Working On An Oldie Mini - A Tiki Bar!

 Often when I'm between big projects and can't decide what to do next, I start thinking about something I started and set aside. Like this:

Remember this photo box? 

I showed this a while back, not even sure when. It's a decent-sized box that had these hanging rods inside with "pockets" to hold photos, but I knew it could be a cool room. The box is 10 1/2" w, 7 1/2" d and 6 1/2" h. It could fit 1" scale but I thought half-scale would fit better because of the height.  (* See the update and finished bar.)

I used some wood placemats to cover the walls and floor, added vertical wood strips to give it an attic look, and covered the top with textured scrapbook paper. The other side wall is textured brick paper (Starboc2 on Etsy) and I added two battery lights on top.

I'd seen a while ago that the NAME (National Organization of Miniature Enthusiasts) group was working on Tiki bars; here's all their NAME Day kits. Thought it was a cute idea, but never followed through on it. But I kept it in the back of my mind. Here are the Tiki bar kits from S&S Miniatures. 

I started thinking of that again, and decided it still would be a fun little project to do. What got me going on it again was pulling out this half-scale table/chairs kit I'd bought a while back from Charrita Teague (Grapevine Miniatures) at a Chicago show. I changed the top to a hexagon piece I had and added padding and fabric for cushions. The shelf unit is a kit from CastleCrafts. 

I started working on the table set and since I have enough of the material left, I decided to make a few more tables for this room, and one to go in a deck or outside scene. It uses 3/4" square wood cubes for the chair, which I have, and have made chairs out of before. I bought another 3/8" dowel rod for the bottom support and changed the top piece. I made a square and an oval table also using 1/4" square rods.

Next, I'll make my own roofed Tiki bar. I'm cutting pieces from mat board, wood, square dowels, and bamboo sticks from another placemat. 

I have a couple 3D printed stools (have to find the other one!) from MiniDecorandMore on Etsy. I also noticed that a couple older thread spools, which are taller and thinner, are the right size and might work, so It'll experiment with that. I don't have any leafy material that'll work for the roof, so far. Maybe those green fake ferns I have (used on the HS Mansion roof) might work. Or? I have a couple rummage sales coming up, so I'll look around.

 I have an idea to try using some printies of small Tiki-type cups wrapped around tiny Perler beads (which are straight and look like cups). We'll see if this works or not. I just want to give the illusion as I was thinking of putting a bunch of cups on that shelf stand and it gets costly buying everything. I do have a couple actual half-scale Tiki cups I bought before from Blackthorn Miniatures on Etsy I can use on a table, too. Apparently, I must've thought I'd do this project at some point.

Here's a pic I found of what the beads look like; they're actually  tiny enough to make good mugs in half scale, too, using thread thickened with glue as handles.

I tried something different for flowers. I wanted to have tropical-type plants, so I punched out some 4-petal flowers from printed poster paper that I didn't have to paint, then I cut and glued on a fifth petal. I guess they look more like a Dogwood-type vine but they'll work. I cut the small points off a fake plant (the yellow ball I used in my HS Witch Cottage - scroll down on post here to see garden) and glued that in the center of the flowers. 

The small planter is also a CastleCrafts kit. The large planter a plastic piece from a clothing hanger tag that I cut in half and painted. I glued on a piece of 1" scale railing molding for the planter box. 

I also have several fake palm trees I found in a thrift store bag of Egyptian mini stuff, which I saved for something like this. I'll set those in small flowerpots. Then I have an LED light string with flamingos to use and I'm printing out several flamingo posters.

This will be pretty colorful inside, lots of bright orange and pink. I have an older cane-style couch kit (it says Twin Palms Miniatures) that I'd set aside as it looked intimidating, but hoping I have enough room for it so I'll have to get brave (ha!) and try to finally figure out how to put it together. 

Almost forgot! I found these cool-looking Tiki-shaped candles at Goodwill. They're just under 1 1/2" high. Despite being a bit larger, I still thought they'd be cool to use as wall decorations. Maybe a couple on shelves, maybe a couple on "poles." We'll see how it looks.

I also found these faux tropical drinks in my stash; they're for Polly Pocket but they might work on tables or on a shelf once I paint them.

So, lots of possibilities and it shows the direction I'm headed. Let's see how far I get. haa!

Come back soon (hopefully!) for some updates. Thanks again for visiting!

When Wags a Tail - Dog Book Tour

 

Today I welcome Carmen Leal, author of When Love Wags a Tail - a memorable book on dog rescuers and their furry rescues!

About the Book:

Our four-legged friends have huge hearts. Carmen Leal never dreamed tragedy could bring positive change. Suffering a traumatic brain injury after a car wreck, the marketing pro struggled to find her center and reclaim her life, but found her world changed forever when she adopted a rescue dog.

 Flourishing on her new furry friend’s unconditional love, she turned her talents to supporting canines still facing grim futures. Working tirelessly over the course of four years, she’s helped find homes for over 6,500 dogs and collected endless tales of wonderment and triumph. A portion of her book sales are also donated to a foster-to-adoption group.

 BUY at:  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. Add it to your GoodReads reading list.

 * Be sure to comment to be entered to win a copy of the book!

* Review: If you love dogs, then this is the book for you! Great little true stories about dogs who needed a home and those who gave them a new life! 🌟5 stars!

About the Author

 Carmen Leal is a storyteller, mom to "Coconut," the best imperfectly perfect rescue dog in the world, and a reluctant gardener. She is the author of multiple books, articles, devotionals, and human-interest stories. Carmen relocated from Hawaii to Oshkosh, where she and her husband learned a "crazy amount" about Wisconsin weeds. 

She is also an active member of the Oshkosh Southwest Rotary Club, part of her neighborhood association's leadership team, and is an adjunct professor for Fox Valley Technical College's award-winning E-Seed Entrepreneurship workshop. When she is not writing and speaking, Carmen reads, cooks, and is a major bargain hunter at consignment and antique shops.

 **** A portion of every book sold is donated to Second Chance North, an area foster-to-adoption group that helps to rescue more dogs. Follow Carmen on Facebook at #rescuemoredogs.

 * Find Carmen online at Wagaway Publishing or her personal Facebook page.  

**********

Blog Tour Calendar

* May 27th @ The Muffin

Join us at our blog, The Muffin, for an interview with author Carmen Leal and a giveaway of her book When Love Wags a Tail. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

 * May 28th @ Just Katherine

Visit Katherine's blog for a guest post by Carmen Leal about the rule of 3-3-3 and other important things to know when you adopt a dog. https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/

 * May 29th @ Candid Canine  

Visit Chris' blog for a review. You can also win a copy of the book! https://candidcanine.blogspot.com

 * May 30th @ A Storybook World

Join Deidra for a spotlight of When Love Wags a Tail by Carmen Leal. https://www.astorybookworld.com/

*  June 3rd @ Maddie Gudenkauf

Visit Maddie's blog for her review https://maddiegudenkauf.com/

*  June 5th @ Create Write Now

Visit Mari's blog for a guest post by Carmen Leal about finding purpose in your life after retirement. https://www.createwritenow.com/life-matters-blog

*  June 7th @ Candid Canine

Visit Chris' blog for a guest post by Carmen Leal about the benefits of adopting a dog as a senior. https://candidcanine.blogspot.com

*  June 10th @ The Faerie Review

Visit Lily's blog for a spotlight of When Love Wags a Tail by Carmen Leal. https://www.thefaeriereview.com/

*  June 12th @ Barbara Barth's Art & Words

Visit Barbara's blog for her review https://barbarabarthartandwords.blogspot.com/

*  June 13th @ Knotty Needle

Visit Judy's blog for her review http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

*  June 15th @ The Forgotten Books

Join Heather for her review https://www.instagram.com/The_forgotten_books_

*  June 16th @ A Wonderful World of Books

Visit Joy's blog for a spotlight of When Love Wags a Tail by Carmen Leal. You can also win a copy of the book! https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

 * June 17th @ Frugal Freelancer

Visit Sara's blog for a spotlight of When Love Wags a Tail. You can also enter to win a copy of the book! https://saratrimble.wordpress.com/

*  June 18th @ Words by Webb

Visit Jodi's blog for her review https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

 * June 20th @ Knotty Needle

Visit Judy's blog for a guest post by Carmen Leal about taming a wild garden when you don't know where to begin. http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

 * June 23rd @ The Shaggy Shepherd

Visit Isabelle's blog for a guest post by Carmen Leal about the value of planting a rain garden. https://theshaggyshepherd.wordpress.com/

 * June 25th @ World of My Imagination

Join Nicole for a review. You can also win a copy of the book. https://worldofmyimagination.com

 * June 27th @ Fiona Ingram's blog

Visit Fiona's blog for her review https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

* June 30th @ Jill Sheet's blog

Visit Jill's blog for her interview with Carmen Leal https://jillsheets.blogspot.com/

 ****

New Story & Horror anthology coming!

 

Remember that "eye" photo I shared before?

My story, "Blink!", will be coming soon in the Shadows II horror anthology from Inkd Publishing. (See their Facebook page.) The story is a bit gruesome, but not gorey. It's more creepy-weird-Twilight Zoneish. This one was fun to write!

*** There will be a Kickstarter for the anthology starting in July. Check out the page here and sign up to get in on some cool stuff! 

Minis Boxed In!

 

While I've been doing "writerly" stuff, I also was working on that shadow box I mentioned before. (* See last posts on a new story coming and the sunflower tiny house project. Click photos for full size.)

The "before" above, just a plain display box I found some time back at a yard sale or something.  Nothing special, but I know I got it cheap and I must've seen some potential in it. There was blue felt on the back, which I knew had to come out.

The "After": 

Much better! Sanded off that felt, then painted and papered the insides with scrapbook paper. I also put some lightweight spackle (wall covering compound) on some of the side inner walls and painted it. 

I thought of it as a kind of "house," so you have the front door entrance, various rooms, a basement, an outside, and then the attic spaces. The spaces are actually not that big - the center door space is only 5 1/2" high and the bottom smaller spaces are about 3 1/2" high - so it's a good size to fit half-scale (1/24th) furnishings in.

I used scrapbook paper tile on the bottom here, "stuccoed" walls, and put some vines up with wisteria-type flowers. The flowers are wire with glue stuck into that shredded colored foam. I bought a bargain pack of half-scale doors at the last show, so I used one of those. I  made two steps under the door from pieces of painted foam board. The pots are 1" scale, but I liked using bigger pots here and already had some geraniums made. I'll add a few furnishings in here as well.

The bottom floors have brick paper and flooring made from egg carton stones. The right side is an outside space so it has the "grass" between the stones.

For fun, I put a cute fireplace I had in this room, which I figured had a Halloween feel. The fireplace light actually flickers. I'll probably hang some spooky art in here temporarily.

For the top "attic" space, I cut pieces from a wood placemat I had. I thought this dial on one of the scrapbook papers made a cool background. I like that and might use it in a house later on, too. The other attic space has textured brick wallpaper (from Starboc 2 on Etsy.)

Just a little preview, until I decorate these more. I was considering this as kind of a "holding" project for furniture and things until I use them somewhere else. 

I still haven't really quite decided on what to work on next. I am considering the Raggedy Ann house since it's assembled and has electric tape in. And it's a smaller house, though it still takes as much time to do no matter the size! I have to decide on wallpapers (likely shades of red, yellow, and blue) and what colors to paint the outside (probably the same as the papers.) I did put some papers together, so at least I am thinking about it. ha!

Maybe I'll just start doing something so I get in the mood to work on it. I don't quite have any inspiration - yet! I'll let you know when I have some things to show on it.

Thanks again for visiting! Come back soon for more posts and other news!

Writing Interruption: New Story Coming!

 While I'm working on that display shadowbox - the wallpaper is almost done in all the cubicles - I've got some new writing news!

Yay! A new short story's been accepted. This is a rather creepy one, but I had fun with it and hopefully you'll get a little chuckle out of it in a strange way. Kind of Twilight Zoneish, I think.

More details soon but here's a hint:

You'll see. It makes perfect sense! haaa!

(Image: pixabay.com)

The Tiny Sunflower Dollhouse - Progress!

Ta-dah! The back!

Below: the front (which I showed before, but not attached yet)

 I finally worked some more on that tiny yellow sunflower house. (See previous post.) * See the 50% off sale link at end below!

That piece of chipboard fence I used above on the balcony sure came in handy. I also cut teensy pieces to use for chair "legs" instead of cutting and gluing pieces of wire that they always want you to do in these kits. (It was a leftover fence piece from Alpha Stamps.)

So far what's done:

I did get the side walls and floor glued in, and some furniture placed. There are some goofs, but hopefully, they're not too noticeable. 

The living room/kitchen:

I decided not to use the center counter. I made a table with a bead base and used wood pieces to make a chair (using those horrible wires, but this time they stuck on!) That bead table looks a little hokey but actually looks better from the top angle. Maybe... I may change that top yet to a small painted square. What do you think?

That small white table with the "greenery" plant by the window was cut off another piece and sanded down. I thought it fit there well. I hate that I see every little flaw I have to touch up. haa! Oh, well! 👀😇

I ignored all those fiddly lights and decided to cut the plastic piece they gave for a standing lamp and glued it to the ceiling. I used a clear pony bead on the second floor ceiling and painted inside as a side table by the bed.

Odd that the bathroom didn't have a toilet so I adapted one using a bead base, cut an oval seat from mat board, then trimmed part of a wood cabinet piece for the back tank. I used the kitchen counter in the bathroom instead.

 I have to make some sunflowers yet, too, which I may put in "pots" (beads) on that front walk. I'll probably put this in a small dome or case, so I may have room for a little grass  and some other flowers or "foam" flowers. We'll see how it goes.

Here's the top floor:

There is a spiral staircase for the right side to the third floor and a ladder that goes in that notch on the second floor, but I honestly don't like either one. I may just leave it as is or think of something clear I can add instead. Then have to connect the LED lights and hinge the front on yet. So far, so good.

Overall, it's not too bad. This stuff is so small that I think it works best to view it overall and not up too close. ha! It's busy, but if you've followed any of my stuff, you know I like busy. 😁

What's interesting is the wallpaper doesn't look that oversized once everything is inside. I still like that top sunflower paper a lot and will use it in another project.

The kitchen pieces again: 

I decided not to use the counter on the right here and painted it lighter for the bathroom.

Here's the bedroom and living room pieces to show the size.

I'll post again once I get more done.

Stay tuned for more posts and updates! Thanks for visiting again!

* FYI: If you didn't know - SALE! 50% off highest item at Miniatures.com with code FiveFive50 - to May 9. * Excludes RGT dollhouses, previous orders, landscape kit, no other coupons or discounts. But there is free shipping over $35 (and it counts before the % off.)

Soon Summer sunflowers!

 

One of the tallest sunflowers I had last year!

It is finally nice enough outside and is expected to stay that way now so the real-life planting begins!  (* Click photos for full size.) (* Except....what a storm last night! But the rain will be good for the seeds!)

So, we started planting the rows of sunflowers (about 6 to 8 in each row). First mammoth ones, then a row of what are supposedly giant sunflowers, then a row of lemon sunflowers that are slightly shorter. Then I'll do a row of the bushy sunflowers and if there's room, an extra row of Mexican sunflowers.

Mini-wise, I like making flowers, too, sunflowers being a favorite. Here's some I made for the Witch's Cottage before: I hadn't made these in a while, so they they were fun to make again. Will have to do some more, plus make even tinier ones to go with the Tiny Sunflower House underway. Here's more pretty hollyhocks and yellow daisies I also made for the Witch Cottage.

In real-life I also put in a patch of Mexican sunflowers in an old tire and opposite the large sunflower area. I also have another spot visible from the deck that had only a few come up last year, so I want to add even more this time. I love the different bright orange shades of these flowers. (See Tithonia.)

Also have been soaking the Morning Glory seeds and got one planter done. Have three more to go once the seeds are ready. This was a pretty flower last year. I'll share more photos as things bloom.

The planters go next to some trellises we put up on the side of the house. Hopefully we'll have a bunch bloom this time.

I'd like to try something like these in miniature yet. Will have to look at my punches to see how close I can get.

That's it for now! Will post more as I make progress on some things.

I did start painting that compartmentalized box to make into "holding" rooms. I'll share that, too.

Thanks again for visiting! I appreciate your stopping by! Btw, you can sign up for email headline alerts in the box in the left column that'll let you know when I have a new post!

Xtra Special! #Ghost Fiction Coming - Surprise!

Another writing interruption - and a cool, or should I say booooo! Surprise!

 

Taking the third listing on the cover, C.A. Verstraete brings "Secrets of the Lost Mine" to Noncorporeal II where "The mine has haunted Jake Simon since childhood. Now, with its closing, maybe he'll find peace - and discover its secrets."

* Time to get in yet on the Kickstarter!!

* See their Facebook page.

#inkdpub #spooky #noncorporeal #kickstarter

W for One Hit Wonders Fiction: A to Z Blog Challenge 24

 Today for the A to Z Blog Challenge, I'd thought I'd share again a great short fiction anthology I have a story in. The stories are really fun to read. Be sure to put up a review if you read it!  (Back to Day 1 - Next: X-Y-Z, The End)

The unique anthology, (I Just) Died in Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders is now available!

** New review: 4 stars! See Fundinmental.com

Based on 12 somewhat familiar songs, including my haunting tale, "Wildfire," inspired by the sad song  of the same name. See the song and story list below.

***BONUS! Buy the paperback - free shipping anywhere!! * Get it here! (If any problems, use main link here.) Paperback only $10! 

* Another option - paperback only $12 at IngramSpark.

 * Also available on Kindle and at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo - UK, Kobo - US 

* Just saw it on the Japanese Kobo site  * a German site - and Australia 

* Find it on Goodreads.

(Note: affiliate link may earn some commissions.)

                                   ***********

Songs and stories: 

* Vinnie Hansen: 96 Tears

Song: 96 Tears, ? and the Mysterians (1966) - Listen 

* Jeanne DuBois: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye

Song: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye by Steam (1969) - Listen

* Josh Pachter: The Rapper

Song: The Rapper by The Jaggerz (1970) - Listen

* J. M. Taylor: It’s Hard to Die

Song: Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks (1974) - Listen

* Christine Verstraete: Wildfire

 Song: Wildfire by Michael Martin Murphey (1975) - Listen

* Sandra Murphy: Pigeon Talk

Song: 867-5309/Jenny) by Tommy Tutone (1981) - Listen

 * Joseph S. Walker: Come On Eileen

Song: Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982) - Listen

* Wendy Harrison: It’s Raining Men

Song: It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls (1983) - Listen

* Bev Vincent: Somebody’s Watching

Song: Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell (1984) - Listen

* Leone Ciporin: Life in a Northern Town

 Song: Life in a Northern Town by Dream Academy (1985) - Listen

 * Adam Gorgoni: Bitch

* Song: Bitch by Meredith Brooks (1997) - Listen

* Barb Goffman: Teenage Dirtbag

 Song: Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus (2000) - Listen 

Update on Mini House: A Z Blog Challenge 24

 For U, I decided to add an update on that "tiny house" kit I was working on. It's almost together, but I've been working on getting the inside pieces put together and finishing the outside.  (*Click photos for full size.) Back to Day 1)

Here's the kit as it was: (The house is 5" h, 3" w.)

I decided to add some lace with glitter touches on it in the inside windows. I'll share that later when I show how it's assembled. 

Here's the new outside. I decided to use a bolder, larger brick on the bottom step. I think it adds 'something.' I cut pieces from a chipboard railing I had for the balcony. Easier than using the tiny pieces they wanted you to cut. Of course I've lost pieces so had to improvise. I made a new plain front door from mat board and made a wreath for it. The smallest top shutters were cut from pieces of wood.

I rather like how this is coming out so far!

This is the paper on the inside walls.

The kitchen pieces again: 

Here's the bedroom and living room pieces so far.

I went with yellow and print fabric instead of the gray for the couch and chair. And I painted the formerly pink bed headboards white. The other furnishings were in shades of blue and turquoise. There are more pieces, but they need to be accessorized yet.

I'll show more as I get things done. The biggest part was getting all the exterior done, so, moving on! Next is getting the floors glued, the wires attached, the walls glued, and then putting the hinges on the front wall. The crazy teensy spiral stairs are assembled, though I had to add a few steps since I didn't space them out enough for the height.

Stay tuned for more posts and updates! Thanks for visiting again!