A small world's big buzz!

Sunshine and lots more!!

 

Well that is the weather forecast for the next few days here in the

UK

– and that means that by the end of the day you just need to chill out and put your feet up in the garden. Wrong!  I can never say ‘no’ to an invitation to attend a workshop, and this evening I have to drive quite a way because I have said ‘yes’ to joining a group who are making flowers, using a new technique.

 

Nevermind, I shall just turn the air conditioning up in the car and take my chilled water with me!

I know it is going to be worth the trip – making miniatures always is!

 

Regards

Joyce

It's for the birds!

I've already been receiving letters from sharp-eyed readers who have spotted Snickers hiding in Issue 10. (Sorry, I'm not giving any hints regarding his location!) Actually, finding DHM's little mascot is fun for me, too, because I don't know in advance where the designer will hide him  -- ahem, where Snickers hides himself -- in each magazine.

Lately, I admit to preferring Snickers to his real-life relatives. My home is adjacent to a woods and is a lovely place to watch the birds that come to our feeders. However, with all of the surrounding trees serving as launching pads, the squirrels manage to jump onto the feeders no matter how many baffles and other squirrel-retardant measures we devise. I'm getting tired of spending money just to feed the squirrels!

Maybe I should stick with miniature birdhouses. In fact, there's a video on "Making a Bird Table" (the British term for birdhouse) on the Flowers and Gardens channel at our website www.dollshouse.tv. Of course, I'd have to figure out how to keep Snickers out of it ...

Happy hunting,

Kim

News from a happy editor

Well, my first official issue as the solo sub-editor of American Miniaturist is almost ready to go.  A few more tweaks on some page layouts, touching up some photos, a final "okay" from our editor-in-chief, Kelly, and it's off to the printer!  

I'm really excited about this issue.  We have lots of great how-tos and project ideas, as well as some feature articles I hand-selected.  I had such a good time putting it all together, and I think you're really going to love it too.

Until next time,

Bailey

American Miniaturist

If You Thought We Were Perfect...

We just put up a new video on Dollshouse TV that shows a little bit more of our presenters' humanity than they would probably admit to.  The thought of us not being perfect is hard to swallow, I know, but take a look at the new program entitled "Dollshouse TV Blooper Reel 1" under the "Out and About" Channel and and you'll be sure to get a good laugh.  

Chris

Dollshouse TV

Luck of the draw

Today my to-do list includes mailing out prizes to the contest winners of DHM Issue 10. A beautiful glass lamp made by Dr. Ted Roubal, two of Patrick Kinney's sturdy storage box kits, a delightful tea cozy kit from Janet Granger designs, an informative new book titled The Stettheimer Dollhouse, and kits for a luggage set and baby gift basket all sit here on my desk, waiting to be packaged and sent to our lucky winners.

As DHM readers know, in each issue the "Big Buzz" section announces a variety of giveaways and contests; all you have to do is mail or fax in your entry. Hmm, I really like Dr. Ted's lamps -- I wonder if I can enter the contest, too?  :-)

Good luck!

Kim

Thank goodness for the Internet!

 

What did we do before we were able to press a button and order just about anything?  I always seem to run out of the most essential bits – just when I am putting together my latest idea.

 

With so many wonderful sites now on-line (and all of the ones that I use most of the time, in my ‘favourites’ file) it is so quick and convenient, and most suppliers seem to understand that miniaturists can’t wait!  And so the little parcels arrive quickly, so I don’t have to panic and think that the end of the world will come before I finish my project.

 

With all the fantastic sites out there – it is very easy to choose the next ‘Web site of the month’ for

DHW, but if you have a favourite site please do let me know.

 

Regards

Joyce

Sizzling summer days

Today I wrote some copy for our upcoming CD called "Summertime," which will be a compilation of over two dozen how-to articles from past issues of our sister publication, American Miniaturist. The tutorials are all based on summer themes: a beach scene, backyard grilling, a birdhouse, picnic table, etc. This is a fitting day for such a project - the calendar shows it's now officially summer, plus it's 90+ degrees here in southern Minnesota! 

"Summertime" will be available soon at our www.craft-club.com site, where you can find our large collection of CD's and DVD's along with many other great miniature-related products. What a perfect way to beat the heat - working on mini projects in a cool basement or air-conditioned workshop! 

Keep cool,

Kim

Things Just Keep Getting Better

If you could put on your nerd hat with me for a moment I am going to get all "Techy" on you for a moment.  Try not to zone out.

Ok, is it on?  Good.  Now I can explain that our genius programmers are in the late development stages of making some pretty substantial changes to our website, more specifically the video player.  We are adding some very cool features, including High Definition (HD).  This will enhance your viewing experience by giving you access to a much crisper and bigger picture.  Also for those of you who may watch DHTV on a high definition TV will really enjoy the amazing clarity on our new HD full screen mode.  

This update will also do some other background things that you probably won't even notice, but you will notice a big change in the look and feel of the site, all for the better of course!  

So when you log in to the site one day very soon, you will see a new and improved Dollshouse.tv.  You may be shocked, awed, short of breath and all sorts of other things may happen to you that typically happen to people when they are surprised.  Try to keep your composure, you will be fine.  Ok, for those of you who read this whole blog, you are now informed.

Chris Christensen

Photographer/Editor - Dollshouse TV

Double delivery

It was a banner day today  -- the truck delivered the newest issues of both Dollhouse Miniatures and American Miniaturist magazines! They're printed in Illinois and mailed to subcribers from there, so you can be watching for your copies to arrive sometime in the next two weeks or so. 

The new DHM cover shows a "place of tranquility" where you can "savor the solitude." (Special thanks to Jo Bevilacqua of Spencer's Nook for this lovely project.)  Working on miniatures can provide a welcome retreat from the hustle-bustle of everyday life, allowing us to create a perfect little world of our own. This week, I hope that you can carve out a little time and space to savor the tranquility of your own mini world. 

For now, it's back to reality, at least for the rest of the work day!

Kim

Mini Makes!

The range of new Mini Makes – the little kits that we are introducing – really are fun to do! 

 

When you have a spare hour or so these are just perfect to fill in the time – no messing around looking for pieces of fabric, lace, wood or trimmings – everything is there in the pack.

 

Like most of us I love attending workshops – where you are handed this lovely pack of everything you are going to need to complete the project – well, these little kits are exactly the same. Your own little workshop in a pack!  Why not try one?

Regards

Joyce

 

Joyce Dean – Editor, Dolls House World