D is for Dog of course! A to Z Blog Challenge

This is my German Shepherd Gracie not long after we brought her home. Now she's a much bigger baby. ha!

One of my favorite projects was making what I call "The Dogcatcher's House" in miniature. You can see photos here.

Miniatures Monday: C is for Cookbook in Miniature! A to Z Challenge

Some new visitors wanted to see more miniatures, and I am only too happy to oblige!

This is probably one of my favorite scenes that I made. The fun was trying to make something I'd never done before. The fruit and watermelon bowl were great to make and try to get as close to real as possible.

I handmade all the food from FIMO oven-bake polymer clay. The idea came from copying a cookbook cover as part of a miniatures group challenge. See more of my miniatures at my website, click miniatures.

6 Sentence Sunday: Excerpt In Miniature Style II

For fun, I thought I'd participate again in 6 Sentence Sunday. This time, I decided to do something different-- my six sentences will be taken from different chapters of my just-released nonfiction book, IN MINIATURE STYLE II. The book features profiles of miniaturists, photos, and over 40 how-to projects.

Here are a couple sentences or quotes from a few of the persons profiled; others will be excerpted on the blog later. (Click their names to see some of their fantastic miniature creations!)

Miniaturist Fern Rouleau:

Rhode Islander Fern Rouleau grew up inspired by art, thanks to her mother, Alice Singer, a sculptor and painter. What Fern didn’t know was that the mini food magnets she was making from bread dough would be the basis for her later fascination with dollhouses and miniatures.

Doll maker Bonnie Glazier:

Texan Bonnie Glazier originally dressed large porcelain dolls and made costumes at doll shops. When mass produced dolls made the hand-made dolls too costly to produce, Bonnie discovered a whole new creative outlet through miniature dolls.

Doll costumer Kathi Mendenhall, La Petite Belle Patterns:

This Tennessee resident initially wanted to make dolls to sell, but it was too much to keep up with while working full-time. Then she began teaching weekends at a Nashville miniatures shop and realized she enjoyed it. “I found teaching rewarding and fun,” she says.

B is for Books! A to Z Blog Challenge

I'd be remiss in this challenge if I didn't post the obvious - B for Books, my books. ha! Note that most of the books are also in e-format so a good price and you can try out something new for a fraction of the price! See more at my books and Ebooks pages at my website. There's also short stories in DAW's steampunk anthologies, other short horror and holiday short stories.

* Collectibles: photos, profiles, and over 40 how-to's (pdf, Kindle/mobi, etc. and print) In Miniature Style II

* Short Horror:

* The Killer Valentine Ball - Every girl dreams of having a night she'll always remember... forever... (Kindle, various Ebook formats)

A young woman faces her greatest fear, and her family's darkest secret to save her own daughter... (Kindle/mobi, other formats, Smashwords Ebook) - Motherly Love

* Kid's fiction: Sam, her BFF Lita, and a friend's mischievous Dachshund named Petey, face an angry housekeeper, a dog-hating gardener, and an ancient family curse as they search for a missing miniature replica of Van Gogh's famous painting, "Starry Night." Ages 9-12. * (Kindle, other ebook formats, Print): Searching for a Starry Night

All About Collecting: A to Z Blog Challenge

I'm a collector meaning I collect everything: paper, glues, paints, scraps, miniatures, houses, kits, colored pencils, and probably much more I can't think of at the moment. It takes up a lot of room. It's everywhere.

I love making dollhouses as I can combine different crafts in one project. But my real house is small; not a lot of storage. So...

I QUIT!

I've decided to give up on miniatures. Clean off the table and counter. Give away the projects and supplies. Want some?

NOT! To hubby's regret. And if you didn't catch on, today is April 1 - HAPPY APRIL FOOL'S DAY!!! haaaa! I couldn't resist!

It's also the first day of the A to Z Blog Challenge. All month I and others will be posting by letter, so be sure to stop by and add your comments!

** BUY: In Miniature Style II ebook (pdf)

** Author page (eBook Vol 1 and II)

** Download other formats: Smashwords In Miniature Style II ebook

** See project info and photos In Miniature Style II

**BUY: Print

It's out! In Miniature Style II in Print - In Stock!!

Just found that the page for In Miniature Style II shows the print version in stock!

**BUY: Print

** BUY: In Miniature Style II ebook (pdf) ** Author page (eBook Vol 1 and II) ** Download other formats: Smashwords In Miniature Style II ebook ** See project info and photos In Miniature Style II

Favorite Miniature: Totes, In Miniature Style II

I love making these tote bags - great for carrying things or make a smaller handbag version. I love the faux "leather" fabric with a contrasting cloth interior.... yes it's in the book, In Miniature Style II ** BUY: In Miniature Style II ebook (pdf) ** Author page (eBook Vol 1 and II) ** Download other formats: Smashwords In Miniature Style II ebook ** See project info and photos In Miniature Style II

Miniatures Monday: In Miniature Style II Mini Eats!

Thought I'd share some recent foods I made. I love miniature salads! The green salad uses FIMO canes I bought. I made the lettuce from plastic snow painted with leaf green acrylic paint. Cut into small pieces and glue in bowl. The miniature potato salads are made with egg canes I made from FIMO polymer clay and a "secret" ingredient per my how-to from In Miniature Style II. Very easy and you'll be amazed at what it is! Any guesses?



** BUY: In Miniature Style II ebook (pdf)

** Author page (eBook Vol 1 and II) ** Download other formats: Smashwords In Miniature Style II ebook

** See project info and photos In Miniature Style II

In Miniature Style II Coming Soon: See Completed cover! EBook links available!

Finally! My new miniatures how-to book, IN MINIATURE STYLE II is on its way! The first copies will be coming soon and it'll soon be available for sale.

** BUY: In Miniature Style II ebook - Author page (eBook Vol 1 and II)

** Download other formats: Smashwords In Miniature Style II ebook

** See project info and photos In Miniature Style II

Stay tuned for the launch party with sales links, prizes and who knows what else!

Here's a better look at the back, featuring my food table and the fabulous paint can scene by miniaturist Fern Rouleau, who's also featured and supplied a really neat how-to! Love her imaginative work!

Goodbye to Legend Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor was always one of my favorite actresses. Such beauty and grace. A wonderful actress. I was just watching Cleopatra recently and the costumes are astounding! Another Hollywood legend gone...