Today, I welcome Christine Verstraete, author and crafter. Along with writing mysteries and short stories, Christine is the author of the children’s book Searching for a Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery for ages 9 and up, and is here today to talk about her book and share a miniature craft with us.
Christine is in the middle of a blog tour and is offering some prizes to anyone who comments on her guest posts during the tour. One person will win a Kindle copy of Searching for a Starry Night. (If you don’t own a Kindle, you can get a free Kindle for PC download.) One person will also win a miniaturized dollhouse collector’s edition of the first chapter from the print edition of Searching for a Starry Night, by miniaturist LeeAnn Borgia. Also, to celebrate the release of the revised Searching for a Starry Night, Christine is offering a copy of the print edition when it becomes available.
Since Christine is choosing the winners herself from various blogs where she’s guest posting, in order to be eligible for one of the prizes, you’ll have to include your email address when you comment today. -- AP
Christine is in the middle of a blog tour and is offering some prizes to anyone who comments on her guest posts during the tour. One person will win a Kindle copy of Searching for a Starry Night. (If you don’t own a Kindle, you can get a free Kindle for PC download.) One person will also win a miniaturized dollhouse collector’s edition of the first chapter from the print edition of Searching for a Starry Night, by miniaturist LeeAnn Borgia. Also, to celebrate the release of the revised Searching for a Starry Night, Christine is offering a copy of the print edition when it becomes available.
Since Christine is choosing the winners herself from various blogs where she’s guest posting, in order to be eligible for one of the prizes, you’ll have to include your email address when you comment today. -- AP
Anastasia, thanks for welcoming me to your great blog! Before I get to the craft project, I’d like to tell everyone a little bit about Searching for a Starry Night. In the book Sam, her BFF Lita, and a mischievous dachshund named Petey face a cranky housekeeper, a dog-hating gardener, and an ancient family curse as they search for a missing miniature replica of Van Gogh's famous painting, "Starry Night."
Besides being a writer, I enjoy creating and crafting dollhouse miniatures, so I thought I'd share a simple idea that can be used for dollhouses or for decorating a scrapbook or other project.
Besides being a writer, I enjoy creating and crafting dollhouse miniatures, so I thought I'd share a simple idea that can be used for dollhouses or for decorating a scrapbook or other project.
Materials:
Cotton fabric with designs to cut out, small scissors, tacky glue, cotton batting, red and silver fine glitter (or desired colors), wood dollhouse furniture (optional), scrapbook paper, box or other project
Cotton fabric with designs to cut out, small scissors, tacky glue, cotton batting, red and silver fine glitter (or desired colors), wood dollhouse furniture (optional), scrapbook paper, box or other project
Directions:
1. Choose a fabric with designs in the size you want to cut out. Since I wanted to use this for a smaller scale Halloween dollhouse, I chose a smaller print fabric.
2. Cut out the design, leaving a slight edge all around that will be glued. Cut a second piece from same design or coordinating fabric for the back.
3. Starting with the front piece, dot top edge of wrong side with tacky glue. Position over wrong side of bottom layer. Hold in place with fingers until glue sets.
4. Tuck a small piece of cotton batting between two layers of fabric.
5. Add dots of tacky glue around wrong side of remaining edges. Hold in place, making sure edges match, until glue sets.
6. After glue is set, dot tacky glue around perimeter edges of front. Sprinkle with fine glitter. Allow to dry.
7. If you're not using this project for a dollhouse pillow, the finished piece can be used as a 3D decoration for a scrapbook page, photo album, a letter, decorative jewelry box, etc. Use your imagination!
(Design, photos and project © 2010 C. Verstraete. Cannot be duplicated or reprinted without written permission.)
Thanks for joining us today, Christine!
Remember, if you want to be eligible for the prizes Christine is offering, don’t forget to include your email address in your comment today. -- AP
Remember, if you want to be eligible for the prizes Christine is offering, don’t forget to include your email address in your comment today. -- AP
10 comments:
I love this blog! Christine you've got a great imagination.
Pamela James
Thanks for stopping by, Pamela. I'm glad you're enjoying the blog.
Hi, Christine! My kids would love your book. The cover alone would probably do it for them, but that cranky dachshund Petey would seal the deal. They love All Things Dog!
My kids love to make dioramas out of shoeboxes (this habit started when I bought a monstrously huge box of Popsicle sticks and they were trying to find things to do with them). I'm going to suggest that they make Halloween dioramas. I printed out a picture of your little bat bed to inspire them! Thanks for the idea! Good luck with the book!
jill.mccullough@comcast.net
I was out of town last week and not able to jump in and respond to comments the way I usually do. I wanted to thank all of you who posted such nice comments about Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers last week. I really appreciate your support.
Christine, your book sounds delightful. I used to be in the "miniatures business" in another life. I sculpted porcelain dollhouse dolls, even wrote a book on miniature dolls, decades ago. Anyhow, they remain in my fondness bin.
rossel@fairpoint.net
Anastasia, thanks for hosting me.
Hi Jill, I love making all kinds of things. (That dollhouse minis link is to my own work, so show the kids.) The book is coming out in print soon also.
Carol-Lynn, thanks, how fun that you did minis. I enjoy making dolls too.
Hi Pamela Sue, I love making things as much as wriing,m I think. ha!
My mom was an avid doll-houser before she died. She decorated it for all the seasons and changed the decor in every room for the seasons. Your post brought back a lot of wonderful memories helping her "decorate".
Godd luck with the book - it's agreat concept
Hi Kathye, i used to have a huge dollhouse (took up one wall) that I redecorated for the holidays. But I needed the room so now I do smaller projects. Thanks for stopping!
I want to thank Christine for stopping by to guest at Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers today. Remember, if you want to be entered in Christine's contest during her blog tour, you need to include your email address in your comments.
We will also be having a book giveaway from our Friday Book Club guest author this week. To be entered in that contest, all you need to do is post a comment at any time during the week and check back on Saturday to see if you've won.
I just spent a month with a guest dachshund (and an 8-year-old grandson) and I wish I had your book. Scooter looks like your "hero" and certainly won hearts wherever he went.
Anatasia, thanks for this blog, I really enjoy it.
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