miniatures — Page 85

Hummingbird Cottage in American Miniaturist Magazine

July 7, 2015 at 8:51 am by Claudia

Late yesterday afternoon, I received an email from the Editor of American Miniaturist magazine, giving me a link to the article about my dollhouse that will appear in the August 2015 issue. After a scream sent in Don’s direction – something on the order of, “Get in here! I have a link to the article about the dollhouse!” – I calmly and serenely clicked on the link.

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The August cover.

I asked permission to show you a screenshot of the first page of the article. It’s a six page spread!

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I’m just plain old thrilled. The layout is perfect. Check out the colors they used in the title – are they not me? I wrote the text because the magazine really likes articles written from the miniaturist’s point of view. I also took the photos – which look even better on the page/online than they do in this screenshot. (The screenshot distorts things a bit.)

I supplied information to the Editor on everything in each shot and she wrote great captions. I couldn’t be happier with the article. It pays tribute to my now six-year-long labor of love. Every room in the house is highlighted. And highlighted beautifully, I might add.

Eeek! I am ordering my print copies today.

Don read the text aloud as we looked at the article. I read the captions. Then we did it all over again. As always, Don is my biggest supporter and he kept referring to the article throughout the evening. Whoo hoo!

This blog has been such a source of joy for me. And, because of it, I’ve now been featured in three different publications. Amazing.

Hummingbird Cottage is famous now.

If you’re at all interested, you can find this magazine at some dollhouse/miniature shops. Chautauqua Miniatures carries it and the ladies that run that shop are already on high alert! I don’t know if you can purchase individual copies. But the website link is here.

A big thank you to Auralea Krieger, the Editor of American Miniaturist, and her staff. I’m pleased as punch with the end result.

Staying with the miniature theme, I found one more of Jeannetta Kendall’s miniature Roseville Pottery pieces online. It arrived while I was away.

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Miniature perfection.

The gardens and potted plants have grown so much! All that rain made everything take off. I did a lot of weeding yesterday. My back has made a formal request to lay off the weeding for 48 hours and I’m complying with the request. Photos will be coming later this week.

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But here’s an indication. All of the impatiens are full and lush, including the ones I overwintered, which, just like last year, started blooming while I was away in Chautauqua. Overwintering = Big savings and big blooms come summer.

Don’t forget to leave a comment on Self-Care: Maintaining Balance in order to be eligible to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!

Happy Tuesday.

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Twenty-One

July 4, 2015 at 8:57 am by Claudia

First – and foremost – it’s the 21st anniversary of the day I met Don.

Happy Anniversary, my love!

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And of course, we open Our Town this afternoon, and the party will commence afterwards at the lake. Don’t know how long I’ll be there, since I have to get it together, i.e. pack, for my departure tomorrow morning.

Last night’s preview went very well indeed. It’s a lovely production. Everyone is doing beautiful work. The audience loved it. We’re opening this afternoon instead of tonight because it’s the 4th. Have to say it’s weird opening on a matinée performance!

Some views of the lake:

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The Chautauqua Belle, a paddle wheel steamer.

I managed to speed walk to Chautauqua Miniatures late yesterday afternoon on the only break I had all day. It was hotter than I thought and I was exhausted afterward, but I roused myself enough to buy a few more minis.

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Some cushions for the green ‘wicker’ chair that will go in the rooftop garden.

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Mini Foliage to work some magic in the garden.

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A lovely little frame – made by the same company that made the miniature Roseville Pottery.

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Potted hydrangeas.

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And these. Need I say how much I love them?

Happy Anniversary to Don and me, Happy Opening to everyone in Our Town.

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A Late Afternoon (Mini) Visit

June 28, 2015 at 9:28 am by Claudia

Rain. Torrential rain. All day long. My plans to walk over to Chautauqua Miniatures yesterday morning were foiled. It was raining so hard that a dash over to the theater office to sign out a car was equally impossible.

So I stayed in and read.

My responsibilities at afternoon rehearsal eased up enough for me to grab a car and dash over there around 3:30. They were having a sale.

No big girl camera, but I did have my iPhone with me – however, the iPhone doesn’t handle inside the shop pictures as well as the big girl camera. I got a few.

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Does this dollhouse look familiar? This is the Real Good Toys version of my dollhouse. Everything is flipped.

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The view inside a display case. I could have gone nuts buying potted plants.

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I had to get a photo of this dollhouse that one of the owners made. Very Chautauqua Cottage-like, I think. She made it as part of a contest using a basic unfinished box. She added the strips of wood to make the siding board and batten, as well as all the trim and the period windows and doors and railings. Can you tell I’m thinking long and hard about a Chautauqua Cottage for my next project?

Both of the owners used to work for the Chautauqua Institution and I had the chance to chat with them at the end of my visit. They’re wonderful women who clearly love what they do. And they’re a lot of fun! I wish I lived just down the road from them; I’d be stopping in all the time.

I promised them I’d stop in one more time before I leave. And I will.

What did I buy?

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This planter. Roof or porch? I’m not sure at the moment.

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Boots for gardening.

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Another hanging plant.

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And this little sweetie. I looked for a Border Collie like Dame Scout, but came up empty. This little Jack Russell Terrier won me over with the ‘pounce’ stance, something my girl loves to do (though less and less as she copes with arthritis.)

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I know I’m probably the exception, but I’m not a fan of dolls in a dollhouse. They usually look out of scale and, frankly, I like the inhabitants of the house to be living in my imagination only. But a little doggie? That I can go for. I haven’t thought of a name yet. When I do, I’ll share it with you.

The sale included older issues of dollhouse magazines – 5 for $10 – so I gathered up my favorites and I’m looking forward to reading them. There were also partially finished dollhouses and kits on sale and if I had a car, I’d probably have purchased something. Ah, well. It’s most likely for the best!

Today – opening festivities. There’s a barbecue later in the day, but I may bow out. I haven’t been getting enough sleep and some restful time to myself looks awfully appealing.

Happy Sunday.

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Hummingbird Cottage in American Miniaturist Magazine

Twenty-One

A Late Afternoon (Mini) Visit

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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