Happy Halloween! Miniature Haunted House 2

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! Welcome to part 2 of my half-scale Halloween House tour! If you missed the beginning, scroll down or see Part 1 here.

Side view, bedroom. I covered a plain chest with different black/white prints.

 

Back view: Greenleaf half-scale Van Buren Dollhouse turned into a Halloween House

* Like to Read? See my Halloween Reading List on the other blog. * 

* Click photos for full size; links to all posts are in the left column archives; other projects are linked on the top left dollhouse tab.* 

**** Continuing the tour, we'll go upstairs

Second Floor: Parlor/living room on right side: 

I added the rug and coffee table since this photo:

Hard to take pix with the glaring light, but I added the funky clock here and a poison plant. A Skellie visitor is taking a break. And a ghostly visitor....

This was fun to decorate using a spooky cat print scrapbook paper I had left. The large armchair on the wall turned out better than I expected. (Also part of the Gothic set, SDK Miniatures.) The side table (TCM Miniatures) is topped with a poison sumac plant kit (also SDK). The furnishings are those cheapie wood punch-out kits I redid. The coffee table was a swap gift that I repainted and added some art inside.

Second floor:

Bedroom - Added more pillows to the cool tree bed from Michelle's Miniatures.

Third floor attic:

I made several furnishings for a small bedroom and sitting room on the left side. There's also a trunk kit (SDK Miniatures.)  I really like the music area on the right side. I found this small plastic organ and Victorian furnishings in my stash and decided it fit perfect here. 

One thing I forgot: Have to make room for the Fortune Teller box I made earlier. (Michelle's Miniatures) It could go downstairs against the wall if I decide to move that couch later.

Hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did in making the house and furnishings.

Next: There's another non-Halloween project that I just finished, too. An older kit that also sat around - a camper. My friend and I are setting up a small campground for our Christmas mini get-togethers. Something fun to do. Will share more on that so come back soon!

Thanks again for visiting! 

Happy Halloween! Miniature Haunted House

 

Pictured: Outside back of half-scale Van Buren dollhouse. (Click photos for full size.)

I've done several haunted houses or Halloween-themed houses since it's a favorite way to decorate in miniature.

I've been working on the half-scale Greenleaf Van Buren dollhouse a while, having let it sit and then going back to it some months ago to finish it. So I finally kicked myself to (mostly) finish decorating so I could post it here.

I'm sure I'll add or change more things over time, but I'm done for now. I'd like to add some more decorations on the front walls and some kind of wreaths on the doors, but I can't decide what would look good.

Since this will be kind of long, I decided to split the house tour in two, so be sure to check for the second post  later today as well.

Let's start outside on the Patio:

Well, it looks like Mr. Pumpkinhead isn't such a bad guy after all. He decided to clean up the patio and rake some leaves. How nice of him! (Rake: SDK Miniatures; Table and chair, TMC Miniatures; Bench: Jane Harrop Miniatures, UK).

The window boxes looked plain, so I added some tiny skulls. (I like that decorative pumpkin string on the balcony* but I think I'll add some orange paper in back to show through and then it'll be more visible.) I really liked doing the whole house in brick. I used the textured brick paper from Starboc2/Etsy. *The balcony was part of a fence section from AlphaStamps since I didn't like the bulky piece that came with the house. I also cut out the top row of the fence for the top of the roof. (See top photo.)

C'mon inside!

Front hall: (right side of the dining room)

I like these using little statues like this one of Pan (by the front door.) I have another one like this but in stone color. I also have an archer that I got from WCD Miniatures. Fun decorating additions. I usually pick up one or two new ones at the Fall Miniature Show, Schaumburg, Ill. (Nov. 8-9) Recovering the Victorian couch really made a difference, I think. Really liked this fabric!

Kitchen on right:

I can't help getting a bit gorey here. Decided to use an old Tootsietoy icebox - and I didn't even have to touch-up the chips. ha! I love Tootsie toy pieces (1920s-'30s) and try to use them when I find them cheap. Here's some history on them.) I also hesitated, but gave in and dirtied up a plastic sink/stove section I had as it fit here. Since this photo below, I added two painted seed beads for knobs and a piece of cut solder for the faucet. I think a picture is needed above the icebox.

Oh.... I wouldn't bother Grandma if I were you. As you can see, it's best to not complain about the menu or her cooking! That must be what happened to the family portrait, too. Quite a temper!

The table has some yummy bone soup for lunch. There are pies in preparation on the side table. (Side: Narrow Vesper table, All About Miniatures/Etsy ). The bookcase has some potions, whatever other ingredients, and some cookbooks. I liked using a different style this time instead of just walnut stain. This time I painted it gold and used red metallic designs for inserts. (Gothic set, SDK Miniatures.)

Here's a view of the closet and staircase next to the kitchen. Watch out for the monster under the stairs! 

To the dining room, left:

Some items on the table:

The doll was one of those cheapie figures that I painted gray and re-dressed for a Miss Havisham-style room. The bench seat and table are my favorite Gothic half scale furnishings (SDK Miniatures.) My friend Gigi gave me that little heater and I thought it fit perfect here. I still have to add some silverware to the table.

Next Post: Come back later for part 2 of the tour upstairs! (If you sign up for email headline updates in the left column, you'll know when it posts!)

Thanks again for visiting!

(pixabay.com, cc license)

Miniature Halloween Countdown 8: Skellies!

 

The Miniature Halloween Countdown continues!

(Click photos for full size; see last post: Spooky favorites.)

I love the miniature skeletons and have fun dressing them, so I'd be remiss if I didn't share some I've done.

The best project I came up with may be the Skeleton Funeral Parlor. I'd had this roombox half-finished and decided to turn it into a skeleton funeral! It started when hubby found this talking, stop-smoking miniature gag coffin. Just the right size! See more photos here.

I have to include a few of my other favorite Skellies:

The Haunted Porch

Favorite little Skellie (and his dog) at my Witch Cottage:

Miniature Halloween Countdown 7: Spooky Favorites!

UK doll artist Julie Campbell makes an incredible assortment of figures, full of ghostly (and otherwise) personality! Here's her ghostly bartender who attended our party here last year. See her latest figures on Facebook.

 

Here's Frankie! (Sharon Cariola figure)

The Miniature Halloween Countdown continues!

(Click photos for full size; see last post: Witch hats. All posts can be found linked in the left column archives.)

It's always Halloween when it comes to some of the fun miniature creators out there!

I had to re-share work from a few of my favorite miniature artisans who've appeared on the blog many times. Be sure to check out their latest "horrific" creations at their sites. All are 1/12th - 1" scale (except Lisa's.)

Sharon Cariola -  hand-made figures on Facebook - all kinds of hand-made figures, but her Halloween work like Grandpa Munster are spookily great!

JP Sligh makes some incredibly creative projects, constructing rooms and scenes in various structures. His latest was a hand-made corpse flower (see below left) and other plants in a small greenhouse tended by Morticia, also hand-made. Check out his witchy kitchen  (and my accompanying story) from last year.

Patricia Paul Studio - check out her spooky gallery! She makes some great Halloween food and figures, too!

Lisa Tabboner has a fun assortment of hand-made half-scale figures (via Etsy.) Here's a previous pair of zombies she made. The expressions are perfect!

Miniature Halloween Countdown 6: Witch Hats

 

The Miniature Halloween Countdown continues!

(Click photos for full size; Last post: Witches)

I better get to work! Three days left to Halloween and the miniature Haunted house tour!

Meanwhile, sharing some favorites: handmade witch hats; large hats by the amazing Kat the Hat! Katherine Hazelton. I made the small purple hat and other items. The hats are part of my fun Halloween Shop; more photos here. 

Miniature Halloween Countdown 5: Witches!

 

Continuing the Halloween Miniature Countdown:

(Click photos for full size; see last post: Witch Cottage.)

Many people don't like dolls in their dollhouses, but in some, I do. I like dolls, always have. 

Of course, I've dressed quite a few witches for Halloween, both 1" and half-scale.

The above is a favorite, which was in my haunted house, but now is in a greenhouse scene. Here are several others in this post.

* The Halloween posts will continue on Monday.

Miniature Halloween Countdown 4: Witch Cottage

 

Continuing the Halloween Miniature Countdown:

(Click photos for full size. See last post: Abandoned Room.)

Yes, I'm still working on the half-scale Halloween Van Buren house. I have a few things to add yet before I share the "tour."

In the meantime, here's a different view of the side of the Witch Cottage. See more photos here.

Not a super great photo, but here's a favorite view of the other side: 

Miniature Halloween Countdown 3: Abandoned Room

 

Continuing the Halloween Miniature Countdown: 

(Click photos for full size. See last post: Halloween food.)

Revisiting the half-scale Abandoned Room. This was a fun project made in an unused photo box. Loved making this! See more photos here.

Halloween Miniature Countdown 2: Let's Eat!

 

Continuing the Halloween Miniature Countdown:

How about some Halloween food?

I made a variety of food over the years... "Normal" food and the creepier, the more fun! heh-heh! Here's a smorgasbord table with moldy bread and whatever else. (Click photos for full size. Day 1: Poe Bookstore)

For fun, here's a quick treat: a finger sandwich! haaa!

Halloween Miniature Countdown: Poe Bookstore

 I should've thought of this earlier, so it's late going up, but since it's 10 days from Halloween I decided to post a mini project a day until Oct. 31. I'm sure I have enough work to go back and revisit some favorites.

Today: The revamped Poe-themed "Sam's Study" kit. It includes books from fellow authors and copies of my Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter series. (Front bookcase, bottom shelf, 2nd and 4th book cover.) Book details: www.cverstraete.com

Halloween Reading: Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter

 

Want something scary for Halloween reading? 

Several scary books, including Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, are featured in the Publishers Weekly's Booklife Indie Spotlight for October! 

See my website for details on the book!

Mystery, Fantasy & Halloween Crime Reading List

Some great reads, so make room on your bookshelves and e-reader! 

** Don't forget to check out the Spooky-Horror-Zombie-Halloween Reading List & the October Frights Blog Hop - Oct. 10-15. ** See participants list & my first post and schedule here.  

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                       Anthologies/Collections:  Crime/Mystery

 

Crimeucopia: Say it Again - Sixteen stories of crime and deja vu... Crimes worth a second look...

* These music-inspired anthologies are such fun! I'll have to ask the library to order them!

Friend of the Devil: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Grateful Dead, Josh Pachter, Editor - Fifteen tales inspired by lyrics from the Dead’s thirteen studio albums and two of their many live recordings. The contributors include some of the finest contemporary authors of short crime fiction, such as award winners Bruce Robert Coffin, James D.F. Hannah, Vinnie Hansen, James L’Etoile, G.M. Malliet, Twist Phelan, Faye Snowden, and Joseph S. Walker. Also on board are Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazineeditor Linda Landrigan (with her first published story!), married couple Kathryn O’Sullivan and Paul Awad, Flemish writer Dominique Biebau, David Avallone (son of the legendary crime writer Michael Avallone), and more.

Harrigan's Price and Other Stories: Tales of Mystery, Intrigue and Horror - Christian Bauer - Reprints and new tales of pilots on a fateful flight, machines with a love for pranks, and more. 

(I Just) Died in Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders - Fun anthology featuring 12 crime stories based on familiar, and maybe not so familiar songs. Includes my story, "Wildfire." (** Now get free shipping anywhere for paperbacks at the publisher site above.) 

Janie's Got A Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Aerosmith, Michael Bracken,editor - Sixteen crime authors celebrate the legendary band with fiction inspired by a career spanning over 50 years. Stories by Ed Ridgley, Bill Baber, Eve Fisher. Avram Lavinsky, John C. Bruening, Jeffrey Marks, Mary Dutta, Tom Mead, Steve Liskow, Joseph S. Walker, Adam Meyer, John M. Floyd, Leone Ciporin, M.E. Proctor, Tom Milani and Jim Winter. (* Releases Nov. 8. Get free shipping anywhere for the paperback at White City Press. Download ebooks at site, Nov. 1.)

Murder, Neat: A Sleuthsayers Anthology, Michael Bracken, Barb Goffman, editors - Twenty-four crime stories set in bars, taverns, and other drinking establishments where crimes can easily occur. From members of the crime writers' Sleuthsayers blog.

Smoking Guns, A Sisters in Crime Anthology - Kaye George, editor - Twelve original crime and mystery tales of revenge, deception, and justice served cold by various authors. (Paperback).

The Skeleton Rides a Horse and Other Stories,  Toni L.P .Kelner -  Sid the skeleton makes an appearance in the title story, plus there are some decent short mysteries to enjoy in this new collection. Includes the Agatha-award winning story, "Sleeping with the Plush." (See publisher site.) Curious about Sid? Meet and learn more about him here.

Twisted Voices: Stories from Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine - Award-winning authors including Doug Allyn, Ed Gorman, Barb Goffman, Joyce Carol Oates and others offer stories of crooks and kids, private eyes, struggling artists and more in crimes that often push the boundaries.

Fantasy

IMP: A Political Fantasia, Steven Paul Leiva - Thomas P. Powell thinks his unusual political climb from traffic cop to vice president is because of his own innate moral authority. Then on the cusp of his reaching the pinnacle of success, an impetuous imp climbs from his ear, taking him on a wild, dreadful, nuclear journey. Described as West Wing meets the Twilight Zone.

Kickstarter Ending Soon! Darkworld Anthology - Darkworld is a magical place of dragons and heroes, dwarves and elves, myths and legends. Half of the world is scorched in sunlight and the other half is shrouded in darkness. The dark and the light, good and evil, which will endure? ** Five stories by renowned authors Jean Rabe, Richard A. Knaak, Donald Bingle, Richard Lee Byers and introducing Patrick E. Pullen.

The Dragon's Hoard 3 - Assorted authors including noted mystery and fantasy author Jean Rabe spin tales of all kinds of dragons.

Halloween 

* Something Scary for Halloween Reading: Ends. Nov. 1

Behind the Shadows II - In my story "Blink!", Tommy wakes to a new world and wonders why no one else "sees" what is going on but him.  A little weird and even funny at times! * Get the ebook: various outlets - * Paperback, e-book - Barnes & Noble -* Paperback  - Amazon US

October Screams: A Halloween Anthology - Assorted horror from various noted authors.

 Witches of Halloween: A Collection of Cozy Mystery Short Stories, Amorette Anderson - Four specials featuring witches from her magical worlds: 

The Case of the Cursed Hat: A Hillcrest Witch Special - Witchy PI Penny Banks is looking forward to celebrating Halloween in style. 

Bohemian to the Bone: A Marley the Witch Special -  It’s Halloween in Hillcrest, and Marley and her witch sisters are planning a party!

Gone with the Grimoire: A Marley the Witch Special - When Marley the witch learns about a break-in at a nearby chocolate factory, she vows to help. 

A Moon for Manifesting: A Midlife Medicine Special - New witch Grace Littleton doesn’t know much about the lunar magic, but it’s high time to learn! A local is missing, and it’s up to Grace to follow the celestial clues…

Horror Readers Sale! Through Oct. 30

* Halloween Horror Giveaways: Ends Oct. 31

-- C.A. Verstraete - www.cverstraete.com