The Aero Squadron Lounge in Dolls House & Miniature Scene

I’m honored to have The Aero Squadron Lounge featured in Dolls House & Miniature Scene for February 2020.

This was a build based on a local restaurant called The 94th Aero Squadron. It had war memorabilia throughout, and the structure was reminiscent of an old French farmhouse. There were planes on display outside, and the back patio featured burned and broken rafters.

It was an interesting place with great food, but it went out of business. After sitting vacant for years, they finally razed the building completely. It’s a shame, because it was unique. There are still a few throughout the US.

The most challenging part of the build had to be the 1:32 scale Sopwith Camel, built from a plastic kit by Academy. I had built model cars previously, but I had never built an airplane let alone one with rigging.

A special thank you to Sadie and Carl at Dolls House & Miniature Scene for a wonderful feature!

Categories: Books and media, The Aero Squadron Lounge
February 5, 2020 | 0 comments

Seeking a book – FOUND!

As you may recall, I was seeking a copy of Making Model Horse Harness by Anne Funnell.  She used to head Lenham Pottery Models, involved with both horse models (including scale model harness kits) and dollhouse pottery.  She had retired, so it seemed there would be no way to contact her. I attempted to find a used copy, but there were none to be found. The only libraries with copies are in the UK, so that dashed hopes of an interlibrary loan. But, through communication with the library system in the UK, I was able to obtain contact info. :]

I sent my plea in a letter using snail mail! It has been a long time since I did that. I included my email address, and the author replied by email within a week of my stamped letter heading overseas. She said she was happy to help, and her husband was gracious enough to take her reference copy and have one made for me. Overseas it came…and into my hot little hands! Took only four days!

The book is a wealth of information with fantastic diagrams and explanations. While I’m not fooling myself into thinking that making the tack will be easy, this reference material will make it much more straightforward than if I tried to take real life sized tack and convert it.

I’m so excited and so pleased how miniaturists come together all over the world. A huge thank you to Anne and Barré Funnell! :D

Categories: Books and media
July 19, 2019 | 0 comments

Rare find

Along the way of researching, I often run into old books due to the era I choose to emulate in my builds.  Making a turn of the century mail wagon led me on such a journey.  There are other books I’ll mention, but this one is a true gem.  It’s called Plans and Dimensions of U.S. Mail Wagon of 1880 by A.S. Dodd.  In 1951, Jack D. Rittenhouse published a reprint of the article from a magazine called The Hub and limited it to 295 copies.  Given the rarity, it’s not surprising to find that there are only seven libraries that have a copy, six of which are universities.

I tried to obtain a copy through interlibrary loan, but the request was denied due to the item’s status as non-circulating.  The closest locale was over 700 miles away, so a road trip wasn’t really in the cards.  I wrote to the Wyoming State Library to see if their copy was circulating since it didn’t indicate that it was not.  A staff member replied that they would send it out of state but it would have to be kept on the premises of my local library.  That was perfectly acceptable to me, so off my request went.

It showed up a short time later, and the library staff indicated I could see it on my usual Bookmobile stop since the Bookmobile was considered library property.  But, I wanted to be able to take my time and perhaps make some copies if it turned out to be a good resource, so I waited until the upcoming weekend to head to the library.  My boyfriend and I went to the library and saw an amazing bit of history.  While not particularly useful for my project, the booklet was simply wonderful.

The booklet was set into a card folder to protect it, but it was still worn from handling and age.  I don’t know if libraries still stamp due dates with the modern barcode technology, so it might have been checked out since 2003, or maybe not.

The copy was held together with tape in some places, so we gingerly made copies and took photos.

When we got home after dinner, I did another quick google search and a copy popped up on amazon.  The listing indicated it was in like new condition and included a 1981 stamp of the very mail wagon featured in the booklet.  It was pricey, but when it arrived, it was more than worth it. 

There’s a little separation of the outer page along the fold, but other than that it is perfect.  The stamp sleeve has been signed by the publisher.

Such a great addition to the original reprint.

So, now we know there are eight still floating around for sure – seven at libraries and mine.  :)

Categories: Books and media, Ivy Hollow RFD
March 28, 2019 | 0 comments

Memories and gifts

The miniature community lost a talented miniaturist and lovely lady, Elly in Amsterdam. I knew her through a petitpoint group and never met her in person, but she was one of the sweetest ladies and super fun. She’s definitely missed.  One of her close friends is also a talented miniaturist and is looking after Elly’s estate. Josje has a blog of Elly’s miniatures for sale, and I bought two items to have something from Elly.  :]

These cat matryoshkas are beautifully painted and actually function. 

Too stinkin’ cute!

The coal scuttle is something I don’t have a plan for, but it is so well made it could be just an antique used for décor in a more modern setting.  :]

One little coal was included.

Mom gave me two needlework books for Christmas that I’m sure Elly would have loved. The first is Embroidered Cats by Hiroko Kubota.

While it’s not an instruction book and not for beginners, the book illustrates the process of turning a photo into an embroidered likeness. I might need to see about making a needlework Jasper. With a little planning, it could probably be done in miniature to make a wall hanging.

The other book is Cluny Tapestry Rabbit, a counted cross-stitch pattern by Scarlet Quince.  Elly made a similar one in miniature for a fire screen.  This is a larger pattern, but with a high count fabric, it might be a good wall tapestry in miniature.

Categories: Books and media, Miniatures, Needlework - French knot rugs
January 24, 2019 | 0 comments

The Scale Cabinetmaker

The Scale Cabinetmaker was a periodical printed from 1976 – 1996 on fine miniature making. I’ve perused the occasional volume here and there, but there are 80 issues in total so collecting them one at a time seemed rather daunting. You can find them in digital form from Dorsett Publications, but I prefer the physical booklets. As luck would have it, during one of the online shows there was a gal selling her mother’s estate. Included was a large selection of The Scale Cabinetmaker booklets. She was asking a good price, so I bought the lot. I found a smaller lot of 10 booklets on eBay, so I now have 61 of the 80 volumes. :] I still hope to collect the remaining 19.

I set out making a list of the projects that I wanted to try and noting the volumes with general instruction. I admit many of the projects are either over my head or are from eras I don’t plan to build. However, there is a wealth of information on techniques and tools as well as plenty of items I do want to make. The metal fire screen, jeweler’s saw and drill press classes opened up the possibilities as well. More things make sense to me now, so the classes more than pay for themselves. :]

I bought a triangular architect’s scale since most of the drawings are in full size measurements, though they do list the thicknesses of materials to be used. I understand the appeal of true to life measurements, but it will be a learning experience for me. It is great training for taking other real life projects and transferring them to mini. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Of course, the project that really appeals to me is a double black diamond. It’s a combination wardrobe, desk and Murphy bed. I never do things halfway. :D

But, I shall start with smaller projects like a coffee table and magazine rack to get a feel for the scale measurements and instruction. Then I can move on to the Big Cheese.

Categories: Books and media
May 12, 2017 | 0 comments

The Haunted Heritage in Miniature Collector

I have news!!! The Haunted Heritage has not only been featured in the October 2014 edition of Miniature Collector, it made the cover!!! :D

I was so excited when the writer contacted me about writing an article on the Heritage and even more excited when Miniature Collector accepted our work. I had no idea my beloved house would grace the cover.

Many of you also pop over to my sewing blog to see me in my creations, but here I am with the Heritage. The camera was giving me fits with the autofocus (I was taking the photo solo with a tripod), and I ended up with an “alright already” look on my face. Oops. :D

I wrote a tutorial for my folding suitcase valet, which is featured as well.  :]

Thank you so much to the author for writing a splendid article and to the staff at Miniature Collector for the feature and amazing cover!

Categories: Books and media, The Haunted Heritage
September 4, 2014 | 0 comments

The Artist’s Studio in The Dolls’ House Magazine

My mood was brightened today when I received my copy of The Dolls’ House Magazine all the way from the UK! In the November 2013 issue, there’s a full write-up on The Artist’s Studio.

Christiane wrote to me a few months back about featuring the Studio, and we had a nice chat. It’s so wonderful to be featured along with so many other talented artisans!

It was my first time reading the magazine, and there were not only a lot of great builds featured but a number of projects, patterns and tutorials. A very fine magazine!

I want to send out a huge thank you to Christiane and the staff at The Dolls’ House Magazine for a wonderful feature! :D

Categories: Books and media, The Artist's Studio
October 18, 2013 | 0 comments

The Aero Squadron Lounge – reference material

I like to do a fair amount of research when bringing a build to life, and The Aero Squadron Lounge was no exception. In addition to the online research I did on the Sopwith Camel, I checked out books and watched movies on the subjects of WWI, known at the time as The Great War, and French country design. I am by no means an expert on either, and I didn’t really delve into the politics of the war, but a lot of this material helped me come up with ideas for the look and feel of the build. For any online sources, I have linked (or will link) to them in the various relevant blog posts about the build, so they are not listed specifically here.

I promise there are posts with more pretty pictures coming soon, but I thought you might like to read about where some of the inspiration comes from.

Films:

Wings, 1927
This silent movie was a real treat to watch and I highly recommend it. The plot surrounds two WWI pilots and the people connected to their lives. Being that it was made in 1927, the locales, sets, planes, fashion and other details are all as close to the real thing as possible. The accompanying score and sound effects are great, too! Without dialogue, there is the usual demonstrative acting which is so endearing of silent film. The subject matter is obviously grave, but there was such an innocence to the way it was portrayed without making light of it. There was also some farcical humor, and the action scenes are amazing given the film technology of the times. Just a great movie.

Flyboys, 2006
This movie is about American volunteer pilots in the Lafayette Escadrille, and while it isn’t the best or most historically accurate drama around, the settings and planes are well worth seeing.

The Red Baron, 2008
Again, not the most thrilling or in-depth movie, but the planes!  :D

Influenza 1918, 2005
This PBS documentary details the influenza outbreak in 1918-1919. While not directly related to my build, I ran across it while searching for reference material. What I found remarkable about it is the same as what many say, that I had never heard about it until later in my life and just how “forgotten” the pandemic seems to be. Even in the documentary, people who survived said they wanted to forget, that it was too horrible and too inexplicable. Medical knowledge about the flu was virtually nonexistent at the time, too. Looking back, you can see how so many of the things people did likely increased the spread, most notably all the large public gatherings and parades going on at the time. It’s an interesting documentary to watch with interviews of the people who survived as children being the most moving part.

Books:

Diary of a WWI Pilot, 2004
This is the authentic diary of Harvey Conover, a WWI pilot. This book is funny, moving and a real treasure.  It is so interesting, for the lack of a better word, to see the experience of it all through the eyes of someone who was there. The tributes Mr. Conover wrote about fallen friends and the epilogue written by his daughter after the diary are wonderfully poignant. I highly recommend this book, even if you have no interest in WWI history, simply for its thoughtfulness and emotion.

One caveat is that the daughter edited out some content that was racially charged since she knew her father to no longer hold those feelings later in life. While I understand her reasons for not wanting to show her father in a bad light, it does a certain disservice to the authenticity of the diary. 

Sopwith Camel – King of Combat by Chaz Bowler, 1978
An excellent source for the airplane build with many great photographs not only of the planes but the pilots as well.

As an aside, I often check out books from interlibrary loan when working on a project since I might need the reference but don’t necessarily want to add the books to my own library. This one was a sight! It came from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL and looks like it was first checked out in 1980 with a relatively consistent borrowing pattern with a few gaps here and there. My guess is somewhere along the line it was misplaced in a window. It’s all sun bleached, water stained and frayed on the outside, but the inside is in very good condition. :D Poor book…but now it has been featured on the internet!

Sopwith Fighters in Action by Peter Cooksley, 1991 
This is a wonderful little paperback with loads of information on the various versions of Sopwith planes. There was no shortage of photographs and illustrations. This one came through interlibrary loan from the Marine Corps University Library in Quantico, VA.

Sopwith Camel Aces of World War 1 by Norman Franks, 2003
This is a great compilation of pilots and planes, including fourteen pages of color plates showing various Camel markings.

Sopwith Aircraft by Mick Davis, 1999
This book has a good sized chapter on the Camel along with a lot of photos, including some of the internal framework.

French Country Style at Home by Sébastien Siraudeau, 2010
This is a lovely collection of French country interiors – beautiful photographs and lots of inspiration. This is where I found my inspiration for the stone fireplace.

The French Country Garden by Louisa Jones, 2000
Wonderful collection of garden photographs, including old stone cottages.

French Country Kitchens by Linda Dannenberg, 2008
I found many ideas here for hutches and general kitchen décor.

Categories: Books and media, The Aero Squadron Lounge
September 4, 2012 | 0 comments