The Unconscious Gardener

It occurred to me when I was planting up my Mum's old basket, pictured below, then again when the first crocus began to bloom that I don't ever remember learning about gardening...somehow or other it led me to being a really keen gardener.  It got me thinking...

Back in the day when I was a girl in the 1950s/60s - SO many years ago now!!! - most families had a garden and gardened - fruit, veg and flowers...the old cottage garden principle.  A little of what you fancy does you good! As a product of wartime austerity and make do and mend principles, as well as her own upbringing it was second nature to my Mother to plant seeds, take cuttings and split plants - garden centres didn't exist until well into the 1960s, although specialist nurseries did exist, and I learned grafting from my rose grower Uncle.
As soon we were judged safe in charge of an old kitchen fork we would be pricking out seedlings and planting them into wooden trays cadged from the greengrocer or market and lined with newspaper (plastic mushroom boxes are a wonderful modern equivalent). When they became too ancient they went on the compost heap or provided kindling for the fire. I suppose we must have just been talked through the names of the plants, and wild ones when we went for walks, and it has stayed with me.

I have to say I am amused to be 'lectured' on recycling, upcycling etc.....it's second nature and I'd hazard a guess our generation have probably always done it quite automatically. Plastic pots were 'new' - then we used and still use clay pots, some of mine must be 90 years old - because we were making our own from old tin cans, cut down plastic bottles and newspaper twisted round a wooden block. It would also have been a heinous crime to throw a sweet paper onto the street!

So - from an 'unconscious gardener' to a full time miniaturist - but we are all doing the same aren't we?  Thinking 'outside the box'...how can I turn this into that? How can I make a chair/bed/washbasin out of....all these bits and pieces?
 
If you don't have much of a garden how about making your own miniature version (it will never need weeding) or a greehouse or a conservatory?
With a little imagination and practice, super flowers and plants can be made from paper or the many great kits available and it is surprising how much dried real plant material can be used. Of course as we all know, tea leaves and coffee grounds make great soil and cardboard, paving stones  - polystyrene packaging can be carved or indented for walls and all sorts of small containers covered in glue and sand to make authentic looking planters.

 The following pic. is part of  the back wall of my mini conservatory.  The wall itself is simply polystyrene indented to make 'stone' and liberally painted.  Most of the plants are paper, some  printed and some real leaves copied and reduced. There is some dried plant material in there too...and the pots are purchased, home-made from paper and clay, as well as beads and even a cartridge case.  Following is the conservatory itself.  Everything is possible!

This year for the first time in ages I've been planting flower seeds and having been given lovely flowers for Mothering Sunday, carefully removed side shoots from the carnation stems which I've planted as cuttings.  It's been successful in the past and as my Mum would say, 'they've got two chances!'

Stay safe, and thank you for looking.
Robin
 

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

I was just wondering......

.....what little thing can start the day well.  In these rather difficult and sad times it is hard to avoid the latest news but often something quite small can banish gloomy thoughts and just start the day well.

I must admit my best start to the day is throwing open the back door taking a gulp of fresh air (or rain) and deciding how soon I can have a wander round the garden, seeing how many primroses and snowdrops are out and check out the bulbs popping through.

This morning, catching sight of a another orchid in full bloom in front of a backdrop of a picture that reminds me of Cornwall and a vintage tin advertising stand above which the coloured glass and bits and pieces were caught by the early morning sun made me smile.
To top it all our Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise) is out and this year reaching for the sky with an indoor climber scrambling up it.

Out in the garden I'm thrilled that a lovely double Helebore is blooming because with some trepidation I had moved it in the autumn and they hate being moved.

Of course a phone call from family or friend is a super start to any day - or a letter.  We write and receive so few these days don't we?  Maybe it's just that it's stopped raining......or someone brings you a cup of tea....or has baked you a cake (I love cake)?

Sadly, as we're mostly at home and not shopping, managing to get an online grocery delivery slot is a GREAT start to my day.  Yes that is truly pathetic I know!

Reading your blogs would be a good start to the day, but I try to leave that till later, or the washing up and ironing would never get done. So Blogger friends - what are some of yours?
 
Thank you for looking - Happy New Year.
Robin x

 

HERE'S HOPING FOR A GREAT NEW YEAR!

The New Year is coming in, filled with hope for us all, after perhaps the most difficult and saddest year we can remember.
May we wish that all your hopes and wishes, dreams and ambitions are fulfilled and that you and those you love have a Happy New Year.

Well, to say that Christmas was 'different' is probably the understatement of the decade - having said that, I hope there were times of joy, and friendship and perhaps some moments of fun for you too. Most of our family were separated from each other so we were fortunate to be able to share the day with one son, and see another and his family for a short time. Thank heavens for modern connectivity so that we can all remain in touch to some degree.
 
So......I forgot the crackers (next year then), and forgot to switch on the Christmas tree lights until Boxing Day. Our very large chicken tasted great, and is now casserole, soup or frozen. The wine held up.......still not had the Christmas pud....The chocolates will last a long time, and Santa brought us Christmas stockings for the first time in living memory.... we did at least cut the Christmas cake.

In our house all Christmas trappings are removed on New Year's Eve so that the next year starts anew - the law according to my Granny. I suspect that with a large family she was just desperate to have a clear up, but it works for me.

Today's modern miracles are being achieved by scientists, medical researchers, amazing volunteers, medics and nurses, ancilliary workers and the frontline workers, be they in an ambulance or a supermarket.  Thank you.

Thank you for looking - Happy New Year.
Robin x

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

 It's that time of year again.....and what a strange, difficult and often sad year it has been.
However, let's look forward if we can with optimism.


We should like to wish you all a VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and BRIGHT NEW YEAR!! May all your wishes for 2021 come true, and you and your families stay safe.

Two Christmas cards  for you this year, especially commissioned from our youngest granddaughters. Hmmm, yes we think it's Christmas pussy cat too - hope it gives you a smile.
Thank you all for lots of lovely blogs to read and a real spirit of friendship.


Thank you for looking.
Robin x

It's Just a Chair

Back in the day...the 1950s I expect....a lovely old chair, an American style rocking chair was transported by train in the baggage van from Newcastle-on-Tyne to a little market town in what was then Berkshire (it's now Oxfordshire).  In those days there were numerous small branch lines, so it came via Oxford and Swindon, almost to the door.

 

 I'm assuming the chair is late C19th and I've no idea where it was constructed, but I remember it as a child and somewhere under that uphostery on the back was glued an old newspaper in far eastern script. The back panel and seat were actually carpet - some kind of junk type boat featured on the back.  It's been recovered and a cushion added a few times since then.

 Anyway.....it originally belonged to my Geordie Granda, came to my Dad and the family and in due course came to me.  (Back in the day, like The Railway Children my sisters and I would sit on the fence and wave at the steam trains as they went past.......yep I'm ancient!)

We moved about a bit - downsized - and one of our sons and his family gave it a home for many years.....but now, short of space there, it has come home to me again. It's had a full life so needs a minor repair and a polish but it's so nice to see it again!! I would say how lovely it is to sit in it - but our mad cat has declared it HIS!

Although during our Coombe Crafts days, my other half created many beautiful miniature chairs, he never attempted one like this - I wonder if anyone else has?

In our  soggy and chilly garden the winter-flowering jasmine is putting on a wonderful show and the 'Freckles' clematis presents a discreet but modest show on the other side of the archway.  I've just noticed the first spring bulbs pushing out their noses, so maybe spring is not as far away as we think. 

Thank you for looking and stay safe.
Robin x

I was thinking about plants and my miniatures.....

I expect if you've been reading my blogs for a while you'll have worked out that gardening, and creative arts and crafts, but predominately miniatures, have been passions since I was young. Although it's mostly gardening at the moment.
 

Growing up with a mother who somehow passed on a love of plants both wild and cultivated - and their latin and common names - without her daughters ever actually realising it, to creating my own gardens, we all became 'gardeners'.  Our family was like that - and painting, drawing, making things...whether it was a pair of gloves or a dollshouse...it must be in the genes.  

So many of you seem to be both passionate miniaturists and gardeners. From reading your blogs I'm convinced that there is a direct link between visualising a garden - even when it's a bare patch of earth - and visualising a dolls house and its 'people'and accessories, even when it's just a box or a kit!
So - stick with it..... the following picture (I expect you've seen one like it every year...sorry) is our glorious Continus in its autumn foliage.  The leaves are almost like animal skins, or exotic plants, so vivid.  So a few years ago I scanned, reduced and used miniature paper copies as exotic leaves in my miniature conservatory. It's how you see it - isn't it? 

Back in the day (and historically) fresh foliage was preserved in a mixture of glycerine and water, fresh flowers in  dry preservatives like silver sand or borax or even washing powder!! Oh yes I tried them all!  Thinking small I preserved tiny flowers like forget-me-nots and lychnis, tiny grasses, seed heads and ferns which I used in little arrangements before the brilliant floral experts pushed the art to a whole new level.  Illona and Jan Southerton.... are two of my favourites who spring to mind using completely different materials and techniques.  Of course now there are lots of lovely commercial products like coloured foam, scatter, fibres, papers,  polymer clays and silks that make life  easier for all of us, but it is so satisfactory to start from scratch and develop your own techniques and find your own way, I think.

Finally I can't resist showing you a picture of one of the little robins that accompany us when we're digging and weeding - having filled up on worms, he/she is having a bath in one of our mini ponds.

Anecdotally, gardens and outside spaces help many of us cope with the restrictions of the pandemic; I'm sure hobbies and crafts have played a major part too in keeping us 'sane'. Your many and various blogs have been fun, inspiring, and informative - thank you all for staying in touch. Stay safe.


Thank you for looking.
Robin x

 

Mending Fairies' Broken Wings

The white fairy has been in my gardens for many, many years and has moved with us - but she is now elderly and quite fragile.  She took a bit of a tumble and lost a wing - out came the glue.  As if in sympathy the other fairy flew out of the willow tree and landed badly - broken leg - more glue.

It seems the right time to relocate them to safer perches.  So the white fairy smiles at us near the back door and her friend is guarding the gravel garden alongside our mad hare.

 A rainy, gusty few days brings new delights into our autumn gardens and as we tidy up for the winter a little robin is usually twittering along near us helping himself to the last blackberries and scratching for worms.  These little birds are so tame many people hand feed them, but we've resisted the tempation as we have a cat and don't want to tempt providence.
As we've been pulling lovely carrots, parsnips and leeks (which taste so good straight from the garden) there are plenty of worm-filled patches to scratch in.

This picture of our lovely yellow clematis (tangutica I think) is a perfect example of 'be careful what you wish for'. It looks glorious now, and will do when the fluffy, silky seedheads follow - and it covers the fence, nearly the whole long length of it......and a beautiful rambler rose......two bush roses, lilies.....and our lovely neighbour's shed!!  I wanted it to clothe the fence but not take over! I was brutal last year and cut it back HARD, and look at it.....oh dear, must be more brutal!

The passion flowers also go mad, but are more restrained. They are still blooming their socks off - we have two - and the ornamental fruit are setting and will soon look like orange balls which I can dry and bring inside. Fortunately our two neighbours love it too - one has happily trained it along his clothes line and the other encourages it to scamble through his shrubs.

As an antidote to the virus I've been slightly extravagant in ordering spring bulbs online and happily planting pots of tulips, tiny iris reticulata and pale pink grape hyacynths (muscari) to cheer myself up.  I hope you've all found something cheery to do too and that you stay safe in these worrying times.

Meanwhile these sweet little cyclamen definitely cheer me up!

Thank you for looking.
Robin x