I'm using leaf and petal sheets from SDK for the flower parts. I have a lot of them - twelve sheets each of small and large petals, and eleven sheets of leaves. This means one-hundred-twenty full flower stems, twenty-four blooming buds, and one-thousand-one-hundred-twenty-two large and small leaves. As you can imagine, this will take a while, and I hope I have enough...
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| Wires, leaf and petal sheets, instructions and calculations. |
The first step was to cut one-hundred-forty-four wire stems and dip the ends in paint. I spent every spare moment I had over the last week coloring petals with Pastel Pink ProMarker and leaves with alcohol ink. My petals turned more of a salmon pink on the majority of the petal sheets (I was sent two vastly different kinds of petal paper), but that still worked well with the color scheme of the cottage (though I would have preferred them lighter).
Round one with two petals took about four hours.
Round two with petals 3-4 took four more hours...
For the fifth and sixth petals I stopped keeping track of time.
And then there was a set of leaves to add. I'm only adding two to each stem, for now. The remaining eight-hundred-thirty-four leaves will be added last, to fill out the tree.
And speaking of tree...
Here is the beginning of the armature. Can you tell it's my first time? I have Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty on hand to give Brae's tree making method a try. I also have Woodland Scenics Latex Rubber on the way. I am going to experiment with it as well, following the instructions on Luke Towan's video. l'll report about my findings next post.
And last but not least this week, I promised Fluby a photo after I had made the Strawberry Plant kit. Birgit, please show him the photo. I hope he finds my strawberries satisfactory!
I hope to be back with Camellia Tree progress next week, though I am starting to believe that the "Growing A Cottage Garden" posts may reach 11 or 12!
Keep away from the ghouls, they're a bad lot of fools!
xo xo,
Jodi
Esas camelias lucirán impresionantes en el árbol!! Y estoy segura que a Fluby le va a encantar esa planta de fresas!!!
ReplyDeleteBesos.
DeleteGracias pilar Hoy, podría ser lo suficientemente valiente para hacer los cálculos y ver si voy a tener suficientes Camelias. Si no, tengo que tomar una decisión difícil: ¡hacer más camelias y hojas o reducir la grandeza del árbol!
Your Camilia tree is going to be Spectacular Jodi however, I didn't realize until now, that the leaves were "tea-able"? AND I can't believe the number of flowers, buds and leaves you have dedicated towards it!
ReplyDeleteI know from my own past experience, just how quickly they all get used up before the plant is completed, but Hopefully you will have exactly enough for a Lush looking tree without having to make more.
p.s. the strawberry plant is Lushious so tell Fluby to fetch some cream! ;D
Thank you, Elizabeth! Knowing practically nothing of what makes up the teas I love when I started this project, I have learned a lot of fascinating things. They are, however, based on information found solely on the internet. So, are the "facts" really true? In this instance, I must defer to Proverbs 3:5-6, and to those in the know like you! 😁 I hope I don't lead anyone astray!
DeleteYou are so right about going through the blooms much faster than you'd think. I look at the arbor and realize how little sixty-six roses actually covered. Today I must check in with reality and measure the total length of my tree branches, then divide the number of Camellia flowers by that number. The truth shall set me free to either commit to making more leaves and flowers, or to scaling back my tree. The decision will be a tough one.
Making the strawberry plant was so much fun, and compared to the epic amounts of single varieties I have made so far for this project, I appreciated having it completed in only a couple of hours!
I hope Fluby likes his cream whipped with sugar like I do!
Proverbs 3:5 - 6 👍🏾
DeleteIt's one that truly helps me, and to remind myself, I have it on a plaque on the front porch. The other one I need to keep mindful of is Philippians 4:6-7. And when it comes to miniatures, I have to remember Philippians 4:13! 😁😜💗
DeleteThis camellia tree in full bloom is going to be a feast for the eye.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what Fluby is going to say with a sigh, when he sees your gorgeous strawberry plant, "Oh strawberries...."
Hugs, Drora
I hope it will make a nice impact in the garden, Drora! I have visions of grandeur that won't leave me alone!
DeleteI can't wait to see what Fluby thinks of my strawberries! Hopefully, they make his wee mouth water!
Tienes un reto por delante , pero seguro que lo conseguirás, ya ha s dado el primer paso con las flores y te han quedado preciosas, así es un buen comienzo. Seguro a a Fluby le encantará la planta de fresas.Buen día:-)
ReplyDeleteGracias Rosa Maria! Tienes razón, este árbol, como gran parte de este proyecto de casa de campo, me ha desafiado y me ha hecho mejorar mi resistencia. ¡Espero que los esfuerzos me ayuden a aprender y crecer, y que los resultados llenen mi visión!
DeleteI love the color of those flowers! And I'm going to be watching closely. I need to watch the video too! You're making excellent progress.
ReplyDeleteAnd the strawberry plant looks totally yummy.
Thanks Sheila! I like the color, too, but am still mourning the idea of pale pink.
DeleteI like the idea of the latex rubber because it remains semi-pliable when dry, and because I am working around windows, the ability to make adjustments will be helpful. I just don't know about the texture. We'll see...
The strawberry plant was quick and fun, and the Braxton Payne pot is wonderful, though you barely see any of it now!
I like the colorful flowers that adorn the house.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fabiola! 💗
DeleteNo, I couldn't tell it was your first time making tree armature. :-) Honestly, it looks wonderful. When you have put on the trunk and added your leaves and flowers, it's going to be absolutely stunning. I love the way it winds around the windows. What an enormous amount of work on all those petals and flowers. I think the color is beautiful and will go so well with your lovely house.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deborah! You know the lengths we are willing to go through to fulfill our vision! The whole cottage has been like an intense training course in things that are new to me. But in some weird way it's the overcoming of frustrating challenges that propel you forward. I know you know exactly what I mean!
DeleteTanto las camelias como la planta de fresas están genial !!!!
ReplyDeleteGracias, Eloisa! ¡Estoy tan feliz de que te gusten y espero que el árbol de Camelia quede bien!
DeleteHi, Jodi - Oh, my! The making of all those camellia blossoms and leaves just boggles my mind. I think you were wise to finally stop counting the hours! The color is wonderful, I think, and will look beautiful with all the pink trim around the cottage. Your tree armature is very well done, and not at all amateurish; I love the way it winds around the cottage structure. That camellia tree is going to be spectacular!
ReplyDeleteMarjorie
Thank you, Marjorie! Yes - I think somewhere in the midst of all of these flowers I have had to go on "autopilot" lest I lose my mind in the monotony! I measured 55.5 inches of tree branch that needs covering, so my fingers are crossed and I'm sending up prayers that an average of one flower for every half inch will be enough. Otherwise, my tree is going to have A LOT of baby buds!
DeleteLa planta de las fresas es muy bonita pero el árbol va a quedar espectacular. Tiene que ser muy satisfactorio ver como va creciendo poco a poco. Las flores del árbol están fantásticas.
ReplyDelete¡Gracias, Isabel! Es maravilloso ver que el jardín se convierta en un lugar colorido, pero cuanto más pienso que estoy terminado, más recuerdo que tengo que hacer. ¿Alguna vez podré empezar con los muebles interiores? Me encanta el jardín, pero hay tantos maravillosos minis que he planeado para el interior, me siento impaciente. :O)
DeleteYour flowers are lovely, you have such patience.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Polly! I am not sure I can claim patience for every moment of flower making, but where patience fades off, determination takes its place! With the lovely things you've created for you dolls house, I know you can relate to that! Persistence pays!
DeleteCamellias are one of my very favourite plants and have had many over the years. Your tree will put my real life meagre shrubs to shame. In truth I have never seen a fully grown camellia tree so I am awaiting yours with great pleasure. What a lot of lovely work ahead of you.... aren't minis fun.
ReplyDeleteI really love Camellias, too, Marilyn, though I have never had the pleasure of actually growing one! I hope my tree will pass and be recognizable as a Camellia tree, though the ones I have seen online have not been as elaborate. Once I get all of the leaves in place, I will go after them with Mod Modge to hopefully, give them the waxy sheen they deserve!
DeleteJodi, you have so much patience! The tree is going to be spectacular! I'm really looking forward to seeing your next posts. And what a cute little strawberry plant you've got there. I love how it has a mix of 3d items. Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristine! I really hope the tree comes out nice and that I have enough flowers for it. But you know how ideas can turn into a series of problems to solve, so we'll see! The strawberry plant kit was fun and easy to do, the strawberries just needed a little glass paint to help them look more real.
DeleteOh, this is great… I will save a lot of energy costs for a while because I have a certain flutterybeary around here who's beaming bright as sunniest daylight with joy and pride and doing the happy dance while shouting "Oh my… strawberries! Sweet, red, juicy, aromatic strawberries!!!" He even managed to mention in between all of this joy and happiness that in his opinion (and he even pointed out that it's the opinion of a true expert) your strawberry pot turned out (I may quote) "awesome, terrific, gorgeous, stupendous, beautiful, breathtaking, fantastic and totally impressive". And the strawberries would look as they should: "Sweet, red, juicy and aromatic". You've made the day of a little furry fluttery guy for sure… he even blushed when I showed him your post. ;O) And although I had a bit of trouble to read your post with a flutterybeary sticking to my monitor I was able to see enough yet to recognize what wonderful work you're doing with this camellia. The beginnings of your shrub placed in the garden at the house's facade makes me dream of seeing it finished in bloom. This will look spectacular, that's already for sure. But it will be a long way until then, it's always surprising how many leaves are needed in the end for a tree or shrub. But okay, maybe only for those like me who make an amount of leaves just to find out that they'll need to do many more amounts of leaves still. I really admire your calculations in the beginning… I wish I could ever be so prepared and organized! *LOL*
ReplyDeleteHugs
Birgit (who really wouldn't mind if there would even be parts 23 or 34 of "Growing a Cottage Garden" - it's so much fun to see this beautiful garden develop) - and a big beary hug from Fluby too!
I'm so happy that my first strawberry plant passed inspection by the official expert! I may have to put in a plant stake that says "Fluby Approved", lol!
DeleteI definitely have a feeling that, in spite of my "calculations", I will have grossly underestimated the amount of flowers, leaves and time to finish up the Camellia tree. But denial is an encouraging place to live for a while, so I'll try to stay there for a bit longer! 😁 I am so happy that you are willing to hang in there with me for however long it takes to get this garden done!
Big hugs for both of you!🤗😘💗
Oh my! I was absent from the blogging world for a while and had only seen a few Instagram posts. I have caught up with all the parts I missed and I am speechless with admiration!!I love everything you have done and can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteOne day my Willowcrest will need a garden and I know where to get some inspiration!
Hi Veronique! I am happy that life has given you back to us, and I'm glad you like where the cottage's garden path is leading! I know your Willowcrest garden will be amazing, and I hope you get lots of mini time in the coming months to work towards completing your dreams!
DeleteYour garden is already so beautiful! I can hardly wait to see it finished...well, as finished as any mini project ever is, lol.
ReplyDeleteHi De! Thanks so much! You are so right about only being as finished as a mini project can be! I did not imagine this small garden would have so much in it, or that I would have spent so much time on it. But it's neat to see where they lead you, and to be able to try all of the ideas that come to mind!
DeleteYour garden is already so beautiful! And your Camellia tree is going to be fantastic. I admire your dedication to this hobby.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from snowy Finland!
Thank you, Sirkka! I remember so clearly having to "give up" on miniatures back in '03. Work and family had to be the priority, so now that the kids are grown and work is much less demanding, I truly appreciate the ability to dedicate so much time to exploring this passion!
DeleteFrom drought to snow in only a couple months! I hope you have made socks for your feet to! It's only rain here for the foreseeable future, but there is definitely a chill to the air!
Trees!!! I love me a mini tree. :D The strawberries turned out great. I have that kit and might have to drag it out now. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Brae! And your trees inspire us all so much because they are truly excellent!
DeleteI think you'll really enjoy the kit, and there are lots of little things you can do to turn up the realism! I made the flower centers more 3D and used glass paint on the strawberries so they weren't so flat. I know you'll do an outstanding job on yours! The Braxton Payne strawberry pots are very nice - I highly recommend!
I adore all the beautiful flowers and plants.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brandy! It is a lot of work and has taken more time than I really wanted to spend (so many other projects in the queue and all) but very rewarding to see it coming together!
DeleteHello Jodi,
ReplyDeleteThe Camellias are gorgeous. They may be darker then you intended, but they are a really beautiful color and you did, yet again, an amazing job of assembling them.
Big hug
Giac
Thank you, Giac! Sometimes you just have to go with what you have and learn to live with the outcome. I wanted very pale pink Camellias, but they wanted to be boisterous! So boisterous they shall be! My extremely conservative dad will definitely ask why the salmon pink, and I will laugh because I know him so well!
Delete