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Sunday: Sleeping In, Mourning Doves & Miniatures

July 31, 2016 at 9:55 am by Claudia

What a treat! I slept in today and it wasn’t because I was up too late. I just slept. I wonder if it was because we had a gentle rain all night long? I don’t know. I’m just grateful – sleeping in is rare for me nowadays.

We mowed yesterday. I weed chomped. It’s looking pretty good out there, though I have some cleaning up to do on the porch, which also functions as my garden tool/potting center. And, of course, cleaning on the inside of the house, as well.

Don pointed out these two yesterday and I ran for my camera:

7-31 dovepairbirdbath

As far as I can tell, there’s a single mourning dove who lives on the property and this pair. The pair does everything together; I’ll see them on the driveway looking for food, they come to the birdbath together, they depart at exactly the same time and fly up into the catalpa tree.

I love them. Mourning Doves are my favorite birds.

I received my July Squint Box in the mail yesterday after it somehow went to Birmingham, Alabama from White Plains, NY, then traveled back to NY and finally arrived here.

This month’s theme was Summer Love.

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It’s gloomy out there, so this is the best I can do, photo-wise.

A ceramic dish with real seashells, a hand painted clay pot with apples,  a glass apothecary jar with gumballs, an iced coffee, a box of tissues, and a copy of Travel & Leisure magazine.

Isn’t this little group of minis just the coolest?

Today, we’re headed out to an event this afternoon and then I have errands to run and then more cleaning.

I’ve started to keep a tally of the lies I’m hearing on a daily basis from the Orange Man. In each case, the statement can be proven to be a lie in an instant. Truly, the mind boggles.

My new hero is Khizr Khan.

(As always, if you don’t like my political commentary, you are free to move on. I’m not going to shut up.)

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: birds, miniatures, what I believe 81 Comments

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?

7-19 bunnyeating

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?

7-11 itemsinmyhand

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.

7-11 cordandcandles

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

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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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