Tuesday 5 April 2016

Time for the runway show!

At least, that's what it feels like when scrutinizing all the great entries in the exhibit room.

But, first, I need to tell you about the surprise I got from my bed-time reading last night. Yesterday I showed you the two magazines I purchased at the Montreal Miniatures Show. I purchased one because it had a good section on a "Dickensian-style" exterior finishing that I thought would prove useful when I start my granddaughter's Wizard Emporium. The other appeared to focus on a flower shop with instructions for all kinds of plants and flowers - perfect for my greenhouse project. As I started reading them I was pleasantly surprised to find a great tutorial on foliage plants in the first one and lots of ideas and projects for a pub (another project on my list), in the second one. Bonus!!! I really lucked out with these two choices!

Back to the Montreal show --- After a day of shopping and admiring all of the incredible products on the sales floor, I was ready for a rest and a quiet evening in. Just before I left the room, Liz approached me with a suggestion we all meet for supper that evening. I agreed to round up the troops and meet them in the hotel lobby at 6:00. I found Louise, Joan and Joyce but didn't manage to meet back up with Adrian and Elizabeth. With only 7 of us in total we were all able to squeeze into Wayne and Liz's van and we headed off to Moe's for supper.

We had some great food and lots of laughs. In the picture below, starting on the left and working around the table, we have Louise, Liz, Wayne, Brittany, me, Joyce and Joan.



We sat around for ages after our meal was over, just chatting, laughing and telling stories - lots and lot of stories! Finally, we headed back to the hotel to rest up for Sunday.

After breakfast the next day, since I had spent plenty on Saturday, I decided I would not even go to the sales room. I would spend my time in the exhibit room taking in all of the wonderful work done by members of MEM (Miniature Enthusiasts of Montreal). However, I got suckered into the sales floor because I decided I needed just a few flower pots that I forgot to pick up on Saturday. That's when my evil twin talked me into that greenhouse. Oh well - it really was a good deal. Obviously, it was impossible to resist.

After that final purchase, I got to the exhibit room, camera in hand. On Saturday, Louise's sister, Joyce, had suggested that when we went through the displays, we each pick our top three favourites then compare them to see how different our tastes and interests were. I'll reveal the result at the end of the pictures - probably tomorrow's post (or the next day - there's lots of pictures). Trying to figure out the best way to present these pictures has been difficult. There were several group club projects on display, all fabulous, of course. I decided to show all the individual ones first, then show the club projects together to make it easier to see just how different the individual projects can turn out, even when you all start with the same concept. I do want to point out that I spoke with the MEM Club President before taking pictures and asked whether I could take them, whether I could post them, and whether I could include the artists' names in my posts. Always be courteous and ask permission before taking and posting pictures.

So here goes:

I started with the displays of MEM member, Erma Scrimgeour. First we see a very detailed vignette of a prospector working his claim. Next, is a small den scene built inside a set of books. This was similar to the 2015 Camp Mini Ha Ha project which I haven't shown you yet. It's coming eventually - honest!






Then came her tree trunk home of a cute little mouse family going about their daily business.






Next to her mouse house was a lovely attic scene followed by a house full of bunnies! They too were working and playing, totally oblivious to the crowds who were passing by their home and staring in.






Following these were two pieces by Patricia A. Nahorniak: a jam-packed, well used workshop and a lovely bakery housed in an old, wooden, roll-top bread box. I love the use of unexpected containers for a roombox or scene. The details and sheer number of little items and details in all of these exhibit pieces can keep you looking for hours! I also love that whoever is working in this workshop has seen fit to hang a Canadian flag!






The lovely little vignettes within these books - one really tiny - the other in a larger "room", are simply too precious for words. I really enjoyed the use of two different sizes in one project. Good idea for something different. This was the work of Michele Castonguay.






Lise Ashby was the artist behind this little nursery. she included a beautiful baby carriage in a second plexiglass box on top of the nursery - a nice way to showcase an individual piece. I should probably have mentioned this earlier for the benefit of anyone looking through these photos who may not be knowledgeable about the hobby/art form that is miniatures - the artists in this exhibit, and indeed in most such exhibits, may have made many of the furniture and accessories included in their pieces, however, there are also many items included which would have been purchased from other artisans in order to fulfill the vision the exhibitor/artist had in mind. I'm sorry I cannot mention names of possible contributors but these details are not often available at exhibits such as this one without speaking to the maker of the room box/vignette/dollhouse.






The next two pieces, a formal dining room, and a museum, were the work of Yvette Reid. Remember when looking at any of these pictures that, by clicking on them, they should lead you to a much larger version of the picture so you can see so many more of the little details.






I have so many pictures of the exhibit that I can see this quite easily turning into a four-day post. So, since it's already late and I'm quite tired (the time it says I post is actually 4 hours earlier than the time where I am - I don't know why blogger does this) I will end today's post with a beautifully detailed dollhouse created by MEM members Caroline de Repentigny and Fernand Rondeau. The extra little touches, from the expert finishing touches to the addition of the sun room, right down to including the vent on the side of the house, really bring the whole piece of work to life.











Wow - I can't believe how many more pictures I still have left to show you. Maybe you all will find it boring to see more and more pictures of the displays. Should I cut half of them out I wonder? It'll be a tough choice if it comes down to that! Anyway - must run - the Irish Ambassador to Canada and his wife are arriving at the Fredericton airport at midnight to start a little tour through the Maritimes and we must get there to pick them up and get them to their hotel. No rest for the wicked (that's my hubbie, Bruce, of course - not me!!!)

I'll be back tomorrow with more pictures! Just tell me when you get bored! TTFN!

4 comments:

  1. Full days filled with the laughter of friends and interesting topics...what a lovely weekend! Such a variety of projects displayed! I've looked at each in detail and found inspiration there for both beginner and advanced miniaturists...and on that note I am off to my workroom to begin work on draping a 1:12 scale four-poster bed with silk fabric. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures! Cheers, Alayne

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    1. Yes - I had a really good time. Ooh - I'd love to see a picture of your bed when you're finished, if you'd like to share it with us. Have a great day. - Marilyn

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  2. Thanks for all the lovely pictures! Great to see the wonderful work done by the Montreal miniaturists. BYW had a nice telephone visit with Liz today.
    Maureen

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    1. I have lots more pictures to come but was so tied up all day yesterday with the Irish Ambassador's visit that I couldn't get any posting done. I will try to do some today. I hope Liz has caught up on some much needed rest after the very busy few days in Montreal. She's such a sweetie! - Marilyn

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