Cooking apples

While waiting for my supplies for the inside of the house to arrive,  I started finishing the back of the house.   Most canal houses have quite deep gardens, often beautifully laid out in a formal style.  I don't have the space for that so I decided to only make a small patio.

Years ago I cut a big hole out of the back gable as I wanted to give the kitchen a wall of windows.  I was not happy with the windows and French doors I made back then.  In this photo I took out the windows from the floor above to see if I could find a configuration I liked.

I used a door I had  laying around in a drawer.  In fact it may the the original door which came with the house.  I made the windows to match the other ones in the house.

 A sheet of acrylic I found in my stash I used to cut the window panes from.  After a lot of cutting and sanding I had them fitting perfectly so it was time to install them.  When I took off the protective covers I found that it was not a clear acrylic!  
Grr! So annoying!

After a long search (I knew I had it somewhere),  I found a huge sheet of clear acrylic which I could use for the windows.   This time I checked whether it was actually clear before I started cutting it. 

For the patio I made a brick step with coloured sandpaper and a partly rendered back wall with leftover brick sheet which I used on the front of the house.   The patio will have gravel eventually.  I bought the wonderful folding garden furniture several years ago from the French maker Serge Piacentino.  

Of course I just could not throw away the bits of matt acrylic, so I used one for a door canopy.  I used pre- moulded plastic, bits of wood and some very thin lead cut to shape to make the canopy.  I like the way it adds a bit off interest to the otherwise very flat back gable.

Ever since I visited Hever Castle about twenty years ago, where I struck up a conversation with the head gardener who was tending the espaliered fruit trees, I have wanted one of my own (an espaliered fruit tree I mean, although a head gardener would be nice too ;-).  My full scale one failed miserably ( it is now a very big tree), but I could try and make one in miniature, right?   

The wall is a perfect size for a small tree.  I used metal wire, paper tape and kitchen paper, spackling paste and acrylic paint for the tree.  I looked at my own full sized apple trees to determine the colour for my miniature tree.  You would think they're all brown, but that is not the case.  Most of my trees are more grey in colour, so I used a grey colour over a brown base to create a natural looking trunk and branches.  

The leaves for the tree were another stash find.  Leftover from a project I did about six years ago.  I dipped them into paint mixed with some varnish, then shaped them using a ball tool.  After the leaves dried I painted the undersides with a grey wash and gave the tops another colour wash.  

Making the leaves seemed a never ending task.  Every time I thought I had enough leaves it needed more.  I'm glad I was making an espaliered tree as it needs far less leaves than a full sized tree.  

Next was my least favourite job.  Fimo.  Hate is a strong word, but I must say I really don't like working with clay.  I had plans of contacting a miniature food maker to ask for a bushel of apples...But I reprimanded myself and thought I should try it myself first before enlisting someone else's help.

So late one night I found my Fimo (all unopened packages) and I tried making a batch of apples.  It was not at all as bad as I thought and my test batch turned out fine so I used them.   After baking I added colour with acrylic paints.   They're OK!  With the little wire stems added they're ready to hang on the tree.

I don't have a photo of the finished tree yet, but I thought you might like to see this instead.  Several people have shown photos of their work space recently and although I am not showing you my work room, here is an uncensored look at my desk while working on the apple tree.  In complete control.

Comments

  1. Hahahaaaa Josje , I love your workspace !!!! Could be mine when I have inspiration :-).
    Kudos to you making those blessed apples yourself, they look excellent. I am afraid my packages of Fimo are in the same state of unopened-ness....

    Cheers,
    Elly

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    1. When you came over last summer I am sure I cleaned up my work room, but in truth it looks like this most of the time lol!

      I don't know what it is with clay...it's not that I've had bad experiences with it or anything like that as most of what I've made with it turned out OK. Good to know I'm not the only one who likes Fimo in unopened packages ;-)

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  2. HaHa, the ordered chaos on your work surface makes me feel right at home, I love that you can scarcely see the cutting mat ;-)

    Oh, Josje, the patio, windows and door all look marvelous and the furniture is gorgeous. Sorry you had so much trouble having to do the glass over, it is just so annoying.

    BUT the tree, oh the tree is just fantastic, hmm, isn't it funny, I remember so well admiring the same fruit trees at Hever in 2006, oh, I want to go back there again, I loved it. For somebody who doesn't like Fimo, your apples looks great!

    I think I am inviting myself over for a cuppa tea early in June, then I can feast my eyes on your mini tree :-)

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    1. Elga, well you have seen my work room. I have plenty of work surfaces but somehow I always manage to end up working on the edge of my table as there is no space left anywhere else. This desk is in the middle of the room, and I tend to push stuff out of the way to make some room for what I'm working on. Things will fall off the other side of the table. I have to be very careful not to push off cups of water which I used for cleaning brushes and such. Oh dear! I try to be neater but I'm afraid I will always be a messy worker.

      You have been to Hever castle as well? How funny several of us have liked the fruit trees there. The gardener was so nice. I felt a bit guilty for keeping him from his job, but he said loved to talk to and teach interested visitors the secrets of gardening. I think the trees he was working on were peaches, trained against a south facing wall.

      Of course you are (both) very welcome for another visit Elga! I'll look forward to it!

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  3. Love what you did with the door and windows. Gives a nice view into the house. The awning above the door does just what you wanted and adds an elegant feature to the wall. Your apple tree looks wonderful and you did a fantastic job on the apples. Can't wait to see. Finished picture.

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    1. Thanks Dale! I noticed in the photos how nice the view into the kitchen is. I had not realised that before. It always surprises me how photos can change how you see something. I will have to take a few photos of the kitchen through the windows now ;-)

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  4. Dat ziet er weer veel belovend uit Josje....je appels zien er heerlijk sappig uit, en de blaadjes vindt ik echt nog indrukwekkender, zo realistisch! Jou kenende wordt het een prachtige patio:)

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    1. Dank je wel Sabiha! Het is grappig dat ik er eindelijk aan ben begonnen omdat ik erg lang moet wachten op spullen die ik nodig heb voor de binnenkant. Daar baalde ik echt van, maar nu dat er toch weer schot in de zaak zit vind ik het ook weer wel erg leuk.

      Die ramen van de keuken hebben jáááren achter het huis gestaan, terwijl er een groot gat gaapte in de keuken waar de ramen hoorde (op mijn website staat nog de oude foto van hoe het was). Met de oude ramen zou het terras er iets anders hebben uitgezien, maar dit vind ik eigenlijk wel zo leuk.

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  5. Your workspace has a frenzied genius to it! :D I love the tree and that patio set is divine! What a beautiful place to enjoy a beverage. :]

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    1. Haha, if working until 3 in the morning can be classified as frenzied, then YES! This photo I think I took around 2 AM, and I still continued working after that.
      Isn't the patio set wonderful? And it all folds just like the real thing. I love miniatures that have some kind of folding action or function just like the real thing. Even though it is not something I will be doing, just knowing it can be folded is very special. I have another piece by Serge Piacentino, a folding 'Workmate' workbench, the first piece I bought from him.

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  6. Hi Josje,

    Lots to comment on today, I will start with your desk. That is an all too familiar scene for me, my desk nearly always winds up looking like that when I'm doing a project. I'm glad to see your cutting mat has paint on it too, I try to keep it clean but I seem to paint on it one way or another. You know, if I showed you a picture of my studio it would be your photo x 10, I haven't been there for months and went to clean it out yesterday and my you should have seen the cobwebs!!

    You never cease to amaze me with your skills, you can make anything. The patio is so lovely, I really like the idea of making one, I have seen some lovely examples about, the garden furniture is a lovely colour, just the right depth of colour. The windows are perfect and the view into the kitchen is so inviting.

    The espaliered apple tree is fabulous, I have always wondered how they train them to do that. Isn't Hever Castle a magical place?? I have been there twice and would still go back again, how nice you got chatting to the gardener, he must have been a wealth of information. How perfect to use miniatures to make a success of your Garden mishaps.....the tree is so lovely and must have taken so much patients making all the leaves and apples, I think it's a great success.You are creating a beautiful atmosphere out there, just perfect to match the inside.

    ML Fi xx

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    1. Hi Fi! Well, three guesses what the rest of my room looks like most of the time, hahaha!

      I would love the make a full garden with my dolls house, but as it is now already 150 cm wide (with the front steps and street and the patio), I just don't have the space for it! So it had to be a small patio only. And an espalier is just perfect for a small space!

      Ah yes, I have very good memories of Hever castle, but I must say I mostly remember the gardens, which were lovely. The weather was gorgeous so we spent most of the day there I believe. I should still have some photos, I will look them up!

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    2. Hi again Fi, I had wanted to email you to let you know how much we laughed about a remark you made. I couldn't find and email address for you though. It is very silly but we had a really good laugh so thanks for that, even though it was something you are completely unaware of ;-))))) Josje and family

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  7. I thought this canal house was completely finished. Inece there is still much to see. Nice what you did. Soo very beautiful furniture Piamini. I like to think that I gave myself away with this little habit of showing the work tables, with my two interviews with Luisa and Alessandra.

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    1. Ah no Blanche, it still needs a bit more finishing, but I am close! I did start on my new dolls house allready which is not good of course as then things just keep dragging on. I just looked at your photos of the interview you mentioned. How marvellous! Love it! Your table looks just like mine do. Just the rest of your room looks so much prettier. I will now go and read the translated interview.

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    2. Hi again Blanche, from the interview I didn't realise this was not your house! But now I understand the interview is of Luisa of la casa di lu. Still a lovely interview and photos even though it was not about you ;-)

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  8. I love your desk!! makes me feelvery tidy ;o)
    Seriously I think that ALL our desks are exactly in the same conditions when the creative frenzy gets us but this is the wonder and beauty of creativeness: make up beauty out of mess :o))
    And your tree will be a total beauty, I already know.
    Minihugs,Rosanna

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    1. Haha, well I suppose you have to be tidy when you do embroidery or it the work will just get filthy quickly. My desk (or most of my room really) seems to be like this constantly it seems. I suppose part of the reason is that it is a seperate room and I can just close the door behind me and it is out of sight.
      I do have dreams of a 'pretty' room sometimes. Oh well, I suppose that is all up to me, isn't it?

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  9. Oh, I LOVE your messy Creative desk!!! Makes me feel not so alone in my work place!!! And as for your apple tree... it is Gorgeous!!! I tried to grow "espalier" pear trees in my old garden.... I was not ruthless enough with the pruning and they got too big!!! Your apples look so good... and I agree with you that trees are more gray than brown! As usual, your work is very inspiring!

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    1. Thank you Betsy! When looking at all of those pretty workrooms I have seen on several blogs I thought it was just me who worked in a huge mess. It is good to know I'm not alone though, lol!
      I did the same thing you did when growing my real espalier, I did not prune it enough and it had such a huge growing power that it is now a full sized tree with nothing to remind to its espalier beginnings.

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  10. Hehe, your work table looks a bit like mine, that's good to see I am not alone. Your back porch is going to look fabulous, especially with the espalliered tree, which I also love but have never tried in real life. I have been itching to get back to making something with Fimo and you have definitely inspired me.

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    1. I agree Margaret, so good to know I'm not the only messy worker ;-)
      Fimo is my least favourite material to work with, but that's just me. It is very versatile and I will use it if I have to. Yes do get back to working with Fimo! I always love to see what others do with it, haha!

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  11. Everything is just fantastic! Your tree looks so real because of the grey you have used to paint it. It's true that tree branches are more grey than brown. I love your apples, they look real. That view through the window is such fun. The awning is perfect. As for your work place, well, it's a work place. It's impossible not to make a mess when making miniatures. It's absolutely impossible. I only have a small space at the end of my kitchen counter and even then, I always end having almost no space at all because things have a way of taking over. The glue bottles, the scissors, the saw, the paint, the water pot to rinse the brushes in. Need I say more. It always ends like that no matter how hard I try to keep it tidy. I think we're all the same.

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    1. Thank you Lucille. I think I may have used a bit more brown as an undertone on the tree, but I'll leave it as it is now.
      I am very lucky to have a large workroom which I can just leave the way it is. But however big or small your space is, I think things will take over regardless. I understand completely!
      The best solution for me would be walls of floor to ceiling cupboards where I could just stuff everything, close the doors and it would look pretty and clean again. Come to think of it, that would not be such a bad idea actually!!!

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  12. Dat ziet er weer mooi en gezellig uit die patio,ook de boom is prachtig.
    groetjes adrie

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  13. Dear Josje, So interesting that we have both been working on espalier fruit trees. I decided to do a pear despite the fact we do have four espalier apple trees. Your apple tree and fruit turned out very well. Helpful to have nature at ones doorstep to assist with coloring and texture.

    Your little garden area is perfect. I particularly like the decorative awning supports. We in northern climes must be longing for spring as with Sab doing a roof garden there are at least three of us concentrating on garden areas.

    I have replied to your enquiry about the boxwood-style hedges on my blog but to be brief I believe it is a product called Squeeze Me Trees. One place to see them is on miniatures.com.

    All the best

    Janine

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    1. Hello Janine, yes such a coincidence! As far as using the real trees for inspiration, of course both here and where you live the branches are completely bare! So I did have to look at some photos.
      I don't mind winter at all, but as I love my garden, spring is always welcome!
      I love the idea of Sab's roof garden, anything to create some outdoor space!

      Thank you for the product info. I don't know it but I'll have a look at it.

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  14. Hey Josje. mooie leiboom.
    Ik vind je raam schitterend, zo heb je een mooie doorkijk naar de keuken en andersom.
    Je afdakje boven de deur is ook te gek.
    Je tuinsetje is schattig.
    Die structuur in die gaos op je werktafel!!!
    Het is herkenbaar.
    Als ik er helemaal in zit, maak ik ook een zooi om me heen.
    Vooral verven maakt van mij een animal.
    Ik ben pedagoog van beroep en dan zou ik als geen andere ervaring moeten hebben met structuur.
    Niet!!

    Geniet lekker van je week-end. Gr Alexandra.

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    1. Hoi Alexandra, nou die structuur zit in mijn hoofd hoor, die zie je aan de buitenkant niet, haha! Waarschijnlijk ben ik echt een product van Fröbel en Montessori ;-)))))
      Dank je wel voor je reactie, jij ook een fijn weekend!

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  15. I just LOVE your tree! When I saw the first photo of the branch of your appletree, I thought you had used small real branches for it, so big compliment! Also the apples (very well done with your dislike to fimo), the leaves, the canopy etc all looking great, as everything you do. Can't wait to see the rest of the process and finished result.

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    1. Thanks for the huge compliment Monique! I will be emailing you within the next few days as I will know more soon...

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  16. Hallo Josje,

    Je achtergevel is prachtig geworden. De overkapping bij de deur vind ik ook erg mooi en een gezellige patio heb je gemaakt. Leuk dat je stap voor stap laat zien hoe je die prachtige appelboom hebt gemaakt.

    Groetjes Xandra

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    1. Dank je Xandra! Er zitten natuurlijk nog wat stapjes tussen bij het maken van de boom, maar anders werd het wel een héle lange post ;-)

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  17. Oh it all looks so good and looks like a million-it is all so complete. I would like to sit on the porch and just look ..

    Hugs
    Wyrna

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    1. Ah yes, the best thing to do on a little patio, just sit and enjoy....the view, the weather, a good read, a nice drink... Your welcome to take a seat Wyrna ;-)

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  18. Spring must definitely be around the corner - all this Spring workshop Cleaning and gardening! I long for an espalier apple tree, but sadly have no room in my real garden - so perhaps I should follow your lead and make a mini one!

    Commiserations on your fimo-dislike, I feel the same. I have nothing but admiration for people who do fantastic things with fimo food, but I just can't make my peace with the stuff! Your apples turned out really well, and they will certainly brighten up the brick wall.

    Jonquil

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    1. Spring is still a long way away Jonquil, it is freezing here! In principle an espalier doesn't take up a lot of room, unless you did what I did with my real life tree and not prune them enough, then they're likely to grow huge! But I am pretty sure the miniature ones are very well behaved ;-)

      I so agree with you on the fimo. I leave it to others to work their magic with the stuff. And boy are there some magicians out there!!

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  19. Your apple tree looks fantastic! Maybe I try to make same kind of apple tree one day.
    I am working on a lemon tree this moment and I feel like you that it never seems to have enough leaves to cover the branches. :)

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    1. Oh Marjatta, I can so relate with the leaves! It seems an endless task!
      I just had a real quick look at your blog and saw your tree...it looks fantastic! I'll be back later to check it out more!

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  20. J attends toujours vos messages avec impatience car j adore découvrir les nouveautés de votre maison .
    Je suis admirative de votre façon de faire ... Découper les façades et attendre ... D avoir la bonne idée .
    Votre inspiration fini toujours par être la bonne .
    Je suis d accord avec les fenêtres de la cuisine , c est un très joli choix .
    J aime les détails de votre porte , la construction au dessus qui s apelle en français " une marquise " .
    .
    Pourriez vous , un jour faire une photo de la maison en entier . Je suis trop curieuse de découvrir comment se positionnent les chambres , la cuisine , le salon .
    J essaye d imaginer ... Je voudrais être une petite souris .
    Le patio va être magnifique .
    La couleur des meubles de jardin n est pas courante . J aime beaucoup ce choix .
    J ai hâte de voir plus de photos .
    Je suis désolée , les blogueurs deviennent de plus en plus exigeants ... Toujours plus !

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    1. Hi Catherine, so lovely to read your comment, you're so kind! It's funny you mentioned the word 'une marquise' because when I was writing this post I could not remember the English word for it, just the French word 'marquise'. Google translate didn't help me at all this time, giving me a few rediculous translations which I knew were wrong. I did find the right answer in the end.

      I read your other comment where you said you have found the photo of the whole house. The photo is a little bit dated and dark, but it does give you an idea of how the whole house looks. I'll post a new one when I have finished the house, which shouldn't be too long now!

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  21. Hallo Josje, ik ben het helemaal met jou (en zo te zien vele anderen) eens over Fimo, hoewel ik soms wel meedoe met kleine club projektjes en soms is het wel handig om onderdelen te maken die je niet kunt vinden in het juiste formaat.

    Ik ben heel erg blij met de foto van jouw werk ruimte! Ik heb net de dining room in gebruik genomen als workroom en dacht dat ik het wel netjes zou kunnen houden, hahaha! Het is heel erg vergelijkbaar met jouw werktafel na maar een paar weken.

    Overigens ken ik Hever Castle ook, het is hier maar ongeveer 20 mijl vandaan en ik ga af en toe naar de tuinen en de miniaturen tentoonstelling, om nog eens van dichtbij al die prachtige miniaturen te bekijken en ik zie iedere keer toch weer iets nieuws!

    Het Grachtenpand wordt echt heel mooi !

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    1. Hallo Idske, Wat leuk dat je zo dicht bij Hever Castle woont! Dat betekent dat je bij nog veel meer moois in de buurt woont lijkt me, want ik herinner me dat ik tijdens die reis destijds nog een kasteel (Leeds meen ik) tuinen en buitenplaatsen bezocht heb in die omgeving. We willen dit voorjaar weer eens op herhaling, te combineren met Kensington natuurlijk! In de tijd dat ik Hever Castle bezocht waren er geen miniaturen, tenminste, ik kan me er niets van herinneren. Nou was dat ver voordat ik zelf een poppenhuis kocht, dus misschien had het gewoon mijn interesse niet zo toen (kan het me bijna niet voorstellen, haha!).

      Zo grappig jouw verhaal van de eetkamer. Als het in je karakter zit om niet netjes te zijn maakt het volgens mij niet uit hoeveel ruimte je hebt, het wordt dan toch wel een rommel ;-)

      Frappant trouwens dat jij niet van Fimo houdt want je maakt prachtige dingen met klei in je pottery class. Maar goed, dat is toch weer iets heel anders.

      Fijn weekend! Groet, Josje

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  22. Hi Josje,
    I really like what you've done with the windows/backside of your house.
    And the patio looks very inviting.
    The appletree is just perfect for it...the apples are great next challenge will be a fimo applelie, right???

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    1. Hey Jeffry, good thing you didn't say 'your backside'! That would give people quite the wrong impression, hahahaha!
      A Fimo applelie, yes that would be PERFECT for me! I would buy a Fimo applepie from someone who is really good at them and then LIE and say I have made it: an applelie! Hahaha!
      Sorry I am teasing you, but you know we only tease those we love ;-) And of course I know it was just a typo.

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  23. Very nice :) love the tree and your apples, even if you don't like making them, they came out great---

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    1. Thank you Linda. When I finish making something with Fimo (I have made things before) I always wonder where my aversion to it comes from. So far my Fimo projects have all turned out fine, so no negative experiences so far.

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  24. Your work never stops amazing me! Wonderful!
    Geneviève

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  25. The bark on your tree is such a good color I like the texture you gave the bark. It is very realistic.

    I remember hearing a story from someone who was visiting a castle in England. She asked the head gardener how he got that gorgeous smooth lawn. He told her you had to roll it for 900 years.

    I had to laugh at your comment about working with polymer clay. I don't think hate is a strong enough word for the way I feel about it. I much prefer casting wax! :-)

    I love the wrought iron & glass overhang for the door. It does add a lot of interest. I know I have seen something similar in R L.

    Good luck with all those leaves. PHEW I don't think I could get through that.

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    1. Great story about the head gardener!

      I thought I was practically on my own in my dislike for polymer clay, but I am surprised how many people feel the same. Ah yes, the casting wax. Now that was very interesting. I would like to do that again!

      Putting on the leaves is a CHORE! Thankfully, for some reason I think a miniature tree looks better with less leaves than a real one. Similar to toning down colour on miniatures I suppose. Somehow I don't think that works the same way in furring a dog ;-)

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  26. Your apple tree is wonderful, thank you for sharing it.
    Lucy

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  27. You have shown that with some simple materials; sandpaper, wire, clay, paints etc, and with effort and patience, beautiful things can be created! I think your apple tree, finished or not, looks charming. The little patio, with it's beautifully details garden furniture, looks very welcoming!

    great work, thanks for showing us!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment Andy! I must say I rather like to use these simple materials to create with and very satisfying when it turns out well!

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  28. Wat een prachtige sfeer weet je weer te creëren. Je werktafel ziet er heel herkenbaar uit haha

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    1. Dank je Inge. Zo goed te weten dat ik niet de enige ben die er een troep van maakt ;-)

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  29. Hoi Josje.

    Om in te bijten je appels. Ik vind het erg leuk geworden zo..tot nu toe..
    Nog bedankt voor je kastje, dat je aan Jeffry had meegegeven.

    Laterrrrrr xxxx liefs Conny

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    1. Oh jee ik was het alweer vergeten dat ik het kastje aan Jeffry had gegeven. Heb je er iets aan? Ik lag van de week naar Titanic te kijken en dacht elke keer 'Oh ja, dat is die bak oh en dat is die scene...' Ik moet zeggen dat je alles wel ongelooflijk mooi nagemaakt hebt Conny! Wat ik me afvroeg, hoeveel popjes heb je wel niet nodig? Vooral die scene in de dining room, daar zitten heel veel gasten rond de tafel. Maar dat lijkt me ook wel heel erg leuk met al die prachtige kleding!

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  30. After seeing your table, I finally believe that you are human :). Yes, this is so even after we have met because your work is faultless. I have a greater fear of fimo than you. You have finally started and your apples are just like the real thing!

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    1. Haha Sans, you're too funny. But my work is far from faultless, I assure you.
      Many years ago I took a Fimo class from Angie Scarr, so I did have previous experience with the stuff (I have even made dolls for two other projects), it is just that I don't like it al all!

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  31. Given that you don't like working with Fimo, your apples are so lifelike and the little sitting area looks very inviting.

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    1. Thanks Irene! These apples were actually my test batch, but I didn't want to make another batch as they looked fine after painting. Anything to avoid more Fimo work ;-)

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  32. Maravillosas manos las tuyas
    Es un place para mí ver tus creaciones una y otra vez, sroprendiéndome con cada una de ellas.
    Gracias por compartir tanta belleza

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  33. Hoi Josje,

    Ik las je reactie op mijn blog over de badkamer, dankjewel.
    De details zijn mooi hè, ik heb deze dan ook bewaard en hij komt weer te staan in mijn grote poppenhuis.
    Via jou kwam ik weer even op je blog terecht, jij bent ook lekker bezig zie ik, mooie appelboom!
    Ik ben sinds kort ook weer begonnen, maanden niets gedaan.

    Groetjes Nancy

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    1. Hoi Nancy, ja dat kan je zo hebben dat je maanden niets doet. Ik vind het altijd weer leuk iets van jouw werk te zien!

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  34. Wow! Definitely the tree is amazing! And the window showing the room is a cozy detail... just perfect!

    I´ve followed you for a long time, so now, that I´ve created a blog I´ve linked you! If you like to take a look here is the link http://riversidemanorproject.blogspot.com.es

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    1. Thanks you Pau Pex! I don't have time to look at your link now, but I definitely will later!

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  35. Your scene is just stunning - I love the detail in your window, and the canopy above the door, the furniture is great too. Oh yes, and the apples are turning out nicely.

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    1. Thank you Troy. There still is a lot to do until it is finished. Knowing how much time this tree is taking, I know the rest of the plants will take forever as well. With spring around the corner, the real garden will demand attention, giving me even less time for the miniature one ;-)

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  36. Wow, Josje, everything looks so life-like! Sorry about your acrylic mix-up...I would have pitched a terrible fit! I haven't tried Fimo, yet, but I'm with you in that it doesn't have much of an appeal to me. But your apples turned out so well you should try something else out because you sure have the knack. Your work desk looks very similar to my own work space --the kitchen table.

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    1. Hi John, I have made some things in Fimo before, even a couple of dolls! But it is just not my thing, I will avoid it if I can. Just sometimes I think I should make more things myself if I can achieve a reasonable result.
      I was just going through the old posts of your blog. Your Merriman Park is such a beautiful house! And all made at your kitchen table (of which I saw a photo as well, very nice!!). I hope you won't stop building after you have finished your last room!

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  37. Zo, daar kom ik aan als hekkensluiter :D!
    Josje, Ik zie dat je fijn met je "geliefde" Fimo bezig bent geweest;)! Dat zijn echt mooie appels, die heb je gemaakt en die leiboom is helemaal het einde, geweldig werk, hoor! Ik vind dat je een mooi sfeertje hebt gecreëerd!
    Groetjes, Ilona

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    1. Ja inderdaad, mijn 'geliefde' Fimo, haha! Gek hoe je ( nou ja, ik dan) een weerstand tegen een bepaald materiaal kunt hebben. Ik heb nooit echt problemen met Fimo gehad, alles wat ik er ooit mee gemaakt heb is eigenlijk wel gelukt.
      Voorlopig heb ik het weer in de kast opgeborgen :-)
      Dank je voor je complimenten Ilona!

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  38. I really like the workshop photos people post, very funny that some of us are working away surrounded by chaos. My workshop is in my bedroom, so it can get extra chaotic, as I use the floor space too, so there can be stepping stones of space from the door to my bed........Terrifying! "In defense of black holes and dirty work spaces" by smallhousepress is a good post on this subject.

    Glad nobody can see what is going on behind my camera! :D

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    1. Very recognizable Sarah! I have a seperate workroom so there is no need to clean up all the time, consequently it is a mess most of the time.

      Last week I had some visitors from Italy who wanted to see my dollshouse. Unfortunately I did not know they were coming so I had not cleaned up, and my dollshouse was in a pretty bad state also as I was working on the wiring. One of my Italian friends commented on how lucky it was that on my blog/website all you could see was the lovely dollshouse and not -here he made an arm gesture, waving at the mess in the room- all this. Hahaha!

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