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DIY Project #15

6 Jul

Soon after completing the Gnome Trio, I started on the next miniature, DIY project number 15. Initially, it started at a good pace, but I got distracted again. I was having fun with the Gnome Trio, placing them at all possible sites in the house. I wanted to have their visual presence felt.

DIY project #15

But they dwarfed in comparison to the walls of the house. What I thought was big of the carved piece turned out minuscule! So I was determined to ensure the gnomes are more visual. Hence, I deviated from DIY #15 and started on a new set of gnome carvings that are double the original in size.

New gnomes are 8” tall, twice the height of the Trio

Three separate pieces this time, I have been working on them simultaneously. During the day, I would be at the garden terrace carving, hammering, and shaping the gnomes. And during the evenings, I am inside the house working, albeit slowly, on DIY project number 15.

And with the EMCO still ongoing, I think this routine is good to keep busy. And yes, I do cook to feed the family too.

The Gnome Trio has overshadowed DIY project #15

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The Gnome Trio

21 Jun

Last two weeks, I took a break from building miniatures and carved instead. I must say, it has turned out good this divergence. However, my tools are very trying. They are not as sharp as before, and it has been a challenge to get things right.

From the initial outline of the Gnome Trio, the outcome has evolved as I progress along. Delicate parts broke off when I exerted too much strength. As such, I had to modify the shape along the way.

The Gnome Trio

But I don’t think one can tell, especially if I don’t have the original picture next to the finished piece. It looks good, and I’m pleased with my efforts.

Over the weekend, I completed the tail-end of some more detailing work. Then I did a little more sanding down before applying a coat of gesso. I’m at the tail-end of adding colors before the final touch of a varnish finish.

Gesso for a white base then the signature red cap for all three!

And voila! The Gnome Trio will be at the front of the house proudly.

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DIY Project #14 or 12B, Part 3

11 Jun

I breezed through DIY project number 14 or 12B effortlessly. I guess when I put all my energy and focus into it, the job gets done faster. Despite it being a complicated set, it was challenging yet enjoyable, and I finished it in 13 days. Quite a feat, I’d say.

Welcome to my Bookstore!
Lovely angles of the Bookstore

But soon after the completion, I decided to take a break from building miniatures. And instead, I channeled my creativity back to carving! It felt good.

Not whales because I ran out of the specific wood size, nor Citizens of Gigglesville but Gnomes, albeit a different approach. I found a forgotten piece of wood and decided to carve three Gnomes in one go.

A trio of Gnomes!

It has been very exhilarating to carve again. My progress so far is pretty good, and as I anticipate the MCO will extend for another 14 days until the end of the month, I can get this display piece completed in no time. Awesome.

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Anxiety Purchase

8 Jun

My stash of DIY projects has been reduced down to three when I started DIY project number 14 or 12B. At the pace that I am at for the latest one, I can complete it today, in record time, instead of taking another week because the three lights turned out far easier to work on than I anticipated.

And as I plan to combine project numbers 15 and 16 to become one set, my stash of three will suddenly deplete even faster. If this plan materializes, I will be down to one last project to do. Oh no.

So I had no choice but to buy some more to have a sense of security. In a spate of two days, I purchased three new sets from my regular online shopping site. You could say it was an anxiety purchase to feel secure. Two out of the three sets have arrived.

The third package should arrive soon. I can’t wait.

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DIY Project #14 or 12B, Part 2

7 Jun

I threw myself into working on DIY project number 14 or 12B with a dedication unseen before. Maybe this time around, with the recent loss of a friend and the MCO cabin fever of staying indoors for so long, is getting to me.

Nonetheless, I am pleased with the pace that I am at for this set. I reckon I can finish it in another week’s time, a record of sorts for a complicated set, taking only three weeks; a far cry from the last project that took almost three months.

Books galore and a lamp post challenge

But I now face the most challenging part for any DIY miniatures – working on the sofa chair and three lights. Typically, it is the fabric, lighting, or wire works that pose a challenge. I hope these challenges don’t derail the completion.

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DIY Project #14 or 12B

1 Jun

Soon after completing DIY project number 13 or 12A, I jumped right into working on project number 14. As I am not keen on the numbers 14 (and 13), being superstitious, this set has another number, 12B, like the recently completed set.

The project started well. It’s a bookstore, and there are many books to make. But several days into it, I hit a snag! Uh oh.

I glued the books down on the orange shelf wrongly. And now it looks weird, but I guess nobody would know if I didn’t say anything, right?

I have to be more careful from here on.

Books, lots of book and pictures for this set!

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DIY Project #13 or 12A, Part 3

28 May

DIY project number 13, otherwise known as 12A, to avoid superstition, is finally a wrap! Yay. This project took a long time, almost three months. Typically I would take about five weeks to finish a DIY miniature but not this one. Jinxed from the beginning, I encountered a lot of hiccups and distractions to stay focused.

But I’m glad I managed to complete the set during this lockdown. With no golf and hardly any work to do at the office, heck, we don’t even physically go to the office anymore; I had all the time in the world to work on it.

Carl’s Fruit Shop became The GrocerGie

I customized a lot on this set, changing it from what it’s supposed to be, and it has turned out very different. I like it very much as it is now my little masterpiece personalized right down to the name!

Lots of tiny details!
A lovely finish in the end!

The next day, without sitting on my laurels, I started on DIY project number 14 or 12B, as 14 is also a superstitious number. Let’s hope the timeline to work on this one will be better.

The next project!

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Doing Something, Part 2

25 May

Our doing something during this lockdown is the daily baking and cooking; throw in the daily efforts on the DIY project and chipping in the garden is not sufficient to pass the time. And we don’t sweat enough but end up eating more instead because of all the food efforts.

We decided to work on the garden again, focusing on the area at the side of the house. The plan is to convert a tiny plot to become a vegetable patch.

But before we could sit down to work out the idea, we jumped ahead and made another area into a pineapple patch!

Our pineapple patch!

Hubby relocated all the pineapples to one plot instead of being in pots and scattered around the garden. I think they look good being there. Furthermore, the plot is easier to protect from the squirrels. Remember that one time, the rascal of the squirrel ate our pineapple right in front of our eyes?

We look forward to the day the pineapples are ready to be harvested for our consumption.

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Mother’s Day 2021

17 May

It has been an eventful 2021 amidst the pandemic for festivals and occasions with so many restrictions and lockdowns. I will remember Mother’s Day 2021 for the wrong reasons.

It was a botched celebration last weekend. The sumptuous seafood dinner ordered from a Facebook promotion never arrived for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the MCO strict restrictions to cross districts. No delivery riders were willing to send the food over because of police roadblocks. Secondly, it was raining heavily and the timing to deliver. All went awry.

Then the flowers that were ordered online by the girls arrived two days after the auspicious day! Hahaha. With two fails, I think I will remember the occasion far better than all previous celebrations.

A lovely bouquet and a loving note

Well, the next day, we got a full refund for the botched dinner delivery. Plus, I had lovely flowers to look at the past few mornings! At least something positive from the occasion. Thank you, nonetheless, for the effort and love.

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Doing Something

14 May

We decided to take the days by the horn and keep busy. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Hubby would bake while I worked on my DIY project are the given.

We even started chipping in the garden, trying out the various wedges that we have. And we experimented with new menus for our meals.

The no-cheese pizza was simply delicious last night and the pancakes this morning were so satisfying. Now, if we can keep up the variety and activities, we shouldn’t worry about the remaining MCO days ahead.

Keeping busy with activities and food!

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