Marianne's Miniverse: Potholders for your mini kitchen

Marianne's Miniverse: Potholders for your mini kitchen: Whatever kind of  food you make : clay food that has to be really baked in the oven or my type of no clay dishes potholders are a must. ...

Potholders for your mini kitchen

Whatever kind of  food you make : clay food that has to be really baked in the oven or my type of no clay dishes potholders are a must.

They are not just practical but also add a nice touch to your scene and they make great props for food pictures.

Mini potholders are very small .  In cm : 1 cm by 1 cm and in inches they are about 1 inch by 1 inch.
You can make them bigger of course if you like.

 Crochet potholders have been around fore ages so they  will fit into many scenes.




Here is my pattern for a simple potholder.

I used DMC fil dentelles n. 80 and  a 0,60 mm crochet hook. The  yarn I used is self striped so you do not have to  change  colors.


Round 1
Start by chaining 3 stitches, work  2 dc in the first of the chains,  Chain 1, Work 3 dc in the same chain . *  Work 3 dc in the same chain , chain 1 and work 3dc in the same chain.*  Repeat from * to * two more times and close round. You will have 4 groups of 3 dc ,chain 1,   3  dc.

Round 2 . Work 1 slip stitch into the last  chain 1 space ( you are working backwards) , chain   2 , 2 dc in the same space,  chain 1 and 3 dc in the same space. In the next chain 1 space *  work 3 dc , chain 1, 3 dc.  Repeat from * to *  in the other  two  chain 1 spaces. close round.


 Round 3 : Work 1 slip stitch into the last chain 1 space as in round  2.  Chain 2 and work 2dc in the same space, chain 1, 3 dc in the same space, * in the next 1 chain space work, 3 dc , in the next corner work  3 dc , chain 1, 3 dc. * Repeat from * to *  till the end of the round.  Close round with slip stitch and chain 8 for hanging loop. Close loop with slip stitch into first chain.

If you prefer using a different color  for each round  you can use this very same pattern with a little change.  At the end of the rows after doing the slip stitch to close the round you fasten off and cut the thread.




For row 2 : you can attach the thread to any chain one space. Chain 2 and work 2 dc, chain 1 and work 3 dc in the same space. Continue pattern as before.

For row 3 ; attach the yarn to one of the chain 1 spaces at  a corner. Chain 2 and work 2 dc in the same space, chain 1, work 3 dc in the same space. Continue pattern as before.

Using different colors for each row will make your potholders look  really different  so with one pattern and a little variation you can make tons of different potholders.


Faux crochet potholder.

                                        Knitted potholder on the left, faux crochet potholder on the right.




Now if you do not like crochet but still want the look of a crochet potholder do not despair you can easily make a faux crochet potholder.

                                         Making  a faux crochet potholder.

Look for a piece of cotton lace that has raised motives .  When you see  a motive that says potholder , get your scissors and  cut it out. Go easy and  make sure  it does not  not start to unravel.  Once you have cut out your motives  it is a good idea to finish the rim of your motives with a little Tacky Glue to prevent any fraying.
Glue a little loop of thread to your potholder  so you can hang it  in your kitchen. How easy is that ?


A knitted potholder. ( on the right )

This one brings back a memory because it was one of the first things I ever knitted in full scale.
It is based on the pattern my grandmother  used to use for her potholders but scaled down to 12 th scale.

I used DMC fil dentelles no 80 in Ecru and number and   no 23  knitting needles.

The get a nice edge to your potholder do not knit the first stitch of the rows.

Cast on 14 stitches.
Row 1-2 knit.
Row 3 - 10  work double rib = knit 2, purl 2
Row 11-12 knit.
Row 13 : cast off  and cut thread.

For the crochet border :
use a 0,60 crochet hook.
Attach thread and work one 1 Sc into each st along the sides of the potholder  , at the corners work 2 SC in every st. To make a loop  for hanging : chain 8 and attach to potholder with a slip stitch.
Finish off, cut thread and weave in lose ends.





Fancy crochet potholder.

For this one you will need a little bit of crochet experience.  The flower shape can be made as big as you like.by  adding more rows.

You will need  the same thread ( 3 colors of your choice like yellow, white and green  ) and the same crochet hook as before.
Start with yellow thread for the flower center.

 Chain 3 work , 8 sc into the first chain and  close into a ring  with a slip stitch.

Round 1 : Chain 3, 1 sc in every stitch of the ring.  You will have 8 loops.
Change to white thread for the petals.
Round 2 : Round each loop : 1 sc, 2 dc, 1 sc close the round with a slip stitch. Now you have 8 petals.
 Round 3 : 1 sc , in the first sc of your petal, chain 4 going round the back of the petal and make 1sc into the last  sc of the petal. Now you have a loop behind the petal.  Repeat for each petal and close with a slip st.
Round 4 : Work in the loops behind the petals. 1 sc, 3 dc ,1sc  in every loop. This will give you the second  set of petals. Close round with a slip st.
Round 5 : Change to green for leaves. 1 sc in the first sc of the petals you made in round 4, chain 5 going round the back of the petal to create a loop behind the petal, 1 sc in the  last  sc of the petal.
Repeat till you have loops behind every petal. Close round with slip stitch
Round 6 : around each loop work 1 sc, 4 dc 1sc to make the leaves. Close round  For a hanging loop Chain 10 and slip st. into slip st. finish off and cut thread.

If you want to make a bigger flower follow the pattern till you get to  round 5.
Do not change to green but continue in white.
Work round 5
Work round 6 but do not make the hanging loop.
Round 7 :  repeat row 5 but work  6 chains for the loops
Round 8  : repeat row  6  but work 1 sc, 5 dc , 1sc  in every loop to make the petals. Do not make the hanging loop but cut thread.
Change to green for the leaves :
Row 9  :  repeat row 5 but work 7 chains for the loops.
Row 10 : repeat row 6 but work 1 1s, 5 dc, 1 sc in each loop for the leaves. Make the haning loop.
and cut thread.

For an even bigger flower keep repeating row 5 and 6 but add one extra chain for each loop in row 5 and add one extra dc to each petal or leave in row 6.
You will also have to adjust  the rows for the leaves in the same way.

My first Ebook is finished

Yes I did it.!!

 People did ask me many time s to write a little book about how I  make my miniature food without clay.   So I did finaly sit down and started writing down my recipes.

The book is all about using every day items like erasers, buttons, beads and paints to create cakes and other treats.

The title is Clay Free Mini treats. Miniature food made from everyday items
There are  ten basic recipes in the book with  step by step instructions and photos.
I am giving tips on what to use and where to find it. There is also plenty of variations on each recipe and hints and tips for making your unique versions .
So all in all I filled 30 pages !

You will find recipes for different 4 different  chocolate cakes, apple topped cake, 3   pies, soufflé, apple tart, mxed fruit tart and several types of petit fours.

To keep the book affordable and avoid shipping cost it will be available as an Ebook (pdf file0.

The book can be orderd from my Etsy shophttps://www.etsy.com/nl/shop/CreatedbyMarianne?show_panel=true


 A driect link tto the book itself :


:https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/290781063/clay-free-mini-treats-ebook-pdf?ref=shop_home_listings

If you prefer a paper book you can contact me  to have one printed for you at cost.

Spring tutorial for the birds.

This tutorial will show you how to make  two different places for birds to perch as well as a little bird feeder.

The most important thing you will need is a mini tea pot with a lid.

Here are some bigger pics showing how to make the little birds.

  Print birds

Cut out

Add air drying clay to the back.

A little Easter bunny

This is a very easy and fun project. You can make this in any scale you like to go with your favourite basket. The one in the picture is 12 th scale .

What  you will need :
A basket ( your choice of size)
A white  pompom that is a little bigger than your basket.
A smaller white pompom for bunnies head.
A tiny pompom for his tail.
Piece of felt or white fabric.
Two black beads for eyes.
Pink bead for the nose
Some pink blusher.
Pink silk ribbon.
Tacky glue

I decorated my basket with some green moss and flowers made out of unraveled bunca.

I decorated the basket first for sometimes the green moss will stain your fingers and everything  else and I did not want a green bunny.  The moss is glued on with tacky glue.  Flowers are little clusters of unraveled bunca.


The bunny body is glued inside the basket. I felt it should be a bit big so the bunny would look really nice and fluffy.

Cut two ears out of your felt and apply a little bit of pink blusher to the center. Glue to  pompom for head. Add the beads for the eyes and nose. I did add a little blusher to the cheeks as well but that is optional of course.

Glue the head to the bunny and add the tail as well. I used a  pink bow as a finishing touch.

If you are using a bigger basket you will also need bigger pompoms and beads ofcourse. For decoration  silk leaves and flowers will be brilliant.  For a smaller basket your will need everything to be smaller and paper flowers or flower soft will be the perfect decoration.

Have fun !

Old fashioned Easter eggs ( poly clay free ofcourse)

I love those  old fashioned chocolate  eggs decorated with flowers, swirls and little chicks. So I figured out how to make some miniature ones and I am sharing the recipe with you.


What you will need :
Eggs :  Mine are about 1 inch tall but you can use any size you like.  For the egg with the hole in it plastic is a good choice for the others you can use whatever you like : wood, plastic etc.
Paint : a chocolate color
Pins
Piece of foam
Punched out paper flowers. Pink is a great color
A ball-shaped tool
Flower soft or Sprinkles . Pink and green work best
Narrow pink silk ribbon
Unraveled pink bunca
Tacky glue
3 D paste or 3 D paint
Tiny plastic bag for piping
Happy Easter sign
Small jump rings
Tiny yellow pompom
Tiny black no-hole beads
Tiny scrap of red paper or fabric
Clear spray varnish
Moist sponge.

Step 1 for all eggs  : Paint your eggs a nice chocolate color.  I like to stick a pin into the eggs and dip them into the paint , just like they do with the real ones. Stick the pins into a piece of foam and leave them to drip and dry.  Check them to make sure there is no bubble forming at the bottom of the eggs. If  there is just wipe it off before it dries.  I sprayed my eggs with clear varnish before decorating them but that is optional.

Step 2. This is for the egg with the chick inside.  If you cannot find an egg with a hole in it you can cut a hole yourself if the egg is a hollow plastic one.  Draw a swirl around the hole  using tacky glue.  Sprinkle with the Flower soft or Sprinkles and leave to dry. In the mean time you can make your flowers. You can use ready made paper flowers or make them out of punched out paper shapes. Use the ball-shaped tool to shape them . Add a black  no hole bead for the center if you like.  Add them to the bottom of the swirl on the egg.
. The yellow pompom will need two eyes and a beak  to become a chick. Glue on two no hole beads and a tiny beak cut out of fabric or paper.
Dip the back of the pompom into some glue , wriggle the whole thing into the egg and  gently push till it sticks.  Tie  the pink ribbon round the egg and tie a nice bow.  I used a jump ring for a stand.

Step 2 : Now we will make the egg with the roses. Once again we will start with a swirl of glue  that will be sprinkled with Flower Soft or Sprinkles  The roses are made using the same punched out shapes as before but I glued three flowers on top of each other to create roses.  The rose buds are made out of unraveled bunca , bunched together and glued in place at the top and bottom of the swirl.  I printed the little Happy Easter sign on my computer.

Step 3. The egg with the white swirl. For the white swirl I wanted to created the idea of sugar paste. I used a tiny plastic bag with a corner snipped off for a piping bag that I filled with white 3 D paste.  The swirl does not have to be perfect but if things go wrong you can wipe the paint off easily when it is still wet.  I added two roses made in the same way as before and  a very light spinkle of Flower Foam . A silk ribbom bow is the finishing touch.

I hope you will have fun making some Easter Eggs !

Having fun with chenille stem bears.

Over the years I made  hundreds of little teddy bears  and other critters  . I call them my Furry Friends.

Quite a few have been adopted  and are now living  all over the world from the Netherlands to the USA, Canada, France , the UK and Sri Lanka.

People often do not believe I just use chenille stems and pipe cleaners for making my bears. When they try making one they often tell me that theirs does not look like mine. I guess that is because my first bears did not look   as good either.

I did start making them many years ago when I was in Rehab . There was very little time or space for crafting so I needed something easy and quick. Over the years  I have perfected the technique so my bears have changed  quite a bit.

 People often ask how I give them a certain expression and to that I can only say  this : once the basic bear has been made, the bears take over and they tell me who and what they want to be.   I never know what they will look like till the bear tells me and  he or she is finished.

And sometimes a bear wants to be a bunny LOL  like the one I made today. He is 1 inch tall from the top of his ears till his little paws. 

 He said he wanted a trip to my favourite city but for now he is very happy having his very own Eiffel Tower.

Feel like making your own Furry Friend ?  Try the tutorial on this blog.

http://herminiverse.blogspot.nl/2015/05/making-chenille-stem-bears.html