All About Thomas.

I made this florist shop in memory of my beautiful cat Thomas who died three years ago. I made it because he liked jumping onto my lap to see what I was making. He was never very far away from wherever I was in the house, he was a lovely, cuddly cat.
 He also loved flowers,  well....  eating them anyway!  I couldn't bring fresh flowers inside because he would jump onto the bench and nibble on the petals.

 Like most cats, he also liked climbing into boxes, shopping bags, hand-bags and  several times into my empty doll house.
I had to change the owners name to Thomasina because the bedroom  is feminine. I'm sure Thomas wouldn't have objected

I named the shop after one of my "new" cats, Bella.
 Now all I need to do is make something for my other cat Harry. I think it will have to be a gymnasium because he's so lively and loves to climb!

I made most of the plants and flowers. I like using bunka, it makes great plants like lavender and hyacinths but it's also good for rugs and trims on hats and other furnishings. It comes in a large range of colours too.

I made the footpath from a full size kitchen tile that I cut into shapes then glued down and "grouted"
Some of the flowers are paper punched, some are masking tape and wire then hand painted and some I have bought.

Beautiful Botanic Gardens.

I would like to show you some of my favourite places in the Botanic Gardens here in Ballarat where I live.

The lake is now full after several years of severe drought that saw it dry up completely.

We wondered if we would ever see water in it again but it seemed to take no time at all to fill when we had some much needed rain

The swans and all the other birds that live nearby, miraculously appeared again when the lake filled,  I wonder where they went when there was no water and how do they know when to return!          

The Begonia House is a large glass building. I'm still not sure if I like it as it's very modern but when you venture inside, there is  always something interesting to look at.

Fun making furniture.

I'm very lucky to have a lovely husband who is also a man of many talents. He made my large dollhouse, also several room-boxes and many other " can you please cut this out for me " items.
 I also have a small band saw and a couple of power Dremel type drill kits. Wish I owned a scroll-saw too, one day maybe.
One of my first attempts at making a piece of furniture was these settles. I distressed them to make them look well used.  Cushions always look good and I have plans to put one in a kitchen and pile some newspapers and perhaps a basket or a coat on the seat. The ones I've seen in magazines always seemed to be piled high with clutter.

This kitchen table was fun to make. The legs are newel posts from a stair case set. This has also been aged as all good kitchen tables should look. The scone and biscuit baking was also fun to do.

Sunshine and Thank-you.

The sun is shining and I'm off to spend an afternoon crafting with friends. Lots of laughing and talking and hopefully something finished to take home.
 And speaking of friends, I have made some new ones recently. A warm welcome to Sandra at Snippets from my Studio and Christine from Hollyhock Cottage, a Miniature Home in the 1940's.
 I must also give a huge thank-you to blog friends who have been a HUGE help to me, answering questions and putting me on the right path with this new blog.  There are certainly generous, friendly and in my case, patient folk out there and I'm forever grateful to you all xxxx.

Not a bad day at all!

Some-times it's hard to believe that life is good but if you look carefully, there is always something to be thankful for.  So it is for me today. I have a close friend in hospital recovering from surgery, she's had a tough time  but she's looking and feeling a bit better today and hopes to be home this week-end and will start treatment soon.    I was very sad but am feeling more positive now. Hopefully, prayers will be answered.

Welcome.

Hello MiniAussie, your my very first follower, hopefully not the only one but at least I know I'm not talking to myself!  Here's some more mini items that I have made in the past. This cake display cabinet is a favourite with anyone who visits, some yummy cakes and pastries, not one bit fattening though

.Anyone for fish and chips?  Our local paper printed tiny front pages for a special edition a while ago and, of course, they have been put to good use here to wrap the fish and chips and also folded and stacked to go in my grocery shop if I EVER get it finished.

Of course, everyone likes to eat a good, hot meal so I plated up some meals. I think my peas are a bit big but then not everyone likes peas so they can be left on the side of the plate.

I'm on "L" plates and need help.

I don't know about anyone else but I'm finding this blogging a bit of a challenge.  I'm tearing my hair out in clumps trying to put photo's where I want them to go, they have a mind of their own  and I can't leave a comment on some blogs, it keeps telling me it will publish when it's been approved but nothing happens. GRRR!  

Good enough to eat?

I love making food for my dolls house, usually in Fimo or Sculpey. I really like adding the finishing touches with a light dusting of pastels or paints. Making the cabbages and other food with veiny type leaves can be a bit tricky but the finished product looks very life-like.

Making bread is much easier though. I usually add a tiny amount of semolina to the mix to give it a grainy look. It looks great if you dust with pastels and some-times talc on top for a flour look. There are endless varieties of bread, buns and loaves to be "baked" When it comes out from my little oven I can nearly smell it!

Making fruit is fun especially when the finishing touches are added with pastels or paint. Mind you, making grapes is another matter altogether!

A regular visitor.

My neighbors cat, Jessie, often wanders down to sleep in our garden.  She's twenty years old and I think she likes the peace and quiet here because there is a very lively pup where she lives.

She's often laying in a favourite spot just near this Nandina bush. It's about the only colorful thing in the garden just now.  When I was out earlier today I saw two blossom trees full of flowers, they looked fantastic. Of course, the camera was at home.

I had to be quick.

The sun was out on Friday, it didn't last long though. Like " Old Mother Hubberds Cuboard", my garden is mostly bare although I did find an early sign of Spring nestled among the weeds. They always like to be first!

There are carpets of violets, pink, mauve and purple. Sweet little faces and a nice perfume, great to put in a tiny vase.

I have a few helebores, they seem to multiply, great under a shady tree.

 

I own one cyclamen, bought a couple of weeks ago. It's a miniature one in a pot where I can see it from the kitchen.