Back home again

I've been home for a week now and still getting over the jet lag and all the excitement that the three months away overseas have brought me.  I had a fantastic time if not 'the time of my life', because I don't think this will ever occur again: 2 Miniature Fairs, a number of workshops and meeting with so many like minded friends.  As I said before, I still feel very privileged that I have been able to do this.

However, back to everyday life, which means: miniatures (what else?).

I had not yet shown you a number of gifts and I have to make the promise good that I would do that as soon as I would be home.

These are the gifts that I hadn't taken a picture of before.  There are 'new' and 'old' ones.  Let me explain.  The email group has on and off has a yearly get-together and a number of items were given to the few people that live overseas.  So, since I was able to pick them up myself this time I did so with great pleasure.  Other items were given to me while visiting here and there, but I wasn't always able to take a picture.  There might even be more coming, because I had to send on two parcels in the mail, which hopefully will arrive soon.  If there's anything else I should show you I will.  Oh well, there is something else, but I am not telling you..... yet.

Next I have also spent some time on actual miniature making.  Amongst other things I have bought a number of workshop kits to present to people of our club.  I don't always have the time to think of something new, nor am I of the creative type to do so, so I was happy to find this alternative.

I have started on two of them.  Yes, I know there are some more interesting workshops waiting to be finished, but I have started on these so as to have something ready for the next few meetings.  I have to put a kit together before I present the workshop, because I want to know what we're supposed to be doing. ;-)

Here goes.  Number 1 is something I have been wanting to make for quite a while now: a lever arch folder:

This kit was designed and put together by Tine Krijnen of whom I have bought a number of book making kits before.  I love them all and they are among my prized possessions. 

The next one is a more country themed kit: a chicken in a kind of framed shadow box.  I am hoping to start on a country shop when my florist is finished, so this is a good start:

It's a bit difficult to see in the picture, but there is a chicken behind the wire and some straw and a few eggs.  It looks lovely in real life.  This kit was designed and put together by Anneke van der Sande.

And by now it's time for me to have lunch, so I wish you all the best and till next time.

Rheda Wiedenbrück (28 & 29 May 2011)

Finally the day has come.  Not only have I been lucky enough to be able to visit the Arnhem Dolls house fair earlier this year, but at the end of our touring-through-Europe-holiday I get to spend two days at the German dolls house fair in Rheda-Wiedenbrück as well. And that on top of all the workshops I have been able to attend.  I feel very privileged that I have had this opportunity.  I have enjoyed it so much! 

We had two great days.  So much to see, and so many people to talk to, because by now we know quite a number of people.  And not only behind the stands. On Saturday, in the entry hall, I met with Nina from MiniMumm.  We’d only been in contact through our blogs, now we got to meet each other for real.  She’s a lovely lady and surprised me with a present! A beautiful basket and inside a cute little pansy.

Nina's gift

Thank you so much, Nina.  It was a shame we didn’t have enough time to meet for coffee, but on the other hand understandable.  By the way, I loved your purchases!

While we were talking I noticed Els from The Netherlands in the entry hall.  She’d just finished her rounds and was on her way home.  Home in this case was their motorhome waiting in the same parking lot as ours! So we met briefly later, after the fair. 

I have been so busy during the fair that most of the time I forgot to take pictures.  Once I remembered it was almost closing time:

Although I took a few at some stands where I was allowed to take pictures after asking:

Engelhard Schmitt at work

This gentleman (actually, only his hands show) is Engelhard Schmitt.  He cuts the finest silhouettes.  Absolutely beautiful.

I loved this roombox too: a toy-making workshop

This garage was beautifully done

And what about this carriage?

On the left: before - On the right: after

A clever way to show how to use unusual materials.

A teddybear-making workshop

My personal favorite: Waldemar Backert's baskets

I didn’t go with a shopping list, but that didn’t keep me from buying. J  Here’s what I have purchased:

Earlier I'd made two more purchases.  In Vienna I discovered this in a souvenirs shop:

And much earlier, in France, we visited a site where they're building a medieval castle.  There I managed to buy a miniature book.  Not exactly 1/12th scale, but very close:

On Sunday I remembered early to take pictures.  There was a huge display area where an online group had put together a little village: Winzighausen.  Below follows a collection of pictures of the main street and the market:

Sunday evening we were glad to go ‘home’ to our campervan and put up our legs.  However, not before we had a nice meal at a restaurant we passed on our way back.  Since it was still asparagus season my main course was “Spargel mit bernaise Sauce, Schinken und Salzkartoffeln” since we don’t get those kind of asparagus at home.  

Besides having met Els and her husband we’d also met another Dutch couple who, until then, I’d only known by name: Cecile and Wim.  Cecile is an avid miniature knitter who has designed patterns and published books with knitting patterns.  We’d met on Saturday night, after Frank had had a little mishap when going out to get take-away, and again Sunday afternoon after the fair.  They’re a nice couple and we had a great time chatting. It was a great closure of an equally great weekend.