Tomato – tomahto – Radio – rahdio

When people meet me in person, they often ask where my accent is from. These are people who live in the Midwest right along with me. I’ve lived in the Midwest my whole life, but I know I have an accent. This comes from the fact that I like the way people from other locations say certain words and I tend to pick that up. I’m good with some full-on accents, too, when I try. And, some words are just more fun said in a different way. One of these words for me is radio, which I like to say the way it sounds in German, rah-deeo. :D (Yes, I even like to say rah-diator in jest.)

Anyway, this cute little radio isn’t necessarily meant as a dollhouse miniature, but look at it!!! It’s so tiny! And, yes, it works!

This is a Motz Wood Portable Speaker, FM Radio and MP3 Player. It supports micro SD cards, iPhone, iPad, iPod, MP3 players, laptops and other electronic devices with 3.5mm audio. They aren’t that pricey, but I used some rewards points to snag this fellow for $5. :D I had actually meant to get one earlier, but they sold out. I snapped one up as soon as the stock was replenished. There’s also one in the shape of an acorn.

It has an antenna that moves about, even folding out of sight in the back.

It also extends.

There’s the tiniest LED to show you that it’s working (red for on with the radio and micro SD card, green for charging).

It comes with a USB cord to recharge the battery by plugging it into a computer or USB charger.

The other cord connects it to a sound system…like an iPod. It has good sound quality as an external speaker for the iPod if you don’t want to listen with earbuds. :]

If you were to use this in a miniature setting, tuning in the FM radio or using the micro SD card with MP3 files on it would be your best bet. Or, you could just let it sit there being cute. :D

I don’t have a micro SD card, but I will have to get one now.

Categories: Miniatures
January 14, 2014 | 0 comments

Trash to trash (can)

Inspired by My Small Obsession’s trash to treasure page and Lyssa’s recent mouthwash cap garbage can in her fabulous Loblolly Westcott House, I’ve taken two empty creamer containers and sprayed them with Valspar Metallic Silver. :D

I like this paint, because it creates a nice visual texture in addition to the crisp silver color.

Categories: Miniatures, Walnut Bay Light
November 21, 2013 | 0 comments

Vintage sewing patterns

This is a paper kit from Ann Vanture’s Paper Minis.

The kit makes six patterns, and it was easy peasy!  Cut, fold and glue.

Since these will go in the Heritage attic, I took one and added a yellow paint wash after crinkling the paper. It’s just the right amount of age and wear. (The pattern envelope is colorfast, but the pattern tissue is not.)

For one of the patterns, I removed the upper tab, made a tear in the front and repaired it with tiny strips of tape. :D

They are wonderful, no?

I kept two of the pattern sheets separate so I can use them with fabric for a future sewing room. It felt great to be creative again! 

Categories: Miniatures
September 9, 2013 | 0 comments

From way back when…

I just received two Tinysaur kits that I ordered back in the Mesozoic Era…okay, February, but I was getting worried these would never arrive. There’s a mad backorder delay for these critters!  :\  The Evolution Store kept in contact with me and let me know as soon as they were back in stock. I picked up the T-Rex and Stegosaurus.

April has assembled the T-Rex before, which is where I first spotted these delightful mini kits. I put together one of the regular size wood models back when I was young, so it’ll be a nice trip down memory lane assembling these for my mini houses.

I was feeling a bit feisty today, so I decided to wait until another time when I had more patience.  :D  I mean, look how small the T-Rex head is!!!  :O

The Stegosaurus certainly has a lot of parts…oh, my!

You can also find these Tinysaur kits here. For my final assembly of the T-Rex, click this post.

Categories: Miniatures
June 11, 2013 | 0 comments

New mini delights

In the midst of all the madness of completing The Artist’s Studio, I didn’t have the chance to write about some recent mini acquisitions and gifts.

April sent me the most fabulous orchid as a gift. I’m blown away by her mini green thumb. It’s a stunning plant!  :D  Thanks so much, my friend!

I bought two items from Nikki Rowe, who has unfortunately decided to stop selling miniatures for the time being. The first item is a lovely little basket. It’s calling for a chocolate bunny, I believe.

The second is a set of candied apples, one of which is loose to display however I like.  :D They are wonderfully made items…very much out of a fairy tale.

I also caved in and bought the Art Nouveau Mantle Clock by Halls Miniature Clocks. So beautiful!

Categories: Flowers, plants, and trees, Miniatures
May 7, 2013 | 0 comments