So. Very. Tired.

Work is (finally) done for the year, but decided to bite me in the bum as a farewell, so I had a crazy-busy morning and left completely exhausted.

I tried to come up with something to blog about, but my brain is on strike: instead, here's a link to a post from Daily Dolls' House December 2016 with a round-up of bed-related posts.

And a random bed-related photo:

(There. I blogged. Tick. Now I'm going to my (full-sized) bed. I may be some time...).

Thursday throwback: to the very beginning

With one day to go until I'm off work for the year, and a super-busy day trying to get as much through as I can before then, on the way home this afternoon I was pondering my blogging options when I'm completely exhausted.

And I realised that it's Thursday: so I can completely justify a throwback post (Huzzah!).

Even better, when searching for this post to throw back to, I also noticed that I don't seem to have shared any photos of the completed room boxes except for the bathroom (which has since been shared far and wide).

Let's remedy that then*, shall we?

There were (are) two room boxes: which, when put together make up the apartment. On the left is the bedroom/ bathroom module.

The bedroom is so very 80s, with black painted window frames (I did the same to the bathroom of my flat in the very late 80s/ early 90s) and black venetian blinds. The carpet is red (?!) and I was very proud of the cat (which I'd recently made as a mini-club project) and the rug I'd stitched.

(I'm giggling as I realise that, 30 years later, I have a white and black spotted doona cover, and several pairs of black and white spotted pyjamas: some tastes don't seem to have changed...)

On the other side of the room is a wardrobe door with a robe hanging from it, and a small table and director's chair with a notice board on the wall above. And a portable TV (remember those?) pointing towards the bed.

And, for this room box I had my first try at miniature knitting:

(*But not completely as. after a year here, I still haven't managed to get my printer and laptop talking to each other, so I don't have any electronic photos of the lounge/ kitchen area: and aren't about to start taking photos of my printed photos to load. Not just yet, anyway...)

... and I'm done

It's the last day of December (and, in fact, 2017) and this post means I've successfully completed my Daily Dolls' House December challenge for the second year running.

Although (as usual) I feel like I've cheated somehow, even though the 'rules' are only to blog something mini related every single day for the month.

So the fact that rather a lot of the posts included pictures of miniature cushions in various stages of completion fits the criteria.

Things I managed to complete included a bunch of potted plants, some school chairs with recycled wood seating, a scene that's had bits hanging round since April 2014 (most pleased at that one!), and two other big (and three little) scenes from scratch (I'm not counting the pop-up bar which didn't get finished before I put the pieces away, but am counting the scene from this blog post, which you'll get to when I finish reminiscing...)

I also did one round-up post, which ended up being more work than just throwing a scene together and blogging it.

What I didn't manage to do was make much headway on my five stalled projects, or the tub of miniature mending I bring out to stare at every boxing day. Maybe next year?

And on that note, here's my final scene for 2017, showing how I plan to spend this evening*:

(Rather similar to a scene I made during my first Daily Dolls' House December challenge, the synchronicity of which pleases me greatly).

(*Books may differ from those on the actual reading pile: as I really can't be bothered going through the rigmarole of making miniature versions of the actual books I plan to read tonight, and would prefer to just go and read them!)

One-word Wednesday

Tired.

Just one of those days...

I woke up too early.

The bus was late.

My Word document refused to save, no matter what I did.

The email I sent a colleague two weeks ago disappeared. Which is why I never heard back from him.

My lunch-time nachos treat to make up for a crappy morning was without cheese (who makes nachos WITHOUT CHEESE?)

I then managed to save my document, but stripped my metadata additions when I did.

By this stage I was tempted to just come home and end the day early to be on the safe side (assuming the house hadn't fallen down, burned down, or—I wouldn't have been surprised—had a rogue plane fly into it). I chose to be brave and mature and and stay at work.

When I got home I decided to do something for my Daily Dolls' House December challenge.

I chose to finish the bedding I started on Tuesday. Ripped the stitching on one pillow as I turned it too enthusiastically. And can't be bothered remaking it.

Realised that the bed I bought at the Sydney show was shorter and wider than my other beds, so the doona doesn't sit like it should.

Lost the black pillows that I'd planned to use on the bed. Looked everywhere I could think of, discombobulated by the idea of losing something (always a bad sign).

Finally gave up and took a (really crappy) photo of the completed bedding. And there, RIGHT NEXT TO THE BED were the missing pillows.

I give up. I'm over it.

I'm also ignoring that voice in my head suggesting that the colour of the bedding is all wrong and am focusing on the fact that I'm now halfway through my Daily Dolls' House December challenge and haven't missed a day.

Well done me. As for The Universe: we'll have words.

Starman

I'm home with a headache today: my brain is numbed with painkillers but I was still able to make some minis.

This challenge started with a Rement camera that my friend brought back from Japan for me earlier in the year. I decided it would work well with the dresser I bought at convention, and a picture I'd cut out of a Bose advertising mag that came with a Wallpaper magazine a while back.

Since I already had the concrete tile and wooden wall out for the scene I made yesterday, I decided to reuse both for today's scene (forgetting, I note, to replace the skirting board...), and filched the futon bed from Margell.

Suddenly, things were coming together.

And I made things! The doona cover fabric was a free Spoonflower sample from when they launched their eco canvas a couple of years ago: I'd planned to make into a suitably-themed doona cover for Margell. And then forgotten about until I started looking for fabric to work with what I'd picked for this scene.

I printed the rug on fuzzy paper: the design is from a full-page ad for the Govett Brewster Art Gallery that I pulled out of a magazine a few months ago: it was sitting under the Bowie picture in the pile and I thought they went well with each other. A quick scan, a quick print and I have a one-of-a-kind rug: which pleases me as not only does it suit the theme of the room, but reminds me of my visit to New Plymouth last month.

And this. My pièce de résistance:

I've been seeing a few miniature pegboard shelves around the place—based on the Kmart ones—and had been wanting to try making one myself. To this end, I picked up a piece of circuit board last time I was passing Jaycar and decided that since I had the time today (and a run of good crafting mojo), I'd have a crack, using what I had at home.

It's not perfect, but as a proof of concept, it's good enough and I plan to experiment further with the idea at a later date: possibly as a new stock item for my stall next year?

The thing I like about the shelf, is the range of gifted minis included on it. The cat and camera were from my friend Hannah. The arrow, from Kitty and Kat Miniatures. The box is from convention goodie bag. And the rubber flag? I picked that up in a carpark while I was in New Zealand...

Not at all what I'd planned!

Today's plan miniature-wise was to finally make a scene that's been banging around in my head for far to long, using a magnet that I bought in October 2014 showing Cuba Mall in Wellington; the wire day bed I bought at Daiso almost a year later; some fabric I've had cut out ready to sew into cushions for far too long, and the afghan rug that minicrochetmad sent me last June.

Well that was the plan.

The reality is that the day bed demanded to head in a whole different direction (my miniature furniture does that sometimes...) And suddenly I had this mock up:

Which, you'll agree, is nothing like my original concept.

The scene got bigger and bigger and I finally ended up with this:

(Plus a lot more. I plan to share the full journey with you tomorrow.)

A bit of this (and a bit of that)

I'm gathering the pieces for Buzz Bar Cafe, the second build Goulburn Regional Art Gallery want in their What's in the toybox exhibition later this month. It makes me think it's a good thing I used to enjoy playing the memory game as a child...

The HBS Creatin' Contest build windows are getting their top coat.

As part of an Etsy challenge I'm currently doing, I've been photographing my hand-knitted pouffes to list in my Etsy shop.

I caught up with a friend I haven't seen for ages over breakfast at The Cupping Room: somewhere I've been wanting to go since the announcement that the World Barista Champion works there.

And now I'm exhausted, and just want to have an afternoon nap...

 (except I have too many things to do).

 #HBSCreatinContest2015 

Ten tiny travel tips

(This post is part of the ProBlogger/ Virgin Australia Top Travel Tips competition. Because what miniaturist wouldn't want to be in the running to win enough air miles to travel around the world visiting famous miniature sites?)

1. Put your clothes in zip lock bags before packing them

• Your clothes will take up less room in your case.

• The bags will protect the contents of your case if it happens to get wet (ie: in heavy rain while it's being transported to the plane or if it falls off the wharf as your lugagge is being loaded onto your cruise ship).

• If customs want to see the contents of your case it'll be much easier to pack and unpack for them than individual items.

2. Pack a length of bubble wrap and a spare fold-down bag inside your case

• You'll probably buy a few things while you're away. Having bubble wrap on hand gives you added protection for getting more delicate items home. 

• And the spare bag will come in useful when you realise you've bought too much to fit into your main case! The bag I use folds completely flat but is robust enough to stand up to being checked in, and cost me less than $30. And because it takes up so little room, it's no dramas if I don't need to use it on the return trip...

3. Take a small roll of duct tape

It doesn't take up much space and can be a life-saver. Use it to:

• Tape up that bubble-wrapped parcel!

• Temporarily fix your case/ shoes/ glasses if they break while you're away.

• Hold together the curtains in your hotel room or cabin so that annoying gap at the top doesn't let the morning light in to wake you up before you're ready...

4. Instead of locking your checked luggage, use cable ties to secure it

Although locks are permitted on luggage, you need to be aware that airlines are allowed to break the lock if they need to access your case: which means your case is unsecured until you buy a new lock.

Cable ties are cheap, lightweight and you can keep spares in the outside pocket of your case: so if your bag is inspected, you can replace the tie easily. (They're also a great way to identify your bag and are less likely to get ripped off than luggage tags.)

5. Pop a small pair of scissors in the outside pocket of your checked case

You can cut the tie when you arrive. (I usually keep my keys on a Swiss army knife: once I've removed it from my keys for flights, I add it to the outside pocket so I know where it is when I arrive and can reattach my keys).

6. For long flights with stopovers, pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, pack of baby wipes in your carry-on bag, along with socks, underwear and a spare top

Trust me, there's nothing more wonderful that being able to clean your teeth, 'wash' your face and underarms, refresh your deodorant and change your underwear after being in the air for hours on end. And the baby wipes can be used to clean your tray table too, if you're concerned with what's been on it before you met it...The spare clothes can also be life savers if your checked luggage doesn't arrive at the same time as you do: you've got the basics so won't need to race out and find replacements immediately.

7. Don't put your home address on your luggage tags

Burglars are known to patrol airports, looking out for addresses of premises that might be empty. Use your email address or mobile phone number (especially if you'll have access to them while you're away), or a PO Box number or work address. Also remember to include contact details inside your case in case it gets lost and the luggage tags have come off...

8. If you're travelling with someone else, pack half your clothes in their luggage (and vice-versa)

You'll thank me if one of the cases goes missing...

9. Plan to send postcards while you're away?

Before you leave, print sticker sheets with the names and addresses of the people you want to send cards to. It'll save time writing them out, and will also make it clear if you forgot to send one. For long trips, take two or three sheets.

10. Take a folding water bottle

It packs down to nothing. Which means you can start your day's sightseeing and shopping with a full bottle and end it with an empty bottle and room in your bag for all those souvenirs you've picked up!

And just in case you're wondering why this post is titled 'Ten tiny travel tips', all the photos are of 1/12 scale miniature scenes...

Don't mind me

I'm hatching a mad plan...

Lucky dip

I realised yesterday that the three white vases I bought cheaply from last month's show were the third of each vase I had in my collection.

Something had to be done. And just as I was drifting off to sleep the answer came to me and caused me to get out of bed, wander downstairs and rummage in the paint stash to see what I could do.

What I could do was have a try at dip painting:

Which worked a treat and turned into a new scene this morning, inspired by my need to create a miniature version of the white cotton waffle-weave blanket I got from Just Bedding back in February (and which I packed away this week as the weather is getting too cold for it).

(The wallpaper is from the same pad that the paper for Limited Colour came from: and one I never thought I'd use. The chair is from minisx2, the feather was a gift from Elvira the light shade from a pack of Christmas decorations I've had hanging round for years for just such a purpose, and the waffle-weave blanket is courtesy of an op-shopped dressing gown.)

Freedom of speech

Because Margell seemed empty without a blackboard.

(Found, of course, on the Typo NQR table. Five for $1. The others might just be heading to new homes in the near future, assuming I manage to get myself into gear)

On the case

Sometimes I work out how to use procrastination in my favour.

 (Especially when the other option involves doing the big ironing and mending.)

I'm feeling like I need a nap now...

A slothful Sunday...

I slept in late (who could blame me, with my lovely new bedding?),

 made a delicious brunch,

 then spent the rest of the day luxuriating on my newly-upholstered sofa bed.

It's going to be very hard packing up and returning to reality...

What a week!

This week started with a(nother) new job and a horrendously steep learning curve in pretty much everything to do with it. It included my laptop deciding that I didn't exist (and, luckily, being convinced that I actually do). And ended with the opening of the Designcraft Master Modernist Icon | Maker+Designer exhibition at Nishi Gallery: an exhibition of Hans Wegner's furniture, celebrating 100 years since his birth.

It was very crowded and difficult to see all the pieces (I'm probably going to go back when it's quieter for a better look)

 It was odd being in a space with so many people holding so many drinks, with so many tables but nowhere to put anything down!

This morning I drove down to Margell School for a quiet weekend to recover from  the week.

Friends had stayed on their way to and from Melbourne last week and had not only left the place in perfect condition

 but had added a couple of things as a thank you:

 an Amarylis plant in a pot

and a kiwi ornament, picked up, they tell me, from the markets on a recent trip to Wellington, where one of them and I both lived before we moved to Australia. It goes nicely with my Be a healthy kiwi poster...