Venetian. San Francisco

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.

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.


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.

c. 2001

Whitman's. An original edition

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.

This little structure is about 1-1/4 inches tall.

As I've mentioned, these tinybuildings were originally made as part of a Christmas *village* and for tree decorations.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.

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.

I love that this one is worn and shows its age. Don't we all?!

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.

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.

c. 1975

Toblerone Swiss Chalet. New York City

This is another tinybuilding from Jane's SDOTY Party- the one with the Swiss theme- for party favors.

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....

I love this little cabin...Makes me very happy to look at it.

c. 2005

Toblerone Ski Lodge. Switzerland

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.

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...

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?

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....

c. 2005

Carr's Crackers.2. Packaging

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.

Carr's Crackers.1. Packaging

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.

Pasta Package. An original edition

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.

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.

c.1980