Themes Page: 11 |
I Love Lucy room: I don't know about the show living room BUT Lucy's dressing room at Universal Studios was done in greens that she believed helped enhance the redness of her hair. (At least what the guide said) You may get more of her dressing room info from Universal Studio Tours which could be applied to the TV living room. On the other hand, has anybody ever done a set from an old B&W TV show IN black, white, and shades of gray? With no color? Wouldn't that be a hoot? Mel K. |
Cottage shops: How about a Victorian garden shop, with plants, tools, statuary and other and accessories on the ground level and garden/floral crafts (wreaths, topiary, dried herbs, jars/baskets of Marianne's potpourri, floral-themed stationery, specialty jams and honeys, themed tea accessories, etc.) upstairs? Or a ladies' specialty shop, with shoes and clothing downstairs and a millinery, accessories, and parfumerie upstairs. Loretta.Sniarowski |
Little Debbie Scene: what if you built a box out of foamcore or matboard, then cut and taped segments of the edges around the top of several Little Debbie boxes together for a frame. Then have the frame color-copied at a Kinko's or your local printing place so you get a solid, neat piece, spritz with clear acrylic fixative, cut out a window in the middle, back the window with acetate or glass, and glue to the box front once you have decorated the study scene? That would allow you to change the proportions to something better suited to 1:12. Or you could accept the size of the standard Little Debbie package, reinforce it with matboard and do the scene in 1:16 or 1:24 scale. Loretta.Sniarowski |
Little Debbie Scene: Do you have the Little Debbie box? The trick is to get it into the computer. Disassemble the box carefully lay it on the floor and photograph it with a digital camera. Now, if you don't have one of these you will need to Photograph it and take it to Kinko's to be copied and sized. From the camera to the computer. Put it into PaintShop or similar application. Size and clean it. Print it onto craft paper for the computer...also great for greeting cards, making card games etc. Cut it out. Use small, sharp scissors. Then using your X-acto craft knife and a small ruler LIGHTLY score the places you will be folding. Fold and glue your box. Should look rather professional. It shouldn't need stuffing...unless you want to put in some small cakes! Laurie Sisson |
Little Debbie vignette: you could try to do something similar to what I did. I needed to cover my laundry/basement Roombox. It was 9 1/2 x 13 and none of the Tide boxes were large enough. I disassembled the boxes(I used two). I soaked the cardboard for a while and the paper separated from the cardboard backing. I then applied the paper on the box and decoupaged it. Looks very good. Perhaps you could construct your Roombox the size you want for the vignette and use a similar technique. Pearl |
Judaic Symbols: I am getting as excited about the Chanukah version in its own right as I am about the Christmas version. I have a dreidle that my daughter had been given at a children's' Hanukah party many years ago and can copy the Hebrew letters from it. The project designs will develop a bit more before I actually start cutting, carving and gluing but here is where I am so far - - - May I bounce it off of you for added garnishment, criticisms, and/or corrections? Since the Christmas version is six sided with six candles, I am thinking to make the base in the shape of a Star of David with candle cups at each point. The outsides of the first two levels will also be six sided. Inside the bottom level, wood soldier figures with spears and shields (Star of David on shields if I can fit) will look outward from a revolving platform. Behind them, stationary, will be a Menorah as ornate as I can carve out of wood in such tiny size. (This whole pyramid will only be about 1 3/4 inches tall) The second level presently has me still looking for ideas for the revolving outer platform and fixed center. The Third level I have decided should be square rather than six sided and be a large (by mini standards) fixed dreidle with open sides. and carved Hebrew letters revolving within. The "stem" of the dreidle will be the shaft of the pyramid topped by a Star of David laid flat and have twelve "fan" blades extending from its points and notches. Only so much detail can be achieved and recognizable in wood and such tiny size (the 1/144th bunch should have fun). That is why I put the menorah on the lowest (largest) level. Your comments about and suggestions for (especially that empty mid level) will be sooooo appreciated as are your suggestions and encouragement so far. I will probably make an article about the two versions to submit to one of the mini magazines after all is said and done. Sooooo - - - Please give your "real" names with ideas so I can pass along individual credit within credits to our Small Stuff web as the essential miniaturing tool it has become. Mel K. |
Judaic Symbols: The persons building the miniature Christmas Pyramids asked what kinds of characters they might use for a Pyramid for their Jewish friends. Purim isn't too far around the corner, and it has quite a few characters to work with: it's the story of Esther, so you could have a beautiful young queen, and King Ahasuerus, good guy Mordecai (he was Esther's older cousin who raised her)and wicked Haman. The Noah's ark Pyramid would be completely acceptable too, that story also having come from the Old Testament. It would have Noah and his wife plus three sons and their wives, and all the animals in pairs. I reread your questions and you seem to be wanting to do something connected with Hannukah since you asked about the lamp. There are miniature Mennorahs (I'm probably not spelling it right) candlesticks. But I don't think you should limit yourself to one theme that's around the same time as Christmas - do something that will be fun and easy to do with lots of possible figures and animals. Also, I'm not Jewish, but I have studied the Old Testament, and I do know they respect the candlestick and the star of David, and might not like to see them displayed as part of a frivolous decoration. But they would enjoy seeing Bible stories come to life - I'm thinking of Samson and Delilah, David and the Giant Goliath, etc. - you could have quite a combination of characters. |
Judaic Symbols: A dreidle is a perfect ornament to use in the Jewish version. You can fashion a basic four-sided top, and if you want to add a special detail, you can add the Hebrew letters on each side of the dreidle. Another common Hanukkah symbol is an oil pitcher, which looks much like a ewer. I believe that the "lamp that the story revolves around" is the candelabra, or menorah. It has eight branches of the same height, with a central candleholder slightly higher. Robed figures holding the Torah wouldn’t be appropriate for this type of scene, as the Torah doesn’t mention this story. I found some sites on the Net for clipart, and these should help you: These should get you going... If you are looking for a mini menorah, dreidle or other mini Hanukah or Judaic supplies, you can go to http://www.fay-vourite.com On page two of the site, there are two Hanukkah sets. Clicking on each picture shows individual prices for items, so thatif you just want one or two things, you don’t have to buy the whole set. There are really no protocols for using the menorah or Star of David. Since the Hanukah story includes a victorious battle, incorporating a shield with a Star of David in the center would be very appropriate, but not necessary. Jonathan from Israel |
The Canadian kitchen -- that was probably very close to the rural American kitchen in many ways, though you probably would see more English influence, since we were just out of being a colony at that point in our history -- you would see variations in kitchen set up as well depending on who your ancestors were, but if you are interested in the settlers of PEI, then your best bet would be English / Scottish / Irish. If you can, find the film "Anne of Green Gables", the CBC production with Megan Follows as Anne. I know it has been aired on American PBS channels, so you might have a bit more than a "less than a snow ball's chance" of finding it. I know that they had Merilla's kitchen shown in a few scenes. From what I can remember from some of the "historic towns" I have visited on my travels, a rural kitchen would have a wood cook stove, usually something pretty functional and basic, although there were pump sinks popping up in various homes at the time . You need a pantry, which is technically your "refrigerator" to keep your various leftovers and cooking supplies (if you think about how germ phobic the world is right now, it is amazing that people lived so long without something to refrigerate their creams et al!). Think wooden furniture, nothing too elaborate. Canadians had far more British influence than what would be found in the US at the turn of the century, most definitely. You would see wood plank floors, no wallpaper on the walls. You might even get a fireplace in the odd kitchen. That is a few things I can remember, I am sure others will have something to contribute. Kim from Canada |
The Canadian kitchen -- There is a great period village called Black Creek Pioneer Village just outside Toronto, ON. You will find that MOST things are similar in the US and Canada during this period, but Black Creek is very particular about details. They used to have a number of people working there who would cheerfully talk your ear off about whatever information you wanted (I was friends with the blacksmith about 10 years ago). Try http://www.trca.on.ca/vtbc1.html for some photos. The National Film Board of Canada recorded the site back in the 1960s http://cmm.onf.ca/E/titleinfo/index.epl?id=14085 The NFB also had a series on social life (kitchens, spinning and weaving, etc) broken into time spans 1867-1918 is the one you want I think http://cmm.onf.ca/E/navigation/index.epl?mode=res&by=subcat&id=2320&ofs=0&sid=77dc0bb64aa2179afef614bf1da5714e&parentid=23&parentname=History+-+Canada+-+1867-1919&catid=2320&catname=Social+Life&coll=&type=cat For a wider range of geographic areas, which includes the Maritimes, try http://www.canadianheritage.ca/externallinks/canadasdigitalcollections.htm - -- it has a digital collection of Canadiana. Then, of course, there is the PEI web site which has tons of info and links to more info on LMM (Anne of Green Gables, of course, is the main theme). http://www.gov.pe.ca/lmm/index.php3 If all else fails http://www.annesociety.org/ should be able to help you - if they can't get what you need, likely nobody but the curators of her house in Cavendish can. A final web site to try http://www.atlanticcanada.com has links to a number of maritime provinces' web sites, where you may be able to find what you want. Also, try Tasha Tudor - although not Canadian, she still lives in a turn of the century maritime house, still using many period items. There are many wonderful books about and by her (I believe she is still alive) and also a PBS special. Don't forget the tea towels ;-) ... these are still a feature of Canadian kitchens. A suggestion, consider having the lady of the house in preparations for a Ceilidh - lots of scope for fun there! You may also want to research Maritime Kitchen parties. *** Note from Joy Perkins *** A Ceilidh is a Scottish/Irish term for a gathering of folk (usually women folk and is normally held in the kitchen *** Heather Gillbanks |
Canadian kitchens: The question about Canadian kitchens of the turn of the century got me thinking about the differences between Canadians and Americans of that era. Politically, Canadians were still British subjects and I think this would be reflected in their homes. A picture of Queen Victoria wouldn't be out of place. I believe the basic kitchen would be similar to an American kitchen of the time except for the products (cans, bags etc.) which would have Canadian brands. I imagine that Five Roses Flour and Puritan Flour were around at that time. Perhaps looking at old cookbooks of the time would be helpful in getting to know what type of foodstuffs would be readily available. I also think the ethnicity of the homeowners would be eflected. In western Canada where I grew up Eastern European Catholic immigrants had small altars (like niches) built into the kitchen wall containing a religious statue or picture and small votive candles. Often there was a little vase on the altar with some bedraggled dandelions or wildflowers that children would bring in. Ukrainian immigrants might have icons on the wall. Quebec kitchens would be strongly Catholic and Ontario kitchens would tend to reflect the protestant ethic and would be most likely to resemble an American kitchen. It strikes me that the place where people ate tended to reflect their ethnicity more than any other place in the house. It seems like favorite foods are the last thing to go when people try to assimilate. I don't know if any of this is helpful but I thought I'd mention it. Evelyn in Saskatchewan |
Old time kitchens: Living in Mt. and having grown up without electricity until teen years, here's some scoop... Concerning refrigeration, people had root cellars they dug in the ground, or a nearby bank. Things stayed cool there, and did not freeze. In the winter, if near water, they cut ice and had ice houses where they stored it, maybe with straw around it. Sometime later they had little iceboxes in the houses that were insulated and blocks of ice were put in them... It was a 'pack it in and pack it out deal'. Water was packed in buckets. There was wash stand where the bucket was set and a dipper to put some in a pan to wash. One could also drink out of this dipper, but the leftover water was put in the washpan, not back into the main bucket... Teakettle were kept on the stove for hot water. a dishpan might be set there to heat water to wash dishes.. Big oval shaped boilers were set on the stove to heat water on washday. Some wood stoves had water reservoirs attached to the sides where water could be heated. There was a slop bucket to put some waste in to be later packed out. Of course there was a rack to hold dishtowels. Also probably a nail to hold the hand towel from washing up. These are a few thing that one might not think of offhand with early kitchen. Also, a wood box for the firewood, and perhaps a coalscuttle or bucket with coal for the fire, (maybe even cow chips if no wood or coal).. Margie Smith |
Old time kitchens: Been reading about old turn of the century Canadian kitchens and since my grand parents lived in the "boonies" their house was turn of the century. Wood stove in the huge kitchen. Out house off the back steps. The smart thing was that the seat to the outhouse was kept on a nail behind the wood stove. That served 2 purposes. If you had to use the sanitary facilities all you had to do was look behind the stove and see if it was in use or not. Also, if the seat was behind the stove in the winter time and you grabbed it, you were assured of having a warm seat when you got to the out house. There were a few other things that these old timers did that was real smart and practical. DrBob...Delray Beach, FL |
18th century kitchens: You can find kitchen goods for 18th century kitchens at these two sites. http://209.158.24.7/~villageblksmith/ http://www.smallscale.co.uk Lynn in Cahokia |
My Haunted Gothic Mansion: Here it is, on picturetrail. http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=6&uid=482716& Sherise |
Irish Pub: Have finished Dura Craft's Ashley in white stucco with green trim outside, white stucco with pecan stain and green marble tile floor inside. I want to turn it into an Irish pub. So...what makes a pub Irish? I don't believe the real pubs have shamrocks and leprechauns plastered everywhere. Suppose I could put a tape under the floor playing "Wild Colonial Boy", but would appreciate any hints. Ava from Colorado/Kansas |
Irish pub: Having been in many an Irish pub - first I'll ask if you want an authentic pub or a tourist pub....ha ha....there is a difference, believe you me. Many Irish pubs have "snugs" - like booths with doors on them. A bell to signal the waiter - see the web site of the Crown bar in Belfast. Men's rooms (if you're going into that much detail) have a "trough" rather than separate urinals (this according to my DH - never been in one myself....men's room, that is) Usually a big fireplace- huge bars which are the focal point of the place even in relatively small pubs- lots of small mosaic type tile, on the floors, on the walls. Bar towels (Guinness, Harp to lay on the bar to catch the drippings from a newly poured pint. Many pubs I've been in still have the gas light fixtures - the Crown actually uses gas lighting. Stained glass windows also - many of the local pubs are quite small actually. In the evenings there are fiddlers, bodhran players, and penny whistle players and singers. Chairs and tables are usually a mish-mash - not all lovely sets of tables and chairs but an accumulation over the years. Oh yeah, and sticky floors (ha ha). Could dig out a few photos if you're interested??? Vi in rainy Hamilton |
Irish pubs: Having spent some time in several pubs in Ireland, I can tell you that no two are alike in their appearance . but a lot of them have a bar that juts out into the room, a fireplace, some "snugs" or booths as we in America call them. If they have tables, the tables have little stools round with hand holes cut in the top so you can pick them up and carry them around. The decor usually has a lot of dark oak paneling or dark wainscoting. There are racing (horse) posters, boxing posters, and of course a Guiness sign or two. Hope this helps you. One thing, in all the pubs I was in, I never saw one pool table. Bill in Kansas |
Glass house: The name of the terrarium pattern was " The Crystal Palace" and I decided to go with that theme. In the back I plan a 'mountain' with a "Crystal" waterfalls. The water will pool into an area about 5" across and ? deep before winding into another wing where it continues past a "Crystal" cave. The third wing will have a tree that will hold the home of a few tiny (less than 1")"Crystal" fairies. I want to fill it with greenery, birds and butterflies and a couple of small wild animals. I have made a base from the foam inside an old life jacket, about 2" deep with 1/8" mahogany wood on top of that. These will be cut out so there will be somewhere to collect the "water". I plan on making a wire armature for both the cave and the mountain. I would also like to put a light inside of each of them. I have a container of unpolished amethyst and am planning on somehow embedding the 'jewels' into the front of the waterfall and on the inside of the cave entry. I am going to somehow hollow out the inside of a piece of wood (maybe birch?) and add some floors and windows and a door, maybe even a tiny balcony. There will be 3 floors - the bottom floor as a kitchen/storage area - the second story is the common area and the top floor would be the sleeping area. Just inside the front doors, on the floor is a panel that when lifted, allows access to the transformer for the lights in the mountain, cave and inside the treehouse. Kelly, Barrie Ontario |
Flower shop - ideas for a name (and contents please!) This is for my mother's 79th birthday gift and I'd like to try to play on her name or initials without it sounding too forced or trite (if you know what I mean!). Her name is Helen Anderson Alexander Freeman (nee Rankine) born in Edinburgh and worked as a nurse, doctor's wife, mum, nurse and still helps out at the terminal unit at the local hospital! One thing that won't go in the shop is any arrangement with red and white flowers combined. Superstition from the war when it was supposed to be unlucky to give anyone a red / white bunch of flowers as it looked too close to bloody bandages!! Your ideas for an elegant name for the shop would be appreciated! (Well she's an elegant lady - a trait NOT passed on to this member of the next generation!) Help also for some innovative ideas for the contents. The shop is a modern English one with shop downstairs and the workroom for doing arrangements, wedding bouquets etc. upstairs. There's a flat roof outside the upstairs windows and above the shop windows which I've paved and intend putting some bushes etc. in big planters on it. (They can be watered through the open sash windows!) It's actually a wall mountable half house with long, narrow rooms so not too much floor space! I've added false doors at opposite ends to the ground and first floor to make it look as though there's a staircase behind. Ideas for contents so far: Shop Upstairs Jane in Warwickshire, UK |
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