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You are here: Home / Archives for miniatures

Storms, Birds, Bunnies & The Next Project

July 19, 2016 at 10:23 am by Claudia

7-19 storm

I was outside watering all the plants yesterday when the sky turned dark with long, rolling rumbles of thunder. As I watched the storm roll in, I had such a strong memory of my childhood. Summer storms would come out of nowhere and we’d sit on our porch watching and waiting. As it began to rain, we’d play a little game with ourselves (my mom would do it, too.) The rain would start to hit the edge of the porch and we’d see how long we could remain sitting on those folding aluminum chairs as the rain crept in, closer and closer, before we started to get wet and had to run back in the house.

Such a lovely, carefree memory. I had that feeling yesterday. Of the magic and power of a summer thunderstorm and the games of childhood.

7-19 finchinbirdbath

From yesterday afternoon, a finch in the birdbath. I use the telephoto lens on my older Canon. It works pretty well – it will do until I can get the lens I want for my current camera. I keep the older Canon on the kitchen table so I can grab it for moments like this one.

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Can you see the drops of water as he shakes his little body?

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Closeup of one of the larger bunnies. This photo makes him look larger than he is. Beautiful!

7-19 bunnycleaning

This guy tends to hang out in this little niche. Here, he’s cleaning himself.

He was dining while the finch was bathing. There’s lots of activity around here right now. I’m enjoying it immensely – there will come a time, later in the summer, when I won’t see as many birds and the community pool that is the birdbath will be woefully empty. That always makes me sad. So, for now, I’m trying to drink it all in.

7-19 prepping

I’m also sorting all the various pieces of my next project: The Fairfield dollhouse. I’m slowly getting ready to start in, as I read and research and gather supplies. Soon, I’ll just need to say, “What the heck – I’m going to jump in!”

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: birds, bunnies, dollhouse, miniatures, weather 32 Comments

Minis: SquintBox, a Monthly Subscription Service

July 11, 2016 at 9:58 am by Claudia

As I was scrolling through Instagram a week or so ago, I came across a post by Kat of KittyandKatMiniatures saying something called a SquintBox had arrived at her door. What is a SquintBox? I asked. Kat referred me to this site and I must say, my interest was definitely piqued.

SquintBox is a monthly subscription service created by Darren Scala, the founder of D. Thomas Fine Miniatures (which happens to be across the Hudson River and then due south from me – time for a trip to the shop). I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but monthly subscription boxes have become very popular of late. I’ve seen them for beauty products and books and food, so why not minis? Darren calls it: Your Monthly MiniFix™  You get a box delivered to your door monthly with up to 6 different handmade miniatures inside.

Well, this is manna from heaven for this girl! I signed up and then I wrote a note to Darren who generously sent me this inaugural box to review for all of you.

It arrived in my mailbox on Saturday:

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Just after opening the box. I had to contain my enthusiasm so that I could ‘document’ this via my camera.

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This is the booklet that is included and it answers any and all questions about SquintBox.

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Lovely packaging, don’t you think? Untying the bow….

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And there’s the box. Inside?

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More charming packaging with the theme for this month’s selection: Celebration!

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Inside each of these little envelopes were the minis. Darren has put so much thought into the packaging; each of these packets display graphics for the particular type of mini inside, and on the back is a fun quote. For example, on the back of Drinks: “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson.

The little ‘Celebration’ booklet describes this month’s theme and also includes information on this month’s Miniaturist Spotlight: Michael Yurkovic of Atomic Miniature. (Darren is also having a contest for the chance to win one of Michael’s miniatures – you’ll find more information on the site.)

What minis were chosen this month?

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A retro Cosmopolitan magazine, a bottle of California Red wine, a very Carrie Bradshaw-esque Cosmopolitan in a martini glass with a lemon twist, an extension cord, candles (with wicks!), and a blueberry pie in a real tin pie pan.

These are, of course, fabulous for mini making and dollhouses, but they can also be used in crafting, room boxes, shadow boxes or simply for the joy of collecting miniatures.

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Oh my heavens. Adorable.

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Preparing for a celebration…

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I’m in love with that Cosmo! (in a real glass, no less.)

There’s lots more information over at mysquintbox (dot) com – here’s the link.

I think it’s such a neat idea! It’s a great way to discover miniatures you might not find in your local shop (if you even have  one) or online. It’s a great way for someone like me who doesn’t have a stash of mini accessories on hand to build one. You can keep them, you can give them as gifts, you can add them to your dollhouse, you can use them for scrapbooking…

And via the monthly Miniaturist Spotlight, you’ll learn about all the wonderful miniaturists working and creating out there.

Darren, thank you for this wonderful idea and for sending me the inaugural box so that I could share this with my readers. SquintBox is available to all US customers, and fear not, the international launch is coming.

You can find all about the pricing options on the site; a monthly plan, a 3-month plan and a 6-month plan.

I can’t wait to get the next box, which should arrive in my mailbox by the end of this month.

If you follow SquintBox on social media, you’ll be privy to contests that are going on – this month’s is a chance to win one of Michael Yurkovic’s ashtrays – hand signed

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(Photo courtesy of D. Thomas Fine Miniatures – and the SquintBox site.)

(I received this inaugural box in exchange for my honest review.)

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

 

Tagged With: SquintBoxFiled Under: dollhouse, miniatures 32 Comments

Mini Dilemmas: Where to Put the Roseville?

July 10, 2016 at 9:47 am by Claudia

I haven’t touched on it, simply because it seemed wise to keep mum, but since it all came to a head yesterday, I’ll fill you in.

Caroline has been upset with me for the past couple of months. Why, you ask? Well, I’ve been upstairs in the new office/studio space working on another project. For someone else. Caroline’s house has been turned so that the front of it is facing into the den and I haven’t really had anything to do with it. I’ve barely checked in.

I tried to explain that the new project was for Don and it was for a special birthday, blah, blah, blah, and though she somewhat understood, her nose was definitely out of joint.

“When you worked on my house, you were downstairs all the time. Now you’re hidden away upstairs!”

“If I call out to you, you can’t hear me.”

Point taken. I spent some time with her yesterday, as she had an issue with the shelf on the wall in the living room – the one that was displaying some Roseville pottery. It kept falling down. Both she and I were sick of trying to reattach it only to have it fall down again and we were worried about the Roseville breaking.

After throwing around some ideas, we came up with a solution. The shelf has been taken down and the Roseville is now here:

7-10 mantel HC

We even pulled the fireplace away from the wall so you could better see what we’ve done.

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We all know that displaying favorite collections together in a group makes a powerful statement, right?

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Ignore the somewhat disconcerting appearance of a blueberry pie on the kitchen floor. That’s part of a review I’m going to do tomorrow for a new monthly subscription called SquintBox:

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Tune in tomorrow!

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The living room, sans shelf. You can see another piece of Roseville on the blue table.

Caroline and I chatted for quite a while and she seems happy now. Of course, she wants to visit the new Studio, but we’ll have to ask the resident for permission. He’s very protective about his personal space!

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: dollhouse, miniatures 28 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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