Seen at the Dollhouse Shows! Part 1

One of my favorites. Details of an Egyptian room for sale 

I'm back! Fun, tiring day of shopping and looking with friend Gigi, and meeting up with old friends like Tracy and Peg. 

So what did I see? Many, many miniature wonders to behold!! 

Found some great items, too, mostly at the and the Spring Showcase show at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Schaumburg, Ill. I'll show my finds later.

For now, here's a sample (part 1 of 2 posts) of some of the things I saw at the Bishop International show at the Marriott O'Hare in Chicago. (*Click photos for full size. Photos: (c) C. Verstraete. candidcanine.blogspot.com)

This Egyptian scene was pretty amazing. Loved all the gold and decorations on it. I've had an Egyptian room idea in mind for a while, too, if not this elaborate. (From Debbie Heard of Estate Dollhouse Miniatures/Ebay.) And if you're in the market and can't read that sign... it's $6,500. 

For a fun bit of whimsy, look at these teensy nail clippers and other makeup items. (Itsy Bitsy Mini)

I loved the way Art of Mini (Germany) use these fascinating vintage photos as backdrops. That would be another easy project making little vignettes with vintage images like this.

These were intriguing mannikin forms. (Ignore my hand in the mirror.) 😄

 

I didn't catch the vendor name but that's a whole lot of bears, oh my! And this was only half of the display.

Another pretty and detailed vignette from Debbie Heard (Estate Miniatures). All the cases are filled.... $450

Yes, the show has a lot of expensive, artisan pieces but there are some kits and moderate priced accessories, too. These are cute kits from Dragonfly Intl. - and they're all fashioned from paper! The results look great. I have one of these sets to try yet.

Erik Goddard  makes some interesting architectural models and scenes, a lot in half-scale (1/24th). He also has a mystery novel out, The Kidnapping of Sarah Easton. (So many miniaturists also write it seems.)

I thought this was an adorable roombox at the NAME (National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts) table.

Wait... there's more!  I took enough photos, so come back for part 2 tomorrow.

* Thanks again for visiting! More to come!! * 

Off to the Dollhouse Shows!

All week, I've been seeing a lot of preview posts which has been fun!

Getting my list and everything together, so off to the annual Dollhouse Shows in Chicago and Schaumburg, Ill. See you when I get back!! Hopefully I'll have a post up tomorrow or Monday to show displays and some of what I found.

What I'm Reading: New Dollhouse Mystery

  Between writing my list and checking it twice for tomorrow's * annual dollhouse shows excursion, I started reading an interesting book you all will love - The Library of Lost Dollhouses. You can't beat history, a mystery - and dollhouses!

Tomorrow is also Independent Bookstore Day! So check out Bookshop.org for your copy!

It's really good so far!

In The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper, Tildy Barrows is head curator of a small, but enchanting historical library in a wonderful Beaux Arts building in San Francisco.

She learns that not only is the library going bankrupt but, despite her years there, she discovers a secret hidden room in the attic... two exquisite dollhouses and... I can't tell you! There's an interesting surprise early on!

She soon finds clues in the miniatures (great descriptions!) and sets out to learn their secrets while trying to save her beloved library, and uncover her own personal family connection. * Find it here on Goodreads and Amazon.

Loving it so far! Really intriguing!

* Here's the dollhouse show information if anyone is in the Chicago area tomorrow: The Bishop International show at the Marriott O'Hare in Chicago and the Spring Showcase show at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Schaumburg, Ill. See my last post for a "little" preview!

*Note: affiliate book links may earn some commission for the blog writer.

* See? You never know what you'll find here on the blog! Thanks again for visiting. More dollhouse and show updates coming soon! * 

Annual Dollhouse Show Countdown!

 

Coming up this week! Three days - 3 days!!! My friend Gigi and I will be going Saturday on our annual pilgrimage to the Bishop International show at the Marriott O'Hare in Chicago and the Spring Showcase show at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Schaumburg, Ill.

What do I need? A zillion dollars, maybe? ha! Well, nothing but... I have a list!

Of course you always find things you didn't realize you needed or just like... Some things I might look for and just a few of the many great vendors I'll come across. I'll share a few here:

* There is a project waiting in the wings...I bought a kit - a rare 1" scale project - that I want to turn into a Tudor house as I've had these fancy dolls and food stored forever for this. I'll show that and what I've saved once it's started... at some point. But I may add some modern touches as I don't want to be limited by strict Tudor-style. It will be designed to look Tudor but I want to be able to change the furnishings later if possible.

I do want to turn part of it into a fancy library, unless I put that in a smaller roombox. I have some beautiful furnishings saved for that, too. Those two and a possible small Lizzie Borden scene are the only 1" scale projects I have in mind. I have a small box and furnishings for that set aside.

At the Spring Showcase show: There are lots of new vendors this time, so I have no idea what I'll find.

* I like the 3D printed items from Blackthorn Miniatures. I am still eyeing the half-scale Zombie Tiki glasses (set of 3) for my haunted houses. I do have her half-scale Addams Family "Thing" hand to add to a scene yet.

   * I always get the Gothic furnishings in half-scale from my favorite vendor, SDK Miniatures. For a change of pace, I'll get the Gothic chairs and might get my favorite Gothic table in 1" scale for the Tudor house. I'm also looking for flowers (to paint purple of course!)  for the Lavender Cottage.

* Preston Poling, the "Bearded Miniaturist," will have a table this year. He displayed his fantastic Frasier TV show project in 2022  (see my photos here), so not sure what he's showing this time. 

* Teri Hanson of The Covered Chipboard has some really cool spooky items and will be exhibiting for the first time. (Good luck Teri. Have a great show!) I really like this spooky stall kit she's done and she has a nice assortment of furniture and other kits. My list has gotten longer! 😆

Bishop Show: 

* So many tables to see! First off, I have to get some kits from CastleCrafts. I am thinking of getting the 1" scale trugs/trays for the Tudor project plus some other things like lanterns, bottles, birdcages, etc. and of course, half-scale kits. (table R15)

 I do have a larger half-scale farmhouse to do yet, and while I have beds, this Vintage bed is rather pretty and different than what I've done.

* Melvin's Minis also has nice kits and materials. I really like the weathered wood flooring sheet which I used in the Lavender Cottage so hope to get more. (And only $1 each.) (Table Suite XIV)

* Tonya's Miniatures (table R28) has some cute accessories I want to see. Look at these little cassettes and 8-tracks! She even had some tiny Jelly shoes. (Remember those? They were cute but made your feet stink! ha!)

 

* Oh these are so cute! Just saw these on FB from Italian miniaturist Valeria Bonomi with Graffialuna. Wonderful hand-made shoes tho a bit beyond my usual budget. (Table 057)

I'm also looking for odds and ends, mostly half-scale (1:24): silverware, metal baking items, doorknobs, faucets (always seem to need some!) I'd like to find some kind of armchair kit that's different than what I have to put in the cottage attic. Plus, I keep an eye out for things for my friend for our annual Christmas gift exchange and Advent calendar.

So, this is just a tiny, tiny sample. Hope to find some bargains and different items. You never know. We'll see what I come across at both shows! I'll share my finds later.

* Update:  Yay! The small roof pieces on the Lavender Cottage are done and painted. I'd thought I was finished and then realized I have to do a last row with half-shingles to finish it off. I questioned what color to pick, but using the same purple as the shutters looks really good. I think this is the first time I painted shingles. I always try to do a different roof on each house. Guess I'll have to do a post on that if anyone wonders how to do their house. I'll show pix once I glue and trim it. Started shingling the top roof now.

* Thanks again for visiting. Come back soon for more updates! *

Happy Easter (in Miniature!)

Happy Easter to everyone!

The fun of miniatures is no egg coloring (not at those prices. ha!)  and while the chocolate is fake, it's still fun! (*Click photos for full size.)

Got the cutest mini Easter basket from my miniatures pal Gigi. Why those colors you ask? Well... you know I like Halloween so she made the basket in Halloween colors. Yes, that 😉 bunny is black -  super-dark chocolate!  

Tried something different during our latest mini session. She was working on a mini carrot cake kit from Robin Betterley which offered some unique ideas for finishing, so I decided to try my own version.

Ta-Dah! Half-scale and 1" scale carrot cakes! 

I decided to finish them off, so added more "carrots" round the edges, which does look better. And added the silverware! Pretty cool!

I made the cakes by cutting the forms out of 1/8" foam board. Paper towel is glued over the surface for texture, then painted white. After that I dabbed on some Snow Magic, a thicker fake snow, paint-type material. When dry, it's topped with Gloss Mod Podge. The inside of the cake is painted ginger brown. The "carrot" pieces on top are dried orange paint cut into tiny triangles to resemble carrots. What's cool is I could make a half-scale size knife from cardboard using the knife stencil. Something fun and different for a change!

And since Easter is on my mind, I made a couple other smaller Easter baskets using a vintage basket pattern I found online some time back and reduced in size. Fun and easy to make! 

And Yes... still shingling the Lavender Cottage. Ugh. Did I say how much I hate this part? ha!

* Thanks again for visiting! Come back soon for more projects and updates. * 

Dreaded Shingles (In Miniature)

 No joke as I know this is a terrible condition. But I am NOT looking forward to this part of the Lavender Cottage! (See last post. * Click photos for full size.)

Well, I started and am doing a row here and there...  It'll need some divider strips, too, since the pieces don't quite meet. I think (so far) I'm going to paint them dark purple like the shutters so trying to be careful with the glue. I have to shingle them off the house and paint them separate so I don't get paint on the walls. The roof pieces are fit in but not glued down yet.

Looking better, too, that I got all the shutters on. You can't tell, but I decided to put one shutter on each side of the bottom windows which looks less empty then. Have to find those small flowerboxes I made before...

A fun part was I got the two beds dressed for the bedroom. Decided on the purple floral to go with the wallpaper (scrapbook paper) print.

Also got some plants made.  Fun easy stuff. I so want to get these roof pieces done and trim on so I can start adding vines and wisteria. Also waiting to start doing real planting. It's too cold yet and still getting frost so not sure when to start! 

Next I'll work on the brick paper for the foundation and the trimming. Really isn't much to go. The shingles will take me a bit though. Have to do it in stages as I really hate this part of dollhouse building.

Meanwhile... oh, look, a visitor! Seeing how the remodeling is going, I guess. haa!

I am debating on putting some painted corrugated paper on the underside of the roof or some wood strips to cover the holes from the tabs. Not sure yet. We'll see how the paper fits in and if it looks right. I've got a strip of electric tape under there so not sure how to cover it. I may just have to paint it and camouflage it from the front with the vines.

Not much else at the moment. Counting down to the dollhouse shows at the end of the month and the half-scale swap box coming soon, too! I'll be sharing some photos of my finds and what I got later.

* Thanks again for visiting! Come back soon for more updates! * 

Dancing & Reading Barry Manilow Inspired Fiction!

 Oh, Look What I Got!! Finally got my copies and can't wait to read it!

(Click photos for full size.)

Got my copies of A Killing at the Copa: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Barry Manilow. 

My story, "Some Kind of Friend," is based on the song of the same name. * See the full story/song list in my other blog post here.

Buy it at various sites everywhere - you can also order via Bookshop.org.  ISBN: 196347970X

Or... You'll get the best ebook rate (and download/own NOT license it) plus get less expensive paperbacks (free shipping!) at the publisher's site here - White City Press. 

My story is "Some Kind of Friend," based on the song of the same name. 

 🎵  About the story: 

Clarissa Simone was lucky to fulfill her dreams of dancing at the famed Copacabana nightclub. Those dreams soon tarnished, however, when she was blamed for the shooting death of fellow dancer and former friend Mina Ruiz's mobster boyfriend at another local club, The Bar by the Harbor. But was it Clarissa's fault? 

 🎵 About the Book:

From his early days in the 1970s playing piano for Bette Midler in the bathhouses of New York City to his 2025 lifetime residency in Las Vegas, Barry Manilow has put his stamp on the music industry. With legendary hits such as "Weekend in New England," "Mandy," and "I Write the Songs," Manilow has created a catalog of instantly recognizable songs that have lasted decades and continue to be in rotation on radio stations, elevators and Spotify playlists to this day.

Manilow also created a legendary musical crime in his song "Copacabana," telling the story of feather-wearing dancer Lola who is caught between bartender Tony and patron Rico as the two men vie for her affections...and ultimately meet untimely ends.

Now, 13 crime author fans of Barry (affectionately known as "Fanilows") take on other songs from his collection of hits to tell all new stories of love, life, relationships and other situations gone horribly wrong. All the hits are here, as well as a few lesser-known tracks.

Features all new stories from Karen Keeley, Linda Kay Hardie, Adam Gorgoni, Maya St. Clair, Matt McGee, Laurie Stevens, Caleb Weinhardt, Kurtis Rupé, Recita Clemons, J. M. Taylor, John M. Floyd, T. Fox Dunham, Christine Verstraete and Shari Held.

Kits & More Miniature Kits

 I love kits. I like making most of them, though a few can get a bit fiddly. But to me, the fun is putting the kits together, choosing colors, paints and stains, and picking the fabric to make it fit into a certain project.

As I mentioned in the last post, I made a few furniture pieces that went with the greenhouse kit I pulled out. Kind of cute. (*Click photos for full size. See other links in left column archives.)

Then, since I decided to make an attic  in the Lavender Cottage, I finally found a place for these:

What are they?

 Legs for a ping-pong table kit (SDK Miniatures.) I'd had this kit a long time; at one point I even wondered why I bought it as I really didn't have a place for it. Then I thought, hey, it can go in this house. Mostly as that place you store stuff on. You know... ha! Actually, it looks pretty cool so far. I'll show it once I get the net on and the paddles painted.

Saw a great little project in my FB Half Scale group of someone's toy room and it's so cute, it made me decide to pull out a bunch of toys I've collected. I can at least store them all here until or if I decide to use them somewhere else. I'll at least know where they are instead of in all kinds of drawers everywhere. 😊 Still looking for a few, though I have to check the Fairfield, as wondering if I put them in there. 

Many of the pieces are great handmade items from the annual half scale swap. I also pulled out some of the art from past swaps that'll fit on the walls here, like my sad vintage animals pictures from the previous Kitschy swap. Might be a few things I'll use from this. This year's should be coming soon!

A couple bookcases I'll use on the side wall for toys, books, and stuff. I'll put a TV on top of the lower shelf.

And... changed my mind! Sometimes you try to fit in different furniture and it just doesn't "feel" right, know what I mean? Then I realized I had this pretty bed set (old Avon resin furniture). I think it looks really nice in the attic and I always liked the bed. So am thinking of using that. I also found a second in my stash so I'll have one to use in another project. (Yay!)

So, a "small" update. I've got all kinds of stuff pulled out now to see what accessories to put in here. Amazing how much stuff a house will need, (and how much stuff is "hoarded" away!) Just like real life. haaaa!

Until next time! Thanks again for visiting! Come back soon of more updates!

Noncorporeal III spooky anthology Kickstarter

Noncorporeal III: Nightfall, the latest anthology of spooky tales coming out from Inkd Publishing, launches its Kickstarter today - April 4. * Sorry it's now over! 

Includes my latest story, "Cat's-Eyes," a spooky tale of crime, stolen jewelry, murder, and... Cat's-Eyes! I 'll leave it to you to find what the cat's role is! 

This is an interesting series. My story, "Secrets of the Last Mine," was one of the featured tales in the last anthology, Noncorporeal II.

The new story kicked around for a while. It was accepted once, then the project fell through, then I rewrote it several times, adding more of a crime element and going back to the original spooky part I always liked about the story.

Looking forward to reading the other stories too. Check out the Kickstarter above!

Third floor HS Lavender Cottage Dollhouse

 Yes, still making progress on the Lavender Cottage (see last post) - got the 3rd floor attached now, papered, lights and floor in, windows in... and it's trimmed, plus the back is glued on. I like that it has a bright clean look. (Photos - click for full size.) 

For something different, I decided to make this a type of attic with a newsprint wallpaper. Haven't done that since decorating one of my early houses, an Artply. (Remember those?) I did have the idea at some point to do a wall using my own newspaper stories, (years of reporting and writing, I'm sure there are enough) but I never reduced more than a few. So, this time, I think I'll just add a couple framed pages on the walls as kind of a memento. 

I'm going to add a small couch like a sleeper sofa and then add storage. This will be the extra sleeping room that someone can use when the cottage is booked up. Despite the junk I'll add, it's private, so who wouldn't mind that?

I attached the lights on the back wall by running some of the wires through shrink tubing, then gluing it to the wall above the dividers. You can't tell here but I left the lights hanging slightly, I'll put them into clear globes and glue those to the edge of the back trim.

I also got the second floor finished with the ceiling and baseboard trim in. I think it turned out well, too. I'll be dressing those beds next and adding more furnishings. * And I think I found the bed for the third floor attic! See post.

 Here are the dormers and the front so far. Have to add the first floor roof pieces and then start shingling. Still have a few shutters to finish and glue on, too. It's come a long way!

Also making progress on the other project, the small contemporary house kit. I changed the papers and some designs, of course. Still have to add some furnishings, trim, and the stairs.

And as these both are almost done, (well there're the shingles and lots of trim and foundation brick to go on the cottage) but I was in a spring mood. So I got out a greenhouse kit my friend Gigi gave me a while back. 

Did I need to start another one? No, but... it's like my reading. Always seem to have several books going at once. Get bored with one, then go back to the other. 

Some of the furnishings are made on this and I'll start working on some flowers, maybe even start gluing some walls and acrylic together. It's a small greenhouse so it's kind of cute to put next to one of the houses. I'll show more of that next time.

That's it for the moment. Hope your projects are going well! It will be time soon to start getting ready to do the real-life planting. Hoping my Mexican sunflowers do better as they didn't really take last year.

* Thanks again for visiting. More projects and progress coming soon! *