San Diego Miniature Crafters

 

July Newsletter

 

MEETING

Don’t Forget: !  We are meeting a week earlier, July 20, due to a scheduling conflict with the church.  Same time: 9:30 AM at St. Andrews Church

 

 

MESSAGE FROM THE PRES

Ahhh...a nice, easy, regular meeting! Thank you to everyone for adjusting your schedules to meet earlier this month. The church has Vacation Bible School during our regular meeting day and we certainly didn't want to be in the way! 
 
Since I am at convention, I would like to take a moment to thank Lori for a terrific job with the luncheon, We are getting spoiled at the Bay Club! I find it amazing that Lori recovered from major surgery and threw a party! 
 
Debi, thank you for the lovely table decorations (my basil and flat leaf parsley are growing very well!) and fabulous opportunity drawing. Israela, what would we do with out you coordinating the gift exchange?! Thank you. 
 
This meeting, Mary Jo will be opening the doors to the center. Rather than open the kitchen, please bring your own drinks to this meeting. Margaret is well organized and will have snacks arranged for, but we will not be starting the coffee machine this month to keep things easy. 
 
Thank you to everyone for their continuing hard work. Enjoy the meeting and we'll see you next month.

Leslie 

 

SHOW AND TELL

Please bring the gifts you received at the June Luncheon gift exchange
 

                                     PROJECTS- BACK TO WORK !
It is time to catch up on work for our club project...wineries, patios, Christmas celebrations...whatever your theme - back to work! 
 
Please bring your tool box and 'in progress' project. Since we took a break to make tote bag favors, shop a flea market and enjoy a fancy luncheon we need to take a look at where we are and how we will finish up. 
 
Please be prepared to split into groups with others who are working on the same theme (or similar). Each group will discuss a plan to move forward; this may be working individually or sharing kits. Please write down your theme, who is in your group and plan moving forward. 
 
If we put our nose to the grindstone we can finish up by summer's end and start on our new creative endeavor! 
 
                                                 MEMBERSHIP
SDMC Dues: A reminder that all members must be current in their dues payment. Please submit your $25 annual dues payment to Israela who will issue a receipt for payment. 
 
Any member who is not current, risks their membership to San Diego Miniature Crafters. Remember, along with local club dues members must also be current with NAME membership.

 

                         NOTES FROM THE LIBRARY

Summer is here and it's time for travel!

How would you like to personally visit one or more famous dollhouses or miniature collections?

You can do that in the comfort of your favorite armchair!

Did you know our club library has books on several famous miniature collections?

 

How about a visit to Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle in Chicago?

This 1:12 scale, 9-foot-square castle, commissioned by the famous silent-film actress Colleen Moore was built in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. The engineering feat alone is impressive.   Its fourteen fanciful rooms were created by Hollywood set designers and craftsmen and showcase antique miniatures from all over the world.  Inside and out, the castle is  decorated with themes from numerous fairy-tales and children's stories.

Check out "Within the Fairy Castle" for a full-color room by room tour of this enchanting dolls' house.

Or hop across the pond to Merry Olde England for a literary tour through Queen Mary's Dollhouse. On display in Windsor Castle in London, this 1:12 scale, five-foot high, three-story mansion was presented to Queen Mary in 1924 in gratitude for the royal family's bravery and leadership during WWI.  It was equipped with the latest advances in domestic technology including working elevators and fully functioning plumbing and electrical systems.  It is considered a precise historical document of a privileged way of life  in England during the time between the two world wars.

Check out "Queen Mary's Dolls' House" to read the story of its creation and to leisurely explore its forty rooms including its six-car garage which houses scale Rolls Royces and Daimlers.  Having visited this dolls' house in person, I can assure you that this literary visit will enable you to appreciate the many amazing details far more than joining the  herded mass of tourists that file past it daily.

 

 

How about a journey back in time?  Visit "The Mott Miniature Collection" -  one of my favorite childhood recollections.  To me, it was the very best part of a visit to Knott's Berry Farm and quite likely where my love of miniatures began!!

Unlike Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle and Queen Mary's Dollhouse, which were both created by vast numbers of talented craftsmen and artisans,  Mott's Miniatures began as the work of a single family who began their creative work without power tools, relying on an old pen knife to fashion wooden furniture.  Read the story of how the Motts scrimped and saved to put every spare penny into their miniature creations.  Read about the busloads of school children that passed through their home to see a miniature cabin that depicted life in early America. Read about the collection as it grew to include homes representing six eras of daily life in America, shops and dioramas depicting the development of American merchandising, an art museum, a church, a school and so much more.  Over 2 dozen of the nearly 50 original exhibits are featured in this interesting booklet.  Whether it's to relive a fond memory or discover a new delight, check out "The Mott Miniature Collection".

 

A complete listing of our library's resources as well as lending policies is available on the "announcements" page of our web-site   http://www.sdminiatures.com/announcements.htm

 

To check out any item(s) from our club library call Cindy at 858-566-6864

or e-mail ckayala@gmail.com.

They will be brought to you at the next club meeting.

 

 

Happy July Birthday to: Jackie Hoefert (5), Lori Lehman (7), Debi Cerone (7), Marsha Austin-Rogers (22), Jeannie Jesse (28), Maria Ray (30)