Tuesday 27 April 2021

Short post - plus announcement from Blogger

 Hi everyone.  Sorry I didn't post anything last Tuesday.  I have to be honest, what little work I was able to do was not very exciting so I didn't want to bore you with it.  

In the meantime, I did receive a notice from Blogger - which I'm sure many of you did.  Just to let you know, if you are someone who has chosen the "follow by email" option for the blogs you read, Blogger is discontinuing this in July of this year. If I understand things correctly, if you use the regular "follow" that adds new posts to your Reading List, you should be okay.  If I am incorrect, I am sure one of you who is better at this stuff will be able to correct this assumption.  Thanks!

So, this week, I did make a few more geranium heads to finish Louise's window boxes.  I only got 5 of them made for her birthday and she needs a minimum of 8.  To reward her for her patience, I will end up making a total of 10.

I also saw some pictures of how to make little winter toques which were meant to be Christmas tree ornaments so ended up being 3 or 4 inches tall.  The technique they used intrigued me so I wondered if I could make them considerably smaller using the same technique.  This was the result:


I thought it was adorable - and it perfectly fit the head of one of my doll kits, sized for my North Pole elves.


Other than that, I have been putting in a lot of thought on how to hide the last battery pack I have for the North Pole Postal Service.  This one is the largest one I have to hide.  I am thinking that I want to build a pile of snow that will hide the box itself but, I still need to have access to turn the battery pack on and off and to change batteries when needed.  I have finally landed on a solution based on some of Pilar's (Miniaturas En Mi Mundo) incredible landscaping skills. She uses bits of Styrofoam to build up mounds, rocks and such, then covers it with plaster bandage material before finishing off by painting and adding dirt, grass, etc.  I am thinking I could use a similar technique for making snow mounds so am giving it a try.


I think it will work in the end but I still have a lot of work to go.  Hopefully I will have some success to show you next week.

On an entirely different note, I made a recent purchase for which I have been getting a lot of teasing from my DH, Bruce.  Since we have our name on a waiting list for an apartment we have our eye on, I have been worried about how our little Bridie will make out as an indoor cat as she is used to going outside every day and playing in the trees and woods around our house.  So - I went online and found a pet stroller and have been taking her for walks in our local eco-park so she can get used to it.  Here she is on our latest walk with my grandson, Brogan. 


She actually seems to like sitting back and taking in the new sights, sounds and smells as we walk through the trails.  Needless to say, Bruce thinks this is hilarious.  As a result, he has started sending me pictures he finds online from someone who posts as "the crazy cat lady".  I will leave you with the first one he sent me and, hopefully, will be back next Tuesday with that battery box solution completely done!  Until then -stay safe, stay healthy!  TTFN!! - Marilyn




22 comments:

  1. Hello Marilyn,
    I do like your stone wall. Cannot wait to see your elves!!
    I do like the idea of making mounds with styrofoam. Using styrofoam is a great idea to use up extra pieces from things sent in the mail.
    Could you build a little wood bin to cover it with a top lid open with a few logs inside. Then cover parts of it with snow. Would that work?
    The pet stroller is so cute. Peace also Brogan!
    Mini huggs,
    Conny

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    1. I did think about that possibility, Conny but since there is no wood stove in the building I thought - what would they have a wood bin for? I know - sometimes we miniaturists take things a little too literally! We talk about our projects like someone real is actually living or working there. No wonder non-miniaturists think we're a few bricks shy of a load! Little do they know! Big hugs! - Marilyn

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  2. I love your little hat!

    I wish I had some ideas for your snow but I can't think of anything beyond drywall mud/spackle with glitter over the top. I've rarely done snow. I await your results eagerly!

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    1. Well I do hope you don't have too long to wait. I have to get the landscaping done this week so I can move inside to finish the last indoor details. Then I have to make the elves - which has me more than a little anxious. But, I do like a challenge! Until next week - stay safe! - Marilyn

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  3. I love the ideas you come up with. I know that your mind never stops. I get tired just thinking about it. I love/love Bridie's cat carriage. Did I mention I have your birthday present done? Did I mention I hope you hate it? Love ya.

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    1. Hey! If it isn't my bestie!! You know you have to be nice to me while I am still pondering how to put together your art deco lights for your art gallery, right? Of course, we know I'm always nice! Ha ha ha! Love ya right back. - Mar

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  4. Yo también he recibido ese mensaje y he hecho la misma deducción que tu pues tampoco entiendo mucho de estas cosas. Si google ha decidido ese cambio no hay más que decir. Muy bonito el gorro y el carruaje para tu mascota parece muy cómodo. En espera para ver la solución para esconder las pilas , seguro que s será muy buena

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    1. ¡Gracias Rosa María por tener tanta fe en mí! Solo espero poder estar a la altura de tu fe en mis habilidades. Uno de estos días voy a probar la técnica de planificar mi proyecto por adelantado. ¿No sería una nueva idea para mí? ¡Que tengas una buena semana! - Marilyn

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  5. I've never heard of toques before, yours is gorgeous. I've seen a few blogs, and people in instagram who regularly take their cats out for walks on leads, I've also seen a few in town in strollers, it's a nice way of getting around.

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    1. What do you call those little knitted wool hats with pom poms on top where you come from, Polly? Could it be that toque (pronounced "too + k" is just a Canadian word? Hmm, I wonder.

      Yes, Bridie seems to like her new mode of transportation but we do get some strange looks! Have a great week! - Marilyn

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  6. It's great news that dear Pilar inspired you to a solution for your battery holder "problem". Making a snow pile with styrofoam is a great idea and the plaster will make it sturdy and removable for access. I use a product which is called "structur paste" (originally meant for acrylic painting, it comes ready to use in a big pot) whenever I need snow (and I often do!) but even for facades and rock purposes. I'm looking forward to see your snow pile... perhaps you can add a piece which looks like a snow shovel holder so that it looks as if some elf has placed it there to have it at hand for the next shoveling round... and for you it might access easier when switching the light on and off.

    The little hat you've made turned out very cute. To me it looks as if there was no crocheting or knitting involved... if so, do you have a link or would you mind a short tutorial? Btw in German we call such hats "Bommelmütze". "Mütze is our word for all sorts of woolly hats and "Bommel" means pompon.

    And I wonder now... maybe Bridie would like a special edition of a greeting card for you: "With purry thanks to my dearest can opener and chauffeur".

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Hi Birgit! Yes, the Styrofoam and plaster is working out well - thank you Pilar! I should have the outside landscaping completely done for my next post.
      You are correct -there is no actual knitting involved for the little toque. I will post a tutorial about the hat some time in the future - there are a number of different ones I am planning on. It is really cute, isn't it?
      As for Bridie - I'm not sure she would ever be thanking me for anything. She would more likely be expecting me to thank her for allowing me the privilege of feeding her, brushing her, taking her for walks and basically responding to all of her very many demands! She's such a cat! Have a great weekend! - Marilyn

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  7. Me encanta como ha quedado el gorro, y seguro que encontrarás la mejor solución para ocultar la batería.
    Ese carrito para el gato es una monada, no lo había visto nunca.
    Es divertida la imagen que tu nieto te ha envíado.

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    1. Gracias, Eloisa. Sí, creo que el yeso y la espuma de poliestireno funcionarán, así que estoy feliz de seguir adelante ahora. Los cochecitos para mascotas aparentemente se están volviendo más populares, especialmente en áreas urbanas donde las personas están atrapadas en el apartamento con sus mascotas. Le da al gato la oportunidad de respirar un poco de aire fresco y estimulación visual. ¡Ten un excelente fin de semana! - Marilyn

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  8. This is what is so good about blogging and getting inspired by other bloggers work. I'm glad you found a solution for hiding the battery holder through Pilar's fabulous work.
    The little hat is really cute.
    Thank you for making me laugh by preparing your cat for urban living and most of all the cats cartoon.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. I agree Drora. If it wasn't for the many generous miniaturists who share their talents through their blogs and other online sources, I would never have gotten as far along in this hobby as I have in the last 6 or 7 years I've been doing this. Thank you everyone!!!
      I'm glad I was able to give you a little chuckle. My DH keeps sending me these cat cartoons while he teases me about taking the cat for a walk in her stroller. At least the cat appreciates it! Big hugs! - Marilyn

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  9. Hi Marilyn! It's nice to see a post and it looks like between making toques, planning a clever battery box disguise, spending time with Brogan, walking Birdie and planning a move you have been very busy! I love the toque - thinking grey yarn might make a good doll wig for a Mrs. Clause? Tell the hubs at least you aren't dressing Birdie up every day and that cat ladies aren't crazy, they are eccentric! ;O)

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    1. Hi Jodi! Interesting thought about the hat in grey to look like a wig. Hmmm..I'll have to ponder that one. As for us cat ladies - I prefer to think of us as enlightened instead of eccentric. *smile* Big hugs - Marilyn

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  10. Hola Marilyn! me alegra tanto haberte inspirado en la manera de hacer los pequeños montículos de nieve y ocultar la batería, es todo un honor servir de ayuda!!
    Me encanta el carrito que le habéis comprado a Birdie, es muy similar al que le compramos a nuestro perro Trasto, que ya está muy mayor y se cansa de los largos paseos, así pueden ir con nosotras a cualquier parte,seguro que lo disfrutará mucho!!!
    Besos.

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    1. ¡Hola Pilar! ¡Es tan bueno saber que no soy el único que tiene un carrito para mascotas! ¡Tendremos que tener cuidado o mi esposo comenzará a llamarte la loca de los perros además de llamarme a mí la loca de los gatos! Ahora, cuando llevo a Bridie a dar un paseo, me imagino que tú también estás llevando a Trasto a dar un paseo al mismo tiempo, ¡aunque hay una gran diferencia horaria entre nosotros! Además, muchas gracias por sus publicaciones sobre su maravilloso trabajo de jardinería. Ha sido de mucha ayuda. ¡Grandes abrazos! - Marilyn

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  11. If you wrap yarn around a bead with a big hole, it could become Mrs. Claus' hair in a bun....(You might have to use a wooden bead [I have plenty], and drill the hole bigger).

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    1. Yes - and the finger pull tabs from milk cartons would work too, I think. I will have to give it a try when I get to that point. Cheers! - Marilyn

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