

Cherish today, because the difference you make today will shape your future. Everything we do has so many effects and as long as you remember that the present is the most important time, you'll be fine. Enjoy life, you only get to live it once. Carpe diem - seize the day!

It might sound a bit of a cliche but it is so true.  And it is such a good resolution to make for a new year.  This is my resolution, along with a closer walk with my Lord and Saviour.

 

 

In case you are wondering about the photos, they are of the New Year's Eve celebrations on Sydney Harbour - centred around the Harbour Bridge (no, they are not mine - I googled them too).  Each New Year we have a wonderful fireworks display on Sydney Harbour.  People are already grabbing their spot along the foreshores ready for tomorrow night (it is Friday here).  Peter and I watch it on television if we stay up at all lol!  Quite often Peter is called by the hospital to work anyway, but not this year.  Watching the television is not the same as being there but at least we get to hear the music that the fireworks are synchronized to, and we see the whole display from lots of different angles.  And of course we don't have to cope with the long wait, or with the traffic jam on the way home LOL.

 

So - again, Happy New Year, and cherish each day in 2012.

 

Thank you for taking the time to look....

There can be so many demands on our time at this time of year that I really appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to have a look at 'Snippets'.  It is so nice to know that you, my friends out there, are interested enough to make the effort.

I also want to welcome two new followers: Rosangela and Maria.  Thank you very much for signing on, I do hope you found your visit here interesting enough that you will return often and leave feedback.  Maria, I love the pictures of angels on your Angels in the Attic, and your Diary of a Miniaturist is so interesting - I have visited there several times and enjoyed each time.

Rosangela, your Miniaturas blog has so many lovely vignettes on it.  I particularly like the patchwork one, with the tables strewn with all the bits and pieces that go with my second favourite hobby.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas: that you were with people you love, sharing good times.  And I hope it was a very mini Christmas for you.

I was very fortunate mini-wise.  Mum and Peter gave me money to choose whatever I want, knowing it would be minis of course, and Nathan instructed me quite early on in the piece to order a kit.  I was waiting for the Railway Inn to be released by Petite Properties but due to the pressure of sales and needing to provide stock for a series of Fairs, the release has been delayed.  So I chose instead a second Rosebud Cottage.  Fortunately it arrived in time for Christmas, much to Nathan's relief.  The girls have made something for me - it sounds very mysterious, and they will bring it with them when they and the children arrive in the new year.

I have also ordered a second Washtub Cottage, a second Halfpenny House (well, a third one actually) and two more side sculleries.  Hopefully they will arrive in the next week or so.  I want to do a bit of mix-and-matching between Washtub and Rosebud cottage porches to add a bit of variety to the mix, and I will do the second Washtub in a different finish to the first as well.  I'll also do the second Rosebud a different colour to the first of course.

As far as choosing what I'll buy with the money from Peter and Mum, I've been browsing the different sites and haven't made up my mind yet.

Christmas greetings to you all!

Wishing you a blessed Christmas

Whatever your faith I wish you a happy Christmas full of love and laughter and lots of mini things!  Sorry I have not been around for a while - but the good news is that I have actually been out a few times and done a little bit of the shopping.  That took care of the rest of the day while I recovered (and the next day too) but in the quiet time next day I made our Christmas cards.  Now that was a bit ambitious, but I am happy with the results and did manage to get them done, though the ones that were to be distributed at church today were being finished yesterday.  And I was able to go to church today to fellowship with my church family and even if I couldn't talk much or sing the carols I could hug and kiss people and sing in my head.  It was so good to be back after such a long absence.  Our good friend Richard was doing the service,  and Nathan was singing one of the special items.  He does so occasionally but was still very nervous.  He sang 'Angels we have heard on high', and did very well.  I am very proud that he managed to do it.

As for Christmas decorations - they are very scarce this year in our house, but the Christmas spirit makes up for it.  On Thursday I did buy our special Christmas decoration.  We try to buy one each year, and also add to our Lemax village collection, which we didn't get to do this year.  but I spotted this lovely musical ferris wheel ornament and couldn't resist it for this year's piece.

Santa's helpers enjoying various rides

The ornate ferris wheel and another view of the carousel

Santa's Workshop tucked away at the base

When you wind it up, the carousel rotates and it plays 'We wish you a merry Christmas'.  I have put it with a simple dish holding a red candle and sprays of decorations around it.

This looks especially pretty when the lights are off and the candle is lit.

We have just enjoyed watching the Carols from the Myer Musicbowl in Melbourne, and whilst we were doing so I gave my 1:12th scale shop  'Noelle Needlework' (still a UFO I'm afraid) a thorough dusting and straightening up, using the opportunity to get some photos while I did so.  This is a shop that specializes in Christmas needlework, selling cushions, stockings, wallhangings and Christmas-themed items, either ready-made or in kit form.  The left wall of the shop is taken up with shelves, the first section full of gift boxes, ribbons and cards, and gift wrapping.  The second and larger section has 'kits'.  Each of these is a scanned picture of a real kit, with some fabric in it, covered with plastic for realism.

 In front of these shelves there is a table used for serving customers, upon which is a stocking patterned in holly leaves, partly boxed for a customer.  Beside the table is a tub containing rolls of Christmas gift wrap.

 On the right wall is a fireplace, decorated ready for the festive season.  Some sample wall hangings add colour to the wall, and a comfortable chair shows off two cushions that match the lovely poinsettia design of the carpet and firescreen. To the right of the fireplace is the owner's workstation, with her drawers holding sewing supplies, her work basket and a stocking awaiting the cording around the edge, sitting on her chair.  The embroidery frame sits empty waiting for the next item to be stitched and of course there is a cat there stretched out comfortably on the floor - perhaps wondering where her mistress has gone to.....

 We take the opportunity to peek into the drawers of the cabinet: they hold gauze, cotton canvas, fabric for backing, and floss, and one of the top drawer holds packets of needles.  The handy slide-out shelf is covered with green felt, and an exquisite pair of gold scissors rests ready for use on it.

 In the sewing basket we see two more pairs of scissors, a pin cushion, tape measure, lots of kit packets for stockings and many other items.  We quietly replace everything where it should go, and close the drawers.

 Looking at the back wall, we can see that the Christmas rush has taken a toll on the stock, for there are empty spaces on the shelves.  But enough of the owner's handiwork remains to show that her fingers are busy indeed during the year.  There are stockings and cushions designed by various talented people and indeed variations worked on the charts that make them slightly different and individual.  The owner's fingers will need to be very productive again to fill those shelves completely but she has several more charts waiting in the wings.

 Standing and looking back into the shop, this is what we see

 The front of the shop is removable, and has an inset entrance which gives in effect two lovely bays for display.  The left window holds a table (turned around here for easy viewing) with an arrangement of a box and some ornaments.

 The right window holds a trio of three rather special angels.

Going outside and looking back into the shop, we pause for a moment to admire the window displays.

 And here it is decorated ready for the Christmas season, with the decorations across the front falling off at the least excuse lol!  And looking at this photo I see that I forgot to remove the pegs that I was using to hold it in place.  The lights are also a bit on the untamed side because they cannot be put into place permanently until the shop is completed.

 However once our lights are off, it certainly does look pretty all lit up!

And now it is well past midnight here, so officially Christmas Day - HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!



And so it starts

a peek at my first cards....

This first one is for a friend who is in hospital with terminal cancer.  She fought and beat lung cancer several years ago, then it returned earlier this year.  Yes, she is a former smoker.  She worked until just three weeks ago, then took a drastic turn for the worse and now has only a couple of weeks left.  I will miss her.

Here is the inside - I have turned the writing around but wanted to show you the pretty edging to the paper before I glued it to the card.  It took a couple of tries to do this, the second time I held the die and paper in place with a bit of double-sided tape.

I am really happy with this as my first card.  All cards of course have to have a little name on the back to identify the maker, and I have chosen this as my little mark: 

The house of course is for miniatures, as is the 'mini' in minipatch, and the 'patch' is for patchwork.  

The second and third cards are for friends who have supported me through some bad times lately - and one of them through nearly 40 years of friendship.  They are just small tokens but I did want to say something.

Here's the first:

It's in a pretty pale blue with mid blue shadowing behind the dark blue lettering - the colours haven't come out true in the photo.  The lettering and the colour behind the three windows are all in a navy blue.  And the windows are straight despite how they look in the photo lol!

And here's the second:

This one is a pale aqua/greenish colour, and the teal colours used on the outside really look pretty.  Can you tell that I love butterflies?  I just wish they would show up in the photos as nice as they look in reality.

They both have this poem inside, and this one has a pretty edging:

I know they are not perfect, I can see lots that I need to improve in all of them but I am learning.  Like everything else, experience leads to growth - and as I learn from other cardmakers (and obtain even more resources) I will get more inspiration.  But they are a start, and they are from the heart.


Hope you like them!

Another competition piece

and it's started another 'collection'

It was with the same group I did the pergola with, but this time it was for a 'Decorated Door'.  Just the door, decorated if desired.  I chose 1:48 scale, which didn't turn out for the best, but being away I didn't have the materials for 1:12th scale or means of getting them.

The time of year as well as availability of materials on my computer etc decided that the theme would be a Christmas door.  I had clay, a brick mould, and measurements to make the door the correct size, poinsettia flower kits and pots, lighting.  I looked for a small box in which to set it and Kylie came up with a spare ring box from the jewellers - perfect!  I took it apart and used one half and here is the result:

 Because some of the entrants (there were only four of us) misread the rules, not everyone submitted three photos or stated the scale.  Usually we submit a main photo and one or two with details, and state the scale as well as giving details of what was bought or made from scratch.  To give an even footing, no mention of scale was made, and no details were given.  I was disappointed about that because apart from the pot and lighting which were ready made, everything was made by me.  The flowers were made from a kit, everything else from scratch.
Here is the photo that was shown as my submission.  As you can imagine it didn't look very good compared to the rest which were in 1:12th scale - quarter scale never does in close-up, but I was thrilled that it received 3 out of the 14 votes.  The winning entry won with a well-deserved 9 votes.

 The interior of the box is wallpapered, and you can see inside in the daylight even though it doesn't show in this photo. Here it is without the light on:

And here's a closeup of the wreath on the door.  I enjoy making these wreaths, using scraps of wire left over from the flower kits, painting them brown.  I cut thin strips of gold wrapping ribbon to wrap around it and curl downwards, and added three poinsettia flowers.  Quite suitable as a Christmas decoration, I thought.  I had tried to find some beads to add as 'baubles' or 'fruit' but was unsuccessful in finding anything small enough and my efforts at making them in clay weren't good either, so I settled for just the flowers.

 And on the step we have a pot of poinsettias and another pot with candy canes (painted wires twisted together) and a sign that says 'Santa please stop here' such as you see in front of many houses.

 Closeup of the pot of poinsettias - it's been cropped then enlarged so sorry it's a bit blurry.

 And closeup of the sign - this is what I named the doorway 'Santa Please Stop Here'.  I wish I could import the original sign, it is so cute (or I think so anyway).  I will try to work out how to do that - taking a better photo would be a good start.

And now I have a new label for my blogs - because this is going to be (hopefully) just the first of several doorways.  After all, wouldn't it be nice to have one for the significant celebrations through the year: Australia Day, Valentines Day, Easter, St Patrick's Day (my mother would insist on that), Robbie Burns' Day (she'd insist on that too), ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Queen's Birthday, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, one for birthdays in general, our Wedding Anniversary.......and so on.  I have collected several jewellery boxes, and each one does two vignettes - better start looking for more lol!  Kylie? Kirstie? Raid your collections, please, Mum needs empty boxes..................

I've been led astray....

and yes, Heidi - you're partly to blame LOL!

Now have I 'corrupted' you too?  Brought you over to the 'dark side' hmmmm?  In other words, now I've introduced you to the world of miniatures, and tempted you, I wonder whether you'll become as addicted as so many of us become (big, big grin!)


Welcome as my newest Follower, and thank you so much for signing on.  I hope you enjoy browsing through the blog and I know you are already following up on other links of blogs that I follow as well - you will get lost following others that are listed on their blogs that attract you too, and before you know it you will have a list of wonderful miniaturists that inspire - and some that intimidate with their skill and creativity.  Or maybe not you, because I have seen your lovely work, but they sure do intimidate me!  But they also inspire me.

So folks, how did I meet Heidi?  On eBay.  As I've said, Kylie and I have been scrapbooking and we each bought a Cuttlebug.  And I've been going crazy on eBay.  I had intended to buy some more kits from Petite Properties - I want another Halfpenny House, another Washtub Cottage to name just a couple: I have a plan up my sleeve that I shall reveal shortly.  Or not shortly if Heidi keeps tempting me as she has promised to do lol.  


You see, Heidi is a seller on eBay and has the most marvellous cardmaking/scrapbooking items on there (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say what her seller's name is?) things for the Cuttlebug were what I have been concentrating on.  And I have in my usual way been quite - exuberant - with several buyers but have struck up a correspondence with Heidi because she is so friendly and sweet.  And she does keep putting the most wonderful things up there on eBay to tempt me, and of course I keep giving in to temptation.  And I have looked at samples of the gorgeous cards that Heidi makes and I can see another addiction looming huge on the horizon.....Oh dear!

On our way home & welcome Phred

It is a real pleasure to welcome Phred as a new follower of my little Snippets blog.  I hope you enjoy visiting here Phred, and that you come back often.  Please leave comments and tell me how you like (or don't like) the different projects - I really love feedback and suggestions. 


We are packing up to leave for Sydney.  Thankfully I am feeling quite a bit better now - though life is still quieter for Peter and Nathan since I don't talk any more than I absolutely have to.  It brings on a bout of coughing, so I avoid it if I can.  


I have finished Cockleshell Cottage, and will post photos of it when we are home, and Halfpenny House is also nearly finished as well - photos of that will be coming when the sides receive a slight repair job.  The rest is completed.  So the list of additions to Ferny Creek Village grows.  In the near future I will be taking you on a tour, introducing you to the residents in a more systematic way and giving you a 'feel' for the village.


Now I am getting very strong hints that it is time I removed myself from here and prepared for the trip, so until later..............

And now it looks more like......

....caramel fudge!

Which is fine - I love caramel fudge lol.  When I started this house I wasn't sure how much I liked it.  Now that is silly - I should have known better than that.  As usual when I look at the completed building I just love it to bits!

The exterior has an elegant simplicity that really appeals.  When I look at this photo I can see that the roof isn't sitting properly on it, but never mind.  


And it isn't quite totally finished yet - I haven't done the 'distressing' and you will notice that the front of the pavement area is still unfinished.  That's because I am undecided whether to put it on a larger base and do more landscaping or not.


 This second photo gives a slightly better view of the smallish gardens flanking the front door and the path.  I have no idea at this stage what will be planted in them, I think I'll keep the gardens slightly formal for a change.


Also the house will probably be called something like 'The Oaks' because I already have a 'Honeysuckle Cottage' so Honeysuckle House is a bit confusing.


The instructions for the tiled roof were to cut the slits 1/8" apart, which was extremely time consuming but the roof is effective.  I really love the colours of the house, they just all blend together really well.  
They are cream, honeycomb, and honeycomb lightened with ivory.  Same as for another kit, but this time I used the honeycomb and ivory mix for the weatherboards.


A feature I particularly like about this house is that it has hidden rooms in the roof.  This attic area is divided into 3 rooms, and the two small ones could be used for a small bathroom on one side, perhaps a sewing room, child's room or study on the other and the larger room in the middle used for something like a bedroom or study.  I haven't lit this house yet, it will have to have its lights on the rear wall or something - I was too impatient to wait for some more LEDs to arrive.  


Here's a good view of the attic area.  So in reality you have seven rooms, which is great.  I've been thinking hard about how to make stairs without cutting holes in the floor for access and I think I've figured it out, by making a stairway with a turn in it, then enclosing the upper half - we'll see how that works out!


Access to the house is through the removable front as usual, but the roof is also removable.  


Here's a view with the front removed but the roof on.  


Since there are two chimneys, I really think there needs to be a few fireplaces in the house, don't you?  So I will have to look into that when we go back to Sydney in a couple of days. 


Now I've been saying and saying that I wouldn't get the clay out at this stage.  In the end though, the clay for the chimney.  s was the only thing that was stopping me from finishing Honeysuckle Cottage off.  So I caved in after all.  And once I had the clay out, well - the roof was the only thing keeping me from finishing Cockleshell Cottage off too, so I did that as well.  I just hope it behaves itself because it's not dry and I can't do much with it on the trip home.  And scraping - or rather chiselling - paperclay off once it is dry is not much fun!  And I speak from experience.  So here is a photo of Cockleshell so far - the angle I took the photo makes the roof seem uneven but it's not, it's evenly spaced over the side and the chimney.  I love this little cottage too, it has come out really well and I am looking forward to finishing it's big brother Barnacle Cottage, when I go home.

So there you have them - two of the latest projects.  I will be happy when I am feeling better and can get in and finish off the final details for all the houses I have made while I've been away.  I have started on the 'stock' for the Cottage Stores, but need to spend a lot of time on furnishings for them all.


I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoy sharing them with you.