Moving Right Along

There are days when I feel like I'm making no progress at all toward my goals. Maybe you feel the same? On these days, it's helpful to actually stop and step back, to take an inventory of what's happening in my life.

1. Started back to Zumba. I was smiling as I read about Betty and her worries about doing the steps properly. I get really tired about halfway through a class. So tired that I can barely keep up. I know this is a temporary response as my body is getting back in shape, but it's frustrating. Betty reminded me to keeping moving and keep my eye on the prize.

2. Working on my room box. I finished the rug, as many of you suggested. Then I made a pillow. However, the pillow doesn't really match the rug, and neither really match the butterfly wing I mounted. This room is severely lacking a theme! Yes, I've added books to the bookcase, and even made bookends, but without a theme, a room box can look disjointed. Sigh.

3. Formatting my Kiki books. So far, I've formatted all but two of the 13 books in the series. I never dreamed it would take so long--and in part, it shouldn't have, but I'm making corrections and editing as I go. I've improved as a writer, and I want my work to reflect that. My husband suggested a big re-launch in the fall, since that's when there's a huge book buying/reading push. That's my new goal. I want to also repackage all the short stories. When I'm done, it should be very easy for a reader to know what comes next in the series.

4. Writing a new Kiki book. Everyone wants to know, "What's up with Brawny?" I'm 20% of the way into that book. I'd like to release it with the rest of the set.

5. Switching over my mailing list. I was thrilled when I got to 10,000 readers on my list. And then I got the bill from my email provider. I thought I'd be sick. My friend Amy Vansant suggested another provider. She's going to help me make the transfer. Thank goodness for friends!

6. Working on the 2017 Creatin' Contest. I was stuck See, I wanted the back of the house to be almost all windows, because that's what this style of house would have. (It's Mid-Century Modern in Palm Desert area of California.)

 So I left space for the windows, but then I saw pre-made sliding windows. First I had to order them, and then I had to enlarge the spaces. Yesterday I tried out my new Roto-Razer saw. I was scared spitless. But I managed to enlarge the windows. I'd also found a pre-made spiral staircase that was better than the one I'd fabricated. Although it doesn't look like I've gotten very far, believe me...this marks significant progress! I couldn't put in the floors until I worked out the stairs and the windows. I couldn't do the wall covering, and I will have to redo the shelves by the fireplace.

Whew. I guess I am making progress.

Okay, help me with a theme for my room box. Is the owner a butterfly collector? A botanist? A devotee of Eastern Religions? A world traveler? A lover of all things country? A cat lover? HELP!!!

5 Things I Learned about Mid Century Modern -- and Enter to Win 17 Funny Mysteries

Sure, I grew up in the era of Mid Century Modern, but we didn't have the money to follow design trends. In a way, this style is new to me. Especially now that I've been researching the best of the best for that trend.

But here's what I've noticed so far, and how I'm incorporating it in my new dollhouse:

1. MCM lines are spare and elegant. There was a turning-away from excess, whether that be carved ornamental flourishes or clutter or ruffles. As a crafter, this means I can't hide anything under fabric or trim. Over the weekend, I worked on this fireplace and shelf unit. I'll have to fix the trim (I'll use Elmer's Wood Filler), because tiny imperfections are unforgiving in MCM.

2. Geometric shapes and natural materials occupied the same space harmoniously. Materials were used in the raw, and the shapes followed by emphasizing and showing off those materials. I love this kidney-shaped table that I bought from an artisan online. It's iconic to the era.

3. Color was used in new ways. Sofas and chairs were upholstered in solid-colored fabrics, typically neutrals. Accessories provided pops of color, often contrasting with each other. Walls were mainly white. I've decided to use shades of gray with pops of yellow, orange, and blue in the decor. The rugs, pillows, and so on will be the main source for these splashes. I found the perfect rug and colors in this photo--

However, I don't have a link to the rug itself. So...I will make a pattern and make the rug. First I'll decide exactly how big it should be. Then I'll draw the rug to scale on paper and use markers to color in the various areas. I'll transfer the design using water soluble sewing markers. Finally, I'll reproduce the rug...in miniature. Probably using punch needle so that it will give me a shag rug texture.


4. The "open" floor plan was big. There will be only one interior door in this whole project, the door to the bathroom. I had to go online to see what interior doors looked like back then. You don't give it much thought in daily life, but for a project like this, it's crucial. I've decided the door will be perfectly plain with a little cup-like divot to use as a handle. I hadn't decided if it will be a color or natural wood, but I'm leaning toward the latter.

5.  This spare visual environment provided a clean backdrop for the art of the time--and I'm excited about replicating the various paintings and structures. I'm planning to do a miniature of the Picasso metal structure in downtown Chicago. In this picture, you can see a miniature Eames elephant. It's $270.





 I made one, too, but painted mine blue. I haven't decided whether to keep mine as part of the final scene or not. If I do, I'll make it again, better, now that I know what not to do.

Anybody out there want a blue elephant?

Do you like the elephant or think it's stupid?

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Beginning a New Dollhouse Project

When approaching a new dollhouse project, I tend to circle around for weeks, getting my bearings. As you can see, there's a LOT of work to be done here on the 2017 Creatin' Contest entry. I hope to blog my steps along the way...

1. Order the kit that's the centerpiece for the contest. (I ordered two kits, actually. You'll see why later.)

2. Open the box and ponder, ponder, ponder. Use a lot of masking tape to "dry fit" the pieces together.

3. Make a commitment.

Yeah. Step #3 is the hardest part. I have to quit circling the project and start making decisions that are largely irreversible. I also try to get a handle on the 3-D aspects of the dollhouse project. I have to consider how I'll handle lighting. Where will I hide the batteries and wiring? What sorts of flooring and wallcovering will I want? What about the landscaping? How much of a base will I need and how will the house fit on that? And finally, how will people be able to view the interior of the project? This will be a big consideration as I think about the floorplan. It won't do much good to create rooms that can't be seen.

As you can tell, all of this should be planned in advance.

The fabric is to the left of the piano and to the right of the orange kidney table.

I already know that I want this project to reflect Mid Century Modern sensibilities.

To help me, I have done a lot of research and pinned it on Pinterest. I have been looking  for architectural styles, floorplans, and decorating boards that will guide me as I move forward. Of course, I'm also influenced by what I've seen and experienced in RL (Real Life). Two weeks ago, I went to a museum of modern art that featured furniture and stairways from the Mid Century Modern period. I found them fascinating. I was also able to pick up two trinkets that will work well as accessories.

Getting a handle on where all the rooms will be -- how big, how they'll flow, and what they'll contain -- requires spacial awareness. Furniture can't overwhelm. It has to work with the doors and windows and make sense.

This is the time for dragging out all the bits and pieces of furniture that I've squirreled away. For the living room, I bought that yellow chair a while ago, but now I'm thinking it won't work. I will plan to take it apart and  turn it into a sofa. To tie everything together, I will be sewing a new rug, using the colors in my head. I also want to design pillows that add pops of bright color. Room dividers were really big, and I want one that's iconic and ultra-cool.

The kitchen will be lots of fun, but I will have to make most of the pieces from scratch.

As for the bedroom, well, once in a while, synchronicity weighs in. Can you see that scrap of fabric? It's white, yellow, gray and aqua. My dog wore it home from his groomer--and it's a perfect combination for the bedroom and its accessories. I'll be making the bed myself. I'll need to research what I want.

Do you have a favorite Mid Century Modern piece? I'm thinking about copying a 1950s issue of LIFE Magazine and re-creating it in miniature. What else should I do?