50 cents. A bargain!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
A new dolls' house!
I went to the markets this morning and came home with a new dolls' house for the collection:50 cents. A bargain!
50 cents. A bargain!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Knitting and thinking
There's not been much happening here mini-wise over the past few weeks.
Except I've (oddly) found myself buying bags of Powder Puff and Fairy Floss yarn, in colours I don't have, on the two times I've been op shopping this year.
And have been trying them out. Which is good, as I do excellent thinking when I'm knitting (and mini flokati rugs are easy knitting leaving plenty of brain space for excellent thinking).
Part of the thinking revolves around my penchant for getting excited about things and making commitments I can't maintain. Something I'm aiming to address in 2012.
While I knit my rugs I'm currently pondering the option of opening an Etsy shop. And the opportunity to have a stall at the Sydney mini show in May. Both of which would be good outlets for selling said flokati rugs...
Except I've (oddly) found myself buying bags of Powder Puff and Fairy Floss yarn, in colours I don't have, on the two times I've been op shopping this year.And have been trying them out. Which is good, as I do excellent thinking when I'm knitting (and mini flokati rugs are easy knitting leaving plenty of brain space for excellent thinking).
Part of the thinking revolves around my penchant for getting excited about things and making commitments I can't maintain. Something I'm aiming to address in 2012.
While I knit my rugs I'm currently pondering the option of opening an Etsy shop. And the opportunity to have a stall at the Sydney mini show in May. Both of which would be good outlets for selling said flokati rugs...
Friday, January 27, 2012
Mini distractions
Not much in the way of creativity has happened this month. I've had a Phantom Flatmate. Plus a house guest. And visitors. Been away. Went to a Wiki camp.Often all at the same time.
This is the first scene I've made in almost 3 months. (No, I can't believe it's been that long either...)
Saturday, January 14, 2012
The Shopping Sherpa needs a Shopping Sherpa!
So everyone's been all over these chairs from CB2:
And they've just dropped in price again (to around 50 cents each). But for me to buy 2 Igloo chairs and 6 Reed chairs would cost $56.30 in postage...
Anyone in the USA fancy doing a deal with me to buy them on my behalf and forward them to me?
And they've just dropped in price again (to around 50 cents each). But for me to buy 2 Igloo chairs and 6 Reed chairs would cost $56.30 in postage... Anyone in the USA fancy doing a deal with me to buy them on my behalf and forward them to me?
Saturday, December 31, 2011
That wasn't on the list for today...
But I suppose after a week of mainly house cleaning, and no creativity to speak of, I should expect this to happen when I return to my studio to (supposedly) clean it out:
And Blurb does have another 20% off deal at the moment...
And Blurb does have another 20% off deal at the moment...
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
La minis at La Cloche
It's tradition on my last day in New Zealand that The Parental Units pick me up, we have brunch, and then they drop me at the airport.
This year we went to La Cloche, a french cafe in Kaiwharawhara. Where I discovered these, made out of wine cartons:
Apparently, the owner's wife studied architecture and makes these for fun...
This year we went to La Cloche, a french cafe in Kaiwharawhara. Where I discovered these, made out of wine cartons:
Apparently, the owner's wife studied architecture and makes these for fun...
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Bad blogger
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...
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...
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
Monday, October 24, 2011
Because it's sometimes quite amazing what you can find in the cupboard...
Yep, that would be a doily rug.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Mini mathematics
This photo:
(spotted this morning over at love you big during a blog reading catch up)
Plus this felt doily coaster (just stumbled across on eBay)
Equals modern miniature heaven. Right?
(Adding a lack of funds then equals wait a week to test the equation)
(spotted this morning over at love you big during a blog reading catch up)
Plus this felt doily coaster (just stumbled across on eBay)
Equals modern miniature heaven. Right?(Adding a lack of funds then equals wait a week to test the equation)
Friday, October 21, 2011
A night on the tiles
I've been lusting after the Anglepoise Giant 1227 floor lamp for quite some time (and, at $3,500 a pop, will probably be doing so for quite some time to come)
Recently I've been playing with ideas to create a version in miniature, even buying a Barbie one off eBay for a couple of dollars to experiment with.
While waiting for it to arrive, I happened to find myself in the National Portrait Gallery shop, where I discovered the Tiny Tim booklight:
An almost perfect size, it lights up, and it was only $16.
Now I'm trying to decide if I should get a red one as well...
Recently I've been playing with ideas to create a version in miniature, even buying a Barbie one off eBay for a couple of dollars to experiment with.
While waiting for it to arrive, I happened to find myself in the National Portrait Gallery shop, where I discovered the Tiny Tim booklight:
An almost perfect size, it lights up, and it was only $16.Now I'm trying to decide if I should get a red one as well...
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Stealing?
Well it's certainly been an interesting few days in the world of modern miniatures. First up, Mitchymoo Miniatures has done the first reveal of the swap parcel I (finally) sent her:
(I nicked her photo without asking. I'm sure it's OK)
On a related theme, Amazing Miniatures has been accused of counterfeiting, which brings up an interesting question of copyright: if the original is 1/1 scale and the item in question is 1/12 (or any other miniature) scale, is it still a copyright infringement? (Let's not even get started on the related issues with the seemingly ubiquitous sliced stag idea)
(Oops, there's another stolen image, this time from Amazing Miniatures)
And, the next day, there's the news that modern miniatures have made it into a McDonald's ad:
(Oops, I did it again)
If that's not mainstream acceptance, I don't know what is.
(I nicked her photo without asking. I'm sure it's OK)On a related theme, Amazing Miniatures has been accused of counterfeiting, which brings up an interesting question of copyright: if the original is 1/1 scale and the item in question is 1/12 (or any other miniature) scale, is it still a copyright infringement? (Let's not even get started on the related issues with the seemingly ubiquitous sliced stag idea)
(Oops, there's another stolen image, this time from Amazing Miniatures)And, the next day, there's the news that modern miniatures have made it into a McDonald's ad:
(Oops, I did it again)If that's not mainstream acceptance, I don't know what is.
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