Happy New Year!!!

Felted Snowman Project

Making snowmen was my favorite activity when I was young, with all the snow we had in Regina Saskatchewan. Since I have lived in Victoria B.C. since I was nine years old, we rarely get snow here so, I haven't had a chance to make or even see real snowmen. This snowman is 6" in height. I thought it would be fun to try felting a snowman. I made the three balls by felting with hot soapy water in the washer and dryer. Then I felted them together with a felting tool. I cut out tiny bits of black wool felt for the coal button, smile and eyes. Extra felt was added by felting for the arms, cheeks and chin. A tiny roll of black wool was added for the nose.  Handspun wool for the hat with a blue roving added for variation of colour. Then I draped a piece of blue roving around the neck and felted it onto the body for a scarf. I really enjoyed the way the felting tool shaped the cheeks and chin. The hat has a felted pompom too. It was so much fun making this snowman and I didn't get cold!! Hugs, Jean

 Here is a photo of the felting tool I used to embellish the snowman with more wool, roving and wool. It has three barbed fine needles. You just press into the felt a bunch of times and it embellishes. It is by Clover, you can use the barbed needles individually for smaller projects of embellishing.

Our Studio Christmas Tree

We bought a small Christmas tree for our studio this year since we spend most of our life in here. I decorated it with odds and ends of jewelery, 100+ hoop bracelets and single earrings that I've collected for years for jewelery making, a pearl garland and an amazing garland that I bought at a craft show made of many tiny paper folded stars. Our mantel is a piece of drift wood where the cats enjoy sleeping and scratching. I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful holiday season! Hugs, Jean

Christmas Gift Ideas from JDayMinis, Kits & Books

Making a Chenille Rag Rug

Here is a project I included in the November AIM magazine I thought you might like to try sometime.

 ♥Jean

Free Quarter Scale Printables

Here are free quarter scale printables that I included in the December Smaller Scales article AIM magazine for you to print out without printing the entire page from the magazine. I'm sorry it has to be low resolution. Click on the image and it will open in a new window for you to right click and save the jpg or print out directly.
♥Jean

Victorian Greetings from Jean Day Miniatures

Happy Holidays from the Days

Happy Holidays from Jean, John and Artie our new Grandpuppy!

AIM Artisans in Miniature free Magazine is out for December

http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

I'm very pleased to announce that December's AIM magazine is available for viewing below or to download. I was so pleased to write and format an article about AIM member Christine-Léa Frizoni's fabulous miniatures and book.
Le Grand Livre de la Maison Miniature
 Un Jour a la Campagne
 

I've also written an article about the wonderful poem "A Night Before Christmas" showing NBC books from my collection and AIM member's photos. There is also my regular Smaller Scales feature showing the latest seasonal minis in smaller scales. I've included two free quarter scale printables. There are so many great projects both in the magazine and the Advent Calendar.
I still haven't finished reading all the fabulous articles!
 *Jean

AIM Mag Issue 29 December 2010

An Evening in Venice, Italy with Shop Windows

My friend Janine of http://missameliasminiatures.com/ and http://missameliasminiatures.blogspot.com  asked if I had taken any photos of shop windows when we were in Venice, Italy on our last trip. John and I had a wonderful time one evening walking around Venice,having a latte and looking in shops.The night was clear and great for photos. Thank you Janine for inspiring me to get the photos on my blog. You can click on the photos to view them larger or double click.

*Jean

AIM, Artisans in Miniature free on line Magazine

To view November's AIM magazine click here!

We have recently arrived home from a wonderful 16 day cruise to Europe and back across the Atlantic. What a terrific time! We visited Venice, Rome, Naples, Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii, Monte Carlo and Barcelona again and the Azores. The weather was great, so many great sights. I hope to post photos of Venice shop windows that I took soon.

The new November AIM magazine is out, I hope you enjoy this great magazine too.  

AIM Mag Issue 28 November 2010

♥Jean

AIM, free Artisans in Miniature Magazine for October 2010 is out now!

  http://www.artisansinminiature.com/

This new October AIM Artisans in Miniature magazine is so exciting. I love Fairies, Magic and Fantasy. This magazine is packed full of fun projects, interesting articles and more. There were so many fabulous artisans who contributed their time writing projects, articles and photos to make this magazine one of my favorites! I hope you will be able to take the time to have a look at it. You do not have to download it to read it, just click on the link.   http://artisansinminiature.com
I am just thrilled to be part of putting this wonderful magazine together. It is always such a pleasure to format such amazing miniatures. Jean♥

AIM Mag Issue 27 October 2010