More of the Half-Scale Miniature Garage

 Still working away here and there, but I am making progress on the Half-Scale Garage since the last post. 

It usually takes a bit until you get into a project, and I like how it's progressing now. The back wall and front window is in. I had the idea of making window shades (as shown in the extension wall above) from the wallpaper I'm using and I like how they turned out. Simple to do: just fold in half, cut a toothpick on top to fit inside and crease to give it a "rolled" look. Then add trim to the bottom.

** Update since I posted this: got the floor in, working on window trim and trim around staircase opening. Then I can get the extension glued on. Should be able to show all that soon.

Since I changed the windows and they jut out a bit, I had to build up the trim. Easy enough to do by adding a small 1/8" square stick along the edges in the back. You then glue the trim next to the window frame with that edge on the outside, top, bottom, and sides.

I'm probably using the textured paper painted a light gray for the other walls. The main window wall and other side use the same wallpaper as the shades.

I changed my mind on the floor and went with a green textured paper since it seems to go with the project. Funny as I'm not a fan of green, but I do like the Wedgewood green which I've used on two other houses. I also added the slightly darker green that I used for the Lavender house kitchen cabinets for the outer door/window trim. It seemed to be a good combination with the yellow-ochre doors. 

Parts boxes. Even a chicken bucket and grocery bag in there!

Now that I'm making such progress, I started looking on Pinterest for other things to add. I found some good auto parts printie boxes and some food boxes. Here's some old car art - garage signs. - car mag covers to shrink. The apartment space definitely needs some frozen dinner boxes, meat trays,  cola and beer cases, plus I thought of making some pieces of chicken and a chicken bucket for a take-out dinner. Maybe I'll add some fries or potatoes to that. So that'll be fun to make up some groceries (cereal boxes) in a bag, too, that I can set on a counter. 

Yes, even a teensy beer can and a KFC drink cup.

If you've never visited this very useful printies site, PaperMau, there is a detailed tool box set pattern to download. Didn't try it yet, but it looks like you have to enlarge it to size. There are all types of paper printies there (buildings, etc.) so be sure to look around.

While this probably won't be used in this project, I also made a small sink/hutch (Vintage Kitchen Cabinet/CastleCrafts.) I decided to add some "tile" (the metal liner from a coffee can) and put faucets (I took off something else) on the back wall. It came out pretty nice.

I'm still thinking of adding a small bathroom so have to see where I can fit it. I'd like to build a couple walls and add it upstairs in the apartment space if I can. Once I get the 3D printed set I bought, then I can ee howfigure out what to buld. There actually is more space upstairs than you'd think, even with adding a bed and I have to fit in a couch and TV yet, but I think it'll  work. I might even put in a second table that the resident uses to put together small parts while watching TV. 

 I do have a lot of extra doors so it would be easy to build a bathroom space and add a door or maybe make a faux folding door with corrugated paper since it would require less room. I just have to figure how to set up the light string to light the room, that space, and I'm hoping to add a lantern outside using the last light on the string. I have to figure it out yet. 

So far, so good! Lots of figuring to do yet but it's getting there!

* Thanks again for visiting. Come back soon for more updates! * 

Update: Half-Scale Garage

 

Garage - so far. Actually kind of cute, huh? Still needs some touch-ups, etc.

Hope you enjoyed the A to Z posts, or rather for me, A to V. ha! 

Now I thought I'd share what else I'm doing. I mentioned getting the garage kit out before back in January(!) and then put it away again (1/24 Lansdowne 1-car garage/Laser Dollhouse Designs) as I really couldn't get inspired on it. Then I got it out again and put it away. Well, third time's the charm!

Truthfully, I still wasn't really "feeling" this project until, finally, I got the floor glued and started putting windows in. Now, it's starting to look like something!  (Click photos for full size.)

I changed the windows from the working windows to these with the faux shutters. It works since I have the shutters on the one side. I might put some window boxes too. I like flowers!

The big obstacle here was the staircase, (to be added in yet; just set in here.) It had these fancier cut spindles, which are nice, (similar to the spindles on the Lavender House porch but smaller)  but seem out of place in a garage. So I'll save them and instead cut smaller sticks, which were something else to get to stay in! Finally, finally, I got the railing glued and while it's not all perfect, it's fine. It's a garage!  The main thing is it fits right, that's after I had to do some cutting on the door and window trims.

You have to build this in steps otherwise some things will be too hard to get in right, as I learned after not putting the sliding door into the rails first... had to pull one partway out to get the door in right. Should read directions! ha! But... it works!

I did something different here as I thought it had way too many windows for a garage and to me, I thought it needed a full wall to use inside.

So, I covered the two window spaces on the outside with shutters. I like how that looks. The inside has different, yes, larger shutters, but the wall will be covered with tables in front of it and maybe a work bulletin board, some maps, shelves, etc. And junk piles. ha!

 It looks like a garage! It's actually a pretty ingenious design. Stairs need to be installed yet. I papered it with textured "spackle-look" wallpaper and painted the walls to give it a used-dirty look. I have to add lights on the ceiling yet, fake "flourescent" lights using a light string and clear plastic tubes cut from pens. (See below.) I hope it works.

The upstairs has an extension that has to be built. Several pieces to do... I'm at the sick-of-painting stage. ha! This will be a somewhat messy apartment for the mechanic when he's working on things. I hope to somehow fit in a small bathroom and will have a compact kitchen, probably using vintage plastic furniture. Just an old chair, a bed, and a table and chairs. Not much but it's home!

I decided to use this one-piece plastic kitchen cabinet/sink/oven. It was an ugly orange color before.

 Here's how it looks painted with a few "dirty" spots. I made the faucet from a piece of solder and the knobs are cut from the tops of tiny fake Christmas bulbs. I added the counter from a piece of mat board and scrapbook paper The sink was built with a wood box and trim. I I like using these plastic vintage pieces in certain projects. I might use this fridge with it.

I had another kitchen piece (partly hidden on back wall) I used in my Halloween house. I also used a vintage Fridge (on wall by door)  in the Fairfield diner. They're good if you want to dirty something up to make it look old and used.

Possible lights for first floor ceiling. I have some white "holders" cut out also to resemble flourescent lights.

I may figure out a ceiling channel on the second floor and use a string of lights there too. I didn't want to get too fancy on this or have to use a transformer. We'll see what I work up. So far, so good!

* Thanks for visiting! Come back soon for more updates! * 

Blogging A to Z: Miniature Victorian Dollhouses

 

I was lucky to actually have two matching dresses, so a his and hers for the large Victorian house.

* Some favorites in my Yellow Victorian house.

Also the pretty Victorian bed.

There are quite a few houses I did with a semi-Victorian theme. 

Portion of hobby-craft-toy room in the Yellow Victorian house.

Front of the Yellow Victorian house before lawn.

More photos:

* Accessories

* Dollhouse finds

Also sharing the video I made for the Country Victorian Dollhouse, a more vintage-looking house.

Thanks for following along all month!

Blogging A to Z: Some Miniature Toys

 

Back: Day 1 - S for... - Next: U-V for...

Some might think they're all toys, but actual miniature toys are fun to collect and add a touch of reality to a project. Above: A half-scale mini Monopoly game and other items I made one year.

I've been doing miniature swaps for a long time, and my favorites have been the half-scale swaps. One year was a Toy swap, which was great for those little things that bring life to a project.

And... what's better than a miniature working TV? I got such a kick out of these when they came out. Funny, this room really looks best when it's decorated for Christmas.

I also have a Haunted toy shop, (more photos at link) where I added a lot of toys in, like from the Disney-brand balls.

Blogging A to Z: Miniature Skeletons

Back: Day 1 -  Q-R for.... - Next: T for...

One of my more unusual projects.... Yes, there is a Skellie Funeral Parlor!

(Click photos for full size.)

Hubby found this gag stop-smoking coffin at Goodwill a while back. It fits the plastic skeletons perfectly! I love dressing them up so this was a good excuse to make the "mourners."

The Skeleton Porch - another favorite dog

The small skeleton and dog at the Witch's Cottage (views inside and videos)

* Forgot to add this fun pair in from my Fortune Teller's room!

* Also see my Halloween store.

Yes, more to come!

Spring Half-Scale Minis Swap '26

 

Keep it clean!

Since the schedule for my daily A to Z might be off, I'm going to share this in-between. 

Swap time! Just got the annual Half-Scale Miniatures swap and what fun, as always, to open a box of goodies! Always great to get some new things that you don't have to make yourself - or never thought of making! Yay!

This year the theme was Household Accessories. You don't have to follow the theme, but it gave me an idea so I made a mop (tedious!!) and a bottle of cleaner, plus a "housekeeping" sign. (See top). I added a bucket printie as I just didn't want to make it. Great thing is that someone else made a bucket, too, (below), so I see I'm not too far off on size! I'll have to make mine as one can be in the house and one in the (yes, finally in-progress) garage.

Horse toy - Terezhina; Beads; Books, cookies -  Sydney; Towels, perfumes, candle - Paula W., Glass dome - Glenda; First aid kit - Annilee

Rugs, hats, basket, towels - Joyce; kitchen scale - Jennifer, candles - Emily; jewelry box - Adrian

Always welcome! A table and Christmas decor - Ruth. Cute!

Pet bowls, tiny cute little bone and Kong - Jen.

Cute pots (oh the tiny utensils!) - Sharon; Kitchen wreath and "recipes" - Amy; clear pitcher, cake stand and tiny glasses (in capsule) - Terri.

Cup/saucer, teapot, silverware (not shown), signs, etc. - Gail

Pet bed, dishes - Beth; dog and cat (glad to see pets!) - Bea J; And - ha-ha! the mini Roomba to clean up after them with the "dust" - Mandy. 

Bucket, "flashlight" great idea, matches, etc. - Cyndi (perfect for my garage.)

So many cute things. Thank you all for your creativity! 

*********

Last year was a Holiday swap, so I made a skull candle and a cup planter.  See previous year's swaps here. Other years (2020) had plants and toys. Always fun and good stuff to use in my houses. Also joined a Halloween swap in the past.

I also joined in a Winter swap with the NAME (National Assn. of Miniature Enthusiasts.) for the first time. Perfect winter items. Always fun to get things you can't (don't want to or won't) make! It's always interesting to see what people come up with and then you think, Oh! Why didn't I think of that? ha!

There's also another cute snowman, a sled and a cute pair of snowboots. (Not pictured.) I made the items below.

Blogging A to Z: Quite Royal Miniatures

 

Even a Corgi waiting at the door!

Back:  Day 1 -  Back: P for... - Next S for...

Tudor Tea Shoppe Interior

I loved the late Queen Elizabeth, so it was fun adding all kinds of Queen-related miniatures to the Tudor Tea Shoppe I made years ago. Yes, it should be for T but... More photos here.

The project is a renovated Street of Shops building. I used the base and changed the style, adding a false wall, etc. 

I'm a bit behind in the updating and still have to add some photos of Kate and William's nearly grown-up kids and just a couple items depicting King Charles. 

Blogging A to Z: New Miniature Project!

Perfect! P for New Project!  Day 1 -   Back: M for... - Next: Q-R for...

 I couldn't resist! Had to share a new project I got at the dollhouse show. No, it's not finished but is a kit. Photo is the prototype.

I kept eyeing this, deciding on and off. No, I didn't need (yes I do!) another kit but I really don't have a storefront in half-scale - kit from Teri Hanson Miniatures (The Covered Chipboard.) Looking at it, I guess I have to see how to hinge it, unless it slides in. I didn't examine it that well yet.

Also got this cool bookcase from her and these shelves for one of the floors. 

Size: 

• FINISHED DIMENSIONS: 8.25″w, 12″h, 5.75″d
• ROOM SIZES: 7.5″w, 5.75″h, 5″d

I didn't get the papers as I have my own and I'm thinking of doing it in purple. No surprise. Hmmm, maybe it'll be a Halloween shop since I don't have one in half-scale. ha! Then I can put in a lot of the stuff that's sitting in drawers. 

A possible idea is doing faux stucco on the outside. My friend is making a Robin Betterley house kit and her method is gluing torn paper towels to the surface with glue or Mod Podge, then painting. It looks pretty good. Might try that. 

A couple other things I got: love when I find some random Raggedy Ann stuff for the eventual half-scale house that's been sitting waiting for me to paper it. The cute red pots and some of the other items were from the NAME table. I also got a half-scale porch kit there, only $10! I've been thinking on that project; maybe I'll work on it soon. Yeah, I keep saying that. ha!

Also got this cute Raggedy bookends kit. Never mind the photo. It's tiny! 

Trugs, easel

And a few more CastleCrafts kits. I really like her stuff. I want to get the Apothecary cabinet yet and maybe the plant barrow.

If I needed more room I can always add a small shed on the side made from foam board. That could work, too. Or... I also have a market stall kit  that isn't done yet. That could be cute. I like the idea of even doing both to expand the project. Why not? I have plenty of Halloween stuff put away! Well see what I end up doing.

I made a side garden shed before on my Country house that came out really cute. This could be a cool project. Oh, they all are cool. haa!

* Come back tomorrow for more miniatures! Thanks for visiting!

Blogging A to Z: Other Miniatures

 

Back:  Day 1 -  Back: N for... - Next: P for...

Thought I'd add another post in-between so O will be Other Miniatures. Well, excuse this post. I thought it was done before I scheduled it. So if you peeked earlier you'll have to take a second look.

For a change,  my friend and I decided to attend only one show this year, The Spring Showcase as we took a class, something I haven't done in years! This was the website photo of the Charcuterie Class below. The top photo are my versions. Not too bad. The smaller board and bowl I can use in my half-scale house. I also have some extra pieces to make another board.

Another post I'll share some of the new minis I found.