tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86884474163227157142024-03-14T06:10:44.585-04:00mini ramblings and musings....or things to make you go hmmmmKarin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.comBlogger413125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-43524008307730790092012-12-12T11:49:00.000-05:002012-12-12T11:49:16.857-05:00The Castle Gatehouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpmZLQgS4LWCCQ2XC0c2fho4X1KmY1ZT6jVBaL-k-x7WgZrxcWyRfVAE-no6qjZPLBtewqkXgICg9a2I3oUPFdMBT-_7iljdv0BVXXuhPzX7wuzxQzJht2IoXJjMXnHrMBL08mUS3/s1600/Arundel+gatehouse+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpmZLQgS4LWCCQ2XC0c2fho4X1KmY1ZT6jVBaL-k-x7WgZrxcWyRfVAE-no6qjZPLBtewqkXgICg9a2I3oUPFdMBT-_7iljdv0BVXXuhPzX7wuzxQzJht2IoXJjMXnHrMBL08mUS3/s200/Arundel+gatehouse+copy.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
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As some of you may know, I was in England this past summer to attend a family wedding held in the town of Arundel. So while there, we explored the castle, and knowing that I had another commission in the works, I took lots of photos.</div>
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This photo, from among the hundreds of photos I came home with, showing the castle gatehouse, became my inspiration.</div>
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My commission centered around an artisan doll dressed in medieval attire and carrying a hunting owl at her wrist .....so it just begged for an outside scene. </div>
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But how do you even begin to show the massiveness of such a structure..... certainly not the way I started out! Much too boxy...<br />
That's when you have to remember about perspectivism. Anything running off into the distance, whether a road or a tall building, will become progressively smaller the further away from you it is. Even in the photo, the actual gatehouse appears to be smaller at the top than on the ground.<br />
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I was size constrained since my gatehouse was being shipped to California. During design discussions I had promised that the doll could be placed inside as well as along the outside of my build ...so on the ground next to the building and on top between the embrasures (the term for the walls between the turrets) or inside. </div>
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I always start out with a design in my head but as I work, the building decides how it wants to look.<br />
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I wanted to add a few special details, such as a secret staircase inside one of the turrets; the secret being is where it leads to, because all anyone can see, are the top of the stairs ....it's nowhere to be seen below.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7cVSaUr9bqo-PAzp7MKruHJ-jasgHUdGtl1rwtMVrcECnN0lBkDgsLiOI3wrbLhLJOHCDSDKsiwTDW9TIIISbHsIMCRPPcunSLm8wq9qJrzsTQZK2A3SYjod6STpzTIF3BEav-ob/s1600/SDC14335+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7cVSaUr9bqo-PAzp7MKruHJ-jasgHUdGtl1rwtMVrcECnN0lBkDgsLiOI3wrbLhLJOHCDSDKsiwTDW9TIIISbHsIMCRPPcunSLm8wq9qJrzsTQZK2A3SYjod6STpzTIF3BEav-ob/s320/SDC14335+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I sweated bullets worrying whether those stairs were achievable. In the end, it just came together as if it had been meant to be....<br />
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The inside of the actual building<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN_GDC8zMSo93_mY3ExntMVGD6-XH97ArG3tS1Q0r0ZbRiFbcV7Cfbc2uOdVxMKXDruCtqnDyZJta4ZZrRs134t3zx6lHLrz794_KHBHdnXXd_hxriGQR8YkPK_kZitcgkEUqB3Xi/s1600/SDC13762+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN_GDC8zMSo93_mY3ExntMVGD6-XH97ArG3tS1Q0r0ZbRiFbcV7Cfbc2uOdVxMKXDruCtqnDyZJta4ZZrRs134t3zx6lHLrz794_KHBHdnXXd_hxriGQR8YkPK_kZitcgkEUqB3Xi/s200/SDC13762+copy.jpg" width="150" /></a> had a vaulted ceiling. I had never done one! Had no idea how to start! I spent a few more nights laying awake puzzling that out.... but in the end, with as much glue and plaster on me as on the castle ceiling, I think I've managed a reasonable facsimile.</div>
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The third feature of the Castle Gatehouse is the fountain, shipped to me by my customer. I wondered whether to create an attached wall for it but couldn't come up with an idea for how to end the wall; so in the end, rather than a fourth gateway, the back became a wall with the fountain glued on. .....and then I worried whether my glue would hold during its transportation to California so I created a support for it to sit on.</div>
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It's a lovely 2 part fountain with water shown running out of the lion's mouth into the upper fountain bowl but how water gets into the second bowl isn't indicated. </div>
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Well, if you know me & realism, you know I just couldn't leave it and while I was at it, I figured I may as well show some water overflowing to the stone floor below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEk5RxA4K_SiqWS_sYStNWAu32u_CLidigVmrpuO0x79Hh2_lBP7OEf9KXJDWH0OOYU40UwjaotYX_F9E2sQBBS1lSNXtJwk7bZOryKZgyzRVQHsN0UIYHsDfX0eoQ1y_DHOWI0sG/s1600/SDC14417+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEk5RxA4K_SiqWS_sYStNWAu32u_CLidigVmrpuO0x79Hh2_lBP7OEf9KXJDWH0OOYU40UwjaotYX_F9E2sQBBS1lSNXtJwk7bZOryKZgyzRVQHsN0UIYHsDfX0eoQ1y_DHOWI0sG/s320/SDC14417+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So there you have it: the Castle Gatehouse, which at the time of my writing this, should be halfway to it's new home. Fingers crossed that CanPost and the USPS don't feel the need to play football with it!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWKBd_qwv5tSY_Fiia7qbqTAXDmI8GVdymoNxc8QyEXV_4MYhRn1QQ9fH6T0YpPBGliZPTXU9aWi1NZWXvzJx_b_BRWxq84od-UAt5_Q7jIkjLQYyUJu9f-0NrhEfmNeBDFiRc72P/s1600/cert+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWKBd_qwv5tSY_Fiia7qbqTAXDmI8GVdymoNxc8QyEXV_4MYhRn1QQ9fH6T0YpPBGliZPTXU9aWi1NZWXvzJx_b_BRWxq84od-UAt5_Q7jIkjLQYyUJu9f-0NrhEfmNeBDFiRc72P/s320/cert+card.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from the front</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzeLguYDP4MJvy669O9cU9efLyjYhVPlHL0JP8nJjDQ4balq4C-04x8PV62c0ss0lRPYlc74_u0ogT4SjYefGymrkHEoe8o023POhw80M0qmkBZa761UDoNhtlHFkdM-mKkJ4_77g/s1600/SDC14370b+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjzeLguYDP4MJvy669O9cU9efLyjYhVPlHL0JP8nJjDQ4balq4C-04x8PV62c0ss0lRPYlc74_u0ogT4SjYefGymrkHEoe8o023POhw80M0qmkBZa761UDoNhtlHFkdM-mKkJ4_77g/s320/SDC14370b+copy.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the left side</td></tr>
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In case I hadn't mentioned it, each of the turrets has a door but only the one is open.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnH6jjxKDLbJs90HoE97dP2VhSvfXR8Fh7uyFR9tXs1TeCOa2X73KMzjkn50c65K2eJ3cd0Qf5gGNbngAdfAo0sCO4mEKiOhouw9MJtb6B8S6BQ7ymAgFHdj1psl5WzqtFVRbS6W1/s1600/SDC14372b+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnH6jjxKDLbJs90HoE97dP2VhSvfXR8Fh7uyFR9tXs1TeCOa2X73KMzjkn50c65K2eJ3cd0Qf5gGNbngAdfAo0sCO4mEKiOhouw9MJtb6B8S6BQ7ymAgFHdj1psl5WzqtFVRbS6W1/s320/SDC14372b+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from the right side<br />
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As you can see the right side of the floor at the base of the gatehouse has plenty of room for "M'lady of the hunt", or a prancing steed or even a knight companion. Fingers crossed we'll get to see photos.</div>
Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-16549055015344990322012-11-09T13:02:00.000-05:002012-11-09T13:02:16.517-05:00Good morning everyone ....although I guess it's no longer correct terminology these days when you could be reading this from the other side of the world just before bedtime. In my world it's morning & a great one at that..... <br />
As you may all know my prize for winning 2nd place in the Greenleaf SpringFling contest was a $250 coupon for anything in the store and as they had a 24hour sale, I couldn't leave my decision any longer. It took me at least 2 hours to make up my mind between all the lovely houses, accessories, furniture and lighting that was on offer.<br />
Like most of you, I'm sure... after a few years into this hobby there just isn't much display room left. However these days, as I do most of my reading on a tablet, I have given away more and more of my books and as my bookcase shelves are starting to gather nothing but dust, the thought came to me that those empty shelves would be perfect for displaying my houses. Both my Fishing Hut (SpringFling 2010) and my HarvestHome (2012)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmWP-6pLvIDx09qaZ9qlo7Lr37PfmfDV3PUTM_cDUVAgBBHzuewhvKdj1jgL5RWUnD6FzTV-x7I1ARh4KJjjw3l-d_X9e4wIjWhDSXt2YEMw4-lqtnp82WogkCWT8RDVjHFEBzmBQ/s1600/pic+for+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmWP-6pLvIDx09qaZ9qlo7Lr37PfmfDV3PUTM_cDUVAgBBHzuewhvKdj1jgL5RWUnD6FzTV-x7I1ARh4KJjjw3l-d_X9e4wIjWhDSXt2YEMw4-lqtnp82WogkCWT8RDVjHFEBzmBQ/s400/pic+for+paper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
were either too wide or too deep to fit. But the idea became lodged in my head and thus my choice of Greenleaf items circled around 1/2 scale houses and my final choice were these....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7MHyfDD92x32Lu00D7ejRxEzhCJtqSLjyO_PGQVZY-NuQvFfBksb1eDwyFX0S654Y7d4I9GnNAqj4GwnOT_y9zPm-bAmlWXrbkUDSaQC3IHQw39a3MrHeIGBxtNO9S1bzDR3SbDQ/s1600/houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7MHyfDD92x32Lu00D7ejRxEzhCJtqSLjyO_PGQVZY-NuQvFfBksb1eDwyFX0S654Y7d4I9GnNAqj4GwnOT_y9zPm-bAmlWXrbkUDSaQC3IHQw39a3MrHeIGBxtNO9S1bzDR3SbDQ/s400/houses.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The largest (the Tennyson) is 15"x11.5" and only 7.5" deep while the smallest (the Brimble) measures 11"x7.5" and 12" deep .....perfect sizes for adjustable bookshelves... especially if you add lights to the rooms and removable back walls to each house and view the insides only through the windows.<br />
There's only one drawback .....of course there's always one LOL and that's finding the time to ensure these houses get the attention they deserve. <br />
I've had a bread box sitting on a kitchen shelf for over 2 years, waiting to be turned into a vintage kitchen on baking day..... cowboy attire and a OOAK mule waiting for a western scene.... flower kits, patio furniture and garden statues to be turned into a secret garden.... a half finished Christkindlmarkt stand and another Christmas 4-part scene and lately a OOAK Frau Holle waiting her turn to shake out her feather beds and cover the world below her into a winter wonderland.<br />
You can't say that I don't have my work cut out for me!<br />
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On another note, Caterina sent me an email invitation to take part in her Christmas swap...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0hC7mNn7sL5sA36iUZggyyoRmJDmwPNRjHC0PUdAXmd1vWSwKx93UK4w4vguFn5eSm6byTJaS8YTVOME6Mid_hHNMCVLutOdU9FowVp6dNazIWojfOsuYwmuDDhNykfsNfbiE_8nuUcR/s400/Christmas+Swap+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0hC7mNn7sL5sA36iUZggyyoRmJDmwPNRjHC0PUdAXmd1vWSwKx93UK4w4vguFn5eSm6byTJaS8YTVOME6Mid_hHNMCVLutOdU9FowVp6dNazIWojfOsuYwmuDDhNykfsNfbiE_8nuUcR/s320/Christmas+Swap+2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
....and since Christmas is for giving, I've accepted. If any of you feel up to the challenge of making at least of one item to put under someones tree, please join me; the invitation's good until Nov 12th. The more the merrier!
Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-82651287784512121432012-11-04T10:44:00.000-05:002012-11-04T10:44:58.855-05:00The trend these days for miniaturists is to strive for as much realism as possible. While I might look at historical dollhouses with interest, it would never enter my head to mix and match scales. Some people hesitate to add dolls to a scene and instead leave.... an open book, a half eaten sandwich or an overturned shopping bag etc. thus showing that the little people who inhabit the DH are out but will shortly return.<br />
So here's an interesting comparison... take a look at these two photos. Each one is as lovely as the other. Then decide which one is photoshopped and which is an actual miniature:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8vXr6VluqRH0JXTB-XvrLYCnqVFEJdHVyM_arXbzYp1QXnD6gbg8QMTvvHGrPeE91Zhr_zYLeDJVpCzIuZ2WuLlbWqxb54YbjAeWP9dr2RnH3-03IYTXH1bDBqm0JGZywMR9xGt9/s1600/photoshopped+farmhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8vXr6VluqRH0JXTB-XvrLYCnqVFEJdHVyM_arXbzYp1QXnD6gbg8QMTvvHGrPeE91Zhr_zYLeDJVpCzIuZ2WuLlbWqxb54YbjAeWP9dr2RnH3-03IYTXH1bDBqm0JGZywMR9xGt9/s400/photoshopped+farmhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I love eye candy and I save as much of it as I can, as inspiration for those "someday" creations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElb3-jgJ9GGYG37tPT7MQxHKZ6NhT3xSdXB3Jr3wpZYjAYYui0FfNVaUO7XhbqjWKAJxcqivMCzKkRqYXI796-JAQduxYzSBA_YEVsTI8KdSsbTbet2C6o-3ZLhyd4M1617Leioqw/s1600/hint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElb3-jgJ9GGYG37tPT7MQxHKZ6NhT3xSdXB3Jr3wpZYjAYYui0FfNVaUO7XhbqjWKAJxcqivMCzKkRqYXI796-JAQduxYzSBA_YEVsTI8KdSsbTbet2C6o-3ZLhyd4M1617Leioqw/s320/hint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-44402689003493188352012-10-18T19:24:00.000-04:002012-10-18T19:24:52.799-04:00SpringFling Contest ResultsMy normal routine every morning is to drink my coffee while reading the emails that have come in and then socialize a bit on facebook before starting my day. <br />
Well this morning I opened an email from the Greenleaf DH company so you can imagine my surprise when I saw this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCni1dI3wlFuM-m_mZJgHwk9hbiBGKL_VVghdI1xPgRCpiN32ADJY1p18ZuCmGsRO-LMFbDROt1BwSMpGJ5owx_voFJ-fzk0h7yauvHumXKbD0FKexqySoZ6rPpCr8s2PTE_4QJ3y/s1600/I+won.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCni1dI3wlFuM-m_mZJgHwk9hbiBGKL_VVghdI1xPgRCpiN32ADJY1p18ZuCmGsRO-LMFbDROt1BwSMpGJ5owx_voFJ-fzk0h7yauvHumXKbD0FKexqySoZ6rPpCr8s2PTE_4QJ3y/s400/I+won.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
I won second prize and a $250 dollar voucher to spend with Greenleaf!<br />
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And just last week I was featured in a beautifully written article in my local newspaper:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrzyWGeVpsKx9ngc0Va1x1ijmApS8F_QG3q8YsYys6MRi9GqjWXVPQbv56MqDcOsF-8ANVALwJJALwXR9DmZTOMUNJC2Muroyg90JgIeNjXs8G-luUV9_eIncqqCtfo0AkESxXv0b/s1600/newspaper+article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnrzyWGeVpsKx9ngc0Va1x1ijmApS8F_QG3q8YsYys6MRi9GqjWXVPQbv56MqDcOsF-8ANVALwJJALwXR9DmZTOMUNJC2Muroyg90JgIeNjXs8G-luUV9_eIncqqCtfo0AkESxXv0b/s400/newspaper+article.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is nothing more wonderful than achieving recognition for doing something you love!<br />
<br />Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-50927695651915736522012-09-03T12:08:00.004-04:002012-09-03T14:02:36.444-04:00HarvestHome DIYThese photos are in no particular order!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpz0K4g9IoQdGs88GeDYPW5weubRDTUI-9fyLcEOWKO_CoD5pgNs4QNKa-D6bya7pDJBQ-5yhWavk4X5akkYX01XgTAVl_blsj5FzXTg8QsBCh88objTfC93vaaxC4jbTn5VwzqGE/s1600/SDC14131+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984579491333266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXpz0K4g9IoQdGs88GeDYPW5weubRDTUI-9fyLcEOWKO_CoD5pgNs4QNKa-D6bya7pDJBQ-5yhWavk4X5akkYX01XgTAVl_blsj5FzXTg8QsBCh88objTfC93vaaxC4jbTn5VwzqGE/s400/SDC14131+copy.jpg" /></a>To make the "individual windows" that constitute the greenhouse, I used matchsticks and toothpicks (for the narrower bits).<br />In all, for this build, I went through 2 boxes of long matches plus any number of used matches left over from lighting our barbecue.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevHpaUAGT1W8teJdOrYGICKohGssJ4MnTQlT4eibTc9iwDYj4DHIGiCSIKN55_AqkyVDwhLmIcBGaCD7xpBUJO9CRAflb9T_sipzMXkFvXT3ozt3EcB7g_pKORFSMsTYi1M6AEq4O/s1600/SDC14130+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984574713929506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevHpaUAGT1W8teJdOrYGICKohGssJ4MnTQlT4eibTc9iwDYj4DHIGiCSIKN55_AqkyVDwhLmIcBGaCD7xpBUJO9CRAflb9T_sipzMXkFvXT3ozt3EcB7g_pKORFSMsTYi1M6AEq4O/s400/SDC14130+copy.jpg" /></a> The picture frame on the wall was a cheap locket to which I added a faded photo covered by a piece of acrylic to appear like glass.<br />The painted mirror was bought.<br />The faded wallpaper came from the scrapbooking aisle.<br />The wainscotting was individually cut and to which I sanded grooves on either side.<br />The table & chairs are Chrysnbon, wood stained and then sanded for an aged look.<br />On the chair closest to the front is a newspaper with mushrooms & carrots (bought). The cup with my name on it was a present. The basket on the floor is another Al Chandronnait. The wooden fruit bowl in back is handmade on a lathe by Bertie Pittman; the fruit inside it & everything else on the table was made by me. Both gentlemen do great work!<br />In this photo you can see that in keeping with the theme, the screen door is patched & the screening no longer very tight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr_m7NYLatreotABqC0ef028LLkgA8yMox568IN6pVONMH_3IG_6g6lWIRgbJ-AZbRV5chmmZ1yeE3kRP0L6-Pqn3wWql9KWsEo1EMCHnyBToQ4-hY9kKwf-MoXseoJY1oRib9vVg/s1600/SDC14111+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984564727850866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJr_m7NYLatreotABqC0ef028LLkgA8yMox568IN6pVONMH_3IG_6g6lWIRgbJ-AZbRV5chmmZ1yeE3kRP0L6-Pqn3wWql9KWsEo1EMCHnyBToQ4-hY9kKwf-MoXseoJY1oRib9vVg/s400/SDC14111+copy.jpg" /></a>The stove, again a Chrysnbon, was spray painted with an enamel paint ...then the silver bits were added. Because I held the spray can a bit too close to the stove, it doesn't have that smooth paint look but more like the real thing. I painted the silver parts with metal paint to get a more authentic look.<br />I have a horror of things not looking like the real thing & in real life, the brick wall in back of the stove was needed not only to throw the heat back into the room but also to prevent the walls from overheating & catching fire. The bricks were made from one sheet of sandpaper, which I drybrushed in a number of shades of red & brown and then cut it into 1/4" x 1/2" bricks. Before gluing the bricks down, I mixed black paint into the glue so that my "grout" shows as black rather than as dried glue LOL. I added some black to the wall directly behind the stove & around the stovepipe.<br /><strong>FYI:</strong> <em>periodically check the squareness of the line of bricks as you glue them down.</em><br />I've tried to show a bit of dirtiness on the floor.<br />The wood box is made by me and the split wood are twigs picked up from the garden.<br />The stone jug was an unglazed piece of pottery to which I added a traditional design and then glazed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAnQrC2wNU0glKuCweDEad7_WxdEu6ISSFvP8JCaUACCHiu4sihSQqSReP1BbmygR8ebFkL9ixMC1KGvgMmpFp2JwO78j3Wk81E7lmjgOLblPUi4mPISb8u8gmm_ldQT_I3aQ2Vlg/s1600/SDC14110+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984556319796066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAnQrC2wNU0glKuCweDEad7_WxdEu6ISSFvP8JCaUACCHiu4sihSQqSReP1BbmygR8ebFkL9ixMC1KGvgMmpFp2JwO78j3Wk81E7lmjgOLblPUi4mPISb8u8gmm_ldQT_I3aQ2Vlg/s400/SDC14110+copy.jpg" /></a>I'm really pleased with how the sink turned out. This is a Chrysnbon sink from their bathroom kit. Again using a hint from Pat Thomas, I spray painted it black (to stop the light shining through the thin plastic) and then covered it with enamel touch-up paint with bits scrapped off while the enamel was setting up. The wall in back is made of paperclay.<br />I have yet to be able to roll out paper clay without it breaking into smaller pieces (it's supposed to be rolled out between sheets of plastic wrap), hence the cracks and unevenness.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IKDcRIAgCwHNQsJPtF2gI2x1hvL2fHQCxkTOHCY3oNjK4GpFQ3YOqMHlEbvk3PkXBKRMrw4mCxxtxfAsARYLPjR7knUvdi7WBEHXAPBSVUuXOiXLKH1b1XWVzJlFHxj1rh3eRW-9/s1600/SDC14074+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984081376661538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IKDcRIAgCwHNQsJPtF2gI2x1hvL2fHQCxkTOHCY3oNjK4GpFQ3YOqMHlEbvk3PkXBKRMrw4mCxxtxfAsARYLPjR7knUvdi7WBEHXAPBSVUuXOiXLKH1b1XWVzJlFHxj1rh3eRW-9/s400/SDC14074+copy.jpg" /></a> I've tried to show the door screening as no longer tight and also patched. The door handle is a bent piece of wire and the hinges are 2 pieces of cut to size coffee tin cover with chiropractic needle bits in the middle as hinge springs.<br />I've been asked what I used for the screening. This is actual window screen material which although it should look out of scale, manages to appear correct. I drybrushed some burnt sienna paint onto the screen to give it a slight rusty appearance.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoaI2LcLdCY_Piejkf3ePFlB4VoUIqYksOHeYz0d9_rLHM1cvrRXmLXo5GSV0yMowi7u6CRlHRfFoQphuNQTL8TxcaYtMzduX51YN8WBr6agNExiN4xfhyphenhyphenfW59xBcoNjDo5uKST36/s1600/SDC14089+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984072973836178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoaI2LcLdCY_Piejkf3ePFlB4VoUIqYksOHeYz0d9_rLHM1cvrRXmLXo5GSV0yMowi7u6CRlHRfFoQphuNQTL8TxcaYtMzduX51YN8WBr6agNExiN4xfhyphenhyphenfW59xBcoNjDo5uKST36/s400/SDC14089+copy.jpg" /></a><br />The interior of the greenhouse is filled with plants (bought or swapped) as well as a planters table (made) and a plant tier, also made.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCez5b-QHVLkyadAUsk-1knufKIzpeRYem-5spv8IXAOWnBuxAbWtU83clo3eVF4lj0LABZFemS0ioUofXhaNRRMDf-0_gcjXTu5EjtyarSPieTxPVUSX8xuoDJHMEvQiR5MF7ZUj/s1600/SDC14082+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984063028429186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCez5b-QHVLkyadAUsk-1knufKIzpeRYem-5spv8IXAOWnBuxAbWtU83clo3eVF4lj0LABZFemS0ioUofXhaNRRMDf-0_gcjXTu5EjtyarSPieTxPVUSX8xuoDJHMEvQiR5MF7ZUj/s400/SDC14082+copy.jpg" /></a> My first attempt at sunflowers!<br />The middle is paper clay covered with used coffee grounds. If I make them again, I will buy a better punch as the petals on the flowers should really have been more pointy.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgHmczD25YxS_8F8zq7-acYdqsN4TpSlrYq-i361ffbPU-yx07mNLiB_zAI9cOYuVUyc9b5ekWqotxFc924RvzCwM2yEoE8aJZSm7ihd1-BX_DhOxwUwm6Sea8FPIaTgJIYM3zsf-/s1600/SDC14079b+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984058292278194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgHmczD25YxS_8F8zq7-acYdqsN4TpSlrYq-i361ffbPU-yx07mNLiB_zAI9cOYuVUyc9b5ekWqotxFc924RvzCwM2yEoE8aJZSm7ihd1-BX_DhOxwUwm6Sea8FPIaTgJIYM3zsf-/s400/SDC14079b+copy.jpg" /></a> The fence is made of twigs I found. The corn stalks (my first attempt) are raffia. The path is scenic rock material; the garden soil is used coffee grounds and glue mixture to which I added some of my fimo pumpkins & squash while the grounds were still soft. The watering can filled with flowers was bought.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7qODyf3g2H-U_FLia6f3NY_dj_0du3NT4XjkBNLyKNouh0tG-jYiiclII87lw-mZ7MVrKyS5wQw_eOwNkY7pG5bKN3ZWuPRPbWrF94WW276UyvlezGzdipESJ8H_PDCv54XbfJu9/s1600/SDC14060+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783984049272511250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7qODyf3g2H-U_FLia6f3NY_dj_0du3NT4XjkBNLyKNouh0tG-jYiiclII87lw-mZ7MVrKyS5wQw_eOwNkY7pG5bKN3ZWuPRPbWrF94WW276UyvlezGzdipESJ8H_PDCv54XbfJu9/s400/SDC14060+copy.jpg" /></a> Here you have a better look at the board & batten exterior. I set my house onto a carved & painted piece of builders foam (made to resemble stone blocks). As some of you know, I sell commissioned castles made of builders foam, so this was a natural LOL!<br />The kitty was bought yrs ago on eBay.<br />The pillow is a piece of old flannel, dunked into cold coffee to age it, sewn together & filled with a bit of sand; the rose in the center is painted.<br />The sewing basket is an acorn top.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnA5WjKYIo_sX17d3tAqmzeVk3ubFc7fFFGQHf3WXh26MrM9JRQcvHgERgMeKaz800cBNTw_ZAztiHrUe4EpZLz3iq0DrDr6Y6HO4OLwExaup1GY_0ym4ttRyur84bv_1deWlZte1v/s1600/SDC14071b+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783983548669129810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnA5WjKYIo_sX17d3tAqmzeVk3ubFc7fFFGQHf3WXh26MrM9JRQcvHgERgMeKaz800cBNTw_ZAztiHrUe4EpZLz3iq0DrDr6Y6HO4OLwExaup1GY_0ym4ttRyur84bv_1deWlZte1v/s400/SDC14071b+copy.jpg" /></a>The board & batten exterior idea came from Pat & Noel Thomas. The material used is long wooden matchsticks.<br />I clearly have still a lot to learn about aging as I was aiming for "peeling paint" and what I actually got was worn paint.<br />Both the hanging basket & the 2 tomato plants were made by Bill Lankford, who I highly recommend both for price & quality ....as long as you don't mind the extra long wait. The butterflies on the hanging basket are made from fimo cane & added by me. All the furniture inside & out is chrysnbon. The steps, although you can hardly see them, are actual stones.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC_IfGU1zMjBsqPKLHagL_afK99v34WDlckqoQtZdk1s6pJxJ9801QaxCOrb5bicRJRo3df_1EOlweekZlKxIRDeI2gpvb_PELCA26YgArBRPpATTzDOa_hf44U5lg7j0j86WvB4I/s1600/SDC14068c+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783983542448799394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixC_IfGU1zMjBsqPKLHagL_afK99v34WDlckqoQtZdk1s6pJxJ9801QaxCOrb5bicRJRo3df_1EOlweekZlKxIRDeI2gpvb_PELCA26YgArBRPpATTzDOa_hf44U5lg7j0j86WvB4I/s400/SDC14068c+copy.jpg" /></a><br />I used an old railroaders trick for making the cedar shakes:<br />Using thin corrugated cardstock, I cut strips 3/4" wide; then cut slits 1/2" high for individual shakes. Finally I stagger cut each shake length. Next I dunked each strip into a weathering mixture of grey paint & black ink and dried them on wax paper. This caused some of them to curl, adding to the aged look. Glue the upper 1/4" onto a backing and then each succeeding strip a 1/2" higher; dry brush each strip with brown, greenish or lighter grey paint and while the paint is still wet, sprinkle on some scenic scatter material. I also added some scenic moss here and there under a raised shake.<br />The oak leaves are the kind that come on a rope.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oEk7I1lgX9qY-oSrHd4jqaimZSuwG_50XLatbfMJBwAhcqRLQQTJYxy6UWgtOr2W0QABz7SNaHbfdzIcAKFR-nrYViCVA3VLqCmyHx9Lxc_hlArVlMJC8xR2uY8tEPqmWWsapp15/s1600/SDC14067+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783983534334779762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oEk7I1lgX9qY-oSrHd4jqaimZSuwG_50XLatbfMJBwAhcqRLQQTJYxy6UWgtOr2W0QABz7SNaHbfdzIcAKFR-nrYViCVA3VLqCmyHx9Lxc_hlArVlMJC8xR2uY8tEPqmWWsapp15/s400/SDC14067+copy.jpg" /></a> Most of the harvest produce was made by me at one time or another using fimo. The Thanksgiving motif on the right side of the hay bale came from a swap (<em><strong>if someone recognizes it as their own, please let me know & I'll add your name here</strong></em>); the bushel basket is handcrafted and signed by Al Chandronnait; the apples inside are bought.<br />The tree is a twig found in the garden. I didn't have time to make my own.<br />The birds, pecking on the ground, need to be touched up using a lighter color to make them stand out more.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TUiebFixwK11E-IrXLdy9LC9yJy6OCRdGYQcqCuBMs3wm5vaP75QfTyKVwlHyOLaHuduSz3zQ2KrffGcYsCEznFGTmvHoLKErA271iRRI_j9TdZaJiy-jR-HxvLBkqaj3OiR9yJb/s1600/SDC14064c+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783983530158389794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TUiebFixwK11E-IrXLdy9LC9yJy6OCRdGYQcqCuBMs3wm5vaP75QfTyKVwlHyOLaHuduSz3zQ2KrffGcYsCEznFGTmvHoLKErA271iRRI_j9TdZaJiy-jR-HxvLBkqaj3OiR9yJb/s400/SDC14064c+copy.jpg" /></a><br />Years ago I found a large jar of green no-hole beads at the Dollar Store. As you can imagine: Dollar Store = cheap = non-uniform sized beads but perfect for making grape clusters. I took 3 pieces each of extremely thin wire, fastened together at one end and spread apart at the other; dipped them in glue & then into the beads. Until the glue dries, the clusters are a bit fiddly to hold together however any beads that fall off can be moved together into a cluster shape and once dry I placed these into a basket to sell at the market stand.<br />This was also my first attempt at making vining plants. Each leaf is individually veined (using a Templewood veiner) & formed but if I had to do it over again, I wouldn't use that blue-green paper & I'd add some differing colors to the leaves with either paint or colored pencils....prior to punching them out.<br /><br />The bee hive & its table were made by me. There are actually tiny fimo bees on it. <em>Both the hive with table as well as jars of honey with at least one bee attached will be for sale at my etsy store soon. If you'd like to pre-order let me know.<br /></em>At the corner of the greenhouse (bottom of the sunflowers) are "scenic scatter" flowers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxZ0dZ74lh80SwtPSPrbS_rtxDb1AN3DZ94nkkveicXwV6eMOu6MjY_KaCqPmdN9LtveWBoHffEQ-HmSn9jO8yq-U9rpEUddKFretbBodk-kVFVrOHa2iYzoAMl-0peVJlzLdBwEh/s1600/SDC14062b+copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 271px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783983517865899682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxZ0dZ74lh80SwtPSPrbS_rtxDb1AN3DZ94nkkveicXwV6eMOu6MjY_KaCqPmdN9LtveWBoHffEQ-HmSn9jO8yq-U9rpEUddKFretbBodk-kVFVrOHa2iYzoAMl-0peVJlzLdBwEh/s400/SDC14062b+copy.jpg" /></a> When I was making plants for inside the greenhouse using actual plant material, one looked so much like a spider that I had to paint it black & add a web.<br /><strong>FYI:</strong> webs are not the easiest to create! This one is made using silk thread.<br /><br />I hope you've enjoyed seeing the additional photos or reading about how something was made. If you have any questions about somethng, fill out the comment section & I'll be happy to help if I can.<br /><br />hugs ~K<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br />Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-76376676869042056432012-09-02T11:04:00.007-04:002012-09-02T11:30:52.615-04:002012 Greenleaf SpringFling contest entry<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeSdwnuHKFcQ2w7b3FsSWcRPAGH7Nqgt2qbBHMUayFyzL-vlzDrofxwcmIFH84_GAFR8omjtFSDhr4f2iVoTZU1fTTTFxPEIPOBfmKozSPuRWhE_qcborG39oTaui2ylffBM841Gf/s1600/dollhouse-contest+2012.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeSdwnuHKFcQ2w7b3FsSWcRPAGH7Nqgt2qbBHMUayFyzL-vlzDrofxwcmIFH84_GAFR8omjtFSDhr4f2iVoTZU1fTTTFxPEIPOBfmKozSPuRWhE_qcborG39oTaui2ylffBM841Gf/s200/dollhouse-contest+2012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783597542501980354" /></a><br />I've sent in my entry and I'm really pleased with how it all came together. Unlike the last time that I entered ....and didn't have time to finish the inside, this diorama is finished, inside & out.<br /><em>This is my entry:</em><br /><br /><blockquote>When the Greenleaf DH company showed the kit to be used for the SpringFling, I fell in love with it! What I like most about these types of kits is that they're so easy to bash and turn into a unique one-off.<br /><br />I immediately thought of a back-to-the-earth one room house whose inhabitants have learned to make do and even, if lucky, sell some homemade items .....hence the greenhouse made (supposedly) of individual windows, the slightly weather worn house exterior with its mossy cedar shake roof and the make-do market stand display area.<br />As always, the "make" decides how it wants to look ....and in the end, has become, I hope, a celebration of our tradional fall harvests.<br /><br />My entry is entitled: <strong>HarvestHome</strong></blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YT-SrZkghsdKvI_g438NR4eNT2RiXUZLW-sESllWmiAT9cPWCapExe7uCOFiesmB9eCDt2BNMff3DOXnMfDTH2i_kngZzDcNqlnIUhFGj6OzVR8mhyM00fYbIfGHYeAXIGam0-Hz/s1600/entry+photo+1+-+Karin+Foster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YT-SrZkghsdKvI_g438NR4eNT2RiXUZLW-sESllWmiAT9cPWCapExe7uCOFiesmB9eCDt2BNMff3DOXnMfDTH2i_kngZzDcNqlnIUhFGj6OzVR8mhyM00fYbIfGHYeAXIGam0-Hz/s400/entry+photo+1+-+Karin+Foster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783597875159753266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5mdUvVQAOcLHTReGubOW_Kq-rJLZD7aFP1Kc4cyep0A7t8rdGqU6b-JVDd7dcn5gjareIjK08s6b8u1gyOzvPEGDVeu-6Y22FkKBIdPXVk0_eP_kmcbezRFmQf1yRf_Vgyv-vftV/s1600/entry+photo+2+-+Karin+Foster+%2528a%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5mdUvVQAOcLHTReGubOW_Kq-rJLZD7aFP1Kc4cyep0A7t8rdGqU6b-JVDd7dcn5gjareIjK08s6b8u1gyOzvPEGDVeu-6Y22FkKBIdPXVk0_eP_kmcbezRFmQf1yRf_Vgyv-vftV/s400/entry+photo+2+-+Karin+Foster+%2528a%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783597882705545186" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxug8YFb9jklPj3NzBJvuUC93pCWRDSJv-g8kYRJWShnIPu3K3z1Ufj1pWSwBRpReBLx8_k5e4PDthqIu9E0nnO84dlf1YfMhdbmFm2urcPHwA1jGCaqxYRVq9rosIciMo0giRUZ9/s1600/entry+photo+3+-+Karin+Foster+%2528b%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxug8YFb9jklPj3NzBJvuUC93pCWRDSJv-g8kYRJWShnIPu3K3z1Ufj1pWSwBRpReBLx8_k5e4PDthqIu9E0nnO84dlf1YfMhdbmFm2urcPHwA1jGCaqxYRVq9rosIciMo0giRUZ9/s400/entry+photo+3+-+Karin+Foster+%2528b%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783597885016785426" /></a><br /><strong>P.S.:</strong> Although the contest doesn't officially close until the third of September (tomorrow), I don't think that showing my entry off one day early will matter. If there's another entrant who needs to pick off any ideas, well all I can say is ....enjoy!<br />Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-42229590233058093052012-06-20T10:04:00.002-04:002012-06-20T11:04:44.910-04:00A Fun LinkSeveral years ago, I discovered that my area of the world had a real live dollhouse museum, the Mildred Mahoney DH museum in Fort Erie Canada. It sounded like a fantastic visit to combine with a cross border shopping trip and a visit to my son who lives 3 hours away from me. Unfortunately what I didn't realize was that the museum was in the process of stock taking with a view to closing down and selling up ...another victim of our economic times and lack of marketing/advertising savvy.<br />When I got there, the door was closed and although there was a sign that said to knock, no one ever answered. What a disappointment! However it in no way overshadowed the success of the rest of my trip and my visit with my son.<br /><br />Imagine my surprise then, when several months later, one of the auctioneers who I subscribe to, announced that they would be in charge of the sale of the museum's contents. And with a preview day, I'd be able to see all or at least most of the items without the boredom of sitting through the auction itself. <br /><br />I hassled my poor husband into coming by promising we'd buy a couple of lawn fertizer items in Buffalo NY, that are unavailable here; we made a mini vacation of it and I even brought our dog who of course was so interested in all this travel that she slept through most of it.<br /><br />I'm a dud when it comes to the past history of dollhouse making so it was extremely interesting to see many of the houses. Even the museum building had a fascinating past in that escaped US slaves were housed in secret locations there until they were able to be transported across the river and into freedom in Canada.<br /><br />I won't bore you with detail about the rest of our trip or the extremely chinzy motelroom with its flocked wallpaper and the red heart shaped whirlpool tub in the middle of the room where we stayed in at Niagara Falls ...or even how I managed to engulf much of the room with shampoo bubbles (thanks in part to not having any bubble bath liquid); I won't even mention smuggling our small dog in and out of the motel nor my husbands' fears about getting caught and possibly getting kicked out. <br />Let's just say a great and interesting time was had by all although I will always have it reinforced in my brain that it is not a good thing to take a husband with you while shopping!<br /><br />Back to 2012: I received an email from Rebecca who edits the e-mag, <a href="http://www.dollshousespastandpresent.com/magazine13june2012.htm">Dolls Houses Past and Present</a>, asking for contributions. She's done a great job with some of my photos. Take a look at <a href="http://www.dollshousespastandpresent.com/magazine13june2012p2.htm">my contribution</a>.<br /><br />FYI: I'm off to England at the end of July and looking at my photos, makes me more determined than ever to try and fit Queen Mary's DH in. Fingers crossed we find the time!Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-30297931040473263962012-06-08T07:14:00.010-04:002012-06-08T08:36:18.350-04:00The Enchanted CastleDo you ever get a creative block? Usually it has to do with a concept ...you know what your end result should be but you just can't get past that starting point. I guess that was the trouble with Castle Maureen. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6E7Ep3oosj7tElldctZsEhYHtBQm6VvWMGeDmJlcrusO8shpHkrJDg9YqIYQe0Vn_ip0LUWkpyZIs8Sg8l3SFNZejARKF4XmCqWkAmPjgARqvPRx-x_Dnz0nG3h0KWVSmYEGYce6/s1600/inside+view+towards+throne+room+copy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6E7Ep3oosj7tElldctZsEhYHtBQm6VvWMGeDmJlcrusO8shpHkrJDg9YqIYQe0Vn_ip0LUWkpyZIs8Sg8l3SFNZejARKF4XmCqWkAmPjgARqvPRx-x_Dnz0nG3h0KWVSmYEGYce6/s200/inside+view+towards+throne+room+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751641567408723874" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z95onZyaAoxzF0LnYHeMTeSa1LpLMhnLP7jOjc8I853xS7F_rZP1iXNA27Y6cWz_Z1kgJ_tFwCjwA9JEVwzoKD9N6zdNXkd0YrmhDwpVorod1sESo1uLiXro-4zEIfIVGFId4NDV/s1600/front+view+copy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z95onZyaAoxzF0LnYHeMTeSa1LpLMhnLP7jOjc8I853xS7F_rZP1iXNA27Y6cWz_Z1kgJ_tFwCjwA9JEVwzoKD9N6zdNXkd0YrmhDwpVorod1sESo1uLiXro-4zEIfIVGFId4NDV/s200/front+view+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751641243528263538" /></a><br /><br /><br />Several false starts, a total rework of the ante chamber along with an added technical problem and what should have been easily completed within one month turned into a laborious on-going process of several months. But until it was completed, I couldn't in good conscience begin the next commission. It didn't help any that my customer for whom Castle Maureen was intended was also the same customer who had ordered the Ruined Castle. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmPjV6DtqpzgeeJqAyb3FCvHPg7BlM6hhMRyZAaFP_sBX2Y0vFaxYQGNghDfmWXHs_FlBVLM9p58NrQ5GgtMVxZUC6NkrilhSbYdZYHibgTufiVsklz-VOj75UJ96eHKVBhMIRY4p/s1600/SDC12558b+copy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmPjV6DtqpzgeeJqAyb3FCvHPg7BlM6hhMRyZAaFP_sBX2Y0vFaxYQGNghDfmWXHs_FlBVLM9p58NrQ5GgtMVxZUC6NkrilhSbYdZYHibgTufiVsklz-VOj75UJ96eHKVBhMIRY4p/s200/SDC12558b+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751628599540821682" /></a> None of that occurred with the Enchanted Castle. <br /><br />It really helps when you know what your customer has in mind. Having asked her to name her castle, I received this description along with the name:<br /><blockquote> This enchanted castle, built of grey stone and set deep in a forest, belongs to a scholarly knight. It contains a great many stained glass windows and appears to be thriving. It is approached by a tree-lined avenue. Nearby is a busy dwarven settlement in which there is a conjurer for hire. The holding is rich in mystery. Within the tower is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, and dangerous situations. Many a guest have visited but few find the will to leave the ”Enchanted Castle”.</blockquote> I don't know about you but reading that immediately gave me an image of what I should be striving to build ....which was a castle rising out of the cliffs. Now you might be tempted to go back and re-read that description. Nowhere do you find the words: cliff, rocks or stone! Don't ask me why but I just knew this castle had to be surrounded by mountainous rocks and stones. When your project tells you what it should turn into, you'd better darn well pay attention. ...and I did!<br />This time there were no delays, no reworks... Everything came together as it was meant to be.<br />This is my version of the Enchanted Castle:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmwD0N13kdWnV6JuhizDG6esDhh-72KLszDwtAo79AZC4Xq_BfzG46ySexkyGtsldz8h60dzznzEkRt4Vm0Y3x8jUXa39zb6UotzKg7KVPKEJwpnUVoAJ4va5zv34GmYZMfe-A0i-/s1600/SDC13102+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmwD0N13kdWnV6JuhizDG6esDhh-72KLszDwtAo79AZC4Xq_BfzG46ySexkyGtsldz8h60dzznzEkRt4Vm0Y3x8jUXa39zb6UotzKg7KVPKEJwpnUVoAJ4va5zv34GmYZMfe-A0i-/s320/SDC13102+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751634854868056434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8E1CEYGhGtHxpEBhtYYdoie8GUkaYrDTzaXZby_sXLJowsmk6fHNFSt81qLJyRfrClkO6h6kcAyehKb9id9gXXt_R_gwNIZM36mmLeB3Gpp4y7CGzAmiOXeBmAhlW6fJROx8o5H8/s1600/SDC13103+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8E1CEYGhGtHxpEBhtYYdoie8GUkaYrDTzaXZby_sXLJowsmk6fHNFSt81qLJyRfrClkO6h6kcAyehKb9id9gXXt_R_gwNIZM36mmLeB3Gpp4y7CGzAmiOXeBmAhlW6fJROx8o5H8/s320/SDC13103+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751634852381285618" /></a> Can you see the tiny door hewn into the rock wall beneath the turret? I hope it's large enough ...because when I think of dwarfs, I think of the little guys in Snow White singing "Hi ho hi ho, it's off to work we go", while marching off with their pick axes over their shoulders to work in the mines.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q8STFg47Hhq5T0WIJRh72v8CbRKwo_JcKgnVI0qyx3eyB442mTVjqiqEqzt7Xptk9RSbP0FZwx0n0UZiSOjA-6D2BTuB3LwVrtUqg805DepcZ3oh6ljHFfxqTikc0ZQEZcbL1ZYT/s1600/SDC13104+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q8STFg47Hhq5T0WIJRh72v8CbRKwo_JcKgnVI0qyx3eyB442mTVjqiqEqzt7Xptk9RSbP0FZwx0n0UZiSOjA-6D2BTuB3LwVrtUqg805DepcZ3oh6ljHFfxqTikc0ZQEZcbL1ZYT/s320/SDC13104+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751634844772595346" /></a> But obviously all their hard work tunneling underground isn't helping the castle structure. I think it just might be their fault that the castle wall has developed a large crack.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOxL7QKIyTRkKt_GNv6WPTFW3kuNqMzDN-JFJhtjWxhe0vxjXo63OM1iSV0x_hDCZKe-RNre0WeLOqUI3pKjsBfgFIcHHOvyFNC-HdLFcxSx3UPAoSvQNxMJ-2q4XHiYEZKkiM5a3/s1600/SDC13105+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOxL7QKIyTRkKt_GNv6WPTFW3kuNqMzDN-JFJhtjWxhe0vxjXo63OM1iSV0x_hDCZKe-RNre0WeLOqUI3pKjsBfgFIcHHOvyFNC-HdLFcxSx3UPAoSvQNxMJ-2q4XHiYEZKkiM5a3/s320/SDC13105+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751634832646867426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT7Fs8uYl8hyOPyFtSM_MmY6xETQe6knKDump7vHJbSt83wfzToSXPXHEGoMvZAtUS_pueABY3e6rKIQ4ijY5SgsBCj5aw_rxk9ICxVkWQKDCyVt_aFRb8-YGdy_Al_DiCfpeZD7O/s1600/SDC13106+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjT7Fs8uYl8hyOPyFtSM_MmY6xETQe6knKDump7vHJbSt83wfzToSXPXHEGoMvZAtUS_pueABY3e6rKIQ4ijY5SgsBCj5aw_rxk9ICxVkWQKDCyVt_aFRb8-YGdy_Al_DiCfpeZD7O/s320/SDC13106+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751634828587791586" /></a> A tower was mentioned in the description ....and here is the tower! If I were keeping this castle, I'd have roses climbing up its heights. But perhaps I'm just switching fairy tales from Snow White to Sleeping Beauty whose castle was shrouded by brambles and other various thorny plants.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8Gz-oaXPHpTMfeohmFpa2Sg4HPPZjZEvpKRb0Rm60__bbPCwpV2h1gvIFfAvz14jZFHvAwPRYX31z5SkbNIUg2xEY6vuc_2JiFKniQ0YVfx4miPwjh_fpQczl6IMP3dy_Ire-J3v/s1600/SDC13107+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8Gz-oaXPHpTMfeohmFpa2Sg4HPPZjZEvpKRb0Rm60__bbPCwpV2h1gvIFfAvz14jZFHvAwPRYX31z5SkbNIUg2xEY6vuc_2JiFKniQ0YVfx4miPwjh_fpQczl6IMP3dy_Ire-J3v/s320/SDC13107+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751634348986169458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi5vB780GiVo5MGtIengssdQ1e8vIpCYO1hPuh52WllOHOieWT4Dct5ZS-VrUavCgmoypL_HQJmp4D1H7oV1ILWqFZTX9LxNVncZFdlQuXAvCYm0KWWkOhvSYQ23xJTCbJ2g-JoRq/s1600/SDC13109+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi5vB780GiVo5MGtIengssdQ1e8vIpCYO1hPuh52WllOHOieWT4Dct5ZS-VrUavCgmoypL_HQJmp4D1H7oV1ILWqFZTX9LxNVncZFdlQuXAvCYm0KWWkOhvSYQ23xJTCbJ2g-JoRq/s320/SDC13109+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751634338367047874" /></a> Even the columns supporting the entry to the ante chamber were hand made.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw47_lyGNQziBzUG7uOemlZWhTnBUWNlZz3xrIiADn5q6GzjN-f4JN4zVPa3er_8S443mKqH3RfD5dungx-bx8vSiI297Q6kaXC8hmOVGtxNxfb_A4xnCvmOMKHco57iKFmvTfngH/s1600/SDC13110+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGw47_lyGNQziBzUG7uOemlZWhTnBUWNlZz3xrIiADn5q6GzjN-f4JN4zVPa3er_8S443mKqH3RfD5dungx-bx8vSiI297Q6kaXC8hmOVGtxNxfb_A4xnCvmOMKHco57iKFmvTfngH/s320/SDC13110+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5751634331327454018" /></a><br />All that's left to do, is begin the arduous task of finding a secure box so it can be safely shipped to its new home.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-38280735159322792832012-04-28T11:07:00.002-04:002012-04-28T11:23:21.142-04:00A thread has come up on Facebook ….yet again about copying. A well known miniaturist received a comment on her blog to a post from last year in which the blog owner complained about copyists. <br />This is what she received:<br /><br /><blockquote><strong>"Hi, I've been reading your blog and find your art wonderful! I especially liked the …………. In fact, I would love to try to make one myself! I'm not sure I understand why you're upset in this post. Isn't copying the best form of flattery? And don't many mini makers use tutorials to help them create? Is that copying then? Some blogs even HAVE tutorials that show you exactly how to make stuff. I guess those people don't care if you make it (their's (sic) originally) and sell it as your own? I want to start selling some of my minis, but I am very confused and I don't want to be labeled as a copycat or a bad person. Any advice?"</strong></blockquote><br />A number of people posted to the Facebook thread, some who aren’t threatened, some who are because they supplement their family income, some are simply extremely protective of their “babies” and then there’s the opinion from the “sidelines”:<br /><br /><blockquote><strong>“I too would like to make minis to sell... but fear of failure and not wanting to be a copy cat stops me cold! The trick is to make something NO ONE ELSE DOES or to make it so DIFFERENT that it doesn't look like another's. (Examples ~ dolls, teddy bears, furniture... there are thousands of makers, but all the good artisans have their very own style, technique, etc.) Am I right?" </strong></blockquote><br />Being a miniaturist means we imitate life ...just in a smaller version. Does that mean I want to discover that someone is making an exact copy of one of my castles? NO! Have I used someone else’s techniques to build mine? YES! <br />Even though I've taken those techniques and adapted them and changed what didn’t suit me, does that make me a copycat?????<br /><br />I am fascinated by how Rik Pierce produces his creations and save his techniques whenever I come across them. I noticed that another artisan who is now teaching a workshop at the Chicago Bishop show, had taken a class with Rik. That building/workshop appears to be based on those techniques. Does that make him a copycat????? Does it give him license to earn money giving a workshop?<br /><br />The lady, who left the comment that started the Facebook thread, wrote several posts on her own blog in which she showed photos of things she had created in miniature ….they were all mini reproductions of items from the Harry Potter movies. <br />I, myself, have made M&M candy people in miniature. Does that make the both of us copycats …since we’re using intellectual property that has been copyrighted? PROBABLY!<br /><br />I’m not sure that it’s any longer possible to “make something NO ONE ELSE DOES or to make it so DIFFERENT that it doesn't look like another's”. Blogs, Facebook, etc. …even websites make everything too inter-related. Even if you don’t mean to copy and don’t work with a photo of someone else’s creation in front of you, can you be sure no one has ever made one like it? NOT LIKELY!<br /><br />Should you stop trying out tutorials or acquired techniques? NO! <em>...at least not in my opinion.</em> Applaud the generosity of the person who wrote the tutorial or taught the technique. These are how we learn and grow in our chosen hobby.<br /><br />I’ve noticed that in the last year or two, complaints about copycats have increased and tutorials have decreased and nearly died out. It’s an extremely sad commentary. Is it warranted? Can we do/change anything to reverse the situation....<br /><br /><br />One caveat before I end this post:<br />The only reason I sell is because I make more than I can use ...I do not use the money that I earn to supplement my income, so my view will be different from someone who does. It certainly doesn't make me right or them wrong!Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-8292434009295873722012-04-20T10:24:00.000-04:002012-04-20T10:24:20.909-04:00Castle MaureenHere's the finished roombox:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf3k3ZqRkRzRDrsPi1gcshLQmBpKnrhNxwPXK8vovXd2cJ-Hu7jjLGEgtPaRKza4y0mO4LCPtukDy7W_0nWIO4MRv_xSHaiW4GESMbB6mGG-Wq6aOPDLpkwInKmmHvM7epjKkrAc6/s1600/front+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="226" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlf3k3ZqRkRzRDrsPi1gcshLQmBpKnrhNxwPXK8vovXd2cJ-Hu7jjLGEgtPaRKza4y0mO4LCPtukDy7W_0nWIO4MRv_xSHaiW4GESMbB6mGG-Wq6aOPDLpkwInKmmHvM7epjKkrAc6/s320/front+copy.jpg" /></a></div>The castle is made entirely of builders foam, carved and painted to look like stone.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8X8m4GZMw7yb_YUPzIuUWk2k3PiJ09zgiCKQXTXXrGRdq2RGAgWE9hP3L1SDJvgk6shtbUQSi9yMlD0OQxjjz-KiCQsRrwxZa_OfZIEFi0ODQKPFoXZAKS0XNXkvz67K-Ksn9LCVX/s1600/turret+view+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="372" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8X8m4GZMw7yb_YUPzIuUWk2k3PiJ09zgiCKQXTXXrGRdq2RGAgWE9hP3L1SDJvgk6shtbUQSi9yMlD0OQxjjz-KiCQsRrwxZa_OfZIEFi0ODQKPFoXZAKS0XNXkvz67K-Ksn9LCVX/s400/turret+view+copy.jpg" /></a></div> ...except for the windows which are created by Angela Downton in the UK.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA706ZrLaNUmTkHd2FjV5XPqTqE-Dbu0qnbVqKnxUMUXDMeU8GrQOLt1lJ9o81E9o5UDHm-IMg00tYWEN1zH78yXwOaz3WIuNxhWQCDyizjMXYwEFO9lOc813RwZWgyqEP1H0DmkD-/s1600/SDC13053+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA706ZrLaNUmTkHd2FjV5XPqTqE-Dbu0qnbVqKnxUMUXDMeU8GrQOLt1lJ9o81E9o5UDHm-IMg00tYWEN1zH78yXwOaz3WIuNxhWQCDyizjMXYwEFO9lOc813RwZWgyqEP1H0DmkD-/s320/SDC13053+copy.jpg" /></a></div>A view into the throne room.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvPS60b9zXZ3_BXeD7nAfrQQK2s1kfZk8ppzu4hy3KVlwlvFSpx7u9BkaSbcCcvHM8pEDGs1sBT2-SHEOn2yBeqg1GR5SoEblbDLWhaV3vU-v3yVNm22WY8Qkw4_eEvtsyCBv8Xh3/s1600/turret+from+top+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="311" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvPS60b9zXZ3_BXeD7nAfrQQK2s1kfZk8ppzu4hy3KVlwlvFSpx7u9BkaSbcCcvHM8pEDGs1sBT2-SHEOn2yBeqg1GR5SoEblbDLWhaV3vU-v3yVNm22WY8Qkw4_eEvtsyCBv8Xh3/s320/turret+from+top+copy.jpg" /></a></div>Even the fireplace is made of foam... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqZJ0E886Lwflz6w2R-SClQW8DIAUuONV9ILPv4t5IB4-OPVjYVHKJKCdPiripYQDsLLLddEiE0V_G-YT9xZy4sBZ2IsdPhhjrCijysMihgT8ngFYIVNmqgdblZpo4tPWwPdZAfJK/s1600/fireplace+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqZJ0E886Lwflz6w2R-SClQW8DIAUuONV9ILPv4t5IB4-OPVjYVHKJKCdPiripYQDsLLLddEiE0V_G-YT9xZy4sBZ2IsdPhhjrCijysMihgT8ngFYIVNmqgdblZpo4tPWwPdZAfJK/s320/fireplace+copy.jpg" /></a></div>All that's left to do is order the plexiglass cover.<br />
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I have one more castle roombox to make; this is one of the windows that will go into it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcm8mov7b4FQi4hTC7bfRyYG6l5rItScmlEmVq9Zv5_6BLxHftPgccCEGlGfhB2U0Lf-OO8ymDqZ2c7v_XNFca6zQCJyE1jRRg7yTfqA-helt6ZAPz_BWGswybNvpv4CY6PirTWQy/s1600/sdc13002+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcm8mov7b4FQi4hTC7bfRyYG6l5rItScmlEmVq9Zv5_6BLxHftPgccCEGlGfhB2U0Lf-OO8ymDqZ2c7v_XNFca6zQCJyE1jRRg7yTfqA-helt6ZAPz_BWGswybNvpv4CY6PirTWQy/s400/sdc13002+copy.jpg" /></a></div>and again the laser cut window frame is a Downton original.<br />
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And then I'll enter the latest Greenleaf contest. I really hadn't meant to do this because like most miniaturists, I have a room full of kits that need assembling and had really planned to finish some of them during the summer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofbWw33OkTw7-8AyvClVqEtaAXr_I41OabE75x4DFN4MRV_KSEYZGqFxvmFWgQrKXG8T16tEnhstp0JqMPtAUgXjNVG_UGuNx0GJtL85FrBMOmfRhQq0GiM-v_qdJydKdAPMt26pV/s1600/spring+fling+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="244" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofbWw33OkTw7-8AyvClVqEtaAXr_I41OabE75x4DFN4MRV_KSEYZGqFxvmFWgQrKXG8T16tEnhstp0JqMPtAUgXjNVG_UGuNx0GJtL85FrBMOmfRhQq0GiM-v_qdJydKdAPMt26pV/s320/spring+fling+2012.jpg" /></a></div>I've bought the sales front, and the greenhouse as well,<br />
planning on turning this into a roadside stand/market garden. I have some ideas for doing trompe d'oeil work on the inside of the store and greenhouse. This is something new for me that I've long admired but never attempted. <br />
As for the front, I thought of a dusty roadside stand typical of the early to mid 20th century. <br />
However as a friend so kindly reminded me, the garage that I started out with during the 2010 SpringFling, ended up as a fishing hut instead...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkERRvpfRPgwGQ8YdtFFRZfwg-ZGvn8ucmRCow6eP8Di0lKK8P4zwG1VsVXZ1qSm4V8dr7IeInlglNw8-F3h0Lox9uV87WWMV7BJky58WsAbgJv5jfVGfFw9dgfmkMCq2i3wKbVed/s1600/front+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="234" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkERRvpfRPgwGQ8YdtFFRZfwg-ZGvn8ucmRCow6eP8Di0lKK8P4zwG1VsVXZ1qSm4V8dr7IeInlglNw8-F3h0Lox9uV87WWMV7BJky58WsAbgJv5jfVGfFw9dgfmkMCq2i3wKbVed/s320/front+.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20BLXn3K2xK9Y1cg2iZdSV6rPRbvgak6_rUCNS4QRl0vHNCEijksORTKbfFPVtRFMk6oZqru5KwqlyH2UDE8TMqq4OCXkSeMr1nXJPr55BNs4VeZ8QmMx10kUYVllq7m2nITtargX/s1600/insides+4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20BLXn3K2xK9Y1cg2iZdSV6rPRbvgak6_rUCNS4QRl0vHNCEijksORTKbfFPVtRFMk6oZqru5KwqlyH2UDE8TMqq4OCXkSeMr1nXJPr55BNs4VeZ8QmMx10kUYVllq7m2nITtargX/s320/insides+4+copy.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<br />Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-69631412378162244552012-03-28T19:04:00.003-04:002012-03-28T19:19:50.318-04:00WorkInProgressThought I'd show some photos so you could see why I've been too busy to post:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv7o4hsSGa4179aUqcMyThBweySqn2M-sQOEJshv3U_kPDxmNIW-rInpzd5TN-7-bhqQhddIfEkLk2gxFXRPE_5qHe3dj9tp-qHptywuZO_-uq0NEqBl8UWkA3jVhV-SNn9HlMdM0/s1600/sdc12997+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv7o4hsSGa4179aUqcMyThBweySqn2M-sQOEJshv3U_kPDxmNIW-rInpzd5TN-7-bhqQhddIfEkLk2gxFXRPE_5qHe3dj9tp-qHptywuZO_-uq0NEqBl8UWkA3jVhV-SNn9HlMdM0/s320/sdc12997+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725088968240802674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3CeAqBYOZ-CB8CSmxI_IoQ6QtqWKHeBGn7R_S2qV2005qAeQFTZ2p1vJSLaLfKcfmFeQzBWIwfmZK6brdaa9C_iVHyAqn8joI_zEh1Hgkjb0A7EW0B7ZGk7lXyw2fm3Q1sNNcISr/s1600/sdc+12996+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3CeAqBYOZ-CB8CSmxI_IoQ6QtqWKHeBGn7R_S2qV2005qAeQFTZ2p1vJSLaLfKcfmFeQzBWIwfmZK6brdaa9C_iVHyAqn8joI_zEh1Hgkjb0A7EW0B7ZGk7lXyw2fm3Q1sNNcISr/s320/sdc+12996+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725088983459317746" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEJLMTDi9zFyx11dENEGsAL5oypRC2fcp8WPWfiAUKWiHr4t1JbH9uo7LTLsNKjcgeB6gAvZBPucbfUxyqJBZqxeaYqpyQ5wUhrVK3imR6i4UCGH6RAm3dH7NA-WwQiUWtL6yyPQs/s1600/sdc12992+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEJLMTDi9zFyx11dENEGsAL5oypRC2fcp8WPWfiAUKWiHr4t1JbH9uo7LTLsNKjcgeB6gAvZBPucbfUxyqJBZqxeaYqpyQ5wUhrVK3imR6i4UCGH6RAm3dH7NA-WwQiUWtL6yyPQs/s320/sdc12992+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725088989511826418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Pvc8YDYqwmYnpKBeOcaO14fH4dVPG-fhtDbr6bMxIxjrjbJbdBMSnSPWVGnVZzr9O_gS5CvWgsbwicabABWo8d_Y3DDHQQac3areVl8bKRTDxBZJVjBxucmFahyphenhyphen70qZxvoHSC7q_/s1600/SDC12991+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Pvc8YDYqwmYnpKBeOcaO14fH4dVPG-fhtDbr6bMxIxjrjbJbdBMSnSPWVGnVZzr9O_gS5CvWgsbwicabABWo8d_Y3DDHQQac3areVl8bKRTDxBZJVjBxucmFahyphenhyphen70qZxvoHSC7q_/s320/SDC12991+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725088996513250226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFbyFQTXh7faPI9rREv4fTnqCo9A3Oymh8FriOZqdPW6IQrOSJoLPuB-R4DvU9Z7_m2xrPMeyc4U_RJJHQxImyC3sz7PfHrbudXI_mEQeFWRHNRMVBhQbO_y_o7qCTIxFJvk3h26l/s1600/sdc12995+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFbyFQTXh7faPI9rREv4fTnqCo9A3Oymh8FriOZqdPW6IQrOSJoLPuB-R4DvU9Z7_m2xrPMeyc4U_RJJHQxImyC3sz7PfHrbudXI_mEQeFWRHNRMVBhQbO_y_o7qCTIxFJvk3h26l/s320/sdc12995+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725089001626667250" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-YvzX74Kszn7yIrqcb0LQ52_0pn9IMkrlkGv6vgjDiMZuiCbh6OFfJhw75JpaZ6C4oTp7uRmrKSMIOpe01FgpmTTfnkiFNHQSbJocTlMP3WSsUqLn6AqMnPa6_A5spIwt_1Y-vyg/s1600/sdc12993+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-YvzX74Kszn7yIrqcb0LQ52_0pn9IMkrlkGv6vgjDiMZuiCbh6OFfJhw75JpaZ6C4oTp7uRmrKSMIOpe01FgpmTTfnkiFNHQSbJocTlMP3WSsUqLn6AqMnPa6_A5spIwt_1Y-vyg/s320/sdc12993+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725089151427760498" /></a><br />Still some final painting to do and the frame around the base. Who knows I may still alter that fireplace.....Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-47608886928778446242012-03-22T09:28:00.002-04:002012-03-22T09:46:10.832-04:00Nostagic Parisian Street Scenes<a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/pingouin/c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 432px; height: 650px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/pingouin/c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The Pingouin bar .....the entire scene is only 9"x12"x19" a look at the inside<a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/pingouin/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 532px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/pingouin/a.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>just as well made as the outside<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Danone2/e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 432px; height: 650px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Danone2/e.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>this street scene comes in 6"x13"x19" an again the inside is beautiful<a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Danone2/c.jpg "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 432px; height: 650px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Danone2/c.jpg " border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Danone2/b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 532px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Danone2/b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/boulan2/c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 432px; height: 650px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/boulan2/c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>incredible depth<a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/boulan2/a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 532px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/boulan2/a.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>and attention to detail<a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/boulan2/b.jpg "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 532px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/boulan2/b.jpg " border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />from the rust at the top of the sign<a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/descartes/c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 488px; height: 650px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/descartes/c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>to the worn portions of the wood<a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/descartes/b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/descartes/b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/micro/a2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/micro/a2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Cafe_le_marsoun/a2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Cafe_le_marsoun/a2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>you could be forgiven if you thought it was a painting. This is one of his earlier works and again the detail shows <a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Cafe_le_marsoun/b2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 800px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/img/artinbox/Cafe_le_marsoun/b2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />To see more go to Ichiyoh-Haga's <a href="http://www.ichiyoh-haga.com/en/artinbox/">website</a>Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-89667148847983066162012-03-10T10:55:00.002-05:002012-03-10T11:04:29.148-05:00Anyone for roombox ideas?<a href="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/wp-content/uploads/2_Aiba_Bonsai-B_view21-218x300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/wp-content/uploads/2_Aiba_Bonsai-B_view21-218x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a href="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/wp-content/uploads/2_Aiba_Bonsai-B_view11-218x300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/wp-content/uploads/2_Aiba_Bonsai-B_view11-218x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Mixed Media, 16.5″x 14.5″x 18.9″<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/wp-content/uploads/7_Aiba_Hawaiian-Pineapple-Resort_view1-218x300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/wp-content/uploads/7_Aiba_Hawaiian-Pineapple-Resort_view1-218x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/wp-content/uploads/7_Aiba_Hawaiian-Pineapple-Resort_view5-218x300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/wp-content/uploads/7_Aiba_Hawaiian-Pineapple-Resort_view5-218x300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Steel with mixed media, 16.5″x 16.5″x 27.5″<br /><br /><strong>Absolutely stunning!!! I'm speechless. For more images visit: </strong><a href="http://www.tokyogoodidea.com/galleries">tokyogoodidea</a>Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-71521353326121546792012-02-07T21:34:00.008-05:002012-02-08T00:21:10.042-05:00Mold Making - Part 1There are lots of ways to recreate an item and while it seems scary to try making your own mold, there aren’t that many steps; nor do you always have to buy the outrageously expensive commercial products that are on the market.<br /><br />Let’s start with a one sided mold<br /><a href="http://www.conceivablytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/cupcake2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.conceivablytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/cupcake2.jpg" /></a>Say you want to make lots of miniature clay cupcakes, I guess you could use a screen disc in your clay extruder to make the cupcake bottoms <a href="http://cdn.dickblick.com/items/303/19/30319-0100-2ww-m.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 249px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://cdn.dickblick.com/items/303/19/30319-0100-2ww-m.jpg" /></a> You could also make a simple mold using an electrical wire connector called a marette and some scrap clay that you may have laying around.<br />Here's my mold<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmziwU3VQcNZpPr4x4sPRI2qzu0liWCc1LelLhG73GnWYCT375q1FnSU9lXFDukAxLOtgji1oXkU179VSt-KXuH74x2gzUCMIGCn24GHMDTkupe2haG5N8jLpwS6eoeCAEYAzpXjC/s1600/cupcake+mold.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699934695272632722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmziwU3VQcNZpPr4x4sPRI2qzu0liWCc1LelLhG73GnWYCT375q1FnSU9lXFDukAxLOtgji1oXkU179VSt-KXuH74x2gzUCMIGCn24GHMDTkupe2haG5N8jLpwS6eoeCAEYAzpXjC/s320/cupcake+mold.jpg" /></a> See what a nice shape my marette has made. You could also use is a bead. Unfortunately this mold has limited applications. For anything larger, you'd want a flexible mold.<br /><br />Mold Maker by Sculpey allows you to create a flexible mold. Added to regular clay, it will give whatever you're making a bit of movement; it can also be used to soften old clay.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofXpwvZj2kM67h-mLCb6m2UjEaEhjkP26chL4MQF2w2LTs3nzVohVHjK9jPz3T7s8Xg1PQn3Edj47tGuTwF39kQAu4naZHr_qjkYm4TIWhUalM9NiZDewK4w3kTUcdXUFGDbc-Suq/s1600/mold+maker.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 253px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699938882199034706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofXpwvZj2kM67h-mLCb6m2UjEaEhjkP26chL4MQF2w2LTs3nzVohVHjK9jPz3T7s8Xg1PQn3Edj47tGuTwF39kQAu4naZHr_qjkYm4TIWhUalM9NiZDewK4w3kTUcdXUFGDbc-Suq/s320/mold+maker.jpg" /></a> But I want to make plaster castings for use in my castle roomboxes and these flex molds just don't cut it for me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QCdiGLa83R83BD7BHt2XYz51JEiZ_qf38WL-gE9wS5kzz9aP69Y9rMagyyUfALo9DQIfz2eDma0d8ZktA59nelEBp0ADjzZG3s84Vcs_bhmsns2FpE1SRQL8MztluSbHx31sXdTo/s1600/mold+%25231.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706615373856274882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QCdiGLa83R83BD7BHt2XYz51JEiZ_qf38WL-gE9wS5kzz9aP69Y9rMagyyUfALo9DQIfz2eDma0d8ZktA59nelEBp0ADjzZG3s84Vcs_bhmsns2FpE1SRQL8MztluSbHx31sXdTo/s320/mold+%25231.jpg" /></a> See how part of my column broke off and was left inside the mold. I assume this was because at this end of the mold, the wall was too thin. But it might just as easily have been because the rounded edge of the pedestal base was too thin.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IAIzDNyXIlQPLtRbYekeqjSiysk57vuYxrwHKpUm5MK_5IJ4k73P2mKA2J1onFMKJ_qP4Ckxxg6FUK3TTBkmlKyPnzFjaKZ2zT9rwVHGJQXuXc_JbBleVXzd62PzasVWJ8n4_TqD/s1600/mold+%25231b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706614514463947554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IAIzDNyXIlQPLtRbYekeqjSiysk57vuYxrwHKpUm5MK_5IJ4k73P2mKA2J1onFMKJ_qP4Ckxxg6FUK3TTBkmlKyPnzFjaKZ2zT9rwVHGJQXuXc_JbBleVXzd62PzasVWJ8n4_TqD/s320/mold+%25231b.jpg" /></a> This photo shows ...although it might not show up too well, how much of the detail in the original column didn't come across to the mold and hence to my copy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI8coCdCkmG9u-o18RC4iE8LlEoQW6hni3d0F8Kn_OjcFpRqwikiVh3tziiBPLa4jAIq6Jw0EKKLGryqZYpwhoO376n1McGmyLLOIBBqXmAQ3UuEEFCKryIYMgIc6noTqeCsIXFVi/s1600/Mold+%25232.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706614523922168194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI8coCdCkmG9u-o18RC4iE8LlEoQW6hni3d0F8Kn_OjcFpRqwikiVh3tziiBPLa4jAIq6Jw0EKKLGryqZYpwhoO376n1McGmyLLOIBBqXmAQ3UuEEFCKryIYMgIc6noTqeCsIXFVi/s320/Mold+%25232.jpg" /></a> Here's another flex mold side by side with my clay copy. It was hard for me to avoid creating excess flash past the edges. In this case, it didn't matter too much as I was still in the process of designing my brackets.... <br /><br />These two dragon brackets are meant to sit on either side of a doorway. I made them from scrap clay...that's why you're seeing two tone birds. The white-ish bits along the sides of the birds bodies are liquid clay that I used to bind the prebaked wings to the remainder of the brackets that were still unbaked. (You're seeing them just before they went into the oven) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmYClgt1ualvTQCTjbqEp_TGJniigSdXB8J5ngYkfUZX9k4gM9-23ih3mXbdBYRShl9lil9W2GB9GJegCJ-sz8nlRJVQWlNK7sbLsayH9exmzZJmLAI0OBltxI9vgiPIV3Zf7XklL/s1600/dragon+brackets.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706614520564071458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmYClgt1ualvTQCTjbqEp_TGJniigSdXB8J5ngYkfUZX9k4gM9-23ih3mXbdBYRShl9lil9W2GB9GJegCJ-sz8nlRJVQWlNK7sbLsayH9exmzZJmLAI0OBltxI9vgiPIV3Zf7XklL/s320/dragon+brackets.jpg" /></a>Can you imagine trying to make a flex mold that will show the folds in the wings <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdi61a4jL6MDXjiN-Cura9-23BAVEOH6xHJCH6-4O-hCa4YCph-2q2sQRSYLkgxsncjJKM0_uvYplkTgbTtNDglU9uurBCwFq7Nj_iVLlqVlZYOdhOYBdhlO112GxYS60uD7_Icgi/s1600/wing+detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 197px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdi61a4jL6MDXjiN-Cura9-23BAVEOH6xHJCH6-4O-hCa4YCph-2q2sQRSYLkgxsncjJKM0_uvYplkTgbTtNDglU9uurBCwFq7Nj_iVLlqVlZYOdhOYBdhlO112GxYS60uD7_Icgi/s320/wing+detail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706620146109126386" /></a> or the tininess of the talons...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqSE_PlOMciSCduu8ruOTj67Jg_xvSYi-t7kQ8v-urB1gt-drP3y83P818IzYnEZLImz3Dpr_CL4qdX3fh94MwnY0QZCcBObxHHKIdGmqrfSoz75KoSdRmJM4iFXcn4RDu2-ifzFK/s1600/talon+detail.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqSE_PlOMciSCduu8ruOTj67Jg_xvSYi-t7kQ8v-urB1gt-drP3y83P818IzYnEZLImz3Dpr_CL4qdX3fh94MwnY0QZCcBObxHHKIdGmqrfSoz75KoSdRmJM4iFXcn4RDu2-ifzFK/s320/talon+detail.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706620139864020130" /></a><br />My next mold will be one made of rubber or more specifically, liquid latex. Because the brackets are meant to sit against a wall, their back can be flat, so I won't need to make a 2 sided mold.<br /><br />Here's an article I pulled off the internet while doing my research. It was written in 2007 by someone named Judy. All the links back to her are broken so I'm hoping that I'm not infringing on her copyrights. I'm including it in this post because it offers the best written explanation that I could find that didn't also include specific brands of products:<br /><br /><strong>What is a Mold? What is a Master Block? </strong><br />Have you ever used cookie cutters with special little designs imprinted? You press the cutter down onto the dough and it leaves an exact opposite of the design you see in the cutter itself.<br />That's actually a mold.<br /><br />A mold is something you can use over and over to replicate a design, shape, form. Think of the mold as the negative that forms your positive.<br />A master block is actually the permanent positive for your mold. From the master block, you can make numerous molds and from the mold, you can replicate numerous positives in the finished form.<br />Place your hand down onto rolled out dough and make a print. Your hand is the positive-the print in the dough is your negative.<br />If you happen to want numerous copies of an original, you will need a mold. From the mold, you can make 'repeats'.<br />If you also happen to need to know that you can make numerous molds, all exactly the same as the original mold, you will then need to freeze that design for all time, by making a master block of the original mold. In this way, you can continue to make the same exact mold, over and over for years.<br /><br /><strong>Casing </strong><br />Read books about any sort of mold making, and you're liable to run across the term 'casing'.<br />Casing, in some applications, would be called a 'mother mold'. A casing is an additional component to the master block, which actually provides you with an outer perimeter fencing. It is the part, which dictates and encloses the outside of your mold.<br />Where a mother mold is actually an outer rigid form, helping to hold a rubber mold in place - casing is the part of a master block, that forms the outside of a mold.<br />An example of a casing, would be a cake pan. In the event of a cake, you simply want a uniform outside shape. You're not interested in an interior design. The same happens, when you add a casing to your master block.<br />The master block forms the interior design, while your casing forms the outside shape and form.<br />Using a casing with your master block, gives you the freedom to simply mix and pour your mold material (plasters or rubbers) into the master, as the mold material is then completely restrained into a form. Like just pouring into a box. Without a casing, one has to continuously use the mold form in its place. While a mold form is a handy way to provide walls around your original mold, it's hardly time efficient when producing subsequent molds off your master. By taking the time to build a casing, each of your master's are self contained and ready for pouring, at all times.<br /><br /><strong>Defining Different Types of Molds </strong><br />When people think 'mold making', it's very possible they wind up in all the wrong categories because they were thinking one thing and the search engines are coming up with yet a whole other item.<br />When it comes to making molds, there is a wide variety of types and uses.<br />Rubber molds are also made out of a variety of different rubbers and formulas. Liquid latex is usually the easiest to find at a large craft supply store. Most of the other rubber compounds need to come from the manufacturer or online.<br />When trying to decide which rubber to use, check for flexibility and release. Flexibility becomes important when you may or may not be using a mother mold. A mother mold is sort of a rigid backup, to hold your rubber mold in place. Like a cradle. First, we look at the many types of materials one would use to make an object from a mold. Objects can be made from plasters (I say plural because of the many varieties of plaster and their uses), clay, resin and paper. Yup...paper. There are also different metals, one can use.<br />For the most part, folks are trying this out at home so we will look at those forms that can be done on the kitchen table (if need be).<br />Molds to form items out of plaster are made of rubber. Of course, you can make a plaster mold to turn out plasters but rubber is so much easier to live with.<br />Rubber molds are also made out of a variety of different rubbers and formulas. Liquid latex, a brush on compound, is usually the easiest to find at a large craft supply store. Most of the other rubber compounds needs to come from the manufacturer or online.<br /><br /><strong>Liquid Latex Molds</strong><br />Liquid latex molds are a 'build up' mold. It's created by layering coats of the rubber onto the object being copied. Enough layers and you have a sturdy mold.<br />A fresh supply of liquid latex should look off white and the consistency of pudding. When not using it, close the lid tightly. It's best if kept in a tight glass jar.<br /><br />There is little need to apply any sort of separator to the model. If the model happens to be rough wood or very dry plaster, you might want to give it a very thin coat of vaseline.<br />For this practice, we'll take on a simple, flat sided object. The reason for choosing a flat backed object, is simply that it's so very simple to perform. Probably a good place to start, if you've never played with liquid latex or making molds of any kind.<br />You'll need a small working board. Something a little wider than your model and as smooth as possible. A piece of plastic window material, a tile, something like that. You will need a smooth paint brush. Get some acetone (hardware store or paint dept.) for cleaning your brushes. Some liquid latex. You will need some plaster to form a mother mold. If your object is only about the size of a biscuit, a cup of plaster will do.<br />Lay your model in the center of your working board and apply the first coat of latex. You start with a thin layer, let it dry then add another layer. The trick is to let each coating dry enough to actually be set (not sticky to the touch) but not dry enough to be tough, before applying the next coat. Usually, a thin coating is ready for another layer, in about 30 minutes. Never leave areas that are thicker than most of the layer you're working on. Don't let the layers sit over night, it's best to keep working the mold until you're finished. Using a hair dryer will speed things up. Then as the coats of latex build up, you might start applying a little thicker coat each time. Keep applying another coat, letting each layer dry, until it's built up to about 1/8" then let it dry overnight.<br />Before pulling the mold and model off the working board, you need a mother mold. The easiest way to mix plaster to its hardest form, in very small amounts, is to first pour your water (about 1/3 the volume you think you'll need). Begin slowly sifting in the plaster until it stands just above the surface of the water. You'll notice the plaster becomes saturated and then appears to crack on the surface. It's ready for mixing. You can simply mix (whip) with a spoon for about 3 minutes and then begin to spoon it onto the rubber mold. As it begins to set up, you can form it like icing on a cake, into a box like form, slightly wider both ways, than your mold. I'd say a width of about 1/2", wider all the way around, is sufficient. Before it's had time to become rigid, smooth the top of your mound to make it a flat surface, as this will be the bottom of your mold unit, when it comes time to pour materials into the mold for reproduction.<br />When the plaster is set up, twist the whole unit off the working board, turn it over and let it finish setting up until the plaster has completely cooled down.<br />With a sponge, wash back any plaster that has seeped around the edge of your rubber mold, preventing it from just dropping out. Grab the edges of your rubber mold with finger tips and gently pull the rubber mold out of the mother mold.<br />Once that is done, remove the rubber mold from your model. Now you can sponge down your mother mold and wash the rubber mold. Replace the rubber mold back into its mother mold for safe keeping.<br />When you’re ready to pour something like plaster into your mold, rinse your mold in soapy water and just shake off the excess. Then pour your plaster into the mold. The soap will rise quickly, bringing with it any bubbles formed in the plaster.<br />The soapy solution should be about the same as a pan of dish water. No more soap than that.<br />For simple objects, you can use plaster of paris, mixed very densely. Just a note of caution: liquid latex is not suitable for pouring resins.<br />As for mold release compound for plaster, you can buy mold release or even make your own. To make your own, mix about 1/4 dish washing soap to 3/4 water. Brush on with a soft paint brush. Let dry. Polish with a smooth, soft, dry towel. Reapply, dry, polish. It's best to build up 2 or 3 layers until you get a sheen.<br />The soap must be completely dry, before applying plaster to plaster.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-49340087335703362992012-02-01T10:51:00.003-05:002012-02-01T11:04:26.576-05:00Clay BasicsMy email inbox is usually filled with all sorts of newsletters ...most of which I glance at and delete. I thought this ebook by Cynthia Tinapple was of interest:<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.polymerclaydaily.com/ebooks/7greatways.pdf">7 great ways to teach yourself about polymer clay</a></div><br />It's a wonderful read for beginners and with the many tutorials (free and paid), I think there are interesting reads even for intermediaries.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-60577300665350267432012-01-24T12:13:00.002-05:002012-01-24T12:26:06.872-05:00Ooops sorry about the broken linkThe correct link to get to the Frills and Fancy ezine is: <a href="http://www.frillsandfancyezine.com/">www.frillsandfancyezine.com</a>Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-10925880254940431932012-01-23T23:41:00.005-05:002012-01-24T12:41:15.907-05:00I'm very fortunate to count among my friends a lady who is a consummate doll maker & costumer.<br /><br />Where I struggle with dressing a mini doll using an actual clothes pattern, Dana can take a scrap of lace or a tiny piece of material and make not just the most amazing clothes but actually do it on the doll. <br /><br />Not only is she the owner of <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MSATMiniDolls/">MSATMiniDoll</a> list, a Yahoo group that, although having been online for 20(?) years, continues with <u>daily</u> moderated discussions, but now Dana has taken on a new venue as a continuation of her talents, an online magazine called Frills and Fancy Ezine.<br /><br />Here's how Dana's reasoning for doing this:<br /><br /><blockquote>Life provides an endless opportunity of visual stimulation. The different perspectives that an artist takes in, keeps in visual memory and creates at a later date is astounding! For those of us with less then perfect memories ... tear sheets (or a simple notebook filled with photos, magazine pages, or doodles) provides a wonderful *scrapbook* of ideas.<br />The launch of this FRILLS AND FANCY magazine tackles this very subject. Our take this year, is providing you with TECHNIQUES rather then tons of patterns. AND ... before you start to question the logic of this ... <strong><em>may I point out - that there are literally HUNDREDS of doll tutorials/patterns online for free. BUT the basics, or tricks, tips or techniques IN ORDER TO GET TO THE NEXT step are somewhat lacking!</em></strong> We aim therefore ... to provide short techniques, tips and dollmaking tricks that are universal in most doll patterns. AND for the die hard dollmaker, YES there will be at least one full doll tutorial in each issue.</blockquote><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAII6spokG_5a2UqxalsRKLcH7CA05KoaL7B40Bv7XF6KmyOyhjslus7i4jxmopR6CGWGPVMe3heAHLWBMvgWlY-E4JKyC-gMX2BQvsER86xE3yJ32G8CAvloSS6p8J5P6kXe2vHAi/s1600/1st+issue+cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701061760596188786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAII6spokG_5a2UqxalsRKLcH7CA05KoaL7B40Bv7XF6KmyOyhjslus7i4jxmopR6CGWGPVMe3heAHLWBMvgWlY-E4JKyC-gMX2BQvsER86xE3yJ32G8CAvloSS6p8J5P6kXe2vHAi/s320/1st+issue+cover.jpg" /></a><br /><br />For anyone interested in costuming 1:12 dolls ...<em>and doing it well</em>, the site to subscribe is <a href="http://www.frillsandfancyezine.com">here</a>.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-9191879880087791092012-01-16T22:58:00.002-05:002012-01-16T23:06:54.452-05:00A Wonderful Charity GiveawaySusana Lopez del Toro is not only having a giveaway but also donating the value of the item to charity.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOO8JqUOJ5mt2ZzJdxUd4wj5kmRX9zdSqwNmC6xwHsDaP-WA95re7BUZ3gbq7FV3ZepjJv5Xa_E4J1fFpgiVO0VigKK0ANLfQeKTeoFEKfMRa1nPpu9mz5AhshJ2-I4iQGQxvAX6UpLA/s320/DSC01255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDOO8JqUOJ5mt2ZzJdxUd4wj5kmRX9zdSqwNmC6xwHsDaP-WA95re7BUZ3gbq7FV3ZepjJv5Xa_E4J1fFpgiVO0VigKK0ANLfQeKTeoFEKfMRa1nPpu9mz5AhshJ2-I4iQGQxvAX6UpLA/s320/DSC01255.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>Muchas Gracias, Susana!!<br /><br />Almost forgot, the link to <a href="http://escenasliterarias.blogspot.com/2012/01/sorteo-giveaway.html">Susana's blog</a>!Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-61583317130114535352012-01-06T11:42:00.006-05:002012-01-06T12:09:20.434-05:00Is there a Secret to Selling?????Lately I've been in discussion with other miniaturists about making a go selling your creations. It's an interesting conversation because if you ask 100 people, you'll get 100 different answers including a lot of "I don't knows". What works for one person doesn’t always work for the next person!<br /><br />So how <em><strong>do</strong></em> you manage to sell an item that you're made? ...and more to the point, if it doesn't sell, does it mean the item is rubbish? ...or that you aren't any good as its creator?<br /><br />My stepdaughter, Jen, has made me very aware of the importance of social media marketing which has become so integral in our lives that it's now said any company that doesn't avail itself of online resources is doomed to failure. While at the moment that may seem drastic, I have a feeling it will become total reality in the near future.<br /><br />But getting back to you and I as sellers, we're just the little insignificant artisans trying to be seen in today’s doom and gloom economy. If you added up the hours spent creating whatever it was you did last, you'd know that you could never sell it at even the minimum hourly rate. <br />If you're like me, you really don't think about the money; what you're doing is for the love of creating, to able to use your gift of artistic ability... and of course it's nice to think that someone values your ability enough to buy from you. Receiving money to buy new supplies doesn't hurt either!<br /><br />All of which brings us back full circle: how can you market yourself? Because let’s face it, it's not the tiny tea set, the cake, the....whatever it is you make, the bottom line is, it's <em>you</em> that you're selling. Once you've established a name for yourself, your creations seem easier to sell. Why else can a "known name" artisan command the big bucks for an item; I'm thinking of the Kivas and Linda Cummings and Betsy Niederers of the miniature clay foods... although I'm sure that if you asked, they'd tell you they don't find it that much easier; they’ve just been at it longer. <br /><br />The most important marketing strategy seems to be networking. The more places that you join and become known at …and more importantly show off your creations, the better your chances of success. <br />There are blogs, yahoo clubs, facebook and twitter to name just a few. From what I’ve read about Social Media participation, here are some different uses:<br /><blockquote>Content creation - blogger<br />Content sharing - twitter<br />Connections - facebook<br />Community building - facebook pages, Yahoo groups</blockquote>Facebook, for instance, allows you to create a business page; there are even apps so you can sell directly from your fb page. <br /><br />You could sell from your blog …just create a separate page for sales. The problem I see with that is if your followers read your posts through the Google reader, they’ll never see the other pages that you’ve made. You could post a link within a regular post but usually only your followers are going to see it and then only if they’re caught up with their blog reading. <br /><br />So what then? Do you sell from eBay? I’ve heard that if you’re a newbie eBay seller, eBay and its monetary company PayPal, hold the money you’ve received until after your customer leaves feedback. <br />You could create an Etsy store. However keep in mind that both Etsy and eBay will favor the buyer’s word in the case of a dispute. <br /><br />One nice thing about Etsy, they very frequently send out emails giving help with selling and if you do your homework, adding lots of the “correct” tags to your sale item you do actually stand a chance that your item could come up in a Google search as well as a search from within Etsy. But here again, the operative phrase is “<em>doing your homework</em>” and that includes getting to understand one of the major concepts of online selling: keywords to help the search engine crawlers find you. Having great photos, well rounded descriptions etc, and your item might even end up being featured by Etsy.<br /><br />There are places like CDHM that will do your marketing for you …for a price. But to my way of thinking, that defeats the purpose of selling in the first place …unless you sell multiple items, command large prices <strong>or</strong> can't/won't do your own marketing.<br /><br />The bottom line is: if you’re a newbie seller, it takes almost as much time doing research, creating the correct (for you) marketing strategy and then using your chosen venue <em>correctly</em> as it does making your creation. The biggest no-no seems to be, simply churning out emails of the same item over and over and over again. People will just tune out or even worse, get annoyed with you.<br />And now that I’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest and/or got you thinking, I’ll step away from the dais and get back to my studio.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-76545819779144184732011-12-28T21:57:00.004-05:002011-12-28T22:40:12.897-05:00SteampunkSince Steampunk means using Victorian steam engine machines in a futuristic setting, just about anything goes. I've seen lots of really great costumes, totally cool jewelry, very imaginative orreries ....those are the mechanical devices made using gears and cogs to show the planetary movements. But again how do you show steampunk when creating a very stationary roombox? That was my dilemma....<br /><br />....and my solution:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjQEiEaFJ5mdPqAEfZrtuBkGZhT0vKk4dHKXzg8vGjLj4eEpLT2sHZ6Z5tmeG3R5Y2DVnDIzjYZd97Cxh-7XupBFLCoo2Za71eZsf2oT2lj8EB79avAs3Fci6qtpB1VK53mXf7eif/s1600/stairs+%2526+platform.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691383128297231730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjQEiEaFJ5mdPqAEfZrtuBkGZhT0vKk4dHKXzg8vGjLj4eEpLT2sHZ6Z5tmeG3R5Y2DVnDIzjYZd97Cxh-7XupBFLCoo2Za71eZsf2oT2lj8EB79avAs3Fci6qtpB1VK53mXf7eif/s320/stairs+%2526+platform.jpg" /></a>my Victorian era says gray stonework, dampness and a propensity for growing moss<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EObcpDagWilgNBhAelwPOUKzkzR0BRMlBV6llq8Q35TVeJhnyawXes-Z2u8OpIni9sTGsMuug_JVJYR98Mt570JQpqZofhxbT8LfoZHsWBEkIsqOrHsj1-86WjyiY9N0fvsXPEnV/s1600/Springwater-20111226-00286+copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691382914393574674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EObcpDagWilgNBhAelwPOUKzkzR0BRMlBV6llq8Q35TVeJhnyawXes-Z2u8OpIni9sTGsMuug_JVJYR98Mt570JQpqZofhxbT8LfoZHsWBEkIsqOrHsj1-86WjyiY9N0fvsXPEnV/s320/Springwater-20111226-00286+copy.jpg" /></a>...while steampunk says watch gears and aging machinery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8fyRhJdqfpWC-kNZ3lYhB841BUPW_DdcmyIxEyu4E7J6tADsqZ45tZf_rX_nkT_8OrWlQ5K555x3szPALza_7WppThOVBsMCXUPdIm_hhUs2sLHtfooW8zAzBnLJAHIzYUaA_7O9/s1600/machines.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691382905512652834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8fyRhJdqfpWC-kNZ3lYhB841BUPW_DdcmyIxEyu4E7J6tADsqZ45tZf_rX_nkT_8OrWlQ5K555x3szPALza_7WppThOVBsMCXUPdIm_hhUs2sLHtfooW8zAzBnLJAHIzYUaA_7O9/s320/machines.jpg" /></a> the watching eye is just a bit of spoof...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTcPomkf8mHbzzem-edbHJuH2E82b-K08SqO3PbyHE8b8Il4Ha8Bw-L-T_NYldp34YJT3VDHM5FpI8J0fVkDjNDReUungrNptORcWuwkqFWOOq8VTyYlbQ2x6dgOI4j_xfgcRes1E/s1600/20111226-00283b+copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691382906004995522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTcPomkf8mHbzzem-edbHJuH2E82b-K08SqO3PbyHE8b8Il4Ha8Bw-L-T_NYldp34YJT3VDHM5FpI8J0fVkDjNDReUungrNptORcWuwkqFWOOq8VTyYlbQ2x6dgOI4j_xfgcRes1E/s320/20111226-00283b+copy.jpg" /></a>Steampunk can represent something totally different to each of you. <br /><br />....that's the beauty of imagination! It means there's neither a right nor a wrong.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-8398771183495380222011-12-21T06:44:00.011-05:002011-12-21T10:29:43.028-05:00Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallows<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucmzOS_6YPSXy9ytJEHnJGwvUM6qlY85juEwXeHJVlw1Mxlm4K5u6oqpkOr5bAeVXZfGoQinf3nd5S2r9nT-LGsoZW4ZMZ_8wcP390fm3RqeZ_CMz85eDoxtxT48CpBPthD_Zj_nv/s1600/Sweet-Potato-Casserole+RecipeCard+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucmzOS_6YPSXy9ytJEHnJGwvUM6qlY85juEwXeHJVlw1Mxlm4K5u6oqpkOr5bAeVXZfGoQinf3nd5S2r9nT-LGsoZW4ZMZ_8wcP390fm3RqeZ_CMz85eDoxtxT48CpBPthD_Zj_nv/s400/Sweet-Potato-Casserole+RecipeCard+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688576078603529778" /></a><br />I recently asked my friend, Frank about his favorite dessert and he promptly told me it was sweet potato pie topped with marshmallows. Apparently it's known as "Soul Food" in the Southern US and although Frank isn't black, he does hail from Missouri. <br /><br />Here in Canada, yams aka sweet potatoes are just becoming popular mainly because of pre-packaged foods coming across the border. I can't ever remember having ever eaten one but I had heard they're very healthy. When I googled them, the first thing I learned is that yams and sweet potatoes are actually two different vegetables. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUWus9Sdmm8jODwS9Q5uxGy8YudwV7iEd300PdzkvbCKXXMEXMtXHsQtSR78K0KpbUJpHQXOv06BgOBznNj9SMYiW2WWeP3Q7LugxMxJrDyvDheEtqLJzQy6egRDu_V1F33nclzGA/s1600/sweet_potato.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUWus9Sdmm8jODwS9Q5uxGy8YudwV7iEd300PdzkvbCKXXMEXMtXHsQtSR78K0KpbUJpHQXOv06BgOBznNj9SMYiW2WWeP3Q7LugxMxJrDyvDheEtqLJzQy6egRDu_V1F33nclzGA/s320/sweet_potato.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688581428513399618" /></a>Up here we call them yams but in much of the States they're known as sweet potato and surprisingly there are quite a few <a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/difference-yams-sweet-potatoes/#axzz1hB37kxIy">different types</a> grown throughout the world; the yams sold in our grocery stores are the orange fleshed, reddish-brownish-orangish skinned sweet potatoes masquerading as yams. They’re even more common than the standard sweet potato, sweeter, and containing a healthy starch that's great for a diabetic diet. <br /><br />Now you might be wondering what all this has to do with miniatures and dollhouses! <br /><br />I've long been in the habit of buying a real life food to get my clay just the right color when miniaturizing and so having googled my fill of recipes (for the ingredients) and photos of sweet potato pies (so I'd know how they looked), I set off to the local store to buy a few yams.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMaWWKhazh_OH18ICOT8dcej3zQgbugTrwglT_NttgQPN_oKCqWZhpVdvYuvTu4au8GfgJlyY-TPAXYyE9AxmFAbxoDLHCCcUJfzYQyE1hEkeKd__YZbVn8BJ9hEO7lyMRjmBchqu/s1600/Untitled-1+copy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMaWWKhazh_OH18ICOT8dcej3zQgbugTrwglT_NttgQPN_oKCqWZhpVdvYuvTu4au8GfgJlyY-TPAXYyE9AxmFAbxoDLHCCcUJfzYQyE1hEkeKd__YZbVn8BJ9hEO7lyMRjmBchqu/s320/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688593949454633602" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXBvtcV1bweSFqDnyWlzt6Ef876tdfY3qkTPgavrEDajlPZLypC8IgQG95kdcLOrrDhZGmKVlmISKAng_TPShMimOCZOAIjtI933jcvCkkzuP6dvzCJrHH3ml9Aty2Wj-Qyh4uxlb/s1600/Untitled-3+copy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXBvtcV1bweSFqDnyWlzt6Ef876tdfY3qkTPgavrEDajlPZLypC8IgQG95kdcLOrrDhZGmKVlmISKAng_TPShMimOCZOAIjtI933jcvCkkzuP6dvzCJrHH3ml9Aty2Wj-Qyh4uxlb/s320/Untitled-3+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688594498851862546" /></a><br /><br /><br />Once you've figured out your clay, what then, do you do with whatever you've brought home? Last year I bought at least 8 different types of squash but never had the desire to taste any of them....mostly because I'm not a very experimental cook and luckily I have a large composite bin. <br /><br />This time, however, I was determined to do better and since I had to roast at least one yam so I could see if the baked changed color from the raw, I decided to find out whether they tasted as good as everyone claimed. I mashed my roasted yams with some butter and maple syrup and served them that night for supper. My husband, who categorically hates all vegetables and especially those he's never tried, pulled a face but surprisingly ate the rest without another complaint. My first taste made me realize why: they taste really good! I've even bought some more to mash and take to a Christmas potluck dinner.<br /><br /><em>So Frank, thank you... for "forcing" me out of my comfort zone! </em><br />For anyone else out there, who's not quite sure this is the right type of dish for them. Try it out on your dollshouse people first:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2Obnabp5g-GKnw50IzPZns7HU04iL4yXYj9ky_fW5t8eQlNvFXrMKOoheTlyy6TJvl-e_4ISy93sJMCIilX2or-IJ27a4ZOE-Wae42gYQcP88GFvPWGWkCaZGVqXLpKIgRlqLEAE/s1600/sweet+potato+pie+1+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2Obnabp5g-GKnw50IzPZns7HU04iL4yXYj9ky_fW5t8eQlNvFXrMKOoheTlyy6TJvl-e_4ISy93sJMCIilX2or-IJ27a4ZOE-Wae42gYQcP88GFvPWGWkCaZGVqXLpKIgRlqLEAE/s400/sweet+potato+pie+1+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688597475640108802" /></a>I have three more preps, available in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89005893/sweet-potato-pie-with-marshmallows"> my Etsy store</a>.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-81536760567520880982011-12-18T10:38:00.005-05:002011-12-18T11:09:50.427-05:00Steampunkso what does the word steampunk really mean? Wikipedia tells us that...<br /><blockquote>Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, and fantasy that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. It involves a setting where steam power is still widely used such as in Victorian era Britain or the "Wild West"-era of the United States. Works of steampunk often feature futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, or art as seen by a member of a rebellious counterculture group. The technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfeld and China Mieville.</blockquote> Huh!! <br /><br />So how would ...could you show it in a miniatures setting? What do you use? Do you create something that could conceivably be used by your miniature people?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVO3hML4moM_g4bNOkwxtSlXZgs1-ckHZkQMW1VK9XGFacViG-bm-mPFAZR6g9qnD8zV6eG_GLJUOX2RiOPNxP5tGb0uNThSGgcLaa-wiMCVTrC8ZmyJJQxgV17U3pwG25aZbunVS/s1600/steampunk-ipod_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVO3hML4moM_g4bNOkwxtSlXZgs1-ckHZkQMW1VK9XGFacViG-bm-mPFAZR6g9qnD8zV6eG_GLJUOX2RiOPNxP5tGb0uNThSGgcLaa-wiMCVTrC8ZmyJJQxgV17U3pwG25aZbunVS/s320/steampunk-ipod_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687500110064043906" /></a><br />Or would you make it so futuristic that it has no rhyme or reason for being?<br /><br />....and while you puzzle it out. Steampunk is generally shown using watch gears, wheels etc. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBcl3Q0HkgEdTYCOPN1vXix5U7pDlMWYVxLQXZUC04fp6AP6ls5Dt0D3PhnF2rg7YPqK3rYsibGfPMqIzGRhQTSiW-yC-oUjZfVGxHdhhXsVKTURy3e3rMgrx6CenQstDSHkpKchyphenhyphen/s1600/memory+stick.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBcl3Q0HkgEdTYCOPN1vXix5U7pDlMWYVxLQXZUC04fp6AP6ls5Dt0D3PhnF2rg7YPqK3rYsibGfPMqIzGRhQTSiW-yC-oUjZfVGxHdhhXsVKTURy3e3rMgrx6CenQstDSHkpKchyphenhyphen/s320/memory+stick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687499094559804578" /></a>....if that helps.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-84615745585459939892011-11-28T20:13:00.003-05:002011-11-28T20:24:12.027-05:00I LOVE it!....with those words, my customer announced the arrival of her ruins and sent this photo to me: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tYEtGZyferRiOEZZizZa-55LBrsgHpKYWRknt4QUFFXbrZHw3bC4c4ePXU-uTRYlqIMTv8EpZMVsm0waFsbXbrTGnB3OxX5k9nY9BEBl-Ivxqw3LUjbO48XApaBtl0Y5yeJ6Kv6K/s1600/100_0222+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tYEtGZyferRiOEZZizZa-55LBrsgHpKYWRknt4QUFFXbrZHw3bC4c4ePXU-uTRYlqIMTv8EpZMVsm0waFsbXbrTGnB3OxX5k9nY9BEBl-Ivxqw3LUjbO48XApaBtl0Y5yeJ6Kv6K/s320/100_0222+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680221187442792834" /></a><br />As an artist, there is no greater praise than to see your creation enjoyed!Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-47385613537695073692011-11-12T09:44:00.003-05:002011-11-12T10:10:25.375-05:00Less than 45 Days til Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXFA5fw3v_5yuNnIuRq04mZFcaLDLUaJiYlLoK_wlQDXFfY1TPVgyXBHDmVAPZ3hFt10sXEOEkOEAYKBY1E8D5KoucrAnhXLVKuuODdFAjYsC5ymRqxbwzeKv03HB3-80Nf928lRU/s1600/IMG-00185+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXFA5fw3v_5yuNnIuRq04mZFcaLDLUaJiYlLoK_wlQDXFfY1TPVgyXBHDmVAPZ3hFt10sXEOEkOEAYKBY1E8D5KoucrAnhXLVKuuODdFAjYsC5ymRqxbwzeKv03HB3-80Nf928lRU/s320/IMG-00185+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674121362685205426" /></a><br />I went to my first Christmas show this week. Decorated theme Christmas trees everywhere you looked, two string orchestras ....one with a lady singing Christmas carols, a bit of wine and cheese, hot chocolate or coffee and the aisles overflowing with shopping carts loaded high with purchases. I read in the paper that this season will be the worst for retailers but at the show, you could have fooled me!<br /><br />These are some photos of the Biltmore House in North Carolina, USA featuring Christmas traditions and folklore of France, Germany, India, Egypt and Italy with elements of the Vanderbilt family’s own Christmas traditions mixed in. On the front lawn, a 55-foot Norway spruce is lit by 45,000 tiny white lights.<br /><a href="http://www.victoriana.com/Holiday_Events/images/Biltmore_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 343px;" src="http://www.victoriana.com/Holiday_Events/images/Biltmore_4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. The Biltmore estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.<br /><a href="http://www.victorianamagazine.com/victorianstyle/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Biltmore_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://www.victorianamagazine.com/victorianstyle/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Biltmore_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />The Biltmore modern-day Christmas celebration is modeled on the first 1895 Christmas, with an elaborately decorated, 34-foot tall Fraser Fir dominating the Banquet Hall. <a href="http://www.victoriana.com/Holiday_Events/images/Biltmore_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 301px; height: 380px;" src="http://www.victoriana.com/Holiday_Events/images/Biltmore_3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />How super would that be to miniaturize!Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8688447416322715714.post-3610989117397428782011-11-10T21:43:00.005-05:002011-11-10T22:09:03.682-05:00Endings and New Beginnings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO-3DX6tQLToT5C9_X8n40ykzZJvOeOfovJvUMWl_5RIbq-6OP0i2_re8r9UJIbuTEmJgqtrZTzMJOwvhd0Ot8-nYVBOLrrm4BDRDad1jN8kmBpoN7Ij0UC4PPrq_yZgpaIGnLckU/s1600/finished+ruined+castle+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHO-3DX6tQLToT5C9_X8n40ykzZJvOeOfovJvUMWl_5RIbq-6OP0i2_re8r9UJIbuTEmJgqtrZTzMJOwvhd0Ot8-nYVBOLrrm4BDRDad1jN8kmBpoN7Ij0UC4PPrq_yZgpaIGnLckU/s320/finished+ruined+castle+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673563951747868578" /></a><br />My ruined castle is finally finished! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVF1LA7c9P9RaJGNu0k8475KGtFg7l5SUY0V08BgOFlXAJ0JYigQTLwTu8u8n5MA-jFjpL3dZbV6tZsGY0MuB94Laf6CiCBbW4d744ZOKDd3dyzbiHK4M3LG5VCEVrgkluTDMb1Ay/s1600/SDC12701b+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVF1LA7c9P9RaJGNu0k8475KGtFg7l5SUY0V08BgOFlXAJ0JYigQTLwTu8u8n5MA-jFjpL3dZbV6tZsGY0MuB94Laf6CiCBbW4d744ZOKDd3dyzbiHK4M3LG5VCEVrgkluTDMb1Ay/s320/SDC12701b+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673568853335527026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigIvfFlUmz3O5_XOkdOUZaBSqtWkF9KnEDuqdj3cX8kO9Z4GHymC1IN7oc9zSYWV0PGqDehGp_eQCXvHpaqLaSINjtwdSNC3qTG7AV_Zbp9LV7ji8VUpnxuU_H7o7mdkKM0_pv81M/s1600/SDC12696+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigIvfFlUmz3O5_XOkdOUZaBSqtWkF9KnEDuqdj3cX8kO9Z4GHymC1IN7oc9zSYWV0PGqDehGp_eQCXvHpaqLaSINjtwdSNC3qTG7AV_Zbp9LV7ji8VUpnxuU_H7o7mdkKM0_pv81M/s320/SDC12696+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673568852941449730" /></a> I hope I've given it enough of a damp and dank atmosphere to make Dracula feel at home.<br /><br /><br />....and the roombox give-away has closed as well. Congratulations go out to Aukje Tibbe in Holland who makes incredible needle point! We've talked about certain things for her roombox ....like steampunk! I had secretly hoped she might go for it and she did. <br />I am totally excited to start! So stay tuned.Karin F.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16940759073898369260noreply@blogger.com3