Chilies, Cabbages and Corn... Oh my!

We are expecting some visitors this weekend, Some dear old friends from our days in The Netherlands. I could not be more pleased that they are coming but it does mean my work room will be converted to a guest room for the next few weeks. I guess that is why I have been on a creative kick for the last several days...trying to get it out of my system I suppose. Its worked too. If I don't make another tiny chili pepper for a good long while it will suit me just fine. I must say though, that I am pleased with my new ristra, and as a symbol of hospitality in my native Southwest, it seems a fitting project to work on before our guests arrive.




Poor Sumaiya, I have been ranting on and on about my cabbages and she has tolerated it with her customary grace. She finally suggested in her gentle way that I should post it on the blog. I have decided to join IGMA and in time, submit some of my things for Artisan consideration. I desparately don't want to send in anything too soon, before its of the necessary caliber, so I welcome all critiques, but am particularly interested to hear from others who have submitted work to the IGMA. Just a note on the corn, it was my first stab at it. It still needs some refinement, but I think I am on the right track! What do ya'll think?

Making Dinner ~ Betsy Niederer

Betsy Niederer links:
website: http://betsy-niederer-miniature-food-igma-fellow.com
CDHM site: http://www.cdhm.org/user/kachookie
eBay: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZkachookie
blog: http://kachookie.mycdhm.com

Sunday Dinner ~ Amanda Thomas

This is, by far, my most favorite mini food set in my collection! This was made by Amanda Thomas of Northern Miniatures, but you must have guessed that already ... :)


This Sunday Dinner spread is complete with roast beef with carrots and potatoes, brussels sprouts and a magnificent dish of asparagus which I adore!

Amanda's Links:
flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/wordollhouses
blog: http://northernminiatures.blogspot.com
website: http://northernminiatures.com

Tutorial: Orange ~ Angie Scarr

Ever wondered how to make those perfect oranges?

Here is a tutorial I found very useful:
http://www.angiescarr.co.uk/UK_Oranges_Demonstration.html

The miniature orange tutorial is by Angie Scarr, the author of Making Miniature Food and Market Stalls. While you are there, check out the fantastic leek and sweet corn tutorials there too!

Middle Eastern Delicacies ~ Kiva Atkinson

Last week, I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with artist Kiva Atkinson: IGMA Artisan and a member of CDHM. What drew me to her work was the unusual and exotic delicacies she chooses to recreate. I actually had to look up the terms baba ganoush and tabouli to find out what they are!

artist's website: http://www.kivasminiatures.com
eBay site: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjklr4

Lamb Kebabs on Rice

Tabouli

Baba Ganoush

Spinach Pies

White Wine & Strawberries ~ Linda Cummings

Your dolls will be absolutely spoiled if you indulge them so thoroughly! Typical of an English summer... Ascot, Henley, Wimbledon ... a doily-topped ornate tray displays that most English of combinations ...White Wine & Strawberries!

Artist's website: http://www.linsminis.com
Etsy site: linsminis.etsy.com

Pizza and beyond :) ~ Marcella Perodo

I can't seem to stop making pizza - as if I did not have other food to make! From tonight, the pizzeria is closed. On to other things!

(you can find more pizzas on my blog. Because you know, too much of a good thing....... ;)

This is my *usual* tossed salad, in a beautiful mouth-blown glass bowl.
I like the fact you can see the contents from the sides as well.

A venture into the cake world, where I'm always feeling a bit uneasy.
But this pear tart (with frangipane filling and candied peel as a garnish) was calling me....

The Frost is on the pumpkins...NOT

With the mercury creeping ever higher, I find my thoughts turning to cool, crisp fall days. Of course here in Hawaii there are no cool, crisp fall days. Still I like to pretend and it helps to be able to cast my gaze on miniature versions of iconic autumnal bounty...that and cranking up the A/C.



This was my first attempt and working with resin. It is icky, sticky, foul smelling stuff, but MAN is it cool! I definitely want to try my hand at more resin. Imagine the possibilities!


Here are some of my pumpkins and produce featured on a Thanksgiving prep table that I made a year ago. I like adding a light dusting of yellow/green pastel to my poly clay veggies before I bake them. It gives them a natural hue and a more matte finish. A glaze can always be added if you want more shine.


I made many of the things on the table, but cannot take credit for the cabbage. I don't remember the name of the maker, but is it not exquisite? Oh if only to be able to make a cabbage on par with that one!

Anyone For Chocolate?

Recently I got it into my head that I would weave some chocolate & make baskets to fill with luxury chocolates. It drove me mad & I swore that I would NOT be doing that again.....However, 2 more followed...I must be a glutton for punishment! LOL

Delicate rose-topped choccies in the 1st woven chocolate basket.....

Next came the sugared violet-topped choccies..............................

& FINALLY...definitely the last time!...a white choc basket filled with Belgian chocs!

Full steam ahead to Paris :) ~ Marcella Perodo

Today's work:

pls tell me if you feel I'm monopolizing this place :)

Today's special: aubergines! ~ Marcella Perodo

P-p-p-pumpkins! ~ Marcella Perodo

Yes I know it's no summer fare. But here - in Italy, the Land of the Sun, where skies are always blue and all that stuff - it's been raining for ages and it's not even feeling like springtime. So it's easy to be inspired by some cooler-weather recipe.


Last year I had been trying to make some hollowed-out pumpkins just like these, but had a hell of a time with a method that turned out wrong - basically, I had modelled the pumpkin around a tin foil ball; after cooking they had seemed to vow each other eternal love and I had had a very hard time trying to separate them. This year, ta-dah! I bought myself a mini-drill and I happily enjoyed hollowing out my pumpkins large and small:


They are on stock for the upcoming Simp in Paris...