Welcome! And just two more days to go......

Julie, I've been tardy in welcoming you!  And now there's Klara as well.  Thank you both for visiting, I truly hope you like what you've seen and thank you very much for signing on as Followers.

Julie I visited some of the sites you listed and one of them was this one, which is a great site and she is having a give-away at the moment:
http://alittlemoreminis.blogspot.com  Though even without that give-away I feel it is a lovely blog anyway.

Klara, your blog is lovely too - I will definitely be going back and spending a lot of time having a good look through it.  You make lovely things.

And now, as I said at the top, there are just two more days to go, and tomorrow my friend Jan will be here to spend the day with me.  We will be doing our last-minute preparation.  So today I want to finish some organising, (re-grouping, as Jan calls it) and tidy up a bit of the mess here so I have a 'clean slate' to work tomorrow.  I also want to finish off some details today.

More news later I hope........

Well I really don't have time, you know....

But then I'm not always known for my common sense!

Of course I didn't have time!  I had the Town Square to finish - the last two shops had arrived, and then I have the extras to finish, the base to landscape. The Sea Shanty needs some odds and  ends fixed on it.  Flowerpot needs pictures on the walls and so does Hollyhiock - and it needs flowers too, and.I haven't finished fitting out Toadstool or Washtub either.  There are signs to do, and arrangements to decide on and other details to think about.....

So what do I do?  Why, I build Rosebud Cottage of course!  No, I didn't furnish it - just did the basic construction.  And I did Daisy Chain Cottage too.  And Peppercorn Cottage.  And the Side Scullery. 

 No, I didn't think I had plenty of time with the Fair looming this coming weekend.  But I guess I was suffering from 'Fair preparation burnout'!  Our daughter Kylie and grandsons Cameron and Luke came to visit for several days before Easter, and we had a great time together.  Peter and Kylie took the boys and Nathan ten-pin bowling, to Aqua Golf, to visit Grand-Nan Mac (my mum) and we went to the Easter Show - with me in a wheelchair because my back had given out again before they arrived and I could hardly hobble around.  Not my favourite state of affairs to say the least. 

I had packed up all my Town Square tbuildings and kits along with supplies before they arrived, to put in the caravan where we planned to sleep while Kylie slept in our bedroom.  However she and the boys insisted on sleeping in the lounge room and we stayed in our bedroom so I just put all the minis in there and whenever they were off doing things as well as in the evenings I worked on the Town Square shops.  At least I can sit, thank goodness.  Photos of the shops soon, I promise!  I won't even try to finish the extra ones because the accessory kits haven't arrived in time.. 

 So on Friday after the kids left and I was feeling a bit sad about that and also a lot 'over it' as far as the other buildings go, I couldn't resist any longer.  I gave myself Friday, Saturday night and Sunday to see how far I would get with them in that time - and yes, I did them together, like I did with Toadstool and Washtub.  First of all I painted all of the pieces with primer/undercoat, then did the floors that had flooring 'boards' on them.  I did them going from side to side instead of front to back but never mind.....By Monday they were all ready for the external walls to be distressed and the windows and doors to be attached so I broke my resolution and went ahead with that step too.  And I'm so pleased that I did!

Here is Daisy Chain Cottage.   Or as I fondly call it, crooked chimney cottage.  Caitlyn (Sarah and Peter's schoolteacher daughter) is really delighted with it.  She had been reminding me that the school holidays are almost over, the new term is about to begin and she would really like her cottage to be ready tso she can move in.  And who can blame her? This is such a sweet house, and even though it is such a small residence Caitlyn.finds it perfect for her needs. 






I know that the roof isn't finished yet - and there are parts of the walls that need repairing.  That happens when the house falls off the table, I've found.  But it will all happen later on.  As I said, none of them are finished yet.










Now if only there was a school for her to teach in as well......Bea?


Lillian and Richard Byrnes have also been eagerly waiting for me to finish Peppercorn Cottage. It's not a large building but it's a cosy home. 


More detail needs to be added to the roof, the floors are completed and the walls are painted so it is ready to move in to as it is, unless the walls need a change of colour inside.

























And beside Peppercorn Cottage is the Side Scullery, in the same warm stone as the cottage.  It is a colour of stone that we see a lot here in New South Wales, so I am sure that Bea will excuse me using it for these lovely English-style cottages - after all, we do have many in the same sort of style here in Aus. 

I am getting another scullery as well, with my next order (on its way now).  It provides so much extra room for a small cottage.









For the cottage and the scullery window ledges and doors I used Semco Sage Green ACR61, which I have used often before.  But this time I have used it undiluted whereas I usually add white.  I really like this colour and the variations you can get - to me it is a real 'country' colour.

And here they are together:

I had actually planned to put the chimneys on the left sides of both the cottage and the side scullery and to put the scullery on the left of the cottage but - that's what happens when you work on four buildings at once and you are still working at 1am because you are just plain stubborn and are not renowned for knowing your own limits lol!

And finally - Rosebud Cottage.

Of course like everyone else I fell in love with Rosebud Cottage as soon as I saw it.  And since its occupant Rachel was also eagerly awaiting it's completion I couldn't leave it out, could I?  And yes, I did use the techniques taught in Flowerpot Cottage though the thatched roof is much lighter on this one, as it is on Daisy Chain cottage.  Perhaps the thatch is newer.  Of course it needs more work on it, and the inside might well be wallpapered over the ivory paint that it has now. 

Even though the basic shape of this cottage is the same as that for Washtub, the porch is very delicate and that along with the thatched roof give an altogether different appearance. I experimented for a long time with different reds to get a pink that I was happy with.  In the end I used a tiny bit of Folk Art 932 Calico Red with a lot of white, to get a pale pink that didn't look too 'candy' like. For the doors and windowsills I used Folk Art 754 Rose Garden - appropriate, don't you think? And white for the windows and lattice work.  

 Of course I still couldn't resist doing some distressing on the exterior as well, and that certainly makes things look much more realistic.  Can't yiou just see a lovely climbing vine or rose going up over that front lattice work?

Bea - the four buildings were an absolute pleasure to construct - I've said before that these kits are addictive.  They must be: when the two orders that I have put in lately I will have all of the 1:48 scale kits relelased at the moment.  And I plan to keep going too!

 What's that you ask?  No, I didn't tackle Barnacle Cottage, in spite of Fisherman Jim's anxious entreaties.  Or  Candlewick.  Or my second Corner Shop or the new topper for the (third) shop roombox or even Mulberry House.  Well, that would be silly, wouldn't it?  The Fair is this Sunday lol!  I might be crazy but I'm not that crazy!!

25th April - ANZAC Day

'Lest We Forget'

Today is Easter Monday, but being 25th April it is also ANZAC Day, one of Australia's most Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.  . It is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operation ofs. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity. On ANZAC day, ceremonies are held in towns and cities across the nation to acknowledge the service of our veterans.

Rosemary, which is an emblem of both fidelity and remembrance in literature and folklores is worn by many as a sign of remembrance on both ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day (Nov 11th).  Rosemary has a particular significance because it grows on Gallipoli,Peninsula, where the Australian and New Zealand action became an important part of the identity of both nations, and gave rise to the ANZAC story.

For me it is a day that brings sadness.  I miss my father, and as I watch the march here in Sydney I see my Dad's division dwindle year by year.  My brother marches in his memory now, and this year there were only three of the diggers from his section able to march.  Time has taken its toll on the 6th Division.  My Dad was a '39-er', signing up right at the beginning of WWII and sailing off with the first lot of soldiers.  He served in the Middle East and was taken prisoner in Greece.  When he was liberated after 3 1/2 years in  prison camps in Germany and Austria he and the other Aussies and Kiwis were not sent home but were taken to England for medical treatment and to strengthen them up a bit for the trip home.  Then they were allowed leave in the UK.  My Dad visited relatives in Scotland and they make every effort to fatten him up.  As a result when he arrived home he had put on weight and now topped the scales at the grand total of 6 1/2 stone!  He died when I was just 24, from the effects of being POW.

'They shall not grow old

As we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them

Nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning,

We will remember them.'



Easter Greetings

Easter Greetings

Whether you celebrate Easter as a sacred festival or enjoy it as an opportunity for a longer weekend holiday, I send you greetings and best wishes.  I hope that whatever you choose to do this holiday is meaningful and brings a blessing to you and your family.

Adding some details to Flowerpot Cottage

Lots still to do....

This post was started over a week ago but I've decided to post it anyway because it shows photos of bits and pieces that are now glued firmly in place.

 I made the inventory of what needed to be done to get the properties ready for the Sydney Fair at the end of the month and boy, are there lots of things still to do!   It's a bit daunting but I've plodded on, and have some bits to show you.  First of all the fireplace for the stove in Flowerpot.  I started this quite a while ago, then ordered Bea's three books from Petite Properties, on making a kitchen, living room and bedroom in 1:24th scale.  I checked the measurements of my fireplace against those in the book (mine needed to be half of course) and apart from making the side pieces a bit narrower it is pretty right.  I was really chuffed. 

 I did discard the tiles I had printed out for the back of the fireplace though and scanned the ones from the book, reduced them by 50% and used them.  The aga is made by Jenny Wren and I bought it from Grace Shaw.  The flue is a toothpick painted black and glued to the top of the stove and fed up through the top timber.

The quilt on the bed has been tamed, and now looks a bit more well-behaved instead of looking as though it is flapping and ready to fly off into the wide blue yonder.

In the background of the photo above you can see the lounge that I've made - it's actually a kit from Karen Benson Miniatures for a wing-backed sofa.  I cut off the wing part of the arms, shortened the back and rounded the top of the back a bit to make it more compact.

I've put some accessories on the dressing table - they are a toiletries set from Grace Shaw of Virtual Dollhouse.  I have several in different colours to match various colour schemes and they add a nice personal touch, as will the photos that I have reduced ready to frame and put there as well.

The doilies on the dressing table are from a set I bought from Suzanne & Andrews.  The set has placemats (which I have used as doilies as well) and round doilies in a variety of sizes.

The fireplace in the bedroom and the living area both line up with the chimneys on the cottage, and both are from Petite Properties but cut down to make them shorter.  This one in the bedroom still needs more bits and pieces on it.

The one in the living room has a firescreen and firetools (also both from Grace Shaw).  The clock is sitting on another of the doilies and some daffodils look nice in a blue vase (a bead).  Again, there needs to be a photo or something else on the left.  I'd love some ornaments but it is hard to get these in quarter scale.

So what is left to do?  Mainly curtains, mats, photos for shelvesand pictures for the walls, ornaments or things to put in the curio cupboard, things on the dresser in the kitchen.  More flowers for the extended garden, a tree for shade over the outdoor furniture, paving for the path..........

Popping in on Toadstool Cottage Patchwork

 Setting up the store at last.......

Alice McGregor and her sister Sarah McNee are busy setting up the interior of Toadstool Cottage Patchwork.  The sign for the outside has arrived and they are really happy with it - a lovely touch of whimsy, reflecting the name of the cottage, and the magic of creativity that can be expressed in craftwork, they feel.  Now they are just waiting to have things in order before it is erected to announce to the village that they are open for business.

'Not of course that the village needs a formal announcement' they agree 'That's the nicest thing about living in Ferny Creek.  Everyone takes an interest without being too intrusive.'

Sarah and Alice moved yet another set of small display shelving to a new spot

'What do you think? Is this better?' asked Sarah.  Alice nodded in agreement.  Setting up is a lot of hard work even though the basic layout is done.  But it is very enjoyable as well. Stock of the extra bits and pieces such as accessories is a little restricted to begin with but will be added to progressively.

Upstairs on the first floor in the front area there is quite a lot of shelving, still to be filled with the fabric that is waiting to be unpacked. On the left side there is a rack of ribbons for trims and shelving underneath that will soon be filled with other embellishments.

In the middle of the floor is the cutting table, with another unit beside it for fat quarters.  Both of these units have more shelving under them.  After some discussion, Alice and Sarah have decided that they will cut fat quarters from all the bolts of fabric even though they are new, to encourage people who are unsure of buying larger amounts of fabric.  They know there are some miniaturists in the village too, so they have decided that any prints that are particularly tiny will receive extra attention.

On the right side of the room upstairs, a large roll of wadding occupies one corner, and beside it on the side wall they have placed a double quilt rack with a display of lovely quilts for inspiration.  Right beside that is a wall display with a wide range of products including some cutting mats and an assortment of quilting tools.

Downstairs on the ground floor, there are two rooms, the larger room with more shelving for fabrics and another quilt rack.    The lovely panelled wall separating this area from the smaller room to the left will soon be hung with more examples of Alice and Sarah's handiwork, or other attractive items.

On the right side is more shelving for fabrics, and near the front is the counter is a floor stand with more sewing and patchwork items on it - scissors, cutters, etc.

The smaller room to the left on the ground floor is the kitchen/lunch room.  Here is a freshly renovated area for Alice and Sarah to have their morning and afternoon tea and lunch.  And in fact for customers to have some refreshment during classes as well, if they wish.

'The kitchen area is still a bit sparse, but has a table, a cupboard, microwave and fridge. Through the door there is a small scullery. Chairs are coming soon, but the bench outside of the store is a lovely place to sit in the meanwhile, enabling Alice and Sarah  to enjoy the mellow afternoon.

'It will be a lot less clinical when we get some colour in there' commented Sarah.  I'll put the shelf up tomorrow and we can at least put the cups and saucers up out of the way.'

'That will brighten it up'  agreed Alice.  And we need some plates too, for eating the donations from'
They both smiled. 

Miss Emmaline from Hollyhock Cottage drops in fairly regularly, bringing delicious home-made scones or cake for morning tea and encouraging Alice and Sarah in their efforts. In fact several of the residents of Ferny Creek village call in to offer help - which is gratefully accepted

"It is very kind of them and apart from satisfying curiosity, it all goes to encourage people to form a relationship with the shop'  Alice said as she gratefully sat down and sipped her coffee at the end of another long and productive day. 

 'Sure does' agreed Sarah ' and if we start off with a really good opening sale, it's a great way of saying thank you for all their help as well as enticing them to become customers.'

'Great idea. Let's do that.  And .....we need to keep them coming too.'

'Hmmmm.   How about the first 3 classes free if they sign up for the term?'

'Yes!  That's a great idea too!' Alice enthused.

They surveyed the day's progress.

'The sewing boxes are just perfect for beginner sewers.They will look good when we get them out on display'

"Yes, and that new batch of  fabrics is just delightful too.  Now we have the furniture worked out we can finally put the fabric out on the shelves.'

'Yes, but it's a shame that they won't be full for a while. Never mind, what we do have is lovely'

'And the pattern books look really nice - I'd be tempted myself by some of them.  Hopefully if we put them near the sofa we're getting to put just outside the kitchen, people will look at them while they are having their tea or coffee and they'll encourage inspiration - and sales!'

And on that hopeful note they made their weary but happy way home, ready to face another day setting up tomorrow.

A warm welcome to two new followers....and visitors to our garden

Welcome Hanna and Traci

I am delighted with the way this mini community is growing and feel honoured - I wonder how you all find out about this little ramble of mine. You are so welcome Hanna and Traci, thank you for visiting and becoming Followers. I have visited your lovely blogs too and there are many lovely things to look at there. Sorry it has taken so long to post this welcome, I've been waiting to finish off a few things to take photos of the cottages but it has been delaying it too long - so again, you are welcome and thanks!

Some of our favourite visitors to our garden

 Rainbow Lorikeets fly overhead and are in the trees around our house but there is just one family that visit our back garden.  sometimes it's just the parents, sometimes they have a young one with them.  I love lorikeets.  I know they are hated in areas where they have been introduced and have become a pest, but here they are in their natural habitat and they are lovely.They are so cheeky, I really like their call though it isn't the most beautiful.  They can be tamed to come and eat out of your hand but we haven't tried to do that.  When we go out of our kitchen door to watch them they squawk at us in protest but at least they don't fly away any more and gradually they are getting used to us getting a bit closer. We don't feed them, but want to provide lots of native plants to encourage them to the garden.

We have a Robyn Gordon grevillea growing by the fence at the end of the little porch at the back of our house and it attracts nectar-feeding birds. There are constant territorial squabbles with the Wattle Birds complaining about any other bird coming into the grevillea and the lorikeets arguing back.  Eastern spinebills and tiny nectar-eating birds which we call 'greenies' and yellow-crested honeyeaters also love this grevillea, which at the moment is about 8-9 ft high.  It is difficult to choose a time to prune it back because it never stops flowering.  The birds love it and we love watching the birds.

 

Recently I was watching the antics of two of them and took my camera to the door to try for some photos. One of the birds was working the rear of the shrub, one was more to the front. He stopped to have a look at me then went on with his search for nectar.

When they get into the shrub, they do all sorts of acrobatics to get to the nectar in the flowers - it is really amusing to watch.  But can be difficult to get a photograph!  I was clicking away for quite a while to get some nice clear ones like this on the left.

I moved down off the porch and onto the grass, very slowly while he kept an eye on me.  After a while he stopped occasionally, looked at me and squawked.  I spoke back and he squawked again, then went on searching for nectar.

Finally though, the bird had had enough.  It stopped feeding and looked at me with its beady eye, staring hard.  I spoke to it and it squawked back.  We repeated the exchange several times.  If I lowered the camera, it relaxed.  When I raised the camera it squawked me lol.  In the end, when moving right out to the end of the branch and staring fixedly at me didn't work, he gave a final screech and flew off.  But he was back within the half hour and regularly every day since so obviously it didn't put him off too much,.  And he is getting used to us being out and around in the back yard - just doesn't like that camera!

43 Years and Happier than ever!

Happy Anniversary, my Darling

Today is our 43rd Anniversary.  And it just gets better year by year.  Of course I was just a baby when we were married LOL.  But if I have done one clever thing in my life it was choosing a fantastic husband - one who has put up with me all this time.  He is loving, caring and patient, a great husband, father and grandfather.  I am so fortunate and I count my blessings every day.

Our Wedding - 7th April 1968

And now......

.......And time takes its toll, but we are happier than ever today-  I love you Peter, thank you for being such a fantastic husband and my very best friend ever.