Friday, September 21, 2012

Happy Equinox!

 
 
The word equinox comes from the Latin words for "equal night." The fall and spring equinoxes are the only days of the year in which the Sun crosses the celestial equator. It is my favorite time of the year hands down. This the time of the year when all my favorite things come: Sweaters, firewood, roasts with potatoes and gravy, soups, pumpkin ANYTHING, bright colored leaves, and of course Halloween! We have only seen the first hints of color changes here but the weather has certainly fallen right in line. The skies are darker and we are in the highs of upper sixties to barely seventy.
 
It is also the time of the year where I do not feel guilty for staying indoors working on minis all day. During the summer there is always that nagging feeling that you should go out hiking, camping, rafting, etc. to take advantage of the warm weather. Ya just don't have that in the Fall except for long walks to enjoy the colors while they last.
 
The portico is done and I am somewhat happy with the coloring. It was a bear to match up exactly but I am feeling OK with the final results. Tomorrow I will be finishing the front door and the portico will be attached permanently. Now all I need to do is finish all the windows, shutters, roof top, and shingles. Then comes the base and landscaping.
 
My new workroom is in order and I have already been working on some detail projects.
 
 
I picked up these skeletons at the Dollar Tree. They are about 5.5 inches so the scale is perfect for 1:12. They look kind of silly as is but I cut them up. Using snips, I cut each bone apart and then use emery boards to file down any nubs or snip marks. They can then be re-painted to look like realistic old bones. And they cost 25 cents each! Ya just can't beat that. I will be making a bone wind chime out of some and the rest will be place here and there. I can never have enough bones lying around! I may even incorporate some into furniture pieces.
 
If anyone is interested I can post a tutorial on how I convert these cheap skeletons into realistic additions for your Halloween mini scenes. Just let me know.
 
Enjoy your weekend!
 
 

5 comments:

  1. I would like a tutorial, thanks so much,I have been pinning your blog pictures on my pinterest to share your wonderful work....linking back to your site.
    I love the cellar door with the skeleton hand.... scary lol
    Cheers Dawn

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  2. Thanks so much for linking to my blog! That is so kind of you! I have put up a simple first step tutorial and will get to the painting soon.!

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  3. Hello Michi,
    I'm just happy the weather is cooling off. I've been dying to cook stew and roasts, but it's been way too hot!
    I'm glad the portico is to your liking. I'm sure it will look wonderful...can't wait to see. I'd love the tutorial! There is a small nook off the master bedroom of my house and I want to put a skeleton chained up behind the wall...been watching the Dark Shadows Mini-series over and over.
    Enjoy the fall and the guilt free miniature making (This summer got a drawer tray, put my tools in it, and would work outside on really nice days...guilt free!
    Big hug my friend,
    Giac

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    1. I love the idea of the skeleton in the wall!

      These skeletons are only good for cutting up and using only parts but I am sure there are sre some quality scale skeletons out there for you to chain up.

      I love Dark Shadows. I loved it as a kid and still love it today. All that gothic drama and cool set design. It's no wonder I ended up with the taste I have now.

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  4. I have a bunch of those skeletons too! Love 'em. Fall is also my favorite time of year, for the same reasons you mentioned. It's the most "cozy" time of year!

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