Setting The Scene in The Little Village Hall

Our first workshop featuring the 'Little Vintage Hall' is this Sunday at our lovely Thame venue - The Thame Girl Guide Headquarters. And as we try to 'set the scene' like we do for all our workshops, this time we have been looking at our own collections of 1930s/40s bits and bobs for inspiration.

We are both passionate about the pre-war period style in furniture, fabrics and 'objet', let alone the wealth of ephemera that has survived - you can see that we have quite a lot to draw on.

    How to Make You Room Secure for Air Raids

Our hall is not a domestic setting of course but the style of decoration, furnishing and contents will be in keeping with the surroundings of the local homes and lives of the inhabitants.

Our imaginary rural village is not rich by any means so no doubt in times of 'make do and mend',  woodworking instructional books such as The Handyman In The Home, Practical Handywork For All and publications such as Handicrafts or Hobbies would have featured in many a shed or bookshelf.

                                           

By the late 1930s it was clear that war was inevitable so preparations were in hand; while the gardens were filled with perhaps more vegetables than flowers, the annual Gardening Society Show went ahead as always in our little imaginary village!

Ladies considered how to keep up with the latest trends on slim budgets. Many more ladies and girls sewed and embroidered beautifully - both from necessity as well as for pleasure. Then, just as now, there was great enjoyment from creating a charming and attractive home with many beautiful items that continue to please us all these years later.

No tv's, iPods or computers back then - oh no siree!  Children's books and toys were so rather different to now.  Many of these old 1930s treasures are still a delight,  giving great insight and information about eras that are long gone.

The Little Vintage Hall....The Other Room Workshop will be an additional little room that can be added onto our old hall in the next workshop after the summer. Booking for this September workshop will open on Sunday.  Then we shall be exploring the variety of social events and activities in October's workshop which goes by the title of  .......What's On In The Little Vintage Hall....great fun! More info about that workshop coming shortly.

You can keep up to date with all the goings on in The Little Vintage Hall on both this blog and on our Nostalgia In Miniature Website  where you will find booking details and information about future (and past) workshops.

As always, we are very much looking forward to Sunday's workshop and seeing not only familiar faces but some new ones too. Let's hope the April showers ease off a little and that the sun can shine a little.

Celia & Robin

The Little Vintage Hall Workshop Photos At Last!

The Little Vintage Hall Workshop photos are now ready to show you and preparations for our next workshop are well into full swing. This project has been great fun to do and hope you like it too.

Participants will be making an old Victorian hall with polished floorboards and panelling decorated in a choice of fashionable colours (aged of course) from the 1930s.

This is the 1/12th scale version.

This is the 1/24th scale version.

 They will be making a noticeboard, coat rail etc. and as we have chosen to add WW2 ephemera to our prototypes, these will be available too.

The notice board is full of information as you can see above in the 1/12th scale version.

For those of you who are attending this workshop, we have amended the list of items that you need to bring on the day.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Details of future workshops on this same theme will be coming soon.

"BY HECK.....THEY AIN'T HALF MADE A MESS!", SAYS FAG ASH LIL.

"I GOT NO-ONE TO PLAY WITH!" SAYS BILLY NO MATES.

WATERPERRY WORKSHOP GALLERY NOW LIVE ON THE WEBSITE

Just to say that at last the Old Shed Gallery is now live on the website. We have added images of our shed prototypes plus a slide show of photos taken at the workshop on the day, that was held at Waterperry Gardens.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Celia & Robin

PS. Our little helper!!!!

What A Wonderful Waterperry Day!

THE LITTLE OLD GARDEN SHED WORKSHOP - WATERPERRY GARDENS

The sun shined and the day was truly magical at our very first all day workshop held at Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire. Even though the clocks had gone forward one hour the night before, meaning that we had all lost an hour's sleep, everyone managed to arrive on time and everyone set to work immediately.

Here is a compilation of lots of photos taken on the day - it will give you a taste of what it was all about.....enjoy!!!!!

Everyone worked so hard and created wonderful sheds full of character and realism!

We hope that everyone who attended can go onto use the skills and techniques learnt yesterday, in their own future projects.

WELL DONE LADIES....THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE WORKSHOP A LOVELY & TRULY MAGICAL DAY TO REMEMBER!


BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN RAFFLE

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT

£41.00

WAS RAISED IN OUR BREAST CANCER CAMPAIGN RAFFLE YESTERDAY. THANK YOU LADIES FOR YOUR SUPREME GENEROSITY. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RAFFLE WINNERS .....

DORCAS, KAREN & MEL!

Miss Havergill kept an eye on us all!

We look forward to seeing many of you at our next workshop - The Little Vintage Hall Workshop on Sunday 29th April at Thame Guide HQ.

SORRY FOLKS - ALL PLACES ARE NOW BOOKED FOR THIS NEXT ONE!

We hope to bring you news of more workshops very soon.

Robin & Celia

Clocks Forward For Sunday!!!!!

Now that Spring does really seem to have arrived and we can look forward to lovely long days, this is a special reminder to the ladies who are coming to our workshop at Waterperry Gardens on Sunday........
please remember that our clocks
all need to be put forward an hour
on Saturday night!!!!!

One of Celia's tiny c1930s German clocks

Excitement and anticipation is mounting for "The Little Old Garden Shed Workshop" being held at Waterperry Gardens on Sunday.

We're really looking forward to the day  - it seems to have been in the pipeline for so long now - a huge amount of preparation has been undertaken and everything is now ready but am sure we will have a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Raffle Prizes With A Difference

As all attendees to our workshops know, we always hold a small raffle in aid of Breast Cancer Campaign with our own original miniatures as prizes. However, this time we have arranged for  some rather lovely garden themed prizes in recognition of this very special venue. We've chosen a £10 National Gardening Token, a super Vintage Style Planter With Chocolate Cosmos and a pack of Notelets. Of course we selected them from the lovely Waterperry Garden Shop,  after a super coffee and cake in the wonderful Tea Room.

Both definitely worth a visit ladies!!

So, without further ado.....we look forward to seeing all of you who are booked to come on Sunday...for a prompt start at 10.30am in the Waterperry Classroom Block....right next to the loos in the main car park! You can't miss it. Don't forget the complex/tea room etc.  is not open until 10.00am, but we recommend that you come for 10.00am and  grab a quick cup of coffee/tea first before you come to the classroom.

Robin & Celia

Waterperry Here We Come!

With just a few days to go before our first all day workshop at Waterperry Gardens on the 25th March,  excitement is mounting and last minute preparations are being tweaked.

Endless shed panels, windows, doors etc. have been pre-cut and packed. Both of us have spent much time counting.....and counting again to ensure that every kit has the correct components!

A view of the 1/24th scale shed in an aged white washed finish.

Much thought has gone into your kits and the way that the components (including various accessories)are assembled. We have tried to create the design in order to make it as easy as possible for you to put together.  Regardless of whether you are an absolute beginner or more experienced, we feel that you will not only learn a lot from the new techniques we are about to teach you but most of all, you will enjoy the experience too.

A view of the 1/2th scale shed in an aged wooden finish.

You will be given a choice of finishes for the exterior and the door so no two sheds will end up the same. By the end of the day you will have a totally unique and amazing work of art, that hopefully will give you years of pleasure.

Left side view of the 1/12th scale shed.

A newsletter has been emailed out today with additional info on. For those of you who do not have email, a printed version will be winging its way to you through the post shortly.

Don't forget to look at our website for any other information that you may need including a list of items to bring: http://www.miniatureworkshops.com/You_Need_To_Bring.htm

We cannot stress enough the importance of bringing either an apron or old shirt or similar to cover your clothes. This is going to be the messiest project to date!

For final details on how to get there, please see Waterperry Gardens own website.

http://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/

Watch this space for news of some wonderful raffle prizes on offer that day.....as we will continue to fund raise for Breast Cancer Campaign.

Robin & Celia

Our Sealed Bid Auction Winner!

Last week we were delighted to welcome Michelle Rice to Thame when she came to collect our 'On A Cold & Frosty Morning....' vignette, after placing the winning bid in the Sealed Bid Auction.  Michelle  donated the mighty sum of £300 which is being donated to Breast Cancer Campaign. It was a lovely morning for us and a most generous bid, and we wondered if she, like others who contributed so willingly to the fundraising efforts, had a special reason for doing so.

As you can read in her own words, kindly sent to us for publication and to raise the profile of this worthy charity - she has indeed. We were very moved by her words (which we have edited a little for reasons of space and confidentiality) and by her beautiful poem.

Thank you Michelle.

My name is Michelle. I fell hopelessly in love with this tiny frozen back-yard from the moment I first laid eyes on it; when I realised that the money raised by the sale would go to Breast Cancer I decided that I really did have to bid! I can't tell you how much it meant to have the winning bid! Not only had I won something so precious but I had contributed to a cause that means a great deal to me.

You could walk down any street .......and ask people you met along the way and I would guess that all of them would be able to tell about someone special...that they knew, who had been touched by cancer. I have watched friends lose mums and sisters, I have had friends who have won the battle and friends who have lost. I myself have had a scare....the fears that I had ... will never leave me.

Someone close to me, with a beautiful young family has fought off cancer three times and is now having to fight again. It breaks my heart each and every time I look at them and see just how brave they try to be......how heavy the load is to carry.......I'm not deeply religious but every night I pray..... the overwhelming noise that must come to Him every night from people like me all over the world must be deafening.

It is for this reason that this campaign and any like it are so close to my heart. With breast cancer it is so easy to empathize as a woman; women are incredible creatures....mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, partners and friends - we are the supporters, the carers....and so, so much more....when the unthinkable happens, the thing that we all think only ever happens to someone else....

I would like to thank both Celia and Robin, this is something I will treasure forever. They have both done such a lovely thing for such a fantastic cause! I'm not a great writer but I do enjoy it. This poem was inspired by Brian the Blue Tit and the much loved olive (the little tree) whose sacrifice was not in vain!

  

This was the moment she stopped....and paused....

This was the route she walked
Every day
Twice a day
Auto pilot
Alone
Pounding the floor
Each step
Like each beat
Determined, definite, strong

Each day she fought the battles
That would one day win the war
Her war
Her war and her journey
This journey
Every day
Twice a day
Auto pilot
Alone

This was the time when the battle was at its fiercest
The tremendous, engulfing, deafening noise
The voices above the din
Voices of those who relied on her to win
Hers was a heavy step
Her bag was light
But her burden WAS so very heavy
All the noise and commotion had all but drowned out the rest of the world
On her journey
This journey
Every day
Twice a day
Auto pilot
Alone

But

Today was different

This was the moment she stopped....and paused....

Like the tree
She stood motionless
Silent, solid, cold
Fading away into the distance the sound of the struggle and strain
Suddenly
The world sang gently in her ear
The cold hard breeze danced delicately about her face and through her hair.
As she watched him
Tint, vulnerable, fragile
Like an alien in this hostile, frozen, brittle scene
But
A fighter, robust, a survivor
All at once she was looking in a mirror
A mirror that Mother Nature herself held up in front her
A single
Deep
Breath
In
Out
Her moment of epiphany exhaled and displayed in the air around her
There to remind her
She WAS alive
Like him
Tiny, vulnerable, fragile
Like an alien in this hostile frozen, brittle scene
But
A fighter, robust, a survivor

 

And all at once
This small insignificant patch of the world
This small insignificant patch of her world
Dull, mundane, forgettable
That she passed
Every day
Twice a day
Auto pilot
Alone
Became
Spectacular, inspiring, beautiful
A work of art
Every crumpled leaf
Every cracked paving slab
Every thing
And like the frost that claimed every crevice and cranny
She now owned it entirely

This WAS the moment
This is where she would make her stand!
She resumed her post
Head held high
And let out an all mighty battle cry
It rumbled and echoed through her
As she stood in silence
Boadicea would have been proud
She marched onwards
Pounding the floor
Each step
Like each beat
Determined, definite, strong

Yes
Today she was victorious
Today she was very much
Alive!

©Copyright Michelle Rice

THANK YOU TO MICHELLE & TO EVERYONE WHO PLACED A BID

 



Robin & Celia

At Last - Photos Of The 1/24th Scale Shed Prototype!

At long last, we can show you the completed 1/24th scale shed prototype for our next workshop - our first "all day" workshop based at Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire.

This has proved more challenging than the 1/12th scale, as we have been trying to find a way of making it easy for those of you who are undertaking this tiny project. Finally we have got it sorted. We think you will be pleased with it.

It is basically the same as the 1/12th scale but in comparison size wise like for like, it is slightly different ie. more space. The components offered will be the same, just different scale.

 

This smaller shed has been given an aged white painted finish with aged black door. On the day, attendees of the workshop will be given several choices of colour variations.....so you will be able to tailor yours to your own requirements.

STOP PRESS....STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS.....

ONE SPACE has unexpectedly become available for a shed project (either scale), so if anyone would like to take up that last space at  The Little Old Garden Shed Workshop at Waterperry Gardens on March 25th.... please get in touch with either of us immediately.

 Celia & Robin