Category: "Flowers and plants"

Heritage chimney ivy and lawn ornaments

by brae  

While I didn't want to cover up all the lovely egg carton brickwork of the massive chimney, I did think some ivy was in order.  You know I don't shy away from cutting and shaping individual leaves, but I found something that not only looked realistic but made life easier.  :D  This is O-Scale (1:45) English Ivy from Scenic Express (Silflor Summer Ivy by Mininatur).

There are three sheets in the box.  The leaves might be small for direct 1:12 scale, but it worked very well.  You cut and stretch it to create long vines.

I thought this store was called Scenery Express since I first started buying their landscaping materials, and that's one of the web addresses that will get you there...but I just noticed that it is in fact Scenic Express.  Maybe I always had it wrong or they changed the name or they just have two domain names for the same place.  Regardless, they have a great selection of landscaping materials.

I didn't overdo it and used just under one sheet of the ivy for the project, using Aleene's clear gel glue to attach it to the house and chimney.

It disguises the awkward edge trim around the chimney.

Here's the back side of the chimney.

The chimney is now complete!  :D

I have a small amount of landscaping left to do, but I added a beautiful aged metal birdbath by Island Crafts & Miniatures to the front lawn.  The last time I made an aquarium, I used some leftover Acrylic Water resin to fill the bowl.  The birdbath is from Dejoux Miniatures.

I also planted the shepherd's hook on the side of the stairs to hang one of my birdfeeders.  :]

It amazes me how each little thing changes the look of the build.

Planting The Tree, part 1

by brae  

Time to tackle the portion of the landscaping surrounding The Tree.  :D

I sculpted the circular base to start, cutting out channels for the roots and making the outer edge of the circle blend into the surrounding areas.   I also cut out the area under one of the upward-curving roots in both the circular base and the initial foam base down to the wood base board.

I made divots in initial base to sink the root tips.

Using the slivers of foam cut from the initial foam pieces that make up the lawn, I built up the area under and around the roots though nothing is glued in place just yet.  I'll need to sculpt the flat front corner of the lawn as well.  Yes, that big root will stick out of the ground...yet another lawn hazard.  :O

I covered the hole and added foam pieces to abut the back of the root that defines its opening.

So, what's the hole for? Grahame!!! :D

I won't make him live in this tiny, cramped burrow full time, but it sure will be cute to take some photos of him peeking out from under The Tree!

The Tree - foliage

by brae  

I wrote a post just over a year ago on my landscaping materials from Scenery Express for the Heritage.  In that post, I mentioned building a tree from Fall Mixed Wire Foliage Branches by JTT Scenery Products.  These are meant to be standalone trees in smaller scales.

After building the dogwood tree, with its individual leaves and flowers, I didn't think The Tree would stand for foam foliage.  Plus, I will be scattering the realistic leaves I took so much time to make, so the leaves on the ground should match those on The Tree.

Instead of making more right from the start, I filtered out the maple leaves from the bunch I already had.  There are 88 branches, so I figured 1-3 leaves per.  Mid to late October often sees sparse trees with more leaves on the ground than on the branches.

I colored the stems on these leaves with a brown marker so they would blend in more with the branches.  I'll leave the ones for the ground as is since those look better without the darker stem.

I glued them on individually, just enough to give The Tree a pop of color and some life.  Having leaves on the ends of the branches also disguises the non-tapered ends resulting from the water putty process.

This old tree isn't dead or dying by any means.  It's just ready for its winter slumber.  zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Once I have the roof finished, I'll plant it and sculpt around the roots.  :]

As for the original foliage branches, I'll save those for my next project where they will be colorful low-lying vegetation.  :]

Hallway vignette completed

by brae  

The balcony railing is still a work in progress so this upstairs 'room' isn't yet complete, but I have finished the vignette that will sit to the left of the bathroom door.

The table is a House of Miniatures Hepplewhite Side table with hand painted designs and added elements inspired by a real life sized antique table.

The books are some of the many I made while filling the parlor bookcase.

The vase and bird figurine were purchased awhile ago, but I'm no longer sure of the vendor.  The flowers are Bonnie Lavish red dahlias.

I made the tiny red alarm clock from a rounded wood cap from Hobby Lobby, two silver brads and a gunmetal head pin.  The feet are Tiny Turnings.  The face is a printed image from The Graphics Fairy with a clear cabochon sticker to simulate glass.  I had made a set of vintage table clocks for another miniaturist through my etsy shop, and I liked the red one so well I knew I would need one for the Heritage.

The artwork is a photograph from artisan Natasha Fadeeva.  She makes the most amazing little animals.  I just swoon over her mice!!!  :D  I contacted her about using the vintage mice photos in the Heritage, and she graciously gave me her permission.  I haven't yet framed the other.

I love the red and round theme of this vignette.  :D

The Tree, part 3

by brae  

Continuing the creation of The Tree using the tutorial from the DVD Master Miniaturists: Landscaping Primer with Diane Myrick.

I had considered carving bark texture into the putty but decided it was probably more work than it was worth.  Instead, I did a quick sanding over the main trunk with 60 grit sandpaper.  This removed the obvious smoothness and provided a nice texture.  I also cleaned up any excess putty from around the roots.

Diane says most trees are more grey than brown, and when I was out today picking up some minis I found on craigslist I noticed what she was talking about.  :D

I started with an undiluted mix of Neutral Grey and Traditional Burnt Umber, both by Americana.  This initial dark coat of paint really brought the tree to life!

The branches twist and turn just like the real thing.  I stippled the paint on to create additional texture which you can see here on the branches.

I think the lower trunk and root structure turned out great!  :D

The next few steps were messy, so I didn't take photos throughout.  I did my second coat of paint with an undiluted mix of Asphaltum and Neutral Grey by Americana, with a dash of black.  It really darkened the tree too much.  I followed that with a heavily diluted wash of Traditional Burnt Umber.  It made the tree too brown.  I followed that with a heavily diluted wash of Neutral Grey and Traditional Burnt Umber (like my first coat of paint), and that seemed to set things right.  All these layered washes bring out a depth not achieved with a single application of regular paint.

On some of the bare portions, I scraped away where branches have fallen from the tree during its lifetime.

Some I made larger than others, carving out an actual hole.

I then painted these individually to darken them.  Now, if I wanted it to look like the village just came through to trim the trees along the street, I could have left them.  :D

I love the texture on this tree!  I am so pleased with the results.

Love, love, love it!

And, like any good haunted tree, you should be able to see faces in it.  :O

The tree will remain dormant for now, until I get to the landscaping part.  I need to finish up the interior and shingle the roof first.  I don't need to be reaching over a tree trying to work!  :D

Update: foliage added here.

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