Spring Is On The Way!

At last I feel that Spring is coming - the garden, emerging from its frozen weeks, is waking up at last and it's a delight to walk up there each morning and see what else is flowering.  It has even been possible to start a little proper gardening again - although it remains very soggy.

The miniature iris (Katherine's Gold) are just lovely as are the purple Reticulata just beginning to emerge in another pan, alongside is a pot of tiny hoop daffodils which I've planted in with Ophiopogon (Black Lily Grass) which still looks good with tiny purple flowers and then black berries, when the daffodils die back.

In the wild patch snowdrops are finally flowering and more primroses are out.  The little 'wild' crocus are spreading all over the garden which is wonderful. Some plants are naturally promiscuous, seed and spread like mad  - miniature cyclamen are another also hellebores which, when they eventually flower are full of surprises as the colours and markings vary so much.

When I retired from full-time making miniatures I finally found time to create a few projects for myself that first spring, inspired by the primroses, I created 'Alice Down the Rabbit Hole' and it is still a favourite.  The idea had been in my head for years and when Sandra Morris of Towerhouse Dolls created 'Alice' it was just a question of 'when'.  I found the perfect plastic rabbit, which afer several coats of paint, some clothes, spectacles and watch became my White Rabbit.

The Primroses, ferns and ivy are all made from paper and of course I'd lots of bits and pieces to make the bank and hole.

I hope you'll enjoy seeing it again - or perhaps for the first time.  After a lifetime of creating and making I confess my mojo has waned somewhat and my passion for gardening, which had had to take a back seat, is my current obsession.....there again, the ideas don't just go...and I do stll have lots of bits and pieces.....but not much shelf space left.

Stay safe, and thank you for looking.
Robin
 

What a Picture...What a Photograph!

Does anybody else remember Tommy Steele in Half a Sixpence....or am I just the oldest?  Anyway, that phrase from the song in the musical of the same name, came to mind at crack of sparrow when my lovely other half woke me up to see the most stunning sunrise!  It was worth it!!

 

Moving on....sad I know, but I don't feel I've had a winter until I've seen a proper bit of snow. Here in Thame we've had the odd flurry...not a lot.  I appreciate that elsewhere you've probably had too much and are heartily sick of it.
Illona has posted some lovely pics of hers in the Netherlands.

https://minimumloon.blogspot.com/2021/02/sneeuwwit-en-bloedrood-snow-white-and.html

This is my offering - pretty though. Poor old owl is beginning to look quite vintage, although he isn't, as his paint gives way to rust. I like it!

In my very frozen garden the helibores are slow to come into flower, but I do love them and I'm indebted to the lovely blogger who, a couple of years ago told me how to ensure they lasted in water.  I'm so sorry that I've forgotten who that was, but I thank you once again.  So, pick the flowers and split the stems longways from just below the first bud. They last for ages.  Before that wonderful tip I'd snipped off individual flowers and floated them on a shallow dish of water - and they do look lovely.  I had to stop that as my daft cat assumed I'd decorated a water bowl just for him and drank the water!

If you read Celia's story of the miniaturists Ralph and Bertha Wright Part One you'll be happy to know that Part Two is up on her blog now, and it's just as fascinating.

http://ktminiatures.blogspot.com/2021/02/part-two-story-of-bertha-ralph-wright.html.

Stay safe, and thank you for looking.
Robin
 
 

The Story of Bertha and Ralph Wright - their miniatures revealed.

 Every  once in a while, something truly exceptional comes along.  This story is just such a one and has been researched and written by Celia Thomas who we all know as both a talented miniaturist and expert in vintage and antique dolls houses and artefacts, with the unique help and co-operation of Bertha and Ralph's familes. Enjoy!

Bertha Wright was an accomplished artist and sculptor on the fringes of the Bloomsbury Group and, it seems, an extraordinary lady who together with her husband Ralph led a most interesting life so their story brings annecdotes and memories from 1918 onwards.  Clearly their work as miniaturists was well regarded; most fascinating of all perhaps are the most unusual and detailed picture boxes which were exhibited as well as being commissioned from 1930s.

The story for Celia began back in 2016 when she acquired some unusual miniature dolls and furniture which set her off on her quest to learn more.  Her research over the years has, with the generous help of Bertha and Ralph's families and others, drawn many strands together and provided a wonderful readable story about the life and times of 'Bad Aunt Bertha' and fantastic details and pictures which have never been seen before, of the exciting miniature treasures.
I've been lucky enough to hear snippets of the story while Celia has been researching so I was over the moon to see it finally published on her latest blog.
 
http://ktminiatures.blogspot.com/2021/01/part-onethe-story-of-bertha-ralph.html

So if you're looking for a lovely distraction from the covid pandemic or the miserable weather - put the kettle on, make a cuppa, settle down and enjoy!

Thank you for looking  - Stay safe
Robin x