Thank you to my members

Thinking About My Members





I would like to welcome my members, followers and circles. Each time a new member joins me in this journey, it puts a big smile on my face.
Thank you,
Anita

Miniature Plates, Platter and Serving Bowl Complete

Here's the finished set

I did get a chance to paint the set, I realized that I need Triple Glossy Gloss to make them look a little realistic. Overall, they turned out okay. I have to give it another try.

6 plates, platter and serving bowl

Platter and Serving Bowl

…with a few biscuits

Miniature Plates, Platter and Serving Bowl

Worked in Clay Today

I had a sick daughter today, so I could not pull out the soldering tool for the bistro set. While she was working on her fuse bead project, I pulled out the clay and decided to try my hands at a plate set, matching platter and serving bowl.
Here's what the set looks like cooked and sanded. I will try to paint and gloss tonight????

Miniature plate, platter and serving bowl waiting for paint and gloss.

Miniature French Bistro Set

Feeling like a Miniature Bistro Set...

I am taking a break from the bedding this week to tackle a project that has been on my mind. I purchased a soldering tool and want to play around with it before I try an iron bed.
I have a bunch of weathered wood that I stained a few weeks ago and thought a bistro set would look great with the wood.
Below I have a few images that I found for inspiration.

My next project

Miniature "Sample Sale" Items

My "I just have to try this" miniatures

As many of you know, there is no lack of talent in the miniature world. The deeper you dig, the more amazing things you find. What is really fabulous, is so many artist, crafters and do it yourselfers are willing to share their ideas and techniques. For someone like me…it's a goldmine. I am definitely the  "I just have to try this" type. When I first started this journey, every time I "clicked", I saw something that I wanted to try.
Needless to say, I have accumulated quite a few "I just have to try this" miniature pieces.
What to do?… Create a section in my Etsy shop called "Sample Sale Miniatures".  In this section you will find all kinds of things (the better quality pieces, of course), things I probably will never make again. I thought I would post some of the items I intend to add in this section. Remember, I will constantly add to this section, so keep checking back.  Hopefully, you will have on eye on something when the shop opens.

This pantry was definitely a "had to try", I believe I first saw it at Cynthia's Cottage. I added a
few changes and some distressing to make it look aged

I did not add a label, but thought it would be great as "Pantry" or "Linens"

A kit from House of Miniatures. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, thicken the
padding and used 100% linen for the cover and piping

Just returning from picking fresh eggs

Leather and Linen Luggage

Sun hats that will add charm to any room

A sweet flower tray for your miniature garden or kitchen

Miniature Cottage Shelves

Wonderful Mini Shelves

Love, love, love shelves. They add so much character to a mini room and can fit anywhere. Place a few cherished mini items... instant charm.
I love creating different styles of shelving; painted, stained, distressed, hooks, paper, the options are endless. My Etsy shop will feature a section dedicated to shelving units I create. Here's a sneak peek.
More designs to come.

Miniature Cottage Shelves

Let There Be 12…12 Miniature Mattresses That Is!

Goal Accomplished!


Last week I set a goal of creating 6 mattresses with the beautiful fabrics I purchased. I set up a 1 person assembly line and got to work. I actually created 12, yes 12 mattresses in 3 days! 6 double and 6 twin. They turned out great!
Working on so many at one time got me thinking about other ways I can create the pipping, I used, and love the mattress tutorial from 1 Inch Minis, but couldn't help thinking there has to be an easier way to get the "piping look". I discovered you could combine the side of the mattress and the piping in one step. I used this method on two of the mattresses, but reverted back to the original, as I do prefer it.
If you want to see how I cheated a little, see the "Piping" Cheater Tutorial I created.

What's next? How about miniature top sheets and pillows made with sand for the "real" look. I have a few ideas for beds/daybeds/iron beds…oh, and I have to slip a Miniature Wing Chair in there somewhere (I am dying to do another one).
OMG, I have so much work to do…

The mattresses are complete!

6 double, 4 in 100% linen and 2 in cotton ticking

Twin Miniature mattresses waiting for a bed frame

100% Linen and tufted

Cotton Ticking Fabric

Created and photographed by 

Anita Smiley for fabulouslyflawedminiatures

"Piping" Cheater Tutorial

A Quick Way to Pipe Your Mattress

Here's a quick way to add piping (and sides) around your mattresses at the same time.


Supplies Needed
1"wide strip of fabric you are using to create your mattress (make sure you measure the length of the mattress before cutting.)
Printer paper
Small Scrapbook Paper Cutter
Glue
Natural Polished Hemp (or what ever you normally use for your piping)

Mattress using the "Piping" Cheater Tutorial

Step 1: Cut a strip of fabric 1" thick, measure around your mattress for the length. Cut a strip of print paper (I use the thicker kind) the depth of your mattress. Fold the paper in half (the only way it fits in the mini paper cutter). Cut two strips. You will need two to go around the double and twin. Glue the two strips together to create one long strip.

Step 2: Add glue to the paper strip. Glue the strip to the fabric, glue side down.

Step 3: Add a generous amount of glue to the top of the paper strip. Make sure you add glue to the fabric too. (You will be folding this over the hemp and the paper strip).

Step 4: Measure a piece of hemp the length of the paper strip. Lay the hemp on the top part of the paper strip. Fold the fabric over the hemp and the paper strip. (The hemp is the piping, the paper is the side of the mattress).

Use a generous amount of glue on this side

Step 5: Use the paint scrapper tool to define the piping. Once you are satisfied, turn over and do the other side. Let dry.

Defining...

Really pushing hard to define that piping

After you have defined the piping (both sides)

Now you are ready to glue this (side/piping) strip to your mattress. Once done, fold the hanging fabric under the bed and glue.

Gluing around the entire mattress in one step

Still drying, but looking pretty good.

 Voila!

Miniature Mattress Day

Today I'm Making Mattresses

I woke up this morning excited about my minis. I have a vision of all the wonderful mini beds I want to create. I decided I would spend the entire day week making mattresses. Eventually, I will create bed frames around the mattresses.
I recently purchased a bunch of beautiful linen in ecru, soft pink, natural and white along with some red and blue ticking fabrics. Today I will make mattresses in each color…that's about 6!( Housework pushed to the side). I use the tutorial by 1inch minis. It's super easy and the mattresses turn out great.
If you don't hear from me this week, it's because I am working on this project. I will post the mattresses when I am done. Have a great week!

Beautiful fabrics for my mattresses

This will be the final result

More Miniature Hand Knitted Blankets and Throws

Hand knitted Miniature Blankets coming to Etsy

Just received another package from mom…more beautiful hand knitted 100% cotton miniature blankets and throws. They are beautiful! Lots of nice colors in twin and double size. Can't wait to get these up on Etsy.

Miniature Blankets, Hand knitted 100% cotton

Beautiful Miniature Hand knitted Blankets

Lots of beautiful colors

Miniature Vintage Playpen and Rocker Horse

Vintage Style Playpen and Rocker horse

I just finished these 2 vintage style baby items. I really wanted them to have an "old" look since, especially the playpen, is vintage style. I used Annie Sloan Old White Chalk paint and added a distressing. The cushion in the playpen is 100% linen and the throw is hand knitted. I will be selling these in my upcoming Etsy shop.

Btw, I took the photos in the Photo booth I created yesterday. I love the way the photos turned out. 

Vintage Style Playpen

Vintage Style Rocker Horse  

Miniature Photo Booth

My DIY Miniature Photo Booth

So I am wrapping up a bunch of miniatures that I have been working on for my Etsy shop. I'm starting to think about photography. I have a pretty nice digital camera that takes wonderful pictures without trying too hard, but the problem is always the shadows.
I did a little research and found that a photography booth with proper lighting will get rid of the shadows. I priced a few booths and thought they were a little pricey, so I started researching how to make one. Seems you can make one fairly easy so off to Staples I go…

This is what you will need to make the box:

2 foam board 20 x 30

Vellum Paper (I bought the wrong paper, I am going to try it with white tissue paper)

White duck tape

X-acto knife
Yard Stick
Glue (I use wood glue, it works great on foam board)
Q-tips

Update: Add a few new test shop using my professional camera (see below)

Titebond Wood Glue works great with foam board

Supplies needed to make miniature photo booth

Step 1: Take one of the boards and measure 1" from each side (I laid mine out "landscape"). This will act as a stand when the box is finished. Use the X-Acto knife to cut thru the top of the board and foam. Do not cut thru the bottom paper layer of the board. Once done bend the board back and you should have a stand. Do this on both sides of the board where you made your 1" measurement. 

Measure 1" for stand

Step 2: Next find the center of the board and mark it. You will create two sides for the booth from this one board. Use the X-Acto knife to cut the board in two.

Center point of the foam board

This is what I mean by creating a stand, you should have 2 of these

Step 3: Next, measure 2 inches all the way around the board, you will be cutting a window out the center. Do this to both boards.

Tip: Once you cut one, use it as a template for the next one.

2" marked all the way around the board

This is what the board should look like once you cut out the center

Step 4: Now the top. I stood the two sides to the top and measured the depth. I added and extra two inches to the depth so that I could have a flap to bend. This is where I will hang my background paper with tape. Then I measured 2" all the way around the board and cut out the window.   (Below is not the right sized top, I forgot to take that picture. This is how it should look though)

Top with flap

Step 5: Now lets put it together. You should have two frames, equal in size and the top frame measured to whatever width you choose. Grab a few Q-tips and glue one side to the top, make sure the top flap is folded inwards and the side flaps (the stand) are folded outward. Let dry, and do the other side. 

Once the frame has dried, turn it over, you should have a pretty cool photo box with a top, two sides and legs so that it won't fall over.  

You should 2 sides and 1top frame

One side glue with wood glue…it works fast

The other side glued

All pieces glued together and standing…almost there

Step 6: This morning when I ran, and I do mean ran (I was so excited), I saw Vellum paper but somehow grabbed lightweight sketch paper. It was expensive, so I am taking it back. In my research, I found that some people use tissue paper, so I will try that for today. If it doesn't work well, I will switch to Vellum when I get back to the store. (Rambling…I know). 

Back to the instructions,  Once the frame was completely dry, I used white duck tape to reinforce my frame. Putting the duck tape around windows will allow you to change the paper without ripping the frame. 

Reinforcing the frame with duck tape

Step 7: I covered the windows with white tissue paper using tape. Finally, on the rear flap, which I reinforced also (in case I want to change the infinity paper), I taped the background paper (infinity paper). The photo booth is complete. I just know my daughter is going to think this is for American Girl doll! 
Time for testing.  

Added the white tissue paper to the outside

The flap in the back to add the infinity paper

The finished product

Tesitng: I did not set up any lighting, nor did I use my digital camera. The below images were shot with my iPhone. I played around with the flash and took photos indoors and outdoors.
I will update the photos in a few days when I set up the lighting and pull out my "real" camera.

Nice day today, taken outside, natural light only

Taken indoors with the dining room light on

Taken with the iPhone flash on

Update: taken with my digital camera

Close up with digital camera

Close up with digital camera

Success!

Tutorial and Photos 

by Anita Smiley

for

fabulouslyflawedminiatures.blogspot.com