Saturday All-Day Workshop/a personal note

On Saturday, May 27, Aleeta Haas came down from Grande Prairie to teach us a workshop on sculpting and furring a cat. (I'm sorry she doesn't have a website that I can direct to you to see her wonderful work - and I simply didn't get around to taking pictures of the samples that she had.)

The members who took part in the morning class used Aleeta's molds to make the body parts then put them together to position their cats in the positions they wanted.

Aleeta (left) giving some personalized help.

As polymer clay and I do not get along, I opted to buy an already sculpted cat and used my morning to finish the coats of arms pictures for the Canada 150 project.

I had printed out all the coats of arms of the provinces, territories and Canada on photo paper using the self-framing ability on my computer.

I then used the Glossy accents clear, dimensional embellishment on the outer frame to give it dimension.

Here's the bottle of Glossy accents. (I also have a pack of six embossing pens by the same company.)

Once the dimensional element had dried, I cut each one out and ran a black marker around the edge to cover the white.

And here they are completed.

Then I turned them over to Sunni and Inger who were in another room framing pictures that had been turned in unframed. By the end of the day, they had 133 pictures all framed and ready to hang on the trifold display. As some people had not yet turned in their pictures, we're well on our way to 150.

Here are a couple of the completed cats. (Sometimes I think my camera eats pictures as I was sure I had taken more pictures.)

While the cats were baking, we took a quick lunch break and Tina gave us some hints on how to finish our marble tables.

At this point, Maureen M. and her daughter, Christine, had to leave as Saturday was Christine's high school graduation. Congratulations, Christine! (Eighteen years ago, M.E.E. did a nursery scene to celebrate Christine's birth.) Now she's one of us!

As we were laughing about putting the cats in the ovens to bake, Aleeta also told a funny story about a fellow instructor who was teaching a class at a hotel. Someone overheard the instructor mention putting the 'babies' in the oven to bake and called the police!

Sunni had put out some "freebies" in the morning and I picked up two lovely containers.

This one is 8" x 8" x 8" and will be perfect for one of my Christmas giveaways. As it's open front and top, it won't even need lighting.

I also got this hanging frame that's 10 3/4" h x 13 1/2" 2 and 2 5/8" deep. Another Christmas giveaway possibility.

Well, this is my sculptured cat that I got from Aleeta. The fur that I got was sort of a rusty colour so painted the cat that colour.

Aleeta then explained to us how to fur a long-haired cat using silk roving. If you have the patience for doing this, you will make the most incredible, realistic cat!

However, I just tried to put one piece on three times and decided it wasn't for me. Granted, I had my heart set on a black and white cat so my heart wasn't really in it.

Then she showed how to cut the silk roving up into very tiny pieces (like flocking) and cover your cat with that.

And here is the wonderful cat that Trineke did in that way.

It was a simply wonderful day!

Then Joanne and I met Lucille, Tina and Aleeta at Namaste for dinner. I must admit, I was a bit apprehensive about the menu as I wasn't too sure about eating Indian food. BUT the food was incredible and the company absolutely wonderful. A great end to a wonderful day.

We had tentatively booked the social room here for a few extra hours on Sunday for anyone who needed more instruction but only a few MEE members wanted that so they met at Tina's.

As far as my cat goes, Lucille had checked two of the Michael's here and couldn't find any flocking so she has ordered some online for both of us. Thanks, Lucille.

Personal:

Sometimes I'm such an idiot! Leanne had called on me to rabbit-sit this week as she has a staff get-together in Sylvan Lake. My mind immediately went to her living in Mill Woods (an hour away)! So I'm thinking that I will be away three days this week. THEN (much later), I realize that she now only lives 10 minutes away and I only have to sleep there! So I can be here during the day for Mom if she needs me and for my 4 o'clock visit with her.

So I'll be here Friday to get ready for Lorry's Estate sale and to greet my DS Marie and DBIL Rob when they arrive for the weekend. And hopefully when DS Sean arrives. BUSY weekend with Lorry's sale and Grahame's memorial.

A few additions to Grahame's music room

While the roombox definitely represented Grahame's love of music, there were a few things missing. I had done the clock case for his 80th birthday last year which covered his love of sailing and his drum kit.

But neither included his beloved border collies! I didn't have one in my stash so I put out the word to the members of M.E.E. and Teresa picked one up for me and delivered it to me on Saturday at our all-day workshop. Thanks again, Teresa.

Of course, the collie had to have his sheepskin bed so I cut one from some fake fur my sister Carol had given me years ago....and made him a play rope from six strands of embroidery thread braided and knotted at each end.

A family member had given this to Grahame and it was propped on his piano so found it online and miniaturized it. (Although it's more 1:6 scale than 1:12 so it can be read more easily.)

Mike's daughter, Carly, wrote a beautiful poem in her grandfather's memory. I printed it in Arial 3 and framed it with coffee stirrers stained black with a black marker.

Here the frame has been glued in place around the poem, then the paper trimmed.

I put a small strip of carpet tape across the back top of the frame so it could be put on the roombox wall.

If I get a chance, I'll try to get an updated picture the next time I'm at Shirley's.

A BIG reminder! LORRY'S ESTATE SALE THIS COMING WEEKEND

Estate Sale June 3 and 4

The family of Lorry Saunders, long time member, friend and mentor of the Miniature Enthusiasts of Edmonton, has asked M.E.E. to hold an Estate Sale of Lorry’s stash.

Over the years, Lorry went to shows and sales in Britain, the U.S. and Canada as well as going on Nutshell News and other miniature tours..

This sale will NOT include any of Lorry's finished scenes or roomboxes. There are one 'in progress’ front-opening dollhouse and several  roomboxes/scene settings. 

But reflecting Lorry's roughly 40 years of collecting, there is something for everyone - from the less expensive day-to-day bits that we all need  to complete a project to Bespaq and artisan pieces. Most things are in 1:12 scale but there are a few 1:24 and some 1:48.

The sale will take place  at 78A McKenney  Avenue, St. Albert, Alberta, in the Social Room.on the 2^nd floor. Go to the entrance at the far (South) end of the complex and someone will give you further instructions. You must go to the south (far) door and wait to be admitted.

Saturday, June 3: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, June 4: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cash only.  There is an ATM in the Reder Store in the strip mall next door and ATMs at the BMO and Royal Bank at the bottom of the hill on both sides of the St. Albert Trail..

Parking: There are over 40 Visitor Parking spots. Please do not park in any of the Reserved Parking stalls. Additional parking is also available at the strip mall next door.

There are 10 more boxes that don't show in these pictures....

Such incredible bargains!!!

RIP - Grahame Allen, April 1936 - May 18, 2017

My dear sister Shirley's best friend and husband of 35 years passed away unexpectedly last Thursday.

He loved Shirley, family (both his and ours), music and border collies. Until  a year or two ago, he played drums with a small band that entertained at seniors' residences. All gatherings at their home ended with Grahame playing the piano for singalongs.

Thank you, Grahame, for all the laughter and music you brought  into our lives. You will be missed.

I made this music room a year and a half ago and had planned to give it to Grahame for Christmas this year. It will go to either Shirley or his son, Mike, one of four surviving children.

Grahame and son, Mike, New Year's Eve 2014 at the U. of A. Faculty Club.

I made one change in the music room before semding it to Shirley's.

Children's Table 2017 Show and Sale

Our dear Sunni (as her name suggests) is in charge of the Children's table at the Show and Sale.

Each year, she comes up with absolutely wonderful ideas for projects that about 25 children can do. Every year the idea is different: it has been an ideal children's room; Hallowe'en; - just about anything you can imagine.

This year I suspect it will be a Christmas scene as on Tuesday night at our meeting she handed out to each member five 1/2" wooden cubes and asked us to wrap them as Christmas gifts - no embellishments or ribbons - that will be left to the children.

So I looked in my stash and found the Hershey's Hugs and Kisses wrappers that I had saved over the years. I had already smoothed them a with soft surface.

Spread glue over those wrappers...

And simply wrapped the foil around the wooden pieces after trimming it a bit.

And here is the first "gift"

And here are my five...

Soft foil like this is great to work with as it's so forgiving.

DEALER - September 17, 2017, Show and Sale

If you need doilies, afghans, rugs, baskets, plant hangers, or any other wonderful crocheted accessories, you'll want to visit Needleart Treasures by Rosalle.

You can see one of Rosalle's afghans in the Christmas vignette I did two years ago.

I bought this incredible little basket from Rosalle last night. The basket itself is 5/8" tall and the height with the handle is 1 3/8". Don't really need it but it's just so precious I had to have it.

But my very favourite things that Rosalle makes are her angels. I have them in white only but she also makes them in gold and silver. They're just under an inch tall.

Here one is on the top of a tree...

and in the Christmas scene...

Rosalle is considering adding sock monkeys to her table for the show. Can't wait to see them!

DEALERS - Edmonton Show and Sale September 17, 2017

Our first new dealer this year is Artful Needles of Calgary. We saw Wendy's work at the Calgary Doll Show and were quite impressed.

She does mini hand knits; general store and yarn shop items and accessories; and 1/12 dressed dolls.

We're very glad she has chosen to do our show.

Always the first MEE member to sign up is Bits by Barb, our own Barb S. You may recall that Barb designed and taught the fern that I finished the other day. For those of you who enjoy making your own plants and flowers, Barb sells the kits and bits. For others, like me, she sells completed plants and flowers. She also sells laser cut ornaments, inukshuks and other accessories.

As you can see, we're off to a great start!

Edmonton Miniature Show and Sale - September 17, 2017

Dealer invitations have gone out and we already have three confirmed acceptances - including a new dealer from Calgary!

If you, or anyone you know, would like information on being a dealer, email me and I'll forward a package. 

I can also forward Show and Sale posters to anyone willing to publicize it for us.

We want to make this a great show and sale so it's important that we attract as many dealers as we can so we can attract even more customers and keep this show going strong.

Birthday/housewarming, 1900 House

Marie sent me this picture of Shirley, me and Marie with the Birthday pig.

This was Carol "feeding" the birthday pig at Mom's.

Something mini (sort of).

All my minis are contemporary except the Victorian style parlour that I did mostly to display beautiful pieces I had collected and the Queen Elizabeth II china (in my Grandma's memory) and the pieces from the Titanic (Leanne's special thing).

And yet I really enjoy watching/reading historical things. So tonight I started re-watching the 1900 House on Youtube. Have absolutely no desire to re-create it but certainly am enjoying it.

For anyone who wants to recreate Victoriana, this is definitely the show to watch.

The fern 2

I got the two fronds in place then started working on the last 12.

Have the last 6, 3, and 3 fronds ready to go.

And they are in place...

Needs a lot of tweeking but will eventually look good.

 LOVE this:

Barb  gave us this to transport the plant home! A cup with two holes across the top so a skewer can be put in place to   transport the plant carefully..
                    

Isn't that great idea?!?

The fern

I finally got around to working on the fern that we started at club Tuesday before last.

Had to wait awhile tonight until it cooled off enough to turn off the air conditioner. The air movement isn't conducive to working with bits of paper. VBG

I glued the first 9 fern fronds into the plant, then the next seven (well, 5, as the bits of wire came off two so I had to reglue and wait for the glue to dry).

Next will be these 6 which I have to shape and glue the metal bits on the end of the stem.

Then two sets of three from these.

Hopefully, I'll be able to finish these tonight and be able to finish the plant tomorrow so I can take it over to Mom for her collection.