Miniatures Turn-About: Gothic Library

 

Another box? Well....

Good riddance January. And take all the snow and cold with you. Enough!!!

Well, it's February so I better post. Been poking around. Yes, still filling the Witch's Bakery. Slow going. I admit I've not been inspired lately. 😢

I did get the garage out... then put it away again. I just don't feel like doing all that painting.

So I was thinking...., what to do? What to do?

Then I thought of something I'd saved up kits for.... the half-scale Gothic Library. And yes, I was painting but much smaller areas. ha! This helped my mood as I really like when I'm involved in a project that takes some planning!  (*Click photos for full size.)

I was going to build the room in a book box, which I saw someone else do and really liked, but I have this other photo storage box set aside. Remember the Tiki Bar I did in the other box? I really liked that project. (Photos of Tiki Bar box and here.)

This box (see top photo) is bigger. Got that out, broke out the center divider, and I think it will work. It measures 9.5" wide, 6.5" front to back, and 7 3/4" deep. 

Not quite sure what will fit inside yet, but these are the kits I have so far-- my favorite Gothic furniture from SDK Miniatures. The Gothic table is from CastleCrafts. Now I'll have to get more kits in Spring since I'll have used my stash. I still also have a kitchen bookcase set aside that I may or may not use.

I wasn't sure at first on how it should look, but I really like the results with black, a soft black (brownish color) and copper. I'll add in a purplish Black Cherry paint yet on something to go with the purple-toned scrapbook paper.

An example below: really nice Gothic room.

I may try some stone walls (oh, not egg carton brick again ha!) after seeing the Gothic library by Andreas Rousounelis Miniatures on FB. He does great ageing, though I don't want to make this project dirty or old, but I do like how this looks. But oh! Making all those books!!

 I may follow up on the above library idea by adding a stone wall in my project. I might use brick paper inside. I thought it would look good with a false wall with two Gothic windows that are backlit. I found some inexpensive, really nice laser-cut windows by ShedtoShelfbySean on Etsy  that I'll have to order later. I was leaning toward D and H. Nice for stained glass, too, for a different look.

The floor, once stained, is from a wood placemat. These work really welll once I remove all the threads on top.

I also have these interesting decorative stickers that are big for half scale but I might be able to use some parts. I also have a really interesting CD box set aside that I can use as the larger library or these stickers could fit in the Tudor (someday) project. I'll show both of those when I decide to work on them.

As you might remember, I've made the double Gothic bookcase and the companion spice cabinet a couple oither times and it's always fun coming up with a different style and color scheme each time.

The first one was walnut brown and gold in my half-scale Fairfield house dining room.

I also made one in tan and red matching the spice cabinet in my Van Buren Halloween house's kitchen.

Oh! Hadn't seen this piece before. This Gothic wardrobe (SDK Miniatures) would look really nice, with clothing, etc. on the shelves if I add the second floor for a bedroom. I have a tower box in hiding somewhere. There's also a nightstand, mule chest, and tall chest. 

I like coming up with my own ideas and using different containers like this box. I love the design part, so I'm searching photos to find some ideas for the decor itself. I also have a lot of accessories and decorations set aside, but you know how it is, there's always something you need for a theme that you don't have. ha!

That's the plan, so far. These projects always change as you go along and get different ideas, so we'll see how it goes.

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

Miniature Witch's Bakery Goods

 

Yes I've been quiet, going slow, but did get some things done on the Witch's Bakery! Yay! (*Click photos for full size.)

Got the exterior brick painted and sealed outside, and putting some things inside now. First time I've done a full bricked (egg carton) building. I really like how it looks. I also painted the side wall and put up a picture my friend Gigi made. That's until I eventually add the upper floor and put steps on the side. 

Still not sure on what to put on that brick above the door. I may still add a back wall, too, once the upstairs is figured out as I probably have to add new channel pieces in for the wall.

I'll be changing some of the items on the window sills, but it looks good so far. I realize the windows look empty. I'm working on some signs to hang in each window. I am still debating on whether to add a short shade in the door. I might do that yet, too.

Here are a few of the new filled cake stands (cake stand kits CastleCrafts.)

A few other odd cakes and baking pans I made so far. I put more red on the eyeball cake pops and the freaky pies now have noses ha!

Eyeball fruit slices and a jar of candy "bones." The jar and leg cake stand glow green.

I got such a kick out of the glowing leg bones and feet (jar from Michael's.) Not a great pic, but I wanted to show that they do glow! That cool glass jar is from H. Lobby. I'll be putting a label on it.

Filled display case. I added a string of lights and put moon "art" on the bottom panel. There's also an apple pie.

Here are a few of the cakes:

I had this weird pot (for strawberries maybe?) so I decided to make it into an eyeball plant for outside the front door.

I think that's it for the moment. I'll try to get some new, better pix later. Maybe I'll go back to the other camera.

Next is back to working on some accessories for the (yet-to-be-built) half-scale garage.

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

Happy New Year! 1st Miniatures Project: Garage

 

So many pieces!

Happy 2026! What are you working on?

Between working on the annual half-scale swap (many pieces to what I'm making! Due to be mailed by the end of Feb.), I'm still finishing up egg-carton stones (slow tedious process) on the Witch's Bakery and... what am I doing next????

I got this out: 1/24 Lansdowne 1-car garage/Laser Dollhouse Designs  (Garage assembly PDF) (Website photos; click photos for full size.)

It's a pretty nice building, isn't it? I'm intrigued and deciding on the colors. I'm really glad it has wood shingle strips so I don't have to deal with shingles again! I thought I'd never get done on the Lavender Cottage roofs!

The garage has a second floor for a small apartment. I'd like to add a half-bath in it too. I was thinking of a small kitchenette or at least a counter with a mini fridge and microwave; and maybe it should have a shower? Looks like it could fit in that dormer space. Yeah, lots of ideas. Depends on how much room there is. I won't know until I assemble and test-fit things.

Always Interesting: Public Domain Day

 

(Art: portion of public domain graphic)

I love looking through vintage works: old books, movies, and music where the copyright has expired and that come into the public domain each year.

January 1, 2026 marks the release of works from 1930 - and there's some fascinating ones. These are works that copyright has expired on and you can legally play with, adapt, etc. into new works. I'm just including a few of the listings here.

Some fascinating books: There are thousands more. I love the Nancy Drew books... hmmm, maybe there's an idea there... 

 * Here are summaries of the four Nancy Drew books on Wikipedia.

• William Faulkner, As I Lay Dying
• Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon (the full book version)
• Agatha Christie, The Murder at the Vicarage (the first novel featuring Miss Marple)
• Carolyn Keene (pseudonym for Mildred Benson), the first four Nancy Drew books, beginning with The Secret of the Old Clock

  Comics: Oh, wow, always liked Betty Boop: Blondie and Dagwood, too!

• Betty Boop from Fleischer Studios' Dizzy Dishes and other cartoons
• Blondie and Dagwood from the Blondie comic strips by Chic Young
• Nine new Mickey Mouse cartoons, the initial week of Mickey Mouse comic strips, and ten new Silly Symphonies cartoons from Disney

  Landmark movies: 

• All Quiet on the Western Front, directed by Lewis Milestone (winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture)
• King of Jazz, directed by John Murray Anderson (musical revue featuring Paul Whiteman and Bing Crosby’s first feature-film appearance)
• Animal Crackers, directed by Victor Heerman (starring the Marx Brothers)
  

 Memorable songs: We've all heard many of these. I love old music so will be fun listening to some of these:

• Georgia on My Mind, lyrics by Stuart Gorrell, music by Hoagy Carmichael
• Dream a Little Dream of Me, lyrics by Gus Kahn, music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt
• On the Sunny Side of the Street, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, music by Jimmy McHugh

Also sound recordings from notable names like Louis Armstong, which I'll have to check out.

• Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen, recorded by Marian Anderson
  
• Yes Sir, That's My Baby, recorded by Gene Austin
• Sweet Georgia Brown, recorded by Ben Bernie and His Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra
• The St. Louis Blues, recorded by Bessie Smith, featuring Louis Armstrong

There is an art section, too, many of which I am not familiar with so I'll have to look around more. 

So, some fun digging to do in the new year!

2025 Year-End Miniatures Round-Up

 

Another year, more projects done or almost done. Where does time go????

This year's project list. I'm thinking it may not be as long as usual. Not as many bigger projects, but it does take a while to finish them up.

January: First book nook project, "The Magic Library."

I also was working on the Lavender Cottage. Finishing it up here in August and with some Christmas items.

February: Got a kick out of these. I just had to make this candy box  (above) from a printie I found online after I found these teensy hearts at Hobby Lobby. 

April: Made the cutest carrot cakes and Easter baskets.  The baskets were cute vintage patterns I found online and shrunk down.

May: Halloween is never far away. Worked on this spooky corner, a kit from Teri Hanson at the Covered Chipboard.

June: Worked on this smaller Greenhouse kit and the inside accessories. I decided to paint it purple instead of the usual white. I still didn't finish putting everything inside.

August: Finished the Jack's Bookery book nook kit from Cutebee. I had to add some regular minis to it, too, like the pets and plants. 

October: I started the Witch's Bakery, still in progress! Finishing up the egg carton bricks and painting the sides before I start filling the inside. Here's the last inside view, done this month.

December: Did this cute Christmas kit. A fun little kit for the holidays. Also enjoy decorating the dollhouses for Christmas. I love how the outside of the mansion looks.

I finished quite a few really cool projects last year (2024), too, like the Half-Scale mansion and diner, the Tiki Bar, the Halloween Van Buren house, filled a garbage can, made a clematis trellis, finished the camper, and did a Christmas house. 

We'll see what the New Year brings!

That's it for now. Hope the new year is full of miniature projects!

(Free clipart animations)

More Christmas Miniatures

 

You thought it was over? ha! Well, I have some really cool things to share! (*Click photos for full size.)

I worked on this cute little Rolife Robotime kit (above), the Christmas Candy Stand, my friend Gigi got for us as a Chriistmas project. This is such a cute kit with lots of fun details! I added some sparkle on the roof and some sparkly snow around the front and in spots on the awning to give it more of a winter feel. It was a fun kit to do and actually got it done in one day!

It was a great Christmas for miniatures! My friend was pretty busy! She made this cute chocolate skull and cookie tray, which will look perfect in the Witch's Bakery window, And she made these dozens of fun little food boxes. So much folding!! Love 'em!

The gift I really got the biggest kick out of was this: a picture of my late 2008 Pontiac G5. I called it my Bumblebee car. I didn't think of framing a photo but she printed another photo for me, too, so I'll hang one in the half-scale garage I'll be doing soon.

But here's something really fun and sooo creative! She made these jars of some pieces of the car for my creepy bakery shelves calling it "Essence of Bumblebee." I'm going to add a shelf of "ingredient" bottles for the bakery chef, so it'll fit right in. I thought this was so cool and such a neat memento! It must be a memento year as I made her a mini memory box, too!

She also got me a very cool 4-poster bed set that will work with my later semi-modern Tudor project. I'll share more on that when I decide to work on it. The 2nd rare 1" scale kit I'll do.

We also shared the Miniverse Balls: I bought us the Books Series 2 and she got the Make it Mini Mini (the set that goes with the fridge.) Well.... the mini foods are pretty cute. And! Some of them would work with 1/12th scale. Uh-Oh!! ha! (The pizza has "nuggets" too which I forgot here.)

I also finally tried one of the Harry Potter Honeydukes balls, which have some intriguing dessert projects. I got a worm/snake mold so this one will be kind of fun to do. I'd really like to get those skeleton cookies or the skull cupcakes in that one.

Really nice was I got a couple kits, a garden kit from my friend Jean, and this vintage cabinet kit from Gigi. Both will be fun to work on. That's plus a few others I bought myself.(Shhhh!)

So it will be a busy year coming up with lots to work on. I have been thinking more on that garage, so that's probably what I'll be getting out next while I finish up the bakery exterior and fill the inside. I think I'm going to set the other building for the restaurant aside for a bit as I want to get back to half-scale. I can't stay away from it for too long! 

I even have been eyeing the long-put-aside smaller Raggedy Ann house which is all electric taped and ready to wallpaper. As both this and the garage are smaller, I just might do them together and make them coordinate on the outside until I do another house to go with the garage. I do have a larger country cabin-type house still in the box, too. We shall see!

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* Thank you for visiting the blog all year and reading my posts. I enjoy sharing my miniatures (and books!) and hope you keep following along next year. 

And so you know - I'm open to sharing any of your projects as well so email me via the profile box on the top of the blog. Or it might be fun to share ideas or things you are in search of. I can share a weekly running list of wanted items or things you need suggestions for if anyone needs help with something. **And who knows? In my giant stash I may have some things you are looking for!

* PS - don't forget: You can sign up for headline email alerts in the box in the left colum so you know when a new post comes up.

* Nope, this isn't the last post of the year. I'll have my Yearly Project Recap coming up so be sure to come back. 

* As the Golden Girls song goes, "Thank You for Being a Friend.!* 

After Christmas Skellie Video!

 Christmas isn't over yet! You know I like mini skeletons for some reason and there's none better than mystery author Leigh Perry (Toni L.P. Kelner's) sleuthing skeleton Sid. His miniature version appeared here on the blog in a past post of course!

Sid is also now a video star in a super cute Christmas video. This is so clever! Check it out below! 

 Perfect tie-in to book #6 in the Family Skeleton series, The Skeleton Stuffs a Stocking, in which the dog of Sid's human friend, Georgia, comes home with a real skeleton bone. The rest of the skeleton is found in an overgrown lot, leading sleuthing duo Sid and Georgia to find the truth before the ghost of a Chistmas past strikes again! (The series starts with book 1, A Skeleton in the Family.)

(Here's the YouTube link if it doesn't work here.)