NC State Day 2014

The Cary and Raleigh miniature clubs have teamed up to co-host the NC State Day events in April 2014. The theme is "A Room for All Seasons" and it's based on a three section room box - see my bumblebee kitchen room box in previous posts. Our clubs will be displaying our finished rooms - including a pathology lab, quilt shop and chocolate shop.

We have spent the last several monthly meetings creating tote bag favors. Several of us are creating the table centerpieces and finding creating items for the raffles. Looks to be a great day filled with fun, friendship and minis!  This will be my first State Day event and I'm looking forward to it. If you'll be in the Raleigh NC area April 5th, I hope you'll be able to join us. 

Toodles,

Cyndy

Mini Roscoe was the Talk of the Reception

 

This is Mr.and Mrs. Kyle (Eileen Hennigan) Desrosiers and their dog, Roscoe.

We enjoyed a beautiful wedding weekend in Syracuse NY.

 

 

The cake table where my mini rendition of Roscoe drew many comments and praise.

 

This cake topper was a great hit - right down to his butt wrinkles.  I'm pleased with how little Roscoe came out.  It was a challenge and a privilege to have been asked to make the cake topper.

Thank you Eileen and Kyle - may you have many blessed years together.

 

Love,

Aunt Cyndy

 

 

 

 

Meet Roscoe!

My nephew Kyle and his fiancee Eileen have made a special mini request. They would like a miniature sculpture of their dog, Roscoe. It will be the wedding cake topper.

 

Roscoe is a Colorado Bulldog, with an unusually large cranium!

 

Here's my progression thus far:

 

Looks a bit funny without front legs. The ears are just 'samples' at this time.

Mini Roscoe sits about 3 inches tall and will have a depth of about 4 inches including his tail.

 

 

 

 

Finally, four legs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost ready for eyes, ears and tail. Need to work on those legs some more...

I am using Super Sculpey; I've learned to smooth the clay with baby oil which works great but I have to be careful to use it sparingly.

 

 

I am pleased with my progress thus far. The wedding is in 15 days - and I have to leave in 14 days (travel time), so time to get busy!

 

Enjoy this beautiful fall weather. Toodles for now,

 

Cyndy

 

 

Something totally new for me

 

I have started my first mini doll sculpt!

And while other family members say she's "creepy", I'm pleased with my progress on this baby girl. Granted, the poor thing somewhat resembles a plucked chicken at this point. I hope to get the legs fashioned and all limbs attached this evening. My husband started back to school nights so I have three evenings a week to play!!  The head and torso measure less than 1 1/2 inches long at this point.

 

What fun things have you been creating?

 

Toodles,

Cyndy

 

I heart my mini club

I grew up in Massachusetts and have since lived in several states - brief stints in OK and ME, and 15 years in the PA snowbelt (brrr! goodbye snow shovel!)  I have been in the south nearly seven years now - last week marked the two year anniversary of living in NC.  This is the first time ever I have lived in an area that has miniature clubs close by.  I am a member of the Small Wonders Miniature Club of Cary, NC. We are a group of collectors and handcrafters who meet monthly.  We are a N.A.M.E. Blue Ribbon club and have lots of fun. Besides meeting great people, I have also met many talented people with deep roots in the miniatures world.

Last evening Sydnie Wagner again shared her amazing talents and knowledge with us. She provided all the materials for us to create mini bed sheets and pillowcase sets. There was a great selection of materials to chose from. Please excuse my poor photography skills.

I joked that I might create a mini Bed Bath & Beyond and next thing I knew, I was the recipient of 10 additional sheet kits so I may very well do so!  I am thinking of calling it "Dreams, Bubbles and More" ha ha.  In any case, the shampoo/conditioner sets I have recently created will work in the same setting!

 

Once I figured out how to prop these up, I've made quite a few in different colors.

 

I'm still plodding along with my kitchen room box. I have created some canned goods for the kitchen pantry, the cabinet is finished and awaits some goodies on its' shelves.

 

 

 

It's hard when real life keeps you so busy and you can't find any time for the fun stuff.  I do love creating my minis.  I've heard there is a mini shop in Mocksville NC - sadly, I still don't have the funds to bring that dream to fruition.

 

For my American friends, have a safe and happy 4th of July!  We're hoping the weather here allows us a bit of relaxation at the lake.  For my Canadian friends, a belated happy Canada day!

 

Toodles,

 

Cyndy

 

 

 

Valentine's Day Baking Blitz

 

I made a 'few' Valentine's Day cherry tarts yesterday. When all was said and done, I had 39 of them. Had I known, I would have made at least one more!  These are easy and fun to do. A touch of Triple Thick glaze makes the filling shine.

 

 

Another project keeping me busy lately is making dollhouse dinner plates. Love the bird cage! The plate on the bottom left has a small bee on it. It will be for my bee themed kitchen room box.  The hearts plate (upper right) is the one I made for everyone in my Make a Cake class this past Monday.

Making plates is easier than I thought and rather addictive. The darkish looking one has strawberries on it; I am disappointed that it printed so dark. 

 

Hope you're having a fun and creative week! If you are in the path of winter storm Nemo, please take care. Be safe!  Toodles,

 

Cyndy

 

Mini Cake Making Class

 Last evening the Small Wonders Miniature Club of Cary had a miniature cake making class. And I was the instructor!  Can't begin to tell you how nervous I was!  I was especially nervous as Sydnie Wagner is a member of our club - she wrote a book on making mini food  (http://www.amazon.com/Petite-Eats-Treats-Fabulous-Foods/dp/0938685120)  .  I was able to provide everyone with enough materials to make three cakes. I also made sample cakes in advance to show them the 3 primary types of frosting I use on my cakes: fondant, TLS mix and homestyle (modeling paste).  I also had written instructions complete with photos of my making the sample cakes. I made the sample board in the photo below for a reference.    It seems like everyone had a great time. They all made such different cakes! It was fun to see all the different ideas come out. And not only did Sydnie compliment me on doing a great job, but she gave me an autographed copy of her mini book. How sweet!!

 

Lest you think that I've been taking it easy lately, I have made considerable progess on my bee themed kitchen roombox. Here are the table and benches. I made the bee and flower decals with TLS.

 

 

And I have installed shelves into the pantry. I made the shelf paper edging yesterday. It's going to look great! I also have my lighting in hand - chip LEDs. So I've added making lampshades to my to-do list. 

 

 

My husband loves going to the Habitat ReStore.  I still miss the one we used to frequent in GA - lots of books, clothes, etc.  Here in NC,  they don't get that domestic.  Tools, windows, toilets.  Pretty much boring.   But I recently accompanied my husband one rainy afternoon. Reluctantly, I'll admit. And look what I found!

 

 

 

 Okay, it's hard to tell but what you are looking at is one "The Heritage" dollhouse kit from Greenleaf.  It cost $10!!!  I just stood in the store with this dopey big grin when I spotted it.  Someone had started it - the base is done; there's some parts primed.  The instructions and all parts are there. Along with it I received several dollhouse carpets and sheets of wallpaper.  But I've made myself promise to finish my current projects before diving into this one.

 

 

This little hutch is a birthday gift for my friend, Frances.  I'm going to load it up with photos of her family, a cake, and some other little trinkets. Once I get the base done, it will be on its way to her. 

 

Hope you're all keeping safe and warm. Have a great week!

Toodles,

 

Cyndy