I can almost see the light at the end of my 'commissions' tunnel for this year, just a few more to catch up with then I can put my feet up, relax & enjoy the festivities, phew!! I hope you are all ready for Christmas too, although with just over a week to go I am sure I will see a few bits & pieces to purchase for stocking fillers. At this time of year I love to wander through the garden centres & marvel at all the pretty ornaments & displays, my favourite this year is 'Brigg Garden Centre', it's like walking through a winter wonderland & even has a section full of 'candy & gingerbread' ornaments & decorations, I felt like I was in Santa's kitchen & wished I had an endless supply of pennies ;o)
I wish you all the very merriest of Christmas & a Happy New Year, see you all in 2012.

Hugs, Kerry. xxx

Latest WIP...

During a family day out this summer we came across a little shop that sold MDF laser cut embellishment kits for scrapbooking & other projects. Among the items were several Christmas ornament kits & a teeny tiny house kit. I made a mental note of the name of the company & as soon as we returned home I went straight on the computer. The company is called 'Twiddleybitz', http://twiddleybitz.com.au & they sell a wide range of scrapbooking embellishments & kits, including this...
...a 1/12th scale Santa Sleigh. I have wanted to make a Santa Sleigh for many years, but have never found one to my liking, until now. Unfortunately they do not ship to the U.K. & it did take me a while to find a distributor in the U.K. where I could purchase it from> http://www.craftynotions.com ,I ordered it late afternoon on a Tuesday & at 9:30 the next day the postman had delivered it!! Very impressive service. It was quick & easy to assemble as all the pieces slot together & I then strengthened the joinings with wood glue. I then began painting it, which I will admit would probably have been a lot easier if done before assembly as there are a lot of fiddly little bits to fill in.

I made some deep red velvet cushions that will line it & it is to be filled with assorted toys & santa sacks & eventually a Santa. This will be coming with me to the remaining fairs for this year.

Have a great weekend, hugs, Kerry.x.

9 down, 3 to go...

As we are nearing the end of another year I heave a sigh of relief as I realise I am on the last leg of my miniature fairs for 2011, just 3 more left for this year, including Kelham Hall, Newark on Sunday 30th October. Two more to exhibit at in November, then I can put my feet up & my tools down & relax :o)
Here are a few festive mini cabinets, a pink princess party table & a wedding table display that I have made to take with me to the fairs...

Hugs, Kerry.x.

A Few More Halloween Goodies...

Just a quick post tonight so you don't think that I've fallen off the face of the earth ;o)
I haven't made as many Halloween treats as I would've liked this year, but I have spent every spare minute in my workroom creating these...

Usually at this time of the year I enjoy walking round the garden centres & certain stores as they are full of inspiration for Halloween mini-making, but it all seems to have changed this year, manufacturers have forgotten about 31st October & have already started on their Christmas displays, tut tut. So, I decided to browse the internet for inspiration this year instead & this is where I found a great little site 'www.ediblegiftsplus.com'. Amongst all the sweet treats there is a Halloween candy section with a gorgeous witches shoe full of candy & this inspired me to make my own mini version, hope you like it.

Have a great week, hugs, Kerry.x.

Not many minis being made...

As most of you know we lost our much loved Poppy at the beginning of last month. She had been my fur-baby for 15 & 1/2 years & when she died I truly felt like I had lost part of me. For over two weeks I just wandered around, feeling very lost, couldn't sleep or eat & I had no enthusiasm for anything, including making minis. As it was my birthday at the end of the month my fiance & son thought they would try & cheer me up & hopefully give me back the part of me that was lost...

...so here are the latest additions to our family, appropriately named Ellie & Rosie. They are Bedlington X Lakeland terriers, sisters, & full of mischief!! Hence why not many minis are getting made at the mo, lol.
The few minis that I have managed to make (in the time when the girls are sleeping) are centred around one of my favourite times of the year. Halloween.

Some of these can be found in my Etsy shop at the moment.

Have a great week.

Hugs, Kerry.x.

Christmas Come Early...

...or at least that's what it felt like when I recieved my 'swap' parcel from Victoria ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/darksquirrel) , I can't wait to find a display cabinet worthy of displaying all these beauties. Thank you so much Victoria, I love them!!

Talking of Christmas, I recently finished a large commission for a lovely lady who visits me at the fairs. she is creating a Christmas village in miniature & asked me to make all the minis to fill a sweet shop. So, out comes 'The Santa Clause' trilogy DVDs, a little earlier than I would have liked to be honest (we're only just experiencing summer here, lol) & I watched no.3- The Escape Clause over & over again for inspiration as it is mainly set at the North Pole, so colourful & candy-filled.

Normally, once I have completed commissions, I forward photos via email for approval, but the lady in question has not got access to a computer, so this time it was not possible. I telephoned her to let her know the minis where ready & once payment was recieved I sent them off. Only then did I realise that I had no photos whatsoever of the finished minis.

So, out came the DVDs again, more inspiration, & I made these Christmas themed minis to go into my Etsy shop. I hope to list them a little later on.

Sadly, on a personal note, yesterday we said a final goodbye to our beloved Poppy...

Last Night

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep,

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here"

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore,

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key,
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me".

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair,

I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

to say to you with certainty "I never went away".

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...

in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over...I smile and watch you yawning,

and say "Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning".

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.
...Author unknown

Chocolatier Table & 'Best Of The Web'

Just a quick post today as I am uber-busy at the mo (not just with minis but real-life, too), and I should have posted these piccies early as they all finish on eBay tomorrow evening, so I am a little bit behind. After making the 'Autumn Roses' cakes last week I decided to make a 'Candy Cane Stand' & 'Candy Jar' in a similar design as I really love how the colours compliment each other...

...and chocolate is one of the loves of my life (lol), so I couldn't resist making this...

...Chocolatier Table. Filled with an assortment of chocolatey treats. I think my favourite has got to be the chocolate cherry cups :o).

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Scott, from Become.com, who wanted to feature my blog on his blog. All I had to do was write a little bit about myself along with a photo, which I submitted recently. Here is the link: http://pocketchange.become.com/2011/07/best-of-the-web-be-home-31.html
Have a fantastic weekend, hugs, Kerry.x.

'Eye' Candy, 'finger' food & Etsy Summer Sale!!

It finally looks as though Summer is here at last & I spent the day yesterday on the seafront supporting my best friend as she took part in her first 'Race For Life'. It was a glorious day for it, me & my fiance took a picnic with us & clapped & cheered as each participant crossed the finishing line. I took part in it a few years ago after losing someone close to cancer & I will be taking part in it again next year with friends, it is such a worthy cause!!
I don't normally get much chance to enjoy the sunny weather, always cooped up in my workroom, & I'm not really one for just sitting about it in, but it was nice to be out & about yesterday (although I did forget to put sun lotion on & I'm looking a little bit pink to say the least).
I have been working on a few 'spooky' minis for a swap with Victoria (http://www.etsy.com/shop/darksquirrel) who wanted some spooky desserts for her house...

The Collection so far :o)

Really hope you like them Victoria!!

I have also decided to have an 'Etsy Summer Sale' in my Etsy store, all items have been reduced, some by more than 50% including this...

Tiered Chocolate Charlotte.

A few of the miniatures are due to finish in the next couple of days, so why not pop over, have a browse & grab yourself a bargain. http://www.etsy.com/shop/ellaroseminiatures.

Hope you all have a very sun-shiny week. Hugs, Kerry.x.

More Colourful Candies...

I've just got back from exhibiting at my third fair this month, Kelham Hall, Newark, so it has been a very busy month for me, but I am not exhibiting again until August so hopefully I can catch up on commissions & a few other bits & bobs I have got on the go. Normally when I make new minis for the fairs I forget to take photos & pack them up, but this time I remembered. I made more of the candy stands & cupcake stands to take with me as they were very popular at York & proved just as popular today...

...and more 'Choccywoccydoodah' inspired 'Mad Hatter Tea Party Cakes' (very popular).

As we got there earlier than usual (we are normally rushing to get set up by opening time) I had a walk around to look at what other exhibitors had to offer & found this gorgeous hat & stand on KattyKorners' table!! I just had to buy it as it will look perfect in the master bedroom of 'Casa De Groaza' & I also have my eye on a black & red corset & bedroom furniture display that they have, but that will have to wait for another time.

I hope you have all had a fantastic weekend, hugs, Kerry.x.

Real Life, Facebook & Colourful Candies.

As many of you know, my son had a minor accident the other week & broke his wrist. On our first visit afterwards to see the consultant we were told that the break was more complicated than first thought & that he would have to go into theatre where they would manipulate the bone into place & re-plaster it. After a ten hour stay at the hospital he now has a cast from his fingers to his shoulder, this is so that there is not any movement at all which could hinder recovery. Sadly, one of his main interests, kickboxing, is now on hold for a couple of months & he will miss a grading, but his instructor has informed us that he can arrange it for a later date. Thankfully his other interest, drumming, can continue as his drum tutor has told him that he will teach him to drum one-handed as it is a useful technique to know. Now, I don't know about anyone else but I struggle to make minis if someone else is in the house as they always want to distract me and as my son has been off school for a couple of weeks & the week before that my fiance was off work for a weeks holiday, I don't seem to have made as many minis as I would have liked, much to my frustration. Although, one of the benefits of my son been here has been that he has sat with me in my workroom watching films of his choice, namely the 'Harry Potter' series along with 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory', 'The Santa Clause' trilogy, 'The Grinch' & various Disney films, which all helped to inspire me to make this...
A 'Cakes, Cookies & Candy' Table. Whimsical & colourful, but still with a little bit of work needed on it. Whenever I make a new piece I always face the dilemma of where to place it for sale, shall I put it on eBay, Etsy or take it to a fair?, so while I am still 'titivating' this I will ponder for a little bit longer over what to do with it. I am also in the process of creating a 'Pink Princess Party Table' and this...

...is going to be the centrepiece. A Rapunzel/Disney's Tangled inspired novelty cake. Once everything is finished & in place I will show more photos.

Facebook...

I have now deleted my old Facebook account (too many game requests that I wasn't interested in & people adding me to groups that I really don't have time to keep up with) & set up a new 'fan' page. The link is to the right under 'interesting links', I hope to see you all there.

Have a super fab & fun weekend, hugs, Kerry.x.

This Weeks' Minis & A Door 'Hand'le...

Yesterday I exhibited at York Miniatures Fair (my favourite) & had a very enjoyable day, coming home with a list of commissions that will keep me busy for a long, long time :o) I was hoping to find a few bits & pieces for my own project (Casa De Groaza), but I was too busy all day & only managed to leave my stall about 15 minutes before the fair closed so all I managed to grab was some clay.
Normally I am all packed up & ready for a fair a couple of days beforehand but this time I wasn't. I still had a few minis to finish off & pack up by Friday evening but told myself that I could finish them Saturday, unfortunately Fate had different plans for me. Halfway through trying to finish the minis I received a phone call from my Mum saying that my son had had a little accident & she would pick me up on the way to the hospital. Apparently, being the accident-prone that he is he decided to show-off in front of his cousins while playing on the swings & jump off while it was high, he did manage to land on his feet but then fell forward, needless to say he has now broken his wrist :o( I still don't think he will have learnt his lesson, but that's kids for you.
Anyway, here are the few minis that I have made for eBay this week...

Chocolate Gateaux
Strawberry Charlotte

Pink Patchwork Cake

...and here's a few new minis that I have made for 'Casa De Groaza', a skull & bones windchime with dripping candles...

...and a door 'hand'le. If you 'google images' door hand lots of fantastic pictures come up including a door hand knocker, which I think I will make next as it looks really effective. Neither of these are fixed on permanently (just a bit of blu-tack) as I still have the windows & door to finish painting, but you get the general idea.

Hope you all have a fantastic week, hugs, Kerry.x.

Meet Varulv & Lilla Röda, Master & Mistress of Casa De Groază...

I finally got around to almost finishing the Master & Mistress of 'Casa De Groaza', Varulv & Lilla Roda (swedish for werewolf & little red, respectively), there's still a little bit of work that I want to do on both of them, but not much. One of my all-time fave movies is 'An American Werewolf In London' & I have sat watching it over & over again (I have a tv/dvd combi right beside my work desk) to try & hopefully recreate some sort of resemblence.

Most of the items I will be making for 'Casa De Groaza' will be inspired by movies or halloween decorations that I have seen, but I saw some candle stands in the garden centre & wanted to create them in miniature with dripping candles in them, I ended up making two as I didn't particularly like the first one although now I think I'm going to keep both.

This 'warning sign' will be placed on the front porch, it was my second attempt at making a crow, as the first one looked like an overgrown blackbird, this one looks a little more menancing, next to it is the 'rat on a pumpkin' that I won in Mags' giveaway, isn't it fantastic!! I love it & the detail on the rat is perfect. I was going to place this on the front porch but I'm now thinking it can go in the kitchen.

Another of my fave movies is 'Practical Magic' & on the dvd menu screen there are little symbols beside each selection. One of the symbols is an 'all-seeing hand' & I knew one of these would look perfect on the fire surround (when I get around to making it,lol).

As well as making a few bits for myself I have been working on some new minis for sale, I love making fruits & flowers & have created a little display that incorporates both. I tried to make a cupcake stand like the one I have in my kitchen, a metal spiral one that holds 24 cupcakes, but I just couldn't get it right, so I decided to go for a different design instead before I ran out of wire. These will be going up for auction on eBay tonight.

Have a fantastic week, hugs Kerry.x.