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Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Botanique Begins...


It is so exciting for me to start a new project! I used to get the same giddy feeling when I was little and got a brand new box of crayons. So many possibilities in one little box.

Speaking of little box, you may remember that for the flower shop I am using a chipboard kit from Alpha Stamps. Its called the Storefront Roombox. It measures 10" tall x 10" wide x 5-1/2" deep. I feel like I can pack in a lot of visual lusciousness without taking up much precious display space in the 1:1 house. And the amazing price means I have more cash to splurge on some special pieces.



It is super simple to dry fit and pull back apart for planning. There are offset tabs and slots and the chipboard is sturdy with just enough give. An added bonus is how much less space it takes up on my work table than a large project. I can lay out all of the materials - if I can see them, it is less likely that I will forget to use them (I hate when I do that).



I was surfing around the Greenleaf store contemplating another project (thanks mom and dad for the birthday mini money!) when I came across their new patterned doors. I instantly thought they would make wonderful wall panels. There are a front and matching back panel to the doors so you get two panels for every door you buy. Plus, they include a full size solid door panel to center in between the panels and a piece of frosted "glass". Even the panel waste pieces can be used for a multitude of things. Not bad for $4.95!


I used them as wall panels in the shop and have plans for the "waste" shapes, as well. Here is where I need to tell you that in addition to my build, I am simultaneously working on a surprise project for a very special person. I may show glimpses of that project now and again, but mostly it will be in secret until after it has been given to the recipient. Hence, the panels painted blue and in obviously different shapes than the panels in my shop.



Over the last several days I have added the wallpaper, panels, moldings, fireplace, mirror and flooring. The flooring I am using is one that I have wanted to try out for several years now - like since I did the Starbucks in 2013. Well, I finally ordered it from HBS/Miniatures.com and it is awesome. It is the 1/24th scale latex brick sheet. It looks and feels amazing and the detail is wonderful.  The area of brick that sticks out past the side wall will be the shop's outside display area. I may paint the brick in the shop interior, but for the exterior I will just add some moss and mold. You know, the kind of stuff that Weed-B-Gone never really works on for long in real life.


The hole in the side wall is going to get a bay window later on. The chipboard is so much easier to cut than 1/8" plywood that alterations are A-OK!


I have a lot of lighting to add - ceiling fixtures, sconces and lamps. They are all 12 volt, but the wires will connect to battery packs which I plan to hide in a false ceiling. That is another great thing about the chipboard - easy to punch out small holes for wires.


I am working on a fancy design and finish for the ceiling. This is where I'm at so far. I need to make it removable to access the interior, so that is a challenger I'll have to face later on.


I'm working on some of the shelving that will run along the tops of the wall panels. Then I'll start some of the table, shelf and display kits to see what's going to work and what I have to customize to maximize display space.


I only have a couple more days before I have to put the minis away and turn my attention to other exciting things. Starting Saturday, Russ and I will be finalizing plans and packing for our 30th wedding anniversary!!! Three weeks of road tripping, camping, desert southwesting and family visiting! It just freaks me out to realize that it was 1987 when we got married. I can tell you the years went by like a flash, probably because they were all so special and wonderful! He truly is my best friend and my favorite person in the world!


Last but not least, I would like to take a moment to thank HBS for their amazing generosity! It is so much fun to participate in the Creatin' Contest, but to receive Honorable Mention is beyond what I ever dreamed of! Thanks so much for hosting such a wonderful event every year! It must be so hard to choose the winners from the vast pool of tremendously talented and creative contestants! I can't wait to see all of the entries!


xxx


18 comments:

  1. jodi, a new project is alwas so exciting! going on a road trip as well.. but 'do I really have to leave?' ;-)
    enjoy this vacation!

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    1. Thanks Marion! I do really miss my minis when we take such long vacations, but it is also good to get pulled away from this obsession now and again. Besides, maybe I'll find some great minis on our travels!

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  2. Brilliant idea for wall panels!

    Look at your 80s hair! You two look so cute. Happy Anniversary! 30 years....totally rad!

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    1. I know, right! The funny thing is, when I met Russ he had long rock star hair, too! Then he got the job at Hughes Aircraft and had to cut it all off. Boo! It was ~H~O~T~!

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  3. Very nice project, I'm waiting for more! Hugs.

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    1. Thanks, Melli! I am loving your attic so far, and the bricks for the shop turned out great! I'll be watching your builds with excitement, too!

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  4. Congratulations on the honourable mention...well deserved! Happy Anniversary wishes to you both...time flies and it's wonderful you are still best friends with your husband. Love the direction your new project is taking and thank you for sharing the idea of using doors as wall panels...the soft pastel colours make a perfect backdrop for the flowers it will contain! Cheers, Alayne

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    1. Thanks so much for the congrats on both wonderful events! I am really loving the pastel vibe but have to admit I second guessed the color a few times before I got it installed. Now, I am happy I went with my first instinct and kept it. Once the flowers go in, I think it will just fade beautifully away...

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  5. Hi Jodi,
    I ALWAYS look forward to your posts which are Filled with Fun and Interesting Stuff!
    I want to not only congratulate you on your 30 year HAPPY MARRIAGE, but also for allowing that joy of life to be translated into your blog!
    Congratulations too, on your HBS Honorable Mention Award! Your 3 Little Pigs and their house, is incredibly Creative. Well Done Jodi! :)
    And last but not least; I am Enchanted by your newest project. I LOVE what you are doing with the Alpha Stamps shop front and I think that this is going to be another winner to watch, because for me, your ability to maximize small spaces is second to none! :D

    elizabeth

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    1. Elizabeth, thank you so much for those beautiful and uplifting words! I have said it to you before; you must be the most fun and positive person on earth to be around. Always so kind, supportive and the words you articulate with get right to the heart of the emotion. Thank you again! Your talent and generosity make our mini community blessed in so many ways!

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  6. Happy anniversary! And congrats on your HBS build!!

    I thought those wall panels looked familiar......the project looks awesome!

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    1. Thanks so much Kat on all accounts! I think I may use the doors a lot in future builds - so many ideas come to mind like recessing them into a wall panel! I think they could even go 70's disco style!

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  7. ¡Feliz aniversario! Me encanta el nuevo proyecto.

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    1. Gracias, Isabel! No puedo esperar para ver lo que está trabajando en la próxima!

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  8. Your new project is so pretty! I cannot believe how fast you work. I take years to get my houses even started!
    Congratulations on your 30th wedding anniversary. That is definitely worth celebrating. WOW!
    And another big congratulations on your Honorable Mention. I absolutely LOVED your entry.

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    1. Thanks, Sam! I just popped over to your new blog to see what you've been working on - you are going fast on the Amberwood, which is an awesome house by the way! I love the patterns and the stucco and can't wait to see what you do to the inside! I think I finally got you added into my blogroll by not clicking the blogs I follow link and just manually adding you in. Hopefully, I won't lose everyone again for the third time! I always miss a couple when that happens.
      The modern ranch looks like it's going fast too! It will be really interesting to see the house welded together. Oh, and I love the green wall color - it looks warm and homey to me! Better to spend the $800 on family times or minis!

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  9. Hello Jodi,
    How wonderful! Your use of the panels is just amazing. It looks so elegant and really adds incredible and beautiful detail to a simple space. The colors you chose are terrific and I like the direction the ceiling is going in. How beautiful it will be! Happy b4elated birthday and happy anniversary!
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Thanks so much, Giac! It is so wonderful to hear from you! I hope things are going wonderfully for you!

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