Got at Dollhouse shows: A to Z Blog Challenge 24

1" scale tins and plant kits from CastleCrafts.

Today for the A  the A to Z Blog Challenge (See Day 1, April 1 ), I thought I'd share a few of the cool kits and things I found at the annual dollhouse shows in Chicago. Come back tomorrow for the letter H-I to see some of the Halloween & Other items I saw at the shows. 

* Click photos for full size and larger view.)

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Some of the kits I've come to love are from CastleCrafts (from South Africa and also shipping from New Jersey.) The kits are cut from a sturdy mat board, (similar to Petite Properties in the UK), but they go together well and have a great final result. 

Now while I mostly get and make half-scale (1/24th) kits now, I still occasionally have a few 1" scale projects I like to do. I liked the plants and tins in the top photo, and while I don't need another house project, this 1" scale storefront is a neat display project and not too big. So I couldn't resist. It'll be a nice smaller way to store some things between projects. I think I'll do a brick with gold and black like an older French or English shop.

For half-scale, I found quite a few fun kits. I really liked this cooker and the sink, which can fit in a cabin kit I'll eventually work on. I liked the European look and it's different than the usual furniture kits.

I was also tickled to find this weird "wonky" clock in half-scale. It's just too cute to pass up! The parlor chairs are also nice as I got the matching  French chaise lounge.

My other favorite vendor, SDK Miniatures, always has a great selection of furniture and plant kits. I love her Gothic items! I also got the second cafe table/chairs for the mansion diner and these unique poison plants for the witch's cottage. The philodendron will go in the mansion. I also found the second cafe' table/chairs for the diner and another set of plain wood chairs. That's after I fix a light problem. Darn. Knew these wall lights with pin-bulbs would be a problem. I'll have to re-solder one and attach a new light.

Cindy McDaniels (Cindy's Minis, IN) had some great half-scale pieces. I like furnishings I can remake, like these resin pieces, including a vintage Tootsietoy ice box that I'll paint. I found the painted metal stove at another table. There's a also a resin fridge (cabinet?) that came with the bed lot. The bed will be covered with fabric.

Also found some cute Chrsynbon plates painted for Halloween.

The assorted bookcases and counter were from J&J Miniatures from FL. He had quite a few half-scale pieces and since they were priced similar to kits, it saves me from doing the work. I just have to paint and decorate them. I liked the TV display stand (left), too, as it's similar to the stand/bookcase I decorated with a travel theme in my yellow Victorian house. (Other furnishings: Victorian bed, twin dressers, bookcases at link above.) I also got a bargain lot of wood doors from him.

Also got some nice tile flooring from Melvin's Miniatures. (I used the black/white stars tile floor in the witch's house and a couple vintage-look patterns in the mansion, too.)

There is more. Plenty of tiny decorative items and other furnishings like a couple bathroom sets, one plastic, one painted black, maybe for a Haunted house or I'll have to repaint it. Since I used all my bathroom pieces in the last couple houses, it's nice to find some inexpensively priced items. I found some tiny metal/pewter pots to paint for the diner kitchen, also, I really did get a good selection of kits at both shows.

Here's one of the bath sets, the fridge (or a cabinet that doesn't open?) and a fun little robot figure from another table. He kept staring so I couldn't resist. ha!

So fun stuff to work on and keep me busy for a while! I'll share things I finish later.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for H-I. - Stuff seen at the shows.

Next: Friday, 4/12 for J-K  - Just a new Kit I'm working on.

Fairfield Dollhouse Half-Scale: A-Z Blog Challenge 24

 

The Fairfield dollhouse, exterior porches

What else but my favorite dollhouse for F in the A to Z Blog Challenge: The half-scale Fairfield.* Click photos for full size, best view.

A difficult house to build, but I'd always wanted to do one and I was lucky enough to find a kit at a show for a really, really good price! I love the look of brick so I used a lot of that in and on this house. (Textured brick papers from Starboc2 in Greece on Etsy.)

I did have some problems, that I was able to fix - like taking out what would've been another door in front and adding a wall (next to the chairs on the bottom porch. The kitchen is behind that wall.) It made no sense to have two doorways. I also had to cut a door in the window tower space as I wanted a balcony instead on the second floor instead of a roof. 

I also shared about the Fairfield last year so here's the link with an exterior video. Other pix: Fairfield attic.

 Fairfield kitchen - love the orange paper and the print floor.

I love the slightly macabre circus feel in the girl's bedroom, too. Here's photos of both the girl's and boy's bedrooms.

 Fairfield living room: love the fireplace and the black/white theme. The TV is a Petite Properties kit; the settee is an Eastman kit from MiniEtchers.

  Fairfield dining room - love the look of this room, too. Since it attaches to the other room, I put the striped paper in here that's on the bottom of the living room at left.

Favorite Halloween-flavored main bedroom. I love the fabrics!

Back:  April 1 - Tomorrow:  G  - What I Got at the shows....

* Thanks for visiting. See my show news next. * 

Everything at the Dollhouse Shows A to Z Blog Challenge 24

 

(Image: brgfx/Freepik)

Today is the letter E for the annual A to Z Blog Challenge. (* Back to  Day 1)

I'm taking the Easy way out, posting about the annual dollhouse shows, which I'll be attending tomorrow in Chicago.

Do I need anything? No. But... there's always a new project to work on! The Raggedy Ann house is waiting... so is a Gothic library... and a half-scale log cabin, and the Lizzie Borden room... and....whatever else strikes my fancy! I'll be finishing up the last fe!w things on the Half-Scale Mansion, have to get a couple more kits like a bookcase for the widow's apartment and a table/chairs set for the diner, then I'll have to figure what to do next. I'm not sure yet!

So, if you're in the Chicago area, here's where to go:

 

* T&D Miniatures Spring Showcase - Miniatureshows.com

 Thurs-Saturday, April 4-6. 

Wyndham Garden Hotel, 1725 Algonquin Rd., Schaumburg, IL 

* Shuttle bus available between shows. Last bus by 3 p.m.

   Besides a great selection of vendors, my two favorite half-scale dealers will be there:

-- SDK Miniatures - nice plant kits, furniture kits, and love her Gothic furniture kits. I used the Gothic bookcase and some chairs in my Fairfield house. 

- TMC -Theresa's Miniature Creations. Really nice and unique half-scale kits. I used some of her kitchen kits in my Fairfield house. 

And others, of course!

Next, it's off to the big dollhouse show:

* Tom Bishop, Chicago International - Bishopshow.com

Friday-Sat., April 5-6

Marriott Chicago-O'Hare Hotel

8535 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago, IL 

* So many vendors from all over the world, so a lot to see and too many to list. Check out the dealer list. * Here's the map and vendor placements.

It's fun seeing what's new and different. I wish I could buy from all of them, but I do have a few favorites and this is also a reminder to myself of what to look for: 

US: Dragonfly - fun assortment of kits.

All About Miniatures - nice HS kits, I like their console table that I used in the Fairfield attic.

South Africa: Castlecrafts - A nice lady and she has some great kits in half-scale which is what I mostly look for. They're made of matboard/craft board, but do finish well. But my friend Gigi got a couple real cute kits last time that turn out nice - some crates, tins, and lanterns, so I might look for those as accents and some can fit in HS too. I don't mind mixing scales if it fits.

France: Seaside Miniatures - Have to pre-order since 1/24 takes up too much room in packing. Will still check if she brought anything.

Germany: ArtofMini has a nice kit assortment.

This is just a small selection. Of course you never know what you'll find when you're walking around or what catches your eye, too!

I made my list, so it's funny that most of the vendors I want to see are in the Orange room, but there are others I'll look for, too. But I like to look at as much as I can.

I'm going on Saturday, so be sure to say hello if you'll be there!

Next: F for Fairfield on Monday 4/8.

  

D - Miniature Dollhouses, A to Z Blog Challenge 24

  

Today continues the annual A to Z Blog Challenge. 

Today is D for my favorite - Dollhouses!

I've completed several projects in the past year: the Fairfield dollhouse; a miniature skellie funeral parlor; the cigar box men's store; the Witch house; and I'm still working on the Half-Scale Mansion, which is almost done. Take a peek at the links for more photos. * See page on top tab for other links.

(* Start at Day 1 - A - Back: C - cigar box)

*Come back tomorrow for more! 

C - Cigar Humidor Miniature Room, A to Z Blog Challenge 24

 Today continues the annual A to Z Blog Challenge. 

Today is C for Cigar Humidor!

What is that, you ask? Well, I had bought this box a while ago at a flea market or yard sale. It's actually a box that would set into a wall, probably from a cigar shop. I always thought it would make a cool men's shop and last year I finally finished it. It's become one of my favorite projects. (* Click photos for full size.) * See more close-up photos here.

(* Start at Day 1 - A - Back: B-Bedrooms)

** Next: Day  - D for dollhouses

B -Miniature Bedrooms: A to Z Blog Challenge 24

 One of my favorite rooms in the half-scale Fairfield dollhouse. (See  F  on 4/8 for more pix and links.)

Today continues the annual A to Z Blog Challenge. 

Today is B for Miniature Bedrooms, which may "B" the most fun rooms to decorate in miniature!

Here you get indulge in your fantasies, decorate a room how you can't in real life...just make a place you can't wait to kick off your shoes and relax in!

(* Start at Day 1 - A. Next: C - Cigar Humidor Room)

My favorite thing is mixing colors and patterns. It took me a bit to get bold in doing that, but sometimes, the wilder the better! I do love decorating in miniature!

I loved this color scheme and the prints for the Fairfield main bedroom above. (See other room links here.)

The bedroom in the yellow Victorian house was also a favorite. I liked the old-fashioned print drapes, the wood valances, and the painted Victorian headboard:  (See yellow Victorian house video on website page.)

The 1" scale patriotic bed I recently finished:

* Come back for more tomorrow! * 

April No Fool's Day, A to Z Blog Challenge 24

 It's April Fool's Day, but I'll say it's No Fool's Day! 

I decided to sign up for the annual A to Z Blog Challenge. (* Click photos for full size; see more posts in left column archives.) If not, today will be the letter A. * Posts are daily except weekends. I may double up on some days. All links go live the day of the post.*

My theme, of course, is miniatures and dollhouses. But I may throw in an occasional post on a book or movie I enjoyed. Some posts may be older projects I'll share buried in my website as then they'll be saved if I ever move or delete that site.

I'll try to include new photos but some may focus on projects I've recently completed which are always fun to look at again, and will be new to new visitors. So I hope you enjoy them! I'd appreciate comments, too, if you can, as it's nice to hear what people think.

* So today is A for dollhouse ATTICS. See below. * 

NOTE: This post will also serve as the main list for my blog in case you miss a letter.  Some of these themes below may change before the post goes live. Posts are live on the day of.

April 1, Today: Monday: A - Attics   B- Bedrooms    C - Cigar Humidor   D -- Dollhouses   

 4/5, Fri: E - Everything at the Show

 4/8: Mon. -  F - Fairfield dollhouse  4/9 Tues; G - What'd I get at the shows?  

4/10 Weds. - Thurs. 4/11  H-I - Have-to-see Items at the Shows! Displays and more.

 4/12 Fri: J-K - Just a new Kit    4/15-16  Mon.-Tues: L - M: Love my HS Mansion 

4/17-18: Weds/Thurs:  N-O - Noncorporeal Fiction                 4/19   Fri.: P -  Half Scale SwaP

4/22 Mon. Q-R-S -  Quite a Job- Putting the Mansion Rooms Back Together  - Part 1

4/23 Tues: The Mansion Rooms, part 2

4/24-25 -Weds: U-V -   Update: the "tiny house" kit

4/29 Mon. W -  Writing: One Hit Wonders  X-Y-Z: 

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One of the dollhouse attics - Before: 

I love including an attic in a house as that place to stash things you don't know what to do with, or just hide things. It's fun to just pile it in! Yeah, this is a bit empty... This was fun as it was the first attic I decided on. I loved the brick walls and the contrast with the ceiling beams and the wood floor...

Above is an early pic of the attic in my half-scale (1/24th scale) yellow Victorian dollhouse. The final attic below is a bit fuller than this. ha!

The Attic  - After: 

I've done attics in some other houses, too: Here are more photos of the attics in my Fairfield and Van Buren houses.

I really liked adding in a storage attic, sleeping/studying space and even a bathroom in the Fairfield House's attic section: (See Fairfield page for other photos. * See other house links.

Next: B (links live on day of post)

HS Miniature Mansion Latest!

 

On the clock... tick-tick-tick....

Yes, I've been quiet but slowly working on some furnishings and adding a few things. The mansion owner and tenants were getting angry about how long their furniture was taking to get built as they want to move in already! That's what happens when you hire the wrong people. haa! 

(**Click photos for full size and better view; Last post: mansion flowers; diner. See more posts in left column archives list.)

The Diner: 👀

I'm still adding some more items in the diner (where's the plumber? He has to fix that sink already!) But I did put an important item in the diner - a clock! (See top photo.) And the electrician will be putting the phone in next. Something else:

I decided to add a Little Free Library bookcase on the back wall. It needed something and I thought a bookshelf left over from the Sam's Study kit would fit well because of the color. It seemed a good addition as patrons can take a book with them or read while they eat lunch. I just loooove how this room looks! It's not your usual dollhouse room but that was the fun of it! 💋

Movin' on Up: Second floor:

I really like how this bed set came out. (Hart's Desire Minis/Etsy). The set has an armoire and I also have a second set with a vanity and chest but I don't think I'll have room in this house for the other furnishings. Maybe I'll make a small room setting as these are really nice pieces.

I usually pause at painting furniture over staining it, but it really does add something 'extra'  since the widow/building owner on the second floor has all white (actually antique white) and gold in her apartment and I thought it should match. I cut out some flowers and painted in a little background on the headboard. I liked the color combination of purple, gold, and white to coordinate with the art. The gold cover is a piece of upholstery fabric. The screen is glued over scrapbook paper.

I also decided to add a gold floral filigree piece with little "jewels" in the front of the fireplace as it fit better. I added some art on the walls by the door and put another gold/brass vase with matching gold flowers in the corner. I also found a little statue I painted gold for the mantel. Added the clock on the wall, too.

Third floor:

I did make another small, plain bed for the cafe' owner's rooms. I made the frame with a small headboard from mat board. I didn't want anything fancy so it fits in the nice but "useful" decor of the larger sitting room. It may not look like much but it does look good in the room.

Also decorated the table and added another chair. Lunch is served! I made the food plate and chip bag, and all the decorations. The "chips" are Bell Pepper seeds. 😏

The left chair and table (which I adapted a bit) are from the D-Tales half-scale kitchen cupboard kit. The chair on the right is from All About Miniatures/Etsy. I need to get another chair for the smaller bedroom's table.

So, still working on more stuff! 

Thanks for looking! Come back soon for more updates!

HS Dollhouse Mansion Flowers & That Bed

 It's sounding like Spring outside with the Cardinals calling and blackbirds whirring, so it's a good time to make miniature flowers, too. (*See last post- planters and diner; see other posts in left column archives. Click photos for best view full size.)

Decided to plant some different pots and planters for the Half-Scale Mansion. See photo above. Yes, that small round "planter" is actually a vintage wood sewing thread spool. I liked the size and painted it with a light coat of chocolate brown.

I thought the small bed of "sunflowers" added something in front. I might change the green pot for the pot of white flowers that's on the deck. Not sure yet. I still have to add another large container on the porch by the door.

Here's the rooftop garden again. I moved that pot over on the table and added a book. Have to find a drink to put there, too.  

Even added in the bunny fountain for Easter. 😊 I'll look for a grill to add here.

The 1" scale bed:

Finished up the bed and I think it came out pretty cool. It's for sale; contact me if interested. (US shipping only.) Both ends are decorated the same. The drawers open and are lined.

Thanks again for visiting! We'll see what I work on next. Furnishings, I think. Oh, I wish the dollhouse shows were here already. ha!

Writing Interruption: Ghost Story Accepted!

(Haunted image: pixabay.com)

 Commercial break!

Between making minis, I do still write, you know. haa! 

Yay! New and first acceptance of the year: My ghostly story, "Secrets of the Last Mine," has been accepted for a ghost anthology. A goal I had was to be in an anthology like that --- and get this story out there.

The story behind the story: This story was originally accepted for an anthology, then declined, then I kept reworking, re-editing, re-titling, and re-sending it out. I almost, almost gave up on it, but I still liked the story, so it was just a matter of finding somewhere it would fit.

About the story: It's a ghostly, eerie tale. Nothing gory here.

Jake Simon is haunted by dark memories and the mine disaster that happened in his childhood. Now the mine is finally being shut down - and it's time for him to face the past and the "Secrets of the Last Mine."

I'll include more details soon.