These are the fascinating pictures of miniature table sculptures molded around bonsai trees that take up to a painstaking 18 months to create. Japanese illustrator Takanori Aiba, 58, has built the intriguing scale models of windmills, lighthouses and even the Michelin Man.He delicately uses craft paper, plaster, acrylic resin, paint and plastic to create the host of sprawling miniature communities that wrap around the tiny trees.Following his work as an illustrator for Japanese fashion magazine POPYE he has spent the last nine years producing the detailed mini worlds.The creations take at least three months to construct with his Ice Cream Package Tower taking an astonishing 18 months work. Since 2003, he has made eight models, with 10 more planned over the next few years.
While the various controversies rumble on regarding transport, security issues and overly-officious copyright enforcement, a couple of designers is saying what we're all thinking about the Olympics - and putting it on bags .
A cricket perches on an unusual seat after crawling up the snout of a crocodile .
A 20st mum-of-four who was dangerously obese has lost half her body weight after her son drew her as a BLOB at school .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - WAVE-ING GOODBYE TO RUSH HOUR: WHILE most workers endure commuting chaos by road or rail everyday, one entrepreneur has come up with a novel way to get to the office - by KAYAK .
Commuters were put in a HOLE lot of trouble after trains were cancelled by a hole created by BADGERS .
FROM ICE bubbles to boiling lava, these photographs highlight the stunning shapes and patterns found in nature .
MEET the underwater British seal who is so friendly he loves to grapple divers like a friendly puppy dog .
A world's first restaurant has opened in Canada, where having your order fall on deaf ears is a good thing .
A former food addict who had spent her whole life dreaming of romance shed an astonishing 12st 7lbs to experience love for the first time .
Diners on this aeroplane are never disappointed with their meal, because the decommissioned aircraft is now home to an air-mazing McDonald’s restaurant .
A loving daughter has set up a Facebook page in a desperate plea to strangers, to donate a kidney to her dying mum .
Peering curiously into a basket hanging off the arms of a snowman, this little squirrel appears fascinated by the snowy figure .