Faith

I have spent most of today trying not to cry in front of my kids, as I just can't find words to explain why mommy is sad.

A friend said it best today, "I don't have the answers to gun control, violence in America, mental health access and resources, etc. I will offer this - practice and teach compassion and humanity and kindness. It may help someone who desperately needs it."

I pray that something can be done to stop the senseless gun violence in America and the world. I've signed a lot of petitions and written to my representatives and hope we can work for change.

I thought I'd share a few things I found to lift my spirits today.
Here are a couple of links that will help you keep the faith
Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith In Humanity
http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity

Sometimes, security cameras catch something totally different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXdyiPNfyBk

http://nedhardy.com/2012/08/13/a-few-pictures-to-restore-your-faith-in-humanity-16-pics/

Modern Dollhouses on Etsy

MaryEllen in South Florida is selling this modern loft 1:12 scale dollhouse for $150 + $65 for shipping, not too shabby. Check out etsy listing here on creativecraftsforU.


Modern MC blogged about this house here, but Joe Scott in Pittsburgh, PA, has listed it on etsy for $450. Wood, sizes and configurations are customizable as well. Check out etsy listing here on New8th.

Ben Holiday House. Too cute.

Hello Ben Holiday House! Last year CB2 brought us the Neville House which was small, close to 1:18 scale for $60. The new Ben Holiday House is $50, 3 stories and only 9" tall, so I have no idea what itty bitty scale that would be. 1:36? Doris of minimodernistas is considering buying one and making furniture to whatever scale it is, stay tuned.

(images from cb2 website www.cb2.com/new-accessories/new/ben-holiday-house/s425214)

Update

The scale is supposed to be 1/4 quarter, but I'll confirm with Doris when she gets hers. The back is completely open, you can see pictures here: https://twitter.com/CB2weho/status/264385415144939521/photo/1.

Sadly, Modern MC has seen the Ben Holiday House in San Francisco and Berkeley, and the ones here are "poorly made = splintered cuts, misaligned windows & glue residue abound". Has anyone seen if they are made any better in other parts of the country?

You say side table, I say modern dollhouse

Remember when Modern MC and Call Small busted out the Fish Hotel challenge? (Go here and here to refresh your memory.) The Fish Hotel designer Teddy Luong partnered up with Dennis Cheng to create this Condolisa Side Table. Measuring at 18.9" tall x 14.2" square, I think it could totally work as a modern dollhouse.

The table has a removable lid and features acrylic cut out windows, so it would be a top loader and might be tricky to photography through the acrylic, but man it's so cool! Normal price is $160, but on sale for $89.98 at SF MOMA http://museumstore.sfmoma.org/cosita.html. I'm so tempted. Can't decide.

Update 11/1 Argh! I went to go buy one and it's gone! I found one on amazon for $225, but now that's gone too. It was just released in 2011, but I'm guessing it must have been a limited run. I hope Umbra brings it back.

Good vibes

Good Sam Show pictures coming soon, but did you see this ridiculous project by Paris Renfroe? Check out more photos on his flickr page. The original rendering was by David Jenkins, from which Paris created this incredible 3/4" model. I never thought I wanted to live in a guitar case, but now I do.

Check out more of Paris' work on his website PRD Miniatures: http://www.prdminiatures.com/ or flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9180674@N03/

I shudder

I used to love Emily Henderson. I loved watching her win HGTV's Next Design Star. I felt a camaraderie with her as we're both from Portland, Oregon (my home town). I loved watching her TV show Secrets from a Stylist. I loved reading her blog. And I went batsh!t crazy when we she announced the "I'm a Giant Challenge" to decorate a dollhouse, bringing the "creepy" stereotype to "chic". She even called it "the first annual" implying there might be more. "AND ITS GOING TO BE HUGE!!!!" turned out to mean a huge disappointment.

It seemed like things were progressing around October, but then nothing dollhouse related was posted on her blog until the due date of Dec 15. After many people slaved away and sacrificed time they could have been preparing for the holidays, she posts that it's been extended until Feb 1. Then silence again.

Feb 1 rolls around and there's a blog post but no mention of the challenge. Lots of posts but complete silence on the challenge. I followed her blog a few more months, but every new post that didn't mention her challenge that 83 people had worked on made my blood boil. I gave up on her as she had given up on us. (You can see everyone's work on my page here).

Then I wake up this morning to get a note from Tiny Fixation of this lovely little comment that Emily posted yesterday: "They could even be a modern dollhouse on the wall (to this day i still shudder when i hear that word)."

Are you kidding me?!?!? You shudder??? How about you apologize first for letting so many people down and completely disowning the challenge you so emphatically started??? How about you say ANYTHING about the challenge you abandoned??? My blood is boiling again.

In case our comments are removed, Meagan commented first:

Dollhouse. HA!
You should shudder at the word, as I believe it has been your greatest shame since I became a "fan" of yours. Still incredibly disappointed that you haven't acknowledged any of the hard work (not to mention money spent) that was done at your bidding. And for what? Not even a "thanks for coming". You owe approximately 83 apologies. Have a lovely day.

I left a quick comment before I had to get my son to school:

Over 83 people participated in the "I'm a Giant" challenge that has not been mentioned at all on this blog after the deadline was announced the date of the first challenge.

I recorded and posted pictures of all of the people involved because they really do deserve a ton of props for giving up their holiday preparation to complete the challenge.
http://modernminihouses.blogspot.com/p/im-giant-challengers.html

A ton of people took this challenge seriously. We know (and found out) building a dollhouse is a huge feat, but it really sucks feeling completely ignored by the ring leader that gathered all the troops and got everyone so excited about the project. Every post for the last year that hasn't mentioned the challenge, just rubs salt in the wound. We are a lot of abandoned puppies just begging for a pat on the head to say "good job" and "I'm sorry for abandoning you".

Am a fishing for an apology? Heck yeah! We've been waiting for almost a year. We'll see.

I've left a few comments, just so she knows she didn't sweep us under the rug. And if you want a good laugh go back and read Meagan's rant.

Meagan even made a miniature replica of Emily's prized gold trunk guessing the dimensions from this single photo, that she planned to give to Emily as a gift for creating this challenge. But since Emily has completely ignored us, I'm not even sure she knows this work of art exists, nor any of the other masterpieces people came up with.

Someone will have to fill me in if Emily ever does say anything, as I give up.

MiniModel love

Earlier this summer architectural models maker, Avi Benmelech from Isreal (MiniModels), opened an Esty shop (etsy.com/shop/MiniModels) with some cool 1:12 and 1:6 scale furniture. When we were table shopping I actually wanted the life size ItalModern Slater Extension Dining Table but with two little kids and lots of play dates, a glass table is probably not a good fit. So when I saw this similar version in 1:12 scale, I had to have it for my mini house. Avi also sent the cool "tablecloth" as a gift. Thank you Avi! It's lazer cut wood and makes a fab table runner.

The pixel rug, triple lamp, and horizontal side table are minimodernistas. Cole entertainment console is PRD Miniatures. Decanter, glasses and tray are a gift from Neen. Green vase is from CW Lubin. Potted flower by Cristina Diego from fortislandminiatures. Mirror from ebay, other accessories from miniatures show and AG Minis.

New PRD Gems

"New" is a relative term. I've had these pieces for awhile but just posting now. My latest PRD Miniatures acquisitions are the talk of my Antrim dollhouse. Everyone who comes over gushes at how much they want them in real life. I am loving the new Cole entertainment console and orange Lubi style daybed. The artwork is also PRD Miniatures. Pixel rug and ribbon lamp are minimodernistas. Decanter, glasses and tray are a gift from Neen. Green vase is from CW Lubin. End table is HBS Minatures.

The Linea desk by PRD Miniatures is pretty spectacular. Paris painted a Reac chair white for me, which looks stunning paired with it. The storage unit isn't on his website yet, but it's the perfect size for a small office area. Boxes, file folders, books are from Minismodernas. Wood cut outs are KaiserCraft (idea from Modern MC). Vases are painted Kaleidoscope House Accessories. Lamp is Paul MacAlister. "Electronics" from Lilu by Zuri .

Here are a couple of room shots (I'll post about the dining room / kitchen area next). Uno sofas, custom fireplace, metallic tribal cubes are also PRD Miniatures. White pillow are part of uno sofas, other pillows are made be me. Ball clock and living room rug are minmodernistas. Coffee table is Peter Tucker. Other accessories are AG Minis, local dollhouse and hobby shop finds.

How to add Follow by Email

Prologue: You're good enough, you're smart enough, and doggone it people want to read your blog... SO LET THEM!! (Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley - SNL) This will be a series of posts on how to pimp your blog to make blogger work better for you and your readers.

Episode II: How to add Follow by Email

I really want to read your blog, I honestly do, but I'm lazy busy, so please make it easy for me and deliver your posts to my inbox. As it stands, every few weeks months I try to catch up on your blogs, searching to see who has posted something new and maybe reading a couple of your posts and maybe commenting if you have word verification off ;) BUT for those of you that offer "Follow by Email" (Mini*Aesthetics, Tiny Fixation, Neo-Mini, Very Little Humor, Welcome Home, Little Victorian, iseecerulean, Hommemaker) I read EVERY post as you come straight to my inbox without me having to go to you. (Okay, I'm still lazy and don't always comment, but I do enjoy reading all of your posts).

To add this feature go to your dashboard > Layout > click on "Add a Gadget"

A pop-up window will open on the "Basics" options, then select "Follow by email" (there are a bunch of other fun gadgets you can add but this one is an essential in my book).

You can customize the title... "hot new posts delivered in 30 minutes" "2, 4, 6, 8 my posts are really great" or just stick with "Follow by email". Then hit orange "Save" button.

After you save, you'll be back at the layout page. The "Follow by email" gadget will be on the top of the list. You can drag it to a different position, but I think it's most noticeable for your readers when it's right on top, easily accessible for readers to sign up. Click "Save arrangement" and you are all set.

Now when you publish new blog posts, all subscribers will automatically be sent an email notification with the new content and links back to the posts on your blog.

FeedBurner allows Follow by Email to track your subscription information, with more stats than you really need, but good ones like the number of subscribers and daily/weekly/monthly views. When on your blog, click on the tools icon under the email address and submit button, then in the pop-up window, click on "View stats and learn more." Then snoop away to find out more about your readers.


You can also add the "Subscribe" gadget, which I recommend, but I've noticed a higher increase in subscribers by using the "Follow by email" gadget. Do both so people can choose which method they prefer.

Happy blogging! (see all Pimp my blog posts)

Easy Comment Moderation

Prologue: I blog, you blog, let's all blog better. This will be a series of posts on how to pimp your blog to make blogger work better for you and your readers. (If you need a laugh, please watch this: Mom my Ride "Duct tape is the perfect way to say, sorry fellas this ladys got a man.")

Episode II: Easy Comment Moderation

Many of you already use this, but if you just disabled word verification (episode I) and are switching to comment moderation here is the quick and easy way to publish approved comments and delete spam.

On your dashboard click on "Comments" in the main left column navigation options. Then under "Published" you'll see every published comment; "Awaiting moderation" comments you need to approve to be published; "Spam" comments the anti-spam blocker filters that are not published on your blog.

In the "Spam" section, I usually scan the list and look for any comments that may have been filtered that are legitimate comments. If you find one click "Not spam" to publish the comment. Then you can click the top box to the left of the "Not spam" button, and it will select all messages, then "Delete" and spam be gone.

I used to have my comment moderation settings at "Never" and mostly got spam comments on older posts. Since switching to "Sometimes" at 20 days (see last post for details), I very rarely get spam.

Under "Awaiting moderation" you can quickly surf through comments and send any to spam that may have slipped by the filter, then click the top box to the left of "Publish" button to select all and then click Publish to approve all comments at once.

If you only get a one or two comments you can approve and publish or report as spam when you receive the email notification in your inbox, but the more comments you get, the faster it is to use dashboard to publish or delete comments.

Happy blogging! (see all Pimp my blog posts)

How to remove word verification

Prologue: I love my blog, but I hate some of the things about blogger. This will be the first of a series of posts on how to pimp your blog and make blogger work better for you and your readers. (I've been meaning to start this for awhile but Pepper's post reminded me it was time.)

Episode I: How to remove word verification (annoying captchas)

A not so long time ago, word verification on blogger was simple, easy to read words that you would type then click submit and voila your comment was posted. Easy peasy. Earlier this year blogger changed the word verification captchas to random, illegible letters and blurry pictures of numbers that leave me banging my head on my computer trying to decipher. Many people have become so discouraged that they've stopped commenting on blogs that use verification.

You may not even realize that your blog is the source of your reader's aggravation; when blogger rolled out the new word verification version, the default was for the captchas (Completely Automated Public Turing Tests to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) to be on "YES".

To show appreciation to your readers, you can disable word verification by going to

Settings > Posts and comments > Show word verification? and select No

To encourage more people to comment, make sure you have "Who can comment?" set to "Anyone - includes Anonymous Users"

What about spam? In all honesty I get only a couple of spam comments per MONTH. And most of those are automatically removed by blogger so when I go to delete them, they are already gone. I've found that most spammers seem to target older posts, so I switched to only approve comments on posts older than 20 days, and haven't been getting much spam since.

Under "Comment Moderation?" select "Sometimes" and add the number of days and email address to send requests to. If you start getting spam, change the number lower and see if that helps. I haven't figured out why yet, but if you do get a lot of spam like Shelly, change it to "Always" and you can keep tabs on all comments.

Make sure you click the orange "Save settings" button in the upper right, so your improved options will update benefitting your blog and your readers.

Happy blogging! (see all Pimp my blog posts)

Ode to toilette

J'adore this Parisian bathroom. I've had the dual vanity from Paris for far too long, but no time to properly display it until now. The wallpaper is to die for, very cool Parisian print, click here on Paris' site to check out the detail pictures of the vanity. I've always wanted a black and white bathroom and I truly wish I had a bathroom like this to escape to.

Finding time for miniatures (swaps/emails/blogs, etc.) has been difficult. How do you all do it??? I wish I could carve out more time to keep up.

My oldest just started kindergarten, so what little spare time I thought I had between taking care of the kids all day and working nights, has gotten sucked into volunteering, PTA meetings and fundraising. Gotta love California public schools... parent participation or bust. I'm really hoping some of the propositions on the ballot will pass so we'll have much needed funding for our schools.

Deets:
Dual vanity with black Parisian wallpaper by PRD Miniatures, as well as framed wall art, silver mirror and toilet.
Bathtub from Minismodernas. Wood cut outs by KaiserCraft (idea from Modern MC) but I still need to paint them. Planter box by minimodernistas. Accessories: book and overhead light from Neen, ELF Miniatures, Minismodernas, rug from MoMA Modern Play House, Lil Bratz, AG Minis, Re-ment, local dollhouse shop and ebay finds.