Miniatures Monday: New Wire Wicker Furniture

Well, maybe not so new. I had this furniture for a while, and now that I've made new cushions, I realize what a big difference color makes. I originally had some think black print and then yellow cushions on there. The new blue fabric and lace gives it a "shabby chic" feel. This is for the stained glass house I'm turning into a garden room.



I also repainted this brown wood buffet to include in the room.

Hero Dog Better than Some Humans?

Iowa - A yellow Labrador named Reagan discovers a sealed cat food bag in the middle of the road holding a horrible secret - at least five kittens - two of which were still alive - after the bag had been partially crushed.

The dog amazingly dragged the bag home to its owner, proving that love knows no barriers, or breed - and even surpasses the cruelty of some humans.

See the Tails Inc. video about the two surviving kittens here.

'Tis the Season: Free Miniatures Advent Calendars

What's more fun than getting a surprise each day? Check out a couple free advent calendars and get a little gift each day! Go back each day until Dec. 24.

AIM Advent Calendar 2011 - Note: You have to sign in to Scribd to view and download. - Direct Link

* Mini Treasures Wiki Advent Calendar - check out the "treasures" each day.

Christmas Sale! In Miniature Style II

Now until Dec. 31, get the pdf ebook version of IN MINIATURE STYLE II at a 20% discount at the publisher's site.

- See link here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A healthy, happy and safe Thanksgiving to all! Count your blessings (not the calories!) ha! (Scene - my miniature Thanksgiving table.)

Haunted Hot Dogs in Wisconsin?

If you're interested in the unexplained, check out my post today at Courtney's Haunt Jaunts blog.

Check out the pix, and you decide if Hot Rod Dogs is haunted...?

Short Christmas fiction: Christmas at the North Pole Compound - more eBook formats!

Got a Nook or other e-reader? My short fun Christmas story, CHRISTMAS AT THE NORTH POLE COMPOUND, is now available at Smashwords in several eBook formats (epub, sony, pdf, etc.) It also is available for Kindle. And it's less the price of a cup of coffee!

Feeling the holiday stress? Relax with a fun story and have a chuckle!

It's not all Fa-la-la and Ho-Ho-Ho at the North Pole Compound when Santa's elves find someone's stolen the gifts!

Can Chief Elf Investigator Finius Flaherty crack the case by Dec. 24th and save Christmas?

A Holiday Crime Story for all ages!

E-Readers - Got a favorite?

Today at Acme Author's Link, I'm talking e-readers.

Which is your favorite: Kindle, Nook, Blackberry Playbook? Follow the link and weigh in....

Welcome to fantasy author and illustrator Vonnie Winslow Crist

Today I welcome author Vonnie Winslow Crist, who has a new collection of fantasy tales out. The Greener Forest is an eclectic collection of (lucky) 13 tales with a "pinch" of poetry and several illustrations.

(The cover alone is a delight! And if you love fantasy art, check out the detailed and adorable maze she drew and is free at the publisher's site. See link at end of post.)

This charming book (print, eBook, Kindle and other formats) is sure to delight those who love the fanciful, with tales of spriggans, goblins, swan maidens, angels, dragons, ningyo, and other Faerie creatures. But all is not good and light -- there are some dark and uncertain times lurking between the pages.

About the book:

"In 'The Greener Forest' anything is possible. Silver maples sing in angel-song. Spriggans skulk about cypress knees and wreak havoc at an amusement park. The Applehead Lady's true identity is revealed by moonlight filtering through the branches of an ancient tree.

A scarecrow finds true love in an ash grove. And a wayward beech tree root sends a woman into the arms of a kindhearted giant. These stories and more lead the reader into the depths of The Greener Forest, where Faerie and the everyday world collide. There is dark and light, evil and good, and uncertain dusky gray lurking between the pages of this book. Discover that all is not what it seems at first glance, and wondrous things still happen in 'The Greener Forest.'"

Vonnie, who's been "drawing and painting as long as I can remember," was encouraged by an artistic grandfather to pursue her talent. She's since taught art for the Community Services Division of her local community colleges, illustrated magazines and books, taught poetry for 10 years for the Maryland State Arts Council's Artists-in-Education Program, taught creative writing, and more. Some of her work has been published in The Vegetarian Journal and Faerie Magazine. Learn more about Vonnie at her blog.

* Bonus: Download a free maze at Cold Moon Press, illustrated by Vonnie - a must see! You can also listen to an audio excerpt of the story, "Birdling" from "The Greener Forest" at the same page.

** BUY: THE GREENER FOREST

* Assorted links at Cold Moon Press

* (Amazon, print - click cover)

Show Seen 4: Dollhouse Rooms - A Room with a View

This is the last set of pix from the 2011 Wee C Miniatures Club Show in Elk Grove Village, Ill. And my favorite, I think. I've been saving things to make an Egyptian room and still haven't decided on the exterior. This is a great idea. (Please ignore the glare on the acrylic.) See the first pix on Day 1.



This is a clever, unique way to do the outside. Love it! Florence made the room look like books by using paper towel rolls with Styrofoam (TM) packing. She covered the edges and painted. It sure looks real. I love the portrait on the outside wall!

Show Seen 3: Dollhouse Rooms... Holidays and Themes

Show Seen 3: More pix from the Wee C Dollhouse Show. This show is great in that they have a whole room for exhibits only. There's so much to see, so I only took pix of some of the projects, though all were great! Come back tomorrow for the last pix (my favorite project, I think). See Day 1 - Next: Day 4.

Holidays:
Two cozy Christmas scenes.

More formal rooms:






More detail: Milady's wardrobe:
Love it!



A Touch of Whimsy:

A creative project - what a cute idea for another way to display minis!

Miniatures Monday: Show Seen 2 - More Dollhouse Show Rooms and Houses

More of the amazing dollhouses and rooms from the Wee C Miniatures Club Show in Elk Grove Village, Ill. There's more pix coming the next two days, so be sure to stop back. See Day 1 pix. Next: Day 3.

Holiday Scenes:

The fall leaf house (above) was one of my favorites. Not only is the design unique, but it's neat to see the amount of detail you can get in a small project. Sometimes it's easy to get overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, but this let's you do a lot in a little space. There is also a kind of leaf collage on the roof.



Courtyards:

I always liked the look of having the outside - inside. I want to do one of these yet. Two different takes on the same theme, one fall themed and two in Tudor style.








A smaller scale Southwest scene:

Show Seen: Dollhouse Show Rooms and Projects

There's no better way to be inspired than enjoying the work of other miniaturists. These are some of the fantastic, creative dollhouses and rooms displayed at the recent dollhouse show in Elk Grove Village, Ill. put on by the Wee C Dollhouse Club. I took a lot of pix so be sure to come back tomorrow for more. (Click pix for larger view.)

Theme Rooms:

Above, half scale rooms in boat shelves. I have one of these saved to make a sea captain's house. Lots of detail in a small space.

Diner: I love the detail in this diner! Funny, that guy behind the counter was working at my mini bar last time I looked. He sure gets around!





This kitchen scene is adorable. The colors are great but the dog makes the scene!



This historic fireplace scene reminds me of a painting.



Another fireplace scene, this one is well-used.



Gotta get the Halloween room in here!

Come back tomorrow for more pix!

It's Pink Saturday! Pink in Miniature, Tea, Anyone?

I haven't done this in a while, so thought I'd jump in and join Beverly for her PINK SATURDAY @ How Sweet the Sound. (Pic: table in my teapot shoppe.)

I'm busy this weekend signing books at the Wee C Dollhouse Show Club in Elk Grove Village, Ill. (Stop by if you're nearby!), so I am hoping to take some pix in the display room and look for some pink minis! If I can't get the pix posted today I will post them on Monday so be sure to come back!

For now, thought I'd post one of my favorite pinks: the main counter in my miniature Teapot Shoppe. I'll post a few pink items I've made for my dollhouse collection. (See lots of pink in my teapot shoppe at my website, (click miniatures). (My friend Kitty made the cake and cupcakes; I made the two tea jars and displays on the bottom shelf, along with painting the sign and table.)

Dollhouse Show....

Today and Saturday (Nov. 11-12), I'll be at the Wee C Dollhouse Club Show. One of the best exhibit rooms around. Stop by, say hello, and get a book signed!

* See details, project list and more - In Miniature Style II - eBook (iPad, Nook, Sony, Kindle, etc.) and Print.

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.