Day of the Dead Miniature Nook

 

While work and finishing up on the half-scale garage is still ongoing, 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!*

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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! *