Working on Minis! Garage & New Nook Items

 Lots of cans to make!

Yes, I'm working away, flitting like a bumblebee from project to project. haa!

I don't have it in mind to build the mini garage just yet, but I decided to work on a few accessories. (*Click photos for full size.)

The spray paint cans worked out well. Simple - cut dowel rods, add upholstery thread to outline the lid, paint, and glue on a label. Regular paint cans: glued on handles made from cloth-covered wire on slightly larger dowel rods.

The table (CastleCrafts) is for the proposed Gothic library project. All painted.

I punched out three layers of 1/8" circles for the top spout on the oil cans. Have to paint the edges silver yet. Will add these to a wall shelf.

And... I gave in. ha! Got the Cutefun/Plaza de Los Muertos Book Nook/Amazon. It's a bit smaller than I thought but it is "cute." I like this one. (website photo)

I hate to admit it took me most of a day to gather the extra accessories to decorate and expand on it. I pulled a box full of possible stuff out to use. Not all will be used of course.

But at least I got one shelf done. haa! On to more today, I hope.

Here's the before and after on the shelf:

I cut the picture off this piece to re-use with a new frame over it. The candle is another dowel rod painted over with Puff Paint for drips. The "vase" is a wood piece cut off something else. I won't re-do all the parts, but I prefer "real" miniatures vs. just punch-out pieces. I'll add more flowers here and there. Just fake flowers I repainted the marigold color. I addded another flower on the end to fill the gap below.

Now that I had so much stuff out already, getting a second shelf done was much easier. ha!

I like this one. Maybe why I really like this kit is not just the colors, but that it's so "busy."  Perfect for somebody like me who likes lots of stuff in houses and projects.

I replaced the flat picture on the top row with similar "real" items. It didn't seem right having bread there that was only a picture, so made that of Model Magic Clay. The only difference is I left the last flowerpot off as it didn't fit and it would be an even number - decorating rule I picked up somewhere - always group things based in an uneven number. 

The bottom shelf, I liked the images so I decided to use them with some enhancements. I used Mod Podge Dimensional Magic on the candle flames and mixed some Puff paint with acrylic for drips on the candles. I painted some plastic carnation-type flowers and glued them over the drawings. I think it looks better with the dimensional items. You can't really tell, but I also made the tiny faces in the frames dimensional.

This shelf may look a bit strange alone but this is a super busy-looking project. My kind of project and a challenge thinking of "real" things to add in. haa!

That's it for the moment! More to come as I progress.

* Thanks again for visiting. Come back soon for more miniatures. * 

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Happy Miniature Valentine's Day!

 Happy Valentine's Day!

I was working on a new tiny holder with Valentine cards, but thought I'd share a favorite project I made  last year: the miniature Candy Hearts and box. Yes, those hearts are that tiny. They'll fit in one of those small nail polish decoration jars.

More Book Nooks I liked

If I had to pick a favorite... I love the colors and Skellies!

 I admit, these are addicting. I see three that I'd love to get... eventually. (*Click photos for full size.)

I have to add my gripe here - boy these are getting pricey. Yes, they're fun, attractive, neat themes, but when they are getting to the point of only being punch-out wood puzzle pieces, $50 and up is getting to be too much. I saw some listed as $80-$100. Way overpriced. They found a niche and are starting to exploit it.

I get annoyed by flat pieces. If there's a dog or a figure or food, etc, then I want a "real" miniature, a 3D item, not a flat punch-out piece, especially at the higher pricies. But that's me. I do like these three but, there again, I'd have to be adding all kind of regular miniatures to improve them. But I get a kick out of miniature skeletons so that would be fun on the one below. 

(These are all at $40 and $50 now. but if you wait and put the item in watch or hold, they often offer a coupon or discount.)

My top two favorites: 

I really like the colors and the skeletons in the Day of the Dead theme. But, I'd have to add some regular skellies, skulls, food, etc. in there for realism. This just might be my favorite. (Cutebee Plaza de Los Muertos/Amazon). Same model - Cutefun/Amazon.

This one's been around a while, but it still catches my eye. I like the buildings and mystery theme in the Rose Detective Agency, Fsolis/Amazon.

Interesting. This Viking theme caught my eye because of the buildings: Fifijoy/Voyage Through the Storm/Amazon.

I love Egyptian figures so this one caught my eye, too. But, again, it looks like all flat stuff though this is an intriguing model: (Fifijoy/Egyptian Pharoah's Tomb/Amazon) It's an interesting theme and could work better with the Egyptian miniature figures I've saved for an eventual roombox.

Well, that's the latest I found. 

* Thanks again for visiting. Come back soon for more miniatures.* 

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Creating and Writing

I share what some writers do besides write... Me? Well, you know what I like to do - mini!

Link to story, "The Many Sides of Creating."  (with my favorite view of the bedroom in the Fairfield House.)

Miniature Gothic Furnishings

Ready for the Olympics? Going to be some great watching! I love the ice dancing and can't wait for that and other skating events, among other things. 

(*Click photos for full size, better view.)

In the meantime, I made some progress in building the half-scale furniture for the planned Gothic library. (If you don't know, half (1/24) scale is 6 inches = 1 foot. Half of 1/12th scale so a 6-foot tall person in real life is 6" in 1/12th and about 3 inches in half-scale.) Things scale down proportionally, but usually cutting a pattern in half; 50% works for funiture and about 60% for printies that aren't "too" tiny. ha!)

Pretty happy with how these turned out. I have some touching up to do and some accessories to add yet, but it's getting there. Actually got all these pieces finished except the fireplace and bookcase at my weekly miniatues day.

For fun, I added the gold fringe to the bottom of the chairs from the goldish-green fabric. It's very pretty with a bright gold sheen. Oh, and a ghostly visitor! The Tim Holtz vintage photo figure fit perfectly! Looks like she belongs there! She even seems to have a "glow" about her.

I decided to get out the light box, which does allow for much clearer, brighter photos. I still can't get the color tones to show as well, but they're hard to differentiate in the light - copper, brown/black, and black, so far. I'll play around with the light box in future photos as it's pretty easy to set up.

I have to paint the table yet (CastleCrafts) but I think it'll go well with lots of books and items piled on it with one of the chairs behind it. (Other furniture: SDK Miniatures.)

I used the greenish-gold fabric and a rose-purple fabric on the seat of the Victorian sofa. Also finished the Gothic clock kit, also SDK Miniatures.

I'll have to start planning the photo box room next and figure the wallcoverings and paint the flooring. (See post link above.)

Filled the bookcase with assorted books, and of course! Something a little spooky...

The fireplace came out well, too, and maybe I'll use these accessories on the mantel.

So far, so good! I like how this is going, that's half the battle when planning a project.

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

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!