Sunday, June 27, 2010

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

A Visit to Rockford




We went into Rockford for various reasons but took a few minutes to see the new fish sculpture at the dam by Steve Anderson and sons. Very impressive! Didn't see any live fish but did see a turtle sunning on a rock.
Hope the rain holds off while we go to Bostwick Lake Inn to listen to some music and enjoy some friends!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

So many topiaries...


Why do I feel like I will never be done?!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Finished a few projects!









Good feeling to finally finish a few displays which were ordered in May. My list is shrinking but then I keep adding to it. I hope to finish most everything before leaving for a miniature convention July 12 but before then one son will be home and we will have visitors at the cottage. I must stay focused so I can play once company comes!




We did take a pontoon ride last evening. I made some great Sangria and it was a lovely night to be on the lake. We saw both eagles sitting next to their nest, high up in a tree on the island. I don't think they could sit any closer together...so nice to see!




Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Working slow but steady...




Seems like I am way behind but got 165 tiny pots ready to plant, made a leash for a two headed dragon, painted the hilts of many swords, worked on numerous fairy wands, almost done with the pirate wooden shoeboat except for the sail, but still have so much to do and it should all be done in less than a month! Found out yesterday I used the wrong green paint for Merlin's wagon...so now am on a quest for the right color teal. Hope I got it right on the hilt of the sword.
back to work!

Sunday, June 13, 2010



Didn't have a sunset but did have beautiful clouds! Bob the cat came out on the dock with us. He is causing quite a ruckus with some birds. Every time he goes out they squawk and squawk~then dive bomb him. They must have a nest near by.
Have accomplished quite a bit this weekend. Seems like nothing is finished yet but there are so many small steps. Sent out one display this weekend. Now to finish another and get it mailed out. I should take a picture of all the tiny thinks that I am painting and assembling. Staying up at the cottage this week to get more accomplished. Hope it works!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Shopping in downtown Holland!


Had a great shopping excursion in downtown Holland yesterday. Found a new gallery with some things I've see online and in magazines but seeing them in person made me yearn to own one! I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside The Thistle Gallery but highly recommend going there. They have wonderful jewelry and many other things that will amaze you. http://www.thistlegallery.biz/
Also went into the new location of Tip Toes, a children's store, although they now have a few women's things. What amazed me was the new playhouse, built there by a man from Ada, MI. It is wonderful (I wonder how it would look in miniature scale!).
Had lunch at Boatwerks on Lake Macatawa. Good food and beautiful views!
Holland is a great day trip for shopping with a girlfriend-maybe even a child!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Birds....



...like the birdcage but won't be caged! LOL

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Packing up....


Headed home tomorrow for a few days. Never know if I should take everything so will leave some things up north. Have to finish a display this week and mail it out (she already sent a check). I worked hard this weekend and got much done but seems like nothing is finished. Juggling too many projects at once, but that way I don't get bored. I am working on a wagon (traveling home)for a Wee Forest Folk event in Chicago with the theme 'Kingdom of Wee'. There is Merlin the Magnificent (who will reside in my wagon), Dragon Slayer (the black knight), The White Knight, the Fairest of All-Princess, Morgan le Fay (sorceress), and of course the Dragon. They are adorable!
http://www.fairy-tales-inc.com/store/products.asp?category_id=333
Had a terrific meal in TC at Apache Trout Grill today-wonderful place right on the west bay. I even made strawberry shortcake yesterday~YUM~and I saw a Baltimore Oriole at our feeder! So even though we had rainy weather and cooler temps, it was another nice weekend. Looking forward to home. It will be strange to see the devastation in our ravine caused by the rain earlier this week and we must shop for a new frig. I have a long list of things to do. Hope everyone has a great week~I plan to!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

It's so nice to be inspired!


OK...I'll admit it. I have a tendency to obsess when I see something I really like. When I visited my friend Barb's new home two weeks ago, I fell in love with so many things. She is quite the artist and her sense of color and style is 'loverly'! She used many vintage items throughout her home and I got very excited to see new ways to decorate with old things. I would love to find one special doll dresser-just adore the way she has those displayed. Her paintings (or were they water colors?) are wonderful and the way she decorated her laundry room is just the cutest thing! I was inspired to start this blog by reading her daughter Kim's blog. Kim gave her mother a wonderful birdcage-which Barb decorates for each season. On my fun day yesterday, I visited 'The Red Dresser' in it's new location, just around the corner from where it used to live (very close to 'The Candle Factory' in Traverse City). I found a nice, vintage birdcage and it came back to the cottage with me. I have some paper mache birds at home who will be flying outside this wonderful cage very soon.
PS I still am obsessing about the owl clock that Kim showed on her blog...keep wondering which room it would live in with me! LOL

Friday, June 4, 2010

Boat ride...





















We took a boat ride last night and saw many beautiful sights...first the loons with baby on mama's back. The baby was asleep until daddy loon came up with some food. Just adorable! Then we came upon the Swan family with six signets. We have only had the swans on the lake since last year so I love seeing the family grow. We saw the eagle on it's nest on the island at the west end of the lake. Some pictures are a bit fuzzy since I need a better zoom lens. Another beautiful day at the lake!






I spent several hours finishing the magazine article about my miniature friend and her work. I hope it is published before the miniature show in October. I'd love as many people as possible to see her work which will be featured at the show. It is truly masterful works of art.