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Monday, May 18, 2020

~Happy Birthday Alexis~!!!

Guess what? I didn't do what I was supposed to do again this week. I'm not surprised that you're not surprised. You all know me so well by now! But let me explain... You see, my son Ande met Alexis  when she was working at her family's bakery and Ande was helping with the bakery's remodel. Apparently, it was SHAZAM at first sight! And after their first date they realized that they "totally got each other". That was in the fall of 2017. Since then, these two crazy kids have gotten engaged. No formal plans for a wedding yet, but they are saying "someday".

Alexis has shown interest in my miniatures and dollhouses. In fact, she said she'd like to have a dollhouse and all of the little treasures that go inside, one day. That's all I needed to hear. She is also a budding young artist. She and Ande painted a couple acrylics together with instruction from YouTube videos. Alexis continued with interest painting several more. I am so proud of her! They are really awesome!

So what to do for her birthday on May 18th this year? How about making all of her paintings into mini ones with a small space to display them? Yup. That's what I did...


 I began with a plywood base measuring 5-1/2" x 5-1/2", then used foam core and 1/4" x 1/4" basswood beams to make the 10" high walls. I used a scrap of Houseworks walnut flooring and stained it in walnut to contrast with the white painted magik brick walls. A blank canvas!


I kept the back side simple with leftover brick wallpaper.


Next, I needed an easel. Since I'd given myself only days to have this project finished, I thought the quickest method was to turn an unfinished Classics ladder into one by adding a wide shelf for a canvas to sit on. Alexis' favorite color is yellow, so I used every shade I had of it in the project. I could not bear to dirty up the apron so I made a dirty paint rag instead.



I had a tray table kit from Jane Harrop so I painted the legs yellow, decoupaged yellow art onto the tray part and then made it look like a flea market treasure.



I made the stool and tool caddy using svg files intended for 1:1 furniture. I simply had to resize them in Cricut's Design Space for 1:12th scale.




I definitely needed art supplies, but wouldn't you know - that was one category of miniatures I hadn't collected things for! So I made 'em!

The little acrylic bottles were made based on Rainbow Tinkle's video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm4nbv0RPpo

She provides the printie in pdf format but I definitely had to resize it significantly for 1/12th scale. It was an otherwise great method, and if I'd had the right foam on hand for the lids, my bottles would have been perfect.




The paint tubes were made by rolling toothpicks in aluminum foil tape. I will make a tutorial soon as well as one with how I used heat shrink tube to make the paintbrushes. I cut the artists palette with the Cricut and then looked at photos to see how to make it look well used. I had the pretty yellow bottle in my stash, and the sketch book with the initial "A" is from a fun kit by Nancy.


I had a yellow teacup and saucer, too, so thought I'd make Alexis a nice cup of tea with a tea bag and cookies. She will even have seven more tiny tea bags in a box when she needs to relax a little. I really need to make a tutorial for the tea bags and boxes, too!



Of course there needed to be flowers, and I just so happened to have yellow roses, a white bunch of something and a yellow watering can. I feel like I cheated, not making the flowers, but I just didn't give myself a whole lot of time!!! I am getting so disorganized in my old age!!! They are still so lovely, though!


And the best part for last... Alexis' amazing art!




Between Facebook, Instagram and asking Ande to sneakily take straight on photos to text to me, I managed to get seven of her paintings. I know - there are nine in the finished photo at the top of the post but I will explain the other two in a moment...

I resized them in my graphics program and then printed them on this canvas inkjet paper. It's such a nice effect! I cut exactly matching chipboard shapes with the Cricut, sealed the edges with SuperGlue, painted the edges white, then mounted the art on to the chipboard with wallpaper mucilage. Just look at that texture! We won't speak about how I had to uninstall my printer and then download new drivers and software. That was a bummer, but my printer is doing a fantastic job again!


Now for the other two "paintings". I love this picture of Ande and Alexis' puppy Thug Rose (a.k.a. Rosie), my grandpuppy. I have a free program called FotoSketcher that will stylize any photo into pencil, chalk, oil, watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, impressionist etc... I took Rosie's photo and applied the oil painting effect. I think if I'd had time it would have been fun to experiment with a texture medium to create brush marks on the canvas. An experiment for another day...

Left - Original, middle - FotoSketcher oil, right - oil printed on canvas.
The canvas on the easel was a color selfie photo that Alexis posted. I changed it into a pencil sketch as if it were an in progress self portrait.


And now Alexis has her own mini art studio with her own mini art! Everything is stuck down with FunTack so she can rearrange and play whenever she has the urge. She seemed really excited with her gift and I hope I have created a monster!!!




And now, since I have finished this fun birthday project for Alexis, I can finally and bravely unbox this amazing gift from my daughter Natasha. This may be a rabbit hole that I don't emerge from for a while. Wish me luck!!!


Back soon with more adventures and, maybe, some tiny 3D printed wonders!

xo xo,
Jodi

41 comments:

  1. Estará encantada con ese regalo tan maravilloso.
    Es un espacio pequeño, pero no le falta ningún detalle.
    Alexis es muy guapa !!!

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    1. Estará encantada con ese regalo tan maravilloso.
      Es un espacio pequeño, pero no le falta ningún detalle.
      Alexis es muy guapa !!!

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  2. Oh wow! That's beautiful. I'm definitely sending this link to a friend of mine. She paints so she'll get a kick out of this!

    I love your flea market treasure table. So pretty! And the art supplies are genius. I hope Alexis starts mini-ing and then you two can have even more fun.

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    1. Thanks Sheila! I hope your friend does like the idea and maybe she will allow you to use some of her paintings in your mini homes! It all sounds grand to have a mini-ing buddy, but I ask myself: would I really be willing to share my table space? LOL!!!

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  3. Encantadora escena.
    Además de estar personalizada no le falta detalle.
    Un saludo

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    1. Gracias marian! ¡Fue muy divertido, y si hubiera tenido más tiempo, habría tantos detalles más que quisiera incluir! Ah, bueno ... ¡Tal vez planearé mejor para el próximo mini regalo!

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  4. You are so generous, two gifts within one month! And both are so thoughtful, incorporating moods and items their recipients are sure to enjoy. Call me a geek, but I love digital tools, although I only have the Cameo 4. I’m excited to see how you get along with it.

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    1. Thank you Sherrill but I can not claim generosity as my motivation for mom and Alezis' gifts - I had too much fun myself for that! But what better way for me to show my love than in miniature!
      I am so excited at the possibilities with the printer but equally as intimidated to try something more complicated than the test file!!! Today is the day I really learn the settings and bringing my already created stl files in to the new software. Tummy in knots!!!

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  5. ¡Seguro que le ha encantado!. ¡Es tan personalizada y está tan llena de detalles!
    Me ha gustado la técnica que has empleado para los cuadros.

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    1. Gracias Isabel! ¡Realmente le gustó y me alegra que te haya gustado la forma en que hice el trabajo de arte impreso!

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  6. Wow Jodi! This is a perfect gift for a budding artist. It's amazing how many details and all perfectly well done, in this corner box. I love Alexis's paintings, my favorite is the puppy.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thanks Drora! Rosie is my favorite, too! She is a little sweetheart and loves to come stay with her grandma and grandpa! Luckily, our dogs welcome her as part of the pack and she and Rusty have a special affection for one another - best buddies!

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  7. Wow, Jodi, you are simply Amazing!!! What an incredibly thoughtful and sweet project! And even though you didn't give yourself much time... you did an awesome job on every single imaginative and special detail! If she doesn't catch the "mini bug" it won't be for lack of your trying! Those paintings are lovely, and of course the puppy wins the favorite award! I still have yet to make myself any mini art supplies that are half as good as the ones you whipped up! I have so much to learn! And now you get to play with your new toy! I am sure you will surprise us, even amaze us with what you can do once you get up to speed with this gadget!!! :):)

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    1. Thanks Betsy! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed making mom's gift and this one for Alexis! There is nothing more thrilling than being inspired to make things to show the people you love that you get them and thought of them specially. As for my art supplies... Well, they are passable to a newby like Alexis, but I will definitely have to perfect the methods! Theses are first tries and with the right supplies and a little more time, can be much improved! I will certainly share the methods when I have time and you can take that info and bring it to your incredibly patient perfection! You'll need them for the doll makers cottage!!!

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  8. When I saw your Instagram post of the art studio, I didn't really know what it was all about. What a wonderful gift. I do hope that as you say, you have created a monster or more likely partner in crime and someone with whom you can share your passion with. I enjoyed reading about all of your tricks and and techniques for making the art studio the perfect reflection of a lovely young lady. Can't wait to see how you handle what's in the box. That will be exciting.

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    1. Thanks Ann! Instagram seen on my phone has really given my eyes trouble of late, and with the lockdown, my appointment with the ophthalmologist had to be cancelled. It's normally a three month wait for an appointment, so my Instagram face time has been severely limited! So not much of an explanation about the project there.
      I am open to future mini opportunities if Alexis ever develops the passion, and as for what's in the box... Slow and steady wins the race!!!

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  9. What an awesome gift - I wish I was your mother (the outdoor patio project for you was simply to die for) and your son's girlfriend, Jodi :)
    Anna X

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    1. Thanks Anna!!! That is so lovely of you to say! But in order to make something that reflects your incredible talent, I'd have to be able to at least make a straight running stitch and I am hopeless, lol! But I am so in if ever you'd like to do a swap!!!

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  10. Jodi,que gran idea hacer este regalo para Alexis! Creo que a partir de ahora empezará a forjarse otra nueva miniaturista,tiempo al tiempo...
    La escena es encantadora y se nota el cariño que has dedicado,los cuadros pintados por ella,su pequeño cachorro y hasta su autorretrato!Los pequeños utensilios de pintor han quedado perfectos y esa cajita de bolsas de té para hacer una pausa en el trabajo,todo es genial.
    Alexis estará encantada con su regalo y tu orgullosa de haber podido complacerla!!
    Besos.

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    1. Gracias Pilar! ¡Es muy divertido hacer un pequeño proyecto temático para mostrarle a alguien que significa algo para ti! Mi suegra no fue especialmente amable conmigo al principio, y me comprometí a asegurarme de que los hijos de mis hijos siempre sintieran amor y aceptación de mí. Alexis es bastante tímida como hija única, ¡pero espero que esto la ayude a sentir que Russ y yo la recibimos con los brazos abiertos!

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  11. Happy (belated) Birthday to Alexis!!
    You made her a wonderful personal gift, Jodi, and all you made for this little mini scene is gorgeous!! I love each one of all the detailed miniatures and how you've personalised it all to Alexis her taste.
    Your Cricut has done once more a good job again, as your printer did, the paintings look great. The two more added paintings gave it all the final touch: hurray for Alexis AND you, Jodi!
    Good luck with discovering your 3D printer, I'm looking forward to see some of your first try outs!
    Stay safe, take care, dear Jodi!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement, Ilona! Yes, once again technology has helped me greatly in making my goals come true in a project!!! I have the fondest hopes for the 3D printer, as well, but there is so much technical and mechanical stuff to learn!!! I found that after only two hours of studying yesterday that I was overwhelmed. I had to step away, but later in the afternoon was able to find the will to at least print the test file. It was a success and that encouraged me so! But I am managing my expectations and allowing myself the space to learn as I am ready! :O)

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  12. WOW! Fantastic job and she is an amazing artist.
    Marilyn

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! She is! If only we could all see something beautiful in our minds and have it translate so wonderfully on canvas, right?!?

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  13. Your gift for Alexis is amazing and it's a special and original gift. She's very lucky!
    Good luck for your new 3D printer! Have fun!

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    1. Thanks Faby!!! The gift ideas keep coming and with Father's Day in June and then both my kids' birthdays in July, who knows what will end up being worked on next!!! It's so much fun, though, and so motivating to make gifts for people!

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  14. there is absolutely nothing better than a hand made with love gift from one person to another. I bet she absolutely loved it. It was so well thought out and pretty.

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! She did love it and was also a little embarrassed that I made something specially for her. She is shy, and like me, has a hard time being a receiver rather than a giver!

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    2. Totally get it. I prefer giving to receiving - seems mad

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  15. Another great project, Jodi!! Your future daughter-in-law must be thrilled with it. Thank you for sharing the link to the tutorial on the paint bottles. I used my Real Player downloader to capture the video and save it in the folder on my computer of mini tutorial videos so I'll always have access to it - even when I am no able to get online. I am amassing enough video tutorials that I now know I will never die because I have to keep going until I try out every one of them! - Marilyn D.

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    1. Good for you, Marilyn! Now all you have to do is make a goal of doing two a month, all the while adding more to the list! Not only will you live forever, you'll stay young at heart! Oh - and have a super awesome collection of really neat mini that you made yourself!

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  16. Oh, what a wonderful gift! *LOL* Happy belated birthday to your future-daughter-in-law who is without doubt already a daughter-by-heart. What a fantastic, personal and well chosen gift; so full of stunning details. And she is a wonderful artist (I bet Kermit would be over the moon with his portrait) but also a beautiful lady as the picture shows. And how could one not fall in love with your darling grandpuppy? Stunning work and a treasure to cherish... And who knows... maybe one day Alexis will blame her mother-in-law for the fact that her house is stuffed with all sorts of miniature projects both finished or in progress and point out that all of this started with a stunning birthday gift... ;O)

    And now have fun with your new friend... I've read in your comments that you've already got aquainted with each other. Well, I'm already looking forward to see your first attempts - but please don't forget to pat the cricut every now and then... we don't want it to become jealous, do we? *grin*

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Thank you, Birgit! It is quite selfish of me, really, to make minis as gifts! But don't tell anyone, okay? It's nice that everyone thinks I'm so generous and selfless, lol! I hope Alexis does one day blame me for her mini obsession, but only if she really enjoys it, and gets as much fulfillment from creating tiny things as I do!
      Xot and I are becoming good pals and (knock on wood) only one time have had to solve a clogged nozzle problem. I am in awe of how well he handles the tiniest detail! But not to worry - the futuristic sounds of both robots, Xot and Cricut, simultaneously fill the work room as I have many, many widely varied projects on the go. No one is jealous and instead I fear they are going to protest for better working conditions!

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  17. Oh wow!!! That is fabulous! I am working on a little artist studio for a tower room in my Greenleaf McKinley....all I have is the easel....so I am going to be using some of your ideas!!!!!

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    1. Thanks MaryFran! I am glad you like it and happy that it was perfect timing for your project! Good luck and have fun!

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  18. As Usual, YOu leave me Gobsmacked with your speed and with your Amazing Creativity!!!
    What a MARVELLOUSLY ORIGINAL gift for your VERY SPECIAL one day/some day daughter in law, and I CONGRATULATE YOU Jodi on this entire project, AND that your son has chosen someone who appears to be a Beautiful woman, both inside and out! :D

    elizabeth

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth! It was a delight to combine her new found love of painting with my love of miniatures! And what a treat to see it come together so quickly!

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  19. Oh my word Jodi, I'm blown away by your talent. This is such a beautiful, beautiful, thoughtful gift, Alexis will treasure it. And what a lovely gift from your daughters, you will have many happy hours with that :-) x

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    1. Thank you Polly! You are too kind! I am happy that Alexis enjoyed her gift and felt as though she is treasured and appreciated! She is convinced that no one likes you when you are 23 and I showed her differently. :O)

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  20. What an incredibly special gift! Alexis is one lucky woman! I love the way you made all the little paint tubes, bottles and brushes, and the paintings--what a wonderful way to showcase her beautiful artwork. I'm sure she'll treasure it. And you have a 3-D printer now. How exciting! I can't wait to see what you make with it. :-)

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    1. Thanks Deb! It was fun to find and figure out ways to make art supplies QUICK! Someday, maybe I'll get the chance to improve on the methods!
      I am excited for the printer! Like when you need a mini lamp - hey just print one up!

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