Sylvia's 1/12 scale Fireplace

I was so honoured and pleased that Maggie and Kay asked if I would like to have a play with their new miniature set. After I checked on the construction with a dry run. I formed a plan of action! You know how those go . . . out of the window!

As it's getting closer to Christmas, I thought I would do a Christmas theme. I decided to paper the chimney breast.

Should you decide to do the same, be aware of the thickness of paper! I had to trim the shelving tabs a tad for them to fit.

Next the construction of the horse and chair in preparation for a coat of gesso, plus the fire surround and hearth. Before glueing the horse together I cut off the tail on each piece...OUCH! - I had a plan :)

For the back wall, I papered the whole piece and once totally dry, I cut the shelving slots and back panel out with a sharp craft knife. Before glueing the chimney breast to the back wall I positioned the fire grate (it has lights and small twigs) much easier to do from the back and then threaded the wire through the back opening.

For the flooring I used wooden spills from my stash and gave it a brown acrylic wash to tone down. I used a mix of white, black and a touch of purple acrylic paint to create the grey tone and painted the shelving, fire surround, mirror frame table etc.

It was one of those warm days and I didn't have long to wait for the paint to dry, then do the other side of the shelving. While waiting for the paint to dry, I proceed to do the really fun stuff – books and ornaments etc.

The top shelf ornaments I made freehand with air drying clay, left the natural colour of the clay. The gold vases with a plant and the flowers, are wooden beads coloured gold.

I don't own the miniature book dies, though I have watched videos on how to make them and used this method to create my books. And a 'Nod' to Maggie and Kay, I created 2 albums, even finding some small print Graphic 45 for the covers!

As previously mentioned, I cut off the horse's tail, replaced with more of a natural look using acrylic wool, unravelled and straightened. The saddle is made from felt using a paper pattern I drew up.

The table is the panel from the back wall - the legs are match sticks.

The mirror frame is also from the MDF waste. I dabbed the paint on to give texture and when dry I lightly applied gilding wax.

The log basket - aka twigs - I stitched fine string in an oval shape and shaped it when glueing in the twigs.

The large pillar candles on the mantle shelf I made from air drying clay, with a bit of wire for the wick, then painted red. The greenery is made from the miniature holly and ivy dies, and small seed beads added for a bit of sparkly.