BIG NEWS IN A LITTLE WORLD

I have some great news that I would love to share, but I have a suspicion that this post will be a lonely one. I've been posting over at Facebook and just as the majority of people now do, I forgot about my blog. Although I understand how Facebook reaches more people and it is more user convenient to access what's going on with many people vs a single blogger at a time, I do miss blogging. There was something more formal, more personal, or I don't know what about blogging. I just miss it. But times change as we roll forward into new technology. 

But I digress. This post is to announce that I am now a Fellow member in the International Guild of Miniature Artisans! It was three years ago that I achieved Artisan status and have slowly been making my way towards the top honor of Fellow. I hope you enjoy my submissions!

SOMETHING FUN UNDER THE SNOW

Here in the Midwest temperatures continue to plummet and remain without a break. I can't remember the last time the combination of snow, freezing, more snow, more freezing and so on created a front yard that didn't even leave the footprints of a squirrel. It was surreal to see my grandson walk across it like he was walking on water while my common sense expected him to sink to his waist.  My sympathies goes out to the people in the East, especially Boston, who have been dealt a bad hand this winter.

So while another ten days of temps below freezing are predicted, I need a glimmer of hope that Spring will be here before we all go crazy. Close your eyes and picture sitting on a deck or patio with potted plants soaking up the sun while you enjoy a cold, yes I said cold ice tea. Here's something to help you form that image.

WELCOMING WITH COLOR

One of my non-miniature interests is refinishing wood. Several years ago I saw a picture in a magazine of a double wood door painted teal blue, which I hung on my fridge where it stared back at me for quite some time. I very much liked that it was different from the normal red door, which I also like, but that it was unusual and would make my dull front facade pop out with color.  My 70-year-old wood door was painted black, chipping, splitting, and an embarrassment.  Buying a new one was out of the question after trying to install a new screen door.  The opening was not square and whomever installed it long ago apparently didn't think about the poor souls who might have to eventually replace it.  But refinishing a front door had to be done during warm weather because the door had to be removed to strip the paint and remove the old varnish on the interior side (which was restained and varnished).  Then there was the privacy and security issues of no front door. 

After much discussion over choosing the color that looked right in shade and sunlight, I settled on a color. The new properly locking screen door, and my large dog, provided security. I made a cardboard door for privacy, with the words 'Speak "Friend", and Enter' written on it, but only my family recognized and appreciated the "Lord Of The Rings" reference.

So here is the finished project, without the brass hardware that I also refinished.  I really love it, and although many people thought I was making a mistake, they have grown to appreciate my choice. I just wish I didn't have to cover it all up with the screen door.

A HAPPY ENDING

If I left you in suspense with my last post, wondering about the fate of my ill-shipped plants, I can now report that it all turned out ok, thanks to the efforts of Teri Aaron of The Lawbre Co, a wonderful, sweet, and awesome lady who bailed me out, revived the plants at the Guild Show in Castine, and gave a happy ending to my story.  I will be forever grateful.  Thank you, Teri!

Although I saw the photo of the mis-shapen plants, seeing them in person was a shock.  I hadn't thought about how much they would be transported and handled if I was awarded Artisan, and I should have made a contingency for that. 

They say every dark cloud has a silver lining, and I have found several silver linings in my cloud.  The best is being the recipient of a very kind act by Teri Aaron.  Another is the opportunity to back up my own words about the longevity of my plants.  And yet another is the chance to re-examine my new designs before selling any plants to ensure they are up to my standards.

Here are a few BEFORE and AFTER pics.

PEACE LILY BEFORE

PEACE LILY AFTER

RUBBER TREE BEFORE

RUBBER TREE AFTER

CORN PLANT BEFORE

CORN PLANT AFTER

THREE MORALS TO MY STORY

Here is a photo of my 2012 IGMA Artisan submissions.  I took the picture in a hurry and it could have been much better thought out, but I always seem to be rushing around at the last minute.  Sending my plants to IGMA was no exception, although this time I had a very good reason.  That didn't change the outcome, which was that I failed to take one more extra step to ensure they make it safely through the mail. I have never had a plant break loose, until now.  Of all times for this to happen!  But it did, and I can blame only myself. :( 

The people at IGMA tried to fix them, and they made a valiant effort I am sure, but the photo I just saw on their blog was a surprise.  I had no idea that my plants had been so tossled around.  Good news for me is that I can easily rearrange them back to normal.  Bad news for me is that they don't look like they should in the photo people will see.  Worse news for me is that the plants will be at the Guild Show in Castine, and I can't be there to fix them!  So anyone going to the Guild School, or knows anyone going, please pass it on that my plants are a little mis-shapen, but just like a real plant, they can be revived.

This situation reminds me of my High School yearbook picture. I waited too long, totally my fault, to choose one of my proofs for the yearbook, so someone else chose it for me. There were only six proofs and one was clearly the best, so I assumed they would use it. When the yearbooks came out, I found myself staring in shock at the worst of the lot! Someone chose the most stupid, totally unnatural pose, and I am mortified to this day.

MORALS OF THIS STORY:    NEVER ASSUME

                                      NEVER PROCRASTINATE

                                      NEVER TAKE A BAD PICTURE

Corn Plant - Rubber Tree

Peace Lily - Hosta "June" - Bunny Ears Cactus

Hosta "June" with slug.

ANOTHER UNEXPECTED PLEASURE

Hello to those of you who are stopping to see me after my long absence. When daily life became all consuming, little pleasures got lost in the shuffle. Months passed, then a year, then so much time that I was embarrassed to start posting again until I had something exciting to tell.

Well, that time has finally come with another unexpected pleasure. To say unexpected isn't really accurate as I did apply for IGMA Artisan membership and therefore had a chance. The pleasure is that I was accepted! I submitted five plants, some were redesigned and some newly designed. After weeks of tedious, frustrating, and exhausting work, I was never so glad to see something leave my sight. Yet, the next day I was anxious to get back to designing even more new plants!  That plan was nixed by my family, who insisted I clear more than two places to eat at the dining room table. I told them Taco Bell had plenty of empty tables!

For now I will only be making a few plants per month, but I am looking forward to having more time in the Fall, and taking over the table again. While raising four children I ate many meals on my feet, going back and forth from the table to the stove, to the frig, and to the sink. It's their turn, don't you think?

Here is my redesigned Rubber Tree.

AN UNEXPECTED PLEASURE

Did anyone miss me? I can't believe it has been over two months since I posted! Well, it seems life had to intrude on my fun and I have not touched a miniature plant for ages. I have plans, such plans! But they are still on the back burner for a while longer. In the meantime I had such an urge to post something, so I thought I would show you something else that I have been collecting for the last several months.

I never felt an inclination to have nice china. My Mom had always wanted china, but she was a widow with seven children and no money. I can't remember how old she was when she finally started her set, but I think she was in her fifties. She chose a beautiful pattern designed in 1927 and started buying what she could find and getting pieces as gifts, without the use of the internet! The pattern, Lenox Blue Tree, was discontinued in 1974 but then reissued due to it's renewed popularity after Tricia Nixon chose it for her wedding in 1971. Mom was able to acquire 12 place settings, a few serving pieces, and some extras, which turned out not to be enough when the entire family had a dinner, but still enough for her three daughters to divide.

When Mom died last August and we faced the daunting and sad task of dividing her possessions, I decided I would not take any of her china. What would I do with only four place settings when I would need six just for my immediate family? It would cost me a fortune to buy what I would need for the future. Well, my sister refused to accept my decision and insisted I would still enjoy service for four, giving me all sorts of reason to keep it. I could have an intimate dinner with my husband, dinner with another couple, or a fancy table when only two of my children were around that night. She finally convinced me, and since I also was to receive my Mom's hutch, I would have a handy place to keep it so I would be more likely to use it. That's when I got hooked. I fell in love with the pattern. My Mom must have been guiding my hand because I was browsing eBay one day and decided to see what another few place settings would cost when I found what turned out to be a great deal on a big set. Just this week I was again fortunate to stumble across another great deal on a few more pieces, and my set is now complete.

I absolutely love seeing my Mom's platter displayed on her hutch in my dining room. I absolutely love using the china, and I love that the inspiration came from my Mom. I wish she knew that I ended up doing exactly what she had hoped I would. Who knows, maybe she does.

Thanks, Mom.

Who uses this many pieces for one meal?

No one in my family drinks coffee, so these pieces are kind of useless.

I bought two of these serving bowls for less than the normal price of one!

This platter is what is displayed on my hutch.

Still thinking about getting this piece, but would I use it?