National Dollhouse Miniature Month - Day 16, Let's make some grapes Tutorial 1/12 scale

Things have changed a bit this year.   I am barely into finishing up my 3rd project this year and I have one incredibly sick Jack Russell.   He went within 10 days from trouble walking to not walking at all.   He has had 2 blood tests, an MRI and a spinal tap.   Still don't know what is causing it but 3 doctors are assuming an infection.   Hopefully we can clear that up.   So I can still post every day, I thought I would reprint some tutorials.   Hope you enjoy them.   When Benny is better, I will get back to finishing projects.  

Some time ago I posted a fall harvest.  .   It has a crate of grapes at the side yard and I wanted you to know how I make grapes.    Lots of people use polymer clay - I don't have nearly enough patience to do that.   I will show you a great way that is quick, easy and cheap.   

Scene:

Here is what you need for grapes:

You will need a good glue (Tacky works great), dried grape stems, glass paint (remember grapes are white, red, blue, purple, black).   The paint I used was Gallery Glass window color in Berry Red by Plaid.   This paint is translucent and makes for the real grape look.   Oh yes - you need the grape - it's mustard seeds.   Look in the spice section and fine whole mustard seed.

Put a little glue and a pile of mustard seeds in a container.   A tablespoon of mustard seeds will make a lot of grapes.   At the top of the  picture is one little piece of dried grape stem covered in glue.  

Roll the glue covered stem in mustard seeds and let dry.  LET DRY!!!    You can also clump at the end of a toothpick if you are making lots of grape bunches to pile in a basket.

Put two coats of gallery glass on them.     Arrange in crate, tray, etc.

I hope you enjoyed the easy way to make grapes.   If you were following from last year, but if you're new, you might enjoy the tip.   If you haven't tried it from last year, now's the time.  

National Dollhouse Miniature Month - Day15- Let's Make a Skirted Table.

Things have changed a bit this year.   I am barely into finishing up my 3rd project this year and I have one incredibly sick Jack Russell.   He went within 10 days from trouble walking to not walking at all.   He has had 2 blood tests, an MRI and a spinal tap.   Still don't know what is causing it but 3 doctors are assuming an infection.   Hopefully we can clear that up.   So I can still post every day, I thought I would reprint some tutorials.   Hope you enjoy them.   When Benny is better, I will get back to finishing projects.  

 I love, really really love skirted tables.   Real life size and miniature sizes.   These are 1/12 scale.  When I make them, I make up several.   They are great for lots of rooms and are great next to a bed.   

What do you need.   A top of a spray can, tacky glue, fabric, iron on fabric liner, and at least 8 clips.  

 Cut a 1 inch strip of fabric, about an inch wide, and put glue around outside of lid and on the inside and glue the 1 inch strip to the plastic lid (this will make everything else so much easier and give you a much better finished project)

 Once attached, clip it down and let dry.  

 Measure your lid.   This one is 6 1/2 inches across the top   

 Cut out a circle of fabric that has been attached to the iron on fabric liner.   (A compass will give you a good circle or you might have a plate or bowl that matches the diameter you need).  

 Back:

 Front:

 Clip circle to the lid and make sure it meets at the base on all sides.   Only clip 3 sides and glue the other.   

 Glue all 4 points on the lid.  

 Then glue 4 more between the first 4 that you glued.  You will now have 8 clips on your table base.  Let dry (please don't rush this phase).  

 When dry, take off cllips.  

 Really flared.   You could stop at this phase, but I like it a bit more tailored.   

 Glue the spaces between the first 8 places and clip each of those.   It works a bit better if you kinda hand space these before you apply the glue to get the folds even.    LET DRY.  

 The next two pictures shows you how to place the clips - Kinda around the fold without crushing the fold.  

 This also works with one prong outside the fold and one inside.  

 You have successfully finished your skirted table.  

 Don't you wish you had made several!



Here's a 2nd hint.    A lot of round tables are covered in glass tops. If you want to do several tablescapes (a table set for each holiday), put them on a round of clear plastic then you can change your settings for the seasons or occasions.    

Enjoy!  

1/12 Reading Room

Last year at the Lakeland Fun Day, I won one of the door prizes.  That was so much fun and you can see that post Here .   I also purchased a man doll who was busy reading and had a whole assortment of books to read. I bought the man doll from Susan Johnson and she makes very good dolls and I have several of them now.

 

The scene is created in a candle holder.   I've never used it with a candle.   I removed the metal candle base and wallpapered the back wall.   Added a little dog who thought the woman wanted her slipper.   Instead, she wanted the hubby to quit reading so they could go out to a fancy dinner.   I covered the top of the candle box with Plexiglas to keep the dust out.   

Love this little scene and with limited items, you can really concentrate on the characters.  

Bedroom - 1/12 scale

I love bedrooms.   They are my favorite room to decorate in any scale, 1/4, 1/12 or real life.    Here is my latest one.   These items have been set aside for some time and I added a few items, took a few items out and all-in-all, I love this bedroom.

 

I display them in basketball cases.   I only paper one wall and the floor so you have a great view from 3 sides and the top. 

 

 

 

Miss Priss is getting ready to go on a trip.   Suitcase is packed, she's dressed and as soon as she leaves food out for the cat, she'll be ready to leave.   She's celebrating her birthday and she got the lovely yellow roses.   She thinks she will just take them with her.  

 

 

 Above is a coat on a coat rack at the edge of the room.   She isn't taking it; she's wearing her fur.   Gives her such a fancy feeling when she wears her fur stole.

 The vanity next to the bed is realitively neat even with all the getting ready.   The pictures are relatives and she loves them.  

 

 

 

I alsolutely love this bedroom.   Makes me want to work on my real life bedroom.  

Bling, Bling, and More Bling. Fun Day Jewelry Store

In February, I attended the Fun Day in Orlando and came home with another unfinished project.   I drug it all out a couple weeks ago and thought - I'll finish this.   Well, best laid plans etc.   I couldn't find one picture of a finished project so I posted a note on facebook and got pictures from Barb K, Nicole W. and Sheila L.   Mini friends are good friends.   Once I saw the pictures I finished my jewelry shop.

Lots of great stuff in this jewelry store.   Lots of Bling.   It was a great project with great exchange gifts.   And it is done!!!    I don't like unfinished projects hanging around.