Sunday 31 December 2017

A "suck it and see" moment................


I had a whim to make a small table/stool with a woven top and here is the result.  I was quite happy with it seeing I didn't really put a lot of thought into it before jumping in!!





Maybe time to make a bigger one now!!




Sunday 10 December 2017

More progress on Flourish & Blotts................

Today I did some more work on the cobblestones, painted the door (yet to be installed), finished the step and the bollards got their first coat of paint.  Ever onwards!!







Another Flourish & Blotts update............

I have finally finished laying and painting the cobblestones.  Still have to add a few details like bits of grass and moss etc and I also have to clay the step.  Once the bollards have been painted, they will be installed and the chain attached.  Slowly but surely coming together.








Thursday 7 December 2017

Group Photo....................



Having a little fun here!!  I got a beautiful doll made by Irina Martin some time ago and at last
got around to making a cart for her to pull along.  I also made a few teddies
and thought they would look good in the cart.  A pleasant change to be doing
something for myself for a change!!





And here is the dolly - isn't she just gorgeous.  I was so lucky to get to Etsy just at the right time.  Irina's  dolls are so very hard to get your hands on!

Sunday 3 December 2017

A market basket and more....



I've been playing with handle decorations on this market basket.






Detail of the  cross knot at attachment point





Detail of the  V knot on the top of handle.



Just some ideas for the students at Castine Guild School to play with in June when they do my class.  Really looking forward to it.

Saturday 25 November 2017

A little bit of weaving...............

..............in between making soooo many book - I needed a book break!!





Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Tuesday 21 November 2017

Internals started on both Venice Canal House and Flourish & Blotts......

I have started working on the internals of the two structures I want to get finished for exhibit at the Sydney Miniatures Show in May 2017.  I need to get these finished sooner rather than later, as I also need to get stuck into my basket work, but am enjoying doing something different for the moment.  However, time is running out!!

This is the start of the internal workings in Flourish & Blotts.  I have another
1300 books I need to make, which might give me the amount
of clutter needed in the whole building.  Should keep me amused
for a little while!

The right wall of the Venice Canal House completed.  I have all the books
I need for this one!!  Also working on bits of furniture to be added.


A long shot of the room upstairs.  The lower floor is his work area and I will show that
next time.
I am happy with progress to date but need to keep going and get both structures put to bed!!

Until next time!

Sunday 12 November 2017

Back to Flourish & Blotts...............



I finally finished claying the roof - nearly tiling in my sleep last night!!  But it's all over now!












Tomorrow I'm back to it with more layers of paint and we'll see what we end up with.



Friday 10 November 2017

Playing with some 1:24th scale basket.............







A lidded picnic basket and a hamper.  They are so tiny - even I am amazed!

Wednesday 8 November 2017

A basket by one of my students...............


Isn't this just beautiful work?
By Rosie Woodley, AMEA Convention Workshop, Hobart, Tasmania, October 2018






Makes my day when I can share my knowledge/experience in miniature basketmaking
and get results like this.  My time is not wasted!!

Sunday 5 November 2017

And still more progress made on Flourish & Blotts......




Front part of roof installed along with the dormer window.



A side view showing chimney stack.





Railing/balustrade fitted.





Showing ground floor.





Showing the upper floor area.




Friday 3 November 2017

Introducing one of my supervisors................


This is Serafina - but she has many nicknames.  Some that come to mind are:

Fatty Foofa,  Fooda,  Fatty Boomba, Fatty Arbuckle - the list goes on.  Does this give one the impression that she likes food?  It should, because she does!!  And she loves hoomans too!


I'm obviously doing it all wrong!!!!

A little more done on Flourish & Blotts.............

........installed the staircase today.  The stair rail has only been propped up to show it - but it still needs painting and distressing.  The ground floor lighting is also being worked on at the same time.  Trying to get all the little things done before the roof goes on and it becomes difficult to work in!!






Mock up of the painted railing - I think it will look ok.



Thursday 2 November 2017

Still weaving..............

.......while waiting for stair rails to be finished and in between painting bits and pieces - just to keep my hand in so to speak!!  Played with some woven trays - for a bit of fun.






Tuesday 31 October 2017

Flourish & Blotts update..........

The balustrade made by Peter - I did not want turned spindles for this building.


Maybe more tweaking to be done - but not until the whole thing is together!


Ground floor window and door frame installed.






Saturday 28 October 2017

Update on Flourish & Blotts.......


The following are some pics of progress on this project to date.  I have been working steadily during the week - but lots more to be done.


All the timber framing on ready for claying



One side clayed


Other side clayed


Brickwork completed on chimney stack



Showing the completed chimney stack



Painting of the chimney stack commenced


Showing the complete chimney painted


And that has been my progress to date.   Still a lot of work to do but a great step forward.


Friday 20 October 2017

A little progress made............

The light was not so good for taking photos - but more paintwork done on these pieces



Light Peter has made for this building.  He will be making all the lights for this - thankfully, then I can have what I want!

The front now ready for claying.  Timber framing completed so ready to move on.
The door still needs painting.