Sweeping Tom... or something like that!

Can't decide on a name for this little broom so for now he's called Tom. Has to be a boy/man because i can't do female faces too well (for some reason).
He's meant to be a thin silver birch that the witch has pulled from the soil. So the roots represent the bristles for a flying broom.
He's not complete and not happy with the colour yet, but going to add some little mushrooms clinging to his roots. Jodi suggested the mushroom idea and got to say i fell in love with it straight away. Not sure what type to make yet so will have a search for my mushroom book.
I think the next one needs arms so any suggestion for what could be in te hands are always welcome. Perhaps a wand to match the theme of te tree would be ideal.
Hopefuly he will be ready for my ebay listings tomorrow evening at 8pm

Oops... changed my mind.

Had a change of mind, sorry you didnt see the other but heres the new.
Check out the free backgrounds here http://pueblogisi.blogspot.com/

What doyou think?

Should i keep this background page and sort a little further, or should i switch back to the old one?
Not sure if i like this or not. But it may be of use if you find the link in the left hand corner and visit to get some very arty backgrounds and headers for yourself... all for free!
The lady has some beautiful images... check them out!
Heres the link anyway http://blo64rt.blogspot.com/

Check out the creation of Muddy End!

To View all the images on the sites with link i think you need to become a member of the group. Think this is why the links are not working. I'm a member which is probably why they only work for me (not sure)






Recently on one of my postings i showed a house called Muddy End and thought i would show again, alongside some great links to its creation.
The lady that made the house is called Cate and she sells on etsy. Here is her link to to her etsy listings http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6138915. She also makes some fab hats and other miniatures available to buy there. Can you believe the house is still available to buy. If i had enough cash i'd be straight there with my bank card
Anyway, i adore this house and look at it every day, so thought i would say hi to Cate through etsy and had a lovely reply email back.
Heres the link to a site Cate belongs to http://www.allthingsmini.com/
Here is a link to the creation of muddy end http://www.allthingsmini.com/forum/index.php?&showtopic=2493&hl=swamp+witch. If you go to the bottom of each page you can click on page 2 and then 3 through to the final completed house.
I had a few problems using this site so if you have a problem then look for username othercate should my links not work, and then find this wonderful creation that way instead.
Cate also has a blog called Solet Luna and you can once again see the house by using the older posts tab. She is just starting a new build and i know i'm for one looking so forward to seeing it grow.
From all the shows i've been to, all the great houses i've seen and all the wonderful artists out there nothing beats Muddy End. Simply in love with it.
So, today thanks to a fab link Debbie sent to me i've orderd all the materials i need to have a go at making something just as wonderful myself. Maybe then i can stop stalking this house and looking at every last litle detail.
Make sure you also check all the tiny little details here and there both on the interior and exterior. Just fab isn't it?

Spare 5 mins.

Had a couple of spare seconds today to finish these litle pots which i'll put on ebay this Wednesday.
Apologies to everyone for signing into ebay at 8pm yesterday to see my new items which didn't go on until 9pm. I was sleeping at the time so wasn't aware and think it was something to do with the clocks going forward yesterday.
Anyway the pots are the first of their kind and just part of my recent experiments.
They are made from polymer clay and acrylic paint with my own home dyed material.

Think it was Friday!

I think it was Friday my lovely husband Mick took me to Ikea. The word Ikea puts him into a state of panic and causes lots of arguments. Not because i make him build everything once home (i do the building with my son Patrck) but because he just can't walk around the place claiming he has more to do with his life.
Anyway, i went with a vision in my head of a new desk and a more organised work space. So off we went to the land of panic where he promptly chucked me out of the car and went elsewhere leaving me to my own devices.
Found the perfect desk and truly believed once home i could fit everything in the drawers. I also bought a lovely new office chair because when the kids were little they decided to take a craft knife to the old one and hack loads of slashes in the back and the bit where you plonk your bum. They have promised me now they are older this won't be repeated. Which made me think how did they get hold of the craft knife when they were little.. lol. Not great mothering skills in the knife department i'm afraid!
When leaving Ikea almost wet myself with laughter and was reminded of the Mr Bean programme when he decides to do some January furniture sale buying and comes home with a chair on top of his car and uses a broom or something to hold down the pedals. Two men were trying to get a massive sofa into their tiny car... lol. Being me couldnt help but say 'don't think that ones going to fit'. Got to say they didn't seem impressed with my honest comment... lol.
All the men were taking charge and looking at the angles, should they fit the big or small things in first and so on. The wifes unable to lift the massive heavy boxes for fear of breaking thier nails just pottering about looking like they wre doing something. Makes me wonder what the scene will be like at the other end once home.
Once home i started to build the desk and luckily my son patrick aged 13 arrived home to help. He loves to build anything and so gave him the chair and a section of the desk. My husband vanished off to work as he does most days... lol.
I was alomost done when i kneeled down (rememember i already have a bad right leg) to stick the top bit on to the side and went right down on the sticky out bolt and wood bit. So now i have a sore scabby left knee. Did mutter a few words in with the ooooows and the tears.
So now it's in position but still need more storage so sending my husband back to get the shelf i knew i should have bought but decided against. He is i'm sure so looking forward to the return trip... lol
So i set my my comp up on the new desk and the whole thing crashed and refuses to do anything... lol. Need to get my son Francis aged 17 to fix it, but he won't give me windows for some reason (beyond me) and gives me a system that i can't even use because ts for nerds. So think i'll have t call the comp man that does as you ask.
Just wondering will anything go right and why do i depend on children to do everything for me. Surely as an adult i should know more.
When the new shelf arrives and i build it i'll post some pictures of the room that is never quite finished.
Oh yes, as we were carrying everything in on Fridy my husbands suggestion was rather than struggle to carry everything in and then build should we instead go straight to the dump and get rid of everything. He has given me 6 months at the most before i change my mind and suggest a better alternative.

Rough Scrap Pages.

Here's some rough scrap pages of some recent work. Not had time to put nice edges and make them all fit correctly but thought i's still show anyway.
Most of these and some others not shwoing will be listed on ebay this evening between 8pm and 8.20pm.
I've scheduled both the auction and buy it now items to follow each other every two minutes. Hopefully this should work but being me and my lack of techno skills its always a worry i've done something wrong.
Here is my ebay link http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/nikkinikkinikki72

Bits and Bobs for ebay.

Thought (lol) it was about time i put some miniatures for sale on ebay. Here's a little peak at some that are ready for tomorrow evening at around 8pm (ish).
I've decided to call the work i do a hobby from now on, because i never get the time to have a good go at just making. By the time i sit at my desk something always happens which prevents me from actually working. If my husband isn't working during the week he natters away and has the worst habbit of just pacing up and down which distracts me. Why he can't pace elsewhere is beyond me! My eldest son Francis then arrives home when he should be at college so he takes up time, then a neighbour knocks etc etc. But the worst is if my drunk neighbour knocks which means no work at all. I've had so much time taken this week with parent evenings for all 3 boys, dentist and optician appoinments, school option evening and stuff like that and now it's Saturday, only half my pictures are ready, the house is a tip and shattered after doing the biggest food shop of my life.
Just hoping the sun is shining tomorrow morning for the rest of my photos.
So now this is my hobby and shall just have to accpet that everyone around me is a pain... lol.

Check out the Rik Pierce Video

I forgot all about this video and thought it may be of use for all harry potter, witch, spooky etc fans.
http://www.salssite.com/Hogwarts%20Video%20page.htm Follow this link to look insides Hogwarts and make sure you check out all 3 videos.

Check These Out.

Check out these fab websites

http://www.penny-thomson.co.uk/index.htm - look for the fairy house on Penny's site. Simply beautiful.






Plus check out the muddy swamp house on etsy which i'm so in love with.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6138915




Had a fab bunch of flowers arrive this morning as a thank you for a friend.
Check out the fab website http://www.candybouquetleicester.co.uk/

My little purchases.

My Knee is still getting stuck and hobbling around again today, but its boring doing nothing so here's some of my little purchases from miniatura. I don't tend to buy anything major but did commission a witch. I can't remember the name of the stall though for this witch and can't figure it out from all the business cards i brought home, so will have to wait for the lady to contact me... lol. I think Debbie will remember. I'm terrible like this.
Anyway i loved the sunflower which is going in my witches garden. All the litle bits and bobs will be used for my work and my own house.
While there i was talking to somebody (can't mention the name yet), and asked about making something that all the witchy and hauned fans are going to love. If this idea turns out the item will be available to purchase shortly from a very well know fimo miniaturist. Its ever so exciting and will keep you posted on that.
Off not to snuggle up under the duvet and eat some more mothers day chocolate. I hate going to the doctors and shall see if my knee settles before i even think of making an appointment.

I'm Back Too!

I'm back too, but sadly no pictures to show you yet. None tomorrow either because need to rest my leg... lol. Just the one leg though. Maybe i could hop on my left. I have to laugh.
Had a lovely time at Debbie's, meeting her lovely family, all the ponies and dogs. I had a great time at miniatura and got to see a couple of friends, bought some wonderful miniatures, and said goodbye to Debbie and Mick around 4 ish. Then i was catching the train back to Euston about 5 (ish) when my leg totally went and couldn't even bend it. The trouble with stations and trains mean that you need to bend your knee to get up and down stairs, but i couldn't. I suffer with a bad knee and couldn't get my knee cap back in place, cried lots and lots (everyone though i was a nutter), had to be helped on and off trains, down stairs and into lifts etc.
I knew it was going to happen because could feel it getting stuck all day.
I then decided to forget to pick all my miniatures up when getting a tube ticket, hobbled off down the escalators then realized i was minus a bag once at the bottom. To get back to the top meant getting up stairs. So more assistance was brought in for somebody to go and find my bag. Luckily it was handed in and brought down to me by one of the guards. Then with all my pain got on the wrong blooming train.... oh lol.
But the stations in between had tiny tube maps and couldnt see a thing, so again looked like a hobbling idiot asking people to look at my personal map.
When i was almost home had to come down the stairs on my bum while really trying not to cry. Luckily had a man that was kind enough to help me. People just ignore people that are struggling but that bloke was lovely and really helped. At the bottom and around the corner was my lovely husband waiting for me and wondering what the hell was going on, why i was crying and why i was walking like a crab and why the man (my helper) was carrying all my bags.
I'm now ok, the leg is a lot better and off to bed with a hot chocolate and some chilli chocolate the kids bought me for mothers day.
After all that it was funny and did have a lovely day, but oh so glad to be home!

My Reason!

Just to let you finally know why i removed all my Haunted Tree postings recently. This was because i'm doing this as a project for one of the dolls house magazines. Not sure how these things work but will let you know in advance early summer which one it is.
It's now all complete, the photos and tutorial complete and looking wonderful. Can't wait to see it in print.
My biggest problem with such tasks is my lack of computer and photography skills. I've taken nice close ups of each stage and cropped so the reader can see clearly. I've spent hours typing and checking its all correct and when i finally finished and copied to disc i noticed a mistake, so back to the editing again. My other problem is the pictures need to be 300dpi and being me don't have a clue how to change. So I've taken the whole lot to a local shop and paid the man to do it for me. He's also checking out my camera because its still playing up. Hope its nothing major and a new one will be needed. Mind you, a new camera would be nice!

Off to Miniatura!

I'm going to Miniatura this Sunday, but on Saturday taking a slight turn to the left and going to Wales to see Debbie from Tiny Treasures. I'm staying there for the night and then we're going to the show together.
Really looking forward to it and meeting Debbie, her family and the cute little ponies. Just hoping... lol, she is not some nutter on the quiet. She assures me she is sane... lol
I believe she's scrubbing the house today in preparation for my visit. I have told her i'm as blind as a bat but still she scrubs. Stop the scrubbing Debbie!
On the look out for some nice owls while there, which is my usual thing, but i never find the right ones.
Heres a picture for a beautiful house. The seller called Petitie Properties will be at this show. I love their little houses.

For Casey.

For Casey and others that love steampunk. http://www.cforiginals.net/downloads.html

There's a great tutorial on the website showing you how to make a steampunk fish. Plus a free tutorial for making a heart.
Seems steampunk is the new/old thing. Plus they also stock some nice glass eyes in various colours.

Yesterday Debbie from Tiny Treasures took several wonderul picture for me. These are the items she owns so just a small section of items.
They look brilliant and have put my favourite on the side bar under my profile so its in permanent position.
Thank you once again Debbie, it was ever so kind of you!



The day for my hair to be somehow sorted has finally arrived, so off to detangle before my hairdresser arrives. I'm easily bored blow drying and styling and before she arrives got to make myself look half human. In she will walk like a supermodel and all perfect. I really don't know how people look like that and be ready so early in the morning. When my boys were small i'd see mums at the school in full make-up and clothes that matched, while i would have a nightie under my coat or have to wear a hoodie because my hair looked like a nest. Plus how do they keep their nails so nice. My nails look like they have been dipped in acid on a daily basis. I wish i knew the secrets to looking good.

What is your opinion?

I'm making a looking glass based aroound a tree stump, but i'm not sure if it looks too big. I know trees come in all shapes and sizes and so do glass balls, yet still unsure.
On the Wizard of Oz the witch looks in one of these. It was big and upto her hips and the width would have been wider than a person. So maybe it will be ok.
However, although i know all of this i'm worried it will be too big for a 1:12 room.
Views are welcome

My Other Blog

Don't forget to visit my other blog http://niksimagecollection.blogspot.com/ and have a nose at the great images i will continue to collect and show.
The images are not my own and are what i collect from other miniaturists and model makers in all scales. Some of the items are full human size.
I should hopefully put more pictures on this week so eventually the blog will be a great source of inspiration.
Most of the pictures are haunted, witch and wizard related, spooky and whimsical.
The image of the dragon preserved in a jar is something I'd love to own. Can you imagine trying to make that in miniature? I dare anyone to have a go.

Plates in the making!

Just thought i would show you some plates i have on the go. Not going to carry on with them until next week and should by then have around 30. Debbie kindly sent me a lovely parcel full of mixed plates which was greatly appreciated, so this is what I've done to them so far.
I don't know if this applies to everyone, but now when i post i don't have to do a manual spell check (i never did this i know), but now its all right in your face and nicely underlined here on blogspot. So no more bad typing from me... Lol. Well thats only if i choose to click on whats underlined.
What did make me laugh was when i typed in blogspot. It brings that up as not right and boldly underlines in the red stuff.... lol

Apologies

I've removed all my tree postings and when i can will let you know why in a few weeks.
Everyone left me such nice comments for each of these postings and sorry i've had to delete them all. It is for a good reason and if you were following and making the tree then you will still be able to do this, but just at a later date. Really sorry about that.
Busy for a few days so will probably not show you anything new until next week.
Nikki x

tO tHe MoOn AnD bAcK

Heres a link to a fab new blog called Whittaker's Miniatures. The blog is being created by a husband and wife team called John and Kate.
John had me believing he didnt know one end of a tool from the other. Over time i've grown to believe every word he tells me, but from now on won't be listening to anything he says. If you pop over and have a nose then i'm sure like me you would go to the moon and back again just to have the beautiful houses they are both working on.
Isn't it nice they are working on this together. I'd have to make something based around fishing or cricket to even get the slightest bit of interest from my husband with anything miniature.

FOLLOWING THE FOXGLOVES - You must not forget to pop over and have a look at Jayne's blog from Tallulah Belle and see how the foxgloves are coming along. Jayne has never made these complicated flowers and as far as we can tell neither has any other miniaturist to such a high standard. It's amazing how jayne goes about making even the tiniest of buds in so much detail and the planning and thinking that goes into her wonderful creations. Purely genius!

Fireplace for John

Yey... its done. Here's the firplace i've been making on and off for quite some time made especially for John. If you're wondering who John is then shortly he will have his own blog that i think his wife will also be involved with. So finally we shall get to see the house. I think they have two on the go and both will be based around wizards and with the Haryy Potter theme in mind. Hurry up John! Both Debbie and i can't wait to see.
My camera seems to have perked up somewhat and so the photos are getting better. Perhaps i'll finally stop moaning about the bad pictures.
Hint and tip on Cameras. Hide them from your children because they will for sure get it wet.
I've also started two witches sheds and if i get the time i'll glue it all together this evening. Imagine an outside loo, well thats kind of my idea but inplace of the loo i'll have shelves, lots of pumpkins, flying broom sticks and mushrooms in trays.

Wizard Staff.

Rough drawing of my glass order. These should be ready for me in roughly 3 weeks.
Can't wait and love the wavy lines on the jars at the bottom of the page. Plus hoping to make some mini gardens in the large dome shapes towards the top.
I have ordered others but can't find my sketches.



Made these today and quite pleased with the result. They just need a little bit more work and a touch more paint to blend the leaves in. Plus one of the glass balls needs a varnish.
Off now to make several sets of plates with faces on. Debbie very kindly sent me a lovely package with a variety of plates on Wednesday which are much appreciated. When and if i get them all complete i'll share them with you. Plus will make Debbie a set for her kindness. I'm also going to be making some pies with a magical twist and if all goes to plan some cheesecakes with a ghoulish theme to them too.
If anyone is wondering when i am ever going to get myself back in gear and start selling all that i've made over the last few weeks, then i'm not far off putting some on CDHM and my auction items on ebay. I'm trying to build up enough mini's so i'm not in a rush every friday and saturday ready to list on sunday evenings.
I'm trying to build up 3 weeks worth of mini's and keep this then going like clockwork. Well thats my plan, perhaps it will work,or perhaps not.
I'm also a little behind with some new much promised potion jars while i await my order.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW SOME HINTS AND TIPS FOR SCENIC WATER (THE CELAR ONE YOU MELT WITH HEAT) CLICK ON MY COMMENTS. i DONT WANT TO FILL UP THE ENTIRE BLOG PAGE.

Follow Tallulah and the foxgloves!

Jayne of Tallulah Belle is having a go at making some much needed foxgloves for my witches garden (yes know the house isn't built yet).
Anyway, she hasn't made them before and as far as we can tell neither has any other miniaturist. So for a little while as she battles through how to make them you can follow the progree on her blog. Its ever so interesting how they are made and just love the hanging papers as shown in this picture.
I think the first buds that have now hit the bin were perfect, but jayne doesn't seem to think so.
Check out Jayne's blog and follow along to see what the end result is. I know they will be wonderful and much like all the other wonderful flowers you can view both on the blog and website.
Isn't she clever!

Crows Feet and the monster mess!

Just some little potion borads on the go today. These are one of my favourites having made them in the past. The idea came from my friend Kat the hat. She asked if i could make a beauty crows feet potion and afer several ideas this ended up as the result.
Pictures not great today (as usual) but hope you like them.
Also, the monster mess has started to grow again. My drawer idea is not working and nothing seems to be going back in the right drawers, and instead finds a new home on the windwow ledge again. This mess grows and grows and then i'm once again unable to find anything. Doesn't look too bad at the moment but give it another week.
Yes, i know, not an interesting view out the window.

New Blog!

Just to let you all know i've created a new blog today. I won't be saying much there and it will mostly be pictures of other artists work and wonderful creations i find along the way. Its mainly a blog for reference and for anyone who likes Harry potter, witches, goblins, elves and haunted miniatures. Plus anything whimsical i find along my travels.
The images will be models of no particular scale and should only be used for refernce or getting those creative juices going as to your next project.
Heres the link http://niksimagecollection.blogspot.com/

Fab Award!

Thank you to Sasha and also to Pussman for giving me this fab award.
The rules of the award are to pass it onto 5 other people and list 5 of your addictions. But before you read on go and check out both of their blogs and say Hi. Sasha i think is quite new to blogging (so am i). Pussman has a fab witches house showing in one of the recent posts.
Anyway, my 5 addictions are: Well, i do like cakes (any cake). I also love chocolate (any chocolate), watching the sopranos (biggest fan), making my witch and wizard miniatures (could do that forever and even unpaid). Hmmmmmm the last one..... hmmmmmm, not sure. Oh yes, i do love cleaning floors, so i suppose thats an addiction and i do get withdrawal symptoms if i don't. Sad i know, but it does actually make me happy... i think.
Plus i should say others which there are many because i have an addictive nature.
Number 6 would be reading but sadly nearly always i fall asleep after just 2 pages. I'm addicted to reading the little prince and the lady in the van, both of which i've read over and over. The little prince makes me smile, laugh and cry. Plus the lady in the van by alan bennet which makes me do much the same as the little prince. I'm also addicted to reading talking heads monologues by alan bennet and could sit and read forever (if i could stop going to sleep). My favourite from this book is waiting for the telegram and if you havn't heard of this book then give it a go.
Well i've waffled for ever and will call back later and pick out 5 people to send this award to.

Back with the names which are.
Jayne from Tallulah Belle - she makes wonderful flowers and her blog is lovely to read, and search through.
Casey from caseys Minis's - Casey did i give you this already? Well, if so then you have it again, Ooops! Casey keeps me entertained on a daily basis and makes me laugh without fail.
Jodi From Creager Studios - I know you already have this award Jodi so you dont need to pass it on again. I just love your litle thoughts and most of all your work.
Also Debbie,from tiny treasures you already have this too but just love your blog, all your fab ideas and wonderful work.
Lastly Sassy Mini Dolls for your brilliant blog, fab work and wonderful ideas and creations.Plus your witchy legs made me laugh... lol.

Foxglove pictures for Jayne

Foxglove pictures for Jayne of Tallulah Belle. I love these colours and thought the second pictue would be great for looking at shapes.
The first picture is from Debbies garden that follows this blog.