The Little Patriotic House Journey...

So what am I going to do with this project???
You will probably be shaking your head by the time I completely move in and decorate and say “so that’s what goes thru her head”.

The majority of the time (98%) I start something; I muse over it, make multitude of notes of ideas and possibilities and then the completed project has none to very little of the original concept in it.

That’s the part I love, I love the journey of creating. It’s like being on vacation - you know your end destination- you just don’t know what you are going to see or do along the route- yet you arrive as planned. Usually with a camera full of pictures and your brain full of memories.

So put on your seatbelt, it’s going to be a creative trip.

In my May posts, I have my America’s house project outlined in detail. Instructions and musings over what I did.

This little patriotic house is its gangly and awkward sibling. The poor little thing looks so unbalanced and bare. It has already a mix of scales (just like a tween during a growth spurt).
Exterior Spaces:
I am very excited about finishing the exterior spaces- I had so much fun on the previous project.

On the very top of the house, here are some of the ideas flitting thru my brain.
-decorate it as a yard or garden, with trees and flowers and bench to dream in
-decorate it as a interior room- living room or a kitchen with an eating space included
-decorate it as a combo- part can be interior conservatory like and the other the outside
space with foliage.

On the base-
-a parade of kids and pets
-greenery of all manners
-use the small indent at the base as an interior wall and showcase a special piece.

So far everything I have been thinking in is ¼” scale. So re-read the above and consider it all in multiple scales or throw in a “human” scale piece of memorabilia of great meaning.

I have to leave for mini club, “Ketchup Club”. We are starting are own versions of an altered miniature house inspired by “America’s House”, but we are going to use the Halloween theme. Spooky Cool!!

Historical and Hysterical Hauntings Theme Luncheon

I have the honor of hosting a theme luncheon at Greenville’s Small Scale Houseparty.
If you are registered for the houseparty , join me for a fun history lesson with a twist.

I have thoroughly enjoyed researching the history of hauntings in our Nationals capital. In the process I also learned quite a bit about the White House and it’s occupants and would love to share it all with you.

Hail to the Chief NAME 2008 E-3 Small Scale Regional Houseparty Greenville, S. C.
Saturday, Sept. 20th, 2008
TL4 - “Historical & Hysterical Hauntings” by Debby Basaraba Fee: $85
The White House has much history to explore. Debby will be sharing reports of haunting throughout the years. Learn who’s been avoiding the Secret Service and roaming the many wings and rooms. Discover who saw whom and how they reacted. The participants will receive 3 gifts (one in each scale – ½”, ¼”, and 1/144th scale) that will be vivid reminders of historical hauntings at our country’s capital. Come join Debby for a wonderful lunch and an informal and fun history lesson.

I am including pictures of the gift(s) that you will receive. There is 1/144th scene of the East Wing, a ¼” scene honoring President Lincoln, and a ½” scale dimensional patriotic girl all incorporated into a “altered miniature” patriotic house.

The patriotic house is based on my “America’s House”. You have three enclosed rooms and multiple exterior spaces available to decorate with your favorite miniatures.

The pictures are of the actual gift that you will be receiving, I have also included some pictures from “America’s House” to give you inspiration of how you can finish this gift and make it your own. In my May post, I wrote detail instructions on how I made this much larger project and much more pictures.

I will be moving in and finishing off my personal patriotic altered house after the Greenville Houseparty- so many roundtables, and items from the sales room to choose from. And I will share it all with you.

To register, use your form from the NAME packet, or call Toni Cochran at NAME’s office
and join me for 1 ½ hours of food, fun, and friends.

NAME National Convention 2008 at Nashua (4 of 4)

Disclaimer: I am not a professional photographer, but I do photograph with great enthusiasm. So please realize the pictures you see on my blog taken my me do not do justice to the person or item it represents. Also realize that I have a small problem of mixing up the picture button with the photo button. Thus the following collection of a variety of floors during the convention.


Floor in Board Meeting

Floor at Searle’s Castle

Courtyard at Searle’s Castle

Floor in Hotel Hall

Floor in Hotel Room

Floor by Roundtables

I am into altered miniatures, so why not altered pictures…….
by Leanne Kirsch… “tastes like chicken”

Display for Jane Markstrom Nationals Exhibit Room.
We celebrated our friend, Jane Markstrom’s life. Several items were displayed that she had made that my friends were lucky enough to win or buy. The words I used at the end of my last post seem to fit…”and then it was over…everyone sad to go separate ways, but the pain is lessen with the knowledge that she is alive in our heart and memories- and I can smile when I think of her.” Jane, we love you.

Leanne Kirsch, Barbara Lundberg, Sally Manwell,

Karla Smith and Debby Basaraba.

Inspiration, friends, family, and joy= N.A.M.E.

NAME National Convention at Nashua 2008 (part 3 of 4)

Saturday July 26th.
This day started early at 0800 meeting with N-3 region (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska). Even as we are attending the National Convention- we are on a steering committee for the 2010 National Convention in Seattle Washington. "Merry Olde England-Now and Then". Everything you have been reading about is put on by volunteers- that’s how important miniatures are to us and how we each want to host our share in our regions.
The Annual NAME Business Meeting opened at 0900. Reports were given, awards were handed out, the outgoing board members were acknowledged and the new board members were sworn into office. (I am the new Secretary and Marketing Board member).
I attended a Theme Luncheon, where Karla Smith- presented her 4th in a series of “Just Your Cup of Tea”. After a light lunch, Karla presented the steps it took to make a mini scene out of a cup and saucer, even how to electrify it. Everyone received a completed (wallpapered- not electric) cup and saucer as a gift for attending. She had so much information to share- every time I looked around people were busy writing notes.

Karla sent me a picture of Kathy Greene's Cup (moved in!!) that she received as a gift at the Luncheon. Well done to Karla for her beautiful finished cups and to Kathy-her first project in 1/4", it's wonderful!!!
The Sales and Exhibit rooms opened again, this time open to the Public. I do not know the number, but it looked like a good turnout. It was fun to talk to people and infect them with your excitement of mini’s and at the same time they inspire you too.
The day has passed quickly full of events to attend, now comes the time for the Cocktail Party (no host) before the Banquet. There were amazing costumes… there were the Three Musketeer’s, the Princess and the Pea, a Castle, Jesters abound, fairies, peasants and queens. There was also a wizard (Oregon grown I am proud to say).
At the Banquet to follow, most people at the tables made a small gift exchange with each table mate. There was a larger gift exchanged, food was eaten, door prizes were awarded, souvenirs were opened and then the raffle for the “Houseparty Helpers” began.
Again I do not know the exact number of items in the raffle, but a lot is an under statement… At first our end of the room was not winning, but then the tide turned and our corner started to pick up some winners. I was lucky enough to win the piece made by Judy Orr- “The Mushroom People”. I really wanted them so I was very excited when I won. Barbara Lundberg won two houseparty helpers and Jenny won another at our table. We made a respectable showing over all.
The night ended…
Sunday July 27th.
Dawned bright and early. I had my first official board meeting at 0800-0900 followed by our closing Brunch. Yes even more food, more door prizes and souvenirs were handed out. Then they drew the Centerpiece winner- lo and behold it was ME!!!! I took home the ½” scale Cottage that was on our table. After seeing one of the 1” scale ones decorated as an antique book store, I am jazzed to complete my first ½” scale project.
(Watch out small scale in Greenville- I have a shopping list).
After the closing of the Brunch, many people had to catch early flights, others stayed on another night. The sales and exhibit room opened again to the attending members and the public.
And then it was over…. Everyone is anxious to go home, yet everyone is sad to go our separate ways. The pain is lessen with the knowledge that we are all close by with the internet and yet another houseparty, a Small Scale Houseparty in Greenville will be coming up this Fall.

Name National Convention at Nashua 2008 (part 2 of 4)

Thursday July 24th.
I started the day 0700: attending the First Timers meeting. Anyone new to the convention can attend and get guidance on how things work, what to do, where to go….
I had a good time talking to Ceil Eastman (Salem Ma), Carolyn Peck (Lexington SC) and Karen Dickert (Batesburg-Leesville SC). These first timers are by no means inexperienced with miniatures, just the National convention. Being inexperienced hasn't stopped Carolyn, she is the co-chair for the next houseparty in Greenville. She and her group are motivated and involved in making events occur in their regions. Some belong to the South Carolina Society of Miniature Collectors that has been in existence since 1979, and also the Palmetto Miniature Club.
This is one of the reasons I love going to the conventions and houseparties. You meet these excited and inspiring people who love to do the very thing you do. IT IS FANTASTIC. Talk about getting your batteries charged….That was just the first meeting of many… I went to meetings with the Regional Co-coordinators and State reps, with Club presidents where again wonderful information was exchanged on what was occurring in their regions and how others could adapt it to theirs.
We had our opening Luncheon, besides the food, there were door prizes and souvenirs handed out, followed by the Salesroom and Exhibit room-
There is so much to see and so much you want to buy. The talent and skills we have in our organization is amazing.
The long day continued into Round Table sales and workshops. Where people who submitted a project could sell the kit for $5.00 or less and then be available to teach anyone who wants to sit down and work.
The day ended with the miniature exchange. There were exchanges in three scales, 1”, ½” and ¼”.
It was well after 10pm before I saw my hotel room- and it felt like I had celebrated 3 birthdays and 4 Christmases all in one day!!! And this was the first official day of the convention, everything else was pre-convention activities.

Friday July 25th.
The day starts at 0730, with a Registered Workshop with Karen Benson. The class was “Faux” ¼” scale Wrought Iron Bakers Rack and matching pieces. If you haven’t taken one of her classes do it. Her kits are precise, her instructions are easy to follow and the atmosphere in the room is relaxed and pleasant.
The sales and exhibit rooms opened again for 3 hours, after show and tell the night before there was a renewed surge to get in and find those special items.
All this was followed by more meetings; I went to the Online Region meeting.
Having access to my fellow members thru the internet is priceless- we are able to share ideas, techniques and trouble shoot problems with the press of a button. As much as I love the internet- it was a pleasure to meet so many of the members in person. Shannon Moore and Pat Frost have been a great web mistress and RC respectively.
You think the day is done, think again.
There was the Garage Sale. All of these items are donated with the proceeds going to NAME. People line up (I mean really long line) to go in pick up what they want and pay for it.
In the past I have heard about some pretty exciting Garage Sales. The frenzy that can build up sometimes is electric. Being I have never gone to one, I snuck in stood on a chair against the wall and watched the whole thing.
Naturally I attend the Garage Sale where people are polite, calm and to quote a member “it looked like a hill of ants” people quietly and efficiently moving around in what looked like pre-arranged paths. And yet these many tables that were overfilled were quickly emptied out spreading new treasures to many new homes.
What you think the day is now over; it’s time for Lifetime Members Reception and the NAME Auction. I was pretty worn out by then and ready to sit back and watch the bidding. But I was needed to help point out the bidders, so for the next 2 or so hours I was having a blast- pointing, laughing, encouraging and applauding all of the action.
We are a talented and generous bunch of people who truly love to share the good things in life.
Now it is time to bed….. Up to the room after 1030pm or later….

NAME National Convention at Nashua 2008 (part 1 of 4)

This year’s annual business meeting was held at Nashua, New Hampshire with the theme of “Castles and Cottages”. The event was held at the Radisson Hotel, which is modeled after a castle, except they have running water, air conditioning and electricity.
Sunday July 20th.
Caught a direct flight from Portland Oregon to Boston, Mass. Just as we landed (around 3:30pm) the sky broke open with a flood of rain & window shaking thunder. We were some of the fortunate few who didn’t get delayed by the weather. We did have to wait a few hours for another friend to fly in (was stuck on the tarmac in Philly); we rented a van, filled it with our luggage and drove to Nashua, New Hampshire.
Monday July 21st thru Tuesday July 22nd.
I attended my first board meetings; two full days (even into the evening) of brainstorming and goal setting with the other board members. This was a new side of NAME that I had not participated in before. I was impressed with the amount of teamwork and input from all of the members that keep NAME alive and strong.










Wednesday July 22nd.
I took a pre-convention workshop with Carl Bronsdon, “Feast for Castle or Cottage”. We made 1” scale food out of fimo clay, I am a repeat student, and this is my third class with Carl. His food is beautiful and he has a knack of presentation. I actually like what I made when I finished (some of us are Fimo-challenged)- it looks good and it doesn’t go to my hips. Table-mate: Barbara Wilbur, Charlton, Ma.

Later that evening, over 160 people were ferried over to the Searle’s Castle for our annual Patron Party. The place was fantastic- it is full of wood work and carvings that are no longer seen in our current home construction. Although it was very warm inside, and very, very wet outside- some people were dressed in full period costumes. I am including pictures of “Mother Inferior” (her own title) and Sally Manwell- who took the pages out of “Gone with the Wind” and made her costume from curtains.

There were silent auctions of miniature items and also “honorary” royal positions. I bid on and won-”The Jester”. It was a natural fit. The food was served by waiters walking around and offering goodies from a tray. There was an abundance of laughter, smiles and friends. That too was a natural fit….