November 04, 2024

New Project: Miniature Camper

 

Still Halloween! (Or it was...)

Yes, I've been working on some things. I quit camping years ago after being caught in a horrible rainstorm, but camping in miniature sounds fun! (Click photos for full size.)

I got this camper kit quite a while ago and had papered the inside, then put it away. I'll admit, the project still didn't thrill me, but I decided to finish it since my friend Gigi and I were setting up a display for our Christmas mini get-togethers. She has a couple much smaller campers so we decided to set up a campground Christmas display.

After the Halloween display she did (a fun surprise!), we've been gathering things to make it Christmasy. She has a giant green felt cloth which is draped over a large coffee table that will be the base.

Lucky for me, my idea to make the outside all silver in back and on top, and half silver and half painted corrugated paper (on the back and sides) worked out since Hobby Lobby discontinued the scrapbook sheets of shiny coated silver paper. (But I did see some 2" or so wide rolls if I need smaller roofing pieces.) I had just enough to make it work. I wanted that shiny paper on the ceiling inside too but had to paint the plan paper silver instead since I didn't have enough. The top and back look pretty cool.

My idea was to make this a coffee cafe, a place to get drinks, snacks and some easy food like burgers and hot dogs. My friend will have the "sleeping" campers.

Back and inside

I decided to turn the window boxes upside down and paper the tops with some of the same silvery paper to make awnings. Thought it added something. Most of the small windows got covered with food/cafe signs.

One of the side windows, which still needs a Pick Up Orders sign above it. I also added the counter and supports. The other side is the Order Here window.


The left side from the back has the sink unit turned drinks fridge and grill. I also added a side counter and glued a microwave under it. Didn't think I'd be making another grill since the half-scale mansion diner, but never say never, right? But it's kind of fun making these. I put some of the silver paper on the side for a place to hold the food.


The former benches were turned to make tables and storage on the inside front wall for assorted supplies. Pretty happy with the coffee machine, which I measured off some pieces from a coffee shop kit my friend had. Copied the top and bottom plates and added a jump ring, sequin, and beads for  dimension. I added a few more things since this photo.


Oh, look a visitor! How fun! Mr. Grinch decided to stop by. He'll be ready for Christmas - soon!

I'm pretty pleased with how it came out after all. I'll be sharing the Christmas set-up and the campground soon.

Momentous week! Election Day Tuesday (VOTE!) and then Friday-Saturday is the Fall Dollhouse Show, which has moved to the Wyndham Garden Hotel, 1725 E. Algonquin Rd., Schaumburg, Ill. It's not a big show, but it's so nice to have an event to attend before the long winter lull until next Spring's big shows.

That's it for the moment. I'll have another post or two before the shows so be sure to come on back soon! Thanks again for visiting!