Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Miniature Button Plates Turotial

 Hello Mini Friends!  This is a short and sweet and EASY plate tutorial.  It's so simple!  Just pic what size plate you want and find the right size button.  Make sure it has a lip or raised rim.  Put some glue on it and press your fabric to the button and let it dry.  Once dry, cut the excess fabric.  I also added a top coat of Mod Podge dimensional magic for shine.  You could also use Mod Podge gloss or clear fingernail polish.  

The little plate stands I made from jewelry wire and just eye balled the size I needed.  








The possibilities are endless!  You could make a whole set!

Thank you for stopping by!  Feel free to share on Pinterest!  

XOXO ~Laurie


Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Miniature Wood Stove Tutorial

 Hello All!  In working on my Fairy House pumpkin, I decided that the little house needed a heat source.  So, I made her a "cast iron" wood stove from simple materials that I had on hand.  

I used card stock (layered and glued together), jewelry pieces, buttons and lace, along with a set of wooden feet.  I also decided to add a glittering fire complete with a flicker light.  I ran the wires through a tiny hole to the outside of the pumpkin.  







I simply used my low temp glue gun to make something that resembles a fire to fit inside the stove.  I ran the little flicker light up through a hole in the bottom then painted and glittered the top.









Since I ran the wires through to the outside of the pumpkin, I am thinking she needs a base and woodland decorations on the outside to hide the wires, battery and switch.  So, I'll be working on that next!  Stay tuned!  






Wednesday, March 13, 2024

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






Monday, February 12, 2024

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