Tamiya tool set – part 2

Continuing work on the 1:12 scale Tamiya tool set. I’m starting with the polyethylene tank and oil jug. Here’s a reminder of what these looked like after assembly and initial sanding.

I primed them with grey spray primer and then followed that up with flat white spray paint. The grey toned down the white, which is good for a base to start aging.

The vintage Texaco jugs I found online were all red, but I liked the white on the kit box, so I stuck with that. I painted the interior of the jug silver.

I added grime with acrylic paints thinned with Staining Medium. I left the decal whole when applying but scraped some holes from it after it dried in place. I also cut away the shiny clear portion around the outside of the decal as best I could. I put a dot of black paint at the tip of the spout to give the illusion of an opening.

For the polyethylene tank, I added the same grime and painted the cap red. I mixed some of the grime paint wash with satin varnish. Using a tiny paintbrush, I made a dribble of dried liquid down the side.

For these decals, I split them before applying so they appear broken and misshapen. I scraped holes and removed the clear halo from these as well.

I built up the cracks in the label with white paint, followed by an aging wash to tone down the brightness. Now it looks like a paper label that has loosened, cracked and moved after getting wet.

I love the way they turned out.

Categories: Miniatures, Model Cars, Vehicles
June 19, 2015 | 0 comments

Paperwork in mini

Man, the work is piling up around here.  :D

At the office, I often need to break down outdated business materials and shred the contents. I keep the plain tab pages and color separators for reuse. I used one of these tab pages to make goldenrod file folders using a template found online. I printed them on the page, and then cut inside the black lines.  They have a faint fold line that disappears once folded.

The paper is thicker than regular computer paper but still thin to work in scale.

The legal documents are from PrintMini.  I used the fine tip of my highlighters for a few of the documents. Right now the folders and papers are unruly, but when I make my mini scene I will glue some of them closed. I also need to clean up some of the guideline edges.  :]

This one still has the sticky “sign here” tab attached.  This was made from cutting a sliver from the real deal.  :D  The paperweight is from Debora.

I used some online images for the business checks, invoices and forms.

Update: added a tutorial on making the paperwork in miniature.

Categories: Roomboxes and Mini Scenes
June 17, 2015 | 0 comments

Ticking stripe in miniature

I worked on replicating ticking stripe in miniature and ordered some test swatches from Spoonflower. One was a clear success. It was in scale and had the detail I was seeking. The fabric in the upper part of the photo is the one I like best.

I then ordered a full yard to add to my mini fabric stash. Time to make a new mattress for the roll-away bed. Here’s the original as a reminder of the large, out of scale fabric.

Following the process I used for the Baslow Ranch mattress, I cut two pieces 3 1/4″ x 6 1/2″ to fit this bed while assuming a 1/4″ seam allowance. To make this a structured mattress instead of a flat one like the original, I cut a 3/4″ wide strip 18″ long. Here it is sewn but empty.

I used three layers of millinery batting to fill the mattress.

Better.  :D

Endora certainly approves.

And, it still folds up and latches closed.

A subtle change makes a big difference in the perception of scale.

Categories: Furniture
June 14, 2015 | 0 comments

Mac Tools 1:12 scale tool locker

Behold the behemoth that is the Mac Tools Racing 1:12 scale tool locker! My 5’9″ equivalent model isn’t male-model tall but he’s no munchkin, either. This piece is 6″ tall and 5.5″ wide.

To me, it seems like he would behead himself with that heavy top in real life. However, I found several online photos of the real deal that illustrate just how perfectly in scale it is.

This piece is actually a limited edition collectible coin bank, but it has all the exterior detailing of the original right down to the warning labels. I can’t decipher the text, but I think the gist is, “This beast will kill you if you let it fall on you.”

It’s a great piece to display on its own. Only two drawers open using buttons inside the top, so while a decent display piece I don’t know how many tools you could reasonably keep in it. The included tool in one of the drawers is used to open the bank.

Categories: Furniture
June 13, 2015 | 0 comments

Turn, turn, turn

In addition to the lovely tools Bill sent, he’s been trying his hand at turnings as well (with much success if you ask me). The woods he used are so interesting. :D

California Lilac, green

California Lilac, aged

Timber bamboo – I zoomed in on these to show the leopard like patterns.

Bamboo garden stake

Wild rose trunk – I love the range of patterns

He sent me some test shots of the bowl and scoop, and I used some polenta to mimic those.  :]

Arbutus burl

I think they are all wonderful, but this is my favorite.  :D

Thank you, Bill! These are all so lovely. :D Spoiled rotten, I tell you…spoiled rotten!

Categories: Miniatures
June 11, 2015 | 0 comments