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!!!

Room Boxes: A Great Way to Enjoy Miniatures

Many people shy away from miniatures because they find dollhouses too expensive. Also, dollhouses can take years to finish! If you are just getting started in miniatures, room boxes are a better choice. A room box can be any size or type of container, devoted to just one room or scene.

By being creative, by seeing ordinary things with a "miniaturist's eye," and by experimenting, you can save a lot of money when you make a room box.  I made this one for less than $10.

Here's a breakdown of the pieces:

1. The container -- I bought this box from Beall's Outlet store for $5 and change. Boxes like this can be found at almost any big box craft store, but outlet stores such as Tuesday Morning and Home Goods, as well as Beall's, are terrific resources.

2. The fireplace -- The basic triangular shape was built with old cereal boxes and a piece of foam core board from an old science project display. Then I dipped pieces of newspaper into a mix of glue and water (a cheap sort of papier mache) and coated the structure. I painted bits of pressed paper egg cartons to look like bricks. I cut the carton pieces into the right shapes and glued them onto the form. I used Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Filler as mortar. Then I touched up the paint again.

3. The "fire" -- I buy strands of LED moon lights from Amazon, six for $9.99. (Normally, if you buy them from a craft store, they're $7 a strand.) At this price, they're a great bargain! For the "flames," I use pieces of plastic painted with nail polish. The plastic can be from any leftover packaging.

4. The chair -- I built the chair out of layers of corrugated cardboard, wrapped with masking tape. Then I glued on faux leather and added black cord trim. The legs are small chunks of wood, but I could have used beads.

5. The "throw" -- This started as a cheap washcloth. I pulled all the curly strands out. That left me with this loosely woven fabric.

6. The bookshelf -- I used foam core board covered with paper toweling soaked in glue.

Stay tuned and you'll see how I decorate this room box! Do you have any suggestions for what you would like me to add?

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