New dollhouse album printies and funny album covers

Just added a couple new dollhouse album printies on the website. Click miniatures and printies link at www.cverstraete.com.

For fun, thought I'd enlarge one of the 50's-60's album covers - click picture to read the subtitle on the right under the main title. ha!

Led Zeppelin - 40 years already?

40 years, really?

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Led Zeppelin IV, the album containing the classic, "Stairway to Heaven."

Wow, talk about feeling old...

Miniatures Monday: BBQ Anyone?

Hungry anyone?

The hamburgers and hot dogs (plus the corn and potato salad) are part of my barbecue how-to in IN MINIATURE STYLE II. You can find additional details including making the onions, the buns and the french fries, plus a few easy tips, in the November issue of Miniature Collector Magazine.

Day 12: Halloween in Miniature 2011: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It's here! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Today is the final day of the 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature for 2011. I hope you enjoyed the event as much as I enjoyed planning it. (Photo: Mrs. Skellie from my haunted house. See more photos.)

(You can check out the full Halloween event by starting at Day 1.)



Wow, it was a FANTASTIC party with lots of neat guests, great stuff to eat, and a few scares. It took some work, but I always enjoy planning the event and sharing my love of miniatures with others. Thank you for visiting and participating!

For fun, here's a parting gift I made: your own miniature record album cover with that classic Halloween song, "The Monster Mash." (Click for full image, then right click to save. * (Jim's Printables has images of LP's (under music and games) that you can print and cut out.)

Don't forget to check out the list of other goodies at the end of this post!



Thanks to everyone for allowing me to share their wonderful miniature creations! See you next year!

12 Days of Miniature Participants for 2011:

* Alice Zinn's dogs

* Amelia Schmelzer, The Frippery Factory, food

* Barbara Adair, Halloween shop

* Bonnie Glazier, dolls

* Bonnie Justice dolls

* Ceynix Miniature Trees and Trains

* Gina Gagnon, Lone Wolf Mini Creations, dolls

* Janet Whittig, cemetery scene

* Julie Campbell, BellaBelle Dolls

* Karin Foster, castle

* Kat Hazelton, Kat the Hat Lady

* Kate Henry dollhouse

* Kim Saulter, Kim's Miniatures, food and goodies

* Kiva Atkinson, Kiva's Miniatures, food

* Marie's Minis, Halloween food and furnishings

* MiniDollList, doll email list and free tutorials

* Nancy Cronin dolls

* Pamela J Minis, spooky pumpkins

* Patty Benedict, Woopitydooart, spooky figures

* Tracy Topps, Minis on the Edge, custom houses and more.

* Victoria Dark Squirrel, Dark Squirrel's Miniature Asylum, magical cabinets and potions.


*** PRIZES: The following people, please email me your mailing address:****

* Irina (narina)- wins an eBook copy (pdf) of In Miniature Style II. (send me the email to send it to - if you have it, I can send a mini cake and medieval book instead. If so, anyone else not have the eBook, let me know.)

* Cynthia Taylor - wins one of my handmade painted Halloween cakes.

* Otterine - wins a Halloween salad.

Thanks for visiting! See you all next year!

Day 11: Halloween in Miniature 2011: Halloween Inspiration

Welcome to Day 11 of the 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature. I hope you've been enjoying the tour! (If you missed it, check in at Day 1.)

I decided to do something different today. I haven't dressed a doll in quite a while, so when Bonnie Glazier sent me this doll kit in a swap we did, I knew I had to start working on her. Maybe because she looks so forlorn. Lovely, isn't she? ha! (Ignore the temporary "shroud" I wrapped her in. But love the glitter boots!)

I'm going to dress her in a pretty colorful outfit with purples and a neat material that is light green with a bluish shimmer. She's going to be a customer or friend for my fortune teller (who's half-dressed at least).

Besides making great dolls and contributing a lovely Chinese lady's outfit in my book, IN MINIATURE STYLE II, where she's also profiled, Bonnie also is making wonderful display dresses for sale!

* See Bonnie's display dress kits and dolls. (Pictured: 1900s dress)

** Okay, getting back to HALLOWEEN, I thought I'd share some sites I've seen around the web for you to get inspired by.

* Check out Marilyn's Halloween Porch - don't skip this one as you've got to see the unusual coffin inhabitant!

* Fannye does some amazing work (check out her ME rooms and scenes for almost every holiday), but she also made a great Trick-or-Treat scene. (See main album page here.)

* Paula did a neat "Secret Book" project. (Not sure if you can see the pix unless you're a member of the online group, The Camp. It's a neat project, worth seeing.

* Check out Terry's incredible Haunted House. Love the details!

* Come back tomorrow for a wrap-up, a free gift and a list of winners! Hope you had fun!

** NEXT:Day 12 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
BACK: Day 1.

Day 10: Halloween in Miniature 2011 - Visiting the Castle

Welcome to Day 10 of the 12 Days of Halloween In Miniature! (** Be sure to check in at Day 1.)

Guess you were left hanging yesterday.... heh-heh.

Did you hear that? I swore I heard yells....

Wait. Don't go down there!

Arrgh!



Canadian miniaturist Karin Foster has been making minis for about three years and had attended a technique workshop at a NAME houseparty (Camp Mini HaHa) in Nova Scotia.



This project, it seems, had a mind of its own. "Prior to the actual workshop, I was all set to make it into a 12th century Knights Templar castle," she says. "I spent about three months thoroughly researching the era and having laser cut furniture designed for me by the late Shirley Blair ....all of which I have since sold.



"The window and door surrounds (with gargoyles etc) are ones I bought from Rik Pierce and that he uses in his 'Fair Rosamund's Bower.' However when I got home -- the workshop was only one week and I don't think that anyone actually finished it while there -- I started to complete it, and 'it' insisted on becoming a haunted castle. I worked on it every day for a solid month and completed it about one week before Halloween." Her daughter has the castle since Karin, unfortunately, doesn't have room for it.



** See Karin's mini tutorials and links

** NEXT:Day 11 - BACK: Day 1

Day 9: Halloween in Miniature 2011 - More Halloween Goodies!

Welcome to Day 9 of the 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature! (Be sure to check in at Day 1.)

Hungry? I think we've looked around enough, let's stop and relax, have a snack, and do some visiting.

Mmm, how about a slice of cake or a cupcake? Kim Saulter (Kim's Miniatures) shared some of her handmade Halloween cakes and desserts. Yummy!



Ooh, you can beat chocolate! Kiva Atkinson (Kiva's Miniatures) offers these fresh-baked coffin cakes.



Or if you prefer, we can skip the desserts and go straight to the entree, I heard the cook talking about fresh quiche. Mmm. Well, on second thought, better skip that one... (Egg also by Kiva.)



Wait! Did you hear someone calling? Let's head downstairs, shall we? Be sure to come back tomorrow!

** NEXT: Day 10 - BACK: Day 1.)

Day 8: Halloween in Miniature 2011 - The Witch's Greenhouse

Welcome to Day 8 of the 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature! (** Don't forget to check in at Day 1.)

Whew, that walk was a bit harrowing, so let's take a little detour. Don your best new chapeau a la Tim Burton, and let's make one more stop. (Hats by Kat Hazelton, see her Kat the Hat Lady blog.)

They say plants do much more than clean the air. (Plants in window by me; Mother-in-law's Tongue plant by Marie's Minis.)

So what's better than a whole greenhouse full?

We all know the benefit of working in the garden. Well Gertie got herself a job! (Doll painted by Dana of Miniature Art (check out her free MiniDollList - and the dressed skellie contest!) - I added more color and dressed her, see original pic).


To make up for all her summer garage saling, Gertie's now donned an apron and is working at the Witch's Greenhouse. Since I finally got the project done, thought I'd show you around. (See early pix and outside.) It was fun making all the plants; I actually have more still not on display!

The owner Witch Wanda (doll by Detta's Darling Dolls) is actually a kindly soul and is glad to have someone around who shares her love of growing things, even if, uh, well, some of the plants are a bit on the strange side. Project is in one of the Houseworks Street of Shops.

Watch where you're working. some of the plants may bite, and be sure not to step on Fang - (no, best not to ask what's in that dish of food!) (skellie dog by Marie's Minis - Check out her Darkside Manor!).)

(The greenhouse stones outside and the floor inside are made from painted egg cartons.)


** Come back tomorrow for more of the tour!


** NEXT:Day 9 - BACK: Day 1

Day 7: Halloween in Miniature 2011 : Which Witch is Which?

Welcome to Day 7 of the 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature!
(Don't forget, be sure to check in and get your ID stamped on Day 1.)

The party's in full swing and we've had a few more special guests stop by. Grab a drink, a Bloody Mary, naturally, and say hello.



Or perhaps you'd prefer something, ah, stronger? "Thing" also mixes an excellent martini... Oh, you didn't know? Why he's the best bartender around. Gracious of Morticia to let him work a few parties during the holidays! (Drinks by Kiva Atkinson, Kiva's Miniatures.)



Well, look who's here! Matilda's sister just flew in, (likely she heard about the commotion with the Frankensteins and wanted to keep her sister in check. Witch, and gossiping witch and ghost by Nancy Cronin.)

Uh, oh, looks like word's getting around... Did Matilda...? No, you don't say!



Please, please, just ignore the gossip. It will only mean trouble. And speaking of trouble, here comes the Black Witch... I sure hope she's not in a bad mood. (Not likely by the look on her face. (Witch by Nancy Cronin.) We better cut today's festivities short. Be sure to come back to the party tomorrow...



** NEXT: Day 8 - BACK: Day 1.
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IN MEMORIUM:



This post ends on a sad note I'm including this witch in tribute to a very special lady. Noted dollmaker Marcia Backstrom, recently lost her battle with cancer. She was a charming lady and such a talented artisan. A true legend in the miniatures industry. She'll be missed. (See obituary. The online guestbook is open for posts until 11/19.)

Day 6: Halloween in Miniature 2011 : More Spooky Places & Pumpkins

Welcome to Day 6 of the 12 Days of Halloween in Miniature.

(** If you haven't, be sure to check in at Day 1.) (NOTE: Today also is the Internet Bookfair Blogfest, see info and check an excerpt of my spooky eBook at the end of this post. )

Let's get back to the party, shall we? We'll take the long way around...

Oh, careful! Mrs. Bones has been trying sooo hard to lure guests to her party in the graveyard (above). But I wouldn't do it - you know how cemeteries are.... guests check in, but they never check out! haaa!) Cemetery scene by Janet Whittig - see her Facebook page.

Here, I see a shortcut. Let's take this path and....

Ahhh! LOOK OUT! Oh, I didn't see the sign to THE HAUNTED FOREST! (Crazy tree and haunted tree by Jacqui, Ceynix Miniature Trees and Trains. )




Run-run! Oh there's another one--is-is it reaching out?

Hurry! Let's slip in the back door. We'll go to the kitchen first and get some goodies. Still thinking about pumpkins....

Mmm, Pamela of Pamela J Minis has a fantastic assortment of fresh pumpkins... So which one to pick?



Wait. Oh, I see it. There's one in the back...


Arrgh! Who would've expected the pumpkins to be so, well, aggressive? (Attacking pumpkin by Patty Benedict, Woopitydooart.)

Oh, and those pumpkins? Well... I'd be careful. The last person who tried to pick those left a few things behind (haaa!) - (Rest of the pumpkin scene from Pamela J Minis.)



Well, we don't seem to be having much luck with fresh pumpkins are we?

Oh, and you asked about the pumpkin pies again? Well, uh, there's a reason production's been kind of slow... Here's why: (Okay, kind of sick but hey, it's Halloween! Sorry I couldn't resist I saw this somewhere and it cracked me up. And if you did the photo, please share and I'll credit you, unless you'd rather not admit it. haa!)



Okay, next stop, let's mingle and meet more of the guests, so come back tomorrow...
** NEXT: Day 7 - BACK: Day 1

** ** Check out the Internet Bookfair Blogfest My entry:

Spooky reading, perfect for Halloween! A light horror short with a dash of humor....The Killer Valentine Ball by C.A. Verstraete:

BUY: Muse Bookstore - Other links

Excerpt:
The music played quietly in the background. When the shadows brightened, Jess caught a quick glimpse of one of the couples. The young man's mouth gaped open. His partner's gown glistened with streams of dark ribbons. The light flashed again and Jess gasped. Those weren't ribbons! The girl's dress shone with dark glimmers. Like-like blood, she thought. No, it can't be! She looked back at Dylan, who shook his head and urged her on.
"Light tricks," he whispered. "It's not real. It's Halloween stuff, like the movie. Don't worry."