I had exciting mini related news last week. Shared it on Facebook but completely forgot to mention it here.
2013 is the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of Canberra, and there are many celebrations and events (and a cake!) being planned to mark the occasion.
One of these is a conference called Shaping Canberra: One hundred years of the lived experience of a home and a capital, which is being held at the Australian National University in September 2013, focusing on "the lived experience of Canberra and the way local and national events run through this experience." The conference aims to "highlight the wealth and interest of material about the experience of Canberra in national and local collections (with some emphasis on the local collections which are unknown, overlooked or underused)."
At the same time, the ANU School of Art Gallery is planning an exhibition "about Canberra's real local life (as opposed to the standard media-driven political points of view)" and are offering an introduction and free access to a range of historic collections within Canberra for inspiration gathering.
And I've been invited to participate.
How fabulously wonderful to get to make miniatures about a city I love so much AND get to rummage through old photos and (hopefully) ephemera in the process.
That's next year's major project sorted then...
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Missing
Something. I don't quite know what.
After I pulled the Deer ♥ scene down and was left with just the carpet and one wall, I felt the need to create another scene with the same bones.
But somehow, no matter how much I tweaked it,
made the back story for it (holiday home, near the coast, available for rent when the family isn't using it themselves.... I guess I'm realising how long it's been since I've been down the coast in real life)
I just wasn't satisfied.
I left it alone for a couple of days, waiting to see if inspiration struck.
It didn't. So it's coming down tonight.
Oh well, these things happen, right?
After I pulled the Deer ♥ scene down and was left with just the carpet and one wall, I felt the need to create another scene with the same bones.
But somehow, no matter how much I tweaked it,
made the back story for it (holiday home, near the coast, available for rent when the family isn't using it themselves.... I guess I'm realising how long it's been since I've been down the coast in real life) 
I just wasn't satisfied. 
I left it alone for a couple of days, waiting to see if inspiration struck.It didn't. So it's coming down tonight.
Oh well, these things happen, right?
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Deer ♥
With a lovely clear workbench (I won't mention most of the contents are now on the floor) I felt the sudden need to make my Amazing Miniatures deer trophy (amazing! I've had it less than a month!)
And you know what? If you follow the instructions, it's actually quite easy! 
(A dry fit wasn't actually necessary, but I did it anyway just in case)
And in less time than I expected, I was done. Well once the glue holding the head to the backing dried, which didn't take long at all.
Since this is an (almost) step-by step post, I thought it was about time to do another "behind the scenes" on how I put this scene together:
Step one: I wanted a plain wall colour to show off the head, but wanted a warmer colour than the white card I usually use, which can be a bit blue. So I used some watercolour paper I had on hand. And from my pile of flooring choices I picked a sample piece of carpet I picked up from the hardware store for $5 months ago:
Step two: Keeping with the natural theme, I tried out three or four shelving options and finally settled on a Lundby piece I'd removed the legs from which works well in 1/12. While I was digging through the mini store cupboard, I spotted this cane rocker which I thought might work:
Step three: Dressing the scene...
Three a: I really like how the wooden vases and bowls continue the theme. The rocker cushions were from last year's Advent Calendar Swap, used the wrong way round to hid the stars. I'm pretty happy. Except for the items on top of the shelving.
Three b: With a different plant. Still not right, but I think the basket looks better on the right side.
Three c: Yep, I think that's it. I especially like the way the square of the basket is now mirrored in the square of the clock and pulls the eye towards the box in the middle...
(Time taken, including making the deer trophy head? 2 1/2 hours)
And you know what? If you follow the instructions, it's actually quite easy! (A dry fit wasn't actually necessary, but I did it anyway just in case)And in less time than I expected, I was done. Well once the glue holding the head to the backing dried, which didn't take long at all.Since this is an (almost) step-by step post, I thought it was about time to do another "behind the scenes" on how I put this scene together:
Step one: I wanted a plain wall colour to show off the head, but wanted a warmer colour than the white card I usually use, which can be a bit blue. So I used some watercolour paper I had on hand. And from my pile of flooring choices I picked a sample piece of carpet I picked up from the hardware store for $5 months ago:
Step two: Keeping with the natural theme, I tried out three or four shelving options and finally settled on a Lundby piece I'd removed the legs from which works well in 1/12. While I was digging through the mini store cupboard, I spotted this cane rocker which I thought might work:
Step three: Dressing the scene... Three a: I really like how the wooden vases and bowls continue the theme. The rocker cushions were from last year's Advent Calendar Swap, used the wrong way round to hid the stars. I'm pretty happy. Except for the items on top of the shelving. 
Three b: With a different plant. Still not right, but I think the basket looks better on the right side. 
Three c: Yep, I think that's it. I especially like the way the square of the basket is now mirrored in the square of the clock and pulls the eye towards the box in the middle...(Time taken, including making the deer trophy head? 2 1/2 hours)
Lazy Sunday morning
Not exactly how my morning was. .. 
But I did have a late start followed by an unexpected long and lazy breakfast date with a friend at a cafe across the road. From which I returned energised, bursting with ideas and, more importantly, the urge to clear off my workbench.
So I made a scene instead.
(Credits on FLICKR)
But I did have a late start followed by an unexpected long and lazy breakfast date with a friend at a cafe across the road. From which I returned energised, bursting with ideas and, more importantly, the urge to clear off my workbench.So I made a scene instead.
(Credits on FLICKR)
Saturday, November 05, 2011
About bloody time...
(Photograph shamelessly stolen from the book's Facebook page)I think it was 2004 when I first heard that this book was being produced I was quite excited at the time.
But every time it looked like publication was imminent, the dates shifted. Now, finally, it's available to buy.
Anyone got a copy? Care to share a review?
Make it mini
During a recent forage around Ponoko* I stumbled across this Adirondack Chair kit:
I contacted the designer who tells me that it's "approximately 1:12 scale".
Two mini chairs for $38? I'd call that good value!
(*I'm slowly working on a mini project with a talented 3D modelling friend)
I contacted the designer who tells me that it's "approximately 1:12 scale".Two mini chairs for $38? I'd call that good value!
(*I'm slowly working on a mini project with a talented 3D modelling friend)
Thursday, November 03, 2011
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