McDonald's treats meat with ammonia

McDonald's has been caught treating it's meat with a disgusting gooey pink substance turning meat to be used in dog food into meat served to their customers.

"Junk Food" features Monopoly

This week, Junk Food a company specializing in vintage themed t-shirts is bringing the famed board game, MONOPOLY, to life for a unique shopping experience on Robertson Blvd. Passerby's will see Monopoly properties with outfits created by celebrity t-shirt emporium, Junk Food, inspired by the Monopoly game. Their collection ranges from $28-32, and is available exclusively at Kitson through February 15, 2012 and after that it will make its next stop at New York's Fashion week.

The runway has been transformed into a live MONOPOLY game, Junk Food tapped thought-leading artists and designers to create looks inspired by properties and elements of the MONOPOLY brand to create a fashion exhibition unlike any other. During this vividly distinctive, colorful and imaginative runway show, all components will come to together to reflect how MONOPOLY tells a story about the choices, chances and good fortune that enrich each moment of our lives. With a curated musical score performed by DJ Josh Madden, the show will feature innovative inkodyes printed entirely by light, plantable eco-show guides, and special appearances by MONOPOLY characters to bring both the game and message to life; http://www.junkfoodclothing.com/

Occupy Sesame Street?

A sarcastic Kermit responded, "Oh, it's so dangerous! No, it's a funny thing. They were concerned about us having some prejudice against oil companies. And I can tell you that's categorically not true. And, besides, if we have problems with oil companies, why would we have spent the entire film driving around in a gas-guzzling Rolls-Royce?"

Following Kermit's comments, Miss Piggy chimed in. "It's almost as laughable as accusing Fox News of, you know, being news."

They're putting what in our food??

I know this is off topic but what the hell is going on?

An Oklahoma bill that would ban the sale of food containing aborted human fetuses has some people wondering: What food currently contains aborted human fetuses? This makes me so sick. I want to grow my own food.

The bill, introduced Jan. 18 by State Sen. Ralph Shortey, prohibits the manufacture or sale of "food or any other product intended for human consumption which contains aborted human fetuses in the ingredients or which used aborted human fetuses in the research or development of any of the ingredients."

Shortey declined to give specific examples but said some food manufacturers used stem cells in the research and development process.

"There is a potential that there are companies that are using aborted human babies in their research and development of basically enhancing flavor for artificial flavors," he told KRMG Radio. "I don't know if it is happening in Oklahoma, it may be, it may not be. What I am saying is that if it does happen then we are not going to allow it to manufacture here."

Shortey may be acting on claims that the San Diego-based company Semonyx used proteins derived from human embryonic kidney cells to test artificial sweeteners, NPR reported. The cell line, known as HEK 293, was created from a human embryo in 1970 and has become a staple in biochemistry labs around the world.

Some people are calling the bill a back-door attempt to ban embryonic stem cell research - a ban Shortey said he would support, KRMG reported.

Indeed, embryonic stem cell research is controversial. Critics argue it destroys embryos, which they consider the earliest form of life. But proponents say stem cell research could cure diseases. Last week, for example, embryonic stem cells were found to improve vision in two women who were legally blind.

If passed, the bill would take effect Nov. 1. 2012.

Taylor not so Swift Doll

I saw this at the store today. This is supposed to be the Taylor Swift fashion doll. It looks nothing like Swift who by the way graces the cover of this month's Vogue magazine. Instead, this doll looks like Paris Hilton. Even for ten bucks, I had to pass.

A very colorful Ultra Modern House

This isn't a dollhouse. This is a full scale house in Long Island called Maison Plastique, a cubist 1,100 square foot color home on the Shelter Island Pavilion. It was built by the Stamberg Aferiat Architecture group. I love this because of it's bright, neon colors and that isn't usually what you think of when you consider these ultra modern or modern homes. This is a minimalist style and while I love the architechtural style of moderns, I dislike the over use of white. It's too drab and boring for my taste. This shows that we can enjoy both worlds. I can easily see this house in Miami, which already uses these fun, bright tropical colors. I would love to use this as a model for a new modern dollhouse design!

The Creepiest Doll collection ever

Normally, I'm all up for tropical islands and doll collecting-even unusual doll collecting. Not sure I'm up for it but for those of you who are, check this out "La Isla de la Munecas," or the Island of the Dolls. This is quite a disturbing story. Half a century ago, Julián Santana Barrera left his wife and child and moved onto an island on Teshuilo Lake in the Xochimilco canals. He said that a girl had drown in the lake. Others say that no child ever drown here and it was something that Don Julian Santana completely imagined. Regardless, he used to say that he was haunted by the spirit of the little girl who drown. To honor the spirit of the child, or to keep it at bay, depending upon whom you ask, he collected dolls that he fished out of the water and he traded fruits and vegetables that he grew for old dolls to add to this bizarre shrine. The island is covered with them. You can see them attached to trees, in his cabin. They are displayed in exactly the same condition in which they were found, very dirty, missing limbs, heads or even eyeballs.

In viewing these photographs, I did come across a doll that I do not recognize and perhaps by posting this photograph below, somebody can identify the name of this doll and it's creator. I would really like one. I think the face of this doll is adorable. Any ideas?

Don Julian Santana was found dead in 2001. Ironically, he drown in the same area where he believed the little girl died.

This island has been turned into a famous tourist attraction. If you've been there, let us know about your experience and share your photographs. If you are a doll collector, please help us identify some of these dolls.

My latest contemporary sofa

This is my latest sofa, done in 1:12 scale. It is upholstered in a nice textured upholstery fabric. The cushion is removable.

A great Art Deco dollhouse by DHE Minis

This reminds me of Miami Beach. There aren't very many contemporary style dollhouses available and so when I find one, it is very exciting. I love this because you could use this as a stylish home, a hotel, even a department store. I love that it has all the glamour of south beach. This is fabulous.

The "Malibu Beach House"  measures 34 1/8 x 38 x 19". The entire house opens up alowing  you access to all of the rooms.  It comes unfinished so that you can paint it to your own specifications. I rather like the pastel colors on this dollhouse- very Miami Beach. This incredible house can be purched from DHE Minis either with or without an electrical wiring kit.  For more information or to order this gem for yourself or as a gift, visit DHE's website and be sure to check out their video.

My 1940-50s club chair

This is still a work in progress but I couldn't wait to show it. This is my funky contemporary living room chair inspired by club chairs from the 1950's. I am doing this in two tone fabrics. I haven't finished the cushions so you don't see them pictured here. I can create these with any color scheme and nearly any type of fabric.  I can easily see this in my ultra modern dollhouse.

2nd Annual Real Good Toys build along project

On February 1, 2012, Jen and Jodi from Real Good Toys will kick-off theor second annual worldwide extravaganza in the world of miniatures. This year's project is the creation of a house in your choice of either a single of two story design with various roof designs.


The unassembled, unfinished kit includes:

•70 pieces in various sizes of rectangles and triangles
•all pieces are sturdy, ¼-3/8” MDF
•two floor panels of 1/4" MDF measuring 12 13/16” x 8 31/32
•parts list and sample block layout page

This is a puzzle dollhouse kit with endless possibilities for customization. This is not a contest, but rather is a chance for miniturists to show off their skills and connect with others who share a passion for this hobby via Facebook.

Finished photos of your project are due by June 1st, 2012. Real Good Toys will include all finished photos received in one photo album, which will be posted on their Facebook page as well as the Photo Gallery of the RGT website.

You can visit their website here for more information or to purchase you kit.

My Design Influences

When asked to join this new blog, I was thrilled. I am not at all new to the world of miniatures but I felt it was time for me to create an internet presence to connect with others who share a love of art, miniatures and fashion.

I was introduced to the world of miniatures by my paternal grandmother Anna Rose when I was about four or five years old. She died when I was only seven so it must have been a couple of birthdays before that. She bought me a Colonial style house along with a house full of plastic furniture. Unfortunately, we had a family gathering at my house that my mother's relatives were invited to. My cousins tore apart that dollhouse beyond repair. It wasn't long until I was helping my mother take the trash to the dumpster We ran into one of our new neighbors who moved in the 3rd floor. He was an architecht who was discarding a 3d model (this was a long time before architechts used computer programs) of a contemporary style house he designed. I thought this little foam board house was the coolest thing I had ever viewed. It was so much diiferent than the old brick building I lived in and it was so much different than the Colonial style dollhouse I had. Since then I began creating other conceptual houses and furniture out of cardboard.

You will see that my work is heavily influenced by Art Deco. I love those fantastic Art Deco buildings in Miami Beach. They remind all of us of what Miami Beach used to be in an era that had true elegance and glamour. I also love the 1950's contemporary style that also inspires me. It reminds me of a time when America had values. Sure the country may still have had it's problems but nothing like what it is today. I am so glad to see that there is such a huge trend towards modern miniatures and of all the dollhouse design inquiries I have been getting, Art Deco tops that list.

If the art form of miniatures is to be of interest to the younger generation, then it is necessasry to make them new and modern for them. The serious collectors have a passion for the Victorian era-no doubt about it. But the young ladies want trendy and modern designs.

There are a few designers who have created contemporary mini houses but these are few and far between. it seems like the majority of these designers are based in the UK and some do not ship to countries like the United States. 

I am currently working on some ultra modern house designs and I am working on new furniture designs as well. My newest furniture creations are some funky 1950's style club chairs and an Art Deco dollhouse.

Ultra Modern Minis

Welcome to Ultra Modern Miniatures. I think the blog title says it all. This blog was founded by me (AnnaMaria), Tatiana and Thomas. The focus of our blog is to discuss and feature ultra modern dollhouses and furniture but I'm quite sure we will be discussing other styles here as well.