Author: Jill Fraser

Miniature Birds in Felt

Recently I attended a workshop on making miniature felt creatures. Well, if there is anything destined to make one humble this was it. It is probably easier to make larger animals but when you are making tiny ears, it is a painful experience. Those needles are not only sharp, they are barbed. Bandages were supplied… Continue reading Miniature Birds in Felt

Adding punch to your work

In the latest issue I have gone a bit medieval. Inspired by Barbara Keeling’s castle no doubt. I had fun making some stocks. I had even more fun working out how to use LilyPad lighting. This is something you have to explore. It is washable wearable lighting and my school teacher sister had been getting… Continue reading Adding punch to your work

Bird cage developments

Bird cage developments: following on from my birdcage workshop was this lovely result. Maria did things a little differently as she wanted to put more things in the base. She hand painted everything rather than spraying. She used a paper lace rather than cotton lace. The legs were made from beads. She decided to make… Continue reading Bird cage developments

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A great project to do

Birds have been on my mind. First it was my paintings of the Flamingo and the Pelican. Then a Fimo parrot made an appearance. Now it is budgie cages! This example is based on a full-size Victorian one I saw in a magazine. It is a great project to do. This is a lovely project… Continue reading A great project to do

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A little bird crazy

A painting started it all. It was in my head for about a year then a few weeks ago I finally got it on to canvas, a flamingo tin sign, rather aged. then I went a little bird crazy! This led to a lot of tropical thoughts and the 12th scale parrot called Pompey made… Continue reading A little bird crazy

A Xmas box of projects

All these projects can be found in the December Issue of Miniature Time Traveller. Very easy to do. And if you enjoyed reading this post, why not subscribe to future posts? See us this year at Miniatura or the VAME Convention

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Christmas is coming – arghh!

I love Christmas. I love decorating my tree. I love wrapping up presents. What I don’t love is some of the pressures that come with Christmas. Mostly self inflicted. I have my famous Worcestershire Sauce to make (for gifts). Some Limoncello to make (for gifts – mostly) as the lemon tree has produced bigtime this… Continue reading Christmas is coming – arghh!

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Riverside Cottage Part 3

I am trying to get this project finished by the end of November. Progress is good. I have completed the top floor. The house slots in nicely with the initial front scene and part of the kitchen. It is a jigsaw house. First came the front scenario, with flagged yard, old fisherman and his boat… Continue reading Riverside Cottage Part 3

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Riverside Cottage Part 1

I started off with the club workshop by John Duff – an inside/outside scene. It was to have a Tuscan flavor. My decision was to go with a cottage theme by a river as I had this lovely little boat in my stash for years waiting for a home. However, while working on it I… Continue reading Riverside Cottage Part 1

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The beauty of Spring

Spring in New Zealand and a bit more sun always gets me thinking about making flowers. This little pot of Cyclamen was inspired by a workshop by the Whakatane Club. The instructions are coming up in the October issue. I was very happy with this little pot. I used my Mother’s real life Cyclamens as… Continue reading The beauty of Spring

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Kit-set Tables and Chairs

Kit-set tables and chairs to make. In the April Issue of the Miniature Time Traveller, only available digitally at present, free on request, there were instructions for three different stylish chairs. The chairperson of the committee of three demanded they have tables to match! So in the June Issue there will be instructions for three… Continue reading Kit-set Tables and Chairs

Using Lockdown Creatively

Hit with a sudden idea I put together a little project kids could do at home. I sent it off with photos and instructions to the local paper. They loved it and commissioned ten more! Suddenly I was in work! I started with a simple chair made from a cotton reel, a bottle cap and… Continue reading Using Lockdown Creatively

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Please take a seat

While putting the April magazine to bed I have been working on the projects that appear in it. Some fun was had in making chairs out of practically nothing so I am giving you a little preview. Instructions in the Issue out next week. Don’t forget to check the latest issue of Miniature Time Traveller… Continue reading Please take a seat

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