A winner

Well it's time for the giveaway.  I made a numbered list of all the followers in the order of their comments and here it is. I used the True Random Number Generator to pick up the winner. Number 28 -  Maribel.

Maribel please email me your address.

Thank you all for participating.  I am quite sure I shall  soon do another giveaway. That will either be when I have 200 followers or complete one year of blogging.  Meanwhile I'll have a most enjoyable time working on my miniatures, visiting your fabulous blogs, learning new tutorials, exchanging emails and swaps.  In short, having an enormously pleasant time.

Welcome new followers

A warm welcome to my new followers:

Glenda - Peppercorn Minis
Carmen Urriola - No blog found
Susan - Susan's Mini houses
Sandra - Snippets from my Studio
Alennka - Old Dragon Cottage

I use this opportunity to remind everybody that there are only  5 more days before my giveaway draw.

Here again is a photo of this giveaway.  If you like this little 1/48" scene, just go back to my post dated 4 June, and make a comment so I can include you in my draw. Good luck and happy weekend.

Scissors and irons for the sewing room

Tried my hand in making Fimo scissors. The results are shown in the photo. The real life pair has been passed down in our family for generations.  I believe they are from the period between WW1 and WW2.  They still work better then the new, modern ones.

I found the white "coal" iron in my stack of collected miniatures.  Bought it some years ago.  The two little irons I made from Fimo.  I remember my mother telling me about using two small iron irons.  That was before electricity time. Both were put on oil burners at the same time. You held one with a towel to work and when it was cooled you put it back on the burner and used the other one.  Bless God for electricity

I am showing the inside of the sewing box to the request of one of my friends.

Surprise gifts from Maria Jose

This morning, coming back from gym, I found an envelope awaiting me.  I nearly melted away with joy when I saw the contents. A beautifully tatted rose doily, a little plate with two halves of a perfect kiwi fruit with the cutest tiny knife on it, and two french breads. Maria Jose of elrincondemaluga.blogspot.com. made these precious beauties for me and they arrived safely from Barcelona.  A million thanks Maria Jose.
Believe me the photos do not do justice to the wonderful delicate work.  I feel I am absolutely fortunate to receive the most wonderful gifts from my dear, generous friends.

Mirror for the sewing room

This mirror is made from scraps.  The mirror glass was found in the waste bin of a picture framing shop.  The owner was kind enough to give it to me and even cut it free of charge.  The frame is made from pieces of the famous 1/4" wood strips and shish screwers with the addition of a pieces of wood to enable it to stand upright.  I need the walls free for hanging a notice board and maybe some additional shelves.  There is still a lot to do. I am satisfied with the result and hope you like it too.
I'll either try to find a little iron and a pair or two of scissors or make them myself from Fimo. And most important of all, I'll need to order a box room.

I want to extend a warm welcome to my new followers and invite you all to take part in my little giveaway. The drawing will be on June 30, the end of this month.
I am slowly gaining more friends and soon will have to create another giveaway when I reach 200 followers. I'll do it with great pleasure when the time comes.

A hearty welcome to:

Eloisaggrandados (This is the only name I could locate)
Jasmine 2004
Naran (Valdi)
El Bichillo
Matilde - Unicornio

One NS stores

I visited the one shekel store nearby and found these little cuties at one shekel each (about 30 cents of a US Dollar. The are really key rings but if you take off the ring they are a good dollhouse size.  The water tanks are lanterns working on batteries.  I always wonder how they sell them so cheap.

Magnets and key rings are a good source to look for minis.

PIF Swap from Kathi

I am one of the five fortunate people to receive Kathi's PIF swap.  A parcel arrived this morning containing a beautiful fish pond with a cute little cat trying to pull out a fish. Also a very pretty picture hand painted by Kathi as well as an orchid in a lovely pot also painted by Kathi.  A visit to Kathi's, Beautiful mini blessings, is highly recommended.

Thank you Kathi.

gifts from Gonda

I didn't plan to post today but I am too excited to keep this to myself and want to share with you my delight and pleasure at receiving these wonderful minis made for me by Gonda.  This is part of a swap we made some weeks ago and I am sure what Gonda sent me is far better than anything I could ever make myself.  Thank you Gonda.  I only wish the photos do justice to Gonda's work.  It is worthwhile to pay a visit to Gonda's Mini World.

There are so many uses for all these tiny beads and pieces in the last photo.  For example, bathroom mats for 1/48", Boxes and wall lamps, etc.
I love penguins and surprisingly Gonda sent me one so cute.  The little dress is so perfect, it will hang in my wool stall. Narrow ribbons and laces are very difficult to come by here and I am happy to get these. I love the cute little hen and the tiny bear.  I love everything! The cake will be perfect for my candy shop. Wow!

I am really lost for words and can only be grateful for all these beautiful creations.  Thanks again.

A little progress with the sewing room

I built the shelf unit, using a wooden box, more or less, with nice proportions. I am a very poor carpenter and have to be practical, since furniture pieces are very scarce here.  The pieces of material had to be collected too. People who do patchwork find it easier to have at hand good pieces. A good mirror must be added and I am  going to look for one next.  It slowly comes along.

I am going to make a little box for a friend here who collects real size teapots.  I made new miniature teapots from beads and also one from a tutorial by the talented Christel, the penguin one. I hope my friend will like them.

I am making another 1:48" mini box for another friend.  Once more an outdoor scene with a tired gardener taking a rest.  (He used to be part of a Peruvian dancing pair and still wears traditional clothes.) Again I hope my friend will like it.  At least it won't take up much space at her home.

Again I am using this opportunity to welcome new friends:

Lori
Nyork
Estefania
Pilar Segmentino
Juani
Leo Furtado
Tuflelchen
Patrizia
Ana Camara

I am very happy to know you and when it's possible I follow your blogs. If I do not, it is because I couldn't find them and you only have to let me know.

Gifts from Maribel

I had a very pleasant surprise when the post lady brought me a small parcel containing these little jewels that Maribel (Minimaribel.blogspot.com) sent me. A lovely little stool, a mirror, postcards tied with a ribbon, a bunch of keys hanging on a wall plaque, a brass jar and an amazingly beautiful album Maribel created. Thank you Maribel.

This was part of the Pay It Forward 2011 program and I am so happy I joined in.  I already have plans for some of the minis.  I can use several in an attic scene or make peddler's cart where second-hand staff is sold. I wish I have enough time to do all but, on the other hand, there is no hurry.

Don't forget my little giveaway (1:48" barbecue scene). You can leave a comment on that post until the 30th of June 2011.

My birthday giveaway

My family and I celebrated my birthday today and I would like to share this happy day with you my friends, so decided to make a giveaway.  If you remember the little outdoor barbecue scene I made for my friends here, they liked it so much that I decided to make two more, one for the winner of this giveaway and one for myself, to hang in my kitchen and cheer me up when I am cooking or cleaning up.

The rules are simple, be a follower, make a comment if you want to participate in this draw, and only if you want to, announce it in your blog.  Good luck.