Some eye candy to view

Well, tonight I'm looking online for a teaching job tomorrow.  So I have had no time to do any minis.

However, check out otterine.com blog and see her miniature deck.  It is shaped into leaves and almost finished.  She did all of the work herself.

Enjoy.  Hopefully tomorrow night will be better.

Until then...

Pat

Background done and installed

Hi there. Been absent for two days. I worked Friday but didn't have time after I got home for any mini work. Went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. Yum. When we got home, I fell asleep on the couch.  No sense going to bed tired!  LOL

Then Saturday was a busy day.  Attended a Ladies Tea at my church. An annual event, it's a lovely time and there's fun, gifts and homemade goodies.  When I got home, I had to get my gifties ready to mail out to my swap buddy.  Hope she likes them.

Now on to today.  I had a tough night sleeping so I slept in today.  After I began feeling better, I finished the backdrop for the faerie village.  It came out nice.

I'm not an artist who paints.  My art is more in colors and design.  So it looks very rough. I did think that all the green and blue was bland so I added some colorful brush.

However, it looks terrific as a backdrop.  I have the top two streets shown here.  The top is the sky where the dragon rides and broom rides will happen. The white section at the tippy top will have clouds.  I'm working on them.  There will also be trees by the buildings.  The next street down has a lot of trees in the background. 

After I fix the bottom buildings, I show you all of the buildings that are now waterfront. 

 I work tomorrow in a special education class so I anticipate being exhausted.  But I hope to do something on the village after I nap! 

Until then...

Pat

Finished with gifties

I was able to do a lot of work today.  The weather was beautiful but still a little breezy.  Had the windows open and enjoyed the day.

I work tomorrow, Friday and even Monday so I had to work to get these things done today.  I need to mail them out Saturday.  Swaps are fun.  I  have a group of people to make things for regarding a theme.  This theme is Spring.  I made 7 things.  I will mail them, along with postage for 1 package and my return address label. 

The others in the swap do the same thing.  One person is in charge.  She then distributes the swap gifts to us.  So in turn for what I give them, I get things back, too.  It's fun and a great way to get new and often, different, things.  I'll take pictures when I get my things.

Purple with yellow dots

So here are the things I made for the swap.  You saw the bags, yellow with purple polka dots.  In each bag I put a pair of flip-flops.  Then I made gardening aprons and gardening gloves tucked into the pocket of the apron.  And last, each get a tulip in a beautiful wood vase.

Red tulip in wood vase

 





 

Pocketed aprons with gardening
gloves, bags, flip-flops

Forgive the picture placement.  Google is having burps and belches.  Talk to you tomorrow.

Until then...

Pat

Another small project

Didn't post Monday because it was not a great day for me.  I did work on some things but couldn't concentrate.

Anyway, I managed to do one thing yesterday.  De-paper those small cocktail umbrellas.  I am going to see if I can cover them differently.  I know it can be done because I've seen it. The one is open and the others I folded back up so they wouldn't break.

 

 

But I plan on using something different (surprise!) and will see what works.

So I'll have something for you tonight.

Meanwhile, I am not working today so maybe I'll have time to finish a lot of little projects.

Until then...

Pat

Bags done

Yesterday was a hectic day.  It didn't start out that way.  It was beautiful but cool.  We took a trip to a local nursery.  Bought three perennials.  Since they are expensive, I only buy a few new ones each year.  Then we bought annuals.  We keep them outside during the sunny day and in our porch at night. They can't be planted yet but we were able to get a good selection.  Last year we waited too long.  The three perennials are planted in the new bed. 

Then I worked on my bags and I have pix to show you.  As we were watching a baseball game, hubby's son called.  He mentioned Kate's play (she's our youngest at age 9).  Tonight???  We were told, and it was marked on our calendar, as next week.  Well, drop everything.  Prepare dinner early -- leftover spaghetti pie -- dress and leave.  Whew!  Didn't get home until after 10.  Play was over at 9:30 but we had to stay to see the "star."  This time Kate only had a singing part but she also danced in 5 of the group dances.  I was glad I worked hard yesterday.

Let me show you how the bags progressed.

First I cut out the bag from my daffodil yellow painted coffee filter.  I then gently scored the creases.

 

 

I wanted them to have a design. Using the end of a toothpick, I made dots of deep purple. There is a pattern but it's sort of hard to see.  Then it was drying time.

 

 

I wanted the bags to stand on their own so I cut supports for the bottoms of the bags using daffodil yellow cardstock.

 

 

I glued the supports in using the two tiny end tabs and after dry, glued one of the end tabs on to it. I kept gluing and tabbing until they were done.  And they were set to dry.  

 

 

 

Here are the bags drying.  I think they are so cute.

 

I cut thin strips of the same material as they bags.  I glued one side first and let it dry overnight.  This morning I glued the other side. 

And here are the finished bags.  My thought it to make a bunch and sell them on my website. All different colors.  They are nice and easy, I think.

 

 

Today we are off to visit friends in south Jersey who are having a huge family party.  So I may or may not be able to do any minis today.  :(

 

I may be able to show you some future projects, though.

 

Until then...

 

Pat

 

 

 



Start of the totes

It is so windy today.  Whew!  But it's warm.  Expecting a storm tonight.  I am uneasy during storms.  I think that is a major feeling of many.

Worked today and then had to take a nap.  7th graders are fun but they are so lively.  All that energy -- did I ever have it?  LOL

After we went to dinner, we went to AC Moore where I was able to buy 20 foam brushes for $1.00.  Then we went to Michael's for a few items.

When we got home, I checked to make sure the yellow filter was completely dry.  I had put another coat of paint on it.  It feels so good when it's dry.  I couldn't wait to work with it.

Here's the yellow filter with one of the tote cut outs.  I will work on it and the others I cut out tomorrow.  I think it will work out well.  There will need to be some adjustments, of course.

 

 

So that's it for tonight.  I am pleased with the progress.  I plan on making more of them when I'm finished with the totes for my project.  I hope to have them finished tomorrow night.

 

Until then...

 

Pat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Tulips finished

It wasn't a bad day but it was a brrr kind of day.  I work tomorrow so I'm happy.  Hubby did some yard work today.  Removed some shrubs and a few rose bushes that are not good bloomers.  He is getting that garden section ready for plants. 

As for me, I finished the tulips!  Hurray!  It took me awhile.  I had to paint both sides of the coffee filter, remember.  But the flowers went together so well.  I found that with the glue on my fingers, some of it got on the leaves.  So, I got smart and mixed green paint in with the white glue.  That made it not so obvious. 

Anyway, there are about 4 dozen of these beauties.  I really am pleased how they turned out. 

I decided on what to do with some of the painted filters when they feel like leather.  My first thing is to make mini tote bags for the beach.  I painted two coats on one side and have to do the second coat on the other side.  I will put one more coat of paint on both sides and then decorate them before cutting then out.

On Saturday, I'll show you how I'm doing them.  Tomorrow I work so I will only have time to do a second and third coat.  I hope to decorate tomorrow night. 

So, it should be fun.

It's time for Project Runway. 

See you tomorrow night.  Until then...

Pat

Needed more leaves

I didn't work today so I decided to do the tulips en masse.  It was better doing them in an assembly line style.  I didn't put each new piece on until the glue was dry.  It worked out so well.  I don't know how others do each flower individually until it's done.  I had glue everywhere.  Ha!

Then, after I put the first leaf on all of them, I found that I ran out of leaves.  Had to paint some more.  And since both sides had to be painted, the coffee filter has to dry.  But I did find out something interesting when doing the leaves.  After several coats of paint, the coffee filter feels like leather!

So, I want to try doing the filters in different colors and trying to use them as leather.  What a fun project that will be.

In the meantime, I'm still trying to get all of my spring things gathered and made for the upcoming swap.  I have to get them mailed out by May 1.  Counting down now....  But hopefully, a trip to Michael's and AC Moore will do the job.  And after these flowers, I have 2 more things to make.  I'll keep you posted.

If I don't work tomorrow (and as of now I have nothing), I'll finish the flowers. 

Until then...

Pat

Background??

I worked again today.  6th grade.  They were so good.  Funny age.  They tell the corniest jokes.  It was a great day. 

I hope that if anyone was involved in any way with the happenings in Boston, please know that there are many prayers out there for you.  Whether you were a runner or onlooker, or knew someone who was, we are all with you.

So, let me tell you what I've been trying to do.  I need a backdrop.  I am not an artist in the sense of being an artist.  You know the kind.  They pick up a pencil and in minutes, create something that could be hung in a museum. 

That's not me.  However, I needed to have a backdrop for my faerie village.  I looked online and really don't want to spend the $$ on such a frivolous thing.  So I got out my hubby's paints and took his drawing pad paper.  I made a sky.  I used blues and pinks and purples. 

I made the first group of trees.  I still need to work on the trees.  But this is a first try.

 

 

I would like to put in a lake at the bottom.  We'll see.  If I don't work tomorrow, maybe I'll finish it.  Maybe. 

Usually, I get pix and put them up on the screen.  Then I use the paints and try to recreate the colors and shapes.  I think it will work because it will be behind the houses and trees will be in the picture, too.

I also want to do more tulips.  I have more coffee filters and may do different colors.  Again, if I'm home tomorrow, it will be possible to devote some time to the flowers. 

So, we'll see. 

Until then...

Pat

A dry Monday

Yesterday was a bit difficult.  I woke up feeling fine.  Went to work feeling fine.  Didn't feel so good about 10 a.m.

By the time I dragged my body home, I was only in the mood for some ibuprofen and a nap.  And early to bed. 

Don't know what was the reason.  I'm fine this morning.  Hope you see you all tonight.

Until then...

Pat

The start of tulips

Today was sunny.  But still windy.  Looking for appropriate flowers for the gardens. We have one garden that has terrible soil despite anything added to fix it.  Kills everything.  So it's a real trouble spot.  I've threatened with plastic flowers.

So, my tulips are turning out well.  Let me show you how I handled the tutorial, which can be found on the website mysmallobsession.com.  This tutorial was provided by Brenda Shahzada.  I waited to mention the tutorial until I knew how well it worked because I changed it somewhat.   

This starts with a plain large coffee filter.  Painted dark green on both sides and used for the leaves.

 

Then the other half of the filter gets painted your tulip color. I chose red and again painted both sides.

 

 When completely dry, I punched and punched and punched...well, you get the idea.  I put them in a container because I almost breathed them off the table.

Then I cut the stems into approximately 2-inch pieces.

 

 

Although you can't see me actually doing the work, this is to show you I really do work!  LOL

 

I put the first petal around the stem and stuck them in Styrofoam to dry.  This is what they looked like.  There are four and one-half dozen at this first stage.

 

 

And that was what I did this afternoon.  It did take me some time to finish them all.  I hope to have more to show you tomorrow night.  I would like to make different colors, too.  This tutorial is easy but it is very messy.  Glue. Glue.  Glue.  Ha!

 

So tomorrow I work.  Let's see how much energy I have left after a day with 7th graders!  They are great kids but they do wear me out. 

 

Until then...

 

Pat

Forest firs and a tulip

Nice today.  A quiet day, it was warmish, then cool and got a bit warmer this afternoon.  Hubby's son gave him a lawn mower today.  He got a new one and hadn't used this one in a few years.  Works like a charm.  We don't have to borrow one now.  Our postage stamp piece of land doesn't warrant a new one.  Hubby is happy he has a new toy.

I decided to sit and do all of the trees until they were completed.  And so I did.  I was pretty proud of myself because it isn't an exciting task.  But it wasn't as bad as I originally thought and I stuck with it.   However, the entire process took several hours, stopping only for lunch.  I did put some brown in the trees here and there.  And on the bottom, which were white with the snow look, is now greenish brown.  Looks so much nicer. 

Instead of taking the picture up close, I took it from a short distance to show you it looks like a forest!  I just love these trees.  I will use a lot of these in the faerie village and a few for Rowena's yard. 

 

Then I tried my hand at tulip making.  It was late in the afternoon when I started to make them so I only made one to try it.  I have to add a little more glue at the bottom of the leaf by the stem.  But other than that, I think it came out nice. 

 

 

 

 

Now that I know how to make them, I will make a bunch tomorrow.  I will, however, make them in an assembly line style.  I'll do the initial petals on a bunch, then the second petals, until I finish with the final leaf.  I think it'll be easier.  By the time each step is finished, the glue will be dry enough for the next step.

 

Tomorrow the tulips will be in bloom.

 

Until then....

 

Pat

 

 

 

 

 

 



Trees and supplies

It rained all day.  Several times it rained so hard it looked gray outside.  Of course, the kids had to stop their work and look.  I guess they've never seen rain.  LOL  Anyway,  it stopped when I was going home.  And when I got home, I took a nap!  7th graders can wear a person out.

Went to dinner at a hibachi restaurant.  Excellent food.  Then off to Barnes and Noble.  And AC Moore.

I did get a hole punch.  You can tell it's been a while since I bought one.  The handles are really nice.  The old one that needs to be pitched has the metal ones.  Hard to use after awhile.

And I bought some flower stems.  All green.  I don't want to paint them. 

Paint was a bit expensive.  I usually only buy paint when it's on sale.  This was not on sale.  I bought 3 because I want to finish the trees tomorrow.

I've been looking for this template.  The camera wouldn't take a clear picture but it's quarter scale furniture template.  The top right shapes are beds.  There is a regular couch and a sectional, too.  And tables.  I couldn't find it for the longest time.  I read about it in the blog, Casey's Minis. 

These are the trees I bought last year at the end of the Christmas season.  They are fir trees and come in a plastic package.  They are usually $20 for 7 trees, all snow covered.  I don't want them snow covered.  That's why the paint is necessary.

 

 

These are without the snow.  I dabbed the 8 of these with Plantation Pine paint.  Quite messy.  But did the trick.  I like them a lot.  Most are for the fairy village.

 

 

Then I picked up the May 2013 issue of one of the two best magazines that I read from cover to cover.  I would love to learn how to make a mini tin ceiling.  They used to have these pieces of thin metal in AC Moore but didn't have any of them tonight.  A trip to Michael's is in my future.

 

 

 

So tomorrow I will work on trees and flowers.  I hope to be able to show you the flowers in tomorrow's blog.

 

 

Until then...

 

Pat

 

Baskets and Umbrellas

Well, we dodged a huge thunderstorm last night.  Of course, it is supposed to be raining tomorrow morning on my way to work.  A soaking rain, from all the reports.  At least hubby drives. 

He is redoing the flower bed at the end of our place.  It was curved but will now be rectangle.  And when it's finished, we'll get plants.  There are two rose bushes left as the annual are long gone.  But these rose bushes have been mostly just bushes for a two years. The rule of my yard: no blooms? three seasons and you're out!  They are out.  Two nice sized bushes are there and we got them when they were babies.  But the snow this past winter ruined them. They now have a deep gashed opening in each of them. They are on the way out, too.  New ones are coming.

Talked to my younger sister today from Florida and she was wearing shorts.  Humpf!

I'm ready for spring!  You?

So I decided to make some cute umbrellas for spring.  They will look nice when I decide to put up a market stall.  But until then will be in Rowena's house.  She likes little parasols.  So I had two sizes of those little cocktail umbrellas.  I tried to redo both.

The first was the larger of the two.  Sorry it came out so dark.  It was a funny kind of day.  Sun was out, then in.  Crazy.  Anyway, if you ever decide to do this, do it most carefully.

Both umbrellas are made the same. Their skeleton is thin cardboard.  It is folded weird.  And in theory, the paper should just come off with no problem. 

In reality, the larger of the two umbrellas had paper that didn't want to come off.  In taking the little paper pieces off, two of the "spokes" tore. I tried to glue them and was successful in doing one of them.  The second one was just stubborn.  This was the result. See that piece sticking up? It refused to cooperate.  And what happens to these uncooperative skeletons? Gone.

 



 

 

So I tried the smaller of the two and that seemed to work.  I did coat the spokes with silver paint to look more realistic.  I was going to do a bunch of them.  I could only find one umbrella.  Are you kidding?  I looked and looked.  They are really cheap so I plan on buying a few packs tomorrow. I think even the dollar store has them.

 

I was going to be good and put the new covering on but found out I didn't have paper I liked.  Ha!  So I have to get that tomorrow night in A.C. Moore.  Batting 1,000 here.  But at least I have a start.  Sort of.  

 

Then I wanted to dress up the little baskets I had made a few months ago.  I thought I would paint them. And then decided to put a few pieces of paper strips around them.  I don't particularly like the strips. However, this little one will remain as he is.  And because I want a matching pair, will do another one like him.  The top, however, will have a print.  I may trim the other yellow one, too.  I will see.  They will be used in the fairy village as large pots for the flower/garden shop.  Probably on the patio.

I had some tiny little square pieces of wood left from my buildings.  I took some yellow strips and surrounded one of the squares.  I like it.  I think it can use another layer of height so I may put another strip but it will be double the size it is now.  I'll just glue it over the existing piece.  I may even put a handle on it.  I'll have to look at that.

 

Then I put what I was doing for the challenge.  It is a skirt with a pleat in the front.  I may have it done by the due date tomorrow.  But I was sick again for a few days and therefore, not much got done on it.  After it is put together, I have the jacket to finish. I'll show you tomorrow if it's finished.  Wish me luck.

 



That's all for now.  I will go to A.C. Moore and get a few things after our hibachi dinner tomorrow night.  I have to buy tissue paper and a hole punch.  Did you know that after 30+ years, hole punches just need to be thrown out?  Kills me.  But I have to do it.  It needs a rest.  New one tomorrow night.

 

Until then...

 

Pat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I haven't left the earth

Hi fellow mini people.  Just to let you know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I am in the middle of sewing for a challenge project.  I don't know how I get myself into these things.

Anyway,  I have done little on any mini project.  But my doll gown is getting done.

I promise to be back.  Stay with me!!!!

Thanks.

Pat

P.S.  Go to otterine.com and look at her newest building.  She framed out a porch and is doing a deck with a leaf shape.  You just have to see it for yourself.

Oh, yes, she also won 1st place for her blog.