tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67820241435164263752012-01-27T21:39:03.132-05:00A collection of tiny buildings I handcrafted from business cards, packaging and other nice papers.skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.comBlogger461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-83698461119014503872008-08-27T10:59:00.010-04:002008-08-27T11:56:36.631-04:00<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVs8hYzSGI/AAAAAAAAAWA/-ge89mFDh6s/s320/IMG_0678.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239213528525785186" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVvoJ2SOkI/AAAAAAAAAWo/rU4jn_UyeCk/s320/IMG_0689.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239216477144496706" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVs-aBeGWI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/B3z67SLldOE/s320/IMG_0688.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239213560908618082" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVvpK9ji8I/AAAAAAAAAW4/sYfym_tMCbU/s320/IMG_0684.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239216494623296450" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVvphiwNvI/AAAAAAAAAXA/IEoZc3116Q8/s320/IMG_0679.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239216500684895986" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh. Oh. Oh. This is the TinyBuilding I am most proud of [excuse the bad grammar]! So much detail. This TinyBuilding is made from the business cards from a landmark vegetarian restaurant in Zurich. I've written about it in some earlier posts which accompanied much simpler and smaller Hiltl buildings.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because their business cards are s-o-o-o-o nice, I am drawn to them again and again. And the cards I used for this special version are from my first visit there a couple years ago. My daughter and I had lunch there with the brother and fiance [now married] of one of my daughter's best girlfriends...the one who introduced her to her now husband of the Family Crest fame. In any case, we were so thrilled to find such a delicious vegetarian restaurant and to enjoy the charming company of our hosts, I just "had" to memorialize the visit with this rather intricate Hiltl building...Then, I sent it off to them without taking any pictures. Oops. It has taken a couple years for me to retrieve these...</div><div><br /></div><div>This Tinybuilding is my attempt to render the actual Hiltl building. and, if I may say so myself, I did an excellent job. Even though this version is only about 3 inches tall [the Hiltl business cards are vertical instead of the typical horizontal format] by about 2-1/2 inches wide, I've managed to cut in the tiny, tiny windows and apply the tiny, tiny awnings just as they are on the real thing!!! Yum! [If you want to see for yourself, you can go to the Hiltl link...I think they have a photo of the building on there...]</div><div><br /></div><div>c.2006</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-8369846111901450387?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com196tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-9306794008301601362008-08-27T09:56:00.013-04:002008-08-27T11:09:40.468-04:00<div><br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVkLSOCHtI/AAAAAAAAAVo/pV46GFivjqo/s320/IMG_6157.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239203886547476178" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVjm6O_aPI/AAAAAAAAAVA/j05menEXyQc/s1600-h/IMG_6157.jpg"></a><span><span></span></span><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVjm5xSd2I/AAAAAAAAAU4/YhQrYFzwT6k/s320/IMG_6154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239203261509171042" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span></span></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVkLsdBZFI/AAAAAAAAAV4/RSDq79S9Lm0/s320/IMG_6153.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239203893589664850" border="0" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/SLVjnOvTwzI/AAAAAAAAAVI/8bWDD_0QGLs/s320/IMG_6146.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239203267138011954" border="0" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span><span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In honor of their union and their wedding this summer, my daughter and her husband created a Family Crest. They included various symbols of each of their histories and interests, combining them to represent their collective lives. Then, they used the crest as a connector throughout the communications and decorations for the wedding. They printed golden crests on Save-the-Date postcards, party invitations, cocktail napkins, The Invitations, anything that would stand still long enough. They stopped just short of requiring tattoos on the guests.<br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div>So, it was inevitable that the crest would show up on the favors for wedding guests. I had the crest printed in gold on some cardstock...lots of cardstock... then proceeded to cut out and form 85 TinyBuildings. It was an adventure. At least I had the sense to allow myself lots of time, which I then squandered until I had about six weeks to make most of them. I ended up generating about a half dozen a day. Rough, but driven by love....</div><div><br /></div><div>The most difficult part was making a variety rather than replicating the same form and format over-and-over again. I always want to form the TinyBuildings based on the proportions and layout of the original material...In this case that was the same 2 inch by 2 inch card with the same slightly-not -symmetrical drawing; with some segments of the image [sketches of their two cats] 'demanding' that I not cut off their legs or heads. Arghhhh! I wouldn't say it got boring, but it was challenging to address each piece of cardstock with the same enthusiasm..HAHA!</div><div><br /></div><div>But, they turned out wonderful, and everyone seemed thrilled to receive one. We packaged them in small lucite boxes so guests could drop them in their pockets to take home.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, that's what I did this spring. I don't have, yet, any pictures of masses of these Tinybuildings, but I do have a couple shots, along with the special version I made for my daughter and her husband, which included their Invitation. The black dot on the roof of one little house is the fastener from the envelopes....</div><div><br /></div><div>c.2008</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-930679400830160136?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-4550896109054329462008-07-15T09:27:00.003-04:002008-07-15T09:30:15.335-04:00It has been an embarrassingly long time since I have put up any new TinyBuildings. Sorry. But, I have an excuse: I was busy making 85 TinyBuildings for gifts to guests at my daughter's wedding. They turned out great!<br /><br />But, I have few excuses now, and will try hard to continue the collection this summer.<br /><br />Thanks for all your kind comments on the earlier posts.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-455089610905432946?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-91251700087315878462008-01-23T09:07:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:30:47.365-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dKsLGBeSI/AAAAAAAAAUg/yzCUyLhTq8k/s1600-h/USPSb1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dKsLGBeSI/AAAAAAAAAUg/yzCUyLhTq8k/s320/USPSb1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158674020928944418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dKsrGBeTI/AAAAAAAAAUo/PvjPCanEr-g/s1600-h/USPSb2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dKsrGBeTI/AAAAAAAAAUo/PvjPCanEr-g/s320/USPSb2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158674029518879026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dKtLGBeUI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PpQuug61i0U/s1600-h/USPSb3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dKtLGBeUI/AAAAAAAAAUw/PpQuug61i0U/s320/USPSb3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158674038108813634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Yet another of the oldest TinyBuildings: the "blue" post office. Poor, pitiful thing is mildewed and rather unlovely. It is also a 'bastardized' TinyBuilding in that it is made from two packaging materials.<br /><br />The sides are from the cardboard cover of machine-dispensed stamps. The top is from one of the Atlanta blue-printing companies: AAA Blueprinting. Probably an extra business card included in a roll of prints delivered to James' office.<br /><br />I can almost smell the developing fluid. This was way before the gigantic 'xerox' machines that are used now...or, for that matter, the direct-from-the Cad machine plots...That fluid was a sweet-acidic taste on the back of your tongue. Goodness knows what it was doing to our brains.<br /><br />At the time, it signified progress on a project: if you had a roll of prints, you were finally ready to deliver them to a client. Finally, after many days and nights of thinking and drawing and erasing and drawing and thinking....<br /><br />I like the little 'blue' roof section- a little hat for the building; and, you can tell James composed this TinyBuilding so that the old-fashioned mailbox fit on one side of the structure, exactly. Then he must have sorted through the detritus on his very messy drawing board to find the AAA card for the roof. I'll bet he smiled to himself when he stuck the 'blue' on top...a little cap, and a reference to the USPS colorings.<br /><br />c. 1976<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-9125170008731587846?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com215tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-24129016803486860872008-01-23T08:47:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:30:47.761-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dGWrGBePI/AAAAAAAAAUI/g8FNsBsuO6s/s1600-h/Pink1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dGWrGBePI/AAAAAAAAAUI/g8FNsBsuO6s/s320/Pink1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158669253515245810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dGW7GBeQI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/zwpoR4pre2Y/s1600-h/Pink2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dGW7GBeQI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/zwpoR4pre2Y/s320/Pink2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158669257810213122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dGW7GBeRI/AAAAAAAAAUY/aYUg8V0UT6A/s1600-h/Pink3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5dGW7GBeRI/AAAAAAAAAUY/aYUg8V0UT6A/s320/Pink3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158669257810213138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />This is another of James' vintage TinyBuildings. It must be over thirty years old. Looks pretty good, still...a little threadbare, but, so do you....<br /><br />I think this tower is made from leftover architectural model-building board. The pink-ish color may have been meant to be brick or stucco. i don't know if James was testing a design for a client's house or just gluing scraps together. I also don't care; I just love this TinyBuilding for itself....that jaunty glued-on brown door is so assertive, I laugh out loud!<br /><br />I wonder what the roof paper came from. Maybe its an insert paper from a candy box- like Godiva...those wax-coated sheets they lay on top of the candies to protect them from the box top. Hmmmm? something like that...a flicker of memory is trying to come forward...Hmmm?<br /><br /><br />c. 1976<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-2412901680348686087?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-6813319350051882102008-01-21T09:25:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:30:48.260-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5StUYSK9RI/AAAAAAAAATw/c_cyNJzaWa8/s1600-h/hearth2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5StUYSK9RI/AAAAAAAAATw/c_cyNJzaWa8/s320/hearth2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157938038873715986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5StU4SK9SI/AAAAAAAAAT4/kgvYq2JicMU/s1600-h/hearth3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5StU4SK9SI/AAAAAAAAAT4/kgvYq2JicMU/s320/hearth3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157938047463650594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5StU4SK9TI/AAAAAAAAAUA/wpX5SwesytE/s1600-h/hearth5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R5StU4SK9TI/AAAAAAAAAUA/wpX5SwesytE/s320/hearth5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157938047463650610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is a second version of Hearth. The earlier one was much more simplistic; and this one catches the essence of the restaurant more richly than the 'beginner' version [I think it's the chimney that does it...]. I'm particularly proud of the way the flame image from the card continue across the roof and canopy. Oh, Joy!<br /><br />Hearth is on the north western? edge of the East village [not sure exactly where the village starts and stops]. The wine list is excellent and the food is great. Rustic, but refined, if you know what I mean. This place means 'comfort food' to us, so we've trudged there in ankle-deep snow, on bitterly cold nights, for some good hospitality and warming food.<br /><br />c. 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-681331935005188210?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-19181539040844506592007-12-18T17:06:00.001-05:002008-12-09T03:30:48.610-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hExOnubRI/AAAAAAAAATY/BW6SIL4bRVc/s1600-h/DianaJoel6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hExOnubRI/AAAAAAAAATY/BW6SIL4bRVc/s320/DianaJoel6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145438186799787282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hExenubSI/AAAAAAAAATg/EDj-3T7ZWLs/s1600-h/DianaJoel7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hExenubSI/AAAAAAAAATg/EDj-3T7ZWLs/s320/DianaJoel7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145438191094754594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hExenubTI/AAAAAAAAATo/8divKB4aSvY/s1600-h/DianaJoel3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hExenubTI/AAAAAAAAATo/8divKB4aSvY/s320/DianaJoel3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145438191094754610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The third 'chapel' happens to be an attempt to replicate the actual building, in a vineyard, where the reception was held. It is a beautiful old stone farm building, with a loft space for parties and weddings and such.<br /><br />This invitation was handmade by the couple, with loads of patience, creativity, and joy, it seems. They used small strips of colorful illustrations from magazines and other sources to create obi-wrapped bundles of paper. The colors they selected evoked the Tuscany-like place they had their ceremony; and were a great contrast with the naive austerity of the printed invitation.<br /><br />Great imagination to meet a tight budget, and perfect materials for a tinybuilding.<br /><br />c. 2007<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-1918153904084450659?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com112tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-4155290761331498052007-12-18T16:50:00.001-05:002008-12-09T03:30:49.096-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hBTOnubOI/AAAAAAAAATA/2NdYbpdjUzw/s1600-h/IanJane1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 244px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hBTOnubOI/AAAAAAAAATA/2NdYbpdjUzw/s320/IanJane1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145434372868828386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hBTunubQI/AAAAAAAAATQ/2uwmV8trEzE/s1600-h/IanJane5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 249px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hBTunubQI/AAAAAAAAATQ/2uwmV8trEzE/s320/IanJane5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145434381458763010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hBTenubPI/AAAAAAAAATI/xnRqr9niDZw/s1600-h/IanJane3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 331px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2hBTenubPI/AAAAAAAAATI/xnRqr9niDZw/s320/IanJane3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145434377163795698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />This is one of the *gift* chapels for family friends. This invitation is so beautiful-with yummy colors, patterns and textures. I wanted to use the embossed portion as the roof, so the main building turned out sorta large. I added the tiny, tiny outrigger building to soften the scale of the larger 'airplane hanger'; and to add a little tension into the equation.<br /><br />Nice, huh?!<br /><br />c. 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-415529076133149805?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-10549509830122446682007-12-18T09:48:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:30:49.376-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2flf-nubMI/AAAAAAAAASw/fwhbev0dzt0/s1600-h/CharMad1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 261px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2flf-nubMI/AAAAAAAAASw/fwhbev0dzt0/s320/CharMad1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145333436842405058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2flf-nubNI/AAAAAAAAAS4/RNX7MTHyaUM/s1600-h/CharMad7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 393px; height: 204px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2flf-nubNI/AAAAAAAAAS4/RNX7MTHyaUM/s320/CharMad7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145333436842405074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2flEunubLI/AAAAAAAAASo/nNyd6FJi4bw/s1600-h/CharMad13.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 309px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/R2flEunubLI/AAAAAAAAASo/nNyd6FJi4bw/s320/CharMad13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145332968690969778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This year, a new sub-tradition of the Christmas tinybuildings came into being. My son and his wife asked me to make tinychapels from the wedding invitations of a couple of their friends-as surprise gifts.<br /><br />They turned out so nice, and it was such a good idea that I backtracked and made them a wedding 'complex' from their invitation. [I should have thought of this myself, right after their 2005 wedding.]<br /><br />This 'complex' of tinybuildings came about because I wanted to include all the salient facts about their wedding day- the names, date, location- and to attempt to capture the warm feelings and aesthetic tone of the day.<br /><br />I think the beautiful blue bird on the invitation inspired a tinybuildings 'first'- the arched roofs. Aren't they beautiful?!!!<br /><br />A nice result from the multiple-buildings format is that they occasionally rearrange the buildings in their place on a living room bookshelf. I hope when they are doing that, it causes them to re-imagine that happy and beautiful day in their lives...<p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-1054950983012244668?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-22102142393108951712007-07-21T17:06:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:49.813-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3w-V5ObI/AAAAAAAAAQY/II5Z0uXI9gs/s1600-h/bluehill1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3w-V5ObI/AAAAAAAAAQY/II5Z0uXI9gs/s400/bluehill1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089762212134336946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3xOV5OcI/AAAAAAAAAQg/UfqylRYUnBM/s1600-h/bluehill5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3xOV5OcI/AAAAAAAAAQg/UfqylRYUnBM/s400/bluehill5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089762216429304258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3xOV5OdI/AAAAAAAAAQo/aNgfbA_2N5o/s1600-h/bluehill3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3xOV5OdI/AAAAAAAAAQo/aNgfbA_2N5o/s400/bluehill3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089762216429304274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3xeV5OeI/AAAAAAAAAQw/1o1hi11XNhg/s1600-h/bluehill8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3xeV5OeI/AAAAAAAAAQw/1o1hi11XNhg/s400/bluehill8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089762220724271586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3xeV5OfI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/MYCO6o4dBww/s1600-h/bluehill4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJ3xeV5OfI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/MYCO6o4dBww/s400/bluehill4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089762220724271602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />A-H-H-H-H! Bluehill at Stone Barns!!!! I cannot recommend this place heartily enough. It is just above New York City, along the Hudson River, just outside Tarrytown. Totally worth the drive out of the city. Some years back, Dan Barber, the chef at Bluehill Restaurant in the city cut a deal with David Rockefeller to turn his family estate into a working organic farm with a restaurant and educational center. and it is worth every penny of the tens of millions of dollars they spent in making it operable and beautiful. Its worth the trip just for the stonework, let alone the beautiful wood beams and wonderful lighting.<br /><br />Then, there is the food. OMG!!!!! Elegant, imaginative, fresh, beautiful food! and a great wine list....<br /><br /><br />If you have been paying attention, you will remember this card was used to make the Virginia cabin, some posts back. I admitted in that posting, I believe, that I had borrowed the cardstock because it looked like stacked logs. Well, now you can see the *real* restaurants representation. I may have to make another one or two...I want to make the grouping of buildings around a stone courtyard which you walk through on the way from the valet parking point to the restaurant...you get a peek into several other structures...must go up there for one of the tours or classes....<br /><br />c. 2004<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-2210214239310895171?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-37670167871371158912007-07-21T16:51:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:50.606-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-OV5OWI/AAAAAAAAAPw/JDepoVaMrsc/s1600-h/Blowfish1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-OV5OWI/AAAAAAAAAPw/JDepoVaMrsc/s400/Blowfish1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089756942209464674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-OV5OXI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Xobu91sbLRA/s1600-h/Blowfish6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-OV5OXI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Xobu91sbLRA/s400/Blowfish6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089756942209464690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-eV5OYI/AAAAAAAAAQA/17kO-bB2o-8/s1600-h/Blowfish7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-eV5OYI/AAAAAAAAAQA/17kO-bB2o-8/s400/Blowfish7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089756946504432002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-eV5OZI/AAAAAAAAAQI/O9z1yUybOt4/s1600-h/Blowfish2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-eV5OZI/AAAAAAAAAQI/O9z1yUybOt4/s400/Blowfish2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089756946504432018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-uV5OaI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/4wy4oY2eA40/s1600-h/Blowfish3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RqJy-uV5OaI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/4wy4oY2eA40/s400/Blowfish3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089756950799399330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Blowfish is [I guess it still "is"- I haven't been there in years...] a brash, 'happenin'' sushi place in San Francisco. Its decor is intended to be as*dangerous* as its name implies. I vaguely remember it as dark, with hot spots of lights, noisy maybe...but the noise may have been all visual...<br /><br />The sushi was yummy. I don't know why we haven't gone back. Could be because there are always newer places to try in that oh-so-receptive city.<br /><br />The shape of this tinybuilding is also trying to be *dangerous* and noisy. Sort of mysterious and dark inside-and-out. Maybe a sushi speakeasy.....I think this was the first unusual roofline i attempted. Somehow, a hip roof with gables just wasn't gonna say *dangerous*. This tinybuilding is about 1-1/2 inches tall.<br /><br />c. 2002<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-3767016787137115891?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-36884630814243417842007-07-03T19:04:00.002-04:002008-12-09T03:30:51.322-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorWSonaqqI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/p0s2wukvkOw/s1600-h/StarProvisions1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorWSonaqqI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/p0s2wukvkOw/s400/StarProvisions1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083110745069759138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorWSonaqrI/AAAAAAAAAPY/Sxd8JU6KoYA/s1600-h/StarProvisions2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorWSonaqrI/AAAAAAAAAPY/Sxd8JU6KoYA/s400/StarProvisions2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083110745069759154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorWS4naqsI/AAAAAAAAAPg/J2b88x_rrfo/s1600-h/StarProvisions3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorWS4naqsI/AAAAAAAAAPg/J2b88x_rrfo/s400/StarProvisions3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083110749364726466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorWS4naqtI/AAAAAAAAAPo/0oXXHdtrTgM/s1600-h/StarProvisions4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorWS4naqtI/AAAAAAAAAPo/0oXXHdtrTgM/s400/StarProvisions4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083110749364726482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Star Provisions is the sister to Bacchanalia. They share space in the same old factory-type building in a newly 'up-and-coming' area of Atlanta.<br /><br />This is an example of a tinybuilding where, to make the style of building I was after, I used a foreign material in addition to the shop's business card. The roof is made from a corrugated cardboard heat-sleeve from Starbuck's.<br /><br />It happens that I made this tinybuilding after a trip to the Gulf Coast and a tour of one of the new developments- Rosemary Beach. The architectural style of the buildings there is sort of Norman French, with a smidge of Spanish influence.....a little bit of everything to please everyone. Somehow, when I sat down to make this house, the card colors and the star motif reminded me of Rosemary Beach. Can't say exactly why...<br /><br />So, I just *needed* a Spanish tile roof. Hence the corrugated cardboard... And, of course, with the gridded design of the card, I just *had* to center a window in each square....*had to*...<br /><br />I like this tinybuilding, It is charming, just like its namesake. It is about 1-1/2 inches square.<br /><br />c. 2001<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-3688463081424341784?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-12974962180999566742007-07-03T18:50:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:52.045-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorTYInaqmI/AAAAAAAAAOw/lYh5QyDuez8/s1600-h/Bacchanalia2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorTYInaqmI/AAAAAAAAAOw/lYh5QyDuez8/s400/Bacchanalia2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083107541024156258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorTYInaqnI/AAAAAAAAAO4/OBO7vKkWu_M/s1600-h/Bacchanalia3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorTYInaqnI/AAAAAAAAAO4/OBO7vKkWu_M/s400/Bacchanalia3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083107541024156274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorTYYnaqoI/AAAAAAAAAPA/X9Fuviv3d8Y/s1600-h/Bacchanalia4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorTYYnaqoI/AAAAAAAAAPA/X9Fuviv3d8Y/s400/Bacchanalia4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083107545319123586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorTYYnaqpI/AAAAAAAAAPI/AHbaWLPE8LE/s1600-h/Bacchanalia5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RorTYYnaqpI/AAAAAAAAAPI/AHbaWLPE8LE/s400/Bacchanalia5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5083107545319123602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />If I remember correctly, this is one of my early tinybuildings. At least, I hope so, because it is rather boring. It does have some degree of dignity about it- mainly due to the design of the business card- but, it's a little too elemental.....<br /><br />Bacchanalia is a very respected and successful 'upper class' restaurant now located in Atlanta's West Village area. Originally, it was about a block from our family home in Buckhead. James and I used to go there for very special celebrations. As it became so successful, they relocated to have more room, and to upgrade the environs. My kids and I have been to the new site a couple times.<br /><br />More recently, the owners/chef have opened several other restaurants around Atlanta; and a specialty food shop adjacent to Bacchanalia. The shop- Star Provisions- is the source of the next tinybuilding.<br /><br />c. 2000<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-1297496218099956674?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-11452218266119303882007-06-26T08:19:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:52.742-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFmYFkvYI/AAAAAAAAAOI/DBgcAQPW1Ck/s1600-h/CitizenCake3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFmYFkvYI/AAAAAAAAAOI/DBgcAQPW1Ck/s400/CitizenCake3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080348011509628290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFmYFkvZI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/COsuiuA5iJc/s1600-h/CitizenCake2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFmYFkvZI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/COsuiuA5iJc/s400/CitizenCake2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080348011509628306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFmoFkvaI/AAAAAAAAAOY/AofQyDQicfI/s1600-h/CitizenCake1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFmoFkvaI/AAAAAAAAAOY/AofQyDQicfI/s400/CitizenCake1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080348015804595618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFmoFkvbI/AAAAAAAAAOg/HFX0ZmzHUn4/s1600-h/CitizenCake5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFmoFkvbI/AAAAAAAAAOg/HFX0ZmzHUn4/s400/CitizenCake5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080348015804595634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFm4FkvcI/AAAAAAAAAOo/yQEsKL6JzPY/s1600-h/CitizenCake6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEFm4FkvcI/AAAAAAAAAOo/yQEsKL6JzPY/s400/CitizenCake6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080348020099562946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hmmmmm. This was one of my earliest tinybuildings; and the cardstock, being coated, was very hard to work with. At least those are the excuses I'm using for such crude workmanship. But, it has some redeeming qualities: it's shiny, looks a little bit like the *real* restaurant, has some cute awnings, and the 'patisserie CAFE'' is nicely composed. Citizen Cake is about 1-1/2 inches tall. [and needs some repair...must go visit it.]<br /><br />We haven't been to this restaurant in a long time. Don't know why exactly- probably because there are so many newer, better choices now. Food was good, maybe not great. Space was nice.<br /><br />c. 2000<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-1145221826611930388?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-20371641659683536012007-06-26T07:55:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:53.338-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgIFkvTI/AAAAAAAAANg/d7IyZD9d9Y4/s1600-h/CardboardA2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgIFkvTI/AAAAAAAAANg/d7IyZD9d9Y4/s400/CardboardA2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080342406577306930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgYFkvUI/AAAAAAAAANo/tPoCnhuw7ro/s1600-h/Cardboard3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgYFkvUI/AAAAAAAAANo/tPoCnhuw7ro/s400/Cardboard3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080342410872274242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgYFkvVI/AAAAAAAAANw/pMHbwrQYba8/s1600-h/Cardboard2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgYFkvVI/AAAAAAAAANw/pMHbwrQYba8/s400/Cardboard2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080342410872274258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgYFkvWI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Y_kLtawP2Hc/s1600-h/Cardboard4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgYFkvWI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Y_kLtawP2Hc/s400/Cardboard4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080342410872274274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgoFkvXI/AAAAAAAAAOA/atWBX5BnY4c/s1600-h/CardboardA1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RoEAgoFkvXI/AAAAAAAAAOA/atWBX5BnY4c/s400/CardboardA1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5080342415167241586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Well, this must be the tinybuilding from the wrong-side-of-the-tracks. It is completely unadorned, with no advertising, no detail, almost no color...but, lots of personality and charm. I have no idea when James made this one.. Early in the history of tinybuildings I would certainly guess--maybe 1977?<br /><br />In any case it is very endearing. So humble, with low expectations, but a jaunty little roof, a *real* door and a little stuck-on door and a very basic window. Don't you just want to hug it?! It seems to have some water damage. I hate to think we were so irresponsible as to leave it out in the rain. Perhaps Santa spilled the milk from his snack on it.<br /><br />The more I think about it the more this tinybuilding reminds me of James--humble, charming, not much advertising, somewhat short and stubby...and you just want a hug.<br /><br />c. 1977<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-2037164165968353601?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-87245431813045698572007-06-23T08:33:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:53.995-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Ud4FkvOI/AAAAAAAAAM4/TQUHQVJga6c/s1600-h/Venetian1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 404px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Ud4FkvOI/AAAAAAAAAM4/TQUHQVJga6c/s400/Venetian1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079238458248314082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Ud4FkvPI/AAAAAAAAANA/Fg-vsM5Vq6g/s1600-h/Venetian2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 403px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Ud4FkvPI/AAAAAAAAANA/Fg-vsM5Vq6g/s400/Venetian2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079238458248314098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0UeIFkvQI/AAAAAAAAANI/R1VQQe3szgA/s1600-h/Venetian3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 356px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0UeIFkvQI/AAAAAAAAANI/R1VQQe3szgA/s400/Venetian3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079238462543281410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0UeIFkvRI/AAAAAAAAANQ/G73UZvfyF3Y/s1600-h/Venetian4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0UeIFkvRI/AAAAAAAAANQ/G73UZvfyF3Y/s400/Venetian4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079238462543281426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0UeIFkvSI/AAAAAAAAANY/wOXs4omV_nI/s1600-h/Venetian5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0UeIFkvSI/AAAAAAAAANY/wOXs4omV_nI/s400/Venetian5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079238462543281442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Prosecco. One of Italy's best inventions. This tinybuilding is made from the hangtag off a bottle of prosecco, a sparkling wine similar to champagne...but, Italian. Frankly, I can't remember the name of the Prosecco...starts with an *M*...Monetto, I think. Yummy.<br /><br />I think Jane introduced us all to prosecco many years ago...and we all drink it now, especially for special celebrations, meals and get togethers. Actually, it doesn't take much to make us open a bottle.<br /><br /><br />This tinybuilding is about 1 inch tall, and very mysterious and graphic. The black-and-white cardstock just begged to be made into a modern building...It works, doesn't it? That cardstock must have known what it was talking about.<br /><br />c. 2001<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-8724543181304569857?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-25908111534432508722007-06-23T08:21:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:54.664-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q8YFkvJI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/7FJObCmBD4A/s1600-h/fritti2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q8YFkvJI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/7FJObCmBD4A/s400/fritti2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079234584187813010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q8YFkvKI/AAAAAAAAAMY/AJk69KieEJw/s1600-h/fritti3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q8YFkvKI/AAAAAAAAAMY/AJk69KieEJw/s400/fritti3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079234584187813026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q8oFkvLI/AAAAAAAAAMg/qhRVJskG7NI/s1600-h/fritti7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q8oFkvLI/AAAAAAAAAMg/qhRVJskG7NI/s400/fritti7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079234588482780338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q8oFkvMI/AAAAAAAAAMo/uhJQ1UeVBSw/s1600-h/fritti6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q8oFkvMI/AAAAAAAAAMo/uhJQ1UeVBSw/s400/fritti6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079234588482780354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q84FkvNI/AAAAAAAAAMw/42aTTyGgdl4/s1600-h/fritti4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rn0Q84FkvNI/AAAAAAAAAMw/42aTTyGgdl4/s400/fritti4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079234592777747666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Fritti is a pizza restaurant in one of the 'hippest' neighborhoods in Atlanta. [Showing my demographics, huh?] They have yummy fancified pizzas- my favorite is one with roasted lemon slices and arugula. Very refreshing. Fritti sits a few doors down from a more upscale sister restaurant- Sotto Sotto.<br /><br />This restaurant didn't exist when my kids were still living in ATL, but we have gone there on many of their few returns to the old home. And I'm happy to say they like it as much as I do.<br /><br />This cute little rendition of Fritti [love to say the name...] is about 3/4" tall and resides at some really good friends' home...on their mantle, I believe. I borrowed it to take a pic. I have been calling home all these wandering tinybuildings, for a visit and a photo session. It is really hard to let them leave again. Sort of like my kids coming to visit and eat lemon-sliced pizza.<br /><br />c. 2003<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-2590811153443250872?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-54187095101492133822007-06-19T11:09:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:55.322-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfyioFkvGI/AAAAAAAAAL4/B1qICESBpo4/s1600-h/midnightsun5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfyioFkvGI/AAAAAAAAAL4/B1qICESBpo4/s400/midnightsun5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077793781573794914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfyjIFkvHI/AAAAAAAAAMA/7lczJUJHr3A/s1600-h/midnightsun4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfyjIFkvHI/AAAAAAAAAMA/7lczJUJHr3A/s400/midnightsun4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077793790163729522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfyjYFkvII/AAAAAAAAAMI/iZp13DlrC9A/s1600-h/midnightsun3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfyjYFkvII/AAAAAAAAAMI/iZp13DlrC9A/s400/midnightsun3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077793794458696834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Talk about old memories! Anyone who was in Atlanta in the early Seventies remembers this restaurant and dinner theatre in Downtown Atlanta, in one of John Portman's developments. It was groundbreaking-ly sophisticated for Atlanta; an *import* from Scandinavia-one of Portman's sources of inspiration, apparently. The decor and furnishings were knock-offs of the likes of Aalto and the food was accompanied by bottles of aquavit encased in a flower-encrusted sleeve of ice. Talk about Kitsch, but it worked...<br /><br />There was a sister restaurant in the complex...more casual lunch place...that served wonderful open-faced sandwiches. Can't remember the name of it, but I do remember the shrimp and butter sandwiches. OMG! Wish I had one now.<br /><br />This tinybuilding was made by James from a matchbook. You can see at the base of the building the *close cover before striking* admonishment. It is about 1-1/2" tall.<br /><br />c. 1980<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-5418709510149213382?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-69584808279852520072007-06-19T10:51:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:55.500-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfuH4FkvEI/AAAAAAAAALo/KfK2pW7o43c/s1600-h/Kodak1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfuH4FkvEI/AAAAAAAAALo/KfK2pW7o43c/s400/Kodak1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077788923965783106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfuIIFkvFI/AAAAAAAAALw/jpj0Xw10b3E/s1600-h/Kodak2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfuIIFkvFI/AAAAAAAAALw/jpj0Xw10b3E/s400/Kodak2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077788928260750418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Kodak. Who were they? What did they make? A blast-from-the-past, I must say. This tinybuilding is from long before digital cameras. This is from the days of rolls [literally] of film being wound over the sprockets of your Nikon or Leica. At least, you hoped they wound over the sprockets. Many a great shot was lost because it didn't quite happen.<br /><br />This tinybuilding is one of James' early ones. It has collected, over years of disrespect and bad storage, a wonderful patina of scuffs and scratches. But, it perseveres, proudly carrying on the illustrious, almost forgotten name of Kodak.<br /><br />You can see how James had a different approach to conceiving and making his tinybuildings. He sometimes pasted pieces on instead of cutting out; he used *alien* materials like the door made from an index card. His imagination was free and glorious--not restricted by banal things like placement of windows and doors. From this boxy, slapped together thing he could envision a piece of architecture. I'm still envious....<br /><br />c. 1977<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-6958480827985252007?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-66431155249124850932007-06-19T10:29:00.001-04:002008-12-09T03:30:56.107-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfpQoFkvAI/AAAAAAAAALI/cHzPaYidD6g/s1600-h/Mas1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfpQoFkvAI/AAAAAAAAALI/cHzPaYidD6g/s400/Mas1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077783576731499522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfpQ4FkvBI/AAAAAAAAALQ/nFcNQRD5dEI/s1600-h/Mas3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfpQ4FkvBI/AAAAAAAAALQ/nFcNQRD5dEI/s400/Mas3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077783581026466834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfpRIFkvCI/AAAAAAAAALY/nr4JSm02WEo/s1600-h/Mas5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfpRIFkvCI/AAAAAAAAALY/nr4JSm02WEo/s400/Mas5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077783585321434146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfpRIFkvDI/AAAAAAAAALg/h9ypaPIbgsU/s1600-h/Mas2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RnfpRIFkvDI/AAAAAAAAALg/h9ypaPIbgsU/s400/Mas2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077783585321434162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mas [French farmhouse] is a restaurant in the West Village with wonderful ambiance. It has been designed to portray its namesake with admirable restraint. No kitsch. No hype. Small space beautifully used. Has just enough dark wood, reminiscent of barn beams, to make the point; but doesn't hit you over the head with 'rustic'. A New York interpretation of a farmhouse- maybe wearing Prada, as *they* say.<br /><br />The food is wonderful. We have had several family celebrations here, and are happy every time we return.<br /><br />This tinybuilding is [I've said this several times before, I know...] one of my favorites. I love that the blades of grass encouraged the random openings in the facade. Think of them as worn out barn siding...holes in the side of the structure where the cows can peek in or out. Where the chickens can escape. Where the kids can sneak away to play instead of milking those cows.<br /><br />But, on the other side of the tinybuilding is * the truth*. This is a farmhouse, with orderly windows; but, what? no door?! hahaha. This is the only tinybuilding without a door. Love it!!!<br /><br />The Mas farmhouse/barn is about 1-1/2" tall. It is as wonderful as it is mainly due to the exquisite business card it is made from. Beautiful paper and printing and unusual, almost square size/proportion. Really conducive to a special no-door tinybuilding. Hooray!<br /><br />c. 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-6643115524912485093?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-55557007983039640612007-06-10T10:09:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:57.644-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmwHTIFkuxI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/0g7iOxSKe9g/s1600-h/CafeLettus1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmwHTIFkuxI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/0g7iOxSKe9g/s400/CafeLettus1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074438905309477650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmwHTIFkuyI/AAAAAAAAAJY/7F2upZGTwmY/s1600-h/CafeLettus3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmwHTIFkuyI/AAAAAAAAAJY/7F2upZGTwmY/s400/CafeLettus3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074438905309477666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmwHTYFkuzI/AAAAAAAAAJg/tQarbVT1SvU/s1600-h/CafeLettus2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmwHTYFkuzI/AAAAAAAAAJg/tQarbVT1SvU/s400/CafeLettus2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074438909604444978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is a restaurant that personifies *everyday* San Francisco at its most down-to-earth [pun intended]. It serves food made with organic, locally grown ingredients, with an emphasis on freshness. This is the kind of restaurant you wish were in *your* neighborhood when you are craving a really good salad, and can't think of anyplace that can fill that need.<br /><br />The graphics of the card are very well suited to the place. Slightly too 'corporate', but still refreshing. [heehee] I did not try to make a tinybuilding that would match the actual place, but did consider the layout of the card in forming the facades and roof. I like the window pattern and the cute little roof over the front door. Maybe this is a tall farmhouse on an organic farm somewhere in California....tall [ about 1-1/4 inch] and skinny, for the farmer and his wife in that painting...<br /><br />c. 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-5555700798303964061?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-70953394736571901482007-06-07T10:59:00.001-04:002008-12-09T03:30:58.212-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rmgd8IFkutI/AAAAAAAAAIw/cnAjykgphfU/s1600-h/whitmans1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rmgd8IFkutI/AAAAAAAAAIw/cnAjykgphfU/s400/whitmans1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073337899033082578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rmgd8IFkuuI/AAAAAAAAAI4/C3Fh55aBCaA/s1600-h/whitmans3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rmgd8IFkuuI/AAAAAAAAAI4/C3Fh55aBCaA/s400/whitmans3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073337899033082594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rmgd8YFkuvI/AAAAAAAAAJA/XDxsKZXm7RY/s1600-h/whitmans6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rmgd8YFkuvI/AAAAAAAAAJA/XDxsKZXm7RY/s400/whitmans6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073337903328049906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rmgd8YFkuwI/AAAAAAAAAJI/wPgDbE1djnk/s1600-h/whitmans9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rmgd8YFkuwI/AAAAAAAAAJI/wPgDbE1djnk/s400/whitmans9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073337903328049922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is one of the very earliest tinybuildings, made by James a long, long time ago. Must have been in 1975 or so. No way of knowing, really.<br /><br />This little structure is about 1-1/4 inches tall.<br /><br />As I've mentioned, these tinybuildings were originally made as part of a Christmas *village* and for tree decorations. One of our family traditions was to put small boxes of Whitman's candy in the kids' stockings. So, that box would have been handy when James first hit on the idea of making miniature houses and stores and small-town buildings. This is exactly how the whole concept of the tinybuildings is supposed to work.<br /><br />When I hold this one in my hand, I can conjure up many Christmases when we were all together, with piles of wrapping paper, kids in pjs so excited they couldn't sit still, cats hiding under the trash, too many presents for just two kids, special breakfasts of Dutch baby pancakes- joy all around.<br /><br />I love that this one is worn and shows its age. Don't we all?!<br /><br />I've tried to replicate these earliest Whitman buildings, but, sadly these candy boxes are now made of flimsy, slick, photo-printed paper....not at all a rewarding process.<br /><br />So, this may be the very most favorite. I wish it were still in my collection; but I know it has a good, appreciative home where it lives now.<br /><br />c. 1975<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-7095339473657190148?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-16752394948444535282007-06-05T11:56:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:58.756-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWI2oFkupI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/hLN4064gaVQ/s1600-h/prune1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWI2oFkupI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/hLN4064gaVQ/s400/prune1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072611027357842066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWI24FkuqI/AAAAAAAAAIY/4pSmyJHtu4M/s1600-h/prune2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWI24FkuqI/AAAAAAAAAIY/4pSmyJHtu4M/s400/prune2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072611031652809378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWI24FkurI/AAAAAAAAAIg/L-gZlBE7cRo/s1600-h/prune8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWI24FkurI/AAAAAAAAAIg/L-gZlBE7cRo/s400/prune8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072611031652809394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWI3IFkusI/AAAAAAAAAIo/vvMnPYYyBBU/s1600-h/prune9.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWI3IFkusI/AAAAAAAAAIo/vvMnPYYyBBU/s400/prune9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072611035947776706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is one of the best restaurants in NYC, in the USA....Tiny place in the East Village, owned by a woman chef whose childhood nickname was <a href="http://www.prunerestaurant.com">Prune</a>. Excellent food, very vibrant, comfortable atmosphere. Always crowded and hectic, but somehow you don't mind people jostling your elbow getting to their table or gazing at the food on your plate while they look over the menu.<br /><br />The restaurant is in the ground floor of one of the ubiquitous apartment buildings that border all the sidewalks in Manhattan. I don't know it there is really a skylight on the back side of the roof, but it seemed like there oughta be. Maybe because Prune somehow makes you think of a Parisian bistro/brasserie...might be the tall skinny windows and the old mirrors and woodwork inside.<br /><br />They have a great Sunday brunch; and the roasted fish on the dinner menu is melt-in-your-mouth good. Always interesting side dishes.<br /><br />c. 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-1675239494844453528?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-78274359037933723232007-06-05T11:40:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:59.474-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2IFkukI/AAAAAAAAAHo/JzbkuGb-pjY/s1600-h/morimoto7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2IFkukI/AAAAAAAAAHo/JzbkuGb-pjY/s400/morimoto7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072606620721396290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2YFkulI/AAAAAAAAAHw/xxyraf4_EfU/s1600-h/morimoto2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2YFkulI/AAAAAAAAAHw/xxyraf4_EfU/s400/morimoto2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072606625016363602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2YFkumI/AAAAAAAAAH4/2hFMCvzHfQ8/s1600-h/morimoto4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 275px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2YFkumI/AAAAAAAAAH4/2hFMCvzHfQ8/s400/morimoto4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072606625016363618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2oFkunI/AAAAAAAAAIA/tjNZ7TKqQxw/s1600-h/morimoto5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 285px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2oFkunI/AAAAAAAAAIA/tjNZ7TKqQxw/s400/morimoto5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072606629311330930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2oFkuoI/AAAAAAAAAII/ObyLi5G7VOM/s1600-h/morimoto6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 354px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmWE2oFkuoI/AAAAAAAAAII/ObyLi5G7VOM/s400/morimoto6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072606629311330946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I love this tinybuilding! I am proud of how much it resembles the actual restaurant. Go to the morimoto link and see what I mean. It was difficult to build....curved roof/ceiling...tiny benches...This, obviously, took several business cards, breaking one of the 'rules'; but, it's worth it to have the name down each side and the address between the 'slots' in the back wall.<br /><br /><br />In the restaurant one of the designer's 'gimmicks' is to have the plastic furniture units change colors through embedded colored lights. I decided not to try that.....kinda tacky, anyway...<br /><br />Sushi here is outstanding. Beautifully presented, of course. And imaginative.<br /><br />c. 2002<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-7827435903793372323?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-42478230004453894182007-06-01T11:48:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:30:59.976-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmBAhiA5PwI/AAAAAAAAAHI/bWwsw19YcGQ/s1600-h/f119.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 375px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmBAhiA5PwI/AAAAAAAAAHI/bWwsw19YcGQ/s400/f119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071124125229596418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmBAhyA5PxI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/kfZFFN3eg68/s1600-h/f117.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 323px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmBAhyA5PxI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/kfZFFN3eg68/s400/f117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071124129524563730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmBAiSA5PyI/AAAAAAAAAHY/r0CwtIooLsE/s1600-h/f113.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmBAiSA5PyI/AAAAAAAAAHY/r0CwtIooLsE/s400/f113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071124138114498338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmBAiiA5PzI/AAAAAAAAAHg/NVN6J_tM7qM/s1600-h/f114.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmBAiiA5PzI/AAAAAAAAAHg/NVN6J_tM7qM/s400/f114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071124142409465650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This tinybuilding was made from a couple business cards for Darko Karas' motion graphics company in NYC. Darko is Jane's partner-in-crime-and-love.<br /><br />I tried to do the card's graphics justice by placing and cutting the windows and doors in this tinybuilding at interesting locations and with unusual compositions-for windows, at least...I let the lines on the card dictate the positions and sizes of the cuts. Nice, huh?<br /><br />c. 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-4247823000445389418?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-86194696810858822312007-06-01T11:35:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:00.545-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA9ZiA5PsI/AAAAAAAAAGo/rxAaUCid3fM/s1600-h/chalet1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 355px; height: 409px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA9ZiA5PsI/AAAAAAAAAGo/rxAaUCid3fM/s400/chalet1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071120689255759554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA9ZyA5PtI/AAAAAAAAAGw/L4paogcHWvg/s1600-h/chalet5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA9ZyA5PtI/AAAAAAAAAGw/L4paogcHWvg/s400/chalet5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071120693550726866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA9aCA5PuI/AAAAAAAAAG4/tC3zUsVkWyQ/s1600-h/chalet3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA9aCA5PuI/AAAAAAAAAG4/tC3zUsVkWyQ/s400/chalet3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071120697845694178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA9aSA5PvI/AAAAAAAAAHA/4iPf4_h7FwM/s1600-h/chalet4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 322px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA9aSA5PvI/AAAAAAAAAHA/4iPf4_h7FwM/s400/chalet4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071120702140661490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is another tinybuilding from Jane's SDOTY Party- the one with the Swiss theme- for party favors.<br /><br />Cute little cabin in a snow-filled valley, waiting for the skiers to return for rosti and schuemli pfluemli. They can sit on the front deck and put their feet up on the railing....Then maybe some chocolate for dessert....<br /><br />I love this little cabin...Makes me very happy to look at it.<br /><br />c. 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-8619469681085882231?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-53300208725497393262007-06-01T11:17:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:00.955-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA5PiA5PpI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/C12Bb3I3--4/s1600-h/lupa6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA5PiA5PpI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/C12Bb3I3--4/s400/lupa6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071116119410556562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA5PyA5PqI/AAAAAAAAAGY/KPnIdvyzWq4/s1600-h/lupa2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA5PyA5PqI/AAAAAAAAAGY/KPnIdvyzWq4/s400/lupa2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071116123705523874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA5QCA5PrI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Ui5m-TEhmLI/s1600-h/lupa3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RmA5QCA5PrI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Ui5m-TEhmLI/s400/lupa3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5071116128000491186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Lupa is one of Mario Batali's restaurants. My favorite, in fact. It has the feel of a 'neighborhood hangout' place, but with very good food. Not unlike Delfina in San Francisco [although, Delfina's food is even better I think].<br /><br />It is particularly pleasant to eat at the bar, even with all the foot traffic and bustle. The energy level is great. Pasta, yummy roasted artichokes, Prosecco....We have had lots of good meals there. Makes you feel like a New York Insider to be there, somehow.<br /><br />The actual building is not shaped like this Lupa 'diner'. But the atmosphere and attitude is sorta Italian Diner, I thought. Hence-the Lupa Diner.<br /><br />c. 2002<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-5330020872549739326?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-10550131429095645652007-05-22T12:31:00.001-04:002008-12-09T03:31:01.419-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RlMbXyA5PmI/AAAAAAAAAF4/KfD-c8Hi2nQ/s1600-h/IO2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RlMbXyA5PmI/AAAAAAAAAF4/KfD-c8Hi2nQ/s400/IO2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067424101098405474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RlMbYSA5PnI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ukWEW__FLI0/s1600-h/IO3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RlMbYSA5PnI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ukWEW__FLI0/s400/IO3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067424109688340082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RlMbYSA5PoI/AAAAAAAAAGI/IElwYWDF7H0/s1600-h/IO4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RlMbYSA5PoI/AAAAAAAAAGI/IElwYWDF7H0/s400/IO4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067424109688340098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Since the IO Spa is an interior space in a nondescript building, I made an 'interpretive', spa-like tinybuilding, using the graphics of the card to shape the structure. This is a case where the card definitely does the space justice. Just looking at it makes me more relaxed....<br /><br />The interior of the spa is similar to the tinybuilding: white curving walls and slotted display areas and windows.<br /><br />I especially had fun 'twisting' the logotype around the structure. I think it is rather Zen-like, whatever that means....<br /><br />I did use multiple cards here, because I wanted the IO flag on top, leading you to a wonderful, relaxing and rejuvenating spa experience.<br /><br />c. 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-1055013142909564565?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-27662757870661200532007-05-14T11:09:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:01.960-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rkh81HYL6tI/AAAAAAAAAFY/5XU45pBUxUE/s1600-h/Delfina1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rkh81HYL6tI/AAAAAAAAAFY/5XU45pBUxUE/s400/Delfina1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064435032933526226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rkh81XYL6uI/AAAAAAAAAFg/MgdT2EbPdNs/s1600-h/Delfina2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rkh81XYL6uI/AAAAAAAAAFg/MgdT2EbPdNs/s400/Delfina2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064435037228493538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rkh813YL6vI/AAAAAAAAAFo/0iyKPbhp9Mw/s1600-h/Delfina4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 362px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rkh813YL6vI/AAAAAAAAAFo/0iyKPbhp9Mw/s400/Delfina4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064435045818428146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rkh813YL6wI/AAAAAAAAAFw/-P43kQFoW6Q/s1600-h/Delfina5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 363px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rkh813YL6wI/AAAAAAAAAFw/-P43kQFoW6Q/s400/Delfina5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5064435045818428162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Let me tell you about the most wonderful 'food street' in San Francisco...maybe even in the U.S. - Eighteenth Street, between Guerrero and Dolores, in the Mission district...This is foodie heaven. On the corner is Tartine Bakery. Next to it it Delfina Pizzeria, an annex to Delfina. and next to that is Bi-Rite Market, a small, family-owned market with everything you could want to prepare a wonderful meal. A little farther up the street, and across, is Bi-Rite Creamery...unimaginably good ice cream in very imaginative flavors.<br /><br />So, walking less than a block, you can have brunch, a very special pizza, shop for dinner or make a reservation at Delfina, then hop just the block for an ice cream cone to carry around the block as you try to walk off the pounds. You will have had some of the best meals ever! No exaggeration.<br /><br />This particular tinybuilding is my granddaughter's. She had dinner there when she was about two weeks old. She was very well behaved and charmed all the staff and customers. Her parents also have a Delfina in their collection because it is a very special place to them. They got engaged there, had their rehearsal dinner there, and have celebrated many other times of there lives together there.<br /><br />Delfina is about 3/4 inch square. The shape is somehow reminiscent of Tuscan farm outbuildings I saw there some years back. The *real* Delfina Restaurant was originally inspired by a small well-respected restaurant of the same name somewhere in Tuscany. We tried to eat there on our travels, but it was vacation season and the owners and chef had fled to wherever Italians go when they just can't stand one more American.<br /><br />If you find yourself in San Francisco, go to Delfina and order the tomato-sauced pasta. So simple and so delicious.<br /><br />c. 2007<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-2766275787066120053?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-67326437632326274402007-05-12T14:25:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:02.411-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkYHBXYL6qI/AAAAAAAAAFA/8bktnXTJen0/s1600-h/UniversalCafe2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkYHBXYL6qI/AAAAAAAAAFA/8bktnXTJen0/s400/UniversalCafe2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063742551061424802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkYHBnYL6rI/AAAAAAAAAFI/G5VFIpndQjc/s1600-h/UniversalCafe6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkYHBnYL6rI/AAAAAAAAAFI/G5VFIpndQjc/s400/UniversalCafe6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063742555356392114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkYHBnYL6sI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/6glR-mR4Pr4/s1600-h/UniversalCafe7.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkYHBnYL6sI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/6glR-mR4Pr4/s400/UniversalCafe7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063742555356392130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is the most recent tinybuilding in my granddaughter's collection. She has, at 4 months, already dined there at least twice.<br /><br />This is one of the rare situations where the graphics of the restaurant's business card do not do the restaurant justice. The design, service and food and wine at Universal Cafe are much more sophisticated than this ugly card. I mean, why the red and blue; and why that nasty distorted star?<br /><br />So, I had a rather hard time convincing myself to make a structure from it. If the restaurant didn't have such a presence in the SFO family's lives, I would never have bothered. My response was to make a little visual joke: the shape of the tinybuilding is reminiscent of a church - the Universal church. hahaha.<br /><br />But here it is. The Universal 'church' is about 1-1/2 inch tall.<br /><br />c. 2007<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-6732643763232627440?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-15320887345630616622007-05-10T09:33:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:03.021-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMfrXYL6mI/AAAAAAAAAEg/oZSvNm_lutc/s1600-h/Toblerone6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMfrXYL6mI/AAAAAAAAAEg/oZSvNm_lutc/s400/Toblerone6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062925235964865122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMfrnYL6nI/AAAAAAAAAEo/OiquKn81xWg/s1600-h/Toblerone5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMfrnYL6nI/AAAAAAAAAEo/OiquKn81xWg/s400/Toblerone5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062925240259832434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMfrnYL6oI/AAAAAAAAAEw/LFD9Mp7i-oE/s1600-h/Toblerone2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMfrnYL6oI/AAAAAAAAAEw/LFD9Mp7i-oE/s400/Toblerone2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062925240259832450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMfrnYL6pI/AAAAAAAAAE4/wlwxDbNipc4/s1600-h/Toblerone1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMfrnYL6pI/AAAAAAAAAE4/wlwxDbNipc4/s400/Toblerone1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062925240259832466" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Speaking of Switzerland, this rather crass construction is one-of-many made for Jane's 'Shortest-Day-of -the-Year Party a couple years ago. The party theme was 'Swiss', with raclette as the main course. Jane asked me to make party favors for the guests - a challenge to make a dozen quickly.<br /><br />Christina asked her Mom to send Swiss packaging so I could have authentic materials to work with. However, I was forced to buy a couple of Toblerone chocolate bars, just to be sure I had enough cardstock. You know how it is - anything for your kids...<br /><br />I'm planning to re-collect and photograph the favors...perhaps we can have a 'Longest-Day-of-the-Year' Party this summer, and have a reunion of people, food and tinybuildings. I'm ready...how about you, Jane?<br /><br />This tinybuilding is one of the larger ones: about 1-1/2 inch cube. I researched online to find photos of swiss ski cabins/cottages, then copied their design, including the balconies, roof pitch, overhangs, window spacing....Got to be as accurate as possible at 1-1/2 inch and working with cardboard....<br /><br />c. 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-1532088734563061662?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-76892834110791632892007-05-10T09:08:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:03.460-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMaQnYL6jI/AAAAAAAAAEI/k3570gm2cz8/s1600-h/Hiltl1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMaQnYL6jI/AAAAAAAAAEI/k3570gm2cz8/s400/Hiltl1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062919278845225522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMaQnYL6kI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/sBlwcs_SS3Y/s1600-h/Hiltl3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMaQnYL6kI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/sBlwcs_SS3Y/s400/Hiltl3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062919278845225538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMaQnYL6lI/AAAAAAAAAEY/H0Wx4FFb1Nk/s1600-h/Hiltl5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkMaQnYL6lI/AAAAAAAAAEY/H0Wx4FFb1Nk/s400/Hiltl5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062919278845225554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />These tiny cottages, with steep roofs to shed the snow in ski season, are made from business cards of a great vegetarian restaurant, an institution, in Zurich. Jane and I ate there with Christina Ruegg's brother and his now-wife, a couple years ago. I wish there were such a place in Atlanta or even NYC or SFO.<br /><br />Like the Toblerone tinybuilding, they were made for Jane's SDOTY Party.<br /><br />The tinybuildings are *tiny* - about 1/2 inch square, and 3/4 inch tall. Because they're so small, I made two of them so they could protect each other....<br /><br />As a 'thank you' for introducing us to this wonderful food place, I made<br />Christina's brother a replica of the Hiltl building. It is the most complex tinybuilding I've ever made. I'm hoping to get photos of it from him, because the ones I had were lost in an earlier computer meltdown.<br /><br />c. 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-7689283411079163289?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-23049432421469872612007-05-08T15:24:00.000-04:002007-05-08T15:48:55.907-04:00Most of the tinybuildings are made from business cards, usually from restaurants, but sometimes stores or museums or even companies. Some of them are made from packaging, usually food.<br /><br />Whenever I am in a place that I have enjoyed visiting and want to recall later -particularly if I'm there with my kids- I collect a small stack of cards from the cash register/reception/maitre d' desk - especially if the design of the space and the graphics of the cards are memorable. It is a little game to get away with not one, not two, but, maybe six-to-eight cards.<br /><br />It is very satisfying to know that I have the cards stored away in boxes in my work area, even if it might be years before I use them to make a tinybuilding. I can open one of the boxes [there are drawers full!] spread out a stack of the cards, and let my memory wander through good meals, good times, nicely designed spaces.<br /><br />Then, one day, one of the stacks will 'call my name'; and I will think about some special menu item or some great toy purchased, or there is someone I think will really like a tinybuilding memory, and a new tinybuilding is underway.<br /><br />The food packaging is much harder to work with than the business cards. It is usually a light weight cardboard and is softer and less rigid. I can't get the crisp corners and clean cuts like I can with business card cardstock. That's why the form of the roof on the Carr's Cracker box is rather messy; and the windows are larger - it is almost impossible to make the really little casement windows in cardboard. But, sometimes, I just have to use it because I am eating some caponata on a Carr's Cracker and I remember a sunny afternoon with wine and snacks from 20 years ago...Got to memorialize that!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-2304943242146987261?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-31589470740402603142007-05-08T15:18:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:04.145-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDNXnYL6fI/AAAAAAAAADo/Zu7l6--FEBY/s1600-h/CarrsA1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDNXnYL6fI/AAAAAAAAADo/Zu7l6--FEBY/s400/CarrsA1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062271786755549682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDNX3YL6gI/AAAAAAAAADw/9dlNB4x5POE/s1600-h/CarrsA2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDNX3YL6gI/AAAAAAAAADw/9dlNB4x5POE/s400/CarrsA2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062271791050516994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDNX3YL6hI/AAAAAAAAAD4/SuyDRQXYZXE/s1600-h/CarrsA3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDNX3YL6hI/AAAAAAAAAD4/SuyDRQXYZXE/s400/CarrsA3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062271791050517010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDNX3YL6iI/AAAAAAAAAEA/53-HkO-zsHU/s1600-h/CarrsA4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDNX3YL6iI/AAAAAAAAAEA/53-HkO-zsHU/s400/CarrsA4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062271791050517026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The second Carr's Cracker tinybuilding- smaller, but still using the Nutrition panel to size the windows. This roof was hard to build, hence the less-than-professional craftsmanship...sigh...But, you've still got to love this little thing...makes you happy, doesn't it?! See what I meant about it reminding me of a Caribbean cottage/hut. Definitely a beach structure.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-3158947074040260314?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-21132796689711689812007-05-08T15:06:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:04.437-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDK-XYL6cI/AAAAAAAAADQ/lDVdvsyK8Xk/s1600-h/Carrs1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDK-XYL6cI/AAAAAAAAADQ/lDVdvsyK8Xk/s400/Carrs1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062269153940597186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDK-nYL6dI/AAAAAAAAADY/wfzULXHqzY8/s1600-h/Carrs2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDK-nYL6dI/AAAAAAAAADY/wfzULXHqzY8/s400/Carrs2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062269158235564498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDK-nYL6eI/AAAAAAAAADg/asSOcwtw5_s/s1600-h/Carrs3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RkDK-nYL6eI/AAAAAAAAADg/asSOcwtw5_s/s400/Carrs3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062269158235564514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is one of two versions of tinybuildings made with a Carr's Water Cracker box. It is a slightly larger-than-normal structure - about1 inch x 2 inch x 2-1/2 inch tall. Also, it is a larger 'scale' than most: the windows and door are large- driven by the bold lines of the Nutrition Facts panel. I just *had to* make the windows that tall. And the Queen gets her due by being prominently acknowledged on the roof.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-2113279668971168981?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-42680694466484510262007-05-07T15:19:00.000-04:002007-05-07T16:40:23.384-04:00When I first started making these tinybuildings, being the anal-retentive designer that I am, I instituted some 'design guidelines' for myself. The guidelines are based upon a sense that the proportions of the business cards or the graphics on the packaging or some ethereal 'perfection' drive the size and shape of the completed tinybuilding. They are not arbitrary sizes and shapes, but inevitable little icons.<br /><br />It might be that the text on the front of a restaurant's business card reminds me of a sign, like on the Bi-rite Creamery; then, I look at the remainder of the card to see how I might replicate the same proportions of the actual building with the logo ending up at the top/center of the structure.<br /><br />Whenever possible, I use just one card per building. In some cases that just isn't possible - either because the finished structure wants to be bigger [like the Tartine] or because the actual configuration and proportions of the original building just cannot be replicated with one card.<br /><br />Packaging gives me more options, but I still try to use just one corner of a box, or one side; although like in the case of the Carr's Cracker house, I deliberately used the illustration of a single cracker to make the roof. Funnily, this roof shape makes me think of a cabana on some Caribbean island - I can see it made from palm fronds....<br /><br />I *must* say, I just love the SKU lines and the Nutrition listings on packaging. They are so dynamic and so remind me of architectural finishes like siding or stone. Wonderful graphics!<br /><br />I search the text and graphics and color-fields on original cards and packaging to decide where to place windows and openings - cutting along imagined lines at intervals determined by the graphic designer's sense of proportion determines if the windows should be casement with mullions or vertical slits or French doors, or *picture windows*. I have noticed that I generally default to more 'romantic' architectural styles if I am not making a *real* building, but rather creating an appropriate impression or style.<br /><br />There are exceptions to this though. For instance, the 'Glass' building; and the 'Blowfish' building just *had* to be Modern. Their cards graphics were just too bold and high-contrast to become quaint cottages or shops. In fact, the 'Glass' modern house is made from a hangtag from a bottle of Monetto Prosecco: so there is a tiny/little joke here about living in glass houses. And, the 'Blowfish' building is made from the business card from a *wild* sushi restaurant in San Francisco. The night we ate there, we sat at the sushi bar; and the overall impression I left with was one of 'disco sushi'. I vaguely remember bright flashing lights, reflections in mirrors, colored-glass pendant fixtures, stained concrete floors, etc. The actual space may be nothing like this - but that's what I envisioned when I sat down with the 'Blowfish' card and began to cut and shape the final tinybuilding.<br /><br />One rule is to try to make the structures out of continuous strips of cardstock. Following this rule tends to result in the smallest buildings- there are only so many inches in a business card. So, instead of cutting and joining at each corner, I try to start at what is going to be one corner of the final tinybuilding, then kerf the cardstock to fold it at subsequent corners; eventually joining the ends at the fourth corner. I have to constantly remind myself to allow for the taller, triangular shape of the gables, so I don't have to patch a piece onto the ends. I *hate* having to do that, and usually destroy those attempts.<br /><br />There are other rules and guidelines, but they are all subject to being overridden by some *flash* of inspiration. When I hold a card or a flattened package in my hand, ready to start cutting, I can *feel* just what I'm supposed to do first, and second, and third....<br /><br />As I sit down to make a tinybuilding, I feel a delicious sense of opportunity and inevitability. There are so many possibilities, but just one *perfect* tinybuilding waiting in the colors and letters and proportions of the card or packaging. The challenge is to cut and fold and paste and form the flat cardstock into a three-dimensional replica of four-dimensional memory - of an occurrence, an event, a good time and place and people.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-4268069446648451026?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-49957955022963267862007-05-06T18:41:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:04.731-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5aU3YL6WI/AAAAAAAAACg/A_MY8rVCjE4/s1600-h/XmasTree1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5aU3YL6WI/AAAAAAAAACg/A_MY8rVCjE4/s400/XmasTree1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061582345720293730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5aU3YL6XI/AAAAAAAAACo/r1q5D7MF-vs/s1600-h/XmasTree2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5aU3YL6XI/AAAAAAAAACo/r1q5D7MF-vs/s400/XmasTree2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061582345720293746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />A somewhat bedraggled Christmas tree, possibly one of the earliest editions of tinybuildings- way back in 1975 or so. It may be from the holidays when Jane, four years old, managed to get one of the stars in her eyes...It took a trip to an opthamologist to get it removed. Not fun!<br /><br />It looks like James made this from a metallic paper-coated cardboard box, with added 'sequins'. It is about two inches tall. We placed it in the Town Square of the tiny village of tinybuildings. We supplemented the handmade structures with wooden matchbox sheep and fences and little men with bowlers.<br /><br />c. 1975<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-4995795502296326786?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-89144856335822436842007-05-06T11:31:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:05.179-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj31RnYL6SI/AAAAAAAAACA/ISLJgwurMzQ/s1600-h/museum5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj31RnYL6SI/AAAAAAAAACA/ISLJgwurMzQ/s400/museum5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061471239211313442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj31RnYL6TI/AAAAAAAAACI/YBGQNvJ7Abw/s1600-h/museum4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj31RnYL6TI/AAAAAAAAACI/YBGQNvJ7Abw/s400/museum4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061471239211313458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj31R3YL6UI/AAAAAAAAACQ/stJPSpdp_LM/s1600-h/museum3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj31R3YL6UI/AAAAAAAAACQ/stJPSpdp_LM/s400/museum3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061471243506280770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj31R3YL6VI/AAAAAAAAACY/39qpN7dPITg/s1600-h/museum2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj31R3YL6VI/AAAAAAAAACY/39qpN7dPITg/s400/museum2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061471243506280786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The de Young Museum, in Golden Gate Park, is a nice surprise amongst the slightly musty traditional buildings and shady walkways. This is my attempt to interpret the structure of the building-recalling the peek-a-boo quality of the facade and the airplane wing effect of the roof. Of course, the tinybuilding is made from one of the nicely designed, over-sized business cards from the Museum. The tinybuilding is about 1-1/2 inches square.<br /><br />c. 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-8914485633582243684?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-45149647597941850922007-05-05T12:23:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:05.340-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyvp3YL6RI/AAAAAAAAAB4/NVzxBhJuB4g/s1600-h/stripes1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyvp3YL6RI/AAAAAAAAAB4/NVzxBhJuB4g/s400/stripes1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061113215032486162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is one of my very favorite tinybuildings. It is a replica of log cabin, in the woods near Falls Church, Virginia. The business card is from Blue Hill @ Stone Barn, a really special restaurant and organic farm in the Hudson Valley, north of Manhattan.<br /><br />I have made several copies of the cabin, as gifts for various families with connection to it; hence the multiple 'collections' label.<br /><br />I prefer for the buildings to represent whatever the business card is from, but the stripes on the back of the restaurant's card so perfectly mimicked the horizontal lines of the log cabin, I just couldn't resist.<br /><br />The tinybuilding is 'to scale' with the original cabin, which is in an idyllic locale, resting in a small clearing in some woods- visibly removed from the neighborhood that surrounds it, but within an easy hike through the woods.<br /><br />c. 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-4514964759794185092?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-91492834354878318902007-05-05T12:12:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:05.821-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5e43YL6YI/AAAAAAAAACw/ciDp-2vXxoM/s1600-h/Boursin4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5e43YL6YI/AAAAAAAAACw/ciDp-2vXxoM/s400/Boursin4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061587362242095490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5e5HYL6aI/AAAAAAAAADA/IlyyZK4HS1g/s1600-h/Boursin2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5e5HYL6aI/AAAAAAAAADA/IlyyZK4HS1g/s400/Boursin2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061587366537062818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5e5HYL6bI/AAAAAAAAADI/qDfERgnGuqw/s1600-h/Boursin3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 338px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rj5e5HYL6bI/AAAAAAAAADI/qDfERgnGuqw/s400/Boursin3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061587366537062834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjytnXYL6QI/AAAAAAAAABw/UkPmtefl4s0/s1600-h/Boursin1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 379px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjytnXYL6QI/AAAAAAAAABw/UkPmtefl4s0/s400/Boursin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061110973059557634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is one of James' original tinybuildings. I am not sure what kind of package it was, but from the words and images visible, it seems to be pasta-related...True to his personality, James' tinybuildings are more casual and interpretive than mine. He was an architect, and his unbounded creativity shows in these tiny 'bus man's holiday' efforts.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the dates of the original tinybuildings can be only a guess- we were not very careful with them, and few remain. Generally, they were made between 1975 and 1990.<br /><br />c.1980<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-9149283435487831890?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-91466812293515914912007-05-05T11:56:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:06.521-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp-3YL6LI/AAAAAAAAABI/qas-odSUM0s/s1600-h/Pizzetta5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp-3YL6LI/AAAAAAAAABI/qas-odSUM0s/s400/Pizzetta5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061106978739972274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp_HYL6MI/AAAAAAAAABQ/Bu273GQ92dE/s1600-h/Pizzetta2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp_HYL6MI/AAAAAAAAABQ/Bu273GQ92dE/s400/Pizzetta2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061106983034939586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp_HYL6NI/AAAAAAAAABY/cXeHKr-kXms/s1600-h/Pizzetta4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp_HYL6NI/AAAAAAAAABY/cXeHKr-kXms/s400/Pizzetta4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061106983034939602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp_HYL6OI/AAAAAAAAABg/lkl0QiN17Qs/s1600-h/Pizzetta3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp_HYL6OI/AAAAAAAAABg/lkl0QiN17Qs/s400/Pizzetta3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061106983034939618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp_XYL6PI/AAAAAAAAABo/5NEnsKLFYyI/s1600-h/Pizzetta6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjyp_XYL6PI/AAAAAAAAABo/5NEnsKLFYyI/s400/Pizzetta6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061106987329906930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />A tiny pizza 'parlor' that is not much bigger than the tinybuilding version.<br /><br />This is an 'interpretive' structure- the original restaurant is on the street level of a 3-4 story building. The graphics of the business card, with the large, bold numbers, inspired the shape of the structure -'super' graphics redeux.<br /><br />c. 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-9146681229351591491?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-34841913518577512922007-05-05T11:30:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:06.684-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjyjqnYL6KI/AAAAAAAAABA/Z8C3x72ARds/s1600-h/Kido1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjyjqnYL6KI/AAAAAAAAABA/Z8C3x72ARds/s400/Kido1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061100033777854626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />These three connected tiny buildings are the first in my new grand daughter's collection. There is a mommy house, a daddy house, and a baby bear house. The daddy house is about one inch high.<br /><br />They are made of cards from a great kids' store in the West Village. I am sure many presents will be purchased here.<br /><br />c. 2006<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-3484191351857751292?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-66686825544279873032007-05-05T11:18:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:06.922-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjyhyHYL6II/AAAAAAAAAAw/CX8ehl9I0vU/s1600-h/Tartine2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjyhyHYL6II/AAAAAAAAAAw/CX8ehl9I0vU/s400/Tartine2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061097963603617922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjyhyHYL6JI/AAAAAAAAAA4/PtJ2CWDCuv8/s1600-h/Tartine1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjyhyHYL6JI/AAAAAAAAAA4/PtJ2CWDCuv8/s400/Tartine1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061097963603617938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The BEST bakery on earth! [even Mark Bittman agrees.] And the morning bun- a cinnamon roll for the gods- is the best-of-the-best. It is impossible to fore go them if you are in the Mission neighborhood. The lines are long and the service is sporadic, but it's all worthwhile.<br /><br />This is one of the tiny buildings that is an attempt to replicate the actual structure. Go see for yourself. It is also one of the larger buildings. It is about 3-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches high.<br /><br />c. 2004<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-6668682554427987303?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-85190084108366388602007-05-04T17:57:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:07.046-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjus-3YL6HI/AAAAAAAAAAo/sih0g0stBos/s1600-h/Hearth1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/Rjus-3YL6HI/AAAAAAAAAAo/sih0g0stBos/s400/Hearth1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060828802298144882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of the really nice restaurants in the East Village, it has been the site of some great meals...they have an impressive wine list and great service. We have had several family celebrations there.<br /><br />The pencil marks are 'proof' this is handmade....and they add to the character....<br /><br />c. 2005<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-8519008410836638860?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-52356404289008103732007-05-04T17:14:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:31:07.438-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjujKnYL6GI/AAAAAAAAAAc/yKokYOLHrsc/s1600-h/BiriteCreamery1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_6ZO3Uez7c2E/RjujKnYL6GI/AAAAAAAAAAc/yKokYOLHrsc/s400/BiriteCreamery1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060818009045330018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the yummiest ice cream store on earth. It opened in the Spring of 2007, in the Mission District. It is just up the street from Bi-Rite Market and Tartine's, and Delfina's. Can you imagine a better food street to live 'just-around-the-corner' from?<br /><br />This is made from a single business card. i am particularly proud of the fold-down benches below the windows, which are just like on the real building. Although this is not an 'exact' replica of the building, it does resemble it - in actuality, the roof line is not an integral sign...but it could be/ought to be.<br /><br />c. 2007<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-5235640428900810373?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6782024143516426375.post-47990462949104711252007-05-04T14:11:00.000-04:002007-05-05T11:53:09.305-04:00I'm <a href="mailto:smount@mindspring.com">Sharon</a>, and this is my collection of tiny buildings crafted from business cards, packaging and other nice papers.<br /><br />In the 1970s, when our children were young, my husband, James Mount, started a collection of tiny buildings - made from odds-and-ends cardboard packaging. The original idea was for them to be Christmas decorations - to be placed over tiny white lights on our tree, or to gather on a side table as a little village. Each holiday, James would add to our collection. A few were given to friends, but most rested in an attic-stored box through most of the year...escaping for Christmas, to our delight.<br /><br />Because the tiny buildings were made from familiar boxes, or restaurant business cards, or other pieces collected as we traveled and lived, they became miniature memoirs of happy times and places.<br /><br />Many years later, in 2000 or so, ten years after James' death, I started to add to the collection. I gathered cards from the many stores and restaurants and fun places that Jane and Madison, our now-grown children, and I visited, and gave them to each of them for Christmas presents.<br /><br />So, this is a continuing history of our wonderful, happenstance memoir medium. Enjoy!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6782024143516426375-4799046294910471125?l=blog.tinybuildings.com' alt='' /></div>skmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15681703874717973572noreply@blogger.com15