Sunday, January 6, 2019

This Year

I don't know about the rest of you but it's something of a relief to have 2018 over with.  We're going live with our new accounting program for Period 1 of 2019 and the good news is that we've pretty much figured out how my duties will work with the new program.  It's taken two Saturdays of working to feel caught up enough that I'm not freaking out about the whole process.

But it's worth it to be able to relax a bit.

I'm going to try something new in 2019.  Usually in the first couple months of the year I work on some little project until the new kit for the contest comes out and then I go nonstop every weekend trying to finish my project for that year's contest.  It works when I'm not sure how to go about something or when I don't have clear direction.  But it really regiments my time.  I have other hobbies that fall by the way side when I go really full tilt at mini-ing.

I'd half made up my mind that I wasn't going to do the contest in 2019.  I've found my results in 2016 and 2017 disappointing to say the least.  The amount of time, research and resources put into the builds compared to the results was really depressing.  I'm more hopeful about the 2018 kit, but since I have no idea what the criteria for judging is I don't want to get my hopes up too high.   I told myself that I'd wait and see and if I really liked the 2019 kit then I'd buy it and work on it at my own pace and not worry about the contest.

Turns out I like the 2019 kit.  So I'll be doing the build, but I'm still going to go at my own pace.  If its done in time to submit then great. If its not, oh well.  The point is to enjoy myself, not kill myself.  This is a hobby.

This year, the new kit is small, and hopefully will take up lots less real estate on my work table.  I want to keep the footprint small.  That way I can work on the Downtown Loft as well as the 2019 kit.  I also have another Christmas lantern to make for someone at work.

The Downtown Loft hasn't progressed since the last time I blogged about it.  Though I think I've figured out how to do the windows.  I got a lot of practice with windows in the last couple years.




I'm definitely going to close up the door.  And I'm rethinking the lack of windows on the front of the second half of the house.  The little square window is another I don't know about.

I could make the skylights larger or add another one or two, I like the idea of natural light coming through both roofs.  I'm still thinking about the interior and how I want it to look, industrial chic or really modern and polished.

At the moment I'm leaning towards modern and polished just because it's something different and fun.

And I already have ideas for the 2019 contest kit.



I don't want to change the width.  I might make it a little deeper, if it's more of a thicker rectangle or mostly square that gives me two or three more inches to work with.  Then it's making it taller, like an old shop with living quarters over it.

If I change the awning or extend it, that's the perfect place for a store sign.  Making it something of a brownstone will also let me have a flat roof rather than the angled roof which I don't care for.  If I made little bay windows for displays then I could use the kit windows on the second floor.  It looks very Victorian to me so I'm letting that percolate in my mind.

No matter what, this year I'm determined to have fun.  Hope everyone else will be doing the same.





19 comments:

  1. I agree that it's the most important to have fun in making miniatures, Sheila, even more when it's participating in a contest. But that's often the issue with creative contests....and time. Personally, I think it's a very wise decision to free yourself from all the pressure this year: have fun, in what you're do :)! I can't wait to see what you'll come up with for the new kit, you always have such creative and original ideas!
    Hug, Ilona

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    1. Thanks Ilona! I'm going to try really hard to remember this when I'm working on the kits I want to do.

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  2. Doing the contest used to be fun when there were more people participating and sharing it. It does take up all of the mini time we have when we care so much about making something completely unique, challenging and creative. A lot of participants are worried about sharing their ideas publicly, so it can leave you feeling pressured and isolated. That is why I stopped, because sharing in and being part of the blogging community is what really makes it special for me. Because you always share the entire process with us, you bring everyone together and that is special, Sheila. Whatever you decide fits you best this year, I wholeheartedly support you! I am going to finish up the cottage and then likely move on to my Brimble's bakery. I may buy the kit for a future project, but will definitely not participate in the contest.

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    1. That's part of why I love checking out everyone's blogs because even with the same kit we all have such different ideas. I've always found the process and support from the blogging community to be wonderful. Everyone has been so kind!

      I can't wait to see your Brimbles Bakery...yum...baked goods!

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    2. I second excitement over a Brimbles Bakery!! I just know it would be fantastic Jodi!

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  3. Great plan, Sheila! Although I have to say that I tremendously enjoyed watching your progress with last years contest kit, towards the end I started feeling really stressed on your behalf. Ha-ha, if I can give myself an ulcer just watching the rest of you, I definitely shouldn’t be entering a contest.
    I’m sure I will enjoy looking at and reading about whatever you make, so just do it for fun and I will happily follow along.

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    1. I actually did better with the cottage than I did with the craftsman, I nearly missed the deadline on that one. This one I was done a few days ahead of time.

      No, if I stress you out I don't think a contest with that deadline is for you. I'm going to try and just enjoy this year and hopefully all of you will have fun along with me.

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  4. For me you are doing small miracles and even if you don't get high points in the contest - for me you are the winner. But as you said - hobby should be giving fun so do what you fill is the best for you with the new contest edition :*

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    1. I'm hopeful that this year will be more relaxing.

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  5. A challenge is great but getting stressed is not worth the trouble. As long as you enjoy the hobby, and I'm sure you do, have fun. I loved following your work which I consider excellent and shall love seeing whatever you work on.
    Hugs,
    Drora

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    1. Thanks Drora. I'm hoping that I won't stress so much this year.

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  6. I began blogging in November 2012 and remember that at that time, there being LOTS of bloggers involved in the HBS contest, and yet over the years many of the participants have opted out of blogging about their builds, which has naturally altered the level of tension and excitement during the course of the contest.
    However I've enjoyed watching the entire process of your New Orleans build and especially of your Retirement Cottage, as have many others!
    Even so, the reality is that you can't stop change especially when it involves social media, but you can figure out new ways to adjust your approach to whatever satisfies and thrills you most, because as you've pointed out this is A Hobby AND hobbies should be FUN!

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    1. Honestly, it's not that I mind other people not blogging about their contest builds. While I love seeing what others do, I'd still blog about mine regardless. Mostly because I really don't think my ideas are so terribly original that they can be 'stolen'. If someone finds what I'm doing inspiring then they're welcome to figure out how to make it work for them.

      Mostly my decision to not get worked up about the contest is based upon the results of the contest and the fact that we're not given any criteria to be judged upon I love doing the builds and the different kits and seeing how people interpret them. But I hate the feeling of disappointment and futility when the results come out. And I'm tired of doing that to myself. I want to just enjoy the process and blogging about it.

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  7. In 2017, I came up with an idea for the contest I knew would take more than the time allotted. I did start, but I couldn't get motivated since I knew I would never make the deadline. I love the contests, but you are right about the time commitment and the stress. :\ Regardless, I always enjoy seeing what you build.

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    1. Thanks! I like blogging about the dollhouses as much as I enjoy building them so I doubt that will ever change. I just want to take the stress out of the process.

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  8. The downtown loft looks like a fun space to work with. I really like the way it opens, it's great to get two halves like that.
    And what a curve ball it was to have this year's kit be such a stunner. I think we were all secretly hoping it wouldn't be ;) I've decided I'm going to and I hope a bunch more bloggers do too. I found it more fun to do it along with other people.
    Reading some of the comments above, I just can't get over how much the online miniature scene has changed lately. Instagram has really seemed to swallow everything up. (And I think its true for other sites like fashion and travel). Not a bad thing by any means, I do love how much easier it is to comment quickly and check up. But it's different. Interested in seeing how that continues to change things around here.
    And has anyone noticed how the Mongolia Dollhouse has busted through this year?? It's got the same feel as a Creatin Contest since everyone is doing it.
    Early 2019 musings ;)

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    1. The loft hinged opening was one of my early attempts to enclose a house to keep the cats out of it. I'm working on my Christmas Commission project today but once I'm at a stopping point I want to work on the Loft again.

      I have noticed more people are doing the quick thing with Instagram but I can't really get into it as much. Photography has never been my strength so I don't feel as comfortable with it. The blogging thing has always been easier because I've always been comfortable with writing and communication through writing.

      I like that house but it has so much trim I feel a little intimidated with it. It's pretty but it looks complicated.

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  9. Hi Sheila! I am a bit behind on commenting these days! I want to say I applaud your New Year intentions to go at your own pace! That's why I can't do contests... I just need to take my time! The new kit does look sweet.... not that I need another project... but it does look tempting. I have not seen your loft before so it is a mystery to me... but I look forward to seeing all the things you are building this year! :):)

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    1. I'm excited about the new kit but I'm really going to try and rein myself in when it comes to the deadlines.

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