For October, we asked you to send in a picture or two (no more, please!) of your favorite miniature. The Challenge was to only pick one project!
From Susan Buffaloe:
My half scale Teapot cottage is a favorite. This was a class at a House Party (I can’t remember which one). The chairs are pieces of teapots and there are teapots in the flowers too.
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From Mary Johnson:
My favorite mini (at the moment) is Lew Kummerow’s souvenir from the Seattle convention. It’s a 1/144 scale English Manor house and a figure of a little girl is admiring the interior. A wonderfully detailed piece that was a delight to finish and furnish! I even added some scale figures which fit perfectly.
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From Bev Fleming:
This is my favorite mini, made by Nancy Brown, that I won at a Houseparty years ago.
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From Preble McDaniel:
My favorite miniature is my Mother Goose/Nursery Rhymes project. I loved using my own baby shoe to make a shoehouse, using a real gourd for a pumpkin, using nearly everything from my stash, and participating in a swap.
Another reason I really love this project, although I have many other favorites, is that I made a book for it. The book is in two parts. Since the miniatures are based on nursery rhymes, I wanted to be able to show those, too. I created a flip book. The ‘front’ part of the book is the nursery rhyme along with a photo from that part of the project. The ‘back’ part is upside down, so when flipped it becomes the ‘front’ and contains the ‘How I Made It’ portion. In the center is photos of all four sides and a list to find of all the materials/items used in it the project. The software used to make this book is called MyMemories Suite. To view more photos of this project, you can read about it here http://mini-smallpackages.com/mother-goose-nursery-rhymes/.
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From Doreen Lindsay:
I always loved the houses on Martha’s Vineyard and this is how my house would look.
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From Ruth Goodger:
Quarter Connection project with Colleen Middleton flower arrangement and Julie Stevens
doll. It was hard to decide a favorite!
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From Jennifer Brodeur:
I am a new member of NAME (as of end of July), and to date do not have many finished miniatures to share. The attached picture of my vintage Coke machine will be part of a bigger scene, but I think it is my best work so far. Btw, I love it here at NAME!
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From Joanne Bailey:
Here is one of my favourite minis. Actually any project I finish I consider one of my favourites! I did the 1:48 scale Story Book cottage at an Oregon State day a number of years ago. It is full of memories from the trip I took with a girlfriend, Kathy Grissom in Washington (I am in B.C. Canada), The sheep I bought on a trip to a wool mill in Oregon and I thought it would be fitting to adapt the name to my cottage, which is decorated “Shabby chic” in the interior. When Debby Young came out with her 1:44th scale tiny cottages it just added to my enjoyment of the piece. You will notice I have a “flipped” version of the cottage because I merrily went on my way during class and scribed the floor on the wrong side. No problem really, mine was unique except for the other lady who happily followed my lead in error!
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From Kathryn Asbahr:
The Winters Mansion was my dream house to build. The house still stands in Washoe City, NV between Reno and Carson City. I bought the HO scale kit over 40 years ago and finally built it just before doing the quarter scale version. Lots of research into Thomas Winters and the house. The HO kit came with a full blueprint which Rail Scale Models was able to resize and laser cut for me. I was able to find 5 or 6 pictures of the interior published in the 1950's. Most of the furniture was from MiniEtchers, Petworth Studios and Jean Day. The surrey was a kit from Berkshire Valley Models. This was a labor of love.
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From Teresa Lyter:
It’s difficult to choose only one favorite project, but I am especially fond of this 1:12 redwood pergola I made this past summer. Dripping with wisteria, it’s a lovely spot to relax on a cool evening with wind chimes, a hummingbird feeder, a good book, and a few pets.
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From Jean Smith (Rusty):
I built a 12th scale conservatory using an IKEA terrarium as a base. I liked the white wire furniture that was prevalent at the time, but it was also expensive. However, it didn't travel well and a lot ended up dumped in cardboard boxes of broken furniture that was sold off very cheaply at dollhouse fairs. After a few weeks, I managed to acquire most of the pieces I wanted but I didn't have the right gauge wire to repair them. Fortunately, I had the right size crochet cotton which I stiffened with glue and white paint. I managed to replicate the missing pieces and restore them to their former glory. I made a few cushions, crocheted a Panama hat and made plants from masking tape, florist wire and feathers. I was pleased with the results.
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From Linda Grove:
It was hard to choose a favourite miniature but I chose Petalstone which was a joy to build from beginning to end.
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From Julia Greenhalf:
It is difficult to choose but this was one of my first challenges, including swaps. So many lovely swaps!
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From Jane Holbrook:
I just finished this project. The bottom is a renovated used roombox. I added the attic part using foam core. I made stucco from tissues and paint for the outside and thatched the roof. All the furniture was painted and decoupaged by me. I made the sofa from scratch and upholstered the chairs and stool. The ghost lamp was made from beads. I had a great time doing this project.
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From Kat Cashwell:
Here is picture of my mad scientist lab!
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From Jackie Browder:
My favorite project is always the last one that I finished! Here is a photo of my bunny box.
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From Cat Wingler:
My favorite project is this house from a Debbie Young Class. I finished and furnished it as the Addams' House.
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From Wanda Waterfield:
My favourite project is my Architect's Loft. I started it in Jan 2020 and it turned into my Covid Project. It originally was a Camp Mini Ha Ha workshop, but I couldn't attend but bought the kit and put my own spin on the entire look. It's a vintage Architect's Loft with the spiral staircase as the centerpiece.
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From Julie Stuckmeyer:
Like so many others, it is almost impossible to narrow down a single "favorite" but this one always brings a smile to my face. I love dollhouses and dollhouse shops in miniature almost as much as in real life. It started as a Cynthia Howe kit and most of the beautiful insides were her brainchild.
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From Janette Hogg:
This is my Hat, Bag, and Shoe shop ... 1:12 miniature I made. I made most of the things in it and made the tapestry mat. A couple of items I bought at the Tom Bishop show a couple of years ago.
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From Carin Shapiro:
My favorite project has been my area rug for my larger year long challenge. This was a very large undertaking for my 1st petit point project and I am almost finished with it. I am still surprised at how much I have enjoyed doing this.
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From Judie Dresser:
I made this years ago for a miniatures.com contest where I bought the kit consisting of plain wood pieces and a diagram of how to assemble them. I love to bake as a hobby, so creating a bakery was my first choice. It was my first project of this scope, so I learned about painting, flooring, etc. I didn’t win the contest, but I had a lot of fun making this.
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From Sue Ostheimer:
This is a grocery store that I made many years ago using one of the "Street of Shops" kits from Hobby Builders' Supply. I named it after my great-grandfather who lived in Midway, KY and had a grocery shop there.
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From Gail Stuart:
This picture was Lucy's project. It reminded me of my dad's car we had in the 50's. He put an air horn and airplane landing lights on the Cadi. We were in Morocco at the time.
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From Ann Clark:
I made this Japanese box in 2017. The wood on the side cabinets were pieces of veneer that I thought were just beautiful.
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From Robert Haven:
Despite having over 50 years of miniature projects from which to choose, I am rather pleased with my 2023 room box, the Federal Parlor. It has been in the design process since the 1980's when I built the roll top desk and the center mahogany chaise. After a couple classes in marquetry and wood turning at the the 2023 IGMA Castine Summer School, I finally was able to put it all together. It represents many years of building furniture, stitching rugs and upholstery, and collecting accessories. The most fun and challenging part was the inlaid veneer floor.
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From Pam McDonald:
I also had a hard time choosing a favourite mini. I decided on my quarter inch scale version of QC’s saloon – adapting it to make a Canadian version modelled on Donald Trump’s great grandfather’s restaurant/brothel built in Whitehorse, Yukon during the Klondike gold rush. I enjoyed adapting the wonderful kit and making lots of the accessories like the clothes rack, washboard and clothes, and even copying the sign from the original hotel.
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From Alice Barber:
This was a hard choice, but my Brooke Tucker class is a favorite that I made. It is 1” scale, from a class in Andover, Massachusetts in 1994.
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From Dia Crissey-Baum:
It’s so hard to choose just one of my minis, but one of my favorites is my Cabinet of Curiosities. I took a Michael Reynolds class in 2016 or 17 to make the fancy roombox Lombardy Hall and filled it with scratch-built furniture. There’s a little bit of everything in it, from real bones and insects (and a snake!), King Tut’s sandals, ruins from Pompeii, and even a skeleton in the closet! I put in pictures of my family too. Keep looking; you’ll see something different every time!
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From Dee Cirilli:
Since we can only pick one from our favorites and it is October, I have selected my Halloween Party to share. I love Halloween and this project was so much fun! There are items I have made and fun items that were gifts from friends! Enjoy and Happy Halloween.
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From Ana Lopez:
This scene was done in memory of my grandparents. Most items were gifted by my mini friend and others I acquired in Nayarit, Mexico.
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From Cheryl Polito:
I think this is one of my favorites because there is not a kit in any part. The only thing I didn’t personally make was the book covers or the cardboard books. Everything else was made by me. I either made it out of toilet paper or paper towel rolls and I 3D printed all the trees. Plus all the dolls were either my porcelain quarter scale dolls or the children were made of polymer clay and then dressed by me. Don’t look too closely as they aren’t that good, but I had a blast making this "Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe" scene.
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From Marlene Prickett:
This is the thatched English Cottage that my husband and I would love to retire to … but we know that won’t happen! I modified a Buttercup Cottage kit to expand the living space.
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From Connie Sauve:
It’s hard to decide which of my projects is my favorite. It seems like the latest project I finish is my favorite. But if I have to pick only one project, it would be my “Hickory Dickory Clock Shoppe”. I was given the clock cabinet for free at a miniature flea market sale. It was broken and dirty, but I knew it would make a perfect clock shop. Although I didn't have any miniature clocks when I started the project, there are now 87 clocks, 33 pocket watches and 41 wrist watches on display. I made about 25 of the various clocks, all the pocket and wrist watches, and the exterior hanging pocket watch sign and hanger. The clock in the top front actually works and chimes every 1/4 hour. I added all the gears and lettering for the front arch sign. The exterior of the clock cabinet is all original except for the door. I made all the stained glass windows in the scene including the barrel-shaped ceiling, the two side windows and the half-round stained glass clock in the back wall. On the interior walls, I used burl walnut veneer on the raised paneling which I made from scratch. I also sculpted and dressed the proprietor figure. Inside, there are also 4 tiny mice and 3 lazy cats not doing their job. The two life-size mice are by Linda Fisher.
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From Jackie Williams:
The book cover challenge on Quarter Connection Snow White and 7 Dwarfs
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From Elizabeth Lubera:
When I saw the challenge theme for October, I was both overwhelmed and excited. I thought first of my extensive collection of miniatures, purchased over the past 50 years. However, in the end I decided to choose one of my own creations, one that is near and dear to my heart: a quarter-scale tree-stump display that I call “the Little House in the Woods.” The display is my favorite for two reasons: 1) it was my first foray into quarter-scale miniatures and 2) it was my first class with the amazing Pam Junk. I can honestly say it was then that I “fell in love” with quarter-scale scale miniatures.
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From Marlene Kneidl:
1/2 inch scale Halloween fun house
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From Mae Karoli:
Carl and Ellie’s house is one of my favorite projects because I love color. This was Debbie Young class offered during the regional “Come Fly With Me” that was eventually held online in 2022.
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From Brandi Bacon:
My “favorite project“ are my prototypes that I use to teach kids classes. I chose 2 pictures, and yes technically there is more than 1 specific project. (Editor's Note: We only posted one) However -- it is the IDEA of my favorite project. When I’ve done a prototype and class, I don’t give the kids the exact same items -- they pick what they want from a table. I also don’t say “we’re making _____”. A title changes what they envision. So something that I create as a fairy house might be an animal house, a haunted house, or a magical terminal station. So my favorite thing I’ve created is a little bit of magic for kids.
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From Cinda Parent:
This is my witch store.
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From Jo Roseberry:
Freedom is NOT Free: This project is very dear to me because it was made for my deceased husband to honor his sacrifice. As it took shape, it became a tribute to all who serve. “All gave some, some gave all.” I wanted to reinforce that our freedoms are NOT free – they are very costly, for some, the ultimate cost. Helen Sparks shared with me how she had used fiber optic bows (without the bows) to make the fireworks.
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From Marion Haerle:
This is one of my favorites, because the upper level in the art room I was able to shrink down my mom’s paintings and add them.
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From Lesia Lennex:
This is a very difficult challenge for me. I LOVE all my minis! Every single one is special in some way to me. So, with that in mind, I chose something very special to me-- a framed project featuring an archaeologist on a dig. She has, of course, discovered a wonderful skeleton and will complete the excavation once she finishes her grape popsicle.
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From Kim Fitzsimmons:
Attached is a photo of my cherished Jack Nash (House That Jack Built) front opening house. I purchased it from a lady who owned it 20 years and had only partially furnished it. My favorite room is the nursery where I took the pages of a nursery rhyme book and used as a mural on the wall. It’s difficult to read in the photo, but it reads, “This is the house that Jack built.”
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From Cindy Bottasso:
This is my first time altering a Victorian kit I found at a garage sale for $10. It has a new roof and attached steampunk ship. I also used parts from a silly hallmark card that when opened flashed lights and laughed at you. Now the electronics for that card are in the tower and go off when you switch a lever. I didn't know what steampunk was until Pam Junk challenged us to make it.
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From Sandy Sokoloski:
This is my first and only 1:24 scale. A cabin in the woods.
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From Kathy Koons:
It's hard, of course, to pick only one favorite. I've chosen my Irish pub in a picture frame based on a design by Ron Mummert. In 2016, as President and Project Chair of Miniature World of Central Florida, I asked Ron (of Ron's Miniature Shop in Orlando) to design a pub to go in a picture frame for our club project. He came up with a brilliant design out of foam core and poster board that I deconstructed to create patterns and directions for the club. We spent the next year learning all sorts of techniques to complete our projects. I ordered my beer taps from England via ebay and my Irish food from Ireland via Etsy. The scene outside the door and window is a street scene in Dublin.
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From Pamn Klinedinst:
This was done in 2019 and is one of those cases wherein what I had in mind came out pretty well in reality, I think! I am pleased with it! It is done in half inch. The topic is very dear to my heart so it all came out in miniature after thinking and planning it! There are three separate scenes within the scene. It's an active day at the rescue center and a lot of interest and interaction going on!
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From Vicki Scidmore:
What a hard choice! I have dozens of favorites but this is one of the top ones. In the potions shop, the owner's cat has just knocked over a potion bottle but hopes her mistress won’t notice while busy with a new customer.
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From Suzie Aguilar:
My mom and I shared the hobby and love of miniatures for over 50 years. For many years, we attempted to pull my younger sister into the hobby but she just wasn’t thrilled. In one of the few classes we had taken together many years ago, we made a ‘turkey dinner with all the fixings.’ My sister later decided she didn’t even want to keep her masterpiece; so I used it in this Thanksgiving wall vignette I made for my mom from the both of us. I now have the vignette since my mom is no longer with us. It holds lots of memories of love and family for me. ♥️
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