It's been a while since I've done a mini project other than working on my saloon. I made the mini scrapbooking table for my Mom so now I've decided to do a mini for my Dad. What I want to recreate (based on my novice abilities) is the scene you see in the picture below. This was my Dad's parent's (my grandparents) living room. I don't want to do everything - just mainly this far wall. I don't really care for the tv's or any of the furniture - what I remember most about this room was the fireplace with the mirror behind the mantle and the long wooden shelf hanging above it. The pictures are what always drew my attention. There was a picture of my Papaw and Mamaw together and one picture of each of the 6 brothers and sisters. If I were to include any of the other elements in the picture it would probably be the window, the lantern hanging on the side, and the roll top desk. Again we'll just have to see how far my creativity will take me.
Below are the supplies that I have gathered so far. The box was $1.99 at Michael's and is approximately the size and shape that I want for the fireplace. The rest are jewelry pieces called "Petals A Plenty", also from Michael's, and were on clearance marked down to $1.99 each. I think they are supposed to be used as pendants for necklaces and earrings, but when I saw them all I could think was "mini frames!" Needless to say I bought almost every one that I could find that was shaped like a picture frame.
Kitty was helping me to judge the size of the fireplace when the top is turned on it's side to create the mantle. I think it would be easy to cut the sides of the box so that it isn't so wide and also to cut a square out of the front. But as I look at it more, I'm thinking perhaps it's going to need to be a bit taller. I have a picture of my Dad standing in front of the fireplace and the mantle came up to his shoulders. I found a wonderful post on Kathi's blog
http://beautifulminiblessings.blogspot.com/2009/09/fireplace.html where she used sandpaper to create bricks for a fireplace. I'm hoping I'll be able to adapt her idea and use it for my project. I really do read everyone's blogs - it's just there are so many of them that sometimes I get behind! I have a notebook where I keep track of posts that I think I'll need for future reference. I write down the blog name, the post date, and the type of mini tutorial it was. Eventually I should be able to learn how to make just about anything!
So anyhow, back to my supplies. I used my trusty x-acto knife to peel the little stickers off of the metal backings. I kept them all though because I'm sure I'll find some other way to use them. Then David helped me to bend the little tabs at the top off so that they look less like earrings and more like frames.
And finally I went back to my trusty technique of using an index print, my Mom's photo printer, and her scrapbook cutter to make the tiny pictures. As you can see I now have all of the pictures that go across the top shelf. The fit into the frames perfectly except for the square edges. David has a tiny pair of curved scissors in his grooming kit that I believe I could borrow to fix the edges with though.
So now I just have to figure out how to make the wall behind the fireplace - and even then I'll have to figure out how to cut out a window - using either my handy dandy x-acto knife or my Easy Cutter. I'll also need some sort of mini screen to go in front of the fireplace and also some decorations for the mantle. If anyone has any suggestions please send them my way!
Below are the supplies that I have gathered so far. The box was $1.99 at Michael's and is approximately the size and shape that I want for the fireplace. The rest are jewelry pieces called "Petals A Plenty", also from Michael's, and were on clearance marked down to $1.99 each. I think they are supposed to be used as pendants for necklaces and earrings, but when I saw them all I could think was "mini frames!" Needless to say I bought almost every one that I could find that was shaped like a picture frame. 
Kitty was helping me to judge the size of the fireplace when the top is turned on it's side to create the mantle. I think it would be easy to cut the sides of the box so that it isn't so wide and also to cut a square out of the front. But as I look at it more, I'm thinking perhaps it's going to need to be a bit taller. I have a picture of my Dad standing in front of the fireplace and the mantle came up to his shoulders. I found a wonderful post on Kathi's blog http://beautifulminiblessings.blogspot.com/2009/09/fireplace.html where she used sandpaper to create bricks for a fireplace. I'm hoping I'll be able to adapt her idea and use it for my project. I really do read everyone's blogs - it's just there are so many of them that sometimes I get behind! I have a notebook where I keep track of posts that I think I'll need for future reference. I write down the blog name, the post date, and the type of mini tutorial it was. Eventually I should be able to learn how to make just about anything! 
So anyhow, back to my supplies. I used my trusty x-acto knife to peel the little stickers off of the metal backings. I kept them all though because I'm sure I'll find some other way to use them. Then David helped me to bend the little tabs at the top off so that they look less like earrings and more like frames. 
And finally I went back to my trusty technique of using an index print, my Mom's photo printer, and her scrapbook cutter to make the tiny pictures. As you can see I now have all of the pictures that go across the top shelf. The fit into the frames perfectly except for the square edges. David has a tiny pair of curved scissors in his grooming kit that I believe I could borrow to fix the edges with though. 
So now I just have to figure out how to make the wall behind the fireplace - and even then I'll have to figure out how to cut out a window - using either my handy dandy x-acto knife or my Easy Cutter. I'll also need some sort of mini screen to go in front of the fireplace and also some decorations for the mantle. If anyone has any suggestions please send them my way!
2 comments:
Hi Jessie- looks like another cool project- can't wait to see it! What a good idea to use the box for the fireplace! Maybe you should make some "homemade" art for the mantle-like something you would have made for your grandma or grandpa in school when you were a child? Candlesticks are another good one.
I found my penpal Dani through a blog called artful penpals.
http://artfulpenpals.blogspot.com
Sadly, she just did it for a short time and now it's closed, but I see on the last post there are a few people that wanted to sign up but were too late- I bet if you emailed some of them they might still be looking for a penpal. It is really fun and I have a wonderful friend from it. If you don't find anyone and you want to write to someone in Minnesota let me know- I love snail mail:) Good luck!!
Well too bad I missed out! Growing up I had a penpal who lived in Australia and one who lived in Michigan. It used to be a such a treat to find a letter in the mailbox with my name on it. Now the only things I get in the mail are bills!
Kim if you want to give me your address that would be cool though! I've got new potpourri so eventually I'll be making some more of the mini cactus again and I'll send you one for your mini flower shop. My email is beyondbaffled@yahoo.com if you do want to.
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