Monday, April 14, 2014

A Very Good New Tool



No doubt you recognize this woman, she arrived today. I bought her because in real life she would stand 5' 5" tall.  I have read that several people have used figures to help them judge scale in the houses and rooms they are building. I know Noel and Pat Thomas had one they used for many years. I have forgotten his name. I think they sold him. haha  As soon as I stood her up next to a few pieces of furniture, I knew she was going to be very helpful. 

Don't worry... you won't be seeing her again.

25 comments:

  1. Hi Catherine! Scale is such an interesting topic. I had a boyfriend when I was young who was 6'7'' tall....he looked ridiculous standing next to an ordinary bathroom sink! And I remember seeing an imposing looking property on a bluff overlooking the seashore... but up close it was actually 1/3 smaller than it appeared to be. The interior dimensions were all very modest.... but the appearance from outside was that it was large because everything was in proportion! And I know of lots of RL furniture that is "delicately proportioned" ... unless they are carefully used they make other pieces look clunky! Also, as we get larger as a population on the whole.... beds that are antiques usually don't fit modern people and need to be lengthened and widened to be useful... also the "average" sizes of chairs and sofas seems to keep getting bigger! But I agree with you that it is really useful to have a scale model to test your constructions.... and I think you have a Fantastic model! You should let her out to play once in a while!

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    1. You are so right about all those proportions.
      I thought a 5' 5" woman sort of slit the difference. Meaning she is right in the middle. Not tall not short.
      Once I saw her standing next to things I had a much clearer vision about everything I have made and collected. I was surprised by how helpful it is to try a figure with miniatures.

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  2. Heheh, Catherine you are the Wonder Woman of miniatures so your figure is the perfect choice!

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    1. Awww that is nice.
      I am entering into a whole new area....building. So we'll have to see if I can measure up. Seriously.... No pun intended.

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  3. Such a fun figure and a useful tool as well.

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    1. She makes me laugh. Especially when I put her next to some of the 1: 12 scale pieces I have.

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  4. Wonder Woman makes a great avatar for you!

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  5. I did not know who she was, haha. That all depends on where you are in the world I suppose. The same goes for the average size of the doll. Most dolls look short to me but that's probably because I am taller myself and live in a country where people on average are taller than in other countries, The average height for a woman here is 5'65" I am 5'10".
    When I started building my first dollshouse, I also used a doll to help with proportions and it did help. I could not have built my spiral staircase without her ;-)

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  6. How silly of me to think Wonder Woman is well known around the world. Or Superman for that matter.

    How interesting to hear that the women in the Netherlands are all so tall.

    I know you have mentioned on your blog that you were the tall one in some of the pictures you have shared. I would have liked to be very tall. :-)

    I can sure see how a figure would be very helpful when you built your staircase. What did you do with yours? Do you still have it?

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    1. Oh I know who Superman is ;-)

      Do you mean the doll or the staircase? I still have both but I did take out the spiral staircase temporarily, as I had put some furniture in that room and the staircase was in the way. I have moved the furniture, so I should put the staircase back I suppose.

      As for being tall or not...my grandfather used to say 'when your feet touch the ground, you're exactly the right height'.

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  7. Its great to have a doll to check scale with =) I think this one looks very cool =) I do know there is a girl called Wonder Woman, but I know very little about her, but she looks like a cool girl! I would love to see her in a dollhouse-environment =)
    Hannah

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    1. There used to be a TV program here in the US "Wonder Woman" She was played by an actress named Linda Carter. Not something I watched however.

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  8. Poor thing, just come on the scene and already there are plans to make it disappear!
    I find that 5.5 is the maximum for a female doll, but I prefer even lower ones, as I myself am small, and does not mean that we must always relate to the proportions of tall women (blondes, thin, beautiful) proposed as models of beauty ;-)
    Of course, with W.W. you will have to build sturdy furniture, or she destroys them just by touching ;-)
    Funny post :-)
    Lovely hugs,
    Flora

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    1. I chose the 5' 5" figure because it was a mid-height. I will be able to imagine a male or female when judging spaces.

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  9. I bought a bunch of skeletons from the dollar store and I found out that they were exactly 5'5" tall so I dressed one up and I've been using it to gage all my collection mini's. dolls are very helpful when you make your own stuff


    Hugs
    Marisa

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  10. Hi Catherine.
    I have just finished reading all your blog to date. You have a beautiful collection, both the things you have made and the things you have purchased. I know you will have a terrific house.
    I love Kilmouski - both the 1:12 and the RL one. So pretty! and well behaved - I have to cover my worktable to keep my Tinker from stealing things. She likes to climb inside my DH too. She once picked up a coffee table and bit the foot off. Oh well, it was easy to fix and I love her anyway.
    I am looking forward to following your future projects.
    emjay

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    1. Thank you for your very kind comment about my miniatures and Kilmouski (big and small).

      One of the reasons I want a front opening dollhouse is because I have to keep him out. He doesn't take or chew things but he LOVES to get into boxes. ;-)

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  11. A great idea! When I make my interiors for my photo shoots, I will see if this bendable pose-able stick figure I have from art class a bazillion years ago, is in proper scale hmmm it might work. Thanks for the idea :)

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    1. You wil be surprised how clear things become when there is a scale figure in the scene.

      I hope you had a better day with your leg. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  12. Good idea about keeping a ruler handy for scale - Love your vintage Wonder Woman! ~ LuV, TiGGy

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  13. Hi Catherine! I love your Wonder Woman! I think it is such a VERY USEFUL, but under-rated tool for gaging scale and I have a one too! I found mine, ( actually there were 2 in the bag ), at the thrift store. They were some kind of 5 1/2 inch Medieval lady warriors that are posable but rather ferocious looking. I got tired of looking at them with nearly nothing on and found a dress that would fit one of them. But I think that she doesn't really like the dress, as she is still appears mean and scowling and.. manly! :/

    Enjoy your new helper. Soon you will "wonder" how you ever did without her ;))

    elizabeth

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  14. How funny! I have a cupboard full of action figures and never, ever thought to do this! This would be very useful when making handheld items. Holding the item up near her hand would be a perfect way to know if an apple is way too big for example. Love it!

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