Happy thoughts of a mini making mum

Take That ♪♫♫♪

2009-07-04T18:43:00.006+01:00

I am very tired this week as I have been to see Take That at Wembley on Wednesday, only just had the energy to post as I haven't danced that much for a very long time, they were of course Amazing....it was a real treat as they launched more or less straight into the oldies that we haven't seen them perform for, oh

about 15 years...wow that makes me feel really old,

but on wednesday, I felt 22 again!
We were really high up, so high, some poeple were so scared they were refusing to climb any higher, they soon forgot their vertigo though when Take That came on & despite the small space available around their seats, remembered all the old dance routines!

Back then, when I had more money & no responsibilities other than myself & thought nothing of driving into London & getting home at three thirty in the morning, (I didn't used to have to get up at six am to make family sandwiches & get them off to school!) we used to go more than once, & get much closer, but now (what with touts buying all the tickets to sell on ebay within five minutes, ) I am lucky that I can get tickets at all & very grateful that I did, I have to be content with going just the once & soaking up the atmosphere, & having the time of my life....roll on next tour, Take That ..you are the best ♪♫♫♪

2009-06-24T11:18:00.002+01:00

Thought I would give this a try, I'm so proud that my miniatures sell worldwide so I found a way to share this with you!
Please bear with me , it will take a little while to add all I have to add so far, if you have recieved creations from me, please add them!

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Giveaway winner!

2009-06-11T13:35:00.011+01:00

Hello, do you like the banner for the school fete, Shelly, (my Artist friend ) & I painted it yesterday morning at school!

Thanks for entering those of you who did, the winner picked last night at random by my family is .........

Elsie

Congraulations! I think my next giveaway will be holiday themed, to celebrate my very exciting upcoming holiday!!

I have been very busy this week, I think I'm burning myself out a bit, today, I can feel all the things I need to do & all the things I want to do buzzing round in my head, & all my body wants to do is have a duvet day!, here's the things I need to do...

☺Iron (yawn)
☺put already ironed stuff away (er...where exactly?)
☺tidy everywhere...can you see where I'm going with this....?

now, things I want to do...

♥make some little clay barbeque goodies
♥claying
♥clay some more
♥paint the rest of the banners for the school fete..
♥restore my fairy picture

Now the thing is, I can't do the want list until I've done the need list, what can I do .........I think I'll walk to school, get some fresh air, hopefully the rain will keep off, when I get home, storm through the need list, then maybe tomorrow can be a play/clay day!

Todays happy thought; Why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?

Happy studio

2009-06-03T10:57:00.013+01:00

I think I should really call it Happy studio now, as shed doesn't seem to do it justice, I have now hung up some of my framed sculptures no & it looks like a sort of mini gallery, I made some curtains for covering the cupboards & I love it in there, It's my little space!

Pictured is my fully restored Garden of Eden, I loved creating this, it took a very long time as each leaf, blade of grass is individually crafted, I have now added some moss as it gives a softer texture to it, I can't take these to craft fairs though, as I don't think they will take too much travelling to & fro :(

Also pictured is Mother Nature, I repainted the background & added some big forget- me -nots, this is not my usual style, very abstractesque (new word I think, made up by me!)

Finally for now, my Braintree Dragon, I'm not sure if we really have Dragons here in Braintree, I bet no one can prove we haven't though, who knows however, what lurks in Happy garden, something is digging up the tulip bulbs without leaving a trace!

Don't forget the Fathers day giveaway, 10 more days to go, win a little extra something for your Dad ♥

Todays Happy thought-Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope.

Fathers day giveaway!

2009-05-30T19:17:00.003+01:00

Here it is, as we are approaching Fathers day, I thought I would kick off my new series of giveaways with a Dad theme, I am giving away a happy thought similar to the one pictured....all you have to do is leave a comment here about your Dad or your fave story about your Dad!...very easy this one!

A winner will be picked at random by my family on 10th June.....♥♥♥

Todays happy thought:Anyone can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a Daddy!

I need a holiday!

2009-05-29T08:34:00.003+01:00

I know it's coming to the end of half term & I'm supposed to be chilled out by now, but I'm not, I still have a never ending pile of ironing, that if I'm honest, I've been avoiding for more than a fortnight now, I have endless outgrown clothes to put away things to file, clean, sort out & alter...phew, roll on August when we are going on our first family holiday!....to Portugal!
The children are so excited & so am I (although I am now a bit nervous of flying having not done so for 14yrs, can't let them know that though!)

Here is one of my latest creations inspired by family holidays when, as a little girl & the day at the beach was over, I used to need to be carried from the sea by my dad & put into my beach shoes, as I hated the feeling of sand in my shoes ♥♥♥♥

Will keep you updated on my preparations!

Todays happy thought: A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.

Off to Wembley...!

2009-05-27T08:44:00.004+01:00

It's the Girls Aloud concert tonight & I'm taking my daughter, I'm looking forward to it, but the not the drive or the late night!....so I thought I'd post before I get stuck into cleaning up & getting ready!
These poppies are in our garden, I think they're a lovely colour, must paint them one day.
I still have some pictures to restore, my favourite fairy one for a start, perhaps I can do that at the weekend, I need to spend a bit of time promoting though, I've been a bit slow on that lately as I have been rather busy, I really need to get into some sort of routine so that promoting becomes like a second nature when I switch on the pc!....I wonder is there a tool that can update my twitter, facebook fan page, Deviant art etc all at once, will look into it, I haven't been on DA for ages, my facebook fan page is slowly picking up fans, to find me search itsy bitsy art by sam, & there I am........

I'm also aware that I haven't posted happy thoughts for a while........will get my brain in gear & start again next post!

Restoration work.

2009-05-26T08:58:00.003+01:00

As I have a bright new shed to work in, thought I'd do some work yesterday, I have some clay pictures that I created for an exhibition, five years ago that needed a bit of repair from when we moved house, I thought that if I restore them I could hang them up in the shed & then sell them, ...they're not going to get sold being kept in the dark old garage are they?
So I repaired my Braintree dragon & my Garden of Eden & still have to reset the frames....I also put my old oil paint pallette to good use, & made a clock, now I have no excuse to forget the time down there!...........

My first proper dressmaking attempt.......

2009-05-23T19:58:00.005+01:00

Here it is, my first proper dress with a pattern, my daughter went to see Hairspray with Guides on Saturday & had to dress up like the film, I couldn't find anything suitable in the local shops so I thought I'd give it a go....no I didn't find it easy! I think some patterns are incredibly hard to follow, & they leave big chunks of instructions out of it, so you have to use common logic to figure out what to do, I stil don't understand the language, this frustrates me-as it could be explained in regular english aaaaaagh......any way it's done now & she looked beautiful!...and by the way, that is my youngest behing her, hiding, thinking I don't know she's there!

Happy happy shed.....

2009-05-10T13:58:00.008+01:00

I was up early yesterday completely emptying the shed ready to go, it took ages, I sorted drawers, chucking out rubbish(any materials that could have come into contact with a mouse or a dropping!) ...good job it stayed dry for as, as it all had to go on the garden!

Mr H put the boards on the walls & we filled up any holes we found as we went along....I'm determined to keep out the little critters!

With all the boarding done, at around....five ish, I had to put all the cupboards back in, knowing I had to do it all again in the morning!
I decided to paint it all white, mainly as thats all we had, but also to give the shed a brighter look, it's usually so dark & dismal down there, it's too far down the garden to have electricity so white it was.....I've even got a little window sill now & floor tiles are being laid as we speak!
must go....things to do...!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeuw !

2009-05-08T17:41:00.006+01:00

Ok, thought I'd start with a prettier aspect of our garden before moving on to (not so) Happy shed.... I love the tulips Mr H planted..... so officially, emptying the shed is the start of the makeover, I had to be really brave & empty the cupboard that I have always been too scared to put my hand into knowing there was a whopping spider in there, so big it had boots on!

Anyway, there I was tipping things out, trying to ignore the cobwebs wondering why there was all bits of corn/wheat stuff laying around, then I found...a neat little nest in the corner...of a mouse nature...this whole episode is really testing my dedication to my craft, I must really want to do this to put up with this intrusion of my space. Now I need to continue with the emptying...but I'm too scared to look in the basket in the corner, irrational I know because before I found the mouse droppings last week, I had no problem with getting the basket down but now, no way!.....will keep you posted, we will be cracking on with it tomorrow!

Unbelievable!

2009-05-05T11:15:00.005+01:00

Can you believe this, I decided it was again time to sort out the shed, there's no room to work in there, just store my stuff & I decided that as I would like to work in there over the summer, I needed to sort it out, ....so after an hour or so I noticed that my two miniature chocolate logs were broken, then I looked closer & saw that they weren't broken, they were missing from their little silver cake boards & crumbled everywhere .....then I noticed that the turkish delight box was empty.....then I saw them....mouse droppings...yuk, I was outta there faster than a speeding bullett I don't mind telling you!

I can't understand why they ate them though, the chocolate cakes had scent in them so maybe that's why, & I suppose the turkish delight was soft, -everything is now sealed in boxes & I will be moving out of happy shed & renovating it,(sealing all holes!) should be fun as I will be doing it on my own & haven't got a clue how to even work out what I need, will keep you posted!

I don't like mice or rats, I know they are in the garden & there they can stay & I wouldn't hurt them, but come into my house, shed, garage or anywhere else I deem a human only zone, it's up to them if they want to take their chances!

Hopefully it tasted so bad it won't come back!

Spring has sprng....

2009-04-16T18:43:00.006+01:00

...& it seems to have sprung away again! I'm sorry, but one minute it's almost summer like & the children are coming in to change into shorts,then it rains & goes backwards again & out come the coats...I took a photo of these daffodils fearful that they might shrink back in again.......!

I haven't posted for ages, sorry, but I have had a lot to do, we have had family birthdays, of course that means cake baking & we're nearing the end of school holidays, also, what with Easter egg hunting (& eating) there's not been much time for anything else! Here's my cake creations!

The spy cake was for my sons 8th birthday & the allotment was for my sister in law...I love making cakes & tend to get rather carried away with them! It's my younger daughters at the end of the month, I think it has to be pink & princessy!

Todays happy thought:It's me, or the house, we can't both look good!

2009-03-31T18:33:00.007+01:00

I have got so much to do (again) I need to list some new things on Etsy, such as these Happy thoughts, but I'm a bit snowed under with other things, (life mainly!)...but I really must get on with it, I've got my sons birthday on sunday & he wants me to give him & a couple of friends a mystery to solve????????mmmm need to give this some thought, don't know what I'm doing sitting here!!!

I have been awarded another award, thanks to Rose at LIFE,LOVE,YARN!

"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!”

Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award.

..........Now I have to go & choose...........

Award....

2009-03-21T16:34:00.016Z

I was really really proud to be awarded the Sisterhood award by Minikat
The rules connected to the award are.....
1. Put the logo on your blog or post
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received your award.

Now I have to go & choose.....

Tara at The dollhouse at pooh corner
Mary at Widdle Hinges
Tallulah at Tallulah-Belle originals
Tiny delights
Alexis at Little artwork
The blue daisy
Rachel at Senamena
Dollhouse Minis
Kim at It's a miniature life
Kala Pohl studio
Rose at LIFE,LOVE,YARN!
Made by Petchy

I have to stop there, as I could go on for weeks! a lot of my choices haven't been included as thay had already recieved the award!

Now I nee to let you all know! phew!....full time job this blogging!!

Craft show complete...

2009-03-16T17:01:00.009Z

A fairly good show at Hylands house this weekend, am absolutely exhausted now though, I was right at the top of the house which meant about ten trips up & down a big staircase carrying heavy display bits.....good job I enjoy it!-I just didn't know about the free weightlifting while engaging in aerobic excercise that's all!
Here's some pictures I took around the house on Saturday......

Anyway, I have been awarded a blog award, must go collect it!

Friday 13th.......

2009-03-13T12:58:00.010Z

I know, I know I've been ages doing this, but you just wouldn't believe the week I'm having, it has been decided that the winner of the pancake giveaway is Brenda with this valuable life lesson

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."
I like this one & it's so true!

now, as you know I have a craft show at Hylands house this weekend, & I'm all ready stock wise, I've almost clayed myself into oblivion this week, have finally got my stall how I want it,
I need some signs printed & you wouldn't believe the trouble, my printer isn't working so I went round to mums all ready with my usb drive whotsit with my documents on...get there, & the pc is broken, & no putting the usb into the usb point didn't work!...& I'm running out of options!
Anyway, the good news is that after several attempts, my sandcastles worked...pics soon, here's work in progress...I thought these might be nice summertime presents for, well anyone who is hankering after a holiday (like me) & it can still be used as a miniature scene (bury the surrounding tile in sand!) ...........Oh well best get on with my quest to print!

Newer addition....

2009-03-08T19:14:00.000Z

Just found another fish, who is now with his/her brothers/sisters (too tiny to tell yet!)

New additions!

2009-03-08T18:17:00.003Z

I haven't had much time for my blog over the last week, & I have still to announce the winner of the giveaway....will do that tomorrow, I have to tell you about the new family members!

On Friday morning, at the busiest time of our day, my daughter noticed some fish babies hiding in the tank, sadly one was eaten up my the mother (who, ravenous after giving birth, forgets that she has had babies, then sees little fish swimming around & thinks...."ooooh little fish, I'm starving yum!") the other one just died I think, or was attacked...however, we could see that there was more babies to come, so I dropped children off at school & went straight to buy a nursery net.

That night, she could see two more swimming around the bottom of the tank, so we sprung into action, it was a family effort catching these practically invisible fish & putting them in the safety of the nursery...we then had a bit of a disaster as the baby food that you are supposed to put a drop of in, burst & emptied half the bottle into the tank......aaaaaaaaagh, so we did an emergency water change & everthing is once again harmonious in the land of fish!

Mad March

2009-03-04T13:20:00.004Z

Today, I am having one of those days, it was a bit chilly outside this morning, but I was freezing, I felt cold right through to the bone & wanted to curl up under the duvet & sleep. I feel achy & sluggish, I think it's because I am busier than I can handle, I have my stall to finish, stuff to sell to finish, I want to have a large choice of Mothers day presents!

I have stained my shoe rack & spice rack for my stall, a bit of a pain to do, I could have done it much easier if I could have just dipped the shoe rack into the woodstain, as it was fiddly to do with the brush! It looks ok though, better for having it done!!

I'ts brightened up now, so hopefully I can have a brisk walk to school & shake off the cobwebs that are making me feel so...yuk! Then I can get myself organised & get on with my work, I can't decide which would be better, I have one table left to do...should it be "baking for Mum" or "Easter baking"...can't decide!

More giveaway entries please-I need your life lessons!

Spring has sprung....(well nearly)

2009-02-27T11:12:00.006Z

Good morning, I feel very spring like today, weather is lovely, sky is blue & it's not so dark in the mornings! hooray!! It is supposed to be the last day of the pancake giveaway today, but my craft meeting tonight has been cancelled (winner was going to be decided at said meeting) so I thought I would extend it & call an emergency meeting of fellow crafters next friday to decide the winner-besides I could do with a few more entries-I know there are plenty more valuable life lessons out there for me to learn!

They can be deep & meaningful like this one- It takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

or not so, like this emailed entry- Don't snog ugly blokes!

So come on, lets have some more.........

I really must get on with some more tables, have got a week until the school fair & two weeks until the Guild show & I have to finish off my table display space!-gotta go!!

Bathroom blues....

2009-02-23T18:21:00.005Z

We did it, the tiling on the removeable wall, I think they look good, we do have a wonky tile at the bottom (adds character) , & no they're not perfect, & I need to paint the edges, but I think it's very effective-more so than sticking a piece of paper to the wall. They were easy to make too, if you have a pasta machine for your claywork, it would be much harder to get the thickness right if you were going to roll them out by hand!

I will post a how to make tiles soon & show you how simple it is!

Now she wants floor tiles!

Don't forget the giveaway!!

Todays happy thought: Shin: a device for finding furniture in the dark.

Brain strain....

2009-02-21T19:03:00.006Z

This week has been , well, more than a bit of a pain...I have had a migraine on & off all week, the car needs repair again & the tickets I have for the west end matinee, are not for the matinee but for the evening, so I have to take the children out really late in the middle of London AAAAAAAAAGH.
So I really need to take a chill pill & relax, let's face it the stress stuff won't do my headache any good, so I'm not going to stress anymore.....will put these things out of my head until I need to deal with them.....miniatures, that's what I need to do-let's get the clay out...

I finished off my childs birthday table, I have also done the 21st birthday table but not sure how to finish it off, I need more drinks on it I know that, waiting to buy more glasses so I can make beers, not sure about the flowers either, might replace them with wrapped presents!

I found some more miniatures blogs today, haven't been able to find any with searches, so I am following some, might get a chance to read them all later!

I still need entries for the pancake giveaway-you need to let me know of a lesson you have learned from life-however small, I want to know about it, just leave a comment to enter!

Todays happy thought: It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

The dolls house.

2009-02-19T20:06:00.007Z

Well, today my daughter & I have single handedly decorated the lounge & kitchen after moving out the furniture to the loft, by ourselves....! Ok so it's the dolls house, not our real house, & she's really pleased with the result, as you can see, the light isn't fixed properly yet though, I am waiting for the ceiling to dry!.

It was decided that it would be a modern house, as then there are no restrictions to types of furniture, she is very particular about what it is going to look like, we made some bathroom tiles today too, she knew exactly what colours were going to be used I am always amazed by her artistic eye at such a young age! We decided to start with the dividing wall that can be removed from the house still, for obvious reasons & I am waiting for the dolls house grout to arrive that I got on ebay, hopefully this will be easy to use!!

Will keep you posted as the bathroom progresses!

Todays happy thought:Children need your presence, not your presents!

Good evening!

2009-02-16T19:11:00.003Z

Just a quick post, here's a funny card I got for my birthday...

Got to go, minis to make x