Should She Bake a Pie or Make Pasta?

I just received this resin doll designed by Marcia Backstrom. When I saw the doll in Carol's Etsy shop, I knew that she would be perfect in either of two projects that I am making slow progress on. Maybe you can help me decide which project? Should the doll go into the summer kitchen scene (America 1900) and bake a pie? OR should she go into the Tuscan kitchen scene and make pasta fresca? What do you think?

Delicious Miniatures from Oiseau deNim

This is how my French table would look, if I lived in France. All of these beautiful miniatures were created by Peiwen from Oiseau deNim.

She has sent me a some of her new savory items – a French Terrine (in back with the knife) and Red Fruits Gratin – yum! And, something I have always wanted to try to make in real life: a Creme Brulee. Although I could never make the top turn out so nicely has Peiwein has done. My Creme Brulee would end as a torched piece of coal! The chocolates in the shape of seashells are amazing! They remind me of the Guylain seashells that are so yummy. Peiwen has even dusted the chocolates with a shimmer of gold! And aren't her macaroons to die for? They are simply perfect! The baker has developed a new recipe that gives them pretty, pearlescent colors. The snowflake on top of the macaroon charlotte is a pretty detail. And the box is perfect for a collection of mini ornaments.

I am so delighted to have these beautiful miniatures. Thank you, Peiwen!

Scottish Tenement Kits

I don't know the scale of these architectural model kits, but they are full of detail. The "tinyment" is sophisticated enough to display on your bookshelf when your friends who don't create miniatures come over for martinis. They're made by Glasgow-based Finch & Fouracre, designers and architectual modelmakers.

photos: Finch & Fouracre

Adobe Photoshop Elements Links

If you're a Photoshop Elements user, you may appreciate these free tutorials. If you're thinking about purchasing the graphics editing software, Adobe is currently offering $40 USD off in rebates, which brings the cost down to $59.99 USD for Photoshop Elements version 9.

As always, Photoshop tutorials for making minis are still accessible on my blog. The link "Photoshop Tutorial" is permanently located below the header.

Embarking on a New Journey: Facebook

Please join me! Click on the "Like" button to the right, or search Facebook for: True2Scale Dollhouse Miniatures. I look forward to seeing you on FB!

Another Basket

I've been trying a few new techniques and materials for making baskets. The possibilities of design and decoration using different weaving techniques greatly interests me. Here is one of my results of adapting some real life techniques to miniature.

My Favorite Removable Glue

I change my mind a lot. For example, I painted my garage door with 5 shades of taupe before I was happy with the way it looked. The last shade I created by slowly dumping black acrylic paint into the gallon of latex paint to achieve the perfect gray tint to the taupe. Perhaps my artistic friends in blogland may relate to my quirkiness?

Photo: timholtz.typepad.com

My point is that I hate to glue things down permanently. To be able to change things in my mini rooms, I like to use a removable adhesive called Glue Dots®. They are acid-free and archival safe so they don't discolor papers or eat away at finishes. You may be familiar with them from their industrial application – direct mail. Often they hold fake credit cards onto the annoying credit card offers. If you peel the glue off of the paper, it stretches and is fun to pick at. They are also popular for scrapbooking. If you can't find them at your local craft store, try ordering them online.

Photo: gluedots.com

Some dollhouse uses:

• hanging wall art
• hanging shelves
• attaching seasonal decorations
• sticking furniture and rugs to floors
• holding accessories in place
• sticking templates to pieces before cutting
• adhering items to the inside of containers for protection from shipping

Do you have a favorite removable adhesive?

Giveaway Winners and a Discount!

Thank you to all who entered my birthday giveaway and left kind comments. Because of your many greetings these past weeks, I enjoyed a very long celebration!

As a thank you to all of the giveaway participants, please use this discount code at my Etsy shop to receive 20% off the laser cut glitter house kits: GIVEAWAY4U. This discount is valid until December 15.

The winners of the glitter house kits are:

Linda (Linda's Miniature Musings)
Alma e Lia (Vilia Miniature)

I hope that you will enjoy assembling and decorating your kits!