Welcome Home My Friend

A week or so ago, in my New Friends post, I mentioned that I had rescued a poor little woman I'd seen on eBay. Well, here is why I just had to save her...

For one thing, she was only listed as "Elderly Woman" in the auction. The poor thing wasn't even given a name! Second, the auction also mentioned that she was from the Chicken Ranch in Texas. I am sure most of you know that the Chicken Ranch was a real brothel from very early in the 20th century until the 70's. A few years after it was finally shut down, the movie Best Little Whorehouse In Texas came out. It was based on the activities of the brothel. The history is very interesting, so click the link above to learn more.




I could only imagine the horrors that go along with growing old in a brothel. I just had to help her. Imagine wearing this outfit every day!

When this poor lady arrived in a coffin, giving her a new life was even more poetic! The nerve! Even on the coffin she was referred to as "Elderly Woman"! She even had a price tag!

As soon as I freed her from that Styrofoam death, the little lady and I had a long, heartfelt, warm and beautiful conversation. I PROMISED her that she would never again be treated with such indignity! I said that she was officially retired from that former life, and in this new life, she would be well taken care of. I would build her beautiful homes to live in. I would bring her new friends. Her and I would be friends.






The first order of business was to liberate her from that sequined and inappropriate get up. We made her a nice dress in a soft cotton knit. She loved the tie dye pattern, and said teal was one of her favorite colors.

We smoothed the stick mess out of her hair, cut off the bad ends, and added a nice braid. She said her eye sight was fading a bit, so we dabbed on a nice deep ebony to improve her vision. She now sees life in a whole new light, and is looking forward to many happy days ahead.








Everyone, meet Gertrude. Or as she likes to be called, Gerdy. Welcome home my new friend!

Making A Work Bench

Last night after supper I asked the hubbs if he'd like to come and help me make a workbench for the garage. He enthusiastically agreed!

We scoured Google photos until we found one we could simulate and make our own. Just a pretty basic workbench, just made of stripwood and held together with tacky glue.

We used the photo to help us determine a cut list (you list all of the pieces you need for the project and have them cut and ready before assembly). If I have enough lumber, I like to tape the pieces together and make one cut on my rip saw. For example, I needed 8 - 3" 4x4's (what I call my 3/8x3/8" wood because it looks like real life sized 4x4" post) for the frame. I taped 8 of them together with painters tape and cut them all at one time. Doing this ensures that all of the pieces are EXACTLY the same length. I cut all of the pieces this way.

I used my gluing jig to make all of the support pieces first, then let them dry. Meanwhile, I scored a trim piece with my xacto knife to look like separate drawers. A little sanding to round off the drawers, and it was ready to affix.






Once that layer was dry I glued the bench top and shelf boards, clamped everything, and let dry overnight.












Here is the work bench after drying overnight. I added a "backsplash" then did a light sanding - not to make it smooth (more on that later), just to round off the edges a bit and remove any glue that made it's way out.





I wanted the work bench to have a well used look, just like my husband's real sized one. I have had great results in the past watering down acrylic paint and treating it as a stain for the wood. I chose a color called... wait for it... Barn Wood! Here you see that I used just a couple small squirts of paint, then added little bits of water until I got it to the right consistency.


TIP: If you don't have stain on hand, or if you don't have a good acrylic color for staining, you can use artists chalk. You'll need a little white paint or gesso as a medium, then you just shave the chalk into the medium until you achieve the color you want. Mix well. You can then turn it into 'stain' by adding water, or use full strength for vivid color. Watered down, it will have the look of milk paint. Use a sealer when dry to preserve the vibrancy.

I started applying the stain on the bottom so that I could be sure I was getting the results I wanted. The stain will soak in, so if you keep adding layers, you'll increase the depth of the stain. It also dries a lot lighter, so experiment until you feel comfortable staining your actual piece.




This is after the first coat. I like to let my stain dry for a bit. The water in the stain will have really raised the grain in the wood, so I like to sand, stain, dry, sand, stain, dry several times to achieve the look. On subsequent stain layers, you can apply just to certain areas to vary the "wear". Since this is a work bench, I am not looking for smooth in the end. It's more realistic if it looks like there is potential for slivers!

After I get the base coat about where I want it, I go back in and add shadowing. Notice here that I have a squirt of Barn Wood and a squirt of black. I mix the two colors in various shades to use for the shadowing and highlighting. I use a small brush and add darker color where I want, then go back over it with my moist stain brush to soften the edges.







This is about where I'll stop the bench for now. Once I install drawer pulls and begin to dress it with little accessories, I'll add dried spilled paint and oil stains wherever it needs it.







One quick note: Don't ever worry about showing your work. Be proud of it! Don't compare yours to other's work. There are always going to be miniaturists out there with more experience, higher skill level, different ideas, more time and most importantly, better tools. The fun in miniatures is getting to see your ideas come to life, and the journey and the things you learn along the way! Share with everyone, be kind, and remember to help those with less experience. This is how we all pay it forward and welcome new enthusiast to our crazy crew!

Be Careful What You Wish For...

I was drooling into my coffee cup this morning, reading blog posts and looking at photos from NancyLand. She mentioned and left a link for Skillshare. They are a place for creative types who want to share and learn from other creators via online classes and tutorials! What an amazing tip! Thanks Nancy!

I signed up for the free version, to test the waters before I go diving in. I watched a short writing tutorial on how to create a fable. Very interesting, and it reminded me of a story I heard as a child.

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Once upon a time there was a curious and precocious little boy named Fred. Fred often wandered the seaside shore near his home looking for lost treasure that had washed up on the beach. He'd pick up rocks, shells, old bottles and all the while sing his favorite jingles.

One day, as Fred was looking off at a distant ship, he tripped over something. To his amazement, it was a sort of teapot. He'd seen similar looking pieces in the antique store window. Fred set to work with his jacket rubbing off the dirt and grime to reveal solid, shimmering gold and delicate, beautiful etching. He was so excited and happy at his new plunder!

Suddenly, white smoke began to rise from the the long, narrow pour spout. The metal lid clambered as if something inside were about to explode! Fred dropped the teapot and took a giant step backwards! He could not believe his eyes!

A shape began to emerge from the now opened top. As if materializing from smoke, there before him stood a Genie! As if right from the pages of his adventure books! Lavish amethyst silk seemed to pillow and flutter around the intimidating figure. At once, in a thundering voice, the genie said "Thank you young man for delivering me from my wretched tomb! I have not but breathed the fresh air in mellennia! As is customary, I shall grant you three wishes".

Fred was dumbstruck! He rubbed his eyes, yet still the powerful figure appeared!
"You mean, you are going to grant me three wishes?" Fred replied. "Anything I want?".

"Yes, of course" said the Genie. "That is what I do. I must warn you though, think very carefully before you answer. Once it's said, a wish cannot be taken back."

Fred could not believe his luck! A million things were running through his head! Immediately, he decided "For wish one, I'd like to have a red wagon with lots of room for collecting stuff I find on the beach."

Poof! Instantly, a shiny new red wagon appeared. "Wow!" said Fred. That's awesome!"

The Genie asked "Have you given consideration to your remaining two wishes? I'd like to hurry this along, as I have much to catch up on."

Fred asked "What happens if I can't decide right away?"

The Genie replied "That means I'll have to stay with you until the third wish releases me from my obligation."

Fred asked "Even if it takes me 20 years to decide?"

"Yes" the Genie replied impatiently.

Inside, Fred had decided to only make one more wish right away. That way, he'd still have one left and the Genie would have to stay with him. He sure wanted to show off the Genie to the kids in school!

"Okay," Fred said. "I wish for all of my homework to be finished for the next year."

Poof! A one foot stack of papers appeared in the wagon - Fred's completed homework assignments for the next year.

"Wow mister! That's pretty neat!" Fred Said "But I can't really decide on the last wish just yet. Could you just come home with me while I think about it?"

"Oh, of course" said the Genie, losing patience.

Fred carefully placed the pot holding the genie into the wagon and began to pull it home. He still could not believe his luck! Was he going to wish for a million dollars with his last wish? He could sure buy a lot of toys with that. Or maybe a ship to sail the world.

As he happily continued to ponder the possibilities, he began to sing "I wish I was an Oscar Meyer wiener..."

Poof.

The End

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