Happy Thanksgiving to all!
At some point, I'll have to make a half-scale scene to fit in my houses, but for now, here's some 1" scale items. I got these in a food swap a while ago.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
At some point, I'll have to make a half-scale scene to fit in my houses, but for now, here's some 1" scale items. I got these in a food swap a while ago.
It's nearly Christmas and what better way to get in the mood than with a Christmas love story, A Heartfelt Christmas Promise! Welcome back to USA Today Bestselling Author Nancy Naigle!
About the Book:
Vanessa Larkin was supposed to be spending Christmas in Paris, France on a business trip she hoped to enjoy as a working vacation. Instead, she’s been assigned to Fraser Hills, North Carolina—home of the Best Fruitcake in the USA—to convert her company’s property into warehouse space and shut down Porter’s, the fruitcake factory. Offering retirement packages and selling locals on new job opportunities may not spread holiday cheer, but Vanessa believes she’s helping secure the town’s future.
Mike Marshall’s family founded Porter’s. For decades, the factory served as the
lifeblood of the community until his grandfather sold the business to a Chicago
corporation. The sale cost the town its independence—and the Marshalls their
family ties. A horse farmer, Mike was never involved with his grandfather’s
company, but still felt Fraser Hills lost part of its identity. And as a
widower raising a teenage daughter, he’s suffered enough losses in one
lifetime. News of the factory’s closing means losing another piece of the
town’s legacy.
Far from the skyscrapers and rapid pace of the city, Vanessa finds herself
enjoying the easygoing rhythms of rural living. With Mike as her guide, she
learns to appreciate the simple pleasures found in shared holiday festivities
among friends. Fraser Hills is a town she is growing to love—and Mike is
someone she is falling in love with. Now all Vanessa needs is a Christmas
miracle to give her newfound friends and home a gift they’ll cherish for many
New Years to come.
* Learn more at her website. -- Get some fun freebies, a coloring page and trivia questions here. -- Catch her on Twitter - Instagram *
* Review: I've become a fan. I read her last book, The Shell Collector (see post), and am enjoying this one just as much! Nancy has a light, warm style and this is another good-feeling, fast-reading story that you'll finish too fast and wish there was more!
* Check out the giveaway!
Blog tour! |
So FUN! This year's Christmas miniature scene is even better thanks to the new working miniature TVs from Tiny TV Classics. The miniature TVs so far come in four styles and eras with Batman, South Park, Back to the Future and Friends.
So cool that technology has made it possible to have a working TV that plays assorted clips from TV shows and you can even change the channel with the tiny remote! This is the Batman TV in my room (though I also have the Back to the Future model.)
So, since I decided to have a vintage-flavored Christmas using my miniature vintage dolls, I thought what's better than having them waiting for Santa and watching TV? You can see a bit of it and even hear some of it in the video below. Isn't that cool???? I got such a kick out of this!
The shelving unit contains assorted Christmas teapots made by my Dutch friend, Kitty.
Yes, it's early but...
Merriest of Christmases to you!
(Dragons and centaur statues from WCD Miniatures) (Click photos for full size.)
I'm baaaack! Went to the annual fall dollhouse show in Elk Grove Village, IL, what was the Wee C show, previously run by a NAME club and now run by T&D Miniatures....
Small, but not a bad show, at least for me as I had some good finds! The sad thing is it was the end of an era - the club has pretty much disbanded as most of the members are older and many had died, so no more display room or discount table. They had the best (and only) show display so sorely missed that. (Type Wee C Dollhouse Show in search to see previous show pix).
Well, the discount table proceeds used to be donated to charity and I always found some great deals and cool stuff. The new show apparently had some things out but most of it was gone by Saturday.
The centaur and dragons (above) were a cool find from WCD Miniatures. He always has a great selection of Egyptian and other unusual statues. I have a Pan statue that's in the front yard of my other Haunted House. The centaur was the only one I saw and I envisioned it in the center of a garden room or a hall and the dragons out in front. They all are about 3" tall. I also bought that aged rug from the entry table.
The cool thing is I won a door prize! I picked a great frame display made by Ron Chase (D-Tales Miniatures.) I'm going to paint it black, turn that bird into what looks like a crow or raven, and put spooky family pictures in it! Second time I won a door prize at this show. I won a 1/2" scale house kit a few years back that I made up for Halloween. See photos here.
I had bought a 1/2" scale kitchen cupboard kit and a radio from Ron at the last show and really admired his clocks, so I was surprised he was at this show, too! So I got a carved clock! (Oh, it probably won't be the last one. ha!) I also have a beautiful carved filigree shelving unit from him in my 1/2" scale dollhouse that I got in last year's Half Scale group swap. (I can't find that post showing it outside the bedroom, but I think it shows in the house video. See miniatures website page. - Found the post and photo here.
So... what else did I find?
Well... got some cool frames and a cat rug... Witches love black cats, you know. Plus more metal minis to paint like some tiny phones and a bust statue from J and K Minis. I thought it would be fun to make a time-stood-still dingy kitchen with a wall phone on the wall. ha! And well, you'll see what I do with that dagger and saw! heh-heh....
As I mentioned about shabby/old couches... saw these at a table. No vendor was there, but I think it was named Behind the Attic Door (or something similar.) I thought they were well done.
(Photo: 2019 dollhouse show display)
I'm off to the annual Dollhouse show held today and tomorrow in Elk Grove Village, IL.
It used to be called the Wee C show run by the local NAME (National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts) club, and now has been renamed the Chicago Autumn Showcase run by T&D Miniatures.
Hoping they still have the big club display room and the discount table, which are both fun (and big draws, in my opinion!) Will take photos of the displays as I always do so be sure to check back for the posts.
Here are the photos from the 2019 show here at the blog. (There are three posts with photos.) Type in Wee C Dollhouse Show in the search box to see other years back to gasp - 2012. Maybe even earlier.
Well, another year's HALLOWEEN IN MINIATURE event is done and it was a good one!
What? You missed it? You can still follow the Halloween in Miniature posts - start at Day 1.
Re-Cap:
* The favorite post:
Thank you for all the visits overall. But the favorite, with the most visits, was my miniature Halloween Store. See Day 3.
* Giveaway winners:
Nadine wins an ebook copy of In Miniature Style: Halloween
Veronica R. wins the mini spellbook!
Emailing you both.
Thanks to all the entries!
What's Next?
More miniatures posts are coming up here, so stay tuned. Halloween is NOT over! I'm still working on the mini Haunted House. Maybe, just maybe, I'll make some progress to show you soon! ha! But I will be taking my home display down. I'm in a mood for putting up a bunch of mini Christmas trees! haa!
* See photos and all links at the website.
Welcome to Day 5 of Halloween in Miniature!
And now.... A HALLOWEEN SURPRISE!!!
Last minute that I am, I began working on the new Halloween book I'd mentioned before, but I didn't get really serious about it until the beginning of yes, this month.
My idea was I wanted to offer a small collection of books on themed projects, so I think you'll like the dozen projects I've included in this one. These are some of my favorite projects and things I haven't shared how to make before. The bonus is you don't have to stick to the Halloween theme. Change the colors and fabric choices to fit into any of your other projects.
** Sign up for the giveaway below to win either copy. (BONUS! One person will also win a copy of my handmade mini spellbook! Instructions are in In Miniature Style: Halloween! ) Please include your email to contact you and to be included in newsletter notices on updates. (Actual print book is US shipping only and it may time time for me to get the proof and then actual copies.)
Halloween in Miniature 2021 Schedule:
Day 1: The Party Begins
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-party-begins.html
Day 2: Meet the Guests
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-2-meet.htmlDay 3: Shop 'Till You Drop
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/09/halloween-in-miniature-shop-till-you-drop.html
Day 4: The Party's Not Dying
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-4-partys-dying.html
Day 5: Happy Halloween Surprise!
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/happy-halloween-surprise.html
** Happy Halloween! For more book updates, see my website.
*************
GIVEAWAY!
Welcome to Day 4 of Halloween in Miniature!
* Be sure to start at Day 1 and get some snacks! https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-party-begins.html
*See schedule at end for other days.
* Back to Day 3: https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/09/halloween-in-miniature-shop-till-you-drop.html
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Wouldn't you know it? The party's winding down and finally - at the stroke of midnight - who shows up? Why's it's Marley... You know, Mr. Scrooge's longtime, and long-suffering, former business partner?
A sad soul he is, so we'll let him "hang around" for a while as we move on... (Marley is hand-sculpted by Sharon Cariola. See more of her work and about her on Day 2's post:
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-2-meet.html
Hungry? Let's stop and have a snack. Mmmm, how about some Ghostie Meringue Pie? It has just a "hint" of flavor!Day 1: The Party Begins
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-party-begins.html
Day 2: Meet the Guests
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-2-meet.htmlDay 3: Shop 'Till You Drop
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/09/halloween-in-miniature-shop-till-you-drop.html
Day 4: The Party's Not Dying
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-4-partys-dying.html
Day 5: Happy Halloween Surprise!
Welcome to Day 3 of Halloween in Miniature!
* Start at Day 1 and get some snacks. (Don't forget to enter giveaway on Day 2; see below!)
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-party-begins.html
* Back to Day 2: https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/09/halloween-in-miniature-2021-2-meet.html
Are you enjoying yourself? Have you had enough to eat? I hope so...
For a "treat," I thought you might like to stop in our lovely Halloween Store. No, I'm not pushing you to buy anything, but I'm sure there'll be a few things "to die for," right?
Halloween Store by Christine Verstraete
There's nothing more fun, I think, then working on a themed project. As I have several of the Houseworks' Street of Shops kits, I had the idea to make them in matching Halloween colors of different shades of purple, lavender and orange.
Even my miniature record store is the same color range though the door there is a hot pink and the decor has more of a '60s vibe. (Hey, ghouls like music, too! ha!) Here's the front of "The Broken Record" record store in all its tacky glory. 😈
I'll share other photos later.
I'm hoping to make one more store I've had in mind for a while, a Witch's Bakery. Maybe that will be open for next year's event (at the rate I work these days. ha!) (Click photos for full size)
So, welcome to The Halloween Store!
I loved doing this project as I tried to be as bright and colorful as possible. The outside top decorations are dimensional stickers. The backgrounds are scrapbook papers. The second pumpkin rests on top one of those cheapie pumpkin lights as it can be turned on and off as needed.
** Be sure to come back tomorrow for more Halloween fun! (Links are not live until the day of post.)
Day 1: The Party Begins
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-party-begins.html
Day 2: Meet the Guests
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-2-meet.htmlDay 3: Shop 'Till You Drop
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/09/halloween-in-miniature-shop-till-you-drop.html
Day 4: The Party's Not Dying
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-4-partys-dying.html
Day 5: Happy Halloween Surprise!
Welcome to this year's Halloween in Miniature.
** Be sure to grab a drink and some snacks, starting at Day 1, The Party Begins:
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-party-begins.html
Come in, come in, honored guests and friends. Make yourself right at home. (Click photos for full size.)
Oh, do try the Glog. It's simply delightful, I hear, with oil of bat, bergamot, herbs, eye of newt... Cook doesn't scrimp on the good stuff, you know. (Glog from Patricia Paul Studio.)
Oh, look. Can it be? Yes! Frank? Oh, there he is!
Come say hello to Mr. Frankenstein...
"No, call me Frankenstein's Monster..."
"Sorry, how about Frank for now..."
"Very well. Tank you for inviting me. I, um, am hoping I can finally make some friends. You know things didn't work out so well with my wife-to-be. And those villagers, all those pitchforks... The fires. Oh! It makes me shiver... I mean well, honest. It's just... sometimes... my thoughts get... mixed up. Garbled. You understand?"
Oh dear, he seems nervous, doesn't he? Maybe...
"Yes, yes, I see. Come into the other room. Get some snacks for yourself. We'll be right back."
There now. I think it's best Frank is by himself for a while. I hope he can control his anger...
Now, oh, look who it is! Why, it's the Snail Lady. My, my, she is even more exquisitely dressed than the rumors I heard!
Psst, please I heard her ask a couple people if this new shell makes her look, you know... big? She got very perturbed at the answers...
She's rather sensitive, so please, be kind. Tell her she looks wonderful!"
(The Snail Lady figure is amazing! She looks just like the movie character in the Italian-made version of the movie Pinocchio by Roberto Garrone, starring Roberto Benigni as Geppetto. See the trailer on IMDB. I've borrowed this from the library - well, kind of an odd movie, mostly good for the scenery and the strange characters. The Snail Lady is really interesting.)
Oh, my, now I am a bit flustered myself! Why it's Morticia Addams from The Addams Family! My, my, she is quite lovely, isn't she? I wonder what her beauty secrets are, though I'm sure she'll never tell!The room is getting rather crowded. I hope there are enough snacks for everyone....
Oh, darn, catch that one, would you? Heh-heh, Morticia thought that was pretty funny. (Crawling tentacles, Michael R. Miniatures/Etsy, UK)
Hey, look! There's Grandpa Munster from The Munsters TV Show... Now there's a real celebrity, thousands of years old, I think. No flash in the pan...
Well, he's a good guest to have as he only needs a fresh decanter of blood. I think we have some...
Has anyone seen cook? Ah, I'll be right back. I can't figure out where she went. It's so hard to get good help these days!
* About the creator:
Sharon Cariola has been making 1/12th scale figures of polymer clay over a wire armature for about 19 years. She was inspired after seeing some hand-sculpted dolls at a local dollhouse show and learned about making them by watching videos from UK doll artist James Carrington.
She's had no special training, although working as a dental assistant, she jokes, could've helped a bit: "All that looking in people’s mouths has helped when it comes time to sculpt that area." But she says, "I always enjoyed drawing and took what art classes were available in school, but had no professional training. I am a people watcher by nature. I observe hands, ears, how clothing drapes, how shoes show wear, so many things."
She's since made literally hundreds of figures, mostly of typical "everyday" people or character sculpts of well-known celebrities and actors. "I usually make more everyday type dolls, but once in a while something more unusual catches my interest," she says. The dolls range in price from about $700 to $900, with portrait-type dolls on the high end.
After about a year of making them, she had amassed quite a few and with the help of her husband, Cariola decided to open a store on eBay. "I was really surprised when one finally sold," she recalls. "Now I am kept fairly busy filling special orders." See her FB page for information and photos. https://www.facebook.com/sharon.cariola
The dolls, which she works on one at a time, take "at least a week" to make. Cariola starts by sculpting the head and face separately, then she does the hands, feet, and the torso. The body parts are then baked, painted, and assembled on wires. Wired areas get padded for shape before she makes the clothes.
"I like to use old cotton clothes from second hand shops and I cut my fabric from those," she says. "I used to really dread the costuming, but now it has become something I enjoy."
The most difficult aspect of sculpting, she notes, "is the head, but I also really like to work at it. I often work three days on just the face." Her tip: "If you want the doll to look “human” use photo references. You can find pictures on the internet of people with some claim to fame. Good profile images are very helpful."
While she says her early dolls were much simpler and thus took less time to make, she's still amazed at how far she's come. Several of her dolls are in museum collections including a miniature Harriet Tubman and the painter, William Turner in the KSB (Kathleen Savage Browning) Miniatures Collection in the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center.
Others are in personal collections around the world. But a few... well, they don't make it
"I recently cleaned up my work area and tossed a few 'loser dolls' in the trash," she says. "I wonder what folks at the dump must have thought of them."
(Of course, we often are our harshest critics. I can't believe her 'misfits' were that bad, even if they didn't measure up to her exacting standards. And wouldn't you like to dig in her trash?) --Christine Verstraete
** See what and who's next on Day 3: https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/09/halloween-in-miniature-shop-till-you-drop.html
** Be sure to come back tomorrow for more Halloween fun! (Links are not live until the day of post.)
Day 1, Today - The Party Begins
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-party-begins.html
Day 2: Meet the Guests
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-2021-2-meet.html
Day 3: Shop 'Till You Drop
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/09/halloween-in-miniature-shop-till-you-drop.html
Day 4: The Party's Not Dying
https://candidcanine.blogspot.com/2021/10/halloween-in-miniature-4-partys-dying.html
Day 5: Happy Halloween Surprise!