Toys in the attic
I was the lucky winner of Andrea’s recent giveaway, and I chose her Farm Animals Funny Cubes in miniature for grandma’s attic…so vintage, so cute!!! Aw, look at the cute Piggie!
Each cube measures 1/4″ and each side has part of one of six animals. Kitty…
Doggie…
Foxy fox…
Cow…
And, a Bunny. Andrea made the tiny race car, too. The lamb is from eBay, and the suitcases are by Fran.
Lyssa attempted to scare the bejesus out of me by sending a clown in the mail. But, I am fearless!!! So there….
Yeah, kinda creepy. Ok, moving on…. BAH! He moved!
Thanks so much Andrea and Lyssa!!! You are the best!
Categories: Miniatures
April 19, 2013 | 0 commentsArtist paper pads
I found images of actual covers online and printed them with black rectangles on the binding edges. I always print two of each hoping to end up with one of each. :D
I cut white mat board to use as filler. I glued the covers onto one side of the mat board, leaving the black portion long and unglued.
I glued thin cardboard to the back of the mat board.
I folded the black portion over the edge and cut it to fit. Once glued in place over the cardboard, it gives the illusion of a bound edge. :]
I’ve also seen them with a white backer, so if you don’t have thin cardboard you can skip that step.
I’ll make a number of other artist materials, but these are a good start.
Into the crate they go. Lyssa makes the best paper towel rolls. :D
Categories: Miniatures, The Artist's Studio
March 24, 2013 | 0 commentsSwap with Jane of MiniFanaticus
I’ve loved Jane’s minis since she first started blogging about them. She makes wonderful minis from clay, especially food. All of the dishes are mine, and Jane was kind enough to leave everything loose so I could play…er…arrange as I pleased.
Look at these tiny gumdrops and mints!!!
Can’t you just taste the granulated sugar? Feel the refreshing tingle of mint?
Her sweets are so detailed and realistic.
Each layer has just the right color, translucence, texture and sheen. Look how perfect that tiny cherry is! Even its little stem.
I’m seriously going to have to take a trip to the local bakery if I keep staring at these.
And, let’s not forget the donuts!!! :O Mini sugar buzz.
These ornaments will find a home in grandma’s attic until next Christmas. :] I borrowed the milk crate from The Aero Squadron Lounge to keep them from rolling off the table.
I don’t want to post what I’ve sent her in return — I want her to be surprised, though she did give me an idea of what she needed for her builds. Thanks so much, Jane!!!
Categories: Miniatures
March 20, 2013 | 0 commentsVintage suitcases
Stacks of vintage suitcases are all over the design blogs and Pinterest. They combine nostalgia and beauty. I knew I wanted a set for grandma’s attic, and there is no better artisan to turn to than Fran at FranMadeMinis. I sent her some of my favorite pictures of vintage suitcases, and she knocked it out of the park once again!
They have the most delightful tactile sensation and the perfect weight.
She added wonderful hardware and aged detailing.
Here’s a penny to show the scale.
They look perfect in the nook by the chimney, though I need to finish the rest of the rafters and beams to do them and the other recent acquisitions justice. :D
Thank you, Fran, for adding some wonderful nostalgia and realism to grandma’s attic!
You can see her wonderful vintage umbrellas in the Heritage entryway.
Categories: Miniatures
March 15, 2013 | 0 comments1908 Miniature Underwood Typewriter
I received a nice bonus this year, so I decided to spoil myself a little. For some time now, I’ve had my eye on this 1908 Miniature Underwood Typewriter by Ken Byers of Shaker Works West.
It fits wonderfully in grandma’s attic for now, though I foresee this piece making the rounds in my various builds just as Mary’s afghans tend to do.
Lots of wonderful minis are making their way to grandma’s attic.
From the left, there is a mouse from Sussex Crafts next to Tony‘s catacombs case clock. The wood and brass train is from a vintage lot of miniatures I bought on craigslist. The Christmas box is from M Carmen for Caterina’s holiday swap. I purchased the two snowmen. The sewing machine box is from Four Little Walls. It’s sitting on a crate with some random books I made in front. :]
In black and white, it looks even more vintage!
There’s an interesting story about the taller snowman. A week ago, I noticed he was facing backwards. I thought this was odd of me to do, but I just shrugged and turned him around. When I set up this scene, he was facing backwards again!!!! :O Haunted attic indeed! I was seriously disturbed by this because I knew I had turned him around days earlier. Later that day, I was using the scroll saw and something fell out of the Heritage (the saw is attached to the same table). After picking up the wayward mini, I checked the attic and sure enough, that snowman had walked forward! Mystery solved…or was it? Hmm….
And, have you seen this baby from Uncommon Goods? Nothing like blending vintage and modern! :D
Categories: Miniatures, The Haunted Heritage
March 11, 2013 | 0 commentsWho wants freshly baked cookies?!!
I suppose that is a bit of a silly question. Who doesn’t want freshly baked cookies?!! :D Grandma knows this and has been hard at work.
I won this lovely cookie baking set from Creating Dollhouse Miniatures. The pieces are so well made and realistic.
My mom makes the best chocolate chip cookies. No kidding. Every family gathering has people hoarding the cookies she brings, even though she brings dozens! I know chocolate chip cookies, and these minis are just like hers! :D
Cookies in progress certainly warm up a kitchen, don’t they? :D
Another recent acquisition is the whistling tea kettle by Ulus Miniaturas – purchased from Mainly Minis when I replaced the fire in the wood stove.
We had one of these in real life at my childhood farmhouse. Mom still has it and uses it, too! Next time I’m over at her house, I will snap a photo of it.
The mini version is just as well made and quite heavy.
Categories: Miniatures, The Haunted Heritage
March 4, 2013 | 0 commentsBook inserts – an ah-ha moment
Since I borrowed books from the Heritage for my rustic crates, I needed to make more to actually use in the Studio permanently.
I printed a new batch of covers, most are popular and/or classic novels. Here they are with the covers I had leftover from the Heritage library stash.
Usually when I make books, I use basswood or balsa for the inserts with the edges painted white, tan or gold. My scraps of basswood and balsa go into a bin where I can pick and choose various thicknesses. This time, I had a piece of cardboard in my stash. When I finish using a lined notepad, I usually keep the cardboard backs for templates and trials. As I was making books, I decided to use one of the thicker cardboard pieces…1/16″ thick.
Instead of painting the edges, however, I left them natural. Because this cardboard was made from pressed layers of paper, it looks very convincing as a book insert…especially for mass produced paperbacks. If the cardboard separates a little, it just makes it look like a book that’s been read a few times. :D I’m sure white or dark yellow mat board would work well, too. Less work…no painting needed!
I like the way these look as is, but I’ll make some more books with painted edges to mix in for a more realistic variety. I also need some varying widths. :]
The birdcage is a jewelry pendant; the vase is by Jane Graber.
Categories: Miniatures
February 27, 2013 | 0 commentsThe Artist’s Studio – cardboard deer mount
One of the fun things about making The Artist’s Studio is that I get to put interesting things in it. An artist needs inspiration and what better way to do that than to surround oneself with unusual works of art?
This cardboard deer head was made from a laser cut kit from Amazing Miniatures. It was very easy to assemble. I didn’t use glue other than to attach the two plaque pieces together and to hold the deer to the plaque. The rest is fitted together using the laser cut slots in the design.
It adds a certain novelty to the Studio, don’t you think? :D
Categories: Miniatures, The Artist's Studio
February 22, 2013 | 0 commentsAutumn Throw Blanket in mini
I have another beautiful creation by Mary of Roslyn Treasures.
This is the previous blanket she made.
Some time ago, I found this real life sized pattern on favecrafts.com and thought it would be perfect in miniature. I contacted Mary since her workmanship is flawless. Mary adapted the real life pattern into a perfect miniature interpretation.
She works with sewing thread and I have to tell you, the level of detail in her stitches is just amazing. As someone who crochets in real life size, I am in awe of her ability to do the same craft in miniature.
Categories: Miniatures
February 5, 2013 | 0 commentsMoo Cow Cookies!
I tried another cookie design…tiny moo cows! :D They are iced in black and white, each one a unique freehand creation.
I posted this set in my etsy shop.
Categories: Miniatures
November 26, 2012 | 0 commentsCora, the Bengal kitty, and other fine minis
This is Cora, a beautiful Bengal *Reve*. She will live at the next build, with Woodrow as her outdoor friend.
I have a few other miniature acquisitions to share besides Cora. First, a lovely peony in a pitcher and a fabulously detailed china plate, both from Peiwen of Oiseau deNim.
This windmill plate is also from Peiwen. I just love the detailing.
Next is an adorable stuffed bunny from Sisters Dreams. He is so well made and so cute! :D
I had my eye on this cross-stitch runner for some time, and it was still at The Dollhouse Needle when I went back for it. I borrowed a pumpkin from the Heritage.
This lovely wall hanging is also from Mary Lynne at The Dollhouse Needle, though I bought quite awhile ago. She makes wonderful things! The flowers were borrowed from The Aero Squadron Lounge.
Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures
November 12, 2012 | 0 commentsBaking in mini – my maiden voyage
I used to make clay foods when I was young for my childhood dollhouse, but that was limited to mostly hamburgers. :D Since rediscovering minis as an adult, I’ve seen so many talented food artisans online and at the mini shows.
I recently bought some suitable colors of clay and started experimenting.
Here is the first batch of cookies using Fimo clay in the color sahara. I started with bats and cats since making festive cookies was part of the to-do list for my Halloween display that I didn’t have time to finish before the holiday.
I used chalk pastels to give them some golden color. After baking, they really do look like plump, warm-from-the-oven cookies! :D
I used clay mixed with the Translucent Liquid Sculpey as well as oil paint mixed with the Translucent Liquid Sculpey to make icing for the cookies. The oil paint was certainly easier to mix and work with, so I will pick up a starter set of colors next time I head to the store.
Here’s a plate of skulls with white frosting. I don’t know why, but these are my favorite. :D
The pumpkin cookies are rather fun, too.
The leaf cookies could be used for the general autumn season or for a Thanksgiving setting.
I left some of the leaves bare and decided to try a different method, coating them in three shades of glitter to mimic sugar cookies.
The frosted Christmas trees have added micro beads in gold and silver.
I spent all day on these lovelies and certainly had fun, but after all that work…there aren’t any cookies I can actually eat!!!! :O
Two designs of Halloween plates and Christmas plates from A Lavender Dilly. Plate with doily from Stewart Dollhouse Creations.
Categories: Miniatures, Polymer clay
November 3, 2012 | 0 comments
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Categories:
Mow, mow, mow your lawn
I’ve built a handy push mower to make quick work of the upkeep.
It’s a Phoenix Model kit from Jennifer’s of Walsall.
It’s recommended to use Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy, so I bought some from amazon (as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases). This stuff stinks to high heaven with the hardener smelling like rancid, rotten eggs, but it is as advertised at least.
I prepped and washed the pieces with dish soap in preparation for painting before assembly. I primed with Rust-Oleum Self Etching Primer. It’s a smelly primer, but its purpose is to bond better with bare metal surfaces. I sprayed the handles with Testors Model Master Metalizer Lacquer in Aluminum Plate. It buffs to a fine metallic finish. I hand painted the grips semi-gloss black.
The blades are also painted in Aluminum Plate. I detailed the roller in the middle and added some grime from use. At first, I thought I might be able to get the wheels and blades to turn independently, but it didn’t end up working. These are rather fiddly kits as the epoxy sets, so I was happy to get it assembled at all.
To keep it simple, I chose black for the wheels and guard. The hubs and connecting rods are Testors Flat Olive Drab, leftover paint from the Sopwith Camel from years back. After assembly, I touched up the paint and added a bit more grime detailing…just enough to give this mower a few years of service. I glued the handles half-way between resting and upright so it would look natural while still being able to sit close to a wall, or against a tree.
In the interest of time, I am stopping here though I’d like to add a grass catcher at some point.
Categories: Miniatures
November 22, 2016 | 0 commentsSkeleton flamingos
Who doesn’t love a kitschy lawn ornament or three? :]
These flamingos spend their undead existence meandering across the Haunted Heritage lawn.
I usually have these listed in my etsy shop year round. :]
Categories: Animals and birds, Miniatures
October 6, 2016 | 0 commentsFabric bolts
I made up some fabric bolts using balsa wood and fabric scraps from my stash. They were time-consuming but an easy project.
The labels are images I found on the internet, printed on Avery labels. I wasn’t very careful with the application of the labels, which adds to the realism. The bolts look like battered cardboard, just like the real deal.
Mom brought me some mini gifts from a recent trip: a brass bucket, a spinning wheel and an old-fashioned sewing machine. I’ve got some ideas for these.
Categories: Miniatures
September 17, 2016 | 0 commentsLovely flowers and garage minis
I received a birthday package from Debora today. She sent me some of her gorgeous handmade flowers along with some Chrysnbon kits (she knows my weakness). These are all ready for planting, so I’ll have to decide whether they will go in a planter or be part of the landscaping for a build. Thank you so much, Debora! :D
Jasper helped unwrap, of course.
I also picked up two fun eBay items for Milo Valley Farm this past week: a compressor and a drill press. These are heavy items, but there are no maker marks.
Categories: Flowers, plants, and trees, Miniatures
August 12, 2016 | 0 commentsReady for a mini excursion
I had the pleasure of meeting Fran in person during the miniature shows in April. We had been chatting online for a few years, and I had bought some of her lovely items in the past including some vintage suitcases and well-loved umbrellas. We had pizza and chatted and shared some laughs. :D
I’ve added a few more of her items to my collection. Here’s a lovely suitcase and travel bag. These two umbrellas are brand spanking new and ready for the rain. Love the dots and the red!
There’s a blanket roll, all ready for camping or a picnic. I’d love to have one of these bags in real life. Of course, I’d be terrified to get a thing on it. Maybe I would just put it on a shelf and look at it. haaaaa!
She doesn’t have anything listed right now, but be sure to favorite her etsy shop FranMadeMinis so you can be in the loop when she returns. :]
Categories: Miniatures
May 16, 2016 | 0 comments
NOTE: All content on otterine.com is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in part or in whole. It takes a lot of time and effort to write and photograph for my blog. Please ask permission before reproducing any of my content. (More on copyright)