A Cute Miniature Halloween Gift

 

Lots of Halloween Goodies!!

Perfect for Halloween! 

My miniatures friend Gigi has a way with decorating. Trying to get her to show the front of her dollhouse, all decked out for Halloween. Maybe she'll let me show it here. Hint-hint! 😏

The Whole Hutch

Even better... she surprised me with this incredibly decorated hutch for Halloween. (Click photos for full size.) It's so detailed and so many fun items in it. I usually paint my Halloween furnishings black, so the ivory color is a nice change and it shows off the accessories so well. Even some teeny-weeny witchy decals! If you look close the top and third shelves have wonderful, hand-made ribbon-edged Halloween cloth mats, too!

Isn't it just great???

It'll fit perfect in my Witch's Bakery or maybe the restaurant. (Hopefully, yes there'll be a restaurant, too.) Just LOVE it! For now, I'll leave it out so I can admire it. 

Absolutely love it! Isn't it pretty?

* Thanks again for visiting! Come back for more projects and Halloween minis!* 

Halloween Collectibles & Book List

 

Halloween miniature books & more! 

I like to do this every year, and this year I'll do two lists - one with "lighter" mystery and  Halloween books and toys, plus one with Horror books over on the GirlZombieAuthors blog. Something for everyone! Don't worry, there'll be a few scares, too!

Lucky 13+ Reading & Collectibles List

Halloween 24-day Countdown Calendar - cute glow in the dark and other charms for a bracelet.  Ooh, I like this!

Halloween Nightmare Before Christmas Advent Calendar - 24 various ornament figures. Cute! (9" high)

For fun, an eerie book nook - Fsolis Magic Pharmacist/Amazon

Eerie Gothic Castle Book Nook/Amazon

* See more Miniatures-themed fiction & bookstore-themed Book Nooks; Plus more Halloween-themed Book Nooks & Halloween miniatures.  

Assorted Spooky Books

Halloween Miniature Books - 24 mini books, blank pages. (See top photo.)

For fun... because there is a miniature Dracula book in there, plus others! Miniature MiniBrands Advent Calendar

Real Life Books 

A History of Ghosts, Spirits and the Supernatural, DK Books - 700+pages of art and history from neolithic ancestors to modern-day ghost hunting.

Bogs, Brews and Banshees: Skye O'Shea Paranormal Cozy Mystery Book 1, Rowan Dillon - Desperate for an escape, Skye moves to Ireland, but with eeerie noises in the night and murder most foul, can she avoid being charged for the murder of a disagreeable local?

How cute! Halloween children's book, Bones Is Back, Plus a glow-in-the-dark skeleton toy.

 

Halloween Horrors, 13 Tales of Terror - Scary short stories feature a mysterious scarecrow, something moving in the pumpkin patch, and more...

Halloween Puzzle Patch Activity Book - Teens and adults, over 160 assorted puzzles

 Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal, Ryan Cowan - Third-grader Elliott has magical powers and belongs to a secret world called Moonstone. When the evil witch Noir steals The Halloween Crystal, it’s up to Elliott and his third-grade teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, to stop Noir from invading the non-magical world on Halloween night. But can Elliott learn to master his powers in time?

The Lizzie Borden House Anthology, Assorted authors including NYT Bestseller Heather Graham and Stoker-award winner Linda D. Addison - Just released anthology features tales about the infamous murder house where accused but acquitted axe murderer Lizzie Borden killed her father and stepmother. Includes my new Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter story, "You Can Go Home Again."

The Mammoth Book of Halloween Stories, Stephen Jones, editor - Thirty-six tales of Halloween from classic writers like Richard Matheson, to other tales of Samhain, Dia de los Muertos, and more.

The Murder at the Vicarige, Agatha Christie, Miss Marple Mystery Book 1 - Miss Marple finds a dead clergyman in the vicarige's study in the sleepy village of St. Mary Mead.

Ultimate Travel Size Word Search, Halloween Edition - 75+ assorted puzzles

Have fun!

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It's Halloween Week!

  

Slightly spooky bedroom in the 1/24th scale Fairfield. See more photos; scroll down at top tab.

While I work on some stuff I can actually show, like progress on the Witch's Bakery (cutting tons of egg carton bricks right now!), I figured I'd better post some Halloween photos.

It's the week of! To start, you can scroll through tons of photos and posts for past Halloween in Miniature events on the top tab or here. Take your pick, there's plenty to look at and some cool miniature Halloween things other people have done. 

My fave ghost and dog by my Van Buren dollhouse

For now, I thought I'd share a few favorites of my own and a couple thingsI came across lately... Yes, bear with me. I have a weakness for printies that I don't always have to figure out myself.

* Assorted fun spooky grocery boxes/ ScrappySoulStudio, Etsy.

Cute faux Haunted mini dollhouse kit printies. - GrmaKittysDollhouse/Etsy

So cute. Ghost cat w/ LED light - MforMiniatures/Etsy

Skeleton cat keychain, CraftedRealms

* Freebies * 

Fr*e wood crate printie on Pinterest

Here are a few Vintage Halloween record albums. (Personal, non-commercial use only. Do not re-post.) Print on glossy or semi-gloss cardstock. Regular cardstock - spray with matte acrylic fixative, then gloss with Mod Podge. Right click to save.

Happy Almost Halloween! 

Halloween MiniVerse Miniatures

 

Been looking everywhere to find the MiniVerse Halloween minis - without luck. But broke down and since they were "somewhat" marked down for Prime days, ordered a set. Fun, fun! (Wow, they went up $5 without the sale!)

Was really looking for the pumpkins, but since my friend had an UV nail drying light we wanted to try out, we decided to do the Monster Cups first. Oh, these are cute!

The light worked well; wow, so much easier using the UV resin than the old stinky measure, pour, wait-for-it-to-dry resin. This light is great (her Temu find), so I also got a similar one (Amz) to try out. Will have to make some small drink glasses for the bakery.

The Monster Cups turned out great. We added an extra layer of clear pellets to increase the depth and make the eyeballs perch better. These will look great on a table or somewhere in the in-progress Witch's Bakery.

The Haunted House is cute though the black resin was hard to get out of the bottle and took longer to dry.

Didn't get the "rare" Beetlejuice hand in a bowl, but easy enough to make my own from a doll hand.

The pumpkins are fun. I was hoping I could fit one of those fairy ball lites inside, but it's too tight. I did have an idea of using a light string on a line of pumpkins. Maybe I'll see if I can drill a hole in the bottom of one. I made a tray with the bigger one turning into one of those "puking" pumpkins. I added a spoon after this photo. The front baking tray is from an eye makeup package.

* That's it for now! Thanks again for visiting. Come back soon for more projects! * 

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New Eventual Half-Scale Project

 

I couldn't resist!  Something different. Just got it! There's a sale so I got a garage in half scale from Laser Dollhouse Designs. (My mansion and Lavender Cottage are from them.) Cute, it has a roll-up door and a 2nd floor loft/dormer. The nice thing is it comes with strip shingles. Yay, no hunting around or buying some. It measures 8.5 Wide x 9 Deep x 10.5 High.

So, maybe a hunting cabin/bachelor pad/office above the garage... and a place to put lots of junk. ha! I have some garage items (a Japanese plastic kit) I got a while back. I've eyed this kit a few times, so this will be fun! We'll see if the car I have fits otherwise they'll have to downgrade. It can be the "neat" garage unlike real life. Maybe... ha!

So.. what color to paint it??? Maybe that nice green (close to sage green) I used in the Lavender Cottage kitchen. Really like this color. It could look good with that brown trim or white.

If there's enough room, maybe I can build in a small half-bath (toilet, sink) and use some of the same floral paper I used in the kitchen. A small concession to the woman of the house. ha! I can put a small sink and a microwave in for a kitchen possibly. We'll see what works. That's after I finish what I'm working on now... the Witch's Bakery.  See update.

Stay tuned for more!

 

Halloween Witch's Bakery Update

 

Yes! So far: the front egg carton bricks are done for the Witch's Bakery! (See last post and cakes.) The walls and door are glued together, and glued to the base. (I should've made it easier for myself and painted the base edges first.) Not sure what I'm putting in that spot over the door yet. May add more bricks and some decorative piece. 

Have to add the doorknob and put the windows in too. I decided to make some stained glass windows, too. I have some lacey design paper to put on the window shelves also. I admit, I hate the painting/building part of miniatures. I like the results and planning it, but I can't wait to do the decorating!

(Click photos for full size.)

I left the back panel unglued so I can get in there. Trying to think of how to keep it open for access if I stack the other store on top...

This is the paper pattern I'll be using on the back wall and partially on the other walls with a black panel on the bottom section. I'll also have a ceiling with the hanging black chandelier.

Too cute: Finally ordered the MiniVerse Halloween minis since they aren't to be found anywhere. I was really looking forward to doing the pumpkins, but I have to admit, these Monster Cups are pretty cool looking. They'll go on a shelf or table in the bakery, for sure.

I know, not much to show yet but... the fact that it's together and glued to the base is BIG progress! Have to electric tape it  (partly done) and figure out the LED lights next, then paper. I also got some of the 10 light LED strings at Dollar Tree ($1.25). These are perfect to use. You can cut the battery box off and solder directly to the tape wire. I'm going to put these around the shelves or maybe in the bakery case, or both. I always try to buy a couple since you never know when the price will go up or they may disappear totally. 

* That's it for the moment! Hope to show more soon. ha! Thanks again for visiting! * 

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New Lizzie Borden Fiction Coming!

 The Lizzie Borden House Anthology will release Oct. 14! Pre-Order Here on Amazon.

From feminist re-imaginings to supernatural reckonings, from psychological horror to gothic suspense, these tales examine not just what happened that day in Fall River, but how the story of Lizzie Borden has taken on a life—and afterlife—of its own.

Perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson, True Crime, and American Horror Story, this collection blurs the line between history and horror, fact and folklore. Because some stories refuse to die—and some houses never forget.

Includes 20+ stories by authors such as NYT Bestseller Heather Graham and Stoker Award Winner Linda D. Addison.

* Contains my new Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter story: "You Can Go Home Again."

** FYI: Are you a reviewer? The book is also on Netgalley.  * Get it on Goodreads.

* Amazon affiliate links may provide some compensation to blog owner.

Witch's Bakery: Miniature Cakes

 

While I'm working on the Witch's Bakery (see last post, beginning/possible design), I thought I'd share a better look at some of the Halloween cakes I already have. (*Click photos for full size.)

Many of these were made a while back by my Dutch friend, Kitty, who's a whiz working in clay. I did some trades a long time ago with this project in mind - someday!  Spooky-cute aren't they?

I made the creepy food and desserts. Hungry? Hand sandwiches, anyone?

More to come soon. I hope to finish up the stones on the front of the second window/wall (done!) Next - start papering the inside. 

I think I'm going to put LED lights inside with a transformer since that's easier (and lasts longer) than batteries. I'll have to glue the front and 2 sides, (lights on two of those walls and ceiling maybe) and try to make the back removable as this was designed as a top-opening project, which is hard to work with. 

I still like the idea of adding the other shop as a top floor restaurant. Then, hopefully, I can connect both floor's lights together, too. We'll see how it works out. Will have to keep all that in mind as I glue and build...

* Thanks again for visiting! Come back soon for more projects & progress! * 

 

Pre-Halloween Lit Fest Book List

 

I just participated in the Southport Literary Fest at the Southwest Library in Kenosha, Wisc. and thought I'd share a few of the interesting new books featured there.

Halloween Reading:

 

Spooky Science, Meagan Ankney and Paige Miller. Ankney and her sister-in-law, known for the  Spooky Science Sisters Podcast offer whimsical and scientific explanations for everything from hauntings, to supernatural events, cryptids, and more. 

Together We Rot, Skyla Arndt - A teen girl forms an alliance with her former best friend in exchange for hiding him from his cultish family. A would-be sacrifice and deadly secrets... and a new word - horrormance! In her latest House of Hearts, Violet Harper tries to solve her best friend's murder by infiltrating a secret society, resist a forbidden love, and run from a vengeful ghost.

Twice Removed, Zee Lacson - As part of an immigrant family, Jay has never felt like he belonged in his hometown of New Orleans. Then Maya, the half-Filipino girl in class he's had a crush on, starts talking to him. But Maya has secrets. And the more time they spend together, the further he's pulled into a world of magic and superstition. When a generations-old family curse is revealed, Jay has to find a way to stop this winged, vampiric monster before sunset on Maya's 18th birthday. If he doesn't, his new girlfriend might kill him. Or worse, he'll have to kill her. Winner 2024 BIBA Young Adult Award.

Greek Mythology - Fantasy:

Ariadne's Crown, Book 1, Meadoe Hora - A retelling of one of Greece's greatest myths... As heir to the ancient throne in Crete, Ariadne thinks she's a poor substitute for her heroic brother.  

Historical Romance:

Matched in Merriweather: Jane Austen in Wisconsin, Michelle Cox -  Small-town charm and romance in a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma set in 1930s Wisconsin by the author of the Henrietta and Inspector Howard  series.

Horror:

Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, C.A. Verstraete - Lizzie Borden took an axe... but what if she committed the heinous crime for a different reason? What if she picked up that axe because her father and stepmother had become... Zombies? New cover!  **Get other ebook versions & order it at your library here. 

Mystery:

 
 Death at Greenway, Lori Rader-Day - Two nurses caring for child evacuees during WWII at Greenway House, the holiday home of Agatha Christie, find a body on the shore and must unravel the truth in the small England town. Agatha Award Winner.  - Coming in January: Wreck Your Heart - a Chicago country singer tries to get her big break before family - or murder - wrecks everything.

Play the Fool, Linda Chern - A cynical tarot card reader seeks to uncover the mysteries of her friend's death. Edgar Award Winner 2024. In her latest, Tricks of Fortune, tarot card reader Katie True is embroiled in another murder when her best friend becomes the prime suspect.

Thriller:

The Ascent, Allison Buccola - Members of a commune vanished 15 years ago, except for a 12-year-old girl found wandering on the side of road. She tries to put the pain of the past behind her, then a stranger appears on her doorstep claiming to have all the answers about her past. But can she be trusted?

Time Travel - Fantasy:

The Book of Lost Hours, Haley Gelfuso -  Two women move between postwar and Cold War–era America and the mysterious time space, a library filled with books containing the memories of those who bore witness to history. This is where eleven-year-old Lisavet Levy finds herself trapped in 1938, waiting for her watchmaker father to return for her. When he doesn’t, she grows up among the books and specters, able to see the world only by sifting through the memories of those who came before her. - A Good Morning America Book Club Pick.

NOTE: Amazon affiliate links may offer some compensation to the blog owner.

 * Happy Reading! I'll be sharing more Halloween Reads soon! *