Weekly Wrap-Up

Oh my goodness! There is so much to share today...it has been a very busy week in mini world! Firstly, the 2013 Miniatures Readers Choice Awards Nominations have opened! This is a great opportunity for all of you to support or promote your favourite blog about miniatures. There are several categories to choose from. Last years winner Caseys Minis was no surprise as she keeps a wonderful rhetoric about the adventures of Tessie and Zar mixed in with making miniatures. You can read more here and follow the links to nominate: http://miniatures.about.com/od/Readers-Choice/tp/2013-Readers-Choice-Awards-Miniatures.htm?nl=1. Nominations close February 11th and Voting begins February 19th.

The first Monday Mini Link Party commenced last Monday and wow! Did you see the line up? 21 miniaturists got involved and quite a few newbies joined in as well...a big warm welcome to IGMA Fellow Chrystal's Designs on Miniature Knitting ; Mini Fanaticus who's blog is quite a read! Minworks from Canada (another lady with a great sense of humour!) Linda from The Hard Way also had me in hysterics as I read her blog. Linda is another competitor in the Undersized Urbanite contest. Some of you will be familiar with Linda's Etsy shop La Petite Moderne. Anna from Anna's Miniatures (formerly My Miniatures) has been busy making wallpaper from mini book pages! Maria from Maria's Minis has some great tutorials on her blog and is well worth linking your own blog to. I lastly want to give a special mention to Ruth from Miniature Maven Diaries who has started her own miniature perfume range. Ruth has spent some months planning this new venture and I am sure that we all wish her success!

Free Workshop!

Now, how about some Tutorials? Even a freebie!!! Hazel Dowd from Minis 4 All is offering a FREE curtain making workshop! Why not learn a new trick or two from an old hand in miniature making? Hazel Dowd's Little People

LED Workshop

Another tutorial on offer is learning about LED lighting with Jennifer Smith. Jennifer has offered to teach the basics of lighting along with a modern lamp - how cool! This is available also through Minis 4 All page on 2013 tutorial listings.

Meet Chester!

My own weekly news is 2 fantastic announcements! Meet Chester...a new addition to our family, Chester is a Staffy male 9 weeks old. He already has loads of personality and worked out that Mum (me) is the meanie as I do all the training and Dad (PP) can be the softie as he melts at his cuteness lol! As I spend so much time alone on our property, we decided to adopt a puppy to give him a good home. Let's hope he likes countless hours lying around the craft room!

My Giveaway!

To celebrate my upcoming 50th birthday I have a giveaway for you all to enter! Why not share the love and join in the occasion and you could also have a gift from my 50th birthday!

And finally, just in case you missed the best announcement of all for 2013, I am heading off to the Chicago International show in April! OMG! So excited! Emails have been pouring in from fellow bloggers such as Maureen from St Albert Minis, Adrian Cooper who I did a swap with earlier in the year, and quite a few Mini Jazzi hostesses! It will be a very hectic week not only seeing the show, but meeting everyone! It is also the 10th Anniversary for yahoo group THE CAMP. I have met some amazing miniaturists through this group and their helpfulness and generosity is fantastic. I am very lucky to be sharing a room at the Chicago Marriot (where all the action is) with fellow Camper Lin Morrison also from Canada.

Hugs to all and see everyone again on Monday for the next Mini Link Party!