Sunday Playday....

 I found a bunch of place mats and balsa wood this morning.

That led to playing.  I have been wanting to make some fairy doors for trees.

So.....

I started with a cardboard base and built a frame, with a door inside.  The frame was balsa and the door was bamboo place mats...

It turned out to be very boring and unsatisfactory. Just plain blah...

I am going to have to do a lot to make it fairy like!

I went back in the workroom and found some left over window frames and more balsa.

I decided to give the balsa a try.

I have a whole bag that I got a year or so ago from a friend...

I am off to a good start... It may take a little time to get what is in my head onto the balsa, but I am having fun doing it. 

Balsa is so soft, after being used to carving on walnut and cherry.  I do think that it will make great rock structures and after I put a finish on them, they will work well attached to a tree. 

Anyway, I am having fun now.  I will let you know what happens.

See you tomorrow.

Ready to Work Now....

I had to go out this morning for some groceries... at Walmart.  Hey!  It's a good excuse to go see what are in other departments. 

I found these in the close out section of crafts. They are shaped templates just the right size for minis.  Oval and round table tops.  Square oblong and tag shapes for other furniture and a bonus of the edges.  They are different designs that could be used in painting and furniture both.  As

As I said.  Closeout.  They are getting all kinds of new stuff in the craft and jewelry dept..  They have to get rid of the old stuff somehow.

When I got back, I took the gazebo out to the Faerie Garden.  It is coming right along. So far, everything is thriving. 

I did notice a new inhabitant.  I looked closely and Spike wandered in and sat down on the front step... The half inch version of Spike, that is.

I carried him back inside and he immediately found Tessie.

Not one to keep his mouth shut, he immediately started yapping at Tessie...

The result?  Tessie has gone to half inch status too and they keep zapping them selves out to the fairy garden...

I keep going out and getting them and bringing them back... The Cactus Wrens keep trying to carry them away!  I am not sure why.

I don't want to be the one to clean up the feathers when Tessie gets tired of having them kidnap her... I had best go get them again and explain the hazards of being carried away by birds.  They could wind up in the next county!

I just hope that they are sensible and listen to me... Sure they will...

See you tomorrow.

So Much for the Fairies...

It took me a while to get enough dirt into the tank to start planting... I didn't have the camera with me or I would show you the ugly three inch long yellow centipede that crawled up out of the dirt at one point. I just dug a little deeper and covered him up.  I was not about to move him.

I put the mesquite tree and one of the cape honeysuckle plants in to see what they would do.  The Mesquite is at the top right and the honeysuckle the bottom left of the photo.

Here's what is done so far.  I also put in a small Desert Mallow and a couple of succulents. Oh!  And two mother of millions.

About the time I got this all planted the phone started to try for my attention.  I ran for the house and evidently I inadvertently let Tessie and Spike out... Oops...

When I got back to the tub, this is what I saw.

In case you can't read it, it says, "Fairys by invitation only!  Hey!  I never said that Tessie could spell. 

I found the evidence of her sign making on the desk and one of my good knitting needles is missing. I know where it is... It is attached to the sign and stuck in the dirt... Great for knitting needles.

It's not enough that she has a whole cottage with trees.  Now she wants the garden too... We are going to have to have a LONG talk...

Maybe I can convince her that I saved the left over mint for her Juleps.  After all, it is the right size.

Anyway, I can't find the fairies that I used to have.  I guess that I will have to make a couple.  That is, if Tessie hasn't hidden all of the Super Sculpey.

Back to the garden.

See you tomorrow.