2015 Madison HP--Totebag Favors

 Here's the Welcome card at our table when we sat down to the Opening Luncheon--sums up the whole theme and experience.
First thing you get when you register is a bag of Totebag Favors and your name badge that allows you access to all houseparty events.
Being a small scale event, the totebag favors were almost all quarter scale items. I received a bag with multiples of the same item--doesn't bother me--just more opportunity to use in multiple projects.
I will let the pictures describe themselves.

Root beer floats? or oversized beer mugs?

 

 Broom and dustpan--always needed around a well kept house

 I got 2 of these,

 This is a cake--I got 2 of these.

 A teeny, tiny little teddy bear.

 These are "bubblers" or water coolers.

 These will come in handy for making QS bottles, martini glasses, plant pots, beer mugs.

 This looks easy, but tedious to make--believe me.

 Blue ribbon prize. Looks simple, but probably a pain to make.

 Wow! Country-style sofa and ottoman looking for good home.

 These will go in my Beer bar from a wine casket/barrel.

 Super cute and well done. Made from a mini clothespin and painted as Santa on one surface.

 Rural folks are very patriotic.

 Beautifully made iris stem.

 These will come in handy.

 Barrel of potatoes and apples--perfect for county fair.

 Erasers in shape of  swiss cheese.

 A candle in shape of swiss cheese quarter.

 I've got to try this out next time I work on a mini project.

 Fantastic! Every mini scene needs food.

 This quilt has fabric on both sides.

 A life-sized bottle opener.

 A cool QS size bead shaped like a beer stein/mug.

 Amazing! This is a QS basket made of strung beads! Can't imagine how long this took to make.

 Instructions are given in the Souvenir book to make a QS bar, food stand or whatever from this barrel.

One of the Marriott employees picked this up off the floor and gave it to me seeing that I was a miniaturist.

 Balloons

 Hot dog

 Popcorn

Ketchup and mustard bottles made from clothing tags.

Madison Small Scale Houseparty 2015

April 29- May 3 was the NAME Small Scale Houseparty, my first small scale houseparty. When I looked up the distance from Wichita, KS to Madison, WI it was 694 miles! I seriously considered staying home and just having them ship everything to me. But then I remembered I had a roommate and I couldn't skip out on her at the very last minute--she'd never forgive me.

So I dragged myself out of bed Wednesday, showered and packed my belongings. I took off around 8 am, turned on the XM radio and set off. Guess what? It really wasn't that bad.

I didn't run into much traffic or construction, so I had few interruptions except for the occasional potty stops and gas fill-ups. I was armed with my own snacks (pretzels, dried fruit, rice cracker mix) and soda pop, so I didn't even have to stop to eat--I just munched on what I brought. Arrived in Middleton (the hotel is actually in Middleton, but natives say Middleton and Madison are hooked at the hips) while it was still daylight, around 6.45 pm.
                                                    
Here's my room. The room numbers are engraved onto a granite plaque--fancy huh?

This is the carpet leading up to my hotel room.

 Here's the inside of my hotel room at the Marriott. The window looks out onto the rooftops of other buildings, ie no scenic views whatsoever, but it didn't matter. The only time I was in my room was to sleep and drop off my belongings. The rest of the time was busy, busy, busy immersed in minis.

 Flat screen LCD TV with cable TV.

 Complimentary coffee maker to make your own coffee and tea to start the day.

 Tiny bathroom, but granite countertop and marble tile floor.

A towel caddy. I think this could be made in miniature easily, don't you think?

 The interior courtyard outside my hotel room. All the hotel rooms face out onto this courtyard.

 Some fake ivy dispersed around the balconies facing the courtyard. No need to water, wilt or rot, but maybe dust periodically.

Happy Mother's Day 2015--Mother's Coupon Book

Hello everyone.
It's Mother's Day, and my 9-year old son presented me with a coupon book that I just had to share with you for posterity. I found it to be a hoot, and I hope you do, too.

                                     

The End

The coupon book is from this child.

Happy Mother's Day Everyone!!!!!