Tempus Fugit

I've been busy bashing a Buttercup for the past few weeks. The rest of the time that has passed since the last entry is just plain RL getting in the way of the fun stuff. To catch up a bit, I showed my Glencroft Cottage at the local mini show again last October, and this time it won the Peoples' Choice award. I was there doing some shopping when the winner was announced, and I was totally surprised. It was so amazing being able to hear in person how much people were enjoying my efforts! Everyone was so flattering, I couldn't get over it. It was a nice little energy boost, and great incentive to keep at this little hobby.

Right now, I'm about half done with my Buttercup bash. The fireplace I made with Paperclay came out almost like I had it pictured in my head. I looked online for some realistic 'glowing embers' but couldn't find what I wanted, so I made some with twigs and Liquid Sculpey. The effect is very realistic. I'm thinking of posting the instructions, but I can't get a decent video of the results. Too much bright light in the center. It all washes out. If you'd like to see it anyway, here it is:

...so, where was I?

It's funny how all the best intentions in the world seem to fall by the wayside when the choices are 'work on the minis' or 'blog about the minis'. Obviously, I keep choosing 'work'. That is about to change. I hope. I finally leaped into the 21st century and got a smartphone that will allow me to catch up on my blogging whenever I have a spare moment. I have many new creations to share.

Dollhouse Show Update - Finally

I'm as new to blogging as I am to minis, which partly explains the lack of postings. I've honestly been so busy working on the house that I haven't had much time left to come here and talk about it.

About the show, my Glencroft took first place for dollhouses which made me very proud. I put many many hours into the construction and recieved a lot of compliments on the creative use of Paperclay and the care I took with the interior finishing. Very nice to hear! I didn't have much furniture completed when I showed the house, so I'm looking forward to showing it again next year with all of its interior furnishings completed. Thanks TAME for a great experience! (Toledo Area Minature Enthusiasts, a chapter of NAME)

Since October, I've made the living room furniture with the help of some seriously bashed House of Miniautres kits, designed and built kitchen cabinets with a pull-out bread board, handmade polymer clay sink, and shelves at the end that match the style of a house built in the 20's that I once lived in, and created a polymer clay-tiled surround for my bathtub. Also made a Christmas tree from pine chenile roping and made the polymer clay ornaments.

What inspired me to come back to the blog was running across an older issue of Minautre Collector magazine that featured some amazing work by Kris Compas who I discovered has a blog here too! I'm now a follower and have been an admirer since I first saw the article. Fantastic work which I am diligently trying to learn!

Halloween at 3 Blind Mice

Showing my house for the first time this coming weekend, and I'm madly trying to get everything ready. I've come up with this method for creating interchangeable front yards that should make it possible to change the landscape with the season.