What's Going On.....?

Well - that seems a fairly appropriate question ask about our summer for a start!!!
I really didn't need to be told that we've now had the 'longest day'....that it's only so many days to Christmas....that I'm not as up-to-date as I'd hoped with outstanding commissions (sorry folks). ....that I haven't welcomed New Followers - (sorry folks), you're really welcome.

                                              Patty's Plum - Oriental Poppy   


However - on the bright side - if you ignore the fact that the wet (soaking wet) and warm weather has created lush weed growth in the garden, it looks really lovely!! I think the flowering plants and shrubs are just about beating the weeds and I love it. I'll resist the temptation to fill this blog with pictures of flowers...

 The rose is 'Blue For You' - it's supposed to be about 4ft tall - as you can see it's heading for 6ft!! Behind is a Cotinus - The Smoke Bush - the combination is lovely.

What's going on on the workbench.....it's WW2 characters at the moment....but only half made, so no pictures yet.....and a new 1/48th item being developed...
Another flower or two I think....

What's Going On in the  Nostalgia in Miniature Workshops! ....  Ah!!
What's On in the Little Vintage Hall?  - that's the title of our newest half day workshop - to be held on October 21st, here in Thame.
We know this will be lots of fun - a workshop devoted to creating a selection of 'vintage' and quirky items that can be used to 'dress' The Little Vintage Hall or The Little Vintage Hall - The Other Room - but are just as applicable if you have created your own individual scene or would like to add interesting items to an exisitng scene or house.
So - it's all about having a bit of a 'do'!

If you click on our Nostalgia in Miniature workshops link above,  all the details are there and a Booking Form - plus advance notice and dates for our Super All Day Christmas Special in Thame on November 24th and REALLY advance provisional notice of another exciting All-Day workshop at the very beautiful and popular Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire next April 7th.  That's 2013 - can't believe we're even thinking about next year!!
You are welcome to register your interest in this one now - there's already a list so if you are interested in this or any of the others you can also email me direct as soon as you like! My chum Celia - is taking a little time out to sample the delights of NHS - she'll be back soon and meanwhile her website KT Miniatures is still lovely to peruse.
 
By the way - we just have two places remaining on The Little Vintage Hall - The Other Room Workshop on  September 9th - details on the website.

Let's dig out the bunting and blow the rain!

Thank you for looking.
Robin

Work in Progress.....living in Australia

I blogged a week or two ago that I was working on a 1/12th family - seven individual characters which included children - to accompany grandparents I'd made for my customer some while back........

I really enjoyed creating the family - in truth very much a joint effort between me and 'the customer'. First time I've made a VERY pregnant lady, so that was fun, although I kind of know from experience the shape....
So - here's Janet - as a work in progress, 8 months pregnant, on my work bench.

And here she is again properly installed in her lovely new home in Australia, with some of her family around her on the porch. At this point I would normally thank my anonymous customer for allowing me to use her photo of Janet in situ.
However, Susan Monroe -  a genius in mini/micro knitting and crochet and with a wicked sense of humour (Do check her out) - has put up lots of super pictures of 'the family' in situ on her blog and some lovely family history, the story behind the pictures. So do take a look........... and Thanks Sus!!  Click  here for Susan

I've spent days trying to tie in and stake bushes and plants as we've had rain/winds/storms.....but these lovely pansies just waved in the winds and came up smiling.

The Jubilee weekend has been all about commemorating 60 years of service by our Queen...it rained on her too.....so local shops have pulled out the stops to create spendidly appropriate displays. I spotted this super King Edward VIIIth egg cup amongst a display of commemorative Coronation ware in a local charity shop. I thought it was lovely so I bought it!

Thank you for looking.
Robin  

A Proper Mixed Bag Blog!

Can I first wish everyone a lovely weekend - and if you're in the U.K. or Commonwealth we're celebrating our Queen's Diamond Jubilee. 60 years - what changes there have been, wherever we live.  Happy Days!

While we were on holiday in Yorkshire we saw this small ship Regal Lady moored in Scarborough - still taking visitors out to sea for day trips. In 1940 Regal Lady was one of the 'small ships' that went to the rescue of our soldiers from the beaches around Dunkirk. My father was one of those soldiers.
I don't know if Regal Lady will be one taking part in the Jubilee flotilla on the Thames this weekend - but I'll look out for her and the many others who will be there with pride.
Click on the image to enlarge and read the notice.

As this blog is supposed to be about miniatures, I should show you at least a couple!

A 1/12th commission of this sturdy old tea-trolley for a war time setting....

In 1/48th scale - this tiny wooden cradle has been added to our list....and I will update the 1/48th list in the Left column on this blog before much longer I promise...

Four 1/48th characters who are for sale - please contact me by email if you'd like more details of them, the cradle or of course anything else....

My lovely, and somewhat dim, cat is called Sam. He posed so beautifully I had to include him!
We have a tiny pond, and I mean TINY! However, the frogs have found it and I do believe we  have three in residence. Ony Fred popped up to say 'hello' when I was lurking with the camera - but he's sweet isn't he??
Finally I'm delighted to present the Nostalgia in Miniature video - very much courtesy of my ' Nostalgia' partner Celia Thomas, who's the techno-brains behind such modern whizzy stuff. This brings together (with lovely music so switch your sound on) all four projects in our Little Old Garden Series of Workshops - fences to sheds and and all the fun in between.
I hope you'll enjoy it.

Thank you for looking
Robin