This past weekend, I went to the National Building Museum to check out some of the new, and very interesting, exhibits. They have the best gift shop in all of DC: Fun games, household items and every design book under the sun! I picked up a few postcards from Monkey Designs which contain parts to build models of some houses -you can see a few above.
I bought 7 and thought I might build 1 or 2 for some fun. I built 4, just couldn't stop myself! I started with the Georgian house you see to the far right, then progressed to the yellow Greek Revival style house which was a bit harder. I then moved onto the pagoda which, while it had a lot of steps -wasn't as hard as the French Styled house with lantern on the roof (a lot of swearing went into the creation of that TINY lantern). These houses stand about 1 1/2" high - TINY pieces to cut out with an exacto-knife!
But it was a lot of fun, I plan on digging up a miniature train set from micro-machines (do they still make those?) and putting them under my mini christmas tree this year!
a blurry picture of my weekend projects. The 3 left are a Greek revival house, Buckingham Palace and Chartres Cathedral.
a blurry picture of my weekend projects. The 3 left are a Greek revival house, Buckingham Palace and Chartres Cathedral.
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26 comments:
Good grief! No retailers in Georgia. Could be a cruel gift to certain friends, particularly the obsessive klutzes.
One and a half inches tall? I cannot wait to see Buck House at that scale. You must have the patience of a saint!
Oh, and you win big because you're the first to mention Christmas trees and it is not even the end of May.
you are such an architect!
hey
thanxx for stopping by....
You sure know how to have fun!
I think I need to send you something....you will love!
I love Terry's comment! I was simply going to compliment you on your surgical skills with the exacto knife and the fact you didn't stamp on that
lantern as I might have. The pagoda is no mean achievement either.
They required a lot of patience and dexterity -thats for sure! By the last one, the french house, I think I had reached my limit and it's not as straight and neatly built as the other 3! Trust me, that lantern nearly wasn't built!
Those are very cute. I would not have had the patience to finish those!
The Building Museum is very impressive. I did a huge event there once, and the set up was a nightmare because the space is SO big.
Stefan-I love the Chinese pagodas, pavilions, and temples, of course. Will you leave these out on display? They are wonderful.
Beth, I think they're coming to my office on a non-rainy day to live on my desk!
Building a tiny Chartres sounds daunting, be sure and post that when you're done.
:) very neat project and they photograph well.
Ha ha! That sounds just like something I would do. Remind me to show you my needlepoint house christmas ornament collection.
can't wait to see the Greek Revival...
Stefan -- these are great! Would you say the work is too intense for a 13-year old? More of an adult/professional architect project?
SC, I think the simpler ones would be great for kids -definitely a 13 yr old. Basically any kid you would trust with an exacto knife. They do take some patience!
Great job! The National Building Museum is one of my favorite DC places.
I just had a flashback. Remember those paper clock kits you could build? I gave one as a gift but didn't really understand the horror until I got one as a gift. You can still get one at Amazon but, just don't.
ADORABLE!!!!! They are like appetizer architecture.
I saw your comment on the Skirted Roundtable and thought I'd comment here. I'm a faithful reader, but just subscribed today. I rarely comment on blogs because I'm usually here to learn. It's not always evident to me, as a reader, that bloggers necessarily care who reads or comments. I tend to only comment if I'm asked to or if some post really moved me to do so.
Now that I'm here, I'll tell you that I like your blog very much. And as much as I love your posts about architecture, I keep coming back here and to AT to see the photos of your place. You have excellent taste.
as you said; "They required a lot of patience and dexterity -thats for sure! "
do it now...while you are still young and stud-ly!
hee hee : )
what happened to the lego thingie ?
byw i will be in reston
around aug 15th for my brothers anniversary.
xx
Those are glorious little creations!
My hat's off to you for having such patience ( to say nothing of a steady hand .. .)!
Now that you've accomplished this -
you might want to stop by Hermes.com and try your hand at their templates for making your own Paper Kelly Bag.
I played with those last week and decided I like the concept better than the reality.
Still holding out for the REAL thing -
Jjjjj
OMG I love that pavilion - I think I might just have to have one. We used to get books like that as kids and loved putting together the buildings. Had one of a castle that I remember vividly. Thanks for the memories!
cool little project man... i wouldnt have the patence for such futtery little things... you did a great job with them...
You could add my little models of houses from Up and Coraline to your collection :)
My little models of victorial houses from animations would fit your collection :)
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