A Fairy Pumpkin House

 Hello again mini friends!  Several years ago, I began working on this precious little pumpkin, or Fun-Kin.  It is smaller than the other pumpkin dioramas that I have previously done, rounding off at about an 8 1/2 inches.  I cut the opening and windows, made the floor, wallpapered and even made a faux stained glass hanging light complete with hidden wires.  But that's where I stopped.  I lost my inspiration on the little pumpkin and put it down.  

Recently, having been stuck on making mushroom ornaments, I decided to get the little pumpkin back out and work on her.  I decided to make her into a woodsy fairy house.  And that's really all the inspiration I needed to get to work.  

I got out my tin foil, pins, glue and air-dry clay and gave her some vines on the outside and inside and made a couple of shelves.  Next, I will be working on her base and outside woodland decor.  She's also going to need some heat and somewhere to sit.  I have a list of ideas for her!

I made the shelves from cardboard and added tin foil and clay on the edge to give them the wood look. 

She's looking better!  I can't wait to take you along with me on her journey!  

I've got some good ideas!  

Thanks for being here!  XoXo Laurie

Miniature Guitar Tutorial

 Afternoon mini friends!  Today I am sharing a miniature guitar.  I made this tiny instrument from card stock, glue, paint, string and beads. 

I began by finding a picture of a simple guitar on the computer and printing it out on card stock.  When I decided exactly what size I wanted (2 1/2 inches tall) I printed several of them on one sheet of card stock.  I wound up using 13 layers for my guitar.  The bottom three cut outs were whole guitar shapes, the top three were whole shape with the hole cut out and the middle seven had the center cut out.  

This is the one I used if you would like to copy and paste it.

I used Elmer's wood glue to glue each layer together.  If you want your guitar thicker just print a few more layers for the middle. 

I also used the wood glue to go around the outside edges and let that dry.  It is a filler and can be easily sanded with a fingernail file.

Ready for paint!

I always use simple acrylic paints.  I also decided to use Mod Podge Dimensional Magic for the coating over my paint job because I wanted a really glossy shine.  If I didn't have it, I would have used Mod Podge Gloss Lustre as a topcoat.  

On the first guitar I made (below) I simply stuck pieces of thread on the neck while the dimensional magic was wet.  Then I discovered how dull my tiny scissors have gotten so I didn't get as close of a cut on the as I would have liked.  

Applying the strings was a bit fiddly also.  But if there's one thing that making tiny things has taught me it is patience. 

On the second guitar I pre-cut the fret pieces for the neck.  They aren't all the same size (obviously) but I'm not a perfectionist really.  And I find that you don't really notice when the piece is finished.  

Note to self... buy new tiny sharp scissors!  

To attach the strings, I glued them to a tiny rectangle of card stock.  Snipped the ends when dry and glued the rectangle to the guitar.  I also glued another tiny rectangle on top to cover the strings and let all that dry.  Next, I put a drop of regular school glue on my finger and touched it all the way down the string then held it tight on the frets of the neck for a minute or two and repeated this step for all four strings.  Once they were stuck good, I put a tiny drop of wood glue on the side of the top and held the string on the side.  Repeated this for all four... just to give an ending point for the string.  Then finished it all off by placing a dot of glue and a tiny bead over each string end at the top to act as the string tuners.  

Well, if I haven't confused you too much with all that string-gluing talk we are doing good!  It really is pretty basic and simple to do.  You've just got to be patient with yourself and your work.

I really hope you enjoyed this tiny tutorial.

Have a wonderful day!

XOXO

Laurie

Halloween Minis - Triple Tutorial

 Hello all!  Welcome to spooky season!  I absolutely love making my own Halloween decorations for our home!  So, while I haven't made many minis lately, I thought it would be fun to whip up a couple new things for the cottage!

My first thought was to make an "outdoor" door mat that the residents could wipe their feet on.  As usual I have no measurements for you lol.  I pretty much just eyeball the size I need for most things.  I made and printed BOO on some card stock and cut it out.  I gave it a touch of watered down brown paint so the white wouldn't show through.  Then I tinted some fine sawdust with a drop of black paint and a teeny bit of water and let that dry.  First, I applied wood glut to the words and sprinkled the black sawdust.  When that dried, I brushed glue onto the rest and sprinkled brown tinted sawdust.  

I also made the little ghost and I absolutely love him!  Even though I kinda messed him up at the end.  But as I always say "never apologize for mistakes when cooking or creating."  No one knows that you didn't mean for it to be that way.

For the ghost, I used air dry clay for the base and feet and the smallest clothespin that I could find in my bag.  He stands about 4 inches tall.  I took the clothespin out and let it air dry all day and then before bed I used wood glue in the base and put the clothespin in.  So, this morning I was ready for the "sheet".  I used about 1/4 cup water to 2 teaspoons powdered starch and a good squirt of white school glue and mixed that real good with a whisk.  I soaked my piece of white fabric that I cut into a rectangle size with the corners rounded.  I squeezed out as much as possible and got to shaping.  I used a Styrofoam base and sewing pins to hold the fabric in place and set it in the warm sun to dry.  Then I used craft paint to paint the eyes and finish up the shoes.

I also made the little signs today.  I made them on my computer, printed them, sprayed them with matte clear coat, cut them out and glued them to really thin balsa wood.  I made a hole in a dollar tree hay bale for the post and glued the signs to it.  I also included a picture of the signs below that you are welcome to use.  Maybe it will let you copy and paste it somehow.  Then adjust the size for your project.

Well, that's all folks!  Hope you enjoyed!  Sure have missed you!  XOXO