Needle Felted Cupcake Pin Cushions

I have seen a lot of felted cupcakes around lately,  so decided to make some myself.  I was very tempted to add 'bling' sprinkles, but decided against this as the pins would create their own sprinkle look; and when you are busy sewing, the last thing you want to have to do is constantly look at the pincushion before you thrust the pin in to make sure you don't damage the pin or yourself by inadvertently stabbing a hard sparkle sprinkle.

Tiny Mouse

I've been trying to make an even smaller mouse. This one is slightly smaller...
The squares on the mat are 1 centimetre squares.
I wonder how small I can go!

Row Counter Ring

I have just purchased  a great knitting gadget. I don't know how other knitters keep track of their rows whilst knitting, but I used to have pen lines all over backs of old envelopes, as I tallied up the rows! This is messy, and also time consuming.  I have been looking for a gadget that could keep track of my rows at a click of a button,  and finally I have found it. The electronic counter has an adjustable ring base - clear plastic with notches that click in to fit your finger. I have found it so convenient,  especially when knitting socks in the round, as I pass the stitch marker over to the next needle, I push the button. It will automatically turn off after a while, but remembers the tally count for the next time you pick up your knitting.
I found this one on www.trademe.co.nz.

Merry Christmice!

Here are some more of my miniature knitted mice. This time looking a bit Christmassy out in the snow in search for a tree. The lady mouse even has tiny holly on her hat.

Christmas Room Box 1:12 scale

 Here is the Christmas room I have made for Santa. 

Santa is actually a polyresin figure, whom I think looks quite realistic.  I have added some flocking to his brown slippers to add some texture.

Here are three photos moving around the room.

Work in progress.  The elves had better get busy. Looks like they stopped for morning or afternoon tea!

...and there is still wrapping to do!

Santa's coffee table. 

I purchased the chocolate log at the NZAME Convention in Dunedin last year, the Christmas cake I won at our last year's miniaturists Christmas party. The tray, coffee cup and lamington; as well as the box of Roses chocolates were all gifts in the goody bag I received at Convention.

The toy cars where a purchase from Toyworld. The wheels actually move around,  so I have not glued them in place. I thought they matched the colour scheme perfectly.  Even slightly camouflaged,  so it's a bit of a surprise when you see them!

Happy Holidays everyone. 

My Crafty Chair

I have just been working on some more miniature knitted toys at the moment,  but I thought I would share with you the chair I redecorated a few months ago.

I bought 6 chairs on trade me for a ridiculously low price. Two were broken, and they all needed a good clean, but I loved the shape of them. 'Good bones', so they say... I think I've been watching too many programmes on the Living Channel!

This is the before version.

 I had discovered laminate fabric at a craft show recently. It is a fabulous material, that can be wiped clean, perfect for my crafting area. I started by pulling the chair to pieces, so I was left with just the wooden frame. After sanding it back, and applying three coats of paint (light sanding between each coat) I re padded the base of the chair, as well as the back of the chair. I then covered both with laminate fabric I bought from The Make Cafe in Riccarton, Christchurch.  Using only a staple gun to attach the material it really was an easy task to complete.

Now I just need to get a move on with the other three chairs. I
think my daughter is keen for one!

Little Glitter Houses

This is my first try at making glitter houses. I started them before making the teeny tiny village for the top of my twelfth scale piano, but have only got around to finishing them today.

I wanted to use some lovely pink glitter I had on one, so made that one first. I used an undercoat of pink paint.

The other one, I painted and used opal coloured glitter all over it. If you are new to glittering mini houses I would suggest doing it this way. Most of us have lots of paint already at home, and the other advantage is you can mix paint to create whatever shade you desire. You also only need to buy one pot of glitter, and you don't need to worry about getting different coloured glitter on the wrong part of the house.

I bought the Mini House Kit and Mini Cottage Kit from Montarga in Christchurch,  New Zealand.  ( www.montarga.co.nz ).

The plants were made using flower soft and other miniature scale landscaping material. The flowers were a mixture of flower soft and a small amount of flocking. The tree in the blue cottage garden also has micro bead 'lemons' on it - although they can't be seen in the photo.

I used battery operated  LED lights (one bulb per house) to light them.