My Kind of Town! I

 I am on a few hour hiatus today, yet I just had to start posting about my Chicago trip. This week will be hectic for me as well. I wish I had time to talk about all of the fun and cool people I met and the ones I already knew at the two miniature shows in Chicago. Miniaturists rock! This was my third time in Chicago, my fourth miniature show, but my first time putting the two together. I had a ball!

There was something for everyone and every pocket. I saw minis with not so mini prices like $75,000 and others down to $1! I will not add some of the pictures of the show just yet because I want to match the creator with the project. There were so many! I wrote hints on the back of business cards so I could match them up at posting time.

Some things I did with the cool people I met there. The foods and restaurants were so awesome.   Reminding me of New York. Then, being me, there was a lot I wanted to do on my own time and schedule.

The two shows were the worldwide Tom Bishop International Miniature Show and the more intimate, but just as exciting Linda Frye Three Blind Mice show at another  location.

Would you believe there were TWO museums with amazing permanant miniature collections in Chicago?

I was everywhere and nowhere at the same time. There was so much to see and do. I did make it to the Chicago Institute of Art to see the Thorne collection. The roomboxes are authentic depictions from various periods. I will only comment on a couple of pictures as time is short at this moment. Please excuse the quality of some of the pictures. They were behind glass enclosures and flashes were not allowed.

Enjoy!

This stands guard outside of the museum

Facing the museum this is to the left. The little park is so scenic and a great place for reflection

Surrounding area of the museum. I have always loved the architecture of Chicago!

 FLASH BULLETIN!

Two grandchildren just rushed in a few minutes ago to tell me they had something to show me. Out I ran with my camera! This is what they saw!  It took several shots to get a good one, because I was afraid the parents would come back and get me. lol I don't know what kind of birds they are. But, I thank them for sharing their babies with me and my grands :-D

 

 

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

 

 

 These are life-sized works of art I just thought you would enjoy.

 

Dorian Gray

American Gothic

 

Click on picture for a larger view

Obsession African Style

 I found something recently that can take on my mini obsession. That is, my new obsession with African movies. Normally, I am not a fan of foreign movies because I can't keep up with subtitles. One night for a break from minis I went to Hulu.com. CRASH! That was the sound of me falling for a Ghanaian movie series called Adam's Apples. OMG. Everything you want in a continuing story. And guess what...it is in English! I found not only that series, but a bunch of others by the same writer and others at Reel African.com. I have absolutely no affiliation with any of this except my constant viewership and occasional comment.

What got to me the most, after the the story lines, was the fashion line! Even the men were dressing in style! I was gasping at each scene of gorgeous outfits. They were so fine I was inspired to make my own mini versions. I didn't even have time to make a pattern or measure anything other than holding the fabric up to the dolls...(singing out the letters-ADD lol). Oh yeah,  there are a few darts sewn in here and there. I used to sew my entire wardrobe-BC-before children. I could have really added a lot of finishing touches or details, but my girls are less than 6 inches ...half the size of Barbie. The girls and guys have let me know it is ok to take shortcuts and not get caught up in a lot of tailor techniques. Thank Goodness! LOL Besides, I think they came out great!

Now, if only I could copy those natural hair styles the Character "KuKua" wears... Believe me, I will make some attempts at it!

First up, lady's fashion with more to come later. The guys will be shown in another post.

Nora did a little modeling before she became a nurse, so I like to use her. (please overlook, glue glops or other faux pas'. My editing program was on the blink. Thanks :-))

   

A mix of Africa and Asia

Love the exaggerated peplum look

Nora is party ready

!

 

Rear view, talking to her friend Tinker

Short and sporty

She wanted to show she could glam it up too!

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Have a Seat?

 Somehow I have only three of these chairs. They are labeled, "fabulous Furniture." The cushion is a creme color with a circular pattern. I sure would like to have at least one more for my dining room table. If anybody recognizes or has one of these to sell please contact me. Thanks!

If you click on the picture you will be able to see the pattern better

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My Cup Runneth Away With Me Part II

Warning...long post!

Okayyyy,
Thanks to a little playing around with Blogger and Roville's and Vanessa's  suggestions it looks like I am back in business. Thanks Roville and Vanessa!

 As promised, I have a couple of great things I want to share with you. 
  This project is waaay on the back burner. I bought it about two years ago not knowing what I was getting into. I just knew that I loved it. Once I got it home and compared it to my dolls, I realized it was too small for 1:12 scale. So this will become my 1:24 scale arboretum/conservatory...one day. It opens by lifting the whole glass top. I have a lot of the accessories for it, but I just want to do a few other things and get more experience first with lighting and such.  So, for now it will go back into a box in the back of the studio.

This seems to be a bird feeder. Not sure. It has a nice Greco style to it. I thought it looked like someplace for my dolls to hang out and experience warm bubbles or maybe just a place to pitch pennies and watch birds. I painted the roof with textured spray paint to give it a shingled look and covered the pillars in marble looked wallpaper.  It will be an easy clean up when I finish and put "water" in it. Mini Barbie thinks it just right for posing.

Then there are these tiny 1:144 waiting to be furnished

Now for my Grand Finale. TADAAAAA! My Craigslist purchase!

You might remember, in Part I of this post, I said I didn't need any more projects...then if you noticed I mumbled something (  mumble mumble.) LOL Well, I happened across another deal. LOL

It had been riding around in my daughter's SUV, because it would not fit into my car. Both her back seat and one middle row seat had to be folded down in order for it to fit. She finally brought it over this weekend. I was like an expectant mother. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. The fellow I purchased it from must have thought I was a nut because I kept squealing and jumping up and down. AHAHA

  It is huge at over a yard tall and wide and vintage hand cut from lumber not a kit! It has nine, yep, nine rooms and opens from in the front and the back as well as the middle sections. Don't you just love that little landing in the front hall? All of the windows are glass and several of  the floors wooden. The carpet will of course be changed to match the decor.

Even the little front door is cute. I am thinking of using a white stucco type finish on the exterior with black window frames and lots of landscaping. The color looks different because some are from the Craigslist ad and the bad ones are mine. LOL 
Good things come to those who wait on God! 

You can see where it comes to next to my daughter

Closed front

Kitchen area

Front

Back

Front center hall

Side

Here is a comparison between my Victorian one and the new one

As if that weren't enough, I got a bag FULL (16) of books to go along with it...check them out.

Now, you have to guess what I paid for all of this...Whoever gets it right or the closest without going over wins this: a pathos plant in a ceramic vase. It works for both 1:6 and 1:12 scales{battery not included :-)} In the event of a tie, the first one to comment wins!

Oh, and-ah...this is, ahem...the last new project...for real... :-x

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