~ Bella Ispirazione ~

The title post is in Italian, and means "Beautiful Inspiration".... And being that the weather here is 110 with the heat index this week, and my summer reads have included the books by Frances Mayes following Under the Tuscan Sun, I thought it only fitting :) I've actually been keeping out of the sun and mini making a lot. Which suits me just fine.... It's hotter than hot! But I have to say, I wish I was in Tuscany right now, it's 80 degrees there and I'm sure every flower is in bloom and the grass and fields are probably a lot greener than my burnt looking backyard grass..... I'd be crafting my miniatures sitting at a table under a beautiful tree. Sipping chardonnay at 4pm , of course not too much lol, eating small tidbits of fabulous cheeses and dreaming up each detail, with a slight breeze :) But that's ok, I have hope that I can get back out to my own garden soon, at least for more than the 10 minutes I've been out watering it on and off and running back inside to breathe ...So in the meantime, I'm using my Inspiration from Tuscany to do some new miniatures. The above collage was a color inspiration for the miniature below. Pink and Red, 2 of my favorite colors...one is vibrant and one is soft, I love using that combination in everything I dream up....

I've also used my love of Tuscany and my Italian heritage to bake a few miniatures that I've made many times for friends and family in real scale. I just love Pastizzi's and here they are below, in mini but just as yummy :)

I'm sure you all know and probably love Under the Tuscan sun... It's probably my favorite movie of all time. I watch that movie from top to bottom and visually I feel as if I'm taking in every tiny detail each time I watch it. I try and take that same feeling , amongst all else that happens to inspires me , and transfer it to my decorating and designing and into my miniatures. I think that's why I make a lot of farmhouse style shabby tables filled with food and bakery items :)

I love to bake and cook for friends, so to be able to do it in miniature is just another extension of who I am...

Like most things, depending on what you're feeling at a certain time in your life, or a day, a new inspiration can come at you and it seems as if it falls right into your lap. My summer books have me so excited to create a few new items with the Tuscan feel. The bright florals mixed with soft pastels and the deep rich colors of certain woods mixed with creams and whites... relaxed, casual, but also elegant....This Tuscan inspired table below is a beauty to me!

I've started certain parts of the one I'm making in mini and I cannot wait to share it... But for now these pics are just pretty eye candy to share with you....

I love all the glass.... and of course the Italian chocolate chip cookies :)

My kitchen in Summer Rose can use a table like this too, I took a photo of this one below before I listed it on Etsy , so as soon as I'm finished with the Tuscan styled one like above, I'll have to make another creamy version for here...after I catch up a bit :)

And speaking of inspiration.... This cake below is on my list too. I've made some similar ones like it before, but I love the little sign :)
And last but not least, I am inspired by my own cookbooks. This one is a great baking book! It's got lots of delicious ideas and fabulous recipes. I used it to bake my real cakes and also to come up with new cake ideas in mini :)
Well, as I'm finishing this post , it's still 100+ degrees outside.... but I hope I gave you a bit of sweetness to see and daydream about too! I certainly hope where ever you are, you are cooler and enjoying a beautiful weekend!! And btw, to my friends in Italy: Get the guest room ready!!!!!!! I'll cook for you for free :)

Love you all!

Hugs, Cynthia

{photo credits: The wedding decorator, sweet and saucy, everyday occasions by Jenny}