Friday 7 August 2009

Day 88 Pt 3 & 89- A Sign for Tallulah

After I did the post on the flowers from J.J, I decided that I liked the stall so much that I would keep it for a while. I thought I could display it as a centrepiece for my dining table until I eventually build something more permanent for it, if at all.

There were not enough leaves at the stall, so one of the 1st thing I did was to convert this banana leave tray (above, about 10 1/2" long and 1 1/2" wide) into a signboard for the stall. It was inspired by the header at Tallulah-Belle Originals.

Next, I made some sword ferns.

I think I am addicted to the impossible tasks of trying to make fake plastic plants look realistic. These were 1:96 (?) palm trees that came with a packet of plastic animals I bought a while ago. I did my usual spray paint thing and then use a black marker to "draw and smudge" out the veins. Hopefully, one day, I will master the technique but it is useful to record my attempts.

I also made some pruned hedges (pom pom topiaries) for the back of the stall:


For these hedges, I used materials I already owned for ages. The pots were used to store salt. Two of them were mine and the 3rd I stole from mum. Wonder if she found out yet.

As if there is not enough green at the stall, I decided to add one more for Tallulah:

Here's a hectic Tallulah wiping the sweat off her brow and holding a pot of geraniums made by Jayne.

For the structure, I used 2 candle holders and the dome is a coin box I found at Mustapha during one of my 4am sleepless jaunts (20/6).

I have also added different levels to the display of the flowers so that they don't look so flat. I also made one more basket for the leaves and the ground is laid with a bamboo placemat.

Except for the topiary "trees" and the stall frame, I have tried to use material that gives a sense of portability, hopefully to suggest that this is a stall at a bazaar and not a shop. Tallulah is to be able to "pack everything up" at the end of the day, put a chain round all the stools and empty baskets and go home.

This is how my not so temporary flower stall in a bazaar look at the moment.

Except for 2 pairs of dolls, all the "characters have been "modified" to distinguish them from each other. Eventually, I hope to work on their dresses as well so that no 2 are wearing exactly the same clothes.

In this setting (above pic) , we see a bit of a lull at the stall. Most of the customers save for 2 girls, have already finished their purchases at Tallulah's and are on their way. The rest are browsers or chattering. At one corner is our romantic, loving and somewhat clumsy couple, with a new handbag. Her green kerchief is sticking out of her bag.

At the other corner, we see Tallulah. I have displayed all the flowers (except the lotus) made by Jayne on the tray between the girls. Thanks to the lull, she is able to speak to Tulip SriViNa, possibly about how she's looking for a partner, since business is going too well and she can hardly cope.

But actually a customer, standing next to SriViNa is waiting to pay for a bouquet and her basket on her head is getting heavy. If she operates on battery, I would have made her tap her foot impatiently.

Diametrically opposite from SriViNa and standing far far away from her is Saffron Syvia. You guessed it, Tulip Srivina and Saffron Syvia are the Kashmiri Twins. Syvia is talking to one of the Delhi Triplets, possibly about how to make money from saffron.

The rest of the Delhi triplets and their eldest sister are leaving the flower stall, making their way towards the Emperor's Emporium, which is 1 day away.

Standing at the middle of the stall is Moran, the lead dancer of the Nautch Girls from the palace. As she turns around, she catches the lecherous looks of a man whose arm is wound tightly around his girl, giving her a false sense of security. Moran is used to attention like this as her beauty is renowned.

The couple next to Mr Roving Eye are fighting. The lady is upset and the man is trying to explain

why their basket is filled with nothing but toddy. You can see here one of the 2 "shabby" baskets I made.

Here's the other one, carried by another girl riding pillion on a 3rd bicycle.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Eva for her comment on my flower post where I posted the picture below.

Her remark that the stall seemed alive had inspired me to add a little bit more to what it was.

And I hope that the flower stall will continue to evolve into even more of a talking point.

Eva is planning a giveaway so do visit her by clicking on her picture below.

20 comments:

Mercedes Spencer @ Liberty Biberty said...

WOnderful sign and all the plants look great - love the pom pom topiaries! Do you play with the people and move them around every day?? You can go shopping at 4am?!?!? I'm on my way to S'pore!
Mercedes

Sans! said...

Mercedes, Yes and yes and yes! And for the last yes, you don't need to even pack because Mustapha sells everything you will need. For a song too!

rosanna said...

I have to come to your place!!I'm not a shopping addict but somehow I feel that Singapore becomes me!
I love the stall, it's very lively and the girls are so beautiful. You are having a lot of fun on your spare time, don't you? big hugs

Pubdoll said...

It must be great fun to have such a lively centrepiece on your dining table with all the chattering and gossiping girls with their men!
If you threw a dinnerparty now, this would also provide your guests with lots of fun topics for conversation!
That is, if they can hear themselves over the noise from the flower stall!

Tallulah Belle said...

Oh my goodness ...I have a store lol.

It all looks so fab Susan...I love every bit.

And yes I need a partner... preferably a young handsome Bollywood star please :-)

A quick way to make leaves is to use masking tape. Cut a length twice as big as you need. Put wire on the sticky side half way up only, fold over and stick down. Cut into shape and paint...easy and they look pretty good as the tape is a little textured :-)

Sans! said...

Rosanna, I have been roaming Little India again 2 days in a row, the day before and because of what I am planning next, I kept thinking, Rosanna will really like this, I think. I have made a few purchases that to me are priceless work of art, right here at my "doll-step". Who needs a dollhouse shop? lol. I would come here too if I were you!

Sans! said...

Well, Helene, the current noise level has reached "unbearable". Anyway, my friends probably won't understand my "centrepiece".Too abstract for them. lol! If I have any dinner parties, I will only invite dollhouse connoisseurs. You'll be one of them.

Sans! said...

Jayne, I am glad Tallulah loves her shop. I really am because I like it too. By the way, all the Bollywood hunks are taken already. They are enslaved at Sans!

Thanks for the tip on making leaves. I am going to try one day. Maybe even make a BOP! :). I just wanted to recycle some stuff without throwing them away.

Jayne, the flowershop is a sort of "farewell" tribute to Jayne the flower artisan and a big hello to Jayne the sculptor.

dora said...

!Que placer pasearse por su blog, un autentico jardin, me ha encantado. Precioso.
Carmen

Eva said...

THANKS dear Susan!!! My favourite one, difficult election..., I thinks that is Moran and the costumer waiting to pay (LOL your comment about if she had battery would be tapping with her foot! LOL)

I thought taht it was imposisble to improve yout flower stall but you have done it!!
I love it!!!
Congratulations my friend

Texas Belle said...

Wow - the detail in this scene is amazing! I feel like there's probably even more going on than you're able to show in your beautiful pictures - wish I could see it in person! I love, love, love those topiaries. What a great idea to use those salt pots as flower pots. They look perfect! I'm going to have to keep my eyes open around here for something similar.

Sans! said...

Jardín? Me encanta eso! :) ¡muchas gracias! Bienvenidos a mi jardín, Carmen. Voluntad flor de comprar uno? jajaja

Eva, ¡muchas gracias! My little flower stall has improved, thanks to your kind comments. :)

Katie said...

Love it! Look at all that color!!! So Happy! And all those flowers:) Had to laugh about using it for a center piece at a dinner party, I think it would be awesome!! I'd come:) Now if we could only find a way to shrink ourselves~ :)

Unknown said...

"If she operates on battery, I would have made her tap her foot impatiently."

> < LOL bf is still asleep so i snuck onto his 'puter and FORCED myself to -read-

AHAHHAHA that just cracks me up oh shucks i woke him up with my chuckling.

re: your comment on my blog

NO WORRIES i can't wait to meet you! we have so much minis to discuss...WHAT SHOULD I BRING OTHER THAN MY CAMERA????

Sans! said...

Belle, I actually went on google and ebay to see if these pots can still be found but no luck :(. I bought them 10 over years ago and they have aged nicely without any help from me. They came with lids which do not close tightly and so I have just put them on my shelf without using them. They do look very good though. I have "invented" a use for the lids for my other little people. I hope it works :). Will feature the lids in the next few posts . And thank you for all that compliments. You are always welcome to see them in person. I will even cook for you :) or better still, come when Rosanna is here. She is a far better cook.

Sans! said...

Ah Katie, of course you are invited too.It will be a real dinner, no shrinking required. Just come armed with loads of comments, you know how I love them ..lol. Thank you Katie, for always being so supportive.

CINDY! Now I know at least you will definitely be here. I am sorry but it is still not even 1/2 way done and I know we are planning after 15/8/09... so hope you don't mind just waiting a wee bit more :). You are bringing the camera???! But you are visiting a museum and no photography is allowed.lol!

Unknown said...

what!!! i thought we were planning a photo session! ok i shan't bring the camera, but i have mad-sneaky-handphone-camera-taking skillz BWA HA HA! AND it's a 5 megapixel camera too! *evillest laughter you've ever heard*

Sans! said...

There will be guards at the door, Cindy and bag checks. :)

Tallulah Belle said...

Oh you are making me cry :-(

No farewell....just see you later :-)

Now release those men !!!!

Sans! said...

I just can't see any of my men wanting to work in a girly flower shop like Tallulah's..ahh, yes, maybe a girlie pub :)

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