Kilmouski & Me

Thank You!!!

2012-02-12T10:34:00.008-06:00

A wonderful gift from Linda une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/ arrived this week. A beautiful sandwich and orange drink. I was totally amazed by the realism of Amanda Speakman's work. The added plus is that it can be used on one of my own plates. Linda also sent a gorgeous book that has a beautiful antique cover 'The Language Of Flowers', completely readable. It was made made by Maria ilcucchiainomagico.blogspot.com/ Thank you so much Linda!!!

This beautiful food board also arrived this week from a (nameless) Follower. Though I am not sure, I suspect it was also made by Amanda Speakman!

Thank you both so much ladies I am thrilled to bits!

COMING SOON!!!
Another nut house. The most challenging one I have made. I suspect the villagers are not going to be happy about their new neighbors.

Whodunit?

2012-02-03T17:03:00.011-06:00

Isn't it WONDERFUL! I am having a horrible time finding out who made this fantastic tool box. If you know please leave a comment. I tried to enlarge the photo so you can see it better. There are so many excellent tools inside the box to see. I assume many of them work, looking at that pencil.

UP DATE
Thank you to those who let me know (at record speed) who made this. Here is the link to read more about William Robertson's tool box... www.toolchest-site.com/5/william-robertson-miniature-tool-chest/

Thank you to Karin Corbin for this link... You don't want to miss it!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.finewoodworking.com/AudioSlideshow/31688/index.asp?slideshow=31688

Front Entrance

2012-01-25T09:56:00.004-06:00

Despite the fact that this is not the style house that interests me. What I love about it is how the iron work repeats the design of the window around the front door. For me that is the inspiration, rather then the style of house.

I am going to remember this for a much less formal application. Iron work that repeats some architectural aspect of a house. Perhaps using the idea for the interior of a room. A piece of furniture, light fixture, pot rack in a kitchen...

I feel a 1: 12 scale iron work project brewing. ;-)

Tiny Buttons

2012-01-17T19:15:00.005-06:00

Please forgive a short post about something other than miniatures that I made. This is so I test my blog again to see if things are working properly now. I have had several emails from people that are not able to get to this page and some who cannot get into the comments area. Mostly from people that are using Internet Explorer. Firefox works better at the moment. My next post will be about a miniature piece.

I have been collecting antique metal buttons for a long time. I love them! I have them classed by size and color in glass jars. These are all solid brass ones about 1/4 inch wide. I used some black glass ones for this project as well.

I hate it when old buttons get their shanks cut off for jewelry or other uses. So I decided to crochet gold metallic elastic thread for a band. Then just sewed on the buttons to make a cuff bracelet.

1: 144 Scale French Townhouse

2012-01-07T11:56:00.014-06:00

This is a new French townhouse kit that I just finished by Keith Bougourd. He has once again done an absolutely beautiful job interpreting a 1: 1 design into 1: 144 scale. He tells me he will start offering the kit for sale in March, 2012. www.small-time.com/

Several months ago I wrote to Keith and asked him when we could expect a new 1: 144 scale house kit. He wrote back and told me he was looking in books for a new Georgian design. I was excited because I loved working on his last 1:44 scale kit.

I spent the next three nights scouring the Internet looking for something that might tempt him... but I was looking at French townhouses. I thought if I could find one that could be constructed basically the same way as his last kit was, he might like the idea of a French house. I was looking for one that would open from the front and was full of architectural charm. Finally, I found something I thought he might like and lend it self to his 'style use' of building materials and construction (he uses wood and photo etched brass). It was the end wing of a hotel, Chateaubriand in Saint-Malo France. I knew if he liked it....Keith had the skill, talent and the vision to make it into a townhouse.

He was so nice during the process! He sent me his drawings and several pictures while he was developing the kit. I was thrilled to bits he shared this with me.

Thank you so much Keith!!!!!!! I am sure you are aware of how much I LOVE the house!!!

Keith also knows I enjoy making changes to kits to make them my own. That is part of the fun putting together kits. For this house I cut up tiny elements of brass findings using a jewelers saw. I wanted to add three dimensional architectural additions to the windows and capitals. Added to those elements were a few 1/2 mm no hole beads. I found an art nouveau brass fence in my local model train shop and used it on the house, just for something different. The townhouse has a closed attic room. Because I was adding LED lights to the other three floors, I cut sections out of the roof so that light would shine through the windows on the fourth floor.

Here is the French Townhouse assembled and finished by Keith. Lovely, just as it is!

Free Cat!!! ;-)

2012-01-05T09:22:00.006-06:00

Kilmouski....Ready for shipping! Having been caught sleeping on one of my white sofas this morning. He knows better too. When I caught him he ran up stairs to hide.

Sorry for the delay.... Just a short post, while I wait for the post office to sort out a missing piece to finish my project.

A Christmas Card For You

2011-12-22T12:46:00.006-06:00

There is still a bit of wrapping to do. Like this beautiful sweater and cap that was hand knit by Sharon Vries. chrystalsdesigns.blogspot.com/

I am afraid I have not had the chance to make the sort of ornaments I wanted to this year, except for a snowman. The others are very old ones I have had for (gasp) many years. They are all on straight wires of various lengths, that have hooks on the ends. Which is great because it means I can pull them all off and change the ornaments as new ones are made. I think I would like to move away from the traditional red and green next year.

BTW...I am very pleased with the string of 26 LED chip lights I used on the tree, made by modeltrainsoftware.com/ They are a bit fiddly to put on the tree but I remember the old style being rather time consuming too.

I am waiting for a drill bit to come in the mail which is all that is keeping me from finishing that 'certain promised something'. It will be my next post.

May your days be merry and bright...Happy Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-20T09:13:00.002-06:00

I have been using my IPad because my laptop is in the hospital. I am afraid I cannot up load any photos here using it.

The good news is ..... I have been working on something I think you will love. Stay tuned.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Catherine XXX

The Garden Shed

2011-12-01T08:56:00.017-06:00

While I am busy working on several projects (both 1: 1 and 1: 12 scale) I didn't want you to think I had forgotten my blog.

What could be more charming then a beautiful garden shed. It would be a great project in miniature that could even be set in a book shelf when finished. It might add a subtle source of light and interest to a 1: 1 room. I am thinking about LEDs and the coming option of using a transformer instead of batteries.

I have a file of pictures I saved for years out of magazines of garden sheds. I don't have a scanner so I can't show you those. The newly built ones I love most, use old doors and windows purchased from salvage yards. Those can be very chic or slightly quirky. I like them because they don't have that prefab 'new' feeling about them when they are finished, like some of these do.

Garden sheds are close to my heart because I remember the summer my dad built one in our garden. I was about four years old then. It took him all summer, I was convinced I helped him build it. We went to the hardware store every week to get something 'we' needed to build it. The building was quite elaborate. It had a covered front porch, interior closet, electricity, a brick fire place and screens on the windows. It was big enough that he put bunk beds inside. So my sister and I could 'sleep out' on summer nights. I was so sad when we moved two years later and had to leave it behind. I know there is one in my future be it 1: 1 or 1: 12 scale.

Transformer Coming For The LED Lights

2011-11-17T11:37:00.010-06:00

The string of 26 warm white LEDs I ordered from Evan Designs has arrived. http:///www.modeltrainsoftware.com/mi.html I know I am going to love these because the wires and chips can be well hidden in the branches of the Christmas tree. The only time they will really be visible is when they are turned on. I was also very happy with the strength of the emitting light. Considering they are all going to be on a small tree.

Before I ordered I phoned and spoke to Dave. I wanted to ask him about a transformer for them. GOOD NEWS!!! He told me that he had that issue sorted out with a 3 volt transformer and would have them in stock in a couple of weeks!!!! He said he would email me when he got them in and that this transformer would not get warm where it is plugged into the wall. This is great because I don't want to be using up so many batteries to have the lights on every day for a couple of weeks for Christmas.

I am very glad I chose these. Plus I can think of several other ways to use these chip lights. You can also get a string of 12 LEDs from him.

Christmas Tree Lights

2011-11-12T12:42:00.018-06:00

I assume many of you have made one of these Christmas trees, using a bottle brush tree and preserved lycopodium. I thought it would be a relatively quick project. I was wrong, it took forever. The unfinished tree was 6 1/2 inches tall. I found it on ETSY and the lycopodium on Ebay.

If you have made a Christmas tree, can you tell me if you used the new LED chip lights? Did you like the way those lights looked on the tree? http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/chip-led-string.html I am not sure which type of lights I want to use yet.

I see that you can get a string of 12 LED lights or a sting with 26. There are three color choices which is great and they run off a small battery pack. Particularly nice for people that have already wired a dollhouse or room.

500 Followers, WOW!!! Thank You!

2011-11-08T14:13:00.012-06:00

My friend Linda Master http://miraclechicken.blogspot.com/ sent me a tiny cat she carved out of wood and painted for me. It is too small to be a 'live' miniature cat, it is meant to be decorative. She tells me, it is not a portrait of Kilmouski because she would need several photos to accomplish an exact likeness. I am sure if any one could do it Linda could. To appreciate it fully, you would have to see how she has painted the face and the eyes. I wish I could do it justice in a photo. Thank you so much Linda. You already know I love it.

The sterling silver tankards were made by using the roll printing process I discussed in a previous post about metal work.

Have you ever gone out to buy something VERY simple (a product) you needed to finish a project and come home empty handed? It drives me insane!!! I should have just gone ahead and ordered it online but I am so tired of paying for shipping. Especially when those charges are more than the item I want.

A half of a tank of gas and eight stores later I came home and ordered online. If I had been able to get what I needed, I would have posted a picture of the finished exterior lantern today also.

Trick Or Treat

2011-10-31T09:58:00.003-05:00

My two daily trick or treaters... Groupie and Puffy. They will go all round the house looking through windows until they find which room I am in. Then they just sit there and stare at me through the window until I come out and give them a treat! They are very good at staring as you can see!

Quick Peek.

2011-10-22T11:24:00.009-05:00

I have been working on two exterior lanterns that will go next to the front door.. I fabricated the top of it out of sheet metal. The lanterns are going to have a hinged doors and a latch (hopefully). I think I will go for a weathered copper finish rather than a highly polished one. The panels are 1/2 inch wide.

I bought microscope cover glass to cut for the panes but then I thought about using some mica sheet I have. I can solder right next to that and it has a nice aged tinted look. I am waiting for some copper foil to arrive to frame the mica panels with so I can get those soldered together.

I am stuck once again waiting for the mail to arrive. UGH!

Beyond Belief !!!

2011-10-13T09:14:00.010-05:00

Not much totally astonishes me but these lace doilies sure did. I was afraid I would tear them just taking them out of the glass envelopes they arrived in. They were a birthday gift from my dear friend Linda Carswell. http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/

Spider silk comes to mind when I look at how fine the threads are. My first thought was that they would be beautiful framed on a black back ground in gold leaf frames. I want to hang them in the master bedroom. All three frames in the same place.Perhaps over the bed with the square one being in the middle. What do you think?

Please don't ask me where she found these beautiful lace doilies. A girl has a right to a few secrets, so I didn't ask either. :-)

Thank you so very much Linda!!!! I am delighted and thrilled to bits with these gorgeous pieces.

What Perfect Timing!

2011-09-29T16:08:00.006-05:00

I have been waiting for a couple months for an order from Colin Bird. How nice that it should arrive on my birthday! I couldn't be more delighted! Colin's craftsmanship is always perfection. He has all six legs pegged to the seat. That wasn't something I noticed in his sample photo.

This new settee is very like the chair I have of his. They are both destine to be in a cottage living room. Though not right next to each other (too many spokes in one place).

I have not collected any upholstered pieces for that room. I thought it would be wise to wait to see what color the walls are going to be. One thing that these pieces tell me from photographing them is that I am going to need a lighter colored wood floor or they will disappear.

Linda Master, Thank You So Much!!!

2011-09-21T14:12:00.005-05:00

If I could live seven more lifetimes I would never achieve a fraction the talent Linda Master has. Ever since I saw her work I have known I was in the presence of greatness!!!

Even though I have never actually met Linda, she has become a good friend. I love talking to her. We laugh our heads off.

She has totally blown me away with this beautiful 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 inch pencil drawing of Kilmouski. I see she did it from a photo I posted here on my blog of him. Unbelievable! I have not done it justice in this photo I'm afraid. You have to hold it in your hand to really appreciate it.

I am going to take it tomorrow to the best framer in town. Then... I will put it on my vanity table so I can see it every day.

Thank you so very much Linda. You have delighted and thrilled me with this beautiful, beautiful Birthday gift.
http://www.miraclechickenurns.com/

http://miraclechicken.blogspot.com/

Catherine XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

French Flower Buckets / Pails

2011-09-18T11:19:00.017-05:00

I have been busy making French flower buckets/pails for the past few days. I have photographed them against a photo I found on the internet of a real Paris flower shop. It is sort of scary to see mine against the real thing.

I used a miniature pot of daffodils, you have seen here before so you could better understand the scale. If these buckets were 1: 1 scale they would be 13 inch's tall. So I am calling this first group size 13. They were made in the same way the watering cans were.

My weather plays a big part in how the faux galvanized finish comes out on these pieces. It has been very humid here since May, so there isn't much choice in when I can put the finish on them. Better fall weather coming, so I am going to take this finish off and re-do it again soon. But for now... Here they are.

A Lovely Surprise Has Arrived From Peiwen

2011-09-12T10:20:00.003-05:00

WOW!!! Just look at these beautiful Laduree bags and gorgeous box of macarrons. I love the clear top on the round box with the Laduree logo printed on it. She also made the beautiful white Peonies. There is one of her Laduree wine bottles in one of the bags and a perfect glass pitcher.

Thank you so very much Peiwen!!! I am thrilled to add these lovely pieces to my collection!!!http://oiseaudenim.blogspot.com/

Signing Your Work

2011-09-09T10:27:00.010-05:00

Please click on photos for a close up.
I have been busy with other (bigger) work for several days. I am trying to get a piece finished and shipped. So I haven't gotten much miniature work finished.

I thought I would share this because it is a nice way to sign a room box or a dollhouse. I think all projects should be signed, even if it will be virtually invisible on your work, in some inconspicuous place.

I have tried many different ways to transfer a design to a sheet of metal I want to cut out. My favorite way (especially if it is a intricate design) is to draw it on a piece of contact paper first. Which is great because you just peel off the back and stick it onto the metal. Once you have your design cut out, you can either soak off the paper or burn it off with a torch.

I still need to polish the plaque but it is very hard to photograph once there is a mirror finish on it.

Yes, I cut it out of sterling silver. All you need to do this is a drill, small drill bits, jewelers saw , sand paper and polish.

Congratulations!

2011-08-22T08:23:00.003-05:00

This morning I used the random number generator to choose the winner of the watering can. The number was 27. Congratulations Peiwen!!! http://oiseaudenim.blogspot.com/ Please email me your full name and address. Catherine XXX

A Brand New Kit by McQueenie Miniatures

2011-08-21T10:39:00.005-05:00

I have been playing with kits because I haven't been able to go to work. I am waiting for all the medical restrictions to come to an end. Bored out of my mind!!!

I thought I would share a new butlers tray-table made by McQueenie Miniatures. They offer two styles. I like their kits because I don't have to stain them. I just sand them, apply Tung oil and finish with #0000 steal wool & Johnson's paste wax.

You can adjust the height you want the table to be and the tray is removable.

20/20 A Special Thank You & GIVE AWAY!

2011-08-16T15:02:00.013-05:00

I want to thank those of you who crossed your fingers & toes, sent good vibes, prayers and wished me well. To those people that left me such kind well wishes for my surgery...Thank you so much!!!! It meant a lot to me, more than you can imagine. More than I thought it would.

I wish I could send each of you a gift but I am going to draw one name from those 31 people who took their time to leave me a comment. To the winner I am going to send the last miniature watering can I made. If the winner should not want it for some reason, I will draw a second name. I will announce the winner on August 22.

My doctor said today I would only have 80% of the sort of vision I will have a month from today. It will continue to improve as the swelling goes away and the healing is complete. Today in the eye I had surgery in.... I have 20/20 vision! HOW COOL IS THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Catherine XXX

Monday Morning.

2011-08-14T13:33:00.007-05:00

I never would have believed it. Two weeks ago I went to get some glasses, I took all the tests with the all the new fancy machines and left without being able to get a prescription and had appointment with a surgeon.

Loosing your sight happens so slowly. I spend so much of my time looking at something very tiny, sometimes as long as 12 hours. I just kept increasing the magnification, while trying to look through waxed paper basically! I was so shocked to find out I have cataracts. I thought it was something that happened much later in life but I have a friend that told me she had hers removed at age 33.

Tomorrow morning is the day. Keep your fingers crossed for me. What is my biggest problem with something this quick & simple...I hate handing the over the tools!!! ;-)

I Repaired the...Link & My First House (never finished)

2011-08-10T23:28:00.013-05:00

I thought some of you might enjoy seeing this. http://smallhousepress.wordpress.com/page/2/

I am so sorry! I have fixed the link and you should have no trouble clicking on it now.

Loooooooong ago....I bought the first house pictured here Pat & Noel Thomas sold as a kit. It arrived already put together (ready to finish) in a huge box from Seaview, Washington. Sadly...It still looks just as it did the day arrived and is sitting in my garage.

Dressing The Bed

2011-08-05T13:09:00.008-05:00

Please double click on photos for a close up.

I am working on dressing this Phoenix kit bed I painted. This is the first time I have ever played with fabrics to use in a miniature setting. At this point nothing except the bed skirt in fixed in place. I still have choices. I also haven't used any hairspray on it yet. Luckily I was able to end the scallops at all the cornes in the same place on the pattern.

I am not sure pure silk was the best choice for a duvet cover I don't like the sheen I am seeing in these photos. I think if I use it I will fluff it up a bit using fiber fill under the covers to make the bed look like a feather one. I still need a folded blanket at the foot of the bed. Hopefully in cotton with a pattern of some sort. Oh... And lots of small pillows.

To those who do not speak English my apologies for the Google Translator. I will reinstall it as soon as possible! It seems to be broken in several of the blogs I read too.

Crabtree & Evelyn Kit

2011-07-18T10:41:00.008-05:00

Oh how I used to LOVE walking into Crabtree & Evelyn! That was before they changed all the packaging!

I didn't care what the product was or the scent if I loved the box it came in! I loved the tins that had powders in them. Bath salts, soaps, beautiful tins of biscuits. It was all about the images for me they could have sold them all to me empty in the mid 1980's. Next door was Laura Ashley. Also something that I loved before Laura passed away.

So in memory of that.... When I found this Crabtree & Evelyn kit in 1: 12 scale I bought it. They had all of the fragrances to choose from in miniature. When the kit arrived I wasn't too impressed but as I started putting it together I thought all these items would look great in the bathroom cabinet I am working on. That will contain linens, bowls of soaps and filled glass apothecary jars.

I still miss the old Crabtree & Evelyn look.

By email request...I have been asked to restore this link for the monograms... http://www.etsy.com/shop/Yebisu?ref=seller_info

Sandi Has Started Her New Blog!!!

2011-07-15T08:56:00.008-05:00

I hope you will join me in welcoming Sandi Quance to Blogland. http://sandivq.blogspot.com/

She has posted several photos of her beautiful petit point.

Thank You Sandi!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-07-13T12:36:00.017-05:00

I am sure everyone of you have within your collection what you could define as your five star pieces. They maybe things you paid dearly for, made yourself or someone made for you.

I have a few of those five star pieces I adore. All of them are things made for me by friends. Things that can never be replaced. Now I can add these lovely petit point pieces to that category. They were made for me by Sandi. Who's work I am sure you have admired many times on Linda's blog http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/ and in Mercedes blog http://libertybiberty.blogspot.com/

Sandi works on 60 count silk gauze. That is 3, 600 stitches to the square inch! It has to be stitched with silk sewing thread. Embroidery floss is much too heavy to stitch on 60 count gauze. I am thrilled beyond words to have received these lovely, lovely pieces from her. They are really astonishing!!! Sandi also made another piece that I can stitch on my 1: 12 scale embroidery frame (not pictured yet).

This is a gorgeous tea cozy Sandi designed to compliment my Stoksay Ware.

A gorgous sampler!!!

Sandi has a blog... With no entries to date. I hope that you will let her know in your comments here how much you would enjoy seeing more of her incredible work. I happen to know she has just finished the most beautiful petit point rug for her own collection. I have never seen anything so fine.

I am just in awe of your beautiful work Sandi. I will take good care and treasure these forever! Thank you so very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My SIMP Purchases

2011-06-29T15:07:00.007-05:00

For a close up... Double click on the photo.

How lucky am I to have a friend who would shop for me at SIMP! These arrived in today's post.

Marie-Laure emailed me lots and lots of photos from the show in Paris of Elizabeth Causeret's work. Once I saw the photos, I emailed her in return and she bought several things for me. I am still amazed by the technology that allows this.

I just love the ginger jars with the crackle finish on them. I have always had a soft spot for those. I also loved Elizabeth's beautiful bowls. These are not all the pieces Marie-Laure sent. I will post those another time.

Once again.... Thank you so much Marie-Laure. http://recreationminiature.blogspot.com/ How very kind of you.

BTW... The telephone is solid brass. The part you speak into can be positioned. It is something I have had for many years.

Pascale's Irises... Think Purple

2011-06-27T12:54:00.009-05:00

I wish my camera would see the right color. It drives me crazy. These are a beautiful shade of purple not blue!!!

I think I made a mess of this kit. Which of course means I have to order another one to do them all over again. Though in their defence I will say they look a lot better in person then in these photos.

I was happy enough with them until I added the beard to the irises. I think I would like to try a different material for that. The bright yellow (super fine) flock I used to make 1:44 scale flowers for the walnut houses might work better for me. I just lost control of the yellow sand that came with the kit. Though I am sure Pascale works with it beautifully! Everything she makes is perfect! You may have great success with the sand too.

This vase is a one of a kind. it has a frosted finish. At the top (in the back behind the flowers) the rim of the vase comes to a point. Would you say it was art nouveau? Frank Whittemore made it for me long ago. The first time I saw it I thought it needs irises in it.

A big thank you to Marie-Laure http://recreationminiature.blogspot.com/ for translating the directions from French into English!!!

The Garden

2011-06-23T22:56:00.006-05:00

It is wall to wall flowers in the garden at the moment.

I love these huge moon flowers that open up at dusk. The vine has grown up and over my brick wall. So pretty sitting out in the courtyard at night. Next year I think I will plant a white garden.

OOPS! I missed posting this on Fathers Day

2011-06-21T10:25:00.005-05:00

These are my parents. They did not have me until late in life. Aren't they gorgeous!

I have been working on a couple of very simple fine silver frames
1: 12 scale. Before I finished them I wanted to see if I could successfully take pictures of framed photos. I really didn't want to disturb the framing to reduce them and I don't have a scanner. I may just have to take the photos out of the frame to do it properly.

My Dad is gone now but I think about him every day. He was among many other things a true gentleman. In the old fashion sense of the words meaning. They don't make many of them anymore.

Hanna's Bananas & Hanneke

2011-06-11T15:29:00.005-05:00

Recently I received an order from Hanna. http://miniature-chef.blogspot.com/ Her work is just beautiful!!! I am not someone that orders a lot of food items but I know I will be back to order from her again very soon. I was just amazed by the detail.

I think everyone knows Hanneke. http://www.minimini.nl/flesjes.htm Her Bonnie Maman French jams are as wonderful as her wine bottles are. I couldn't make up my mind so I ordered three of them. She has several other things I intend to order now that I have seen these wonderful jams.

Finished Watering Can & Hydrangeas

2011-06-07T22:27:00.005-05:00

I haven't been doing much work lately. I had to have a bit of surgery on my right hand and I am right handed). It so much better now! :-)

It has been driving me crazy not to be working on something!!! So, I thought I would try and make some flowers. This is a beautiful kit made by http://www.wam-miniaturen.com/page4.htm#div Hydrangeas are one of my favorites. I love the light blues and pinks.

The watering can has been finished for several days but I had not put a finish on it. Our humidity has been so high that I wanted to wait for a good day when it was low to do it. I may not see another one until October! The part of the pour spout (head) with the holes in it is brass.

I am pretty pleased with it. In a few days I will start on another one. This one is leaving for it's new home this week.

Tool-Fest & Watering Can Up Date

2011-05-28T09:33:00.009-05:00

I hope it still works after I get the sprinkler head on it. I am waiting for some perforated brass for the nozzle head.

I was starting to find it really annoying that I couldn't work on small metal projects at home. The new work bench I bought last fall looked lonely and much too tidy. :-)

I called Rio Grande and ordered some things. It may not look like much but that isn't what the bill says. A new TX series Foredom flex shaft, It has a much stronger motor that will allow me to carve hardwoods. Then a new dapping block by a British maker, Durston. Oh my, to me it is a thing of great beauty! I love how the punches all neatly fit in the carrying case with the block. There is a high polish in the steels dapped spaces. I also got... two bezel mandrels (for forming) and a bunch of bits and pieces for the flex shaft. Now I have to get a torch. I can buy that here in town. Then... Maybe I will offer a few copper pieces to sell occasionally. Teapots and such.

Metal Problem Solved

2011-05-21T16:07:00.010-05:00

Sunday... May 22, 2011
I would have gotten more finished today if I hadn't gotten a major sinus headache. At least the splash guard is soldered on now. It won't take long to finish it.

Please double click on photos.

Saturday May 21, 2011
Now that the galvanized steel "look" has been resolved using the gilders paste. I thought I would tackle the next problem.

Today I think I solved the issue with raised ring lines in the sheet metal. They are actually formed into the sheet now. It looks much better than trying to solder rings on them. So I decided to start making a watering can. Isn't that a great ruler? It has holes in it so your measurement marks are always exactly right.

Gilders Paste... And Its Variety Of Uses

2011-05-18T16:07:00.012-05:00

If you are someone that is interested in coloring metals with patinas you may have discovered the additional hazardous shipping charges for chemicals like JAX can be as expensive as the solution it self. I recently paid more just for shipping than for the product.

Happily there are some other options I would like to share with you that have a very nice result. There is a product called Gilders Paste. I have found an Etsy seller who sells 28 different colors! http://www.etsy.com/listing/72156124/gilders-paste-15-oz-tin-available-in-28?ga_ This product can be used on polymer clay, metal, wood and other materials. It has a consistency of shoe polish but it can be thinned with mineral spirits (called white spirits in some countries). You can thin it to a wash if you like. Or use it straight out of the tin.

This product could also be useful in all the popular aging techniques. The metallic colors can be buffed to have a soft shine on so many surfaces. I can think of hundreds of uses for it in 1: 12 scale. The paste comes with a one page brochure with good photos of how it has been used.

I do not plan to use this on sterling silver but I will use it a lot for miniature work in the future. I really like this product. Today I used it on a raw brass finding to bring out the details for a small mirror I needed. First the brass was polished then a wash of black applied and wiped off. In a few days the golden color of the brass will return with a little oxidation. I think it is a good idea to seal your finished piece. I sprayed mine.

Don't forget to click on the photo. ;-)

Beautiful Miniature Books

2011-05-16T18:46:00.005-05:00

A wonderful surprise! Flora http://lacasadellebambolediflora.blogspot.com/has made me some beautiful 1: 12 scale books.

Obviously the people that live here have a special interest in dollhouses. They own a Georgian townhouse, so they will fit right into their library.

Thank you so very much Flora. These are all my favorite titles in 1: 1 scale. They are a wonderful addition to my collection. I am thrilled to have them.

Do have a look in Flora's Etsy Shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/scbflr72

Catherine XXX

He's Here!!!

2011-05-13T16:41:00.010-05:00

Please double click on the photo for a close up. You don't want to miss it.

Many of you already know I was the very lucky and delighted winner of Patty's "Give Away' baby. http://patty-petit-orphelin.blogspot.com/. I have always admired Patty's absolutely beautiful work but I wasn't prepared to be awe struck.

When I opened the parcel this lovely baby took my breath away. His skin just seems to glow from within, He is beaming with good health and life. He has the most beautiful hands and feet too, with tiny nails on each finger and toe. No detail was excluded under his garments either, I peeked. His cap is not glued in place and he has lovely legs with dimpled knees. ;-) Usually a new mother has months to get ready for a new baby. I found out on Mothers Day, last Sunday. So I still have quite a bit of shopping to do for a baby and to create a proper photo shoot. As soon as I can find or make all the paraphernaliahe needs, I will post another picture

Thank you so much Patty. I love him so much!!! He is perfect!

Lots Of Doll Houses On YouTube!

2011-05-12T01:57:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7ecMYvhfU&feature=related

My friend Sandi sent this link to me tonight. I thought It was just Queen Mary's dollhouse at first. Then I realized there are many more houses to see. I have watched several clips.
Try the whole set of ... The Miniature Thorne Rooms. It is wonderful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0frWc-KtWA&feature=related

It's A Mystery! Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-07T12:49:00.010-05:00

It appears someone is planning a special Mothers Day treat for Mum.

I have just cast eight place settings of the Chrysnbon flatware kits in fine silver .999 as apposed to sterling silver .925 Hopefully I won't be polishing these very often because the silver content is so high. I thought the silver would look much nicer with all the blue Stoksay Ware I have collected.

Every year on Mothers Day since I have had Kilmouski, a gift has arrived in the mail. Today these gorgeous hand made soaps scented with English roses. There is always a card signed Happy Mothers Day...Kilmouski.

I have no idea who's credit card he is using but it isn't mine!!! It is a real mystery!!! Thank you Kilmouski!

Happy Mothers Day Everyone!

Delightful Mail Today

2011-05-03T01:35:00.007-05:00

Some time ago Marie http://recreationminiature.blogspot.com/ posted a miniature theater on her blog. It was made by Dominique Autin. I absolutely fell in love with it. Which must have been obvious in the comment I left her about it.

Today the mailman brought me a little magic from France. Marie sent me this lovely miniature theater. :-) I think they are fascinating. I love the the images on the theater surround, the colors and the story happening on the stage.

Thank you so very much Marie!!! It is such a charming and special treasure.

Catherine XXX

I have made the photo smaller. I don't want it to be so deceptive in terms of its true size.

And The Winner Is....

2011-05-01T10:50:00.008-05:00

I would like to thank everyone that entered the Give Away. I also want to welcome all the new Followers to my blog.

I might have three seconds or three minutes before I loose my connection so I will be brief. I am sorry I cannot take time to post the photos of Mr. Evans (my neighbor) drawing a name for me this morning.

Congratulations Margariet! http://margriets-miniatures.blogspot.com/ Please send me your full name and address to...
catherineronanATXXXX.net Use the AT sign on your keyboard in place of the 'AT' I wrote in my email address. As soon as I can get online again I will retrieve my emails.

GIVE AWAY

2011-04-25T02:45:00.008-05:00

Please click twice on photos for a close up.

It is long past time I thank all of my Followers with a Give Away. I especially would like to thank those of you who regularly contribute here. Letting me know you have been here by leaving a comment has led me to your blogs to meet you, enjoy your work and collections. I have made some wonderful friends since I started this blog, just over a year ago.

I made the lampshade out of an off white silk satin. The square base of the lamp is black onyx as is the black finial at the top of the shade. All the metal parts are solid brass. The center (bead) is not missing a dab of paint. All of these beads I have are just like this one. I am afraid I am a lousy photographer...I think they are exceptionally beautiful beads. The brushed gold element in the design is raised. Yes this is a working lamp. I intend to make another lamp just like this one for myself.

This Give Away is for the lamp and lampshade only. I just added the other things so you could see the scale of it. All that is necessary to participate is to be one of my 374 Followers and leave me a comment so I know you are interested. The winner will be announced on May 01, 2011.

I will try to take better photos in the morning to replace these very bad ones. ;-)
Thank you for visiting Kilmouski & Me.

Catherine XXX

Nuttycrest...... (Nutshell House)

2011-04-21T12:15:00.010-05:00

Welcome to Nuttycrest Cottage. It's residents are a bit eccentric. They have deviated from the villages strict building codes with their outrageous roof top addition of a gazebo /garden. It is the reason for a town hall meeting tonight at Twigs & Berries. Several of the villagers are furious. It seems that many residents want the offenders to move their house to a entirely different tree!

OK... I know, I said the last one was going to be 'it' for a while. I just couldn't help myself. I was laying in bed one night and thought... Oooooh a observation deck/roof garden, Then I had to turn on the light and draw a sketch to figure out how to make it work. Then I thought... It needs a swing with a 'wisteria like' vine growing down out of the gazebo. Totally crazy which is part of the reason for the name of the cottage.

These are almost impossible to photograph. The purple 'berries are so vibrant,deep and sort of metallic... The color is really off in these photos. ;-(( I finally gave up this morning and settled for these. They are so small and there is just so much going on 360 degrees.Don't forget to click twice on the photos for a close up.

A Wee Band-Aid

2011-04-19T15:23:00.003-05:00

I was feeling pretty sorry for myself because I missed the show this year in Chicago. There were so many people going I wanted to see too. So, I decided to put a band-aid on it.

I bought three of Scott Hughes fixtures last year at the show. I just love them. I telephoned Scott before he left for Chicago and told him I wasn't able to go and wondered if he would send me a photo of a couple of fixtures. I bought a lamp but when it arrived yesterday it was too big. :-( So today I asked him what he had in that aged patina I love. This is the chandelier I bought from him. I am soooo excited.

Scott doesn't have a web site or a catalog. He only does one show a year. In my mind that makes his work all the more special.

Linda Master

2011-04-18T00:11:00.006-05:00

Linda sent me this wonderful bread board last week. She hand carved the entire thing. Including the circle!!! Just try and draw a perfect circle sometime. lol I know very well how difficult that is to do because of the hand engraving I have done on metal. Her work is simply incredible. If you can think of it, she can carve it for you. You will be delighted when your order arrives.

http://www.miraclechickenurns.com/

Thank you so much Linda! I love it!!!

New Lamp Bases

2011-04-15T03:56:00.005-05:00

I never liked the bases for these lamps I made. I was having a look around in Etsy and found a solid brass tiered finding that said it was 7 mm on the interior of the square! WOW perfect, just the right measurement and a perfect look for this lamps new base.

They came in the mail today. the interior of the tired square was 12 mm in the inside Grrrrr How off can you get with a ruler...scary!

Uh-Oh! I had to destroy the old lamp bases to get them off. Which I did, in anticipation of the new ones arriving. Hrmmm.... now what? I guess I'll cross my fingers and operate!

I had a old plastic miter box I bought long ago when I first became interested in miniatures. I measured 7 mm and marked the finding then cut the corner off with a jewelers saw. I did that to all four of the &^%$ things. Then just soldered them all together. There ;-) ...Now they're 7mm on the inside. all I have to do is clean them up and glue them on.

Lots of things are almost finished on my work bench. I have been busy working on several things I hope to share in a day or two.

My English Cottage Interior Inspiration

2011-04-04T13:16:00.015-05:00

I have saved hundreds of inspiration photos for the miniature cottage I want to build. I thought I would share a few here.

Please double click on photos for a closer look.

I adore this cottage and it's rooms. I love the quirky (Elm) beams in the ceiling. One side of the hearth is carved with the initials A. W. and 1810. The cottage could be a lot older however. The room is 8 feet 3 inches X 12 feet. The six foot owner can only stand up straight in three places in the room. I love the billowing plaster ceiling daubed into a crazy mattress of twigs and branches.

Spice Cupboards were often built into the wall next to the hearth. The hope was to keep the valuable contents of herbs, spices and possibly tea and sugar dry. I lreally like this one and hope to add one of these to my miniature cottage. I love the butterfly hinges and the initials and date carved into the wood. Also the scratch moulded framing.Another example of a built in wall cabinet.

I LOVE the patterns in the brick in this medieval cottage hearth. What a fun miniature clay project this could be.

French Flower Buckets

2011-04-02T16:30:00.005-05:00

With all the things out there you can buy in miniature there was one thing missing, at least I couldn't find one. French flower buckets.

I tried one this morning using a sheet of tin. I am not happy with it though for a variety of reasons. First... I knew to make them look right I needed to have a die made to form them onto, using a hydraulic press. Reason being, this would allow the two band lines below the lip of the bucket to be pressed into the sheet. I tried instead just to solder on two rings to "look like" that. It wasn't a success. :-( Secondly... I have to find a tool for my flex-shaft that will give the surface of the metal the right look that galvanized buckets have. Sadly... the patina I want for the outside is in the inside where I didn't have to clean up anything.

I am determined... I will get there!!!

Every Village Needs A Shop (Nutshell House)

2011-03-30T23:55:00.011-05:00

Welcome to... "Twigs & Berries"

Today's Menu

Imported... French Frog Eggs, Pears& Raspberries With Honeyed Blueberry Sauce, Sparkling Honeysuckle Juice

Classes For Children Thursday Afternoon... A Field Trip... Identifying the right mushroom snacks.

For the Ladies... Try a new look...Wing Painting...Friday's By Appointment

Belgian Spider Silk Lace... by the inch.

Fairy Dust... Six Exciting New Colors!

Portable Rainbows... See our display window.

Emergency Wing Repair 24/7

Frankly this was a little &^%$# to make. It is going to be a while before I touch another walnut. lol I decided I would like to have a vine growing up and over the awnings. I started with very fine wire and soldered all the pieces together. Trying it on the shell as I went along soldering. Then I painted the wires brown.

Now I could spot glue the vine to the nutshell. The next step was to glue the 1/2 mm beads on. YEP one by one. I found that they were really secure by painting clear nail polish over them after the glue dried. Once I had all the "berries" on I really liked it without any green foliage but thought it had to have it on the vine. :-(

I built the bay window by cutting up three double windows to make one bay and glued that to a styrene box I built. In the window there is some magic happening. These holographic tiny stars blink colors even in relative darkness. I just glued them in a pile for the bay window display... "Portable Rainbows". If you could see inside it, you would notice there seem to be some much smaller ones floating in mid-air too. Those are glued to a second & third sheet of clear styrene on the inside of the house. They step back from the window front. I still have to make the sign that will stick out from the side of the bay. I am going to have to use someone else's printer for that.

PHEW.... Maybe too much information. ;-)

Finally!

2011-03-23T13:27:00.005-05:00

At long last! For well over a year I have wanted a simple basket of croissants! I ordered them from Stephanie Kilgast at PetitPlat. She also sent me a gift of a religieuse. I love it! Thank you so much Stephanie!!!

Something else I have wanted for a long time is a lemon reamer. To go with the hand held strainer and all the other things I made. This boxwood reamer was made by David Edwards. I am delighted with it. I have a slight wait for the bread board I wanted from him with the word BREAD carved into it. Seven YEARS he told me.

I have been working on my next walnut house. It is a shop called Twigs & Berries. Stay tuned. :-)

Nutshell News

2011-03-17T11:41:00.015-05:00

I was recently reminded how Nutshell News magazine got it's name. Long ago (well over 20 years) they had an article about how to make a nutshell house out of a walnut. I have many very old issues of NSN, they were just wonderful, especially the early ones.

I told a friend that I wanted to try and make one but told her I would never show it on my blog. Karin said... Make it and show it on your blog. People have been making those for many years. She asked me if I had seen the project in NSN. I had a vague memory of it. With this fact now confirmed, I now had no reservations about making one or sharing it here.

There is a very fine 1: 144 scale artist (Nell Corkin) that makes and sells these. I actually wanted one badly enough that I first wrote to Nell to ask her if I could buy one. Sadly, they were beyond my budget. She asked me if i would like to take her class at the Tom Bishop show but she wasn't going to be teaching how to make the nutshell houses or next year either.

I really didn't want one with furniture inside it or one that sat on a table. I wanted one that I could hang. My approach was to use N scale doors and windows, rather than to make them from scratch. I made my own shutters out of sheet styrene. The yellow flowers in the planters are colored sand that was left over from a flower kit of Pascale's. The purple ones were made out of flock. I just dipped 1 mm of a fine wire in glue and then into the flock. Then swirled the fluffy mass into a cone shape between my fingers. My camera never seems to get colors right. The flowers are yellow, light purple and a deep rich purple.

I have had a handful of these big domed acorn caps for 13 years. I picked them up in a friend of mines garden in North Carolina. I knew I would make something out of them one day.

Sorry for the very bad photos. It is very windy today.

In my imagination................This hanging walnut house was made by the wee people that live in the tree tops. ;-)

Linda...Here is one in scale with my hand. :-)

Your Opinion

2011-03-09T13:15:00.005-06:00

Please click on the photo twice for a close up.

The second fence finally arrived for the house. I have painted and shaped it to fit but not glued it in place.
I am not sure I like it. Rather then go into my opinions... I would much rather have your thoughts about it, if you would care to share them. Thank you! XXX

UP DATE.... TO YOUR COMMENTS

I loved the second floor balcony fence that came with the kit but... I must say it has more of a French flavor in my opinion and probably doesn't belong on Georgian townhouse. I have found the actual house this kit was fashioned after in Bath, England.

I thought you might like to see what the real house looks like that the kit was modeled after. I got the address off the box the kit came in. They don't have the elegance the 1: 144 scale one has. :-)

Karin is right about the reason for the ground fences being there to protect people from falling into the basement stairs. However I had disregarded that fact for an effect I was hoping to achieve.

I think I will just have to live with it a while. I hate the idea of changing that great second floor balcony fence to match the first floor one.

Thanks to everyone that leaves me thier thoughts! XXX

Making Frames

2011-03-07T23:20:00.006-06:00

The past few days have been busy. I haven't had much time for miniature work except for these two frames. I realised all of the frames I have are large. I wanted some small ones for walls and tables.

I really liked this image of a woman wearing this crazy bird hat I found in 'The Graphics Fairy'. I also found another photo of this beautiful little girl that I really loved.

Georgian Townhouse 1: 144 Scale

2011-02-25T14:41:00.017-06:00

Please click twice on photos for a close up.

I just loved this 1: 144 scale Georgian house from the first minute I saw it. I spend a whole lot of time trying to find it. Linda http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/ saw comment I made on a blog when I was searching for it. She also had fallen for it and wanted to make it. It was great fun to work with her on a project sharing thoughts, photos and sources, while we were literally on different sides of the world. I am sure you will be seeing her finished house shortly on her blog.

I had some alterations in mind for my house. I wanted to add hinges to the side. Also... I wanted to cut a new bottom floor to make it deeper than the floor that came with the kit. Splitting it so the front of the house would have an area for some additions. This would allow me to add a second fence and some room for two topiaries I wanted to make to sit next to the front door.
First let me say that the 1.5mm plywood used to make this kit sold me!!! It is very strong and is resistant to warping. I had to find more of it for the new floor I was going to cut.

The second iron N scale fence arrived after waiting for it for three weeks. They sent me the wrong one! So that is the last bit that I will add when it arrives in

The kit came with a very nice photo front door. I challenged myself to make different one. A six panel Georgian front door. Then I needed to improvise the brass hardware for it. The door it is 1/4 inch wide.

Lovely Swap Gifts From Caterina

2011-02-24T10:34:00.004-06:00

Caterina and I decided on a swap for her beautiful tea box. It arrived in today's mail.

I am astonished by her incredible patience, She has filled the box with miniscule tea bags. All of them so well made they fit into the box perfectly! One even has real tea in it. I love the tiny tag on the string. :-)

She generously added these other gorgeous boxes of cappuccino, rosini and spaghetti. I cannot believe the strands of spaghetti. It is the perfect color and so fine. The open box of rosini also has pasta in it.

These are all such wonderful pieces and I am delighted to have them in my collection.

Thank you so very much Caterina! I am thrilled. http://leminisdicockerina.blogspot.com/

Catherine XXX

Lavish Gifts Have Arrived!!!

2011-02-12T11:21:00.012-06:00

I have always known Linda was a person with multiple talents. That is demonstrated though every aspect of the miniature work she does and her resplendently beautiful blog. http://une-petite-folie.blogspot.com/ She has a special eye for detail. The photos she takes deserve to be published in a book!!!

I love, love, love these daffodils she made for me. Made even more special with the miniscule weed growing up on the side of the of the mossy flower pot. It is destine to live next to the front step of my house.

Who would think someone could be so thrilled with a bouquet of weeds! They will be kept safe until the day their stems are clipped and planted. To understand their size, look at the one on the flower pot above!

When Linda posted the photo of Beverly Miles beautiful tatted doily and said she was sending it to someone, I never dared to dream it would be to me. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. A photo cannot begin to tell you how fine and delicate it is. It reminds me of a snow flake. The thread used to make it is much finer than sewing thread. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

I have admired Margaret Crosswell's beautiful work for a very long time on Linda's blog. I am so thrilled with this beautiful pitcher. It is just gorgeous!!! It will have a special place in my house.

Thank you so very much Linda....I am so thrilled!!!!!!!! You are so very generous and a valued dear friend.

Catherine XXX

Colin Bird's Kitchen Table

2011-02-07T22:38:00.008-06:00

Just playing while it snows...Again! UGH!

Please click on photos for a close up.

This piece arrived today. It is the table Colin Bird made from the rough piece of yew I posted about not long ago. I wanted to photograph it simply without much embellishing so you could see the wood grain. I feel I have failed to do it justice!!! The top is silky smooth and the color is beautiful.

I told Colin I wanted a table that had a lot of tiny knots in the wood. He sure didn't disappoint me, not in any way. I love his work.

The very happy surprise was how nicely the ladder back chairs go with the color of the table. I bought them last year at the Tom Bishop show to use in a kitchen with no idea where I would ever find a table. What a happy unplanned result. I had no idea if it would work until today.

Thank you so much Colin. It is exactly what I hoped for and more!!!
http://www.colinbird.co.uk/

Swap Project

2011-02-05T17:13:00.005-06:00

Cockerina invited me to make and swap something with her for a box of English tea she made. It even has tea bags inside the box!

I told her I would make her a fabric basket with some green apples in it. She asked me for a red basket but I told her I only had a red and white stripe fabric. I hope she likes it.

Thank you Lidi!!!

2011-02-02T10:40:00.017-06:00

Yesterday I was surprised and thrilled to receive my Etsy order from Lidi Stroud. I couldn't believe how quickly it came in the mail all the way from Australia!

Her work is astonishing! She is truly a master artisan. I can only guess at how many years and miles of thread it has taken to achieve her incredible level of skill. I love the natural color of the thread she used. The inside of the basket is as beautiful as the outside is.

Lidi overwhelmed me with a magnificent gift! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw there was a second basket in the little box. OMG!!! It is this gorgeous hanging basket! :-) It has little beads on both sides where the handle is. How in the world she wove this tiny shape is beyond me. The top actually rolls over on it's self.

Both of these are very special treasures in my collection. I am so thrilled to have them.

Thank you so much Lidi!!! I LOVE them both. XXXXX

PS... Lidi has a wonderful article in AIM this month with her lovely basket weavers shop. It is a must see!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AbsoluteBasketcase?ref=seller_info

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/issue10.html

Roses

2011-01-26T17:35:00.009-06:00

This is one of the English old roses kits I ordered from France. Finally...I got them together and in the vase today! I am afraid the rest of the flower kits I ordered are going to have to wait. They don't have English translations yet. I opened them up and looked at all the pieces, then quickly closed the plastic zipper bag!!! LOL

The glass powder jar, perfume bottle and white vase with the pink rim were made by my old friend Frank Whittemore. I am sure you recognize the mail Linda made for me. I love it so much I put in a few pieces in most of the pictures I take. :-)

Lidi Stroud

2011-01-24T00:18:00.006-06:00

I have admired Lidi's work in CDHM for a very long time. I love the texture baskets add to a to a miniature scene. When I discovered she had opened an ETSY shop I couldn't resist this basket. Do stop by and have a look at her beautiful work. http://www.etsy.com/shop/AbsoluteBasketcase?ref=seller_info

Jinx Up Date

2011-01-13T21:58:00.009-06:00

Thankfully... I managed to finish Jinx without any more disasters. I am sure he just wants me to go away so he can get acquainted with Yancey. Kitty must be off sulking!
;-)

Please click on photos for a closer look.
Oh yes!... This cat is jinxed! He has already used up several of his nine lives. He has had his ear ripped off after being baked. He broke his leg and it had to be replaced. When I finished painting him I needed to spray him with a sealant. To do this I had to go outside. Right after I sprayed him I dropped him in the snow and all his paint sort of curdled. He had to be sanded, repainted and sealed again. Grrr

I have been suffering from a serious case of fumble fingers for several days. Before anything else happens to him I thought I would share him with you. He hasn't had his final hair cut yet or gotten his whiskers. I have been trying to get Kilmouski to sit still all night but he isn't cooperating. His eyebrow hairs are just fine enough for Jinx's whiskers. LOL

It also appears that like Kilmouski he thinks any flowers brought into the house are for eating. ;-)

A White World

2011-01-10T10:11:00.007-06:00

It is a rare occurrence in my city for us get anything like this. We can go years without seeing any snow at all. Here are a few pictures of my house and garden this morning. I will be staying home (working on a cat sculpt)! No one in this city knows how to drive in it.

I guess the landscapers won't be here today to plant the other trees I bought for the front of my house. LOL

New Table LOL

2011-01-02T14:40:00.005-06:00

I do love Colin Bird's work. He makes beautiful furniture. For instance... The "Double Bow High Back Elbow Chair" you see in several photos on my blog. I would have called it a Windsor Chair.

I have wanted one of his kitchen tables for a long time but I didn't want this particular piece made out of pear. Which is what he is using for them at the moment.

Recently he wrote to me and sent the picture above. It is a piece yew he has, it is just five inches long. He asked me if I liked it for my kitchen table. It didn't translate in my minds eye into a table nor could I truthfully say I could understand what it would look like when the wood had a finish on it. I do love all the tiny little knots in it. I just told him I trusted his judgement and to go ahead and make it out of this piece of yew. He is about to start working on it. It shouldn't be too long before I can show you the finished table. I am so curious. LOL

Dreaming Of Spring

2010-12-28T11:50:00.007-06:00

I had forgotten how perfect Braxton Payne's terra cotta flower pots are, until Linda Carswell reminded me. I bought several from him many years ago at a show in Chicago. These are ones I ordered from him not long ago. They are so thin and they even have a drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. Yes, they are kiln fired! http://www.braxtonpayne.com/HomePages/HOME.htm

I have admired Pascale Garnier's flower kits for a long time. This weekend I indulged my self in putting together two of her Geranium kits. I know it won't be long until I order from her again. I really enjoyed making them.

Yancey... That is not a fire hydrant! ;-)

The Chandelier For The Kitchen

2010-12-26T19:39:00.006-06:00

For so long I've had this chandelier I made stored in a box. Today I had some time to play and I just wanted to see what it would look like up.

Usually after I make something I decide I would rather have something else instead... One step forward two steps back. (?) Now that I see it hanging with some of the other things that will be in the kitchen, I know I will use it.

It is going to be a bit of a pain to get it positioned so that the arms are at the right angle. I didn't bother with trying to get it to do that today.

I plan to spend all this week designing a house... It is waaaaay past time.

Meet Loire!

2010-12-21T19:25:00.007-06:00

I started him when I thought Yancey and kitty were lost forever. Which is the reason I made another West Highland Terrier. I gave him a slightly different cut than the other ones I have made. The fur on his face is a bit longer. I wish he was photogenic... He has a very friendly, sweet look on his face.

I do not need two of these little dogs in my doll house. So I have decided to sell him. He has agate eyes and a very soft Alpaca coat. Loire is exactly 4cm tall to the tip of his right ear. More photos can be sent to you on request. If you are interested you can email me at the address just under my profile on this page. His price will be consistent with other artists that sculpt OOAK animals.

I delete most emails I do not recognize, so please let me know in your email title that you are inquiring about the dog. :-)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Thank you for all your visits and contributions to my blog this year.

Catherine X

Gingerbread Houses

2010-12-15T23:00:00.010-06:00

No, this is not my gingerbread house. I just thought you might enjoy seeing it. I have been doing a lot of baking though. Next year I am going to have to try one of these. I just thought this one was so exceptional I had to share it.
I also love this one for it's wood texture on the gingerbread. I really do like them best when they are not covered with candy .

Beautiful Miniatures From Peiwen

2010-12-08T13:15:00.006-06:00

eiwen
No... The lost kitty and Yancey didn't go to Paris to bring me home some Laduree treats.

These beautiful miniatures were made by the lovely and very talented Peiwen. Aren't they beautiful!!! I could open my own patisserie she was so generous. I love the big bottle of Champaign, I can see bubbles inside the bottle. The tiny macaroons are perfection!

She has so many new things in her ETSY shop. You must stop by and have a good look around. :-)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/OiseaudeNim?ref=seller_info

Thank you so very much Peiwen, I love them all!

It seems that kitty and Yancey fell in their carrier box between the pillows in my friends sofa. Christmas cleaning revealed their hiding place. I am very happy they have returned home today.

So Many Ideas.

2010-12-05T20:11:00.013-06:00

I am beginning to understand why people end up having more than one doll house. Once you choose a style you have eliminated everything else.

How cute is this! I would love to have it 1: 1 or 1: 12 scale. Something about the texture of the stone reminds me of barnacles. I love the shape, height and number of chimneys.

Oct 31, 2011 Yes! I have added several more houses lately.

Making A Crystal Chandelier

2010-12-04T21:09:00.012-06:00

I have been finding the most wonderful supplies. I think making those lamps started somthing.

I have always wanted to make a crystal chandelier but I wanted a certain look. I have found what I had in mind. First these 3/8" cupped glass doll buttons. They look perfect for holding the candle shaft and bulb which will hide the drilled holes from the top but allow wires to go through them. Also these will work for crystal candle sticks. I would share the link but I bought them all in ETSY.
These are 2mm round Swarovski beads which will be perfect for swags on the chandelier. I had no idea Swarovski made them so tiny. http://www.etsy.com/shop/twinkledropz/search?search_query=150+pcs+CLEAR+5000+2mm+Swarovski+Crystal+Small+Round+Beads&search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5626531&shopname=twinkledropz

Best of all... These tiny top drilled teardrops. This means they are not drilled straight through the side of the bead at the narrow point. The hole is drilled straight in through the top and stops about 2.5mm into the crystal. Ooooh that is fantastic!!! They are 6x4mm a perfect size teardrop! http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=257098

Making Lamps

2010-11-19T17:36:00.011-06:00

I just thought I would add to this post. So many of you have already left such kind comments. Thank you!
I wanted to photograph the lamps in the right setting to see how they looked. I was hoping they would look like marble. I am pretty happy with them.
Still no feeling back on that spot on my thumb.?

I have been busy working on all sorts of things. I managed to finish two lamps today.
They were more work than I ever could have imagined. There is now a spot on my thumb that has no feeling in it at all. It has been that way for three days. I hope it comes back to life. LOL

I bought the Blue Lace Agate Beads for the lamps on ETSY. I loved the color and the oval melon twist! However, there was a problem. They had a very tiny hole in them. I thought... No problem, I'll buy a diamond bead reamer. http://www.etsy.com/shop/EurekaEureka?ref=seller_info

I also bought solid brass heishe beads on ETSY. Same problem, I had metal reamers though!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/mintdestash?ref=seller_info

Then I decided I wanted 8mm Swarovski crystal black cube beads for the base... Same problem a tiny hole. Plus I was told you can't ream out Swarovski crystal beads without breaking them. I never listen to stuff like that, it went fine. I didn't break any and it went a heck of a lot faster than those blue agates!

I bought some metal findings thinking this would speed up the process. ALL of those had to be altered. Plus I realized suddenly I needed to have a metal tube run through all of these pieces. And they have to line up in all directions. UGH!

The GREATEST new find was the watch makers glue I bought. It has a built in hypodermic needle tip. It is for gluing watch crystals and any non-porous pieces together. OMG! That stuff is FANTASTIC! I was told it never goes bad and the needle stays clear.

I really wanted white shades but I when I held up all the white papers I had to the lamps it looked awful. So I made temporary shades out of black paper. When finished they looked funny next to that black crystal bead! I decided to spray paint them black for a deeper shade. Are there shades of black?

I will take some better photos of the lamps in a proper setting in a few days. I hope you like them, cause they really tried to kill me.

Bringing In The Harvest, with KIVA

2010-11-04T15:08:00.007-05:00

I have admired Kiva Atkinson's work for a very long time. I knew that I would order from her as soon as I thought of something I really wanted. It turned out what I really needed was a lot of loose vegetables. I wanted to be able to arrange different set ups depending on what I was going on in the kitchen that day. ;-) It seems like someone is going to be cooking a sauce for pasta today. (gorgeous pasta box by Carol Cook).

Kiva made me potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, corn on the cob, cauliflower, yellow onions, a red onion and garlic. Do you see how one tiny garlic clove has been removed. :-) I love how the onion has sprouted a couple of green shoots. She even thought of something I forgot... Mushrooms. They are perfect! What a lovely surprise!!!

Thank you so much Kiva, I love it! Your work is just beautiful!!!
http://kivasminiatures.blogspot.com/

Halls Clock

2010-11-02T12:00:00.012-05:00

Jenny Halls told me in an email that she is Malcolm's biggest fan. As his wife I have to yield and give her that spot but I am absolutely his second biggest fan! She made me laugh so hard when she told me she goes into his work shop and pinches his clocks for her doll house. He knows exactly where they went and goes and gets them when an order arrives. LOL

His beautiful clock came in yesterdays mail. It was too late for me to call them in England from the USA. Malcolm answered the phone this morning. I called to let him know the clock arrived safely and ask some questions. I wanted to know how to care for the clock, take the back off to set the time and change the battery.

We had a nice long chat. He told me he engraves all the metal parts (clock face, decorative panels). He also makes the hands and the articulating handle at the top. OMG!!! The wood is burl walnut and it is simply beautiful! I am afraid my photos don't do it justice at all.

Nothing in miniature I have ever bought has impressed or thrilled me as much.
http://www.hallsminiatureclocks.com/

Another Copper Teapot and Glass Repair

2010-10-21T14:21:00.007-05:00

I had a little time this week so I made another copper teapot. This one has a African blackwood handle and knob. I drilled the knob so I could put a brass pin (rivet) through it to insure it so it wouldn't come off once glued. The wood handle also has a pin the runs all the way through it.

The glass canisters I bought a long time ago at a show in Chicago. They were very crudely cut, meaning they had awful raw edges. So this morning I decided to stone off those jagged edges off the canisters and their lids. Now they look much better! I filled them with flour, sugar, tea and pasta. I must find a substitute for the real thing. I don't need weevils hatching and creeping around. LOL

Please CLICK on photos for a much closer look.

Sterling Silver Portrait Buttons

2010-10-17T10:36:00.006-05:00

I am home, having had a wonderful week in the mountains. The fall colors were magnificent! I see I have a lot of catching up to do with my blog reading.

I was asked by a friend if I would make some portrait buttons of her five children. They will be on a sweater she wants to knit. I asked her if she would mind if I sculpted them sleeping. I hate the look of vacant eyes in metal. She said she rather liked it when they were all asleep. LOL I also thought it would be kind of creepy to have five sets of eye balls staring out from a sweater.

The first two have had the shanks soldered to the backs and have been polished and oxidized. The third one is dull because it hasn't been polished yet and still needs a shank on the back of it. The sculpting was done in wax with a hot tool. Most of the small details had to be done with a needle. They were built up rather than carved out of hard wax. Then of course lost wax cast in sterling silver.

I am delighted that my (at home) bench is finally together. I am going to love having a place to work at home on some miniatures.

Wilbur

2010-10-03T09:14:00.004-05:00

Meet Wilbur. I am afraid I broke his neck this morning, no problem he can be fixed. He is a doll sculpt I made for the little girl that visits my shop. She asked me to make her a funny man with a big nose. I suppose I will have to dress him now and put some color on his face and give him a few hairs. What do you think he should be wearing? lol

Experimenting

2010-09-23T16:24:00.008-05:00

I found this image on someone's blog recently and saved it (no not a miniature blog). Now I can't remember where I found it, so if you remember please remind me.

I liked it so much I decided to try some fabric printing. I had to buy new ink for my printer to do it because mine had all dried up. The only things I ever print are in black and white.

I thought I would try to make a bed with an upholstered headboard. I only had time to make the panels today. I have no idea if I will use the bed when it's finished. This image might end up on a wall behind the bathtub before it's over or in the bin. It was just something I wanted to play with. Sadly once again my camera has gotten the colors wrong. The trees are all in a nice faded green and the sky is a blue-gray.

It looks like a nice place to go to sleep. Sorry for the VERY ugly back ground paper I photographed it on. YUCK!

Fairy Cakes

2010-09-21T18:11:00.006-05:00

I couldn't resist these fairy cakes made by Lory. I thought... If I saw those in
1: 1 in a bakery I would have to bring them home. These are much safer to have in the house. They won't be calling to me or waking me up in the middle of the night.

OPPS! I forgot Lory's link. http://www.etsy.com/shop/64tnt

Roger Gutheil's Embroidery Frame

2010-09-18T14:07:00.009-05:00

Long ago at a miniature show in Chicago I discovered furniture by Roger Gutheil. He made beautiful things. Not exactly in my budget at that time but I managed to buy two pieces from him. The drop leaf Queen Anne dining room table in the back ground is his.

I also bought this embroidery frame. It is a really wonderful little piece, everything on it is adjustable just like it is on the 1: 1 piece it was copied from. I had no idea at that time I would be doing any embroidery work myself one day.

I am hoping I will be able to work out a trade with a lovely lady that does beautiful petit point. It will be a work in progress that I will have to stitch on the frame when it arrives. There only needs to be a small amount of work on the canvas. I say canvas but it in miniature it will be worked in # 60 count silk gauze.

I don't think Roger is still making furniture. I have Googled his name and found some of his work still being sold. The prices now are much higher then they were when I bought these pieces.

whodathunkit

2010-09-11T17:17:00.009-05:00

Some other sorts of things are arriving now for the house. I never would have thought a sink could be beautiful but I think this Belfast one is from Sussex Crafts. I really didn't realize the quality of their work intil I opened the parcel. http://www.sussexcrafts.com/ My photo doesn't show how nice their water taps are. I am really fussy about good hardware!!! The drain pipe and stopper fit perfectly into the hole in the sink too! I won't be using the brackets for the sink since in am going to build a cabinet but they may be useful for something else.

Take Two

2010-09-08T22:51:00.006-05:00

Have you ever tried to make a wig for someone's head that is smaller than a pencil eraser? lol Thanks to Patty's tips, I managed it. http://patty-petit-orphelin.blogspot.com/ This time I gave the doll bangs to hide that rather unfortunate, odd hump in her forehead (you may call bangs fringe where you live).

I liked the idea of dressing her in silk ribbon because it doesn't need a hem. The silk is thinner than paper. The YLI silk ribbons I have are all white and off white. So I knew I would have to go back to the refrigerator to hunt for dyes. I didn't have any raspberries this week but I had blueberries! I tried to dye her skirt a bit darker then her blouse.

The last thing I did was her hair/. I wrapped her dressed body in aluminum foil so I wouldn't get hair and glue all over her dress. Now I see that holding her too tight didn't do her skirt much good. ARGH! I will try to fix it by wetting it again with hair spray tomorrow, maybe I can fix it.

There won't be a "Take Three"!!!

From now on if I post something that is going to be deleted I will say so at the very beginning of my post. That is a promise. I apologize to everyone. (blush)

I love all of your contributions to my blog. Thank you for all the time you spend here.

The Light Blues

2010-08-31T14:35:00.006-05:00

I still have a few more of the darker blue pieces of Stokesay Ware I want to collect. I have a list I am working on. I will almost be sad when I have finished this part of my collection. I get such a thrill when a new piece arrives.

Today two pieces of the light blue china came. They are so beautiful, pictures don't do them justice!!! The pitcher is so fine. Meaning light and thin walled. There is a dish with a hole in it sitting on the top of the slop bucket serving like a funnel. Partially meant to cover the contents from view I assume. ;-)

I find the idea of re-purposing antiquated antiques fun to do in my own home. Since I will have a few modern facilities in my doll house, I am not sure what new use the slop bucket will be put to.

Cardboard, Paper, Scissors

2010-08-28T22:03:00.010-05:00

I had to do some shopping today at Target. It is one of those stores that has everything! Going up and down the aisles suddenly I stopped dead in my tracks. There were these tiny shadowboxes with a hinged door and a magnet closure. They were less than an inch deep. I put two in my basket and continued shopping wondering what in the world I was going to do with them.

When I got home out came the cardboard, paper, scissors and glue. I covered everything in the inside of the box with one of my favorite papers. Then cut cardboard shelves to fit inside the box and covered those with the same paper.

It is so nice not to have all the Stokesay Ware packed away in little boxes. I can have this on my desk for inspiration, safe from dust, loss and curious paws. =^..^=

If you would like to watch a video of Stokesay Ware being made you can see it here. http://www.dollshousefestival.com/video/stokesay-ware.html

The Humble Beginnings Of Metalwork.

2010-08-26T13:01:00.015-05:00

This is a piece I started a while ago in miniature, it is in 1: 12 scale. It is going to be an exact copy of the beautiful antique lanterns (street lights) that grace my neighborhood (Chickasaw Gardens). They have a sentimental meaning to me for reasons in that will become clear in the last part of this post. The photo at the top is the real one in my garden.

A few days ago Karin posted a picture of a gorgeous French iron lantern on her blog. http://karincorbin.blogspot.com/2010/08/architectural-images-from-normandy.html I was going to email these pictures to her but then I thought I would share them with you all.

Most people never see the humble beginnings of a piece of metal work. It is always looks ugly until the very last day when it is either polished or has been given a patina.

This piece is being fabricated out of several different metals I happened to have on hand. They were in scale to the parts I needed to make the faux iron work. It really doesn't matter what metals are used to make it. The piece will be oxidized black eventually. The top to the lantern (that has the light in it) I turned on a lathe into a bell shape. The faceted the sides of the turned piece were filed into an octagon. As you can imagine that is a lot of filing to get that shape! lol I have to carve the Chickasaw Indian's head out of wax and cast that element of the piece.

The real ones in my neighborhood were in a awful state when I moved here. They were broken and missing so many parts. None of them worked anymore. I found one for sale through a blacksmith friend of mine. It had been sold many years ago away from my neighborhood. I bought it and restored it myself. When the the association saw it in my garden they asked me to help them with all the others. They had tried for years but couldn't find anyone that could do the work. I am happy to say they have all been finished now by Robinson Iron. http://www.robinsoniron.com/

Keys

2010-08-24T16:57:00.009-05:00

Please click on photo for a closer look.
Aren't they wonderful! There are tiny teeth in the keys. I first bought these when I was in Chicago but they disappeared along with all the other things that were stolen. I had to go digging through several websites on the Tom Bishop Show dealer list to figure out who I got them from. They came in today's mail from Italy.

Today I fiddled around with making different sets on key rings. For this one I used brass wire, cream leather and a Dersden die cut flower. I am sending them to Linda for her new project.

http://www.pimini.it/eng/index_eng.htm

More Extreme Kit Bashing & The Dilemma

2010-08-22T15:01:00.009-05:00

Over the years I have cast more of these Chrysnbon cook stoves than I care to remember. There is one in the Miniature Museum Of Kansas City I cast.

When I first became involved in miniatures there weren't any good stoves at all. The only one that was remotely in scale and acceptable was the Chrysnbon cook stoves in plastic. The first time I saw one I bought a dozen kits with the intention of casting them all. It may sound like it is fast and easy, but I assure you it isn't. I won't bore you with all the details of why and how so many things can go wrong when you cast one. Then there is all the clean up after the pieces are cast and they all have to be silver soldered together (with a torch). It takes several days just to get all the pieces sprued up to be cast. It also takes good size flasks to hold all the pieces to be invested for casting. Five flasks usually. I have always cast them in bronze.

For some reason today I am getting awful photos so you probably cant see that the parts I chose to polish are bronze in color. They look like nickel here. I could still plate them to look like nickel, I will have to see. The stove has been oxidized and waxed. It isn't painted.

My dilemma is what sort of stove do I want to use in my house. I would hate to pack this away never to be used because it is not an English stove. Maybe the answer is to create a space where I can have either interchangeably?

My grandparents had a cottage in Wisconsin when I was growing up. They bought it in 1917. I loved going there because we had 30 acres on a big lake. To this day we still have a wood burning cook stove we use that is almost like the Chrysnbon one here in this photo.

Green Apples

2010-08-10T01:31:00.005-05:00

I have admired so many food artists work. I just love seeing all the amazing realistic things they do. The gorgeous arrangements that are worthy of a still life painting. I have wondered what the shiny gooey stuff is that makes cakes and sauces glisten. These and many more are the techniques that are a total mystery to me. It maybe time to find a good book (if there is such a thing) on the subject just to satisfy my curiosity. This is not something I want to get seriously involved in.

Today I decided to try something really simple, just a few green apples. No one seems to make loose things like this. If you want something on your own china that isn't glued down to it, you have to figure it out yourself.

So I got out the polymer clays I had to see if I could get the right color. I used a lot of transparent in the mix. They still need some flecks of brown and maybe a pale yellow patches here and there. No idea at all about how to do that.

I think I will form heavy foil in the bowl and then slip out the foil, do the arrangement and bake it in the foil. That way it will fit in or on the bowl or plate without being permanently fixed to it.

Copper and Sterling Silver Chafing Dish

2010-08-08T23:15:00.010-05:00

This is a copper chafing dish I finished this week. The stand is sterling silver. Not exactly realistic for such an item I suppose. The reason I made it in silver is because I only had half round wire in sterling. I do like the look of these two metals together though. The tapered legs and the feet were all done with a needle file. The knob and handle are made out of African black wood. Now that I see the photos I think I will take them off and turn something that isn't so heavy. I also made another basket that is holding the lemons.

BTW... Does blogland seem a bit quiet to you lately?

I got mail! Lots and lots of Mail!

2010-08-06T18:46:00.007-05:00

I am so thrilled to say... I have received one of Linda's gorgeous rugs and some of her fantastic mail!

Ever since the first time I saw the rugs in Une Petite Folie I have coveted and drooled over them. She has made me one that is perfect with the wall paper I chose to go in the master bedroom of my house. OMG!

Then when she posted pictures of the mail she made I was definitely pea green and close to slobbering on myself!!! There is something about those tiny little letters and post cards that I find totally irresistible. Some of the mail has been opened and has a letter half way out of it. She also made un-opened pieces and sent fresh envelopes and stamps. There are lots of post cards with writing on the back of them from France.

Thank you so very much Linda! You really cannot know how much I dearly love it all. I am so excited about having these perfect miniatures. :-)))))

The Addiction

2010-07-29T15:20:00.005-05:00

My serious addiction to Stokesay Ware continues, I'm afraid. These pieces arrived today and I am once again so happy with the quality of them.

I was a little hesitant about the cups and saucers because on their web site they are photographed straight on. The cups have a bit of a curve that goes up to the rim, so I couldn't see if they were as thin as I hoped they would be. They are perfect! Also I couldn't see if the big bowl had a design on both sides. It has a design on three sides and a surprise one inside the bowl.

Making A Mattress

2010-07-25T18:03:00.003-05:00

Sometimes you just have to make some practical things. Today I made a mattress for the iron bed. Not that it will ever be seen after the bed is dressed. Yancey (Button's brother) and the cat had to see if it was going to be comfortable. ;-)

It took me forever to paint the bed with oil paints. Paint hates me and it is mutual!!! I can't even get the top off before I have it all over me and many times everything in the vicinity. I added all the brass medallion findings to the head and foot boards (56 of them if I remember correctly.

I bought the fabrics and some lace in Chicago. So this week I hope I will be able to find time to dress the bed (another first)

I am STILL stuck on Federal Jury Duty until the end of the month.

Rose Cottage

2010-07-23T11:37:00.006-05:00

Please click on photos to enlarge them.

This is a little cottage I stitched on silk broadcloth with silk threads and ribbon. It is 2 inches wide X 2 1/2 inches tall. Not a house as we refer to them but still a miniature of sorts. The inside is also stitched and houses a embroidered tape measure. The roof is padded so it can be used as a pin cushion. I still have to make the loop that goes over the bead to keep it closed.

A Gift From France!

2010-07-20T10:39:00.006-05:00

I have received a beautiful gift from the very talented Oiseau. Just look at these gorgeous pastries!!! I am so thrilled to have them in my collection. They are just perfect!

I have seen and read about French macaroons and pastries in so many miniature blog sites. I was feeling my collection was quite deprived and me too for that matter! I am sure the first thing I am going to do if I ever get to France is head straight for the nearest macaroon for my first real bite (a coffee flavored one I think). I am so curious about them.

Do check out her blog to see all of her gorgeous work on her blog and in her ETSY shop!. http://www.etsy.com/shop/oiseaudenim http://oiseaudenim.blogspot.com/

Thank you soooooo very much Oiseau! I adore them.

Making Toys

2010-07-19T00:11:00.006-05:00

I have been working on a few toys this weekend. This is the only one I managed to finish. I am trying to decided if I want to bother making it into a pull toy.

For the coat...I thought I would try to stitch thick patches of French knots on Solvy (which dissolves in water). After the knots were stitched, I rinsed way the Solvy and applied the French knot patches to my lamb sculpt. OMG! Talk about trying your patience to a new level. Once the Solvy is gone there is nothing holding your stitches together. I can't tell you how many times I thought about pitching this lamb in the bin! The whole time I was working on it I kept telling myself... Throw this out it looks awful but being free for the first time in days, I just wanted to play.

Her face and part of her legs are flocked. I only had 2 mm silk ribbon in white. So I brewed up some raspberries and a batch of blue berries and dyed the ribbon in that.

http://www.sulky.com/stabilizers/solvy.php

Button's Has A New Brother

2010-07-06T19:18:00.007-05:00

I have been working on another little Westie. I am not sure he is finished yet, I will have to take a few more photos before I decide. He hasn't got a name yet, I am not sure I will keep him.

More Stokesay Ware arrived today and I am once again thrilled with it. It is playing a part in the design for the kitchen.

I bought the plate of cheese, crackers and salami from Tiny Towne Hawaii. She had it on her web site on sale and I couldn't resist the price.

The box of Cornish Shortbread Cookies by Carol Cook I got on ETSY.

I have struggled with trying to resolve so many house design issues. I have come to the conclusion that I want a four sided house that opens from the front. I don't want to have to turn it around to see the inside. Plus I think an open one might be a bit too much for Kilmouski to resist. Then there are all the problems with dust, so it seems like the best choice for me. Every time I think I have things worked out something else occurs to me. Hopefully by next month all these problems will be worked out and I will be able to start building.

I have thirty days of Federal Jury Duty to serve. That is why I have not been posting. It will hopefully be over by the end of this month. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Catherine XXX

Stokesay Ware and 14K Gold Flatware

2010-06-25T12:15:00.009-05:00

For some unknown reason to me, my camera never gets colors right. The blue in these plates is a bit darker then what you see here.

One of my favorite things in miniature is china. Having looked for a very long time at Stokesay Ware I decided to order a few plates, to use either on the walls or displayed in shelves in the kitchen or a dresser/hutch. http://www.stokesayware.com/

To say they exceeded my expectations doesn't begin to express it. They are indeed perfect in every way. There is some sort of magic for me about them. Maybe it is because they are kiln fired and so thin. This certainly won't be my last order! I am alrealy working on my wish list.

To my blog friends that may think they are too English for their love of French accessories. Look at the Fleur- de- lis design. They are not solid that is a tiny outline of that shape.

This is the Chrysnbon flatware I cast in 14K gold. I think I need to put it back in the tumbler for a couple of days for a good polish now that I look at these photos.

I didn't want a matched set for some reason. I like the fact they are all different but still alike. LOL