Milo Valley Farm – abandoned bathtub, part 1

It wouldn’t be an old farm without an abandoned bathtub buried somewhere on the grounds. I’m using a spare tub picked up from Sir Thomas Thumb at last year’s Bishop Show. These are the same that come in the Chrysnbon kits, but there no hardware or accessories are included. I didn’t bother cleaning up the plastic at all, just started with a spray of flat black. I then added brushed on patches of Testors Rust paint.

I drilled out the holes for the plumbing in the back (not quite centered but this is easily fixed later), then touched up the paint on those areas. I didn’t do the drain for reasons I’ll get to.

This tub is from Sir Thomas Thumb, bought at a local mini show. I gathered a cup of water and a salt shaker.

Since the rust paint dried with a slight sheen, the water beaded on the surface. I sanded it lightly to remove the sheen.

I added the salt as recommended in the tutorial, concentrating around the holes, the drain and the rust painted portions. It didn’t matter to me that some salt strayed.

I sprayed the tub Krylon Almond in satin finish, trying to use up some old paint on an item where overspray and splatters won’t matter at all. Of course, this old spray paint came out clean and crisp.

I let the spray paint dry thoroughly and then began the process of removing the salt by rubbing my finger over the grains. I did use a little water in some spots. It worked well, though not enough of the under layer showed for what I wanted.

It worked better in the areas where the salt application was denser, as expected.

Categories: Milo Valley Farm
April 24, 2015 | 0 comments

Teddy bears just want to have fun

This settee from Sandy McHenry at the 3 Blind Mice show kept calling my name since I have the 1:12 scale version in the Heritage attic. This one is half scale and the perfect size for a couple of buddies to enjoy.  :D  I bought it before I even knew how I would use it.

Wally and Boo have settled in nicely, but, oh, the non-stop giggling!  :D

Categories: Animals and birds, Furniture
April 21, 2015 | 0 comments

Baxter Pointe Villa, after the renovation

After the lightning strike on my condo back in 2013, a couple of the houses suffered some damage. One was Baxter Pointe Villa, where the Yes paste had failed in the kitchen, bath and living room.

I removed the wallpaper and aquarium (which I wanted to keep in my private collection elsewhere). I scraped the glue and paint from the walls to start over in the kitchen and part of the living room.

And, now, for the big reveal!  :D

Even though I didn’t make changes to the exterior, I did take some updated photographs all around.

The exterior and landscaping have held up well in the past four years.

There really isn’t anything I would change about this build. :D

The sand sheds from time to time, but it is also in great condition.

The bedroom needed only a light dusting.

The bed was custom made for the space.

I was able to salvage the bathroom paper and just glued it back in place.

I made a new aquarium for the space.

I had to replace the living room paper around the aquarium base and to the right of it. I used Mini Graphics Wallpaper Mucilage.

I also finished the baseboard trim that I never got around to the first time around.

I was able to finally photograph the candles in the fireplace in a more realistic manner.

The kitchen cabinets had no damage — just the wallpaper, so now it’s all back together.

I raised the breakfast bar and bought two barstools from Just Miniature Scale to finish the space.

While it wasn’t hard work and there was not a lot to fix, I now know for certain that renovations are not for me. :D

Categories: Baxter Pointe Villa
April 20, 2015 | 0 comments

3 Blind Mice and Bishop Shows 2015, day 2

Yesterday was the final day of shopping for us, but the Bishop Show is still on today.  :D

All About Miniatures.  Tomato plants by Bill Lankford…

…and snowshoes.  :D

Sandy McHenry.  Marvelous random vintage minis.

Lamis Minis.  Fantastic dandelion in the seed stage.

Cottage of Miniatures.  Tons of minis to complete your scenes!

Graber Gallery.  A lovely assortment of baskets.

Miniature Wood Creations.  Fantastic two-story Martin birdhouse.

Templewood Miniatures.  Leaf veining tool.

Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 19, 2015 | 0 comments

Bishop Show 2015, part 1

First day at the Bishop Show with my second house guest now in tow.

Vilia Miniature.  Empty jars and fast food carryout container.

Mostly Paper.  Tulip kit…I bought two, but there were a lot of flowers to choose from.

Wright Guide Miniatures.  I knew they would have a lot of great thing for Milo Valley Farm.

And other random goodies….

Muffa Miniatures.  This is Wally and Boo. I first saw Wally, but then decided to go with Boo. Then Wally cried, so I had to adopt them both.  :D  Cuties!!!

Vitreus Ignis.  This vendor has the most delicate glass pieces. Simply gorgeous. The bottom is actually silver, so it’s reflecting the color of the table here.

64tnt Miniatures.  Fabulous acorn cap birdhouses.

The Little Dollhouse Company.  I love the slant-tip tweezers the best.

Bindels Ornaments.  They have the best selection of random jewelry findings and kits to make lights and whatever you can imagine.

Volker Arnold.  I love these tiny wood trees.  :D

Categories: Miniature Shows and Shops
April 17, 2015 | 0 comments