About.com Miniatures

Make Scale Stone Walls and Buildings From Foam

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:00:05 +0000

It's easy to make sturdy stone walls and buildings from foam. These techniques can make a number of pieces for a miniature nativity or Christmas village scene but they are a staple for dollhouse garden scenes, railroad scenery and gaming terrains as well.

They don't take long to make and you can choose a variety of materials and coatings to make them more durable. You can use the same techniques to create stonework on a wooden dollhouse or lighthouse. If you use a coating of grout, they may stand up to temporary use outdoors as well.

Make Scale Stone Walls and Buildings From Foam originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 01:00:05.

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Make It Merry Week Three!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:00:58 +0000

Welcome to another edition of Make it Merry, where talented crafters share their holiday how-to's. Now is the ideal time to get something made before the holiday rush!

Advent Candy Tree
Everyone loves counting down to the holidays...add candy to the mix and you've got a fun Advent calendar from Sherri Osborn for the whole family to enjoy.

Pumpkin Cross Stitch Pattern
Use a variegated floss to make a swirling pumpkin that would look great near the Thanksgiving table. Connie G. Barwick has the free pattern.

Knit Wreath Ornament
Scrap knitting makes for fun quick projects that are perfect for any skill level. Sarah E. White has the instructions for this cute wreath.

Miniature Glitter Houses
Snowy villages look great upon every mantle and tabletop. Lesley Shepherd has a free printable so you can make your own tiny houses.

Paper Bead Star Ornament
If you're looking for something a little different to do with your paper beads then take a look at this paper bead star. This project is simple to adapt in a wide variety of ways.

Rustic Pillar Candles
'Tis the season for running out to buy candles. David Fisher will show you how to make these festive pillar candles with the perfect finish.

Pear Diamonds Painted Card
This card has an intricate finish, but it is so easy to make. Tina Jones shows us how to create this colorful card from start to finish.

Christmas Apron Pattern
Just because you've got to bake cookies for the whole family doesn't mean you can't look fabulous! Phyllis Dobbs has created this adorable holiday apron, and she's got the free pattern just for you.

Flower Petal Ornament Cover
Sometimes those plain ornaments just need a little dressing up. Tammy Powley will show you how to use seed beads to create this unique ornament drapery.

Paint a Christmas Tree
Instead of paying a premium for a colored tree, Barbara Crews will show us how to paint your tree red to match the latest holiday trends.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Make It Merry Week Three! originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 01:00:58.

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Using Artist's Gesso For Miniatures

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:37:46 +0000

If you aren't an artist you may never have used gesso to coat surfaces for miniatures and models. Most modellers seem more likely to search a hardware store for materials than check out the art supplies. More than just a surface for paint, gesso has a long history of use for fine detail on elaborate frames or wood furniture. It can be cast into shapes in silicone molds and used for raised plaster effects in dolls houses, or to similate carving on tiny pieces of furniture. It also makes rough brick or stone textures for gaming and railroad terrains. This is an easy to find basic material with a lot of uses! Instead of using spackle or drywall filler for texture, use gesso to create a hard, ready to paint surface that can be tinted, sanded, or have acrylic (or pva glue) added to it to make it stronger or glossier.

Using Artist's Gesso For Miniatures originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 18:37:46.

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Do You Love Model Horses?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:40:33 +0000

About.com is looking for a contributing writer for the topic of model horses, which would be included on the miniatures site. You can find more information on the Be an About.com Contributing Writer page under the topic Model Horses. I'm looking forward to a great working relationship with a new writer on this site, so please apply if scale horses are your passion!

Do You Love Model Horses? originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 16:40:33.

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Foamcoat Finish for Model Terrains

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:30:53 +0000

I'm using Foam Insulation Board for some sturdy seasonal model terrain. To fill, protect and texture it I'm using Rosco Foamcoat, a water based acrylic coating similar to a dense gesso, used by prop makers to make stage props more durable. I can tint it, use painting tools to texture it, and it will cover most materials with one coat, although you can apply multiple coats to build up thicker, more durable layers. It was worth searching out as it has many properties that make it useful for terrains and buildings, even moulded details for furniture or tiny picture frames. This is one of those materials that is great when you have a large project, a model railroad or a village, or that can be purchased and divided up for use by a club or a group.

I'll be posting pictures of the carved foam projects later this week.

Foamcoat Finish for Model Terrains originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 00:30:53.

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Timeline of Domestic Inventions

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:10:22 +0000

A nativity site caught my eye last week with information on how to make hay bales. Why would a historical scene be filled with items from the 1940's on? These kinds of odd uses of modern technology often slip past when we just don't think about what technology is used to make something or how it happens. It can be hard to sort out, so I have posted a time line useful for model makers. If you have items to add, please send them in!

Timeline of Domestic Inventions originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 19:10:22.

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Make Miniature Palm Trees

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:58:27 +0000

If you need a taste of the tropics for a miniature scene, these model palm trees are easy to make. They can be made in all kinds of scales, and sizes, and with care you can make several different types of palms using the same technique. I show mine here as part of a Christmas nativity scene, but these palms are also great for gaming terrains or dollhouse conservatories.

To make them quickly, I started with fabric leaves from a craft store, but I've included instructions for making leaves from paper in case you want custom colors, or can't find appropriate fabric leaves. If you want Kentia style palms for a dolls house, you can make them the same way, just eliminate the trunk and fringe the leaves to resemble the Kentia palms.

Make Miniature Palm Trees originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 11:58:27.

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Make it Merry Craft Roundup Week Two

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:54:19 +0000

This weeks round up of holiday how - to's showcases a lot of talent. If you want to participate in future Make It Merry craft round ups, please see the link at the bottom of the post. For now, have fun with the friendly characters and festive Thanksgiving crafts presented this week.

Create a Pumpkin Candle
What better to put in the middle of the feast. David Fisher will show you how to make this easy and impressive pumpkin tealight holder.

Make a Sesame Street Wreath
For 40 years, Sesame Street has been part of our lives and has encouraged us to accept all holiday traditions. Barbara Crews will show you how to create this wreath dedicated to some of our favorite Muppets.

Draw a Penguin Pilgrim
For Thanksgiving crafts like place mats and name cards, you'll need some festive art. How about a lesson from Helen South on drawing this cutie penguin.

Embroider a Gift Bag
Save cash for presents when you reuse gift bags or buy those inexpensive plain bags. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how to dress them up for the re-gifting process with a touch of delightful embroidery.

Stitch a Swedish Ornament
If you've got an ornament exchange to attend this year, a traditional Swedish ornament will really stand out in the crowd. Cheryl Fall will show you how to hand stitch this original piece.

Wax Resist Holiday Cards
Add a contemporary look to your holiday while saving some cash on Christmas Cards. This wax resist technique from Marion Boddy-Evans is just what you need.

Pumpkin Foam Sticker Earrings
For a quick Fall look in a pinch, try these pumpkin sticker earrings from Tammy Powley. She'll show you how to make them in five easy steps.

Paper Globe Ornament
This dimensional ornament has an intricate look, but is actually simple in design. Kate Pullen will show you how to cut and stamp this delightful addition to your decor.

Knit a Stocking Ornament
A mini stocking is a creative way to give a gift card, or hide a little treat on the tree. Sarah E. White shows us how to knit this cute little sock.

Christmas Tree Bunting
Decking the Halls has never been so fun, and this one is perfect for helpful kids to take part in. Use up those scraps of fabric with this decorative craft from the Sadie and Lance blog.

Make a Mini Hippo
Stuffed animals add a bit of fun and tenderness to any slew of presents. Stuff a stocking with a smile when you sew this little hippo from Lesley Shepherd.

Snowman Candy Jar
Top off your candy jar with a snowman face as sweet as the treats inside. Sherri Osborn will show you how to paint and assemble this wintry decoration that is appropriate to show off all season long.

Joy Ornament Crosstitch
Stitch a little bit of joy for someone this Christmas. Connie G. Barwick has the free pattern for this jolly cross stitch project.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

Make it Merry Craft Roundup Week Two originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 01:54:19.

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Model Terrains and Village Backdrops - Use Plaster Cloth

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:29:32 +0000

If you are setting up a model village, Christmas village, railroad or gaming terrain, you may want to try plaster cloth. Easy to mold and shape, you can use it over an armature of wire, woven cardboard, or crumpled newspaper to create hard terrain surfaces with easily modelled textures. It can help you add detail to stone walls made from foam insulation, or make slopes to elevate your miniature village.

Plastic cloth can be messy to use. You can try the spray bottle method of moistening the plaster cloth if you have difficulty keeping the strips from getting too waterlogged. It is often used over High Density Insulation Board to make lightweight, moveable display bases.

Model Terrains and Village Backdrops - Use Plaster Cloth originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 20:29:32.

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Anamalz Toy Animals For Children's Farms or Dollhouse Play

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:30:02 +0000

With Christmas coming, a lot of readers have asked where they can find 1:12 scale farm animals for a child's farm. Anamalz a range of toys designed in Australia, may be worth searching out. Their toys have sturdy wooden bodies, heads and hoofs and flexible fabric wrapped wire legs which can be easily posed. The range works well with the Plan Toys dolls house dolls (Plan Toys also produce some animals ).

There aren't a lot of 1:12 scale animals available. If you build your farm slightly smaller, you may be able to use the Schleich range of animal figures from Germany, which are widely available in around 1:18 scale, or the Britains toy animals which are in 1:32 scale.

Anamalz Toy Animals For Children's Farms or Dollhouse Play originally appeared on About.com Miniatures on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 14:30:02.

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