I used to be a pipe cleaner

A pipe cleaner is a type of brush originally intended for removing moisture and residue from smoking pipes. 

But what if you don't smoke a pipe?
But do have a lot of pipe cleaners?
Crafters have the perfect solution:
By twisting and shaping these chenille stems it's possible to make the most wonderful things giving the pipe cleaner a total new function! 
Browsing the internet I came across the most beautiful creations ever.

I decided to have a go at it and after trying, plying and molding the first doggies came to life.
Here are a few of the creations I made.  No doubt more will follow. It's so much fun!

While I was taking pictures I could have sworn I heard them say:

 'Take all the pictures you want, but whatever you do, please keep us away from a pipe!" 

They are such softies!

Stocking up!

I was able to finish the miniature flowers I mentioned in my previous post AND some other 'springy' miniatures that were on my to-do-list. 

As I'm writing this I'm taking pictures so I can list them in my Etsy shop (hopefully) today. Gosh...I do sound busy, don't I?? 

Here's a little sneak preview of the new stuff being delivered to the shop.

As you can see the sun is really shining, how I love spring!

Real versus Miniature

How to cultivate irisses in pots in the real world?

What you need is:

bulbs

pots

soil

garden tools

water and sunlight

patience and determination

How to cultivate irisses in the miniature world?

What you need is:

paper

pots

glue

coffee grounds

scissors and punches

patience and determination

I'll let you in on a little secret: I'm a total failure as a gardener in real life that's why I try my luck in the miniature world!

Heeeeeeey...it's Peter Rabbit!

In between making miniatures to stock up my Etsy shop I found some time to do something with the bit and pieces of felt I had laying around.

Yep...sometimes I have so much energy I just can't stop myself. You propably know the feeling:  I find myself working on a miniature and I lose all track of time, I look up and get a shock when I notice how late it is. 

 

Yesterday I was trying out making miniatures with felt and I was playing around with patterns and ideas. Real late (or real early this morning) little Peter Rabbit appeared from my hands. It's funny how I really don't know what something will become when I start crafing. I do have a vague idea but never know what the result will be.

Ehm...I kinda like this mini bunny. I just HAVE to find some pictures on internet to see what all the friends of Peter Rabbit look like. I'd love to make all those wonderful characters from the books by Beatrix Potter.

Oh dear, something tells me I won't have much sleep the coming days :o)

Spring in autumn

The seasons are changing and I can feel the autumn in the air. On a cold and rainy day I was browsing on the internet when my eye caught some adorable felt kits which I just couldn't resist. They are very 'springy' and sooooo shabby chic.

As soon as the kits arrived I started working on them and since they came with all the materials included, an easy to do pattern and clear explanation I was finished in no time.

 

Today the weather cleared up so I rushed into the garden to take some pictures.

The kits are Jit Design www.jitdesign.nl/ and I've seen loads of kits I can't wait to make.  I can picture it now...felting through the autumn and winter. What a great idea!

The last project of 2012

 

It's the  last day of 2012 and I've just finished my last project of this year. I just made it in time and I just had to show you some pictures of it. It's Noah's ark and it has about a hunderd tiny animals on it, grouped in pairs...there are elephants, horses, birds, camels, lions, apes, cows, to many to mention.

 

 

The whole ark measures about 2,5 inch in length and 1 inch in height.

 

It took some time, cutting, coloring, pasting and it was loads of fun to do. I'm rather pleased with the result.

 

And now I'm off to have a typical Dutch newyear's delicacy the 'oliebol' but not before wishing you all the best for 2013! Let's make it the best year ever!

 

 

Meeeow!

The last few days were wonderful!

I had time to do some miniatures AND I went to the Dollhouse&Miniatures fair at Apeldoorn.

I bought some supplies I badly needed to finish some of my miniatures and I was surprised by some beautiful gifts. As soon as I've finished on the presents I recieved I'll take some pictures to show you.

 

   In the meantime here's a peek at some of the cats I needle felted.

I've also worked on some dogs and I promise to keep you updated on those too.

It's really difficult to get a good picture of those munchkins. Maybe because of their tiny size or bad lighting...or maybe just because I'm not a good photographer (huge grin). 

 

Here is a close-up. All cats are multicolored and have bows, tiny beady eyes and whiskers.

All of them say meooow to you and wish you a perfect day...

 

 

p.s. Please don't forget to sign up on my give-away!

 

 

 

A bunch of little compartments in a row.

You probably know the feeling: as soon as you start with dollhouses and miniatures you find yourself collecting all scraps and bits for future creations. Nothing gets thrown in the bin without careful examination and being looked at with miniaturist eyes...hmmm...maybe I should save that! And before you know it you have a box for ribbons, another for buttons, a shoebox for wooden pieced you're sure you going to use and a plastic containers with undefined parts that are undoubtedly handy in the future.

After seeing your boxes pile up to Mount Everest height you decide to label them. And for a while you're able to find your treasures again...

 

When I was in an arts&crafts store I saw the most efficient way to store all those tiny bits and pieces: a cabinet with drawers that had loads of little compartments. The cabinets were used at printer compagnies to store all those tiny metal letters.

 

After searching and searching I finally found one, not in the best shape but affordable. After the necessary restorations, a lot of scraping of old paint, sanding and new layers of  varnish the cabinet looked amazing.

 

 

Now I have enough room to store all my precious miniatures to be!

 

Wow...I think I'm getting organized.

 

Stocking up!

During the summer break I've been real busy making new miniatures for my webshop and I was able to list them last weekend. Here are a few pictures of the new items I made.

French Country style cabinets and chairs

A new theme: Ballet

 

Nostalgic toys

 

Shabby chic

There is lots more, all the new items are listed on the page 'new items (september)'. It would be absolutely great if you would take a peek at http://www.anothercosyshop.nl

Thank you all!

Time flies...

Is it already july 14th??? I've been so busy lately time just seems to fly. In between birthday celebrations of our youngest son and the festivities because one of our elder sons completed high school, I even found time to make some more miniatures for my webshop.

I've been totally into the shabby chic theme lately,  i'm even thinking in pink and blue, roses, lace and bows . Yesterday I've been filling the webshop with the new items but I just can't resist showing off a bit here. Here are some pictures to give you an impression.

Shutters...geese...crowns...containers...shelves....

banners...tables...birdhouses...

and lots of chairs...

I mean really lots!

Roses and dots...

Pinks...whites...blues...

By the way...I'm stunned how fast the miniatures sell. I have one eye on my email and the first orders are coming in. Yeah!! (hands up in the air).

See you all soon, I'm off to get some groceries and I really..really should mop the floor. On the other hand, the kids love pizza and the floor isn't sticky yet. I'm going to upholster some miniature chairs!