Going Away in May

Won't be at the Sydney Fair after all

Sadly, we aren't doing a big trip this year (again!) but we are going to a Church camp that starts around 3rd May near Coffs Harbour - 550kms north of Sydney. We'll take 2 days to get there since we're towing the caravan.

The camp goes till the 12th and is called the Grey Nomads camp because May is the time when all the 'grey nomads' and other tourists take off each year to travel north to the warmer parts. It's the end of the southern autumn and the beginning of the dry season in the tropics. Remember - for us 'down under' north is warm, south is cool or cold. In the tropics, there are two seasons: the southern summer is the 'wet season' in the tropics, the southern winter is the 'dry season' in the tropics.

And yes, it does get cold in our Australian winter, in the southern part. In fact, we have a thriving tourist industry in the alpine regions about 8 hours south of us, in New South Wales and Victorian snowfields. There are lots of ski fields and cross-country skiing is popular too.

And for those who love the wilderness there is tropical wilderness in the north of Australia or cool temperate wilderness in Tasmania. And of course we have desert - lots of desert vbg.

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Getting back to the tropics though, May is the start of the tourist season. The roads north are passable again, and all the tourists are poised ready to set off to make the most of the dry season and the cooler weather - which to southerners is like our summer, often being in the 30's. So people from overseas (and there are many) who come over to travel during our summer because it's cheaper than heating their houses at home in Europe often stay for our cooler months too because then they can see the north of the country as well.

We met several families from Europe who are home-schooling their children as they take a year off to really see the country. And we also met a lot of Aussies who are doing the same - some of them have taken more than a year.

And then there are the grey nomads.

Crossing the Nullarbor Plain January 2010

And what is a 'grey nomad' you ask? That is the name given to all the retired (or not retired people but heading towards it) who are touring in their caravans or mobile homes, whether for a short time or full time.

We met a couple from Melbourne, Victoria, who had sold their house and had been travelling full time for five years - and hadn't left the eastern states yet! We met them in Queensland and they were about to cross into Northern Territory so I guess they had really seen a lot of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Nathan is coming with us too, even though he is only 22 (23 by then) so scarcely a 'grey' nomad! But his big sister Kylie did find one grey hair on his head at Christmas time so I suppose that will have to do lol! He doesn't want to miss out on a holiday!

After the camp finishes we will continue to head north around1,000kms - destination not finally determined at the moment.

"It's getting a bit crowded up here!"

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Queensland Holiday 2008

We need to leave in time to return by 26th May because I am preaching then at a church that asks me to preach several times a year. I was asked to preach there on 7th April but since that is our 44th wedding anniversary Peter and I decided to decline that one! We will take a week or so for the trip home, only arriving on the Friday 25th.

So now I need to start planning the most important part: which minis will I take with me? Some needlework of course, and a project. More on this when I make up my mind. But since we'll all be in the van and I can't set up properly for minis until we stop wherever we stop at the other end, I probably won't take something that requires creative paperclay. So that rules out any Petite Properties kits and probably the TeaRose Too kit as well because that needs plastering.

And guess what - I've ordered the Petite Chateau from Suzanne and Andrew! I wrote to Suzanne about something else and mentioned I wanted to buy it. She said not to leave it too long as it is due to be discontinued. I had some of my birthday and Christmas money left so I've ordered it - sooooo excited! It's a real departure from the styles I've done so far and its elegance really appeals to me. I also love the St Orleans style one but this won out.

Maybe that might be the project I take with me........

Or Redwood.........

Or Cedar Creek............

And of course I still have Karen Benson's Enchanted Toy Shoppe. I have the kit, the paint, one set of shelves (made up) and a whole lot of toys already made up and a few kits to add to the collection......

Or Debbie Young's Avalon............

Or her Trinity Circle............

Oh, I do love these wonderful 'dilemmas' :D! Of course, if I have done the preliminary work with the clay I could still take a Petite Properties kit with me to decorate inside and finish. Now that's a great idea! That's a really great idea!.........

How nice!

The number of Followers has stayed static for quite a while now - and then on Thursday I not only received lovely comments from some of you but saw that there were two new Followers. Thank you Madelaine and Mini4you for signing up to share my mini journey with me. Please come back and visit often, feel free to leave comments - I love to know what you all think or want to suggest about what I am doing. Basically the only feedback I get is 'hm, very nice' in a vague sort of way, and I know a lot of you are in the same position. So our online groups and blogs are very important as a source of information, affirmation and correction. Thank you again for joining - just that act is affirmation in itself

Getting better.....

Each day I feel a little bit better, able to get up from a bed or chair more easily and with a bit less pain; able to sit in a chair for longer, walk a little more upright and to lie in bed with less pain.

Today I was able to get into my brother's car which is a sedan (rather than our high-set 4WD) and go for a back treatment. My chiro reckons I'm very tough to have got through the last few days with the amount of pain I've been having. He could tell from the bulging on my back and the reaction of muscles etc what was happening, and was pretty shocked. He scolded me for not coming to see him on Saturday when it first happened but in truth there is no way I could have got out to the car or tolerated the half-hour drive to the clinic, let alone put up with a treatment no matter how gentle on Saturday - or Monday for that matter! I was barely able to do so today. I am really exhausted after it, had a rest for a while then just read some blogs - still trying to catch up on reading all the wonderful work on the blogs I follow.

I am seeing Anthony again on Thursday for another treatment. I haven't had to go that often for a long time now. But hopefully it will be a week after that before I have to go again. And hopefully the improvement will continue and in fact speed up....

I am becoming very, very impatient and restless looking at my minis sitting there forlornly on the worktable and not being able to do anything with them. Perhaps I'll spend some time refining the stories for the cottages and shops in Ferny Creek - I'm looking forward to giving you all a tour of the village soon.

PAIN!

I might not be around too often for a few days.....

I have been preparing to take a Bible study class at church this morning, and I was sitting up in bed first thing having a last look over things. When I went to get up from bed I couldn't stand up properly! It was agony when I finally managed to hobble to the ensuite, still unable to stand straight. I couldn't get back to the bedroom without Peter's help. Peter rubbed some pain cream into my back and could feel a large bulge on the spine just above the coccyx. It was too painful for him to massage it or even rub the cream in deeply.

I can sit in a lounge chair for a short while - no more than an hour, then I have to hobble back to bed and lie down for several hours. It is painful to turn over in bed and walking is agony.

Peter wanted to take me to the hospital, but frankly I wouldn't have been able to get up into our 4WD and besides, Nathan was singing a special item in the morning service today. I feel a little bit better tonight than I did this morning but I don't know whether it is the cumulative effect of the strong pain medication I am taking or it is really getting better.

Anyway, there won't be a lot of mini-ing going on until things are improved. I will see whether I can at least do something productive with the time I am up though, I can never sit and just do nothing - I am a bit hyperactive or obsessive that way!

I've had a bulging disc before and I doubt that it is the same thing again, I am sure that it is just that I am just paying the price for sitting on a chair that is the wrong height. I can never sit on a dining chair for long, and I have been using a folding chair the same height. Probably not a good idea. Hopefully by Monday it will be much better - if not I'll have an emergency treatment for it.

Darling husband to the rescue!

Fire got the best of me....

I struggled enough making a firegrate for the fireplace. It had to be firm enough to hold the 'fire' LED bulbs because I wanted a 'working' fire. I have this set from Evan designs, there are 3 little bulbs: one red, one orange and one yellow and they flicker in turn giving a very realistic fire effect. The only problem is that the combined size of the three is quite bulky for a little 1:48 scale fireplace, even though I have almost doubled the depth of the fireplace provided in the kit by adding some timber behind it, and then covered it with Creative PaperClay to do the bricks.

As if that wasn't enough I then had to make the 'fire' itself. the bulbs sit up quite high and need to be covered with some holographic cellophane. Isat the bulbs right down into the grate so that the stems would go down into the hole drilled into the floor, and started to add small sticks cut from the tips of some prunings of a shrub that had dried out quite well. I ended up with something about as elegant as a stork's nest! Ungainly, ugly and a total mess.

In desperation I roped my dear other half into helping me. After all, he can build a fire in real life and I have never tried. He rose to the task beautifully even though he spread it out over about 7 hours, with breaks for doing different things 'while the glue dried' vbg.

All I had to do then was thread the wires through the hole in the floor and pull the whole thing into the cottage and into place. Come to think of it - I forgot to glue it in! Oooops.

I've just twisted the wires together with the battery wires for now and here is the result - unfortunately it is a still photo, which is a shame because it flickers beautifully.

I haven't mentioned before that Cockleshell Cottage is lit on the ground floor. Here it is with the light on - no lightshade yet.

The more I do on this little cottage, the more I love it. That's the way with Bea's kits, I find. Each one has real character and you can't help getting really involved.

I also started making the workbench/cupboard that will sit between the icebox and the stove. I had a piece of nice timber offcut from something or other, and I had lots of bits of flooring left from the John F Craig House. So I sat and fiddled. The length of scrap timber was the right thickness and width for the top, and about the right length - so that's the length I made it. I cut the floorboards to size and added them. I wasn't too fussy because it will all be covered up by a gathered curtain on the front, except for a bit in the centre which will be open to show a few things stored there. Here it is so far.

And now it is getting on towards sunset, the Sabbath hours are coming in and I will be putting it all aside until after sunset tomorrow night. Talk to you again over the weekend!

Progress report on Cockleshell Cottage

Meet Old Uncle Bill of Cockleshell Cottage...

(and glimpse some plans I have in hand)

Old Uncle Bill is another much-loved character In Ferny Creek. His little cottage, aptly named Cockleshell Cottage, is a short distance out of the village, on the shores of a small inlet with views out over the ocean that he once fished daily in his trawler ‘Lovely Lady’.

Being childless he had sold ‘the lady’ when he retired, but he still likes to ‘wet a line’ as he calls it, from the end of the pier or from his little rowing boat.

He lives alone, but everyone calls him ‘Uncle Bill’ and each generation of children learn their fishing skills from him. He patiently teaches them how to bait a hook, he untangles their lines, shows them the best places to fish and safe ways to do so too. He also insists they learn to clean their fish and dispose of scraps properly.

His home is simple, and company is welcome. Uncle Bill is an hospitable old man and has interesting tales to tell of his adventures out fishing on his trawler.

If there are no visitors – and even when there are – his faithful dog Sailor (on his way) listens intently to everything Bill says, ears pricked and head cocked to one side then the other and the occasional whine or yap showing appreciation of the conversation. Many a person comments that Sailor knows everything Old Bill says.

His other constant companions are Capt’n and Bos’n, the cats. They love to tease Sailor but most of all they love to curl up on the settle or in front of the fire at night and just be with Old Bill and Sailor. During the day they are to be found around the cottage or down where Old Bill is cleaning fish.

If you peek inside Cockleshell Cottage you will find a batchelor’s house. Quite spartan but comfortable. A single well-worn wing-backed chair with a few frays here and there, the seat cushion having a definite hollow from use, faces the fire.

But guests have been provided for with a settle, well padded on the seat and with cushions for the back. It is often pulled up to the fire as to share the warmth.

An ice chest is in the furthest corner from the fire, a workbench (in progress) is scrubbed scrupulously clean and a neat curtain covers the storage underneath. There is a small table and two chairs, and braided mats (to come) provide some softness and warmth on the flagstone floor.

A door (coming) in the corner of the room leads to the rear of the cottage and the bathroom out back, as well as to the staircase leading upstairs. Upstairs is a large room, which seems to be underfurnished. Old Bill’s cozy bed and a chest for his clothes hardly takes up any room at all.

To one side is a large work table, on which Bill constructs his model boats – a passion that has absorbed him since retirement. He has given away the first two that he made, and has now started on another (on its way).

Old Bill likes to sit on the rustic bench at the front of his cottage and watch the ocean or read while he enjoys the weather when it is pleasant.

He takes long walks along the beach and is fit and healthy, running up and down the steps to the beach as spry as any youngster.

Bill is an important part of Ferny Creek, and I hope you have enjoyed meeting him and having a peek into Cockleshell Cottage.

Furniture is looking goooooood!

.....though they're not all quite finished yet

I've spent the last couple of evenings (and most of today,Sunday) working on the furniture kits: painting and adding artwork. There are still knobs to be added, and little additional bits like the books to be made up, and the - gulp - marbling finish on the bath, handbasin and toilet to do. I'm going to give it a go, but if I can't get it right then it will be back to spray painting it plain white or light ivory :)

So: progress report! First, the bath surround, which has been painted but needs touching up. The lattice is not glued on to the tiled top yet because I need to varnish the 'tiles' a few times to get them nice and glossy.Here it is with the steps to one side in order to show the botanical prints around the bath surround.

The toilet is the nicest setup. The striped paper on the back sets the floral shelf lining off beautifully and I love the pretty wooden trim. The toilet is just sitting there for now until I paint it with the finish.

And looking at the sides you an see that they are 'shutters'.

In the same theme of repurposing, the handbasin is set into an old door. The brackets supporting the handbasin reflect the trim on the toilet shelves. The oval trim around the mirror is the same as the oval designs on the lattice around the bath.

Now the bedroom. The big double bed is sooooo pretty! You can choose whether to have striped or floral sheets showing. I chose the floral. The bolster is striped with floral ends and the pillows are floral.

The wardrobe reflects the patterns and colours used in the bedding. There are 6 designs provided for covering the tubs on the shelves so you can choose the combination you wish. The photo doesn't show it but the drawer is lined with the lovely turquoise paper too. The drawer and door both open and I have left the tubs so they can be removed rather than gluing them in. Inside the doorthere is artwork showing lots of pockets for more storage.

Here it is again with the door closed.

Next, the dresser is both colourful and pretty. Again, it uses the same designs and colours, and it has a real mirror in the opening. These kits are wonderful - so much detail, so beautifully made and so much fun to put together. The artwork is just lovely.

And for the end of the bed, there is this great bench, with it's pretty pink floral print cushion.

And some of the 'little extras' that came with the bedroom kits included two floral prints and frames. Here they are, resting against the stool.

Emma's dollhouse is fully papered inside, and has a removable front. I haven't put on the little green shutters beside each of the windows yet. Here it is with the door removed,

And here it is with the door on.

When the kit for the comfy chair and La-de-dah came, it was missing the fabric for the cushions and throws so I have written and let them know. I decided to paint the chair green, to co-ordinate with the colours used in the artwork on the daybed. If I don'tlike the effect it will be easy to change since the chair is resin. I quite like it in the green at the moment but will wait and see the overall effect, especially once I get the living room carpet.

The lamp table doesn't look particularly special but by the time the pretty gold and 'crystal' lamp goes on it, with the books and spectacles or whatever I put on it, it will be very nice. I want to maybe put some photos there.

This is my second oval occasional table, the first one having met a sad end. I was more successful with this one, though I'm not entirely happy with it. And it also needs a bit of a sand and a touch of paint. But I do like the effect of the glass top.

The ladies' desk and side chair are delightful. There is so much detail in the desk, even a set of monograms provided so you can put your own initials on the side, which I have done. I was a little surprised that the artwork for the seat cushion on the chair was so small, but it is sweet. I have several bits and pieces to add to the desk to give it a more 'used' look.

And just to finish off, here is all the bedroom furniture together - just because I think it is so pretty.

More Pickett Hill furniture kits

Pickett Hill won out

I couldn't resist it, could I? I am after all, a miniature tragic! When we came home on Monday I had several packages waiting for me: one from Petite Properties with some furniture kits and a free-standing garage; one from MJ Miniatures with some super little kits that had been on sale (that site is well worth looking at); two for cardmaking/scrapbooking - some dies and some stamps; and one from the Betterleys with some kits for Pickett Hill - yaaaaaay! There was no time to do anything other than open the packages on Monday; I had a lot of paperwork to print out for the Church Business Meeting in just 2 1/2 hours time, and an Agenda to type out for it as well; dinner and a shower and change of clothes were equally needed. So I quickly opened and admired, then set the boxes aside.

Yesterday (Tuesday) we were very tired after a huge day, despite sleeping in. But we had a

caravan to unpack and a mountain of washing to tackle before my back appointment in the afternoon. Last night I just couldn't wait any more, and assembled the bathroom kit. Here it is, still unpainted.

And the lamp table with the side chair that goes with the ladies' desk, along with a couple of frames that were provided, along with some prints to frame.

And now the bedroom furniture. Obviously the wardrobe isn't fully assembled and won't be until I have finished painting it inside and papering it.

Now I have most of the major furniture in the house. I need the loveseat for the lawn, bedside table (or maybe two of them), the clock, and a couple of bits and pieces I think. The next big expenditure will probably be the landscaping kit. I bought the basic one before, because the full one was sold out. The basic one included the turntable, fencing and the arbor, but the full one includes all the landscaping as well. I'd like to use the basic one for the John F Craig house and have the landscaping to put around Pickett Hill.

Tomorrow night I hope I get the chance to finish assembling the furniture and start painting it. With this wet weather it might take a while to dry, though it's not that cool even if it does feel it, being wet for so long. But I can already see it will be beautiful when it is completed.