I had shared this photo on FB recently and didn't say what it would be, only that it'll feature an old favorite....
The kit is a wall-hanging window. It was a 2015 NAME Day (National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts) kit called "Window Shopping." (See some finished and framed examples here.)
Someone also let me know (after I had problems following the pictures in the instructions and finally figured it out) that there were also directions in the NAME Gazette. (Nice they have all the issues here. See Vol. 44 #6 for this project.). Funny as I'm usually pretty good with instructions but I pulled out this kit and put it away three times before I finally tackled it!
I thought it was a cute idea and a small simple way to highlight a few items in a collection. I was lucky and picked it up at a show for $10.
So.... what is mine going to be? Well.... I had done a previous shadowbox on a specific theme and thought this would be perfect for some of the smaller items I have, some came from my Half Scale group's annual swap.
Ta-da!
Here's a preview of how the room is set up so far. This is a test fit; I have to glue everything in yet. I'd really enjoyed doing the other small shadowbox, (see photos), so I thought this would be a perfect follow-up and something I could also hang on a wall. The fabric Raggedy print background and the bookcase kit are from Dragonfly International.
The walls and floor have to be glued in yet, but I have to paint, measure and glue in the wall shelf brackets first. This is one of those kits that you have to make sure you do certain steps first. That outer frame as seen in the top photo will be covered in a brick wallpaper.
The Low Bookcase kit from the Girls' Bed Set is 3.5" h, 3 7/8" w and 1" d. It goes together nice though a hint is to add some strong glue like E6000 or Quik Grip and hold with rubber bands until it dries to get a tighter fit.
I also got a set of Raggedy Ann book covers from Dragonfly for the bookcase and plan to add some flowers as well. I'm thinking of putting in a white wire chair and a small doll as I also got a fabric Raggedy print dress kit from Dragonfly, too. Next time, I'll show any further progress I make.
And still working on:
Yes, I'm a procrastinator. I still have to put the lights in the Half Scale Haunted House I was working on, which is set aside at the moment.Then I have to cut, paint and add a chipboard "wrought iron" railing on the roof edge that I got from AlphaStamps. This one is nice as it's 2.5" h and I can cut it into two pieces. I'm going to use part of it for this project and then I'll still have another piece to use, too! So, still working on that, as well.
If you can't tell, the "vase" in the left poppy flowers below is a bone portion from part of a Halloween bone-parts necklace. Ha! The fuchsia plant is made from a Bonnie Lavish kit. Loved making it and it came together easier than I thought. I have to put a hanger on it yet. Definitely want to do another. These are 1" scale flowers, but I like using this size too even in half scale as some of the HS flowers can be so tiny! The house has 1" scale plants out in front anyway and they fit fine.
So that's the progress so far. And yes, I'm working on a writing project, too, but it's nice to keep the creative juices going in both areas.
Until next time! Thanks for stopping by.
June 21, 2019
June 18, 2019
#Paris #Miniature Project 18: A Peek!
Gigi's been waylaid with other things at the moment, but we did get together and were moving furniture around! Sometimes the hardest part is finding what fits and what looks best.
Here's a peek at what she's been deciding on and what got painted.
That cabinet really looks good. Oh, and this is new!!! Is that a red door I see? LOVE it! Update: That is the second floor door - and it's red on the outside and rose on the inside. Nice! That looks great and really makes it pop! Nice contrast with the wallpaper, too.
Stay tuned for more details as we proceed here!
Here's a peek at what she's been deciding on and what got painted.
That cabinet really looks good. Oh, and this is new!!! Is that a red door I see? LOVE it! Update: That is the second floor door - and it's red on the outside and rose on the inside. Nice! That looks great and really makes it pop! Nice contrast with the wallpaper, too.
Stay tuned for more details as we proceed here!
Until the next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi
The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest.
* Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
June 11, 2019
#Paris #Miniature Project 17: More Progress!
We're baaaack!
(Note: There was a glitch where the comment section seemed to disappear but it looks OK now. So don't worry, we're not ignoring you! We appreciate your comments!)
(Note: There was a glitch where the comment section seemed to disappear but it looks OK now. So don't worry, we're not ignoring you! We appreciate your comments!)
Bonjour Mes Amis! I am back, finally! Last week was so busy with homework as I even
had to do a five minute video presentation of myself talking about the
assignment. You can well imagine how
many retakes I did…LOL, but it is behind me and I even got a perfect score!
Thank you
for your input in narrowing down the colors for the color on top of the
stucco. The color choices are shown in
the picture so you can see the green trim color of the shop. The roof above the window will be
copper. From left to right: the white blob is the stucco which is really
an off-white look. The first color is
mocha, then provincial blue (as it has been renamed), and sage. I even asked my 14-year-old son which color
he liked best. He did not like mocha, but he was undecided between the
provincial blue and sage. So, my dear
readers, please choose the color.
(My two cents - I do like the sage, but yeah, it is so close to the green anyway... So maybe the Provincial blue will work better? But I admit, I'm not sure of the blue with the green... I'm wondering... maybe a gold-tone would work even better?--Chris)
I got the “tiled” floor done. It really looks old and feels like
tiles. I got the DIY from YouTube and of
course I cannot find the video again to give credit. I took the wallpaper sheet resembling tiles
and lightly sanded it, then used Triple Glaze. When it was dry I scored each row horizontally and vertically. I gently folded each row to expose the crease
of each “tile row.”
(I saw the application in person and the Triple Glaze's thickness and texture reminds me of Diamond Glaze,which I've used on small projects for dimension. The Triple Glaze really does give a nice "thicker" texture. I'll be seeing this in person this week so I'll have a better idea how it looks.--Chris.)
Next, I used black shoe
polish over the paper and the black polish got into the scored grooves causing
it to look old. I love it! I also got the ceiling done. It’s plastic tiling that was painted to look
like the old copper ceiling. I used a
jewelry finding for the circle around the light and the light is from Lisa
Hicks at https://aweebitteeny.com/.
(I have to say, I LOVE the old tile look on the ceiling and floor, and the colors. I have the same shop kit that I may use for my witch's bakery or the Fortune teller's shop and I just may copy this color scheme. I also would like to try out this floor process.--Chris.)
While I
was waiting for things to dry, I started a kit from Jane Harrop, (www.janeharrop.co.uk). Her kits are fantastic! This one
is a kitchen cabinet kit. I painted it a
light sage to match the little cabinet to the right. I still need to complete both add hardware. (Love the kits! And the colors and pieces are all looking good!--Chris)
This cabinet (without the sink) is from Julie Warren (Little Bits & Pieces). She has lots of
videos on YouTube, is on Facebook and has a shop on Etsy. These two pieces will be the part of a small kitchen for a
quick bite to eat. The fireplace on the
left is the final choice as it has a low profile and looks fantastic with the “wrought
iron” screen from Sherry Taylor (Smallsminnimall on Etsy). The unpainted shelf with hooks and book ends is from www.Artofmini.com. More will be coming soon! Thanks for following along!
Until the next
time… Happy Creating!--Gigi
The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest.
* Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
June 07, 2019
Latest Mini Projects for May-June
Gigi has been buried in homework, but more Serendipity Shed posts will be coming soon.
(NOTE: There must be a glitch and I can't find the problem. Gigi couldn't see the comments section and now I can't. let me know if you see where to comment.--Chris)
So in the meantime, I'll share some of my latest projects.
I got a new (used) camera - yay! - so it's easier to 'play' again without dragging out the other camera I use for my work-writing stuff. (Click photos for larger size.)
I have been working on this Greenleaf Half Scale kit for ages, it seems. ha! It sat a while as I dreaded measuring and doing the roof. The house was pre-assembled, which made it a real challenge to work on! But I finally dug in, cut paper templates, and measured the corrugated cardboard which I painted black. I think it gave it a different look.
What's left: add moss on roof, top window boxes, porch roof fencing, vines and install the LED lights. I have four lights I figured would light each room just enough. Also have to glue in the rail section for the first floor staircase. Then I can hang pictures and decorate, the best part! I'll share more and my picture collection next time. The pictures and books are the 'biggest' addictions, I think. Can't stop making them! So stay tuned!
Also in half scale:
I decided to set up my yard sale scene for fun. Still moving stuff around and working on the inside of the garage. Saw someone do this. Kind of a fun way to put out a lot of stuff just sitting in boxes.
I made a couple of slipper chairs in half scale. I like how these came out.
I also decided to get brave and worked on this Bonnie Lavish fuchsia flower kit. (I'd like to get this red/purple one, too.) I'm impressed! These really were very easy to make and I love the results. Fun touch is I used some pink glitter paint and it gives the stamens a nice sparkle! (I also have a much smaller 1/2" scale kit from sdk miniatures. A bit more difficult with more pieces, but I like fuchsias so I may tackle that yet, too.) I'll get a better photo when the plant is "potted."
Garage sale finds:
I found these cool earrings at a yard sale for $1. I might wear them at Halloween, but I really bought them for one of my Halloween mini projects. ha! You know how that is! They're about 3/4" long.
Hubby also found these cool medieval statues. The smaller ones are 6" tall without the larger base. They'll be great in a museum or even a haunted castle!
What are you working on?????
(NOTE: There must be a glitch and I can't find the problem. Gigi couldn't see the comments section and now I can't. let me know if you see where to comment.--Chris)
So in the meantime, I'll share some of my latest projects.
I got a new (used) camera - yay! - so it's easier to 'play' again without dragging out the other camera I use for my work-writing stuff. (Click photos for larger size.)
I have been working on this Greenleaf Half Scale kit for ages, it seems. ha! It sat a while as I dreaded measuring and doing the roof. The house was pre-assembled, which made it a real challenge to work on! But I finally dug in, cut paper templates, and measured the corrugated cardboard which I painted black. I think it gave it a different look.
What's left: add moss on roof, top window boxes, porch roof fencing, vines and install the LED lights. I have four lights I figured would light each room just enough. Also have to glue in the rail section for the first floor staircase. Then I can hang pictures and decorate, the best part! I'll share more and my picture collection next time. The pictures and books are the 'biggest' addictions, I think. Can't stop making them! So stay tuned!
Also in half scale:
I decided to set up my yard sale scene for fun. Still moving stuff around and working on the inside of the garage. Saw someone do this. Kind of a fun way to put out a lot of stuff just sitting in boxes.
I made a couple of slipper chairs in half scale. I like how these came out.
I also decided to get brave and worked on this Bonnie Lavish fuchsia flower kit. (I'd like to get this red/purple one, too.) I'm impressed! These really were very easy to make and I love the results. Fun touch is I used some pink glitter paint and it gives the stamens a nice sparkle! (I also have a much smaller 1/2" scale kit from sdk miniatures. A bit more difficult with more pieces, but I like fuchsias so I may tackle that yet, too.) I'll get a better photo when the plant is "potted."
Garage sale finds:
I found these cool earrings at a yard sale for $1. I might wear them at Halloween, but I really bought them for one of my Halloween mini projects. ha! You know how that is! They're about 3/4" long.
Hubby also found these cool medieval statues. The smaller ones are 6" tall without the larger base. They'll be great in a museum or even a haunted castle!
What are you working on?????
May 31, 2019
A Beginner's Guide to making Journals - part 1 - recycled book covers
I like book boxes for miniature rooms. Want to try doing this with a real book.
The frame - want to try this.
The frame - want to try this.
May 28, 2019
#Paris #Miniature Project 16: Painting!
Painting & More Painting!
Greetings
again! For the U.S. followers, I hope
your Memorial Day weekend was safe and hopefully dry. I did get one day of the three-day weekend to
work on minis!
Paint, paint, and painted some
more! As you can see the shop front is
ready for the stucco.
The door is ready
and I found a Fleur-de-Lis that looks like it might work. I also finished painting the two windows, the
French doors, and all the trim for the third floor.
Like I said, paint...paint…paint. I also painted the tops and bottoms of the
shutter; the door frame and the “iron” scroll of the forthcoming door for the
second floor entrance.
The two little
“iron” works (above) are also painted which will be decorative items in the shop. (Liking the look of this already!--Chris)
I
also painted the cabinet for the shop in a soft red which matches the design in
the floor. So far, it has taken three coats.
I may need another coat of paint,, too!
Finally,
the third floor floors (three walls) are getting ready for wallpaper, just need
to sand first. As you can see from the
picture, the lines in blue are the added pieces of wood to make the rooftop
flat as opposed to the original angle. The red lines indicate where there used to be windows on the side
walls. I first put on Kilz primer, then the
wood was glued onto the walls and open window spaces, and filled with light
joint compound. The next step is to sand
to make it is a smooth finish and then I can apply the wallpaper.
So, the next step is to see if the items painted in black and the cabinet need another coat of
paint. Once the cabinet is done I'll
varnish to give it a shine and assemble the item (the top has shelves with a
mirrored back).
Also, on
my list is the shop floor and the windowpanes for the shop front. Then I can put up the four walls and see
where I want things to go to be able to glue on shelves, etc. before
permanently gluing the walls together. It’s so much easier to have everything hung, etc. before putting it
together.
-----------------------------
The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest.
* Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
--------------------------------------
It's moving along! Until the
next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi
May 21, 2019
#Paris #Miniature Project 15: What's New?
Lots new this week!!
The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest.
* Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
Although
there is progress, it seems like a lot of little things have been done. But once all the little things come together,
like puzzle pieces, the bigger picture appears.
I'm excited to share the latest update. I completed more kits from Artofmini.com which are the posters, books, and
the new door for the shop. Originally, I
had a different shop door, but it was just too plain. (See top photo.)
I came across the door kit also from
ArtofMini.com in my stash. It consists
of three pieces (all the same size). The
kit comes together like a sandwich with the “iron” window panel in the
middle. I first painted the “iron”
window, then cut a “glass” window from a clear plastic container and
assembled the pieces.The door just needs
the door handle and a decorative touch on the bottom panel. I also painted the trim above the door and
window black. (LOVE that door panel. Really gives it the perfect "look."--Chris)
The
tedious work on painting has begun. Two
windows from the third floor are done. The four shutters for the second floor are done. The other pieces are the two windows that
will be in front of the second floor. The next pieces to be worked on are the second painting of the store
cabinet (reddish color), the black scroll works from Artofmini.com, along with
the tops and bottoms of the shutters, and there is my list which includes doing
a gray-wash on the shutters to “age” them.
I am asking again for your valued
feedback.
The door in the middle was
what I was thinking of using for the second floor entrance (on the left side
accessible from the outside staircase). At the right is the door I can substitute. It
is similar to the front shop door, but with a different “iron” pattern. It will be in a different color than the
green shop door. What do you think? Let me know.
(I like the door at right as it's similar in style with the iron work and the panels. What does everyone else think?--Chris)
Also, if
you have not done so already, see last week's posting on the colors for the outside.
Moving right along!! Thanks for coming along on the journey with me! Until the next time. Happy Creating!--Gigi
May 14, 2019
#Paris #Miniature Project 14: All About COLOR!
COLOR!!
(My two cents; I like the sage or Cape Cod Blue. The Arroyo Red could look nice, too. The white is well, white, and doesn't show well here. ha!--Chris)
The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi Nephew's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest.
* Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.I'm baaaaack!!
Finally, another update on my beloved Paris Project. Finished up the class with the paper that was
way too long for “just an assignment.” Today, I started a new class and what a breath of relief as there are lots of assignments, but they are bite-sized so to speak which means more mini
time!
All the
remaining walls, ceilings and floors have been covered with Kilz (primer). I am done wallpapering the second floor
also.The third floor's three walls need
to be sanded and a little work done to the walls to make it a flat roof (plan B
implemented for easier wallpapering) so once this is done I will provide before
and after pics of the walls.
So,
here are some progress pictures. The
outside stairs arrived from China (ordered them through Wish.com), and I
prepared them with Kilz. Yes, what you
see is a toilet with the pull string (also from Wish.com) which will be
incorporated into the second floor…still noodling that idea because of small
space. As you can see, the picture shows
two of the walls from the shop with some completed items. (Love it!! It all fits and looks great!--Chris)
The storage cabinet (lower half is a kit from
Artofmini.com) and the glass shelving on top came like that. he idea is to have these urns with beautiful
flowers on each side and the cabinets filled with lots of goodies to buy. In front is a French side table and on top is
a small suitcase and a box with pictures (all three items were kits from
Artofmini.com). So, pretty sweet, four
kits I bought last month at the miniature shows are already put together.
Another reason for showing you the
walls of the shop is that I am asking you for input on what color to use on the
outside. The three stories will have
“stucco” (plaster) which I want to paint a white-wash color (faintly, not
heavy) to provide some interest. In
looking online at Paris shops, the shops are in all colors, while the floors
above are one more color. Here is a
close-up picture of the green I am thinking of using as an accent color on the
outside of the store for the trim. (Looks nice. I like the green!--Chris)
Now
it is your turn. What color or colors do
you suggest? See above for the
available colors. Remember, it will be a
diluted application for the second and third story (which will have white
window trim and a black iron balcony). The
first story can be different than the second and third story. Please submit your suggestions in
the comments box. Thank you in
advance!!!! Happy Creating!!--Gigi
(My two cents; I like the sage or Cape Cod Blue. The Arroyo Red could look nice, too. The white is well, white, and doesn't show well here. ha!--Chris)
May 07, 2019
#Paris #Miniature Project: Lucky 13 Planning!
Ta-Dah! Today is the Lucky 13th Day for the #Paris #Miniature Project Blog!
The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi Nephew's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest.
* Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
Speaking of teachers, a great teacher was my
Oma (grandmother) who taught me so many wonderful things during the summers I
went to visit her in Germany. It’s
because of her that I learned my numbers, colors, and even read a few words in
German before first grade, which made it easier to learn English. It’s because of Oma, that I love to sew and
do crafts. She taught me to make
something out of nothing.
Well, today I am just going to talk about my next plans for
the Paris Project. I am in my final week
(of eight week courses) - and this course has --five-- assignments due this Friday
(as opposed to Sundays). So, needless to
say, I have to make it my priority. ☹
The courses are for the master’s in
teaching Secondary Education as I want to teach middle school and high school
students. It’s my second career after
being in business/project management over 30 years, and quite honestly, less
stressful, less hours, and less corporate junk (if you get my meaning).
So, onto the Paris Project plans. After these "lovely" assignments are completed, I want to finish putting
on Kilz (primer) on the fourth walls (and all the floor) , then I can glue the wedge
to make a flat roof (as the original kit has an angled roof). Then I can wallpaper
that floor.
Next, I want to age the glass roof and put the “glass” (sheet plastic) in. (See previous post comments on Day 12 (link at top) if you have questions about the ideas for that process.) Then I can put together the first floor, but I need to figure out the color trim and base. I plan on having the outside walls stuccoed to make it look a little older. In keeping with my vow to use what I have on hand, I'll next be pulling out possible paint colors. Hopefully by Friday, I hope to ask you, the readers and followers, for your input to the color combination. Chris will be posting pics for me to have you vote and decide what looks best.
May 03, 2019
#Paris #Miniature Project 12: Le Decor!
Wow, Day 12 of the Paris Miniature Project!
The planning continues for the Paris Miniature Project which is my friend Gigi Nephew's Serendipity Shed renovation for the HBS 2019 Creatin’ Contest.
* Don't forget you can put your email in the subscribe to updates box under the Paris photo in left column also to let you know when a new post goes up.
If you like to decorate then this is for you!
April
showers bring May flowers…so what do May showers bring? I think winter is hanging on too tight…enough of
the rain please! So, to hide from the rain
when I got home today from substituting at my son’s school, I worked on the
Paris Project.
Since
Tuesday’s update, I painted the trim and the inside of the openings (door and
windows) as this is a lot easier to do now, then when the wallpaper is
on.
Last
night I had to “Kilz” (primer) the walls before papering…totally forgot this process… I
hate doing this, but it is so much better when wallpapering! Then I put on the wallpaper and noticed that I forgot a wall of the second floor
to apply Kilz on (far left three walls). The
good news is that the first floor store walls are all done. Now I can at least start putting them together and
then work on the floor of the shop! (Looks good! Can't wait to see it go together!!--Chris)
It’s a short update this time as I have to get ready to substitute tomorrow again for a
different teacher. I am not used to having to
get dressed up and going into work! I have not
done it in over a 1½ years!
Until
the next time… Happy Creating!--Gigi
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