A Fun Gift for My Mom

Do you mind if I toot my horn just a wee bit? I'm just so excited! The November/December issue of Dollhouse Miniatures magazine contains a feature about True2Scale, compiled by Janet Stuart. It is the first time we've been featured in a magazine (blush)!

I think a copy of the magazine will make a fun gift for my mother, who ignited my passion for miniatures when I was a child. I'm looking forward to seeing her expression when she opens the magazine!

The cover showcases Bridget McCarty's charming animals.

Good Sam Show and The Tuck Box

The Good Sam Showcase of Miniatures in San Jose, California, was so much fun! Mr. T2S and I enjoyed meeting many new people, including Patty from Petit Orphelin. She shared a couple of her sweet, hand sculpted babies with us.

On Sunday morning, I demonstrated applying decals to dishes. In the afternoon, I had time to view a few of the pieces on display from area miniaturists. One of those pieces, The Tuck Box, was built by Don Silva. Don took measurements and photos of the life-size Tuck Box in Carmel, California and built an exact replica of the 1927 English style tea room. It was so charming, that Mr. T2S and I decided to make a visit to Carmel the following day. Unfortunately, The Tuck Box closed just before we arrived, but we did enjoy checking out the neighboring gift shop and wine bar!

The Tuck Box by Don Silva.

Interior by Don Silva and Connie Suave. Do you recognize the dishes pattern?

The real Tuck Box in Carmel, CA.

50 Miniature Halloween and Fall Tutorials

The Fall of the year brings Halloween and Thanksgiving projects to mind. If you would like to add an autumn-theme tutorial to the list, please leave a comment. Your suggestions are always welcome!

1. Tree stump house Laura Miller
2. Apples Barbara Dezza via CDHM
3. Candy apples GardenofImagination via YouTube
4. Halloween candles collbn via YouTube 
5. Jack-o'-lantern collbn via YouTube
6. Candy corn collbn via YouTube
7. Chocolate candy bars GardenofImagination via YouTube
8. Halloween candy joannesminis via YouTube
9. Halloween flowers (black roses) collbn via YouTube
10. Grinning pumpkin cauldron Pixie Dust Miniatures
11. Witch's brew Mary Eccher
12. Spider chrysanthemums about.com
13. Fall decoration (bucket planter and pumpkin) joannesminis via YouTube
14. Bonsia/spooky tree technique jicolin.free.fr
15. Braided mat jicolin.free.fr
16. Bushel basket joannesminis via YouTube
17. Ghost joannesminis via YouTube
18. Potion bottles MiniMaker via Squidoo
19. Harry Potter Jawbind Potion Toni Ellison via YouTube
20. Harry Potter Mandrake Restorative Draught Toni Ellison via YouTube
21. Harry Potter Drink of Despair Toni Ellison via YouTube
22. Harry Potter Skele-Gro Potion Toni Ellison via YouTube
23. Cider and cinnamon donuts Mary Eccher
24. Canning vegetables Mary Eccher
25. Canning pot 1 inch minis by Kris
26. Wine rack 1 inch minis by Kris
27. Witch's broom Jody Raines via CDHM
28. Ladies boots gminiature.com
29. Corn stalks about.com
30. Dried Corn jicolin.free.fr
31. Needlefelted cat about.com
32. Kitten made from wool lapappadolce (in Italian)
33. Flying bats about.com
34. 1:48 Scale Moonshines smallpackages via webshots
35. 1:48 scale lilies/fall arrangement Wanna in El Paso
36. 1:48 scale Laura's roadhouse Wanna in El Paso
37. Skeleton joannesminis via YouTube
38. Fixing up a cheap skeleton Wanna in El Paso
39. Rat Alice Zinn via webshots
40. Wizard's set Collector's Club
41. A Halloween peddler's cart Joann Swanson
42. A bit of Autumn Joann Swanson
43. Potatoes Barbara Dezza via CDHM
44. Pumpkins Sandra Keller Palesch via CDHM
45. Pumpkin needlework design about.com
46. Pilgrim's hats about.com
47. Simmering stews Mary Eccher
48. Thanksgiving dinner GardenofImagination via YouTube and My Small Obsession
49. Thanksgiving printables Sherree via Picasa
50. Pumpkin pie Mary Eccher

Additional tutorials suggested by readers:

• Scarecrow from Brae at otterine.com
• Halloween projects minitreasures.pbworks.com

Josephine Meyer Class at the Denver Show

I just finished a Monet-inspired waterlilies painting class with Josephine Meyer. It was really fun to see how every student's painting looked different; some had darker, heavier strokes; others were softer, with lighter colors. Josephine was able to judge each student's abilities and make suggestions to help them improve. Not only did I enjoy the class, I finished!

Tiny Indulgences

Attendees of Ruth Stewart's theme luncheon in Charlotte, received a very special gift! Ruth created unique cake houses in 1/144 scale — 24 houses—each one different. Please visit Ruth's website to see more of her charming creations.

Photo: Ruth Stewart

The inside is just as pretty!

I love the penguin slide! Photo: Ruth Stewart

Photo: Ruth Stewart

Preview of 2013 Chicago International Workshops

I thought that you might enjoy viewing a sample of the upcoming workshops to be offered at the 2013 Chicago International Show. The prototypes for the workshops were unveiled this weekend at the Chicago Fall Show. To view all of the workshops and read more information, visit the Chicago International Show website.

Framed Bloom Box Charrita Teague

Sculpted Character Lady Lisa Tabbanor
Grand Phoenix on a Stand Mike Barbour
Wicker baguette basket Vicky Sanfield 

Biltmore Jo Bevilacqua

Modern Loft Erik Goddard

Island Victorian Cottage Sabia and Reneé

Marquetry Serving Tray Iulia Chin Lee

1:144 Scale Living and Bedroom Nell Corkin

Exotic Lady Slipper Orchids Paula Gilhooley

1/4" Miss Monarch's Cottage Bruce and Judy Steinke

Cupcake Emporium Ruth Stewart

Sweet Bébé Steps Suzanne Larson-Tamburo

Double Window Treatment Marcia McClain

1:144 Lighted Glitter House and Pinecone Santa in Sleigh True2Scale

New - La Boutique Bleue Kits

I'm so excited to share with you the debut of a new collection, La Boutique Bleue! The 1:12 scale shop window vignette and kits were inspired by my collection of photos of beautiful Parisian shop windows.

Since I can't have a room in my home filled with blue and yellow, I've created it in miniature!

La Boutique Bleue Collection is available on my website. Please check out the other new items that have been added.

Do You See It? Take a Closer Look....

See it now? This exquisite butterfly was a gift from Andrea Thieck. It is a very special keepsake from our meeting in the spring. I have been waiting for the hydrangeas in the garden to bloom the perfect shade of blue, so that I could share the beauty of Andrea's work. Unfortunately, the photo does not show the butterfly's glistening, intricate wings that Andrea has so perfectly replicated! Please visit Andrea's blog to see more of her amazing work.