Search My Blog!

Use the Search box below to find keywords that you're looking for quickly and easily!

Search Feature

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Oh my! Time does fly! I'm not trying to jolt anyone into reality here, but - 2017 is 1/4 over already!!! It's been more than two weeks since my last post and I am literally shocked at how fast the time has gone by! What have I been up to? Well, I'll tell you...

Remember the garden shed I started before vacation? When we got home I thought I'd get it finished up before I proceeded on the flower shop. I was brimming with ideas and enthusiasm and wanted to strike while the iron was hot. It was small, so it would take only a couple days, right? Um, no. Although I have dedicated the better part of each day to it's many, many little side projects, it is still not quite finished. But I am sharing the progress anyway.

This is what I started with - an idea in my head which probably sprang to life after looking at loads of mini gardening photos online surveying for ideas on the flower shop. I drew out a rough idea of the framing and decided I'd figure out all the issues as I went along.

Rough framing and floor. Extra window from the 2013 Creatin' Contest kit.


The above photo is where I had to stop just before we left for vacation. It was a good thing because it gave me lots of "windshield time" to consider how I was going to do the roof.


At first I was going to just add a piece of corrugated cardboard that I had left from the Greenleaf Ashai Teahouse kit (now Alki Point). I figured I'd paint and rust it then glue it on. A little voice told me to wait so that I could more easily reach inside the structure. I'm glad I waited...



While that was marinating I turned my attention to putting together all of the kits and making the printies. I spent several days on that part of the project. It is amazing how much stuff can go into even a little structure!



I did a lot of ageing and rusting to everything using layers of chalk paint and antique wax. I experimented with galvanizing paper, rust techniques, and even added some tiny nails. I wanted the shed to look as though it had seen many, many years. I may have gone overboard, but I just love the way it turned out!

I had a package of these Darice Moon Lights in my electrical drawer. I got to looking at the battery pack, wanting to make it accessible but not take away from the look of the shed. Suddenly, I saw an electric meter box!





Just add rust, a straw for the wires, a cabochon and a meter printy and there you go! The lid snaps open for easy access to the batteries! I carved channels out of the wood beams for the wire to lay through.

The lights themselves were really bright LED's. I toned them down a bit by painting the bulbs with a little yellow Gallery Glass paint. Now the light looks more ambient and airplanes won't try to land on them. I wrapped them around an unfinished metal circus wheel and hung that from the ceiling beam with wire. It's rustic, but purposefully so. You can see I also changed my mind about the corrugated roof and went with the skylight windows instead. I'm glad I did because the extra light and being able to see inside is nice.





Here's what the outside/front side is shaping up to look like. I made some hanging baskets and more planters, and I still need to add moss in the floor cracks. But I'm getting close to Ta-Done!


As many of you are painfully aware, flowers and plants take a looooong time to make. And I made a lot of them. Some were cheater snips from larger "fake" greenery, two of them were kits, and the rest were made from punched paper petals and leaves. Knowing how long it took me to fill up the garden shed, I certainly have my work cut out for me on the flower shop!

Below are some of the interior photos. To make the decor I utilized a number of mediums: a lot of printies for milk carton seedlings, books, galvanized pots, seed packets, artwork for the walls, bulb paper bags and labels. I made a few things like a radio, birdhouses, planters, signs, baskets etc. with wood and precious scraps of what-knots. Every "store bought" piece was lovingly bashed, aged, dirtied up and rusted. It was so much fun to get messy!










See the mouse next to his hole?







If any of you would like the patterns for the milk cartons, galvanized pots, wall art, seed packets or book covers, I am happy to share. I am also happy to spill the beans on how I made the punched flowers and plants, what I used for rust and galvanized metal and any other secrets I know. Just shoot me an email: jodihippler(at)gmail(dot)com.

Now I need to clean up and reorganize my work room. The flower shop is calling, as is the as yet unopened Creatin' Contest kit and the advent calender I'd like to finish this year. Better get a move on - it will be December again before we know it!

Happy Spring!
Jodi

45 comments:

  1. ¡Genial!Me encanta como ha quedado. La estructura muy bonita y todos los detalles interiores perfectos.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jodi your Garden Shed is FANTABULOUS!!!
    I love the aging and the way in which you have made every detail "shine" in a rusty kinda way. Your use of the space is not only workable but also looks WORKED IN; your plant materials are well displayed and they look natural, the lighting is Perfect for this little shed and the meter box is so well disguised that I never would have guessed it's origins- it is PERFECT!!!
    BRAVO on a Wonderful conclusion to this little project Jodi. I Love EVERYTHING you've done! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Elizabeth! Your projects have long been an inspiration and it makes me so happy that you love it! :O) <3

      Delete
  3. Amazing!!It's a visual bonanza in there. I feel like I blinked and you had finished. Every piece looks like it's been in there forever. And that electrical meter is awesome

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank so much, Kat! Once I am able to reveal who it's going to and the inspiration for it you'll know why I had to fill it so full of awesome junk!

      Delete
  4. Fabulous, Jodi!! It really is amazing how much detail can be found in such a small area. I just love the whole thing. The finishing is absolutely perfect and your picture-taking abilities leave me very envious! If I didn't know better, I would swear what I am seeing in those beautiful pictures is actually life-size - a great accomplishment, for sure! - Marilyn D., Oromocto, NB, Canada

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Marilyn thank you so much! I just kept adding more layers of "old" and kept liking it more and more! The photos are getting better thanks to my newer phone with a much better camera!

      Delete
  5. Love it! It is so cute and has so much character and detail. All the work you put in was so worth every minute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shannon! It really was (mostly) enjoyable time and I am truly grateful to have had the time for it!

      Delete
  6. Hi Jodi, you are good! The garden shed is beautiful! I'm gasping for breath! I love all those grime coated, rusty things. The plants are great. So much to look at in such a small place. Thanks for giving us so many photos. The close up of the mouse was helpful, he is just a smudge in the other pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Shelley! Us miniature addicts collect so many ideas for projects, don't we? It is so satisfying when we get to see one of them completed!

      Delete
  7. jody, this looks absolutely lovely. and the old electric meter box is an excellent idea! nothing like having a bit of mini stocks.. you did a wonderful job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Marion! It is such a great feeling when you need something and find it in your mini stash! Which leads me to why I have 11 sets of storage drawers in my workroom! :oP

      Delete
  8. OMG!! This is awesome! I love every part of it. The floor is amazing, the old, rusty look is just marvellous. Every little details is wonderful. Love it, love it, love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Alexandra for your kind comment! I got to spend some time this morning over at your blog and it is such fun to read! You've filled the beach house with so many awesome details - and those babies are so adorable! Makes me want to build a mini nursery, too! I've added you to my blog roll so I can read past posts and keep up with your ongoing projects, too!

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Thanks Melli! That is nice praise coming from you! I think your fruit and vegetables turned out great! It is all coming together and turning out to be a fantastic and very interesting grocery store!

      Delete
  10. Incredible! Well done :D. It looks so....RIGHT.

    I have some of those lights in my stash, you have made me see them in a new way. The electrical box is very clever, as is the way you've turned them into a rustic chandelier. Impressive! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Keli! I love it when an idea like the electrical box works out so well! And at $3.99, those lights are going to become a regular part of my stash!

      Delete
  11. I love this project! :D It is so true that a "simple" project takes forever because you get on a roll. All the details are lovely! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Brae! I still have to add the plate of adorable cow cookies, but that would have given it away! All of your builds are so amazingly detailed and intricate - do you ever just crave a simple room box or vignette? You could make a fortune on them if you offered them in your Etsy shop...

      Delete
  12. Wow! I'm just amazed. I had to look and then look again just to make sure I hadn't missed any of those details. Love your roof and that mouse!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sheila! Believe it or not I still have an apron, flower pots and something? to add to the empty space next to the birdhouse! And the floor space is still too sparse!

      Delete
  13. Ooooh, I LOVE your little garden shed! It looks like the perfect little place to start the seedlings and write in the garden journal! I always underestimate how long things take.... you have worked Miracles in no Time at all!!! (How do you do it?) And yes... I am always wondering where the time goes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Betsy! I really did think it would go faster and this is why I have way too many projects stacking up! If you find a way to slow time down, please share it!

      Delete
  14. Man, you work at the speed of light! One minute there are a few sticks glued together, next thing I know there is an absolutely fantastic garden shed completely finished, looking like it has been around for decades! Love this and all the little details. You add such wonderful whimsy to your builds. Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Sam! This one definitely swept me up in it's current! I didn't have to stop and ponder the next step at all! I love when that happens, though for me it is rare!

      Delete
  15. Oh gosh.... (**) Is there anything you couldn't do??
    That shed is absolutely perfect - LOVE it and everything in it.
    And what an eye for details you have!
    I have so much respect for your talent that's it's almost hilarious :)
    I think I just sit for awhile and drool here....
    Hugs, Irina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Irina you are so kind! I am glad you are here to enjoy the minis with me! :O)

      Delete
  16. Hello Jodi,
    How wonderful! The empty structure was a work of art...the finishes and construction details were already amazing, then you went and made it even better by filling it so beautifully! Fantastic work. It is just spectacular and such a realistic project!
    Big hug
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Giac! You know I have to try my hand at every look, style, architecture, period and fad before I die. Now I can cross this one off the list!

      Delete
  17. Jodi you've taken me by surprise! Last post was about starting the 2017 kit and next thing I know you've completed a little masterpiece in between! I love all the details! It looks so well lived in, something you always do so well. It's a charming piece and I love all the colour and texture going on! Just beautiful! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kristine! The aged, messy, cluttered look comes so natural to me - strange, right? Now I need to work on my "updated/contemporary with a few fine antique pieces" style for the New Orleans kit. I think that one might be next on the list...

      Delete
  18. Replies
    1. ¡Gracias Rosa Maria! ¡Aprecio sus sentimientos Buenos!

      Delete
  19. It is amazing! I am so enjoying going through all the pictures. The meter is so well done. The whole little shed is such a pleasure to look at.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Penelope! Rust and grunge is surprisingly satisfying, too!

      Delete
  20. Hi, Jodi!
    I just found your site. I’ve started making miniature scenes and am quickly getting obsessed. I love all the details in your pieces. I would love to know how you did it all. I am working on a flower shop and was searching for a good way to make all the flowers and buckets. I’m continuing to look through your site, such inspiration.
    Tania

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tania! Thanks for coming by to read the blog and for your nice comments! Minis are addicting, but the endless ideas and joyful feeling you get from working on them is worth the habit!

      Here's a link to the post about making the flower buckets:

      https://my-miniaturemadness.blogspot.com/2022/03/merci-bouquet.html

      And here's a link to some flower making tips:

      https://my-miniaturemadness.blogspot.com/2018/09/growing-cottage-garden-part-2.html

      I use punches for some things like hydrangeas and geraniums, but my favorite method for flower making are the kits by SDK miniatures. There are many other great kits and tutorials out there, too! I hope you'll keep coming back to share in the adventures with me, and that you always leave with a little inspiration!

      Delete
  21. Jodi,
    Thank you for the links! I’ve been shrinking the Cricut templates for flowers, but I am finding that those seem limited. I have bookmarked your site, which, nowadays is rare! Thank you for sharing your hard work and tutorials. I am looking forward to looking through your site!
    Tania

    ReplyDelete