Did You Know Where We Got Inspiration For Our Next Workshop From?

DOWN THE LITTLE OLD HERB GARDEN PATH WORKSHOP

Why not come and join us in some creative fun at the wonderful setting of Bicester Avenue Garden Centre on Saturday 27th September 2014, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. This is just off Junction 9 of the M40, ample free all day parking and lovely large, light and airy room.  Our workshops are relaxed, informal, fun and friendly, you simply work at your own pace with our guidance.

We only have a limited number of spaces left for our September workshop and booking will soon be closing, so if you would like to come - please don't delay in getting in touch with either of us! Full details can be found on the main promotional page, including a downloadable booking form. 

CLICK HERE

Ever wondered where we get inspiration for some of our workshop projects? Well actually, often it may simply be an illustration in an old woodworker's book, an object in real life or even a place that kick's off our creative ideas. For this particular project, we looked no further than our own back gardens!

 

This path of old pavers and quarry tiles, along with just two black/grey Victorian edgers,  was created in real life by Celia in her own back garden, which in turn gave us the inspiration for this....

 Slabs intermingled with old quarry tiles, edged in Victorian style rope edging!

 

In Celia's garden, she has an area with old rescued bricks which were then randomly laid, along with a raised herb bed that is bordered with wooden planking. The whole area is planted up with various alpines, herbs and even lungwort which then gave us the inspiration further for this.....

A miniature raised herb bed bordered with random old mossy covered bricks and quarry tiles, planted up with all kinds of herbs plus yes you've guessed it.....some lungwort! Robin's garden is also filled to the brim with old cottage plants and various herbs....which gave us further inspiration and examples on which to base our project.

So folks....with this project, we shall be making a unique nostalgic herb garden, complete with old pavers, Victorian style rope edging, quarry tiles, old bricks and umpteen variations of our own cottage garden herbs made from a variety of materials....some which may surprise you! 

Amongst some of the many herbs included are comfrey, lungwort, different thymes, chives, parsley, lavender and even a bay tree in a wonderful decorative planter! We have included other plants too such as a climbing rose on a rustic tripod  and even some chard...and each attendee will be given a hand blown glass cloche made especially for us by UK artisan - Ray Storey.

 This particular project is unique and potentially very versatile, so you will be able to adapt the layout and planting to suit your own needs. We will give you more than enough materials in your kit for you to experiment, plus the know how and further ideas to inspire you to push your creative talents as far as you want.  Even if you have been to our workshops before, we will be using some very different techniques and innovative ideas to inspire as always. 

For this particular project, we would recommend the 1/12th scale as the  herb leaves really are weeny and fiddly but if you are experienced and up for a challenge then you may like to have a go with the 1/24th scale. Those of you who came to the Spring Workshop, will recognise the stone wall....but don't worry, this is much smaller and far less time consuming to make compared to that one...in fact, if you really wanted, you could make the little wall at home,  leaving you to concentrate on the planting and landscaping at the actual workshop instead.

Are you tempted.....if so, then do please get in touch with either of us to reserve a place.....we would love to hear from you!

Next Workshop - Book Now - Limited Spaces Available

Our WW1 Project - Response Has Been Wonderful!

 As you will probably have seen by now,  Part One of our  joint WW1 project can currently be seen in the August issue of Dolls House & Miniature Scene Magazine (came out in the shops late June 2014). Part Two will very shortly be appearing in the September issue (out in the shops late July)....which we are looking forward to.

The completed WW1 scene is currently on display at Thame Museum and we have been delighted with the lovely response we have both received locally and nationally!! Just last Friday, the above piece appeared in the local paper....... Robin, has even been tapped on the shoulder as she walked down Thame High Street by a very distant acquaintance, who just wanted to say that she found our wonderful scene in the museum completely enchanting and felt it had made the WW1 Centenery Exhibition even more special!

Below are some different images of the project that are not part of the official photographs....

To find out more about this project, please click on the following link: 

www.miniatureworkshops.com/WW1_Project.html

PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE HAPPY TO RECEIVE ENQUIRIES  FROM ANY ORGANISATION OR INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN OFFER TO PURCHASE THIS PROJECT.  WE WILL BE DONATING 50% OF PROCEEDS TO THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION. OUR CONTACT DETAILS CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE.

Spring Workshop Now Complete.....Already Preparing For Autumn Workshop!

A huge thank you to everyone who came to last Saturday's Spring Workshop where we tackled....

 Round The Back Of The Old Gardener's Cottage

 

It was a lovely day....the brand new venue at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre was a great success and all the staff there were so helpful and friendly. The room is so bright, airy and spacious....and so close to Junction 9 of the M40.....apparently our creativity that could be viewed through the glass wall and door caused quite a stir amongst users of the restaurant...we were told!!!

A few photos of the completed project is now available in a special gallery on the website on the following link:

http://www.miniatureworkshops.com/Round_The_Back_Gallery.html

The project was quite ambitious and everyone still had plenty of creativity to continue with once they got home. All attendees were armed with a booklet of instructions and numerous bits and bobs as part of their kits. 

 

Lucie Roper, editor of Dolls House & Miniature Scene Magazine, joined us for the day and got stuck into the creative fun....we were very impressed! She said she actually enjoyed it too....hahaha!

It was Robin's birthday too last Saturday, so sweeties and choccies were sneaked in unbeknown to Robin for everyone to share,  courtesy of Celia. Robin looked suitably embarrassed when a round of "Happy Birthday" was sung to her.....(hey...didn't we all sing beautifully by the way)!!!

Our raffle in aid of Breast Cancer Campaign raised a magnificent £41.00 on the day, with prizes purchased from the garden centre. 

THANK YOU LADIES FOR YOUR HUGE GENEROSITY!!

Well, we hope you all enjoyed the day as much as we did. 

AND NOW....

LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR AUTUMN WORKSHOP....

BOOKING IS OPEN!
  Down The Little Old Herb Garden Path Workshop

 The Bicester venue and prices are exactly the same as the Spring Workshop. To view full details plus a downloadable booking form, please 
CLICK HERE

And finally....

Visitors to the workshop on Saturday were privy to the grand unveiling of a project that we had both jointly been working on over several weeks for the Dolls House & Miniatures Scene magazine, as a "how to make" project that will appear in the August 2014 issue (comes out June 26th). It will also be exhibited at Thame Museum as part of their WW1 Centenary Exhibition that runs from beginning of May to August.

But more about that another day....meanwhile, you can view a video of the completed scene.

We recommend you put your speakers on and view it full screen...hope you like it!

Celia & Robin

April Workshop Preparations Now In Full Swing!

April is approaching fast now so it won't be long before our next workshop! You will probably already have seen that booking closed earlier than expected - this was simply due to the fact that all spaces were filled...."Round The Back Of The Old Gardener's Cottage" has proved a popular project!

Preparations are now well ahead and kits are already being prepared. Robin has been busy emailing out invoices to everyone who has booked as the remaining balance is now due. If you are booked to come in April and have still not received your emailed invoice could you please get in touch with either of us asap?
 

It was great to see so many of you at Thame Fair last month....hope you enjoyed the day. Not only was the prototype for April's workshop on display but so too our Seaside Scene, which was actually up for sale on the day (created for Dolls House & Miniature Scene magazine last summer). We are delighted to announce that Mrs G. Stevenson (pictured here)  from Hertfordshire was the lovely lady who purchased it and she's looking forward to creating her own scene with it - 50% of the proceeds have been donated to Breast Cancer Campaign.
Meanwhile, we've both been up to our eyes in frantic creativity for another huge magazine project....probably the most ambitious we've ever undertaken to date, and at last it is complete. Unfortunately we are not able to show you any pics just yet, it all has to stay under wraps for now but shortly it will be on display at Thame Museum as part of a special exhibition!

Information For All Those Booked To Come To "Round The Back Of The Old Gardener's Cottage" Workshop

At last we have added additional items to the "List Of Items To Bring"  page on the website, which are relevant to this particular workshop. We must re-iterate however.... PLEASE DO NOT WORRY if you do not have some of the items on the list, we will have a few spares of most items. However, if you are having to share equipment you may have to wait a while as it is being passed around so the more items you are able to bring, the better.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ITEMS TO BRING

About The Day...
The workshop will begin at 10.30am and end at 4.30pm, and is taking place in the Conference Room situated within the restaurant area of Bicester Avenue Garden Centre.  We shall take an hour's break at lunchtime and it is entirely up to you whether you bring your own sandwiches or have a bite to eat in the restaurant. The restaurant serves hot and cold food. 

There is ample free parking and lots of shopping opportunities within the complex as you will find stores such as Hobbycraft, Lakeland, Laura Ashley, etc. Then of course, there is the garden centre itself which sells a lot more than just plants!

It should be a brilliant day.

Brand New Spring Workshop-Date Confirmed-Booking Now Open!

Round The Back Of The Old Gardener's Cottage Workshop

BOOKING  NOW OPEN-BRAND NEW OXFORDSHIRE VENUE!

We are delighted to announce that Saturday 26th April 2014..... is the date of our next workshop, that will be in the Conference Room set within Bicester Avenue Garden Centre, which in turn is set within the Bicester Avenue Home,Garden & Leisure Shopping Centre. A truly wonderful setting, just a couple of minutes from Junction 9 off the M40. There is ample parking, some lovely shops to peruse including Hobbycraft, Lakelands, Laura Ashley etc. 

Booking is now open and if you click on the following link it will take you through to the main promotional page on our website, which includes a downloadable booking form. 

 www.miniatureworkshops.com/Round_The_Back_Of_The_Old_Gardener%27s_Cottage.html

This project is being offered in both 1/12th scale and 1/24th scale. Plus for the first time, we are offering a Special Group Discount......terms and conditions will apply but basically if there are 4 of you or more who wish to come, you can get a 10% discount off each of your fees.

Special Group Discount

Looking forward to hearing from you

Celia & Robin

Merry Christmas From Nostalgia In Miniature Workshops!

Well the festive season is now almost upon us and another year nearly at an end. For those of you who attended any of our workshops this year, we hope you enjoyed the experience, are pleased with your creations and suitably inspired!  Thank you for your support, we have thoroughly enjoyed your company! 

Although we are both hoping to have a lovely rest through the festive season, our thoughts have already been turning to our Spring Workshop 2014. Plans are well underway and below you can see a hint of what we will be making in our "Round The Back Of The Old Gardener's Cottage Workshop"....a very special workshop indeed. It will take place at a brand new venue, just off the M40 (more specific details below) and we hope to confirm the date  at the beginning of the New Year, when booking will open. We will now be aiming to run this workshop probably mid April if possible.

 

 

The images above and below are that of the prototype in 1/12th scale, as it currently looks. We still have some additions and tweaking including a vintage style water carrier, pots of seedlings, vintage style hanging basket etc. ....but we think you will like this very much!  This little scene oozes nostalgia and realism from every nook and crannie. We anticipate the cost of this workshop will be in the region of the last two all day workshops...ie. from approx. £68.00-£72.00.

We have begun to compile a Reserve List for anyone who is interested in coming. If you would like to reserve a place, then please get in touch asap.

Special Group Discount For a group of four or more people that book together  for our Spring Workshop, a 10% discount off the full workshop price will be deducted from the final balance for each member of that group booking. Terms & Conditions For Discount Apply All deposits and then subsequent balances must be paid together by all participating members of each group booking. If one or more members of the same group booking fail to pay the balance, and the number of the group booking falls below the required group number of 4 people, then the 10% deduction will not apply. BRAND NEW VENUE! This workshop will be taking place in the conference room that is situated within the refreshment area of Bicester Avenue Garden Centre, just off the A41 and about 5 minutes drive off Junction 9 of the M40. The garden centre is situated within a whole complex that houses Hobbycraft, Lakeland, Laura Ashley and Cotton Traders. There is ample free parking and you will be able to purchase refreshments (hot and cold) throughout the day. The workshop will be all day and we will have at least one hour break at lunchtime so you can browse the various shops to your hearts content! To be confirmed in January.....due to this venue's booking terms, we are not able to officially book the date until January.  But we can tell you that it will be on a Saturday probably in April 2014.

FINALLY WE WOULD BOTH LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR. From Celia & Robin X www.miniatureworkshops.com