Going Mad

Have you ever had one of those projects you have been working on for months and no matter what you do you're just not happy with the way it's turning out? The HBS creating contest kit is that one for me.  I've had many seeming "brilliant" ideas which I have been blogging about and quite honestly, none of them turned out as I had hoped. I just didn't feel like I was getting anything exactly as I wanted it.

Then I received a little something in the mail that inspired me...

This incredible mid-century modern office desk made by Patie at Minisx2.

Then this happened...I ripped out the swiveling doors and the inside and outside walls.  

If anyone watched the AMC Series Mad Men, you probably know where I'm going with this.

 My version of Don Draper's office

  I had planned on doing this at a later date, but when I got the desk that was it...

The real Don Draper's office.

 I wanted to do a replica, however I wanted to use the patio area that I already worked on and the curved ceiling is different than the real thing.

#HBSCreatincontest2015

  

New Stuff

Just a little scene I did a few weeks ago with some of the new items I made for the show.

 The entertainment center with the doors open to see the TV.

Try not to let the workroom stuff in the background distract you. 

The entertainment center with the doors closed so you don't see the TV.

CC 2015 Progress

The last couple of months have been crazy around here with personal stuff. First my sister went into surgery at the end of August and has been ill ever since, my mother in law came to visit, I made inventory and did the miniature show and now it's Halloween season. You know how I love Halloween!  I finally had a little time to work on The PS Pool House.

 I worked on the pool area.  I added some plants and stone work.  The sunken area will be where the grill resides.  The little trough area will be filled with ice and cold drinks and work as a swim up bar. There is still a lot of work to do.

 I finally put in the wall that divides the dressing area/rest room from the living area.

 I made the wall so that it doesn't go all the way to the ceiling.  I wanted to emphasize the curve of the roof and I think it visually makes the place seem more open.

 The pocket door.

 I also added some stone work to the outside.

This gives you an idea how the pool drawer will work.  I think I will have to do something different with the diving board because it sits a little too high to allow the drawer to close completely. At this rate, I'm not sure that I will finish this before the deadline which is quickly approaching. I'll probably get most of it done, but the details such as landscaping and the pool pump will most likely happen at a later date.

#Creatincontest2015

Indy Mini Show

On my last post I showed you a few new designs for the Indy miniature show.  Even though I didn't get a chance to make a few things I was planning on making for the show, It went much better than the one I did two years ago.  I met a lot of nice people and had fun!!

I was definitely the only one with modern miniatures,but the reaction was very positive.  I think even people in Indiana are starting to want to do something a little more current.

Busy Summer

I know I haven't posted in what seems like a long time nor have I worked on my HBS Creatin' Contest build for the blog nor have I worked on any other building projects.  This summer has just been crazy busy.  

The kids are now back in school and I am back to my real life job that pays me the money I use to pay for this hobby.  I have decided to do the miniature show here in Indianapolis on September 18-19.  Most of my spare time for the last couple of weeks has been spent making a little inventory for the show.  My expectations for the show are that I make at least enough to pay for my booth, get to meet more mini enthusiasts and hopefully get some mini modern and mid-century modern converts!

Here are just a few new things I've been making. Please excuse the photography.  My computer is currently broken so these were taken quickly with my phone.

 I LOVE the orange houndstooth...I may just keep this one!

More to come later.

Making a Splash - Creatin' Contest 20015

I started working on the pool area today.

The base is two layers of one inch construction foam.  I cut out the shape of the pool and bar area then lined them with 1/4" plywood so that there would be a nice smooth area to paint and put on the tile for the sides of the pool.

I drilled holes for the pool lights, then wired the lights between the two layers of foam.  Hint: You can buy LED lights really cheap from China on Ebay.

Then, I painted the bottom in a blight blue and papered the walls with  tile patterned scrapbook paper.

I used grommets for the lights.

 I will top it with this clear water embossed plastic that I got from Hong Hong Miniatures on Etsy.  I will install it after I make and install the bar stools for the swim up bar, but this gives you the idea of what it will look like.

#HBSCreatinContest2015 

CC 2015 and Progress on the Citadel

I haven't been doing much in the world of miniatures recently.  Summer is my busy time at work in my RL.  Between work, running the kids around and all the other stuff, I just haven't had time in weeks.  I finally got to steal a little time yesterday!

Some time ago I mentioned that I was going to build a drawer to house the pool that will go with the HBS Creatin' Contest kit.  I did get the drawer built, however I didn't realize it until I was putting it together that the plywood that I used was warped from sitting around in our garage. You can see the gap at the bottom and the whole thing wobbles.  I may be able to even it our by adding some kind of feet underneath.  I'll figure something out.

 Here's the drawer open with the 2" construction foam.  I will carve the pool out of this.  I made the drawer a little bigger than the kit so that I can landscape.

#HBSCreatinContest 2015

I started on the flooring in the biggest room in the Citadel.  This is where the kitchen will be.

I cut some laminate samples from Abet Laminati into 2" x 2" pieces.  It took me six sheets of laminate.

 Once they were laid down, I wasn't happy with how they lined up.  I had hoped that they would fit together more tightly and the seams wouldn't be so obvious.

 I ended up using a little white craft paint to fill in any lines, then wiped it off just like when you grout real tile.

 Much better!

 Here is the sputnik light I made.  I made it a couple of years ago and waited for the perfect spot to put it.

This is a miniature Heywood Wakefield inspired dogbone dining set made by Jack Chastain.  Unfortunately, it only has three chairs.  I have no idea where or how to contact him to see if he can make a fourth.  Overall I think it's coming along...slowly!