Mother's Day gift to my mom

This is my mom’s mini getaway that I made for her for Mother’s Day. I really like this lantern and it was a lot of fun to create this mini scene. 

As always I wanted to try something new and I thought it needed a flowering vine that was growing up the side. Remember my last post where I showed you that flower soft stuff? This is what you can do with it, of course I could have used purple or some other color but you all should know me by now and that orange would be in there somewhere! I did add little yellow, peach and purple flowers in the bottom corners in and around the ferns.  The lounge chair is an ornament I have been holding onto for a while and was just the right size. I added the red blanket from my fabric drawer and made the book too.

I hope you like it and if you have any questions about the scene please give me a shout either in the comments or via email. **Also to view the image larger please click on it.  Have a great week everyone and thanks for following me on my mini adventures!

Books, crochet, and little orange fuzz

I needed more books for the witches sitting room but since I was on a roll I just kept making more. As you can see look like they have been used quite a bit, maybe even more like journals that have been opened and closed many times with the edges all curling up. They are going to be part of something I am trying to finish up this week and hopefully you all will like it.

Also I just can't stop crocheting, its actually quite fun and of course for me I need to keep doing it to get better and to teach myself to make the loops consistant. So far I have small doilies and the large tan square  and the black round one which I may just unravel and then redo into a square as well. I think either square or rectangle shapes will suit my needs and well maybe these will go with the books. haha

I also got a couple containers of this stuff in the bottom right corner of the photos its called Flower Soft and comes in many colors. Some are just one color and other containers vary like this one in orange/yellow/black. I love this stuff! I guess it was originally made to be used for scrapbookers making cards and stuff but my mini mind went Oohhh this will work for flowers.  I used it in a mini scene I made for my mom which I gave her yesterday for mudders day. Yes I did take photos and I will post them this week, I just didn't want to post them before she got it because my mom reads my blog.  Ok gotta run for now but to all you moms out there Happy Mother's Day to you.

Huggs,
Jenny Bee

Attempting to Crochet Mini

You know when you get this idea and you think I REALLY want to do this. I had this idea and I do like challenges bbuuutttt.........Dagnabit this is tryin my calm.  HAHA  First let me say to all those who knit or crochet with thread I applaud you! Thread is soo small and depending on what color you use it can become hard to see. But with the help of a unicorn movie, a good led light and a pair magnifying glasses I was able to crochet the multicolor doily!!  The other one in black was one of my first tries. Its wonky but I think it has its place here as well and I'll add it to the sewing room. Maybe half sticking out of a drawer or in a pile. I like my wonky stuff and each one has a special place. Now if I can only make about 50 more doilies in the same size and not wonky I can attach them and have a blanket. I think this will call for more movies and maybe chocolate! If not I'll just have lots and lots of doilies. Do any of you use doilies in your mini scenes?

Then I got an award from Illyria. Thank you soo much lady.

So to follow the rules here are bloggers under 200 that I like to read and or have bookmarked for reference and inspiration.

My dear friend Jane: http://minifanaticus.blogspot.com/

Tara: http://19thdayminiatures.blogspot.com/
Rita: http://ritasminis.blogspot.com/
Nicky CC: http://theminidragonqueen.blogspot.com/
Marion: http://marion-thewitchscottage.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend everyone, I'm going to try not to go cross eyed from crocheting in mini. HA

Mushrooms a plenty

When I was going over the vegetables I had made I noticed I didn’t have any mushrooms.  WHAT is this madness I say …No Mushrooms and it’s a witches conservatory. Well I certainly had to remedy this. So out came the clay and with inspiration from my dear friend Jane and her wonderful creations, mushrooms were made. These were fun to make and fairly easy to do aside from time to time the clay would get too warm/soft. I think maybe if I work with thinner clay next time maybe I’ll keep a baggie of ice nearby to touch with the tips of my fingers or something to cool the clay a bit.  Do any of you have this problem and if so what do you do?  I also picked up some black Fimo to make some kettles/cauldrons/pots.  This I had even more problems with because I didn’t realize until after I opened the package and started smushing it around its soft Fimo. This really got floppy the thinner the container got, and then after I cooked it I noticed it still had some give.  Has anyone used soft Fimo and if so what do you use it for?  Today I’m going to hop over to the local craft store cause they have the clay, acrylic paint and foam brushes on sale.  The three things I seem to be going through like a wild woman. Have a great day everyone!

Bricks and Baskets - 2 B's for Tuesday

Greetings everyone and happy Tuesday to you all!
I added bricks the inside and outside of the lower part of the conservatory. If you were curious that's 288 bricks and no they don't fit like a glove. Instead they screamed, shout and raise cain. So i had to cut and scrape the side and bottom rows. Its all good now I'll all done with that part.  Hehe Take that bricks...

If you remember in my last post I made veggies and in the spirit of trying something I weaved a paper baskets. Then the bug bit and I made a few of them. Poke the picture to see a larger image. I made one with floppy looking handles from scrap paper then a few with wire handles. Those I attached on the inside by gluing scrap paper over the wire. Of course I could not resist modeling the veggies in one after I added some gloss to the egg plants. I'm thinking of keeping one in the conservatory on the ground some where like the vegetables have just been picked.  That's it for now I'm off to go get into some mischief and play toss with the pups. Have a great!

Clay veggies

Veggies, veggies and more veggies. I got brave over the weekend and pulled out the clay to make some items for the witch's conservatory. If you poke the photo you will see the images bigger and take a look at the carrots, green beans, cauliflower, spring onion, purple and white eggplants, orange peppers, ghost pumpkins and lots of carrots!! Ohh and I am working on a basket weaved out of paper. I'll paint it to darken and dirty the look of it. Also I am thinking I will put some veggies in it and set it in the conservatory so it looks like they are freshly picked. Others I will fix in the plant beds. Have a great weekend everyone.

Conservatory

Spring has sprung or it might as well be but I am claiming its full on summer for that matter! I kid you not it’s almost 90 outside today and it’s supposed to get even hotter.  YIKES!!! 

So what does this fare skinned girl do when it’s that hot and sunny out? Why I stay indoors and make minis of course.  Al I mentioned in my previous post I cracked open the conservatory kit and did a dry fit. Now some people may take out each piece and match or label them up 

with the pictures on the sheets but I through caution to the wind and said I don’t need on stinking sheet. I have built a few kits before.  Mind you this is not a hard kit to build you have the floor, 3 walls and the roof.  Well the roof is a whole other issue in itself. You see the kit has a roof underside then you add the clear acrylic panels then there is the decorative over lay (wood strips). Except the strips of wood are too short and don’t reach to the top. Luckily I had some spare balsa laying around and it was the same thickness and just the right width to make up for the shortness.   

So far I put my first coat of paint/stain on all the pieces and then like glue now the wait to dry begins. I bet if I stuck them outside for a few minutes they would get nice and dry real fast. Lol  While drying I got out my notebook and thought this would make the perfect greenhouse to put up alongside my witch’s house.  So what things would a witch grow in a green house?  I was thinking cabbage, onions, garlic, mushrooms, and pumpkins we certainly cannot forget those. I made a layout where I will basically split the are up in half, one side will be plants on the ground level and on the other side I will run a shelf for potted plants like herbs and such maybe even add hanging plants throughout. 

See the snails and slugs I made last weekend now have a home. What else do you think is a must have for a witch’s greenhouse garden?   I’m even thinking of making a flowering vine plant on the outside of one corner. Soo many possibilities… Have a great week everyone!.

Snails, chair and sheep

Its been quite busy here at my place. I have been making minis and cracked open the conservatory box. I have an idea for it and even a chandelier I got at a mini show over the weekend. I'm just a little excited about this build and have many ideas... I got other things at the mini show like battery LED lights, metal record player kit and fabric trim.  I'll try to get a good photo of the chandelier and post it.
Over this past weekend I made some slugs and snails, currently the poor snails have no eyes but I still think they are cute and fear not mini folks they will have eyes this weekend. The slugs however will not have any and well they are just slimy slugs. lol
Oh do you remember the white and green writing desk I made for my mom? I thought she needed a chair too and with that flower fabric I showed you I made her one for Valentine's day. Lastly I would like to introduce you to new members of my mini world the sheep. Aren't they cute? I got them from LugArt petit, I could just have a whole herd of them in every color.
The week is almost over everyone I hope its going well for all and try not to work too hard.

Yep I went there and in pink to boot!

Ever wanted to be able to reposition a piece of fabric? How about an apron? I wanted an apron in the witches kitchen but with the idea that if I wanted to move it around and hang it off a hook or drape it off a chair I could. Of course not sure if I wanted a long apron that hangs off your neck or one you just tie around the waist I made both! First thing I did was grab some scrap fabric from basket and to mix things up I picked pink too.  lol I know your probably thinking what is Jennybee doing right? I went with pretty standard shapes being this was my first try but did add some folds in waist aprons and a little pocket.
I think I will make some more this weekend in some other colors. What do you all think? Any colors I should stay clear of or is there a certain color you would like to see one in? Do you prefer the type that hangs around your neck or tie around your waist? Don't forget to poke the image to enlarge it for more details. 

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for reading.

Don't wash your car with the windows open...

Yepp that's what I said. I thought I would take a moment and share a real life story before getting to minis.  I had to take my car to the dealership this weekend for a safety recall and a oil change. Sure  you might think that's normal enough and they even offered to give my little car a complimentary car wash. Woohoo a free cleaning, pretty cool I thought. Until I got my car back and the passenger side of the interior was dripping wet. I did mention interior right..everything from the sun visor, door, seat and floor board. And that's how the conversation of "May I speak with your manager" started. ha

Alright now back to my mini projects. I did get the top floor (3rd floor) frame work up and glued in place this weekend so now I can put the plexiglass on to keep dust out. This also brings me another step closer to having to start on the roof. I know the roof will not take too long to glue in place its just getting started that takes me some time. Its really weird. I love building but the roof always gets me in a slump. lol

I also got the chair kits finished, if you poke the photo you can get a better look. I think I am going to put one in the kitchen and attempt to drape/toss/throw/wad up a apron on it. I have been seeing how some mini folks glue tinfoil on the back of fabric to get it to lay in the positions they want and well i do have tinfoil and fabric. I'm thinking this weekend I'll give it a shot and win or lose I'll let ya know how it goes.  Also I just noticed I have some new followers, let me say a BIG hello to you folks and how happy I am that you decided to follow along on my adventures. I hope you like what you see and if you have any questions, like how I did something just shoot me a email or post a comment.

Thanks again,
Jennybee

Chairs anyone

I found this fabric at Joanns Thursday and I really like it. I know, I know its a little on the sweet and cute side but hey its 2013 right? I can make cute if I wanna. So this weekend me and the cute fabric have a date. Besides I can always darken it with a little tea if its too light.  So beware evil glue I'm comin for ya! haha Have a great weekend everyone.

Making Christmas, making Christmas

Well no not really I already put all the decorations away and the house is back to normal. Er well as normal as the mini addict can be.  I just had that song stuck in my head for the last 6 hours. I wanted to show you a couple of things I just finished. I decided I didn’t like the half round table in the entry/hall of my witch’s house so since I have a (cough) few kits setting around I made a buffet table and another writing table. These kits go together fairly well as long as you follow the directions and use the right glue.  Now some of you may or may not know glue and I are not always the best of friends. Case in point with the buffet table, I could not find the bottle of wood glue. I think it ran away but that’s my theory. So I tried tacky glue and was going well until after I painted the first coat of paint and then starting sanding. One of the legs fell off and then another.  Then after I’m sure the wood glue had decided I had been tortured enough the bottle suddenly showed up and I could glue the legs back on.  The writing desk I swear went better and the wood glue stayed on the craft table long enough for me to finish it. I used black and brown paint then sanded between each layer. I’m curious though… What do you think, do you prefer these two that look more like natural stained wood or the other one I made in the last post that was white and green?  I like both but I think it depends on the setting/room they would go in. Ok I’m off to go lock down the glue bottles. 

Best wishes to all...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and everyone!!

However you may celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful time with your loved ones.
I wanted to take a minute to say how much I have enjoyed this past year meeting new people and reading you blogs. I get a lot of enjoyment reading them and have learned a lot too.

Best wishes,

Twas the Night before....

I think I'm safe to post this since I know the new owner of this writing desk is still wrapping presents. The desk is from a kit which I put together and painted in a layers of green and white. Then sanded off some of those said layers...Its funny how we spend so much time painting our minis and then sanding the paint back off. lol
I also made a little frame which I painted in like colors. The waste basket was also made by me, it was my first try and will stay with me to go into my witches house. Its not bad for a first time I think, but the next one or 20 will turn out much better I bet. Then maybe I will give one of those away. I think I will need one of those lighted magnifiers though,  lord have mercy even with my glasses the white wire and white thread was gettting hard to see.

Christmas Workshop

Back before the only local mini store went out of business I picked up a previoulsy decorated room box for a steal. Now realizing how much I had to do to it I understand why it was a great price. Ha When I got it the floor was covered in pink velvet and multiple layers of wallpaper. The walls had the wallpaper not wallpaper over the pink velvet flooring. That would have just been plain crazy! So of course to make it into my Christmas workshop I had to sand, peel and scrap out all of that to make it what it is today. The flooring is coffee stir sticks which I glued and stained. The walls are covered in scrapbook paper with wood trim. I also added the two windows which I had in a drawer not being used. If you click on the photo you can see the table I stained and painted and the little elf girl all in red. She is one of many my mom and I made. We made quite a few of them, they are porclean which we had fired at a local shop then painted and strung together. Over the past couple of years we have been dressing them and giving them as gifts and she made me this one. I think she fits in the room great. Also might I brag . . The snowglobe was also made by her from glass rods melted with a torch. The fridge is a Hallmark ornament that when opened the inside has a light. Ok now I'm really off to do get some decorating done. Have a great weekend everyone and Happy December 1st!

Etsy purchase and my precious new addition to the mini household!

 The pictures don't do them any justice but please take a gander. As Christmas fast approaches I needed to start getting the mini house in holiday spirits. What a better way then to decorate the foyer with this lovely candle and poinsetta  made by Jane from MiniFanaticus. Did I mention made...Well let me brag on she was also made: the bags with tissue paper, red and white Christmas box which had the silver bell inside, my very first christmas card in mini this year, not shown - - a book that you can open and flip through the printed pages and the little dragon laying all comfy on the chair.  Now my table is starting to look a little festive and with the shopping bags it looks like the residents of the house just got back from a little shopping. YEAH!!!  Thanks soo much Jane.

Now I'm off to decorate a tree or two before Verda goes on strike.

Todays letter is F

For frames and flowers - not fudge. If I made any mini fudge I have to make the real stuff and then it would be complete caos in the Jennybee household from all that sweet goodness. And well its really close to turkey day and I'll prob have to make a few things for that.
I needed some frames for my house and thought I would try to make them out of paper clay. Did you know miss Martha Stewart makes molds? Yepp she does and a little while ago while wandering through the local craft store I came across them and one of them had picture frames in there. So with coupon in hand they became MINE!
I was not sure if the clay would stick to it or not but after the first try I was relived and no sticking although the frame did come out all wonky because I pulled it out of the mold before it dried. Second try was much better, but then I had to waaaiiitt till the clay had dried. I must admit waiting for things to dry is a evil word with me.  lol This is why I end up having a very mess craft table because I get in the mini mode and then I have to wait, so hey I grab another project and then have to wait for it to dry. So then another project. . .  Its a never ending cycle but I did get frames worked on and the kit for marigolds out and in varying degrees of completition in the works. Egads that was more glue drying. lol  Also if you click on the photo you can also see my little acorn caps too! I found a bunch of these and thought they would make nice hanging baskets. I made two with the wire at different lengths, what do you think? I know one will go into one of my shops, probably the potions shop and the other might go into the kitchen. I'm thinking of taking some moss and yes glue down in the bottom of the acorn cap and then making some mushrooms to place on top.

Also my blog buddy Jane from MiniFanaticus just opened her Etsy shop if you have not been to Jane's blog before please take a look. She makes some very cute things and comes up with some great ideas.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Finished the couch, dressed 2 dolls and hung the pot rack

Busy busy thats me!! Since I last posted I made a dress for the doll in the kitchen. I still need to give her some sort of boots but for now she is at least happy to not be in her undies! The other doll next to the couch is a dress I got off etsy from Stuck in the Mudd which I think looks great as well. I also finished the couch I had been working on. Its another Chippendale kit and I was not really feeling that default blue fabric that came with it so I thought the black with little swirl dots would fit in fine. I also got the pot rack up in the kitchen. You cant see it but I used a round filigree disk. I bent the edges so when I glued it to the ceiling it would not lay flat. This way when I hung the pot rack I could turn the s hook that the chain hangs on to it would not touch the back wall. This also allows me to be able to easily swap out the rack if I need a bigger one in the future. I went a little etsy crazy not long ago and got some signs from Katie's Clay Corner I do love her Halloween signs and some other items which after I take some new photos I will post. You can see the Hocus Pocus one in the kitchen, the other one I got is a witches broom and says if the broom fits fly it!! The kids stole it and put in the upstairs bedroom where they have all the Hogwart house banners. Thats it for now, I'm off to finish carving pumpkins.  Have a great HAPPY HALLOWEEN everyone!

Chair and Hanging Pot Rack

Jane made me to it...

Well no not really but she did inspire me to do something totally new and something I have never done before.
Tada..... I give you hanging pot rack.  I got out my sketch book and a ruler for proper sizing and then began to draw out my design. After that I got out my wire and began bending, curling, and cutting until I got a shape I liked. Then with the help from my husband we soldered the pieces together. Once it was all done I then covered it in paint and added the chain. I think for a first try it turned out pretty good and for a witch and wizard kitchen it will fit in nicely.  I also have some old Chippendale kits I bought a while back and pulled out a chair and couch. Take a poke at the picture if you want a closer look. I found the fabric at Joanns and thought the print was not too big for minis. Since its going to go into my witch/wizard house I wanted it to be a little wonky so I left one leg off and used books to hold it up. I still have some staining to do on it to make the fabric look older and used and I think it needs a throw or maybe those doilies on the arms to give it a older feel. The couch I'll have to post next time as its still in parts ans has no  legs.  I would also like to welcome PrettyMade's Fancy, Eliana, Victoria, Anne and Angeles for following my blog. I really appreciate it.  I do follow all your blogs and enjoy all your mini finds and creations. This week I am going to try to finish the couch and put my poor mini kitchen back together again. I decided to move things around in there and pulled everything out. Now I have pots and pans all over the place. No really I'm not kidding, I even have soup cans in the upstairs bathroom. Please don't tell Verda, so far I have kept her out of there but I'm sure its only a matter of time befire she catches on and yells!  Have a great everyone.