Miniature Inspiration - Street of Shops, records

Looking at some ideas for projects I've had in mind...

I got another corner shop and double window shop from the Houseworks Street of Shops. 

I also have the single window shop and an extra corner shop to do yet. Deciding which will be what store. I like the corner shop and was thinking of using that for the witch's bakery. The single window shop will probably be the fortune teller's house next door. Maybe I'll use one for a ladies shop. I have lots of stuff saved for that! I'll have to make sure I can fit them together in one space as that looks so neat that way. 

I have two others I made a long time ago, my miniature tea shop and a spooky plant greenhouse.  (See finished pix here.)

Then the big project is a record store. But... holy cow. I've barely begun making album covers based on these examples I found, especially in this video below!

Some records (a few!)  I made previously:

* 1970s record store

* Scale model exterior record store

#Paris #Miniature Project 19: Latest Work

Wow, we're on Day 19 of the renovations to the Serendipity Shed!
(Click photos for larger size!)

Bonjour! Finally, some progress, but it may slow down again as for this week and next week I have overlapping classes so that means double homework…sigh.  I am diligently working on the assignments to allow myself some fun time.

YAY!! The first floor walls and floor are glued together!!!  

I am so excited to have the first floor coming together! Each floor will be its own module and can be set aside as its own “room box" so to speak. So, each floor will have its own floor and ceiling. This will make it easier to transport and to turn the LED lights on and off. Obviously I still have to stucco and paint the outside walls, and put in the windows, but there is progress.

Speaking of the first floor, as I have some mismatched furniture pieces, they are drying with 

the second coat of varnish to match the round table.  So, the first shop is coming together nicely.

As I am hoping to get the second floor module glued together soon, work is continuing on the second floor as well. I finished the door. The door on the inside is a rose matching the wallpaper and on the outside it is bright red color to make it “pop.” I love red and I just had to bring in the color somewhere. I love how the door turned out. (Image 1 doesn't quite show the tone. But that outside red really adds something!--Chris)

Work has begun on the small balconies outside the second floor windows. The windows are in already, but the shutters and trim are just laid out for this picture. I will glue I place once the second floor module is together.  (I am assuming you are making small "boxes" for the balconies?--Chris)

The final picture is of the second floor windows from the inside and the start of the curtains.  The curtains are a silky yellowish gold and have been pleated at on the upper half. The lower half will be tied slightly back, and they will “puddle” on the floor. (I really like the color. The whole thing is looking really good - and I've seen it in person!--Chris)

So, my dear followers, thank you so much for continuing to come back and share your opinions. Please leave comments and any questions you may have. Your input does provide inspiration and ideas!

The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's  Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 

(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 18.)

 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.

Until the next time… Happy Creating!

Latest Mini Projects: Window Room

I had shared this photo on FB recently and didn't say what it would be, only that it'll feature an old favorite....

The kit is a wall-hanging window. It was a 2015 NAME  Day (National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts) kit called "Window Shopping." (See some finished and framed examples here.) 

Someone also let me know (after I had problems following the pictures in the instructions and finally figured it out) that there were also directions in the NAME Gazette. (Nice they have all the issues here. See Vol. 44 #6 for this project.). Funny as I'm usually pretty good with instructions but I pulled out this kit and put it away three times before I finally tackled it!

I thought it was a cute idea and a small simple way to highlight a few items in a collection. I was lucky and picked it up at a show for $10.

So.... what is mine going to be? Well....  I had done a previous shadowbox on a specific theme and thought this would be perfect for some of the smaller items I have, some came from my Half Scale group's annual swap.

Ta-da! 
Here's a preview of how the room is set up so far. This is a test fit; I have to glue everything in yet. I'd really enjoyed doing the other small shadowbox, (see photos), so I thought this would be a perfect follow-up and something I could also hang on a wall. The fabric Raggedy print background and the bookcase kit are from Dragonfly International.

The walls and floor have to be glued in yet, but I have to paint, measure and glue in the wall shelf brackets first. This is one of those kits that you have to make sure you do certain steps first. That outer frame as seen  in the top photo will be covered in a brick wallpaper.

The Low Bookcase kit from the Girls' Bed Set is 3.5" h, 3 7/8" w and 1" d. It goes together nice though a hint is to add some strong glue like E6000 or Quik Grip and hold with rubber bands until it dries to get a tighter fit. 

I also got a set of Raggedy Ann book covers from Dragonfly for the bookcase and plan to add some flowers as well. I'm thinking of putting in a white wire chair and a small doll as I also got a fabric Raggedy print dress kit from Dragonfly, too.  Next time, I'll show any further progress I make.

And still working on: 
Yes, I'm a procrastinator. I still have to put the lights in the Half Scale Haunted House I was working on, which is set aside at the moment.Then I have to cut, paint and add a chipboard "wrought iron" railing on the roof edge that I got from AlphaStamps. This one is nice as it's 2.5" h and I can cut it into two pieces. I'm going to use part of it for this project and then I'll still have another piece to use, too! So, still working on that, as well.

If you can't tell, the "vase" in the left poppy flowers below is a bone portion from part of a Halloween bone-parts necklace. Ha! The fuchsia plant is made from a Bonnie Lavish kit. Loved making it and it came together easier than I thought. I have to put a hanger on it yet. Definitely want to do another. These are 1" scale flowers, but I like using this size too even in half scale as some of the HS flowers can be so tiny! The house has 1" scale plants out in front anyway and they fit fine.

So that's the progress so far.  And yes, I'm working on a writing project, too, but it's nice to keep the creative juices going in both areas. 

Until next time! Thanks for stopping by.

#Paris #Miniature Project 18: A Peek!

Gigi's been waylaid with other things at the moment, but we did get together and were moving furniture around! Sometimes the hardest part is finding what fits and what looks best.

Here's a peek at what she's been deciding on and what got painted.

That cabinet really looks good. Oh, and this is new!!! Is that a red door I see? LOVE it! Update: That is the second floor door - and it's red on the outside and rose on the inside. Nice! That looks great and really makes it pop! Nice contrast with the wallpaper, too.

Stay tuned for more details as we proceed here!

Until the next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi

The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's  Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 

(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 17.)

 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.

#Paris #Miniature Project 17: More Progress!

We're baaaack!

(Note: There was a glitch where the comment section seemed to disappear but it looks OK now. So don't worry, we're not ignoring you! We appreciate your comments!)

Bonjour Mes Amis!  I am back, finally!  Last week was so busy with homework as I even had to do a five minute video presentation of myself talking about the assignment.  You can well imagine how many retakes I did…LOL, but it is behind me and I even got a perfect score! 

Thank you for your input in narrowing down the colors for the color on top of the stucco.  The color choices are shown in the picture so you can see the green trim color of the shop.  The roof above the window will be copper.  From left to right:  the white blob is the stucco which is really an off-white look. The first color is mocha, then provincial blue (as it has been renamed), and sage. I even asked my 14-year-old son which color he liked best. He did not like mocha, but he was undecided between the provincial blue and sage. So, my dear readers, please choose the color. 

 (My two cents - I do like the sage, but yeah, it is so close to the green anyway... So maybe the Provincial blue will work better? But I admit, I'm not sure of the blue with the green... I'm wondering... maybe a gold-tone would work even better?--Chris)

I got the “tiled” floor done. It really looks old and feels like tiles. I got the DIY from YouTube and of course I cannot find the video again to give credit. I took the wallpaper sheet resembling tiles and lightly sanded it, then used Triple Glaze. When it was dry I scored each row horizontally and vertically. I gently folded each row to expose the crease of each “tile row.” 

(I saw the application in person and the Triple Glaze's thickness and texture reminds me of Diamond Glaze,which I've used on small projects for dimension. The Triple Glaze really does give a nice "thicker" texture. I'll be seeing this in person this week so I'll have a better idea how it looks.--Chris.)

Next, I used black shoe polish over the paper and the black polish got into the scored grooves causing it to look old. I love it!  I also got the ceiling done. It’s plastic tiling that was painted to look like the old copper ceiling. I used a jewelry finding for the circle around the light and the light is from Lisa Hicks at  https://aweebitteeny.com/.

(I have to say, I LOVE the old tile look on the ceiling and floor, and the colors. I have the same shop kit that I may use for my witch's bakery or the Fortune teller's shop and I just may copy this color scheme. I also would like to try out this floor process.--Chris.)

While I was waiting for things to dry, I started a kit from Jane Harrop, (www.janeharrop.co.uk). Her kits are fantastic! This one is a kitchen cabinet kit. I painted it a light sage to match the little cabinet to the right. I still need to complete both add hardware.  (Love the kits! And the colors and pieces are all looking good!--Chris)

This cabinet (without the sink) is from Julie Warren (Little Bits & Pieces). She has lots of videos on YouTube, is on Facebook and has a shop on Etsy. These two pieces will be the part of a small kitchen for a quick bite to eat. The fireplace on the left is the final choice as it has a low profile and looks fantastic with the “wrought iron” screen from Sherry Taylor (Smallsminnimall on Etsy). The unpainted shelf with hooks and book ends is from www.Artofmini.com.  More will be coming soon! Thanks for following along!

Until the next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi

The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's  Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 

(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 16.)

 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.

Latest Mini Projects for May-June

Gigi has been buried in homework, but more Serendipity Shed posts will be coming soon.

(NOTE: There must be a glitch and I can't find the problem. Gigi couldn't see the comments section and now I can't. let me know if you see where to comment.--Chris)

So in the meantime, I'll share some of my latest projects.

I got a new (used) camera - yay! - so it's easier to 'play' again without dragging out the other camera I use for my work-writing stuff. (Click photos for larger size.)

I have been working on this Greenleaf Half Scale kit for ages, it seems. ha! It sat a while as I dreaded measuring and doing the roof. The house was pre-assembled, which made it a real challenge to work on! But I finally dug in, cut paper templates, and measured the corrugated cardboard which I painted black. I think it gave it a different look. 

What's left: add moss on roof, top window boxes, porch roof fencing, vines and install the LED lights. I have four lights I figured would light each room just enough. Also have to glue in the rail section for the first floor staircase. Then I can hang pictures and decorate, the best part! I'll share more and my picture collection next time. The pictures and books are the 'biggest' addictions, I think. Can't stop making them! So stay tuned!

Also in half scale:
I decided to set up my yard sale scene for fun. Still moving stuff around and working on the inside of the garage. Saw someone do this. Kind of a fun way to put out a lot of stuff just sitting in boxes.

I made a couple of slipper chairs in half scale. I like how these came out.

I also decided to get brave and worked on this Bonnie Lavish fuchsia flower kit. (I'd like to get this red/purple one, too.)  I'm impressed! These really were very easy to make and I love the results. Fun touch is I used some pink glitter paint and it gives the stamens a nice sparkle!  (I also have a much smaller 1/2" scale kit from sdk miniatures. A bit more difficult with more pieces, but I like fuchsias so I may tackle that yet, too.) I'll get a better photo when the plant is "potted."

Garage sale finds: 

I found these cool earrings at a yard sale for $1. I might wear them at Halloween, but I really bought them for one of my Halloween mini projects. ha! You know how that is! They're about 3/4" long.

Hubby also found these cool medieval statues. The smaller ones are 6" tall without the larger base. They'll be great in a museum or even a haunted castle!

What are you working on?????

A Beginner's Guide to making Journals - part 1 - recycled book covers

I like book boxes for miniature rooms. Want to try doing this with a real book.




The frame - want to try this.

#Paris #Miniature Project 16: Painting!

Painting & More Painting!

Greetings again!  For the U.S. followers, I hope your Memorial Day weekend was safe and hopefully dry. I did get one day of the three-day weekend to work on minis!

 

Paint, paint, and painted some more!  As you can see the shop front is ready for the stucco.  

The door is ready and I found a Fleur-de-Lis that looks like it might work. I also finished painting the two windows, the French doors, and all the trim for the third floor. 

Like I said, paint...paint…paint. I also painted the tops and bottoms of the shutter; the door frame and the “iron” scroll of the forthcoming door for the second floor entrance.

The two little “iron” works (above) are also painted which will be decorative items in the shop. (Liking the look of this already!--Chris)

I also painted the cabinet for the shop in a soft red which matches the design in the floor. So far, it has taken three coats.  I may need another coat of paint,, too!

Finally, the third floor floors (three walls) are getting ready for wallpaper, just need to sand first. As you can see from the picture, the lines in blue are the added pieces of wood to make the rooftop flat as opposed to the original angle. The red lines indicate where there used to be windows on the side walls. I first put on Kilz primer, then the wood was glued onto the walls and open window spaces, and filled with light joint compound. The next step is to sand to make it is a smooth finish and then I can apply the wallpaper.

So, the next step is to see if the items painted in black and the cabinet need another coat of paint. Once the cabinet is done I'll varnish to give it a shine and assemble the item (the top has shelves with a mirrored back).

Also, on my list is the shop floor and the windowpanes for the shop front. Then I can put up the four walls and see where I want things to go to be able to glue on shelves, etc. before permanently gluing the walls together. It’s so much easier to have everything hung, etc. before putting it together.

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The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's  Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 

(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 15.)

 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.

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It's moving along! Until the next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi

#Paris #Miniature Project 15: What's New?

Lots new this week!!

The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's  Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest. 

(Click photo in left column to go to Day 1 or here - Day 1  - See last entry Day 14.)

 * Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.

Although there is progress, it seems like a lot of little things have been done. But once all the little things come together, like puzzle pieces, the bigger picture appears. 

I'm excited to share the latest update. I completed more kits from Artofmini.com which are the posters, books, and the new door for the shop. Originally, I had a different shop door, but it was just too plain. (See top photo.)

I came across the door kit also from ArtofMini.com in my stash.  It consists of three pieces (all the same size). The kit comes together like a sandwich with the “iron” window panel in the middle. I first painted the “iron” window, then cut a “glass” window from a clear plastic container and assembled the pieces.The door just needs the door handle and a decorative touch on the bottom panel. I also painted the trim above the door and window black. (LOVE that door panel. Really gives it the perfect "look."--Chris)

The tedious work on painting has begun. Two windows from the third floor are done. The four shutters for the second floor are done. The other pieces are the two windows that will be in front of the second floor. The next pieces to be worked on are the second painting of the store cabinet (reddish color), the black scroll works from Artofmini.com, along with the tops and bottoms of the shutters, and there is my list which includes doing a gray-wash on the shutters to “age” them.

I am asking again for your valued feedback.  

The door in the middle was what I was thinking of using for the second floor entrance (on the left side accessible from the outside staircase). At the right is the door I can substitute. It is similar to the front shop door, but with a different “iron” pattern. It will be in a different color than the green shop door.  What do you think?  Let me know.

(I like the door at right as it's similar in style with the iron work and the panels. What does everyone else think?--Chris)

Also, if you have not done so already, see last week's posting on the colors for the outside.

Moving right along!! Thanks for coming along on the journey with me! Until the next time. Happy Creating!--Gigi