Marie Laveau Funkin - Miniature Diorama

 Today I am sharing a Funkin that I made a few years ago.  It is a tribute to Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.  I did a lot of research and reading while making all of the details inside including symbols, items, rituals, snakes and wall art.  It is pretty special to me as I put a lot of time and thought into it.  I love to make so much detail that one sees something new every time they look into it.

P.S. There are lots of pictures :)

I love the "stained glass" windows.  I made them from clear plastic packaging and washable markers followed by mod podge.  If you look real good you can notice the gold stencil detail on the floorboards.   

There are three lights throughout.  One is a flickering candle on the left altar, the second is a strand with multiple lights woven into the Spanish moss hanging from the ceiling, and the other is a color changing salt rock lamp that I made.  Here I am showing the wires that I simply put floral tape on and painted.  

Here is one of the switches hidden under leaves.  The battery packs are also hidden under the flowers.

There are a lot of details including drawings, bones, skulls, crosses, necklaces, instruments, animals, reptiles, masks and a whole lot of fun.

The table and throne/chair are both removeable.  I just never glued them down.  The table legs are a replica of an elk foot lamp that we have here in our house.

The walls also have a metallic stencil that you can see when the lights hit it.

This hanging jar glows in the dark. 

I even made tiny voodoo dolls.  I think there are five of them scattered about.

This is the salt rock lamp.  The colors turn red, blue, green, orange and purple.

I love her throne.  I think she would like it too.  

Here are pictures with the lights on.

I hesitated to share this creation.  Pictures do not do this project justice at all.  It was so much fun to make and create.  I really hope you've enjoyed the tour of my Marie Laveau pumpkin!  

XO ~Laurie

Miniature Terrarium Tutorial

 Hello my mini friends!  Today I made a tiny terrarium that I thought I would share with you all.  The dome is from a cosmetic under eye cover up by Maybelline, the base is a gold button from my stash, and the star player "mushroom" is a tack that I picked up with my shoe while watering plants on my porch.  No idea where the tack came from, but I'm glad I had shoes on!  

Here are some shots along the way.  

I thought this lid was perfect for the cloche'.  Although it was a struggle to wait until the concealer was gone to use it.

For the inside, I used a sliver of floral foam and just pressed the lid down onto it.  I used a toothpick to gently pry the foam from the lid.

Next, I used my trusty wood glue and glued the foam to the button.

To the foam I glued pieces of craft moss and gave it a little hair cut to the right height.

I also added pieces of dried rose petals and some curly vines I found in the woods last spring.

I went through my scrap jewelry pieces and glued one on top along with a tiny pearl to give it a fancy look. 

I apparently did not take any pictures of me painting the tack.  I used a buttermilk color for the stem and light blue for the top.  I also gave it some glittery spots.  I always love to add magic.

I love making these tiny treasures.  

Thanks for always being here for me to share it with you!

XOXO ~Laurie

Miniature Crocks Tutorial

 Hello all!  This is about as simple as it gets!  To make these tiny crocks all you need is the top to old spray bottles, paint and mod podge.  That's it!  

Most of the time I like to put a coat of chalk paint on before I paint.  In this case, it's not really necessary.  You will have to paint a couple of coats of regular craft paint so you can't see through it.

After the paint is dry, I like to brush on a coat of matte mod podge for a good finish.

Thinking of a butter churn, I grabbed a couple of buttons and a toothpick.  I glued the buttons together and painted them.  It turned out pretty good.

Thanks for stopping by!

XoXo ~Laurie