Monday Musings

Good morning all...I have been quiet on the Blog front since Australia Day as I have had trouble with my "rotatator cuff" shoulder...darn thing...when it plays up the pain goes all the way down my arm and then upsets the carpel tunnel, which means I am totally incapacitated grrr! Just browsing through emails takes it toll so I literally do nothing for a few days until it settles down again.
I got quite excited yesterday after reading a post on a blog about a competition being held here in Oz. I am going to have a go at the challenge and enter...http://maryannroy.wordpress.com/2012/01/.
Welcome to the many new followers! I am very flattered between here and my Facebook page when people join in and follow my mini's. I have finally started linking up with some fellow Aussie's and was excited to find a lady living locally. We are going to meet up in RL and share our hobby!
PP has bought me a trolley on wheels to hold a lot of my bits and pieces. We often go camping in our van, so he thought it would be good to have on hand for me when we go instead of packing up numerous boxes. He also bought me an early birthday present...an android mobile phone! I spent the weekend reading the darn instruction book and trying to get my head around all the apps on it!
Wishing everyone a fruitful week and will share my new projects in the days ahead.

Hugs and cheers, Jazzi

Happy Australia Day

I told the girls we were going out for Australia Day...well! I had to spend the day getting them organised for their own style of celebration. The esky was the first make of the day - cardboard base painted blue, styrofoam lid of course and a plastic handle. While I waited for that to dry, I set about designing the sun lounges.
I thought the striped fabric was a good "bright" choice. I jumped on the Internet to get some ideas for design. Using bits of dowel (and my new hand saw and vice PP bought me), I cut the different lengths for the frame and legs. I had ready-cut round shapes perfect size for the back wheels should the girls decide to move them.
The table has some very cute daiquiri glasses (push pins) complete with a fresh slice of orange and a bowl of fresh banana's (made from foam shapes and dabbed in black paint).
The esky now dry, I arranged the champagne bottle, 2 more daiquiri glasses, 2 bottles and a water bottle (they have to rehydrate!) then filled it with ice (rock salt!).
I completed the setting by using cane placemats for the walls and floor. The shells are from an ongoing collection of mine. I jumped back on the Internet to get the Australia Day clipart, scaled it to size and cut it out. The lanterns are some wooden beads I picked up at the $2 shop. They were already painted the bright colors so I just threaded some string between them. The lovely irises are wild and grow in our garden here. They are in a glass bud vase filled with gel beads (purple of course!)
Amber and Starr quickly changed into their cossies (bathers) to relax and enjoy the sun setting on Australia Day eve.

Wishing everyone a right royal Aussie Salute (waving flies away)!

Cheers, Jazzi

My first food spread

PP very kindly made me and the girls a dining room table yesterday. I worked on the chairs to match and today it all came together as I had a go at making food.
Amber and Starr look very happy as they are presented with a fruit flan each, a cream filled sponge cake and what's that? an Aussie Pavlova!
Amber has been a bit less cranky with me in regards to her room. She got new bedside tables the other day and they both got new dresses as the summer here finally arrived.
I joined SITS girls today as I hope to promote my blog further. They have lots of wonderful ideas and support for bloggers...take a look for yourself.

Hope you're all having a wonderful Happy New Year of the Dragon (Kung Hei Fat Choi "happy new year" in Chinese..I lived in HK for 3 years).
Thursday is Australia Day so I will probably celebrate with an Aussie display on here!

Cheers, Jazzi

My Little Valentine Shop

I started this project Friday night...PP found this old outdoor light frame as he had replaced it with a sensor light. Nearly going in the bin...he looked at it thru mini eyes and thought I would like it as a shop window display!
Initially I had plans to do a them and sell it, but have now decided to keep it and use it for themed shop fronts.

Here is a close up of some of the things I made myself...the written scroll is on a small cotton spool with a gold button on top and the wording wrapped around it, then a piece of string with a small gold heart embellishment on the end. The paper with the wording is also on the back of the shop wall - another scrapbook page! I like the box of chocolates I made - simply cardboard wrapped in the heart shape with a clear acetate top and pink metallic paint around edges. On the table is my little teapot from a previous posting, a bowl of candies, 2 candlesticks and a glass filled with red beads. Teddy is mine and I got the silver pendant at the market last weekend for 50 cents.

I made a few chandeliers during the week from Treble Fish hooks and was quite pleased with the results. There is a black one in this shop. I will post more I have designed in the next few days. The tree is a real branch painted silver and I made all the jewellry pieces hanging off it.
The picture in the frame is a piece of a scrapbooking page that seemed to suit.

I just have to finish the footpath, shop door, awning and sign.

More busy days ahead...Cheers, Jazzi

$2 shopping spree..

Hi all, hope everyone is having a great weekend. PP and I went to my hometown yesterday to pick up a drill press he had won on ebay. Therefore, an opportunity for me to visit my favorite $2 shops and guess what???? One of them had a 50% off sale...let me in!!! PP had a groan initially, but I ignored that and went merrily around all the aisles my eyes greedily scanning everything lol. Soon, PP is coming up to me with miniatures he had spotted...ah love it when people see things thru my eyes. So here are the super saver items we got...

A set of candles in small pots that are perfect for 1:12 scale;
Porcelain bath for 1:24 scale
Cane box...well this just might end up in the Asian Star bedroom;
Wedding favors - Champagne bottles, wedding cake bubble blowers with a teeny bride and groom on top, so I will paint and decorate the cake to make it look more real;
a bag of heart boxes that I just know will be useful - the lids come off and they are plastic - 2 cm wide;

But oh - see the four colored plastic thingies on the right? toothbrush covers - I am sure they will be modern toasters with a bit of stainless steel added to them.

Find of the day was this by PP; A baby ice box - soon to be a Smeg fridge whoot!


PP also got me my own mini set of tool - a small vice, set of cutting knifes and blades and a mini saw...I think he wants me out of his shed?
Total of the days shopping came to $44 now only $22 yahoo! And because the total was over $30 I also received a free environmentally friendly shopping bag and I chose a purple one of course!
Hope your weekend is as good as mine!

Cheers, Jazzi
P.S. Big thank you to all the lovely people emailing me with comments on the Asian Room...was excited yesterday when I found it had been Twittered about!!! Ah the marvels of the Internet.

Asian Star

Very busy day but feeling very accomplished, finally finished Starr's (aka Patsy) bedroom! By her request she asked for an Asian influence which I gladly agreed to as I have an Asian theme in my own bedroom.
I made the futon bed on the weekend. It is a foam core base with icy pole sticks used as the slats for the headboard. The quilt I made from leftover fabric I made cushions for my youngest daughter. The pillows are scraps of stretchy black fabric handsewn, stuffed and then decorated with glitter paint.

I bought the bureau from a $2 shop some time ago. I painted it black, giving it the glossy finish with nail polish top coat. The lucky dollar coins on it are from a pair of earrings I bought for a $1 at the local market on Sunday. I have also used the coins on the bedside tables. My favorite make is the clock. Another lucky coin (a bit larger) with a brad in backwards with the stems used as the clock hands. It rests on a bent paperclip. The scroll above the bureau is a scrapbook embellishment. The vase is a wooden bead painted back with incense sticks dipped in red metallic paint.

The bedside table is made from 2 x 1cm cube blocks painted black and ovalshaped ready-cut wooden pieces from a craft shop. The feet are black beads, the lamp made from jewellry findings and a toothpaste cap. The bits and pices on the shelves are either scrapbook bits or jewellry pieces.

The dressing table is foam core adhered to the wall. The candlestick is jewellry pieces and I use cigarette filters painted for candles. It has a stem of a hairbrush poked in the top for a wick (got that handy hint off another miniaturist!). The tray and contents are from a collection of assorted jewellry and scrapbook bits I also got at the market. This lady had bags of stuff for only 50 cents each - had to drag myself away! The mirror I pulled out of one of my many makeup compacts.

The handbag was an added extra for Ms Starr. I saw this packet of acrylic findings at the $2 shop and instantly saw a handbag. I pulled apart an old necklace from the Op Shop and used the chain and metal piece for the front of the handbag.

Finally, the red floor and window blind are from a set of placemats and coasters we use on our own table. (Our main living room is themed red and white with touches of black accents).

My darling PP made the room box for me. I have been asked to do some displays coming up in the local area, so I asked him to make me a display setting for me. It is made of MDF with only internal walls and is on a swivel base. By using this, I can change the room settings regularly by making false walls of cardboard covered with wallpaper.

Ms Amber (aka Eddie) has sulked all day as I spent the day on Starr's room. She went to bed early grumbling about having to wait her turn!

That's all for tonight fellow miniaturists. Hope you have been inspired!

Cheers, Jazzi

Absolutely Fabulous!....nearly

Hi all! I haven't NOT being doing miniature work, in fact the opposite! Not enough hours at the moment...here's why.

My new house guests arrived last week - Starr and Amber aka Patsy & Eddie from that fab show! But oh dear...they arrived when we were having a winter chill in our summer and they didn't stop complaining the minute they were here!

My PP (patient partner) had to hurriedly make some rooms for them and of course I was given my marching orders towards getting their beds finished!

They are appreciating my new skills in dough food (Eddie has some hot cross buns and Patsy a whole tray of meringues!)
Of course it's warm tonight so they insisted their rooms be moved into our living area so they could enjoy the air-conditioning! And have a look at that Eddie! She insists I make a black robe for her so takes the photo opportunity to flash a leg!
I think I am in for some interesting days to come!

I'm a Little Teapot...

Hi all! I thought I had lost my mojo as the last few days everything I have attempted to make hasn't pleased me! Good news...made these gorgeous little teapots today with jewellry pieces.

I strolled through the local hardware store here yesterday and came across an item to use as bottles - Female Blades for wiring. A bit of paint and a label will do nicely for a ketchup or sauce bottle!

My latest favourite hardware item in furniture use is a Star Drill Plug - they come in different lengths and I have used them on the coffee table and chair in these pictures. I used a longer one for the bar stool (see Blog below).



The best thing I taught myself today was how to make air-dry moulds - I am so happy as I am keen to make my own food and crockery. After some trials and a very messy kitchen I have a successful outcome!

BTW - The Giveaway I posted will be drawn on 12th February - I decided I would share my birthday with a lucky winner!

Cheers, Jazzi

Whipped up a Bar Stool

Good afternoon...I love what I can get out of my PP's (Patient Partner's) shed! I have provided a pic of the real thing versus the mini!

Have a great weekend all!
Cheers, Jazzi

Great mini finds & a Giveaway!

Hello all! Firstly, thank you to everyone who sent me their speedy emails requesting the Tub Chair tutorial...I am proud of myself hehe...I have decided that everyone who makes a request and sends me their pics - I will draw a random winner and send them a surprise mini package created by me!

Okay, I actually got out of the house this morning. I haven't been anywhere since coming home New Year's Day umah! Where I live is surrounded by gorgeous little country towns - many of my UK followers would indeed feel like they are in country Britain. The bonus of this is having a variety of second-hand dealers in the area. I did need to go to the supermarket (truly!) but had to call into my fave shop. The lady had just been to a clearance sale from an estate and have a look at what I got!



As I'm new to collecting miniatures, if anyone has any knowledge about these items, I would appreciate an email from you.

This dolls pram is an interesting find. It is made from plastic, the wheels turn and the hood comes over. There is a tiny baby inside. Ideal size for a playroom in a dollshouse!

The day isn't over yet, so check back later as I will probably have found the time to make something again today!

Have a great day,
Cheers, Jazzi

Is someone coming?

Hmm, interesting day today. Made this chair, matching footstool and a matching chaise whilst doing a tutorial. Soon a table was set up with a coffee mug and a small cake...I think someone is coming...

Tub Chair Tutorial

After a few requests for the pattern, I have finally finished a tutorial for the tub chairs. I have it in pdf file if you wish to print it out. Email me for a copy!
P.S. Can anyone help me work out how to put a pdf file straight onto my Blog please?

Cheers, Jazzi

Water Jugs

Isn't amazing what we can see when we look closely at things through the eyes of a miniaturist! I was cutting up pen tops today for drinking glasses and vases when I spied this set of gel colored pens. I pulled the top off 1 then sat down with a cuppa to study it. Bam! Light bulb moment - a water jug! Cheers, Jazzi

P.S This Tutorial is available in a pdf. format for you to print out. Send me an email to request a copy!

Water Jug Tutorial by Jazzi

I purchased a packet of 10 Gel pens from a $2 shop. This is the 1 of the pens before I pulled it apart.

Step 1. Collate your tools. I use Nail Files for most of my mini work. The grey file is called a Zebra file with a 180/220 grit. I also use fine emery boards for those small jobs.

Step 2. I was able to gently pull the colored top off this type of pen. I then cut it with wire cutters so it was shorter than the length of the cap. File the rough edge gently with the 180 grit then the 220 side for a smooth finish. Step 3. This is the pen top now shortened. I have inserted the colored bottom of the pen if you want to have a clear water jug.

Step 4. Okay now for the clever bit. Look at the pen when I purchased it. It has the rubber grip sleeve on it where you would hold the pen when writing. I carefully slit this open with a sharp knife and removed it. I then wrapped it around the “water jug” with the open slit facing the “handle”. If you like you can finish it with a clear acetate circle on the bottom, or as above put the colored end in.

A set of lovely water jugs with or without the rubber grip!

Life is wonderful when it’s purple! Also available on http://www.icklebits.co.uk

Tarot in Miniature anybody?

Welcome to 2012! I have done a lot of reading and blogging research the past few days and am overwhelmed by the amount of blogs and tutorials out there - some very, very talented people.
I made this Tarot Table and Chair set pre-New's Year Eve and am really happy with the outcome. The chair is a taller version of the tub chairs, but I sewed an edge around the top and lengthened the seat front.
The candlesticks and the crystal ball are all made from jewellry findings. I made the tarot box from 2 small pieces of balsa wood. The bottom is edged with small icy pole sticks and the top is edged with headless matchsticks. Then I glued the jewellry o-ring and silver bead on the front. To keep the box open, I glued the two edges then propped it open to dry.
I sourced the tarot cards on Google then reduced the size to print. On the table top is a full card chart also googled and reduced to size. This sits underneath some acetate to give the table a glass-look top, then trimmed with ribbon and beading. Next, I will create the room scene for it.

Thank you to those of you who have joined my blog - it gives you a sense of pride and not being alone in mini world! I plan to be a bit more descriptive in the future and to post some tutorials as I love sharing ideas.
Cheers, Jazzi