A Really Creepy Book Nook

 

Enter If You Dare!!

I'll add this to my Halloween Book Nook list later, but I had to share this book nook kit I came across. (*** Okay I gave in and bought it, but I also got another discount on it. So see if the coupon comes up on your order. And I'm still on the free Prime member for free shipping until I cancel it.)

They are getting creepier and stranger...  This Abandoned Asylum book nook (Fifijoy/Amazon, $49.99) is rather intriguing though, if not cheap... I like doing abandoned rooms, like the small half-scale abondoned room I did.  

Not sure if this is something I'd want to do, though I have had the idea to take a very small Greenleaf dollhouse kit I have and make it into an abandoned house. It takes more planning, I think, to make something dirty, abandoned, rusty, etc. than it does to make something nice.

I'm torn on this one. It intrigues me, thoough I'm not sure I'd want it sitting around. I do like that wall with the graffitti and the cell doors are cool, as is looking inside at all the junk. I really like that side of the room with the bed, etc. I think that's my favorite area. Just thinking on the layers you'd have to paint to make that wall look right which would be so fun to do. It really is a rather interesting idea. What do you think?

 Amazing the other things that come up with different searches! Of course this is something that could be done in a plain book nook kit  (Simple Bookend, Rolife/Amazon, $16.99). Just mess it up. I think I'd have more fun customizing something like that myself as I tend to elaborate and add things anyway. The hard idea on this is figuring how to divide the items to show on the side walls. 

Or maybe a room box would be much better. Just found this. This is really a nice wall-hung Plain Room/Rolife/Amazon, not a bad size, either - 8.6" h, 9.84" w, 5.4" d (only $16.99). It's almost too nice to mess up. ha!  The problem is all the items you'd have to get separately, too. Still, an intriguing idea to think on! ha! 

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New Mystery Short Fiction Reads!

 

(Collage:Lunapic.com)

Seems like a good time to share some great mystery anthologies. I love to read and these are a Treat!

There are lots of new offerings in the mystery fiction field! I love short stories (reading and writing!), so here are some great choices. (A few more below that aren't in the collage - and I have a new story coming!)

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

New! The Short Mystery Fiction Society (of which I'm a member) now has a new magazine!

 

SMFS, The Short Mystery Fiction Society Magazine, Vol. 1 will be a collector's item. Good to see another short mystery entry in the field. The first issue offers collected reprints from members. 172 pages.

HOT SHOTS: Celebrating Thirty Years of The Short Mystery Fiction Society, is another recent anthology offering reprints of Derringer Award winning stories. 336 pages.

Holiday Reading: 

 Yeah, bah Humbug! It's too early to mention the holiday that's after  Halloween, but...! I have a new story, "Nick's Secrets," coming out in the Santa Rage II anthology. Yes, beware. Santa is not himself. heh-heh. It might come out next month... Details to come! (Free art: pixabay.com)

Music-Inspired Anthologies:

I get a kick out of these anthologies of stories based on music! And they keep coming out!

 

Daydream Believer: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Monkees, Lawrence Allan, Michelle Kubitz, editors - Oh, fun! Still treasure when I saw them in person before Davey died! * Stories by 14 authors, with net proceeds to benefit the American Library Assn. fight against book bans.

Happiness is a Warm Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Beatles, Josh Pacter, editor - features 17 original short mysteries inspired by Beatles songs like "Can't Buy Me Love" to "Eleanor Rigby" and more.  

Wish Upon a Crime: Crime Fiction Inspired by Fairy Tales, Michael Bracken, Stacy Woodson, editors  - This one sounds fun to read! Dreams don't always come true and there are no happily-ever-afters... Stories from 14 authors. 

A couple other fun, previously released anthologies: I have stories in both:

A Killing at the Copa: Crime Fiction Inspired by the music of Barry Manilow, which includes my story, "Some Kind of Friend," based on the song of the same name. 

(I Just) Died in Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders, which includes my story, "Wildfire," based on the song of the same name. 

Other Short Fiction Anthologies:

 

Crimeucopiea: The Not-So-Frail Detective Agency - Latest in the crime fiction series features stories by 15 authors with female detectives.

Hooked on Urban Legends  - and Murder! - Seventeen noted crime authors focus on urban legends and see where they lead - to darkness and murder! The house with all the iights on, the shape at the edge of the woods, only stories... right?

 

Prohibition Peepers: Crime Fiction During the Noble Experiment, Michael Bracken, editor - (Pre-order reissue, releases Oct. 19) Hard-boiled and fast-paced stories set during and after the end of Prohibition, with private eyes serving clients of all social statuses. (Paperback - Amazon)

The Best American Mystery & Suspense 2026 - Megan Abott, editor - From wacky to weird and eccentric characters, 20 stories including a dental hygienist who collects corpses for a funeral for extrra money(!), to a girl who uses her rope-jumping skills to protect herself from danger, and more..   

The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2026, The Mysterious Bookshop, Tess Gerritsen, editor - Stories from Joyce Carol Oates to lesser-known authors and others, including a rare-book entry from Agatha Christie.

 ** Happy Reading! **

* Thanks again for visiting! Come back soon for more minis (and books)! * 

Miniatures in the Meantime

 

While I'm working on several Halloween projects (and can't show them yet!), I decided to work on a few more things for the Once Upon A Time Fairy Tale Shop project. Remember that one? ha! (*Click photos for full size.)

I work on it here and there, but I still think it's a really nice kit and has great elements. It's just very tedious to do! (I got it on Temu back in July for less than other places sell them. Fast shipping and no problems!)

Yesterday I finished a few more of the teensy dollhouses that are in the project. So Darn Cute! In case your'e wondering, the first house (my favorite), is just under 1" high. The second house is 1 1/8" h.

I also got some of these storage items, a couple paper houses, and the bunny done previously. 

I have a lot of the small things finished now so I'll finally be close to starting larger pieces and near starting the building itself. Whew!

That's it for the moment until I can show more. It's getting cooler now and leaves are falling, so outside time will be limited soon. More working inside!

* Thanks again for visiting! Come back soon for more minis & updates! * 

National Dollhouse Month: Duck, duck, goose!

So dead.

 Besides Halloween, October is also National Dollhouse & Miniatures Month! 

What are you working on?? Try something new... a hobby is a great way to use your creativity, challenge yourself, and relieve stress. We sure need that these days!

Whatever you do, have fun with it!

Recently shared that I'd gotten clay out again. Hadn't done that in a loooong time!

These were the the pancakes I made:

As I mentioned before, I just got the book, Making Mini Food: 30 Polymer Clay Projects - that  I've eyed for a while. I tried the pancakes, and oh! I forgot to share my sick-looking goose. haa! I have to add more "yellowish" coloring to it, I think.

Well, at least it looks like a goose. This was pretty hard to do. 

I also made a couple chickens or turkeys, they look about the same except for size. They have to be colored and "roasted" yet, but at least they look like they should! 

There's more I want to try next.... And I'm working on Halloween items (of course!) Hope to share more soon!

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Halloween Miniatures!

 

Oh, look! A visitor. (Look fast before they disappear!)

I'm still decorating and making things for the inside of the Halloween Tea Shop, deciding what should go inside and where, etc. I have to say, I really like how this came out. (*Click photos for full size. See other photos at the link.)

In the meantime, I keep adding things here and there. Someone left a Trick or Treat bag outside. Oh! And there's a ghost visiting! I didn't mention before, the bench is an old Lemax item from, I think, 2013. I save things until I find a project they fit. Luckily, I could find it in my stash. haaa!

I also made some furnishings that I thought would look good.

I had the resin table from a small Christmas set and thought it would look better painted black. I added a skeleton lampshade for the theme.

The small couch on the right is part of a plastic sectional that I covered with fabric. I love the prints! I made the slipper chair on the left.

I'm still deciding what to put in the large wall shelf. Books, of course. And lots of pumpkins. And skulls, too. So far....

I'm also working on the Haunted Library kit from Michael's. Furnishings made. Have to fill the shelves, then the frame is next. 

*** And... I am thinking, somewhat, on that Spooky Restaurant, which I thought of adding on top of the Witch's Bakery. Will have to see what to do next in case I want to separate the two sections. 

* Here's the idea of what I had in mind. This was when I was testing when the bakery itself was started. It should make more sense as I build it and construct the windows. The door and outside stairs will be on the other side not shown.

* Oh... Hubby did find a two-part adapter. After much soldering, re-soldering, (and arguing!), that is attached. So I'll have to finish the sides of the restaurant and get the building together. The front has egg carton and is set aside, but I have to build in windows, then add a door, and outside stairs. The idea is to have separate electric in each building but run both together on one transformer using LED lights. Will share any progress on that later. Have to do the Halloween projects while I'm in the mood!

* That's the projects so far. Thanks for visiting & come back for more soon! * 

Halloween Book Nooks

 Amazon Prime Days are Oct. 6-7, so I'm sharing some cool and new Halloween Book Nooks I've discovered! Some spooky, some scary, some book-oriented, and more!

You can never get enough! bwaaaaah! I try not to show any over (or not much over) $35 as I think they are getting too costly. Sadly, there aren't that many deals in the under $20 range for larger kits. Prices may change since time of posting. Photos from website; click for full size.

Note: Amazon affiliate links may provide some compensation to blog owner. And to be fair, many sites have sales now! Bookshop.org is also offering free shipping on books!

Added: Check out the intriguing Abandoned Asylum Book Nook and some unfinished options I found if you want to make your own version. 

* Book Nook bookshop (looks like Santa in there!) I like the dark color on this. Slightly smaller, under 6" h, $19.99)

* Count Dracula frame (Amazon, 7.2" h, $37.99)

* Gothic Castle (Amazon, 8.27" h, $36.43  **COUPON Good to OCT. 19 - $30.60)

* Halloween Spooky House, cute house within a nook (Amazon, Nextips, $35.99)

* JCSY Pavilion of Time - cute Halloween house. (Amazon, $20.99) 

* Lost Cathedral this is kind of cool, different! I like the abandoned look. (Amazon, Vorathis, 9" h, $33.99)

* Magic Shop, doesn't look like much to add inside, but I like the building look. (Amazon, Everlalora, $26.99)

* Owl Library (Amazon, 9" h, $29.99)

* Sewer Shadow,  weird name, but IT style in a TV box, different! (Amazon/Joohour, $37.99)  or the Jigsaw, Saw style, bathroom..... * Kind of cute in that they are only 4" h.

* Spire of the Wyrm, Dragon (Oh the names! ha!) (Amazon/IIE, 9" h, $25.19)

* Have fun! Happy Building!! * 

Banned Books Week Begins: Read!

 

 It shouldn't even have to be said  - Books are for Everyone!

It's the start of Banned Books Week - Oct 4-10, with a growing list of someone saying you shouldn't read this or that. Read more at the American Library Association's site. 

The ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (nice title!) reports that last year, 4,235 titles were challenged - the second highest amount documented. Interesting is that 92% of challenges come from special interests, "pressure groups", and goverment officials - not parents. 

As a lifelong reader, and a writer, I have been, and always will be, a big book fan! I always had my nose in a book and loved going to the library for more! Still do!

The moral of the story: Read what you want. What interests you. Don't like it? Then don't read it, but you don't get to decide for others what they want to read - or write! MYOB!

It's October! Halloween Month!

 

Yay, it's October! It's only exciting since it's almost HALLOWEEN! 

I'm planning to work on more spooky seasonal stuff this month, along with whatever else strikes my fancy, so follow along!

Just a short post today as I take some photos. I'll show you the latest weird clay food next and a couple new things I made for the Halloween Tea Shop. ha!

I also got a couple ideas during MiniJoyMonth2026 on Instagram that I might look into. Always good to try something new!

* Thanks again for visiting again and again! More posts/projects to come! * 

MiniJoyMonth 30: Anything Goes!

 

Half-scale pancakes

Another day as MiniJoyMonth on Instagram unfolds. So fun to have a whole group of miniaturists sharing their work!  (Be sure to join in or follow along with host @vintagedollhouseshop and look for the tag #minijoymonth2026. * See my Instagram page and friend me at cwrite12. )  

*Click photos for full size. * For this blog, I'll share all my posts on the Day 1 post here.

Today's Prompt: Anything Goes!

I meet with my friend today for our miniatures session. We are on a clay kick, so will make some more miniature food. Fun as it's been years since I worked with clay. I just got the book, Making Mini Food: 30 Polymer Clay Projects - that  I've eyed for a while, so I'd like to try making a turkey for the eventual Tudor project, among other things. I'll have to make two sizes. We tried the pancakes last time so that was different to do. 

I'll share more as I get things made.

* Thanks again for visiting! Come back tomorrow for more minis! * 

This is the end of the MiniJoyMonth posts! Thanks for following me on Instagram and following here. 

I'll have more miniature updates and projects, coming soon! Keep coming back! You can also sign up for the headline emails in the left column. Lets you know when something new is up!

 I still have to finish filling the inside of the Halloween Tea Shop and get back to putting the rest of the furnishings inside the Half-Scale Garage. I know, I know, I stop on things for a while and then get back to them. I do want to finish it though and maybe decorate it for Halloween and/or Christmas. 

And then??? Well, I do have some other Halloween projects to do... maybe the Halloween Haunted Library kit I got at Michael's. Yes, I couldn't resist! There is never a lack of projects. haa! 

Yes, it's time for full HALLOWEEN MODE!!! bWAAAAHHHHHHAAA!

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MiniJoyMonth 29: My Perfect World

 

Ladies shop in a jewelry box cabinet

Tiny lipstick stand

Another day as MiniJoyMonth on Instagram unfolds. So fun to have a whole group of miniaturists sharing their work!  (Be sure to join in or follow along with host @vintagedollhouseshop and look for the tag #minijoymonth2026. * See my Instagram page and friend me at cwrite12. )  

*Click photos for full size. * For this blog, I'll share all my posts on the Day 1 post here.

Today's Prompt: My Perfect World.

It's miniature. It's all perfect!!

* Thanks again for visiting! Come back tomorrow for more minis! *