Camp Mini A-Lot got its beginning simply because I was needing and wanting a chance to get together with friends and "fling glue". There are lots of miniature opportunities all over the US, but, unfortunately, my budget (and lots of others I know) can hardly ever afford the plane fare, hotel, registrations, and class fees, not to mention being able to take time off from work to attend these wonderful functions. So, to fill in the gaps, here comes Camp Mini A-Lot!
You are cordially invited to attend the second edition of “Camp Mini A-Lot” to be held in Smithville, Texas on April 7, 2001. Classes will start at 9AM and continue til we’re finished, or exhausted!
Registration fee for Camp Mini A-Lot is a mere $20.00 per student and includes a wonderful fajita luncheon! Free coffee and iced tea will be available all day.
We’ll be mini-ing all day at LaCabana on Highway 71 in Smithville. Not only is it comfortable to mini at the LaCabana conference room, its also part of a convenience store, bakery, restaurant, and breakfast bar. All the comforts of home! This is a great location for our retreat. Not only is it a great mini facility, but it is smack dab in the middle of Austin, Houston and San Antonio. What could be better?
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), there is a huge antique fair being held the same weekend, so motel rooms are at a premium. There are several B&B's in the area, so give me a call if you absolutely must have a place to stay.
Are you ready for the class information?
This is an adorable fairy tale cottage witha bit of Tudor thrown in for good measure. Students will learn a variety of construction and finishing techniques that will translate to other projects and other scales. Included in the class are supplies to construct the basic cottage and wooden base. Although not shown in the prototype, there is a wonderful fantasy fireplace and chimney. A variety of animals will be available along with a quarter scale Show White (Porcelain!), the dwarfs (available either painted or unpainted). Acrylic cases are available, but due to transportation difficulties, you'll have to order one from Sue if you want one. Full furnishings (already made) will also be available...a set of 7 beds with the dwarfs names on them, a cedar slab table with 7 chairs, a jewel chest running over with jewels, mining tools, 7 little pairs of boots...
All accessories are in addition to the class charges to allow individual taste and selection.
Next, we have Donna Aldrich teaching either an all day class or morning and afternoon class.
All day class (both cupboard and contents) $65.00,
Morning class: Decorated Cupboard $35.00 Afternoon class: "Aldrich Alchemy" $35.00
Save $10.00 by taking both classes
Use basic wood working skills and some of Donna's short cuts and fabulous fake techniques to create an exact copy of a darling country French painted cupboard. Then, we'll duplicate the contents in the afternoon! You'll not only learn quick antiquing and painting techniques, but also special tricks for turning any magazine picture or photograph into a miniature vignette! This project started off as the cover art for the March issue of Country Sampler.
"Aldrich Alchemy" teaches you to turn readily available metal, wood and plastic minis into "porcelain" and "majolica" treasures. You'll receive all minis shown, plus others will be available.
9 varieties of fabulous mini fruit! All day class, $35.00
(sorry Vikki...I left the price off the printed brochure....)
Learn the basics of working with Fimo. The class will start off with some basic directions and techniques for working with Fimo. Included wil e a technique to help you be able to blend Fimo colors time after time to produce constant, life-like colors. Each student will receive "receipts" for 9 different kinds of fruit from graps to apples that look good enough to eat, to peaches with real "fuzz". After making your fruit, you will be given a fruit basket to display your treasures, along with a bowl for your cherries.
Supplies: Basic tool kit (as always), handy wipes, toothpicks, x-acto, small paint brushes and a cutting mat.
All day class: $35.00
This lovely baby basket/bassinette will be made by students in class and then line it with a pleated shear material. Add a tufted pad and edge the basket with lace and silk ribbons and roses. You will learn several techniques in this class, including those illusive ribbon roses. You will also be making a few surprise accessories to go with your basket/bassinette. As always with Barb's projects, you will also receive a surprise! Barb will be teaching how to dress an adorable Heidi Ott baby for this bassinette at the next Camp, so stay tuned!
And, last but not least, Carrie McKinley is teaching an all day class:
Someone has disturbed Great Gramma's travel trunk! You know....the one she used on her "Grand Tour" of Europe. It has been sitting in the attic all these years until someone decided to do some exploring themselves. They have opened the trunk and spilled out all its contents for all to see!
In the morning, we will be constructing our trunk and covering it with faux distressed and aged leather. The trunk will be lined with antique old world maps. The outside of the trunk is covered with antique travel stickers. There will be lots of memorabilia to choose from while filling your trunk. Included in this plethora of goodies are: a faded, mouse nibbled wedding dress, family photo album (wedding and baby pictures), framed antique picture, gloves, purse, stereoptican (with pictures), Gramma's old glasses, newspapers, parasol trimmed with antique lace, and there will be lots of antique lace and trims to finish off your trunk. You will have the option of using your filled trunk as a vignette by itself ona wooden plaque, or you can incorporate it into a project you already have.
To register for this auspicious event, all you have to do is pick your classes (and/or kits) and send your registration along with your class fees to:
Carrie McKinley
P.O. Box 389
Smithville, TX 78597
Classes are limited to 10 students, so hurry and register! You will be notified if the class(s) you have chosen have been filled. Camp Mini A-Lot will be a great fun-filled day! Don’t miss this opportunity! We look forward to seeing you there!
We've decided to "do" door prizes this time. Its simple to participate...bring a door prize and take one home! Only one request...the value of the doorprize should be around 10.00.
Directions to Camp Mini A-Lot:
From San Antonio, take 10 E to Flatonia then 95S to Smithville. Once you get thru Smithville, you’ll come to the Hwy 71 overpass. Turn right and the Pine Point Inn is just 1 mile from town on 71E. LaCabana is just west of the Pine Point. If you’re not going to the motel, you need to turn left at the same intersection (71W) and you’ll see LaCabana on the left. (can you tell I’m not comfortable with east and west? Give me left or right every time)
From Austin: Take Ben White Blvd. (Highway 71E) 12 miles past Bastrop. The LaCabana complex is on your right before you get to the Smithville Exit. Just watch for the large Chevron sign and you’re there! To get to the Pine Point Inn, just stay on 71 past LaCabana and you’ll see it on your right.
From Houston: Take 10 towards San Antonio (direction? HA) to Columbus. In Columbus, take Highway 71 towards Austin. You’re about 30 miles from the Pine Point Inn. Once you see the sign “Smithville, next 3 exits”, you’re almost there. As you come over the hill, you’ll see the Pine Point on your left. LaCabana is just a bit further down.
From the Dallas area: Take I35 towards Austin, but to avoid LOTS of extra miles and traffic and other bad things (there’s way too much construction on 35, not to mention TRAFFIC), just outside of Waco, take Hwy. 77S (not the business route) to LaGrange. In LaGrange, take the Hwy. 71 exit towards Austin. After about 15 miles, you’ll see the “Smithville, next 3 exits” sign. A bit further and you’ll see Pine Point Inn on your left LaCabana is just a bit further down.
If you need help with directions from any place else, just give me a call!
Would you like to teach a class at a future Camp? I’d love to hear from you! The next Camp Mini A-Lot hasn’t been scheduled yet but will be before we meet. We want to make sure that Camp doesn’t conflict with any of the regularly scheduled mini events since we all love to attend them. If you think you’d like to submit a project for consideration, you can send photos and class description by email by clicking the button below, or by mail to the address above. Need further details? I can be reached by phone in the evenings at 512-360-4441.
