Tuesday, October 29, 2013

My little Haven.

Long post picture heavy.
There is a new monthly challenge blog just started up which is like no other that I have seen before and you can find it here at Dreamtime Designs.
The challenge is in 3 parts and all 3 parts must be incorporated into your  design idea.
Now you know me I can't resist a challenge and this one really got me thinking and you could say outside of the box but then again there is bound to be a box somewhere in my creations either making one or using an old one. I have really dug deep into my stash and found  cotton reels, pipe cleaners and yes you guessed it piles of cardboard from old boxes.
Even the paper I have used is from a digi shop so I have been busy gluing, cutting , pasting and paper piecing my creation together and at last it is finished.

The challenge Part A..
Answer the following 5 questions.
1. Where do you live?   I live in Hampshire  in a small village (almost the size of a town now as it has grown quite large residentially) but has still managed to retain it's village atmosphere. Just one large supermarket and a handful of shops plus several quaint pubs!
2. What do you love most about where you live?  I love my garden  being right in the heart of the countryside but within easy reach of the motorways to take us in all four directions.
3. Who do you share this special place with? Just hubby (The Doc) and Wimpy a black and white Persian cat who is afraid of his own shadow so tends to spend most of the time  in his sanctuary i.e. behind the washing machine. Don't mention the Vets to him!
4. What is your favourite season and why? My favourite season is Spring when the garden is just beginning to blossom  and the evenings  drawing out which means lots more time to spend out there.
5. What is your most loved thing to do or place to visit and why?  This was the easy part to answer as it has to be my garden. I love to be out there. From Spring onwards the garden becomes like another room to us. A few years ago The Doc said it would be really nice to have a little patio area at the bottom of the garden where we could sit and enjoy the last of the sun before it went down over the roof line. Well you know me couldn't resist that little challenge so I set about transforming the end of the garden to do just that. (The garden at the time was mostly laid to lawn with just wavy borders all round the edges.)

Part B.
Create your design/project that reflects the questions above.
So here is a recreation of the bottom of our garden in miniature. I have taken a few liberties (The doc said our shed doesn't look this good and I have left the tree out which we sit under) but basically it is all there apart from the picket fence which is just on the model to neaten the edges up.


I used the cardboard backing  from a foolscap  notebook for the base.
Rest of cardboard from various old boxes.
Digi papers on shed and fence by Raspberry Road.

The little hanging basket bracket is the leftovers from the  Spellbinders 'Window One' die that I cut down to size.  The pieces were lying on my desk just begging to be used so I glued them together and turned upside down and hey presto a little bracket was born.
 
Table top is made using Spellbinders 'Medallion  One' die with a piece of acetate underneath to strengthen. Table base is old cotton reels glued together. I cannot lay claim to making the chair. I brought this home from Italy when on holiday. The restaurant bill came folded through it and I asked my waiter if I could keep it. It is made from the top off of a champagne bottle with an added bit of wire wrapped round. I painted it using a matchpots tester paint  and then buffed  with Inka Gold.
Table was given the same treatment.
In my real garden I  created a stream running across it and you can just see a bit of it here on the model. I used  silver mirror board. 
 

Flowers were mostly created using the offcuts from a Tonic Studio border punch.
Crealies Creative shapes CL CS 09, Memory box 98312.
Picket fence made from C.C.Designs ' Four Seasons Fence'  die & flower borders.  

Stone circle created using thick card on a cardboard base copying the original.
Pipe cleaners on the tall plants.
 
 
Part C.
Take a photo or two that relates to the above discussion so that they can be included in the challenge post.
 
So here is the real McCoy.
These photos were taken 19th April 2007.
As you can see I couldn't just stop at one circle but continued on down the whole length of the garden  taking away the lawn completely and putting in the stream and extra pathways.

 
Entering into the following challenges:
Dreamtime Designs #1: Challenge as above.
Pixies Crafty Workshop #96: Use up your snippets (Indeed I did).
Make It Monday  #164:  Paper Crafts.
Paper Crafting Journey: Anything goes.
4 Krafty Girlz #4:  Anything goes.
Rhedd and Rosie's #18: Anything goes.
The Paper Nest Dolls #16: Anything goes.
Simon Says Stamps: Anything goes.
Challenges 4 Everybody #32: Anything goes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


66 comments:

Mikha Adriani said...

Hi Mrs A :) hope you have a great day :)
And omg!! This creation is wonderful!! Beautiful garden and perfectly transfered into miniature garden. No wonder your favourite place is your garden; reading what you describe about your garden, plus the picts you added :) :)
Love that chair and table, and also the basket you created using leftover xx :)

Thank you for joining us at 1st Dreamtime Design Craft Challenge :) :)

Hugs from Indonesia,
Mikha

Brenda in IN said...

I am in awe of your talent! It is perfect from the bracket and patio circle to the cat in the window. Your garden is beautiful and I can see why it is your favorite place to be. This is a wonderful creation. Job well done.

Cindy said...

Waauw, this is amazing, I love your project and all the little details it shows! Your project is beautiful, but also your garden in real. Wish I had such a place! Thanks for joining the first challenge of DDCC. Hugs, Cindy

Lisa Walsh @ www.papercraftbusiness.com said...

Wow Mrs A...your design is absolutely stunning! From champagne bottle tops to pipe cleaners to an outstanding piece of art. You really have captured your little piece of heaven very well. I love the little hanging basket, the bracket & the pathway is unreal. Love it! Brilliant work & thank you for entering our first challenge at DDCC. We hope to see you at the next one :) Hugs, Lisa.

Dreamtime Designs Blog
NEW Dreamtime Designs Craft Challenge
My designs @ Etsy

Di said...

Oh flippin' 'eck Mrs A - this is brilliant!!! Love how closely you followed your own garden and it must have taken hours to do the replica (let alone the real one originally).

Sure you didn't use any snippets?

Hugs, Di xx

Unknown said...

Oh My Word - that is just amazing! Really wonderfully amazing! It's times like this when I look at all my stuff and wonder why I'm just making cards.

I sincerely hope you win the challenge!

Sarah

Anonymous said...

Just fabulous, how creative.

Thanks for joining us at Rhedd & Rosie Challenge Blog.

Moira DT xx

Zue said...

s'wonderful,s'marvellous
....s'adorable. So clever!

Sue xxx

MaryH said...

Really enjoyed taking a tour in your little fairyland. Now I can just picture you & Doc enjoying an evening sunset in this fab retreat that you created (Wanna come do one for me?!). I'm awed by what you've achieved & also managed to eliminate a lawn. Also even more awesome is your model recreation of this hideaway, and your table is fabulous. The medallion was just perfect for that top. What an artistic eye you have to 'see that', and your little brook...oh my. Lovely project and I loved reading your post! (well, I always do, but today was special!!) TFS & Hugs

Viv said...

Just one word - fantastic!!!

Karen Petitt said...

OMG!!! WOW!!! You are so talented, I love it, just wonderful, such a clever stick you are xx

Donna said...

Oh my wow Mrs A, this is a work of art and such a clever creation! You have such an amazing eye for detail (which is stunning BTW) I have a feeling I will be on your blog for quite a while soaking up all the prettiness :) Donna ♥ x

Jenny's Heart said...

I do love your creativity and craftiness. So cute,Shelby ,my niece saw this and wants a fairy garden now. This will be our inspiration.
I want to come and visit with you in your garden, it's lovely.
X's & O's
Jenny

Sam K said...

Stunning Mrs. A just stunning. Not only have you created a beautiful creation, but I actually want to be there in your little piece of heaven. Both your garden and the project look absolutely gorgeous. You have such a wonderful creative eye, you have used things to create your project that I would of never imagined using. I’m so glad you also got to use up some of your little left overs too. You have inspired me to look even further out of the box and I'll be looking out for more bits to save for crafting, I also mainly do cards and am now thinking I need to actually make 'something'. Also can I just say you had me giggling away when you were saying about your cat, I have one just like that and I'm sure if he could get behind it, his haven would be behind the washing machine too hehe. Thank you so much for sharing this with us and for participating in Dreamtime Designs first challenge. I hope you will join us for our next challenge too :) I have also added your blog to follow, hope that's ok, hugs, Sam x

ann @ studiohyde said...

This is lovely Valery, so clever :)

Createology said...

This is the very best challenge and you met it with greatness! Your little replica garden is pure bliss as I believe your real one must be for you and yours. Creative Bliss Dear...

Sue said...

Oh wow!!! this is absolutely stunning!!! its amazing I love it your so clever huggles hun Sue xxxx

Kathleen said...

My goodness me, what a creation, stunning, gorgeous, very clever and you are a better man than I am GD.
Just lost for words.

Kath x

Sandra H said...

Omg Mrs A l always thought you were talented but this goes to show your more than that your flipping brilliant this is such a gorgeous creation totally totally stunning x

Unknown said...

Talent ++++ LOOOOOve this creation you clever lady, you are amazing, and oh so close to the real mcCoy.xxxx

loz said...

OMG!! This is amazing. I Love all the detail..I saw this beauty on MIM..Loz

Julie Gleeson said...

Wow! I am so in love with your Garden creation! It is so beautiful and looks just like the real thing! I would love to sit in your garden, it looks so peaceful! Your little details are wonderful, I see new things each time I take a peek! Thank you for joining the DDCC this month! Hugs Julie DTxox

CathyC said...

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Such a stunning creation - love all the little details ;-)

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing this INCREDIBLE creation with us at DDCC. You've so completely embraced the theme of the challenge and your love of your little corner of paradise shines through! I'm so impressed at your unique way of looking at bits and bobs and seeing new creations waiting to happen. Kudos!!
hugs--
Roberta
Dreamtime Designs Craft Challenge Design Team
Queen Bee Paper Crafts
My Blog Candy

PS: Wimpy peeking out the window is the perfect finishing touch!!

Joanne said...

What an absolutely GREAT creation!! I love your theme - it looks just like your lovely garden patio! Your tile area the table is on is FAB! Beautiful flowers, and your table is great! It really is an amazing creation! Thanx so much for joining us at DDCC and for helping to spread the word about our new blog. We are so happy to have you join us for our first challenge! Hugs, Joanne

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW Mrs A this one is such a fantastic project.I was drooling over it for a good ten minutes. Love each and every detail..the flooring the basket , the little table.Wow you are one creative soul!!
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Cards Crafts School Projects

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Oh, my goodness - you made this?! This is sooo amazing, I just love this - I bet you had a lot of fun making it! You really captured your garden - which looks beautiful! I also enjoyed getting to know you a little better. Hugs, Cornelia

Di said...

See, I KNEW this would blow everyone away! Just hopped back for another peek - it's absolutely perfick!!

Hugs, Di xx

Faye Wynn-Jones said...

What a fantastic project. If I didn't know it was your garden, I would know it is your garden! Amazing work.


It's also worth pointing out when you 'did' the back garden original, you were off work with a back injury, so turning the garden from what it was, to what it is, was a mahossive undertaking.

You rock xxx

KT Fit Kitty said...

Saw your project at Dreamtime Designs - this is STUNNING! All I can say is WOW - it's absolutely beautiful! I would love to sit there in your little garden (the real garden looks pretty good too!).

vilinke said...

HI so u on MIM and had to stop by to see this wonderful project and say what a great job you made
LP Vilinke

Mary Ann Tate said...

Wow...very creative and wonderful:) I love it!

Diane said...

This garden creation is just wonderful, wow what a fabulous job you did.

You are truly an artist.

Hugs Diane

scrappymo! said...

Well now Mrs A. You have many talents...card making is just one of them...landscape design, gardening, 3D papercrafts...the sky;s the limit!!!

his is so gorgeous! Love the indtrcate 3D work and you captured the feeling of your garden. Thanks for showing us the garden IRL. It
is lovely and you did a wonderful job.

Off to catch up on you older posts.

PS What a drag about the handle...the Grand Caliper might be perfect for you...hoipe you find a special price! I am searching on line andhave a coiuple of leads for the electronic one.

Lynn said...

Oh my goodness! This is truly amazing - such a lot of work and detail. I will hop over to the challenge site, but I think I might be sitting this one out, lol.
Such a wonderful 3D creation. Be proud! Lynn x

Anonymous said...

OMG! How long did this take you ? Mrs A you have outdone yourself-what a work of art!
Soooo clever-and beautifully made-well done you :)
Hugs,Nessa xxx

Carol L said...

Unbelievable!!!! I'm VERY impressed with your miniature model!! I don't even know how to adequately describe how I feel, but I LOVE what you've created here! It's just fabulous!!!

Bonnie said...

This is one amazing project! WOW! Love the real thing too. How nice to sit out there at sunset!

Karen Petitt said...

Just wanted to let you know that the words were not said in kindness but in truth.
You are a wonderful and very clever crafter Mrs A. With yourself, Hettie, Sarn, Sue and Di I know where to go if I'm unsure or need inspiration.
I am working on a Joy Fold card after seeing your Poinsettia joy fold and have tweaked the pattern a little - thank you for inspiring me time and again xx

Karen Petitt said...

Forgot to say Darnell and Brenda too - you all are very inspiring to me x

Mary said...

You outdid yourself on this one a real treasure. I love it all, bot found it interesting that you made the shed exactly how I picture it on the playground. Thank you for sharing ...this was so worth the read.

Kimbo said...

Fantastic Mrs A, a little work of art x

The-Butterfly said...

Gorgeous! I can totally see why this is your fave place, the way you have turned the actual pictures into such a beautiful design speaks for itself, I love how cute the little flowers look and your details right down to the hanging baskets are just beautiful! what a lovely place to relax! Thanks so much for joining our first challenge at DDCC


Dreamtime Designs Craft Challenge
Coloured Imaginations

Jenny L said...

Hi Mrs A,
what a superb creation.
I wouldn't know where to get started on such a gem of a creation.
Lots of love. Jenny L.

Irene said...

Absolutely stunning, but that seems inadequate. Your creation and indeed your garden are wonderful.
luv
irene
xxxx

See you behind the bike shed ????

Darnell said...

What a beautiful post, Mrs. A!! I loved reading more about you ... and then was delighted to see your awesome creation of your little shed (Playhouse?!) and patio ... and I was over the moon to see the real McCoy garden!

You have done a magnificent landscape and I can see why you love to spend most of your free time out there! It is paradise! And it was brilliant to take away the lawn completely so no more mowing!! Clever girl!

Bravo! Hugs, Darnell

lalkygirl said...

Wow wow wow what a stunning creation ,so many beautiful details ...thanks for sharing your fab post ....garden pics and amazing project
Thanks for joining us at MIM and good luck
Tracey x

Renee B. said...

I was scrolling down the entries on Paper Crafting Journey to see when the challenge closed when your creation caught my eye & I decided to have a closer look....I am so glad I did! What an amazing piece of work this is! I love every little detail of it & can just imagine sitting there enjoying a glass of wine. Your real garden is gorgeous too. I spend lots of time gardening in the spring & summer but it is getting cold here in Canada now so my garden is tucked away for the winter. Thanks for sharing this awesome project! I love it.
Hugs, Renee

Anonymous said...

Fantastic Mrs A, I thought the little model garden was beautiful enough but the real one is just stunning, I love it.

Hugs
Brenda

Sally H said...

wow, wow, wow! What an amazing creation and it does look like your garden! I can so see why it is your favourite place! Gorgeous photos too - when can I move in?!

Pia S said...

Your little garden scene looks fantastic and the level of detailing is impressive! Love how you made the tiled terrace and the little flower basket is such a cute detail! I spotted your little work of art over at MIM.

Jacqueline Muller said...

Oh,Wow, this is fabulous. All those details. Therific!
Thanks for joining the Paper Crafting Journey.

Hugs, Jacqueline

Sarn said...

AMAZING project.

Bet that kept you quiet for a while!

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Anna-Karin said...

Wow, what a fantastic project!! Love the little 3-D scene you created inspired by your garden. Such clever details everywhere, the table, all the flowers, the wood look. Stunning! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

jimlynn said...

I'm just going to have to assume that Mrs. A stands for AWESOME and AMAZING!!!
This is so lovely and all the detail just makes me swoon!
WOW!
Lynn

Merry said...

What an enjoyable post, loved reading how your little garden area came to life in creation and real life.

MagsB said...

What amazing, fabulous creations - I mean both your model and the original garden! Such an idyllic place to spend a few peaceful hours!

love Mags B x

MaryH said...

Congrats on your win at the Playground. No surprise that! And mighty well deserved too. I enjoy seeing this project each time I've viewed it, and am still amazed at the intricacy & detail you achieved in recreating your lovely little spot of heaven. TFS & Hugs

Elizabeth said...

Wow! This is wonderful, Mrs A. Your little garden retreat is idyllic. Congratulations on your win over at the playground - it's very well deserved. Elizabeth xx

Hettie said...

OMG! Not quite sure how I missed this but glad Miss didn't. This is spankytectacular Mrs A. Just love it.
Well done you.
Hugs
xx

Deonna B said...

Fantastic project! I love every bit of it. Thank you for sharing with TTCRD this week.

Unknown said...

A very pretty project, it must have took ages to make...... Thank you for joining us over at The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge - anything goes, Keeley DT X X X

Brianna loeffelbein said...

Wow, I don't even have words to describe how super fun this is, very creative!!Thanks for joining us over at The Paper Nest Doll Challenge Blog.

Jules said...

Hi Mrs A

I just had to pop by and say how stunning and wonderful I thought this project was.

Totally amazing!!

You will be pleased to know I didn't blow it up for a closer look!!!

Hope all is good with you.

Love Jules xx

Jenn Zeeb said...

Thanks so much for playing along with us this week for the Paper Nest Dolls "Anything Goes Challenge” with us! Just loved your outdoor scene, and hope to see you back here next week!

Paper Nest Dolls DT
Jenn Zeeb

Grenouille Greetings said...

Well, Mrs. A, I really did intend to fly through your blog; look at your pictures, maybe read some of the text and just leave one comment so that you would know I had visited. Then I saw your little elf on the shelf and thought I should leave a comment on that post as well because your elf is so cute. And here I am again. I saw that your post was long so I read it and then I came to your creation and it is AWESOME! And it looks just like the real thing! WOW! Super work!!! Love your shed and your table and the paving and the hanging basket and all the pretty flowers. Lovely!!! I really am off now... Hugs, Lesley