April 24, 2017

Chicago Miniatures Shows 2017!

Had a great weekend going to all three miniatures shows in Schaumburg and Chicago!

As always, there was tons to see. I didn't take as many photos this time, but wanted to share a few things I did get pictures of. I'll also have some of the photos and information in the upcoming issue 63 of the AIM - Artisans in Miniature Magazine. (Click pix for large images.)

I always find some great deals at the Three Blind Mice show (http://3blindmiceshow.com/chicago_spring/) and this year was even better - I won a half scale (1/24th) dollhouse kit from the door prize raffle! Believe me, I was pretty shocked!


 I always find a bunch of accessories here. The fun stuff I found was a mini silver garbage can (hard to come across those now and I have fun filling them!), some small half-scale end tables, flower boxes, tiny tables, plant hanger, cigar box, mini computer, shoes, etc. I got a kick out of this Pan statue, (at left) as it was definitely different (kind of creepy!) and will fit perfectly in the half-scale, haunted house garden once I do that project! I got an interesting sofa kit, too, that I may use in my upcoming record store project. (Yes, another new idea. ha!)



Now, not to inject politics, but these cut-out server figures cracked me up! Oh, the jokes I could make, but I'll control myself. ha! (From William Cambron Miniatures, Missouri.)


This was a pretty cool spooky house by April and Ron Gill of The Wildwood Dollhouse from Michigan, which will be going to The Museum of Miniature Houses in Carmel, Indiana. (http://museumofminiatures.org.) The interior features a full array of potions for that wizard or witch, along with a unique table on skeleton legs. (I hope it doesn’t walk away!)


The newer dollhouse show, The Miniature Show, (http://theminiatureshow.com/) was even better in its second year with more vendors. Much of the items are high-end, but I found some great kits in three scales from first-timer Jane Harrop of the UK. I love finding new half-scale kits. She had some interesting vintage-style kits like the table and vegetable cart. And the filligree screen is also great. I really liked her assortment.



This incredible Steampunk scene in a giant top hat by Bette Jo Chudy was part of the displays for the show's artisan competition. 


The Chicago International (Bishop show) (http://www.bishopshow.com/blank-chv5.) always has a ton of stuff to see, as well.

This was a cool idea using those plastic skellies. Will have to try something similar -chandelier from Magic-N-Miniatures of Ohio. (ignore the guy in the makeshift bathroom in the back.) ha!


First-time exhibitor from the UK - These dolls from Bags of Character from the UK really do have a lot of character. Love the expressions!


So, just a little taste of the shows!

March 14, 2017

Yellow HS Kids' House

Wow it's been a while since I posted! It's not that I haven't been working on things, just haven't had a chance to share!  The small trailer is coming along. Will be posting some pix and tips soon.

For now, here's a trip down memory lane. Since I cleaned the cover and was moving the house, took a few new pix. This was always one of my favorite projects.

Yellow Half Scale Kids' House


I bought this kit years ago when my local dollhouse store was closing. It was labeled as a kid's playhouse, though it is half scale. I used smaller 1" scale furniture inside and outside. I kick myself that I didn't buy the other kit at the time.

** Just found this original pic of the kit - it was called "Backyard Bliss" by Betty's Wooden Miniatures. (I'd seen that pink kit on left (Tulip Cottage) back then; should've bought it. And that other kit, Storybook Playhouse, shown on right is cute. Here's a link to someone's projects. (Not sure if it'll work as it's a private forum on Greenleaf.) 





(Click pix for full size)

** And it seems every time I take a pic, then I see something wrong after. Like the bird (Cockatiel) hanging down on the chair inside. Oh, he's just looking at something. haa!

The stones in front and on the chimney are those polished colored stones. I put them in tinted lightweight spackle. (stucco) The bird on the chimney is from Barbara Meyer, Mini Gems. 











January 18, 2017

Christmas 2016 Minis!

I'm getting to this a bit late. My friend Gigi and I only recently got together a couple weeks ago so I couldn't show some of these until she opened her gifts! 😄

She made me this amazing lantern with a Christmas scene. You can't tell but the tree lights are super bright white LED's. 




I got a big kick out of this though! I've never seen these before. They're mini-sized cement blocks on their own pallet - and made of real cement! Too funny!




Also too "cute." Friend Joanna Campbell Slan sent me this mini-mini tree for my birthday (beginning of Dec.) Now to decorate it!



I made this Christmas tree for Gigi, along with this shabby chic bike. 










The bike was rust-colored. I painted it, and made the sign and basket. I also made the kitten in a basket. It's resin so I added flocking, painted the ears, and redecorated the resin basket.  
The amazing thing? My other 'mini' friend Kitty from Holland sent her gifts to me at the end of November - and the package just arrived - yesterday! That's crazy!!!!

Bad pix but she sent some cute hats she made, a pretty wreath, little jars, coffee grinder, some boxes, ornaments, button plates. and other odds and ends, etc. And a teapot kit (not shown) from bead caps which should be interesting to try making! 







December 31, 2016

Mini Year in Review 2016


Happy New Year (almost!)
 (And wishing you the best in 2017!)

With 2016 coming to an end, I thought I'd share a few of the miniature projects I completed this year. You forget what you've worked on until you actually see the photos together. (Click photos to view full size.)

In no particular order:

* Finished re-decorating the Tudor Half Scale house  - first floor bakery; second floor living space. * See more inside photos and the front exterior.


* Finished decorating the outside of the Half Scale Garage. (Won Grand Champion ribbon at the summer County Fair.) * See fair photos and full outside of garage.

* Also finished the flower bed on the side of the garage. I'm still finishing up the outside to display a "mini" garage sale scene. I set it aside for a while.





* I did come out with a new book, Dollhouse Decor & More, with co-author/miniaturist Joanna Campbell Slan.  (It includes the flower box and wisteria wreath shown above.) See Amazon link - website.







* Built a new Half Scale Potting Shed kit from Mini Etchers
 * Photos of inside of shed.



* Almost done:
Right now, I'm finishing up a few little decorations inside in the redecoration of the Half Scale Porch. Started it a long time ago, didn't like it, the roof fell off! and I finally decided to finish it. It turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!

  I wanted to use things I mostly had on hand so that worked out pretty well. Here's a preview... so far. I'll do another post soon when I finish the inside and will share all I did! Happy finally with how it's turning out. I love the colors!  (I still have to add the porch rug and door mat here, and probably some wall and door art. Maybe a couple hanging plants yet, too. As you can tell with most of my projects I like them to be well-decorated and kind of busy! There is a small room I added on the back of the porch, so I'm finishing a few more decorations in there, too.)



* I also renovated and redecorated a Halloween Market Stall I made a while ago. It turned out pretty cute, too. (There's been a couple changes since this pic - the cat looks better now with a collar and whiskers!)



* I have some other cute things I finished... a few I can't share as they are Christmas gifts for a friend to be opened yet as we're getting together late!

I know I've forgotten some others, but this is a start. Makes me feel like I got something done. ha!

*What projects are up next? 

On the agenda, though it doesn't mean I'll get to them all:
* Mini Camper  - I think it'll be a shabby chic cafe - coffee shop.
* Finish the Half Scale Garage sale scene
* Finish the shoe store roombox and a dress store roombox. (Renovating a used box I bought.)
* I have a new room box - thinking of maybe using it for the Tudor hall I planned a long time ago.
* Build the A-frame Half Scale Beach house.
* Build a half scale Victorian Halloween house.
* Still have things saved and waiting for the men's shop in an old cigar humidor box.
* Two Greenleaf dollhouses are pre-built and need to be decorated, electrified, painted and wallpapered. One is the general store kit, which I was thinking of doing totally white as a shabby chic setting for my Ladies' Shoppe items. I have a ton of stuff made and saved...
* Of course there are other ideas, too! 

** What miniature projects did you finish this year? 
* What projects do you hope to get to next year?


December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas 2016!

Hope your Christmas is wonderful and blessed, and your New Year is just as special!

** See Christmas in Miniature 2016  - Day 1

* Read the annual Christmas Story, "Thief of Christmas Present" by Robert W. Walker
Part 1 - Part 2

* Don't forget some books under the tree (or on that Kindle!)

  
In Miniature Style II  - 40+ how to's, interviews and great photos


Dollhouse Decor & More - How to's and tutorials 









Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter - fiction - (mystery, horror, historical) 


Every family has its secrets…

One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become... zombies? 

(Print, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited)

 GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie -  Young adult zombie fiction 

Becca's life is changed forever when she's scratched by her cousin -- and turns part-zombie!



December 24, 2016

#Christmas in Miniature 2016 Day 6

Merry Christmas Eve!

See Day 5 of Christmas in Miniature and Part 1 of the Christmas story, "Thief of Christmas Present" -  See last day - Merry Christmas!

Today continues part 2 of the annual Christmas story...


Part 2: Continued, "The Thief of Christmas Present"
By Robert W. Walker

(Photos: Christmas Santa House by C. Verstraete, see more pix at my website; Festive gold and white holiday scenes featuring the miniatures of Lissu, used w/ permission. Visit her blog)

Today we conclude our original Christmas tale by Robert W. Walker, author of more than 30 novels including his latest Chicaghosts series with Gone Gorilla and The Monster Pit.




TO RECAP: the family are watching the film to see who is stealing the Cluewellens' Christmas from Julia's dollhouse.

Shortly after, Stevie entered the room, asking, "What kinda movie is this?"

"The movie that's gonna prove you stole the Cluewellens' Christmas!"

"I didn't touch that stuff! I didn't do it, mom!"

Joannie came down from her room and asked, "Are you still blaming that on Stevie? He wouldn't do that!"

"We got you on tape this time, Joannie...or Stevie...whichever one of you guys did it, so there!" Julia set her jaw, determined to watch every hour of the unmoving movie frame by frame. "Mom and me...we gotcha good now. Liar."

Joannie came at her sister. "Who're you calling a liar? Me?"

"If the shoe fits!"

"Enough, both of you! Stop it. Either sit down and watch the tape or leave the room, but please, no more accusations, Julia, and no more shouting, Joannie-and you, Stevie, stop crying."

"I didn't do it," he complained through tears. "I always get blamed for everything!"


"All I know is somebody stole the Cluewellens' Christmas tree now!" Julia shot back.

"Hey, what's that?" asked Joannie, pointing at the screen. "I saw movement-a shadow-back of the miniature."

Julia, Stevie, and Mother Waldron stared at the slight squeaking noise, too, and in a moment, they all watched a pair of whiskers and a brown button nose rise over the back of the miniature at the chimney.

"It's Newton, my ferret!" shouted Stevie. "He's escaped again."

Newton lived up to his name, always finding ways to escape his cage, and often, Stevie allowed him 'free run time' but Newton always returned to his cage. Newton had even found a way out of the house one night.

"What's he doing?" asked Julia. "OMG-he's going down the chimney."

"Like Santa," said Stevie.




"No...more like The Grinch," replied Joannie. "There's your Christmas thief, Julia!"

"But...I mean how...why?" she asked. "Why's he terrifying the Cluewellens and destroying their Christmas?"

"You really think Newton is thinking along those lines, Julia?" Joannie couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Shhh...watch him. Look, look," said Mom. "The little thief! He's dragging the entire tree out the front door."

With the tree clear of the door, it snapped closed, and Newton scurried away with the five-inch high tree, ornaments trailing. He truly did look like a miniature version of The Grinch except that he was brown and not green.

"Stevie's pet's the thief...the whole time," Julia muttered in disbelief.

"What's he doing with all the stolen goods?" asked mom. "Shall we find out?"

"I think you're gonna need a ferret whisperer or a pet shrink to figure that out, Mom," replied Joannie, still laughing.



"Nothing funny about that little rat destroying the Cluewellens' Christmas!" countered Julia.

"Why don't we all just go on a scavenger hunt?" began Mom. "To see where Newton is stashing all the decorations and presents."

"And stockings!" added Julia.

The four of them started for Stevie's room where Newton lived in a cage. Everyone in the family had gotten so used to Newton's escapes and escapades about the house that no one took great notice of him of late.

"What's going on?" asked Jack Waldron, their father, who'd caught them gathered at the foot of the stairs as he came through the door, home from the office.

Everyone spoke at once until Anna calmed them and pointed to the still action shot on the TV. "We caught Newton red-handed. "He's Julia's Christmas thief."

"Must be the shiny stuff attracts Newton, eh?" asked Jack.



"But he's never done this before!" Anna replied. "Any rate, we're heading up to Steve's room to see where he's stashing the goods."

"Say, did anyone read that book that came with the ferret when you bought Newton at the pet store?" asked Joannie, who was browsing the book for any clues.

"Who's got time to read?" asked Julia.

They all went for Stevie's room, and looked into Newton's cage, a made-over fish tank. There, amid the usual sawdust and toy shelters and fake greenery, was a stash of Christmas miniatures, from the tree, to the presents and the stockings. All of it lay in a neat, orderly circular design. The look on Newton's face said, "I confess."



Joannie handed the paperback book on ferrets and ferret behavior to her mother. "Take a look at the last section on page sixteen."

She glanced at the page. "Oh, dear...then this means..."

"What is it?" asked Julia. "Nothing in that book could possibly excuse this rodent's behavior, and as for you, Stevie-this is all your-"

"No, Julia!" countered her father, who'd now read page sixteen. "No way is this Stevie's fault!"

"You owe Stevie and me an apology," Joannie said to Julia, having closed in on her, nose-to-nose. "And all our friends, too!"

"You do owe everyone an apology, Julia," her mother agreed. "In the meantime, Newton is going to need a new name."

"Whataya mean?" asked Julia.

"New name?" asked Stevie.



"Newton is a girl, and she's stealing shiny objects to make a nest, because she's going to have baby ferrets."

"OMG!" replied Julia. "That's it! That explains the mystery."

"But if Newton's not a boy...what're we going to call Newton?" asked Stevie.

"Newtonia?" suggested Joannie, a snicker escaping.

"Why don't we make it Madame Curie," suggested mom. "I think she outsmarted us all. In any event, case closed."

Stevie lifted the flimsy lid and started to reach in to retrieve the Cluewellens' Christmas stuff-his sister's stuff, but Julia stayed his hand. "No, Stevie. She-Madame Curie-she needs it now more than the Cluewellens."

"Aren't you ahhh worried about the Cluewellens?" asked Anna of her daughter.

"They'll understand when I explain it to them," Julia replied and shrugged, "and besides, there's always next year."

Anna hugged Julia and Jack put a hand on his daughter's shoulder, and with the entire family looking on at Newton-now Madame Curie-every one smiled, and if ferrets can smile, Madame Curie smiled back, a knowing glint in her eye.

"I have an idea for the Cluwellens' Christmas," said Stevie.

"What's that? asked Julia.

"Why not give them a front row seat for Christmas?"

"Meaning?"

"Put their house under our tree!"



Everyone agreed it was a wonderful solution, and that Julia had a lot of apologies to make, and that she'd tell and retell Newton's story between now and Christmas quite often indeed.

THE END
(c) 2008-2016 RW Walker, published by http://candidcanine.blogspot.com


Hope you enjoyed the story and this year's Christmas in Miniature!