So, let’s take a look at Spring Fling ’07 first.  The contest kit that year was the Heart Arbor kit.   The Heart Arbor is a sweet little feature to add to any garden but we were amazed at the creativity shown by the participants!   Each scene tells its own story and you’ll be fascinated by all the details.

Let’s start off with this romantic scene created by Craftedforyou of an arbor where Ann and Robert meet for their anniversary every year.   They’ve gone off for a walk in the woods but Ann has left her hat on the bench.  The details of a story untold make this scene fascinating.

Come thru the gate and leave the cares of the world behind you as you stroll down the path to the arbor.  The sound of flowing water from the fountain is serene and tranquil.  This Zen garden was created by Gretasplace.

Sometimes miniatures can be used be used to symbolize emotions and complicated concepts of real life.  Heidi’s arbor depicts the two sides of love... .the joyous new growth of love accepted and the desolation of a love rejected.  The contrasts of emotions, colors and styles are intriguing.

Lumberjacksgurl celebrates the arrival of Spring with a potting bench that has not been idle thru the cold winter months.  Seedlings and vines have been carefully nurtured and are ready to take their place in the warming earth.  In every detail of this piece, we can see a love of emerging life.

This scene of timeless elegance was created by Molmrath.  Vining roses in deep red for love and pure white for remembrance sweetly frame the walkway leading to a kneeling angel.  The classic statuary lends grace to the scene and gives one a sense of serenity.

Esther tells a story of a lifetime of love in this garden.  Ruth sits quietly reflecting in the heart arbor her late husband built for her.  Surrounding her are the flowers he planted for her with such care. 

The Spring Fling ’08 kit was a little shack with a lot of character!  To add extra excitement to the contest, Greenleaf didn’t name the kit until the contest was over and then bestowed the name of the winner to the kit.  Thus we saw the arrival of Annie’s Lobster Shack.

There were so many wonderful entries in the ’08 contest that the judges had a terrible time making the final decision.  In fact, there was a three way tie for third place!  As good as the entries were for the ’07 Spring Fling, we saw even more detail and imagination in ’08.

Steve’s Blacksmith Shop was created by 4miniloves and is full of authentic details.  It’s obvious that a lot of research and hard work went into this piece when you look at the grindstone, vise and bellows………all of them working models. 

Captaintiny brings back memories of childhood in this richly detailed “Boy’s Only” club house.  From the cards on the barrel and board table, to the tin can telephones, there are so many things to make us smile and remember happy times spent climbing trees and searching for buried treasure.

JeanneP provides so much realistic detail in her pigeon coop that you can almost hear the sound of the birds cooing.   The positioning of the birds gives the illusion that we’ve opened the door and startled the birds into flight.  From the spilled bird seed to the wire on the windows, this scene is wonderfully realistic.

Charming and creative, Momofboys transformed a little house into a tea shop shaped like a tea pot!  Positioned on a serving tray complete with sugar and creamer, this seems to be the favorite hangout of fairies. 

Rev TimT takes us back to a time when gas was a lot cheaper and people would actually come out of the building to put it in your car while you waited.  They’d wash your windshield and check the oil too!  Not only is the reproduction of this gas station faithful to the original, but the detailing in miniature is amazing.

ShannonC wanted a sweet little cottage for Miss Mousy’s house and this darling little Tudor is just perfect!  The use of paperclay transforms the house and gives it a delightful depth and detail.  The landscaping completes the illusion of taking us into a tiny forest where one can have tea with a mouse.

Those are just a few random entries of our Spring Fling contest in the past two years.  The talent and creativity have been overwhelming each year and it just gets better and better every year. 

This year we’re looking forward to even more creative entries, details, and miniature delights.  Greenleaf has taken the contest kit to a whole new level with a full size house kit featuring two rooms and the most innovative and amazing designs the miniature world has ever seen.  Another exciting addition to this year’s contest is the inclusion of the Young Miniaturist Division for aspiring miniaturists 15 and under.

If you’ve already started your Spring Fling entry, you know how exciting it is to be a part of the creative process and the community spirit of building together.  If you haven’t started your entry yet, don’t put it off any longer!  Come and join in the fun!  We promise it’ll be one of the best miniature experiences you’ve ever had!