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Welcome

I love answering your questions. If you ask them in the comment section, I have no way to answer you (if you haven't heard from me, that is why). If you use the "EMAIL ME" in the left column of this page, I will be able to respond to you. You can also use it if you want to be added to my newsletter. Laura

Monday, September 19, 2022

MY HALLOWEEN PROJECT SIX-PAGE FEATURE ARTICLE IN DOLLS HOUSE & MINIATURE SCENE MAGAZINE - OCTOBER EDITION

I'm excited to announce that Doll House & Miniature Magazine has featured my Grimsley Village and Halloween Carnival pieces in their October issue in a six-page spread in the middle of the magazine.


Along with featuring my pieces, they also include an interview with me focused on how I got started and where my inspiration for Halloween projects comes from.

Doll House & Miniature Magazine is a UK-based publication produced in print and digital forms.


In addition to my feature, what's in this Issue?

Get set for an abundance of spooktacular inspiration!  From wickedly good projects with simple step-by-step for you to follow to artisans who enjoy more of the macabre, if Halloween is a season you enjoy, there will certainly be something for you.  Maive Ferrando’s cupcakes have a wicked witch diving head first into the ‘buttercream,’ and Louise Goldsborough Bird creates a witch’s outfit complete with the patterns you need, inspired by Steampunk.


Elsewhere, Moi Ali strolls down Memory Lane, in the world of IT, with creations I’m sure will be conversation starters… from a Spectrum ZX81, a Commodore 64 to an Apple Macintosh, this will be a wonderful piece of nostalgia.

We hope this copious amount of inspiration, top tips, and fascinating features get your creative juices flowing – happy mini-making!

Get digital copies to read on your favorite device with bonus features or printed copies delivered to your door here: 


Single issues: https://www.hobbies-and-crafts.co.uk/store/back-issues/dolls-house-miniature-scene


Subscriptions: https://www.hobbies-and-crafts.co.uk/store/subscriptions/dolls-house-miniature-scene

Saturday, September 17, 2022

GHOUL & SONS CHEMIST - GRIMSLEY VILLAGE - A SPOOKY FLASH FROM THE PAST

 

Ghoul & Sons Chemist, a trusted name for 500 years.  All of their best customers are underground.  You can see the boys are hard at work in the lab.  Inside, Mr. Ghoul is busy creating who knows what, and I think he's got a skeleton in his cabinet, maybe a secret ingredient of one of his potions.


At long last (just in time for Halloween), the Large Haunted House Chipboard set is back in stock at AlphaStamps.  These chipboard house pieces are the base of many of the Grimsley Village pieces, along with the Black Chipboard Windows Set



If you are interested in the other Grimsley Village pieces, you can find the video tutorials and supply list by clicking the links below.

Grimsley Village Part 1 (which includes)
Happy Bat Tavern
Grizelda's House of Beauty
The Retching Toad Eatery
Ghoul & Sons Chemists
The Thrifty Witch
Grimsley Village Part 2 (which includes)
Black Cat Emporium
Buzzard Bed & Breakfast
Cadaver & Digger Undertakers
Village Square






Saturday, September 10, 2022

EDGAR ALLAN POE STUDY - BOOK NOOK - NEW IMAGES - VIDEO TUTORIAL

Drowsy from too many brandies, Poe looks bleary-eyed at the chiming clock and rubs his eyes.  His cat Cattarina jumps on his lap.  He pauses and thinks, where did that raven come from? Did it just say nevermore?   As moonlight streams through the open window, he reaches to pour another drink.  Staring at his love Annabelle Lee's portrait, filled with sadness and longing, he begins again to put pen to paper.

Yes, Poe had a black cat named Cattarina, and he was "seldom without a bottle of Benny Haven's best brandy!"

Yes, that moon is glowing (I’ll show you how it is done in the tutorial.)

One thing I discovered is that book nooks need lights.  How about a chandelier made from 4 tulip sconces and a drinking straw to house the wires.

I’m excited to share my first book nook with more to come.  Since Halloween is not far away and it is my favorite subject, the theme I chose was Edgar Allen Poe’s study. I absolutely loved this project.  The small working space posed new challenges for me that I share with you in my video tutorial (further down in the post).  With this project, I think I set a new record for new image sets (10).  And I promise you that I have packed as much stuff as humanly possible in this small space.

As usual, (particularly with a project of this scale), I have created some free images for you and a free collage sheet.  AlphaStamps has created new furniture kits designed to fit into book nooks (although you could use them for other miniature projects.)  They also carry new items perfect for a miniature library or study (check out the gothic arches).  

Whether or not you want to tackle a book nook, I hope this project gives you ideas and inspiration for your own miniature projects.   


The bookcases, fireplace, and overmantle are some of the new kits for this project.


NEW COLLAGE SHEETS

TINY ANTIQUE BOOK COVERS COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet contains 76 unique book images, which are approximately 1.25" x .75".  These images work well with 1:12 or 1:24 projects.

TINY PICTURE FRAMES COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet contains 87 picture frames with 54 unique frames and 33 duplicates of different sizes.   The sizes of the frames range from approximately 1” x  1“ to .75” x .5”.  These images work well with 1:12 or 1:24 projects.

VINTAGE CORRESPONDENCE, MANUSCRIPTS & OLD PAPER COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet contains 47 unique pages of various correspondence and manuscripts.  Also included are 30 sheets of vintage paper.  

ANTIQUE BOOK FACADE COVERS COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet is filled with vintage book facades, which are approximately 1” tall and shorter.  These images work well well for 1:12 or 1:24 projects.

TINY TINTYPE PHOTOS & ALBUM COVERS ½ COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet contains 50 tintype photos and 8 album covers.  These images are sized to fit the Black Photo Album Accordion Book & Mats – for 1 Inch Covers carried by AlphaStamps.  The images also work well with my Tiny Picture Frames Collage Sheet and 1:12 scale projects.

TINTYPE PHOTOS COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet contains 34 tintype photos.  These images are sized to fit the Black Photo Album Accordion Book & Mats – for 2 Inch Covers carried by AlphaStamps.  The images also work well with my Mini Picture Frames Collage Sheet #1, Mini Picture Frames Collage Sheet #2, and Mini Picture Frames Collage Sheet #3

WINDOW CORNICES COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet contains 21 beautiful window cornices of various colors and styles with 14 unique designs.  These images will fit windows sized from 4 ½” to 1 ¼” wide.

TALL FAUX BOOKCASE FACADE

This sheet has all of the pieces to cover the surfaces of the Tall Bookcase Kit.  As this bookcase is shallow, I’ve included faux shelves with books and decorative items that can be glued inside the bookcase.  If you wish to make faux books for the bookcase, see the Tiny Antique Book Covers Collage Sheet.  I’ve also included wall-mounted lamps and extra wood and trim pieces.

ANTIQUE FIREPLACE & OVERMANTLE FACADE

This sheet has all of the pieces to cover the surfaces of the Shallow 3D Fireplace and Fireplace Overmantle – 1 Arch.  In addition are bricks for the interior, bricks with fire, fireplace screens, fireplace fender, and extra trim pieces.

HUTCH & BASE FAÇADE COLLAGE SHEET

This sheet has all of the pieces to cover the surfaces of the 3 Panel Hutch 3D Chipboard Kit and the 4” Wide Hutch Base 3D Chipboard Kit. I’ve included an extra piece of wood (which I used for the desktop) and a desk pad.


VIDEO TUTORIAL


To download, click on the image below.



FREE  DOWNLOADABLE MOON, RUG, BOOK PAGES & DESKTOP TEMPLATE 

To download, click on the image below.





Click here to jump to the complete supply list of all of the products used and carried by ALPHASTAMPS

DETAIL SUPPLY LIST

Because the supply list for this project is extensive, I have broken the list into sections based on the individual pieces of the project.  Clicking on the title of a section will take you to the list of supplies for that section at AlphaStamps.  Clicking on an item in a list will take you to that item at AlphaStamps.


COLLAGE SHEETS/PAPER/STRUCTURE

TinyPicture Frames Collage Sheet

Tiny Antique Book Covers Collage Sheet

Vintage Correspondence, Manuscripts, & Old Paper Collage Sheet

Tiny Tintype Photos & Album Covers ½ Collage Sheet

Tintype Photos Collage Sheet

Miniature Antique Book Covers Collage Sheet

Vintage Maps Collage Sheet or Vintage Maps Set Download

Miniature Antique Paintings Collage Sheet

Tiny Vintage Letters & Postage Collage Sheet

House of Horrors #1 Collage Sheet or House of Horrors Set Download

Leaves Collage Sheet or Leaves Set Download

Rugs Set Download

Gothic Stories 1 12x12 Paper Set

Gothic Stories 2 -  Backgrounds 12x12 Paper Set

Skull Quote Rice Paper

Kraft-Tex Paper – Vintage Sampler Set

Xtra Large Book Nook

Gothic Ceiling Insert - Open

 

BOOKCASES

TallFaux Bookcase Kit – Used 2

TallFaux Bookcase Façade Collage Sheet

Antique Book Facades Collage Sheet

Single LED Light – Warm White – Used 2

 

FIREPLACE & OVERMANTLE

Antique Fireplace & Overmantel Façade Collage Sheet

Non-breakable Mirror Material

Shallow 3D Fireplace

Fireplace Basket

Fireplace Overmantel - 1Arch

Griffin Sconces

Single Metal Mixing Bowl – Used as a plant container

Thin Ornate Filigree

Brass Candlesticks – set of 2

Glowing Embers Set

Chopin Bust

 

SECRETARY

Hutch and Base Façade Collage Sheet

3 Panel Hutch

4 Inch Hutch Base

 

SECRETARY DECOR

Set of Tiny Keys on Ring

Spyglass Telescope

Shakespeare Bookends

Water Pitcher

Mini Silver Resin Oval Frame

Mini Gold Resin Rectangular Frame

Tall Sailing Ship

Metal Victorian Cherub Mantle Clock

Small Metal Statue or Bust

Miniature Square Metal Box with Lid

Metal Plate Holder – Used for pictures

Metal Plate Holder

Half Scale Ivory Garden Urn – Square Base

Half Scale White Garden Urn

White Plastic Cups & Saucers

Diamond with Center Flower Gold Filigree – Used on the teacup

Black Photo Album Book & Mats – for 1 Inch Covers

 

DESK SET

Fancy Metal Door Knob – Used as ink Blotter

Metal Letter Opener  or Dagger

Miniature Magnifying Glass

Tiny Cube Glass Bottles – 3 Sizes – I used 2 10mm bottles – Ink wells

Bronze Ornament Toppers – Used as a lid for an inkwell

Diamond with Center Flower Gold Filigree – For inkwell – used 2

Jelly Jar with Lid – For Powder

Raw Brass Long Filigree  - Bent into a letter holder

Mini Cigar Box Set – Inkwell base and drawer (cover with Kraft-Tex)

Thin Ornate Filigree – Used on Inkwell Base

Raw Brass Box Feet – Ridged Bicones – Used 4 for feet

Kraft-Tex Paper – Vintage Sampler Set

8x8mm Large Hole Plastic Drum Beads – Used at "bottom of Chandelier

Antique Gold Large Rondelles – Used for the base of Half Scale Metal 

 

HOURGLASS

9mm Bronze Scalloped Bead Caps – Used 2 for bases

1cm Clear Glass Globes – Used 2

Small Antique Brass Suitcase Handles – Used 2

Raw Brass Box Feet – Ridged Bicones – Used to connect glass globes

 

CHAIR

Campaign Stool

Etched Gothic Window

10mm Tiny Tassels Black

Gothic Corners or Shelf Brackets – Used for arms

Dressed Aqua Wallpaper Rice Paper – Used for stool

 

TABLE

Candlestick Table Kit

Square Brandy Decanter with Glasses

Standing Ornate Metal Frame

Set of Gold Oval Frames – Used as a tray

 

WINDOW

Dressed Aqua Wallpaper Rice Paper – Used for curtains

5x4 Window Frame Box

Mini String of Fairy Lights

Window Cornices Collage Sheet

15mm Black and Gold Tassels

Raw Brass Long Filigree

 

CHANDELIER

Mini LED Tulip Sconce – Used 4 for chandelier

8x8mm Large Hole Plastic Drum Beads – Used at the bottom of Chandelier

Antique Gold Large Rondelles – Used to attach chandelier to ceiling

Architecture Trims Set Download – Used cream and gold ceiling medallion

 

GENERAL EMBELLISHMENTS & LIGHTING

Half Scale Metal Candlesticks - Pair

Antique Gold Large Rondelles – Used for the base of Half Scale Metal Candlesticks

9mm Antiqued Swirl Bead Cap – Used at the top of Half Scale Metal Candlesticks

Tiny Gold Line Stripe Tape – Used on urns (bookcases & secretary)

1” Detailed Resin Skull

Fancy Wright Iron Mini LED Sconce