Day of the Dead Miniature Nook

 

While work and finishing up on the half-scale garage is still on-going, I finally finished the last few steps on the Plaza de Los Muertos  - (Fsolis/Amazon) Day of the Dead (or technically Plaza of the Dead) Book Nook. 

(*Click photos for full size.)

All the colors and the skeleton figures attracted me to this one. I was going to put in some actual skeletons but didn't see where, so I skipped that as the figures they provide are rather cute. But I did add more 3D effects like flowers, pots, and all kinds of skulls on the visible side. 

I had to take some leeway as I couldn't fit the plastic on because of my non-flat additions, so a piece of plastic cut from a binder pocket insert worked well, especially since it is a bit flexible.

I also used a piece of thin acrylic cut from a poster frame front to fit the front of the nook. I've used that plastic before to make cheap dust covers for other dollhouses. 

A peek inside. I added lots of fake greenery and flowers.

View of buildings before installation

Finished side wall - Thought small flowers and skulls looked better than just pictures

Day of Dead book nook interior

Fun project! Now on to.... ?

I did see someone else's project that gave me an idea for something small (half-scale) I'd set aside that will be a good in-between project. Slightly spooky! (Of course!) Stay tuned for a preview!

*Thanks again for visiting. Come back soon for more projects!*

(*Note: Amazon affiliate link may provide some compensation to blog owner.)

Update 2: Half-Scale Miniature Garage

 

Shower in and kitchen area

Working away on the Half-Scale Garage's second floor living space. (See last post. Here's the garage front and interior so far.) Getting there!

(*NOTE: I wish there was a way to get updated posts to alert viewers. But? New pix coming shortly: the bath is done; the shower is done! Yes, still working on the *&^ lights!)

It may not look like much so far, but it took a lot of fiddling to get to this point with the shower in and where the kitchen should sit (more or less). (*Click photos for full size.)

The extension is on (the kitchen area.) I'm thinking of not gluing the small roof on (not shown here) since it fits snug and it makes it easier to get inside if needed. Just have to glue and paint the shingles. (Yay, strips that came with the house!)

Bath next to window; shower on other side. Rust in the kitchen sink, too.

I decided to use the striped paper on the large side wall (at left not shown) so it would match, and this may not be glued either as I really don't like the limited opening from the back. We'll see... And fiigured out the shower and bathroom, so far. The shower isn't perfect but it's reasonable enough using a corner cut from plastic packaging, wood trim, and beads for the shower head and knobs. (I see I need to fix that side wood strip. I always see things after the photos. ha!)

A rusty bathroom

Trying to figure out how to add the other smaller brick wall to left so I can put a  rod and a faux "folding door," that way I can remove the full ceiling/side wall if needed. 

Got this 3D bathroom set (had to dirty it up!) by Blackthorn Miniatures/Etsy or on FB. They have some fun spooky items, too.

Have to get the lights attached next. 

I did have two larger square 5.0 mm MEGA LED lights (Like this on Evan Designs) that are pretty bright and work on 2 AAA batteries (1.5 v each = 3 volts). That should work on this floor. I have two left but will have to get more of these as they really are very bright. I switched out a smaller battery pack from a kit since it'll be small enough to fit under the sink then so I can hide it. That's a pain but I don't always light these up much anyway.

Cut up plastic cabinet; using bottom cabinets on left.

Came up with a good idea for the garage. I'm putting in fake flourescent ceiling lights using clear plastic pen tubes (below) and card stock. Then I came up with a good solution to hide the battery box -  I cut the rest of the orangey plastic sink cabinets to paint and glue to the front of the battery pack. That'll be hidden under a wood counter so it looks like built in cabinets but will be removable. The string itself can be covered by a painted straw and attached to the wall.

Painted cabinet (so far) and plastic tubes with light strings (unlit)

So far, so good! I know, not too exciting but it gives some ideas for adding different things if needed. On to the lights next time.

 * Thanks again for visiting. Come back soon for more updates! *

More of the Half-Scale Miniature Garage

 Still working away here and there, but I am making progress on the Half-Scale Garage since the last post. 

It usually takes a bit until you get into a project, and I like how it's progressing now. The back wall and front window is in. I had the idea of making window shades (as shown in the extension wall above) from the wallpaper I'm using and I like how they turned out. Simple to do: just fold in half, cut a toothpick on top to fit inside and crease to give it a "rolled" look. Then add trim to the bottom.

** Update since I posted this: got the floor in, working on window trim and trim around staircase opening. Then I can get the extension glued on. Should be able to show all that soon.

Since I changed the windows and they jut out a bit, I had to build up the trim. Easy enough to do by adding a small 1/8" square stick along the edges in the back. You then glue the trim next to the window frame with that edge on the outside, top, bottom, and sides.

I'm probably using the textured paper painted a light gray for the other walls. The main window wall and other side use the same wallpaper as the shades.

I changed my mind on the floor and went with a green textured paper since it seems to go with the project. Funny as I'm not a fan of green, but I do like the Wedgewood green which I've used on two other houses. I also added the slightly darker green that I used for the Lavender house kitchen cabinets for the outer door/window trim. It seemed to be a good combination with the yellow-ochre doors. 

Parts boxes. Even a chicken bucket and grocery bag in there!

Now that I'm making such progress, I started looking on Pinterest for other things to add. I found some good auto parts printie boxes and some food boxes. Here's some old car art - garage signs. - car mag covers to shrink. The apartment space definitely needs some frozen dinner boxes, meat trays,  cola and beer cases, plus I thought of making some pieces of chicken and a chicken bucket for a take-out dinner. Maybe I'll add some fries or potatoes to that. So that'll be fun to make up some groceries (cereal boxes) in a bag, too, that I can set on a counter. 

Yes, even a teensy beer can and a KFC drink cup.

If you've never visited this very useful printies site, PaperMau, there is a detailed tool box set pattern to download. Didn't try it yet, but it looks like you have to enlarge it to size. There are all types of paper printies there (buildings, etc.) so be sure to look around.

While this probably won't be used in this project, I also made a small sink/hutch (Vintage Kitchen Cabinet/CastleCrafts.) I decided to add some "tile" (the metal liner from a coffee can) and put faucets (I took off something else) on the back wall. It came out pretty nice.

I'm still thinking of adding a small bathroom so have to see where I can fit it. I'd like to build a couple walls and add it upstairs in the apartment space if I can. Once I get the 3D printed set I bought, then I can ee howfigure out what to buld. There actually is more space upstairs than you'd think, even with adding a bed and I have to fit in a couch and TV yet, but I think it'll  work. I might even put in a second table that the resident uses to put together small parts while watching TV. 

 I do have a lot of extra doors so it would be easy to build a bathroom space and add a door or maybe make a faux folding door with corrugated paper since it would require less room. I just have to figure how to set up the light string to light the room, that space, and I'm hoping to add a lantern outside using the last light on the string. I have to figure it out yet. 

So far, so good! Lots of figuring to do yet but it's getting there!

* Thanks again for visiting. Come back soon for more updates! * 

Update: Half-Scale Garage

 

Garage - so far. Actually kind of cute, huh? Still needs some touch-ups, etc.

(* Scroll to see newer posts or look in archives in left column. The latest on the garage.)

Hope you enjoyed the A to Z posts, or rather for me, A to V. ha! 

Now I thought I'd share what else I'm doing. I mentioned getting the garage kit out before back in January(!) and then put it away again (1/24 Lansdowne 1-car garage/Laser Dollhouse Designs) as I really couldn't get inspired on it. Then I got it out again and put it away. Well, third time's the charm!

Truthfully, I still wasn't really "feeling" this project until, finally, I got the floor glued and started putting windows in. Now, it's starting to look like something!  (Click photos for full size.)

I changed the windows from the working windows to these with the faux shutters. It works since I have the shutters on the one side. I might put some window boxes too. I like flowers!

The big obstacle here was the staircase, (to be added in yet; just set in here.) It had these fancier cut spindles, which are nice, (similar to the spindles on the Lavender House porch but smaller)  but seem out of place in a garage. So I'll save them and instead cut smaller sticks, which were something else to get to stay in! Finally, finally, I got the railing glued and while it's not all perfect, it's fine. It's a garage!  The main thing is it fits right, that's after I had to do some cutting on the door and window trims.

You have to build this in steps otherwise some things will be too hard to get in right, as I learned after not putting the sliding door into the rails first... had to pull one partway out to get the door in right. Should read directions! ha! But... it works!

I did something different here as I thought it had way too many windows for a garage and to me, I thought it needed a full wall to use inside.

So, I covered the two window spaces on the outside with shutters. I like how that looks. The inside has different, yes, larger shutters, but the wall will be covered with tables in front of it and maybe a work bulletin board, some maps, shelves, etc. And junk piles. ha!

 It looks like a garage! It's actually a pretty ingenious design. Stairs need to be installed yet. I papered it with textured "spackle-look" wallpaper and painted the walls to give it a used-dirty look. I have to add lights on the ceiling yet, fake "flourescent" lights using a light string and clear plastic tubes cut from pens. (See below.) I hope it works.

The upstairs has an extension that has to be built. Several pieces to do... I'm at the sick-of-painting stage. ha! This will be a somewhat messy apartment for the mechanic when he's working on things. I hope to somehow fit in a small bathroom and will have a compact kitchen, probably using vintage plastic furniture. Just an old chair, a bed, and a table and chairs. Not much but it's home!

I decided to use this one-piece plastic kitchen cabinet/sink/oven. It was an ugly orange color before.

 Here's how it looks painted with a few "dirty" spots. I made the faucet from a piece of solder and the knobs are cut from the tops of tiny fake Christmas bulbs. I added the counter from a piece of mat board and scrapbook paper The sink was built with a wood box and trim. I I like using these plastic vintage pieces in certain projects. I might use this fridge with it.

I had another kitchen piece (partly hidden on back wall) I used in my Halloween house. I also used a vintage Fridge (on wall by door)  in the Fairfield diner. They're good if you want to dirty something up to make it look old and used.

Possible lights for first floor ceiling. I have some white "holders" cut out also to resemble flourescent lights.

I may figure out a ceiling channel on the second floor and use a string of lights there too. I didn't want to get too fancy on this or have to use a transformer. We'll see what I work up. So far, so good!

* Thanks for visiting! Come back soon for more updates! * 

Blogging A to Z: Miniature Victorian Dollhouses

 

I was lucky to actually have two matching dresses, so a his and hers for the large Victorian house.

* Some favorites in my Yellow Victorian house.

Also the pretty Victorian bed.

There are quite a few houses I did with a semi-Victorian theme. 

Portion of hobby-craft-toy room in the Yellow Victorian house.

Front of the Yellow Victorian house before lawn.

More photos:

* Accessories

* Dollhouse finds

Also sharing the video I made for the Country Victorian Dollhouse, a more vintage-looking house.

Thanks for following along all month!

Blogging A to Z: Some Miniature Toys

 

Back: Day 1 - S for... - Next: U-V for...

Some might think they're all toys, but actual miniature toys are fun to collect and add a touch of reality to a project. Above: A half-scale mini Monopoly game and other items I made one year.

I've been doing miniature swaps for a long time, and my favorites have been the half-scale swaps. One year was a Toy swap, which was great for those little things that bring life to a project.

And... what's better than a miniature working TV? I got such a kick out of these when they came out. Funny, this room really looks best when it's decorated for Christmas.

I also have a Haunted toy shop, (more photos at link) where I added a lot of toys in, like from the Disney-brand balls.

Blogging A to Z: Miniature Skeletons

Back: Day 1 -  Q-R for.... - Next: T for...

One of my more unusual projects.... Yes, there is a Skellie Funeral Parlor!

(Click photos for full size.)

Hubby found this gag stop-smoking coffin at Goodwill a while back. It fits the plastic skeletons perfectly! I love dressing them up so this was a good excuse to make the "mourners."

The Skeleton Porch - another favorite dog

The small skeleton and dog at the Witch's Cottage (views inside and videos)

* Forgot to add this fun pair in from my Fortune Teller's room!

* Also see my Halloween store.

Yes, more to come!

Spring Half-Scale Minis Swap '26

 

Keep it clean!

Since the schedule for my daily A to Z might be off, I'm going to share this in-between. 

Swap time! Just got the annual Half-Scale Miniatures swap and what fun, as always, to open a box of goodies! Always great to get some new things that you don't have to make yourself - or never thought of making! Yay!

This year the theme was Household Accessories. You don't have to follow the theme, but it gave me an idea so I made a mop (tedious!!) and a bottle of cleaner, plus a "housekeeping" sign. (See top). I added a bucket printie as I just didn't want to make it. Great thing is that someone else made a bucket, too, (below), so I see I'm not too far off on size! I'll have to make mine as one can be in the house and one in the (yes, finally in-progress) garage.

Horse toy - Terezhina; Beads; Books, cookies -  Sydney; Towels, perfumes, candle - Paula W., Glass dome - Glenda; First aid kit - Annilee

Rugs, hats, basket, towels - Joyce; kitchen scale - Jennifer, candles - Emily; jewelry box - Adrian

Always welcome! A table and Christmas decor - Ruth. Cute!

Pet bowls, tiny cute little bone and Kong - Jen.

Cute pots (oh the tiny utensils!) - Sharon; Kitchen wreath and "recipes" - Amy; clear pitcher, cake stand and tiny glasses (in capsule) - Terri.

Cup/saucer, teapot, silverware (not shown), signs, etc. - Gail

Pet bed, dishes - Beth; dog and cat (glad to see pets!) - Bea J; And - ha-ha! the mini Roomba to clean up after them with the "dust" - Mandy. 

Bucket, "flashlight" great idea, matches, etc. - Cyndi (perfect for my garage.)

So many cute things. Thank you all for your creativity! 

*********

Last year was a Holiday swap, so I made a skull candle and a cup planter.  See previous year's swaps here. Other years (2020) had plants and toys. Always fun and good stuff to use in my houses. Also joined a Halloween swap in the past.

I also joined in a Winter swap with the NAME (National Assn. of Miniature Enthusiasts.) for the first time. Perfect winter items. Always fun to get things you can't (don't want to or won't) make! It's always interesting to see what people come up with and then you think, Oh! Why didn't I think of that? ha!

There's also another cute snowman, a sled and a cute pair of snowboots. (Not pictured.) I made the items below.

Blogging A to Z: Quite Royal Miniatures

 

Even a Corgi waiting at the door!

Back:  Day 1 -  Back: P for... - Next S for...

Tudor Tea Shoppe Interior

I loved the late Queen Elizabeth, so it was fun adding all kinds of Queen-related miniatures to the Tudor Tea Shoppe I made years ago. Yes, it should be for T but... More photos here.

The project is a renovated Street of Shops building. I used the base and changed the style, adding a false wall, etc. 

I'm a bit behind in the updating and still have to add some photos of Kate and William's nearly grown-up kids and just a couple items depicting King Charles.