Life of Sj

A Mini Miniature Show now ONLINE

2011-01-09T13:54:00.000-08:00

http://aminiminiatureshow.weebly.com/

Pages, info being updated daily...things are popping.

A new Concept, A new Venture!

2011-01-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

You know the saying " nothing ventured, nothing gained"? I am off on another adventure...click here to see what is new! Http://aminiminiatureshow.weebly.com/

If you are interested fill out the form! Spread the word..

Advent / Aim

2010-12-01T14:21:00.001-08:00

Aim

For the next 24 days, you can count down to Christmas with free miniature projects. One each day until Christmas. Even if you don't celebrate you can take part in the 24 wonderful gifts. It starts today with door number one. Just find the door and click on it. I know they've got a ton of wonderful surprises in store for us this December.

Head on over to AIM and check it out.

Poinsettias have ARRIVED ~ In House NOW

2010-11-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

I worked on these all weekend and I do think that shows....these are for sale on the MOA site...if interested let me know. They average from 1 3/4" tall to 2" tall.

Art Deco Baby House design by Ladybug

2010-10-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the flooring in the house against the wallpaper...

AD BH

2010-10-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

One of the many groups that I belong to is called the Micro Mini Babyhouse group. Ladybug AKA Sue Thwaite did a fantastic group project for us that consists of an Art Deco cabinet made into a babyhouse. I have had my kit for a couple of weeks now and was afraid to start it, but, I dove in today and so far I am having fun. My fear of starting was the foyer floor, which consists of metallic and lovely thin shells being embedded....well here is my first attempt. It looks lovely with the wallpaper that I am using...what do you all think?

Make me an Offer! Pink Rya

2010-10-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Measures 1 3/4" x 2 1/4"...Enjoy

Finally~

2010-10-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

I finally finished the punch needle rug that I started a while back. It is completely punched with sewing threads using the smallest needle I could find.

Enjoy looking it is on Ebay and the auction is over in a few days.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270644718315&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Listing these Later on MOA!

2010-09-22T10:25:00.001-07:00

This one was done on crinoline, measuring 2 1/16" by 1 3/8".

Watch for them but here is a sneak preview! This one is created on Muslin measuring 1 5/8" wide by 1 1/16" Wide.

Welcome!

2010-09-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my newest followers!

Today is month 6 for quitting smoking!
Today I hopefully get to have crab legs and steak for dinner for my sense of accomplishment!

Whoop Whoop
I am patting myself on the back see because I NEVER in a million years thought I could pull this one off.....

French Knots ~ Love em? Hate em?

2010-09-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

Some people love creating items with French knots and some people just never get the hang of making them so they give up...but a carpet, runner, rug, chair seat created entirely of french knots creates a gorgeous piece. I started this particular rug well over a year ago and it took just about 1 year to complete. I worked out that in one square inch I believe that there were over 2200 french knots....this entire piece as in most of my pieces are created using 1 strand of floss. Some items like a snowy penquin wall hanging was actually created with sewing thread...now that took lots and lots of french knots. This piece is for sale!

I also just completed this novel cat piece, again, entirely of french knots.

Thyroids UGh.................

2010-09-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

If we can live without them comfortably, why in heck do we have em anyway? I know I know....just grumbling. I have been fighting with mine since late last spring and I am getting very very tired....

Enameled Flowers

2010-08-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

There has been some talk lately of my enameled flowers and my paper ones also, so I decided to showcase some of them here although most of them can be found over on the Enchanting Florals blog..here: http://enchantedfloralsbyshelly.bravehost.com/index.html

A First for me....Thank you!

2010-08-24T11:47:00.000-07:00

My very first blog award! Tee hee, this is very kewl! From Brae who just completed one of the most realistic owls I have seen, she did an exceptional job for the first time...

http://www.otterine.com/blog/blog1.php/2010/08/24/strange-men-in-pinstripe-suits-award

This award is in honor of Cate Gardner's forthcoming story collection 'Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits' due out this October. There is a contest with prizes involved...always a good thing. Now on to the business of it all...

++++++++++++
The 'Strange Men in Pinstripe Suits' award is given to only the strangest of folk, and as the recipient of such you are deemed very strange indeed. Congratulations.

Now you must go forth and celebrate the strangeness of friends (and strangers - strangers are always allowed) by nominating blogs run by strange folk. *Beware, some people don't like you to refer to them as strange…Try to avoid them if possible.

Some rules:

1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you (don't mess with strange people).
3. Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange enough to deserve the award.
4. Leave a message for those nominated on their blogs.
5. And, if you email catephoenix@gmail.com and tell her you've received the award for your strangeness, she'll enter you in the biggest kick-ass Strange Men competition ever. Details over at strangemeninpinstripesuits.com (click on the award link on the home page).
+++++++++++

My nominees are...and it must be stated that the term "strange" is meant as a compliment to the unique style and wonderful talent these fellow miniaturists have...all of the nominees I follow!

1. http://fluffybricks.blogspot.com/2010/08/fishermans-cottage.html
2. http://kathiebminis.blogspot.com/
3. Mai she does great tiny things and sells on MOA. http://maiastwinkleminiatures.blogspot.com/2010/08/follow-your-heart-continued.html
4. http://dalesdreams.blogspot.com/
5. http://peppercornminis.blogspot.com/
6. http://tinycrafts.blogspot.com/2010/04/r-o-b-e-r-t-t-b-o-r-art-shoes.html
7. http://minitutesfromorrlake.blogspot.com/2010/08/making-mini-perfume-bottles.html

Now I am not completely sure that I have done this right....fingers crossed...I will go back and visit the above sites and let them know to visit me!!!!

Elegant Witches Hats ....

2010-08-23T19:02:00.001-07:00

Listed to Etsy and MOA.............OOAK witch hats created from Leather, Premo Roses greenery and enameled leaves and flowers on some.

Looking for...................

2010-08-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

Someone to work in cahoots with on a project I am wanting to do.....I need someone to help me with a working mold and how best to cast an object...any takers? Interest?

Ack Doctors!

2010-08-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

I went in for my followup to my ultrasound of my thyroid. The thyroid is showing signs of Hashimoto's thyroiditis! Ok, so what does that mean? Well your thyroid is not working right. You could be going from Hypo to Hyper.....it could be failing. What happens then? We get your dose right...

Me: I feel hyper, impossible she says...we just checked you 3 weeks ago you were very high hypo! Well I can't sleep, this vasculitis, my bp is high, I am getting headaches...

Her: Well, maybe we need to send you to an endocrinologist...we will wait until your next blood work, *2 weeks.....meanwhile, let's do a biopsy on that vasculitis, it has been there well over a month now......so I sit and wait some more..another week for the biopsy...2 weeks for more blood work...ugh....I tell you I feel like death warmed over...if anyone has gone through this you know...

Ms Paige

2010-08-02T14:09:00.001-07:00

Not sure that I ever told you all that the baby is here! She weighed in at 6lbs 7 oz...she is home now and mom and babe are doing well!

New Beginnings...

2010-07-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

As I sit here this evening waiting for that final phone call, I am remembering so many good times and bad...good times definitely out weigh the bad. I am remembering each one of my childrens birth and how each of them as they are today were different...

Today we will have a new little grandbaby! At least I hope it is today the 21st. It is just passed 11:30 pm here in Colorado and it is July 21st already in Virginia. Her name is Paige DeLaine Solano, we are all waiting on her...her mom especially is ready. I am sad that I can't be with my baby daughter at this time of the birth of her first baby but she has her sister and her husband to be beside her. So all is well.

As soon as I get those first pics I will upload them here. Phew, Just talked to her and she sounds awesome! She is ready! Come on Ms. Paige we are waiting on you!!!!

Trial Rug technique Finished.....Wowee...

2010-07-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

I finished it...not sure I like the technique but I think it can be revised to get more detail...course could just use this technique for primitive style rugs...IT was a fairly fast make, and is approximately 1/16" thick. Need better blending and shading but doable.

What do you think?

Rugs and Rug Making Techniques

2010-07-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

The last week or so I have been searching out various different rug techniques. I have looked at hooked rugs which use thin strips of fabric or wool and canvas and pull a small amount of the wool strip from the back to the front of your rugs...I thought about this and I do believe needle punched rugs using the needle punch OR knotted rugs would give you the same appearance. I am working on a punch needle rug right now that is huge, it is taking forever because instead of one strand of floss I am using sewing threads, I am getting a fine design but it is a long process....

Needle punch Back

Knotted Rugs? Here is one that took me over a year from start to finish....

This has approximately 1100 french knots per square inch...

I have been playing with the concept of Rya rugs here are some that are cut and uncut and in progress:

Rya In Progress

Rya finished with cut loops and fringed.

I like doing these because just like the knotted rugs you can carry them anywhere you want to go. They are easy to pick up and put down....I have been using 3 strands but am thinking I will try with 2 and see what happens. With 3 you have a very thick / soft pile.

Fiber Rug: This one was mindless to do but unfortunately I chose a piece of felt for the bottom and it ended up being much too thick for dollhouse scale. I may try again using something different for my base.

Last but not least my WIP today! This style may be the style I use. We shall see but I like it so far, I will show progress pics.

TGIF

2010-07-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, had a lot going on this week. On Monday I went in for an ultrasound on my Thyroid, I have not heard from my Dr so can only assume all looked well. Meanwhile, I still have a raspy voice, my throat feels full and it is a little hard to swallow....life goes on!

I also listed a new raffle item on MOA...this is a spaghetti prep counter created by Debbe Mize an awesome friend of mine to help raise monies for advertising in mini magazines to keep MOA growing...I have some awesome miniaturists selling from this site already and we are always looking for new buyers and sellers...so come visit us: http://miniaturesonly.com

You can find the raffle items here: http://miniaturesonly.kaqoo.com/index.php?act=list&item=1104247256&old_item=

Tickets are only $1 each!!!!!

Solarium 1" Scale...

2010-07-01T18:53:00.000-07:00

As most of you know I jump around in Scales just like I jump around in my current favorite thing to do...this is an ongoing project that i am hoping will highlight some of my original florals...including my Wisteria vines and Rose vines...Enjoy!

Clip Bags Tute ~ they come in all sizes now!

2010-06-30T16:09:00.000-07:00

This is a fairly simple tute! Really! You can have lots of little bags in different sizes fairly quickly to fill that bag shop!

Binder Clip Purses

Binder clips
Fabric, leather etc.. your choice
Tacky Glue
Scissors
Ribbon, trim
Flowers, feathers, beads for decorating

First if you want to remove the metal clip do it now ....but you can do it later.

Take the fabric and make sure it is long enough to cover the clip all around also making sure that there is enough to push in on each side, so make it longer on the sides and also the edges in front and back of the clip.

Cut out your fabric, fold in one edge and add a bit of glue to hold it in place , now put a tiny bit of glue to one side of the bag, if you are not leaving the metal top part of the clip exposed you can fold the fabric over now and add a bit of glue to keep it in place on the inside. Do the same to both sides making sure the fabric is on smooth.

Repeat for other side.

Once you have both sides down (front and back) go to the sides of the purse. The sides are the open parts of the clip.

Fold the sides in and put a little glue on the fabric then gently push some of it inside the opening making sure you have nice folds on both sides. Do the same to the other side. The sides will look sort of like an upside down V as the top part of the clip is smaller and the bottom is wider.

Once you have all the sides glued down you can add your handle of choice.

Take the ribbon or trim you are going to use and with a bit of glue put it in place close to the rim all around the purse.

When they are dry, decorate them to suit your taste! Use beads, jewels, feathers whatever...Just have fun.

Pics to come soon! Having trouble loading the pics from my camera....does anyone have any they want to send me to put up?

End of June already?

2010-06-30T07:19:00.001-07:00

Can you believe that June is gone? Wow, before we know it, it will be August and the kids will be going back to school, before then though we should be able to add Ms. Paige to our list of grandchildren, she is due the end of July so a trip to Virginia is in the air! Someplace I have never been.

These 2 here are very excited about getting to go on a road trip. Their other Auntie has them excited to travel.

Bringing it all Together!

2010-06-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

I have blogs all over the place, some are connected to this site and some aren't! Here is a list of them! I so hope you will take a look...

http://enchantedfloralsbyshelly.blogspot.com/

http://artisanspotlightbymoa.blogspot.com/

http://miniaturesonlyauctionsite.blogspot.com/

Enough of that! I want this to be the blog to bring all of my spots together so here in the beginning I will be listing all areas of the net that you can find me or my stuff! Lol, where is all your stuff? Do you have it all in one spot? Or are you disjointed and discombobbled like me and have it all over?
The top three are just my blogs and I have not been doing the best at maintaining/updating lately, as I have lots of personal stuff going on.

Website: http://alibabasdollhouseminiatures.vstore.ca/
Twitter: Just look for Enchantingflora
Etsy: ByShelly2
Facebook: Shelly Norris

I have been doing Minis for a while now, at first, of course I bought all the house kits, and of course they are all in kit form and still in the box! Anyone want one? I am thinking of listing them on MOA....I found out early on that I don't care for the building process of a large house. So that's that!

I also found out that I get easily distracted! I like dolls so I do those, I love flowers so I have many ways of doing those, I like making baskets, playing with wicker, I like one inch scale, 1/4 inch scale and the micro scale! I have recently discovered rya rugs so am in the process of working / playing with those!
I am discombobulated!

We live in the country on some acreage, we have 12 horses that are race bred paints, we breed each year so we have babies! Oh how I love those babies, oh, I like to play with model horses too! We also have legal custody of 2 of our grandchildren. We have had them for 7 years total now and they are almost 8 and 10 now! So we also get to play with homework and read read read.....this is the life of Shelly!
Don't I sound busy?
Or do I sound discombobulated?
Lol
Life does go on...what shall I do today?
On a forum I belong to I was asked this morning if I had ever made crotons, I have not so maybe that is what I will do today, I will try floral tape, masking tape, porcelain clay, wire and glue and paper! Wondering which one will work the best? What do you think?