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Last weekend, the Miniteers (minus our Linda), made a trek down to Seattle for the weekend to attend the Seattle Miniature Show. Previously, Janine had convinced both Fatima and I that we should enter a couple of our roombox displays, which would gain us free admission into the show and MAYBE we'd win a ribbon. A ribbon award came with mini show dollars to spend, so we took her advise and pre-registered our displays. I entered "GOTHICA" and "GREEN DOLPHIN STREET" |
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| "Gothica" was pretty dusty and as I began sweeping it out I decided to make a few minor adjustments here and there and eventually got it to the point where I felt I could take it to the show. |
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| Most of the adjustments consisted removing the Blu-Tak and glueing things down permanently, but I also added some new wild roses around the doorway, which softened the overall look and gave more depth perception. |
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For "GREEN DOLPHIN STREET" I gave it a light sweeping and checked the lighting- but wouldn't you know, the lights were not working! I had a spare transformer which I swapped out then re-tested the connection, and the lights worked. HOORAY! So last Saturday, well before dawn, Janine, Fatima and I set out for the U.S. border, crossed it and continued on our way to Seattle, *about Three and a half hours away by car * The ride down went quickly with all of us chatting back and forth about life and minis, and minis, and minis... Once we'd arrived at our destination, both Fats and I set up our exhibits. Gothica was a quickie but GDS took more time. When everything was finally in place, I turned on the power and WHOA! 90% of my lights burned out! In my haste to get them operating, I neglected to inspect the output voltage of one of the replacement transformer, assuming that it was also a 12volt. I had mistakenly connected a 20 volt transformer to a 12 volt house! >< You live and learn. :( Nothing I could do about it, but accept it- then drown my sorrows in the Sales Room with some SHOPPING THERAPY! YES, I Did some SERIOUS damage to my wallet but by the end of the day, I was pretty happy with my little bits and pieces. Later on the 3 of us did a bit of late night show and tell in our room, which was a fun way to end the day! The following morning I went back to the display area to check on my house lights again, and found that I had WON! TWICE! Green Dolphin Street (with nearly all the lights burnt out) had received BEST OF SHOW AND GOTHICA had WON FIRST PLACE! :D |
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I know that the blue floral china tea service is very English Country and Not Italian, but I have a weakness for mini tea sets and this one needed to come home with me. ;P Janine presented me with the tall green glass vase as a gift! |
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And although I went down with a shopping list, the only thing which really I didn't expect to find was the Italian Coffee percolator, but I did! SCORE! the other 2 silver pots were an added bonus! I LOVE mini tea pots! |
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| The china ducks were from a vintage dealer and the assorted glassware was from the vendor Country Store Miniatures |
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| The plastic chest above is another vintage piece made by Ideal. It was a bargain at 5 dollars |
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| Most of what I bought was tiny and much of it found in the discount bins, but not the books. The 2 antique books were bought because of the beautiful illustrations and because they're of Italian origin and wonderfully aged. |
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Another bargain basement chest of drawers @ $3.00 |
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| And for no particular reason, I bought a pair of worn red cowboy boots? |
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and also a SHOWER CAP made by a dear friend of mine named Dena, who 2 years ago, gifted me with one for GREEN DOLPHIN STREET and is now making them for sale at CJN Miniatures in Seattle. This for sure, will be going into the bathroom of Villa Leone! :D |
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I wanted a work table for the kitchen at Villa Leone so this one looked like it would fit the bill.
The drawers open and it is already distressed and well aged- what more could a girl ask for?  a vintage style kitchen flour sifter! |
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| here's A tiny potholder which I also couldn't resist |
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| And I Found the perfect meat grinder for the table too! |
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The mandarin oranges and the pears were treats I'd ordered from a vendor which I first saw on the blog of "LATCHKEY AND JONQUIL" The peeled oranges and sliced pears are from Yulia Yakobson, in Estonia. They are truly Marvelous, and I can't recommend her work highly enough! |
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| Plate is from the Seattle Show |
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As a belated November birthday present, Fatima had previously given me a box of assorted tiny treasures. Included inside was a Yummy Italian Panatone complete with a paper wrapper! :D |
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Canned peaches from the Seattle Show as well as the glass bowl which I've filled with Yulia's oranges. The ripe Fimo pears were made by me. |
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| Bottles, jar and the scoop from the Show |
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| Canning by Janet Brownhill- U.K. I simply Love her work! |
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The bread and knife are by Pat___? from California, I lost her card and her last name, but hopefully Janine will have that information when she posts about the Seattle Show on her blog "MINWORKS" Pat makes many incredible things, but she specializes in orchids and fresh vegetables which are all sliceable and peel-able! www.twinheart.com 
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| The basket was another bargain from the show, but the breads I made myself with air dry clay. |
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I have always been hesitant about working with Fimo or Sculpey but if your making cheese then air dry clay just doesn't cut it. I made the assorted cheeses using polymer clay. Speaking of Polymer Clay... |
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| Fatima made the wine jug out of polymer clay; part of my birthday gift and I think it's Marvelous! It, along with the braided garlic and the onions pictured below, are ALL destined for Villa Leone and all by the Amazing Fatima! |
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| I was told by both Miniteers that Salted Cod was a MUST HAVE for my Italian Kitchen |
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| The oversized cutting board was another lucky find at the Seattle Show along with the ceramic asparagus. |
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| Stoneware jug another show gift from Fats |
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I think that I am becoming obsessed with making mini food.
I've made tons of it and although
most of it is pretty awful, there are usually a few items from the pile which are worth keeping.
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After Day# 1 at the show, we made a short visit to the
Value Village thrift store which was located right next door to our hotel.
I found this HofM table kit hanging on the rack, but
the BEST THING of ALL
WAS WHAT JANINE DISCOVERED THERE!
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A FANTASTIC BOOK of ITALIAN VILLA INTERIORS! |
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And inside is where I FINALLY found my inspiration kitchen!!! Hopefully, if I plan it right I will have enough room to display some of my MANY MINI FOODS as well as the wonderful Kitchen Minis which I have been collecting which will include many of the the cherished gifts from all of my friends. |
Janine and Fatima, for a VERY Memorable Seattle Show weekend!
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| Here's to the GOOD LIFE! :D |
elizabeth