CB2 Holiday House May Deserve A 2nd Look

Image source: www.cb2.com

The copy writers over at CB2.com describe their latest offering in the category of archeitectual models, object d'art or as we loving refer to it---doll house in the following manner:

"Open-air urban dwelling is the master plan of artist/architect Ben Holiday. A replica of the original model he blueprinted and built as an architecture student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, multilevel structure takes up residence in natural plywood with asymmetric proportions on façade that create hierarchy top floor to ground level. Fluid floor plan invites outdoor living with louvered entry and slatted sun deck. Open in back to mini-furnish."

This Holiday House was unveiled last fall in time for the holiday season to mixed reviews. Everyone agreed on the beauty of the design, but unlike its predecessor in this category, The Neville House, the execution of the construction was poor with visible glue seepage. When I visited my local store to see the house for myself, I found all the models on display to be plagued with this problem. Flash forward to now, summer is getting underway and there's a sale over at cb2.com with flat-rate shipping at $4.95. For all that's been reported on the quality of the beautifully designed Holiday House at $19.95 (regularly $49.95) it may be just the right price prompting you to add this beautiful design to your collection. With overall dimensions of 5"Wx7.5"Dx9"H, it is quite diminutive but it appears to work with 1:24 scale furnishings. I took the plunge and made the purchase. At the very least it looks beautiful unfurnished gracing above eye-level shelf space in my book case. Tell me, will you be adding this little model to your collections as well?













































































Note: I've made the transition so be sure to Follow my blog with Bloglovin

February Design Challenge Round-Up

Seven short days ago, I laid down a quick & dirty challenge for modern miniature enthusiasts everywhere to create a scene honoring their favorite holiday (or observance) in the month of February. You've all responded so enthusiastically and I'm so feeling all the love! (cause who wants to be talking to themselves, right?) As of today, we have quite a nice round-up and while Valentine's Day was by far the most represented holiday, a few others had a moment in the spotlight even a few (gasp) that don't fall in the month of February.  We also had recurring themes like decadence and indulgence, as well as a few repeating icons. Any guess as to which ReacJapan designer chair made the most appearances in scenes?

The journey began with color and glitz of carnival over at Minis-B-Happenin' with a mini-sized float for one of the many Mardi Gras parades that was large on talent, creativity, and diva personalities. We were then asked to consider what makes Valentine's Day different from (college) spring break over at the Hard Way. Remember all the excess of young love? Apparently, there's a reason why the young guys want to make sure a girl's glass is never empty. Then we had three scenes that turn up the romance quotient.  There's a chic, mid-century scene set for a pair of "LOVE"birds over at Mini Mod Pod while Modernist Molly prepared a cozy custom made bed in a lodged decked out with all the modern trappings.  It's all hearts and rose petals at Mini Modern Mind. Wouldn't we all loved to be so spoiled (grins from ear to ear)? We're  then hit by a cold dose of heartbreak with Jazzi Mini's ode to the single woman. It's a macabre Valentine's scene that takes a turn towards the horror of Halloween. Finally, I created my own take on Valentine's Day that I called, A Love Supreme. It's full of love but  not solely the romantic kind (wink). It overflows with references to many other holidays and observances as well.

A Love Supreme, a room bursting with references to love.

Thanks once again to everyone for such a wonderful trip.  Haven't pulled together a scene? There's still time, just let me know the link and I'll add it in an update to this post throughout the rest of this month. Happy (holiday of your choice) Day to everyone!

Update 2/28/2013:

Mary's scene is at http://msminiandmore.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-valentines-day.html

Mini Dork's scene is at http://modernminihouses.blogspot.com/2013/02/loss-for-words.html

  

Challenge Reveal: A Love Supreme

Earlier this month, I began working on a scene to feature some of the new items I purchased or received as gifts. Last week I decided to pull the rest of you miniaturist in when I posed a quick and dirty little challenge but then I went and got all more is more. Hey it's all still very modern, plus it tells a story or 10. 

Welcome to the craft room/studio for two sisters. Meet the Illustrator and the Cellist, neither has a valentine this year so they chose to be one another's. Their month has been busy thus far. They've attended a number of events from a Wear Red dress fashion show to raise money for heart disease in women, to a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day seminar, to performing in the Vagina Monologues which raises money to end domestic violence.

These ladies are so full of talent they each suffer a bit from adult ADD (attention deficit disorder) and this room truly reflects that fact.  

After spending time earlier in the week enjoying songs from the John Coltrane catalog like A Love Supreme and making cards and such, they've decided to spend the evening watching movies. Up first...Imitation of Life. A powerful story about maternal love. Followed by...KamaSutra. It's about...well, the name says it all! Breakfast At Tiffany's, The Notebook and Love Jones round out the roster of pull-at-your-heart-strings tales of love (and/or romance). The snacks are in place. Tonight they dine on sushi and chocolate. Why you might ask? Because it's great to feel sexy always, weather one has a man or not, no? 

Happy Valentine's Day! Be sure to click through the link to read more about the February Design Challenge reveals.

Details: Lil'Bratz Stylin' Space from eBay; cork side table with script from PRDminiatures, bottles filled with micro beads purchased from The Dollar Store; scrollwork mirror purchased from local flea market; red vase inside bookcase was swap gift from Mini Dork; "Love" cut-out was a gift from The Shopping Sherpa. 

Presidential Inauguration Style

Just seven days ago, the President was sworn into his second term of office. If you are a big fan of symbolism and history, know that 21 January 2013 was over-the-top full of it. Inauguration Day was also MLK Day in the 50th year since the March on Washington, the 150th year since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the completion of the dome on the Capitol (for the second time). It was also the day before the 40th anniversary of the momentous Roe v. Wade decision. Although I wanted to drop these pearls of historical trivia, it is not the primary purpose of today's blog post. As so many of you know, the presidential inauguration is a major production filled with design, fashion and style.  I've collected some images from this year's celebration and the celebration four years ago.

The first family graces the podium with style and color. The Obama women prove to be an asset, each color and personality complementing our 44th president (who also opts for a bright red tie).

In 2009, A new birth of freedom, the youth and changing of
the guard marked by the Obama's arrival was punctuated by
a palette from the entire color wheel. (Image: Reuters)

In 2013, Faith in America's future, an older Obama family is 
outfitted in an analogous color palette. 
(Image: tomandlorenzo.com)

Prom, wedding, golden anniversary...inauguration is the closest Americans come to a coronation with all the pomp and circumstance one would expect to accompany the occasion. Do you love typography, paper or political ephemera? Enjoy this.

Clockwise from the top: 2009 commemorative single day
Metro fare card,  DNC Inaugural Reception ticket,  gallery 
exhibit flyer, 2009 Inaugural Staff Ball ticket

Official 2013 Inaugural Invitation with raised presidential 
seal in gold foil

2013 Inaugural Ceremonies Program

Clockwise from top: 2013 commemorative renewable 
Metro fare card, map of ticketed inauguration viewing 
areas, Inauguration Ceremonies ticket, commemorative 
Inaugural Invitation with raised gold foil logo

Instagram: my 2013 Inaugural 
Staff Ball ticket

Many of you are used to seeing the cliche red, white and blue ribbon that adorns the inaugural stage constructed on the west lawn of the capitol every four years.  However, the set production for the inaugural balls is far more elaborate.  These pictures below show stages from the 2009 and 2013 venues. Each features the official inaugural logo. The perfect backdrop for the first couple. The formal white tire attire for POTUS* is both modern and minimal. For each celebration, FLOTUS** opts for a moderately adorned gown in a patriotic color that is flowing and ethereal.

2013: Presentation of the Colors at The Staff Ball

 

White tie & Jason Wu white
silk chiffon (Image: Getty, 2009)

White tie & Jason Wu chiffon &
velvet in regal red (Image: Getty, 2013)

In 2013, the First Couple dances to "Let's Stay Together" as serenaded by 
Jennifer Hudson. In 2009, the First Couple danced to "At Last" 
as serenaded by Beyonce Knowles.  Both songs appropriate for the times. (Image: michellepictures.com)

 
  *POTUS - President of the United States
**FLOTUS - First Lady of the United States

Today It Begins

May yours be filled with peace, joy and abundance.

A Pink-tastic Christmas Day!

I staged this Christmas scene in 6th scale with a more is more, Hollywood-glamour type of vibe. Before you ask...the answer is NO---no I couldn't get enough pink! It amped up that glamour factor. My Barbie Collection lives on a narrow vanity in my studio guest bedroom/study made from a mirror hanging over a shelf. You might see a sliver of a miniature black chandelier at the edge of this photo. This hangs above a Jonathan Adler sofa (in Barbie-scale, of course). A lamp and side table also by Adler flank the couch. In the corner, at the edge of the shelf, stands the star of the show---an old pink tinsel Christmas tree (by Paperchase) with a pink mini string of lights. The angel tree topper is made from the tops of two perfume bottles. The body is from L'eau D'Issey and the wings are a cut flower off of the Marc Jacobs' Daisy lid.  Luxurious little gifts clutter at the bottom. What on earth could be better than bags and purses? Good Santa!

Glamorous Tree

Here's a closer look at that gift haul.

The So In Style kids dolls also fair well with Santa. They received plenty of toys and even some props for dress-up.  Tea with the little princess, anyone?

Well, all this beautiful hall-decking did not just miraculously appear, head on over to my Flickr.com photo stream for the details of the decorating story depicted in thumbnails here. 

                        

  

      Good.

Great!

                   

                      I hope your day was indeed merry and bright.

Sweet Little Treat

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house was the smell of ginger, cloves and cinnamon...Well, not in my house but that did indeed happen somewhere to create this marvelous creation I stumbled upon. I so love D.C. during the holidays. The lights and decorations are completely captivating. The historic Mayflower Hotel was no exception. Among a colonnade of beautifully decorated trees was this sweet little treat.

Not a gingerbread house but a gingerbread mansion!

Gingerbread houses are filled with things I love about the holidays...baked goods and fantasy. 

More on this scene at flickr.com

This delicious feast for the eyes is filled with loads of ideas for the miniaturist. Why is this?Because alternative purposing for the familiar was practically invented for this pastry art.  Let's just begin with snow made of icing. There's plenty more...

'Silver' dragee (think Jordan Almonds) embellish 
each facade and yogurt covered pretzels as cast 
iron roof cresting crown the mansion.

Chex cereal roof shingles

Stacks of cinnamon 'logs'

So here is wishing everyone the very merriest of Christmases. May you be blessed with PEACE, JOY and HOPE in abundance!

Perhaps, the most delicious pine needles ever?!?

Baby It's Cold Outside...but bring in another log for the fire!

Christmas Crafting with a Conscience

Earlier this week, I volunteered at a holiday party co-sponsored by Homeless Children's Playtime Project and my sorority, the Xi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. This gathering had the works: food, crafts, picture time with Santa, and a gift table for parents. I was tasked with creating an ornament making project with a recycling theme.  It turned out to be such a hit, I've decided to share it with you. Here's a list of supplies we used:

1.    old/discarded data or music CDs

Viola...here are a few of the finished ornaments.

2.    last year's Christmas and holiday cards                  
3.    decorative/scrapbook paper scraps
4.    chipboard shapes
5.    small mirror tiles (square & round)
6.    self-adhesive gems (assorted shapes)
7.    felt cut-outs (assorted holiday motifs)
8.    ribbon
9.    Crayola Glitter Glue
10.  Fiskars Decorative Edge Scissors
11.  scissors
12.  Disposable foam or paint brushes AND
13.  Aileen's Original Tacky Glue OR
14.  Scotch Double-Sided Tape

Begin by deconstructing the holiday cards, cutting out specific motifs on the front of the card or words and phrases from the front and inside. Using the CD as a template, cut 'background' field as a complete circle or as complete as possible given the size of the card. Use complementary scrapbook paper scraps to complete the circular shape of the CD. Using the decorative edge scissors where papers and/or card piece will overlap provides a very finished look. The more you collage, scrapbook and collage the easier this process will be but the point is to be creative and have fun. 

After you've dry-fitted your design, cut approximately 3.5-4 inch length of ribbon in a coordinating color. Fold the ribbon in half and attach it to the non-shiny side of the CD with open-ends pointing towards the hole in the center of the disc and the closed loop extending beyond the disc. Secure with tape. From here on you can use tacky glue and brushes to adhere your materials or double-stick tape, it's your preference. Recreate the design you laid out earlier securing it with the adhesive of your choice. Finally, go to town tricking out your ornament with chipboard shapes or felt-cut outs then finishing of with bling: self-adhesive gems, mirror tiles and/or glitter glue. We decorated only one side leaving the shiny iridescent side uncovered but you may elect to cover both sides.

You can go as strict as you'd like with the recycling theme. Items such as buttons, envelope sticker seals (and promotional return address labels), collected leaves, thin branches and even holly berries can be collected from items you have on hand in (and around) home.

Adorn your tree and enjoy!