Vulture's Roost... The Summer Cabin

When we were last here at Vulture's Roost there was another witch at the door...is she a good witch or a bad witch? Does this spell more trouble for poor Marie?

Cousin Carlanne was walking Shadow and could hear knocking so she went around front to see who it could be ~  Oh what a wonderful visitor, it is Big Simone Marie's Aunt ~ She brings her magical broom and her hound Dusty Pearl ~
Carlanne tells Simone that Marie and Hattie are getting ready to go look at the summer cabin where Hattie will have to stay until the Count comes to marry her ~
The summer cabin has been vacant for many years as Marie has had no need to get away ~ who knows what shape it will be in after setting neglected for so many years ~

Marie and Hattie step out to leave for the cabin and see Simone ~ Simone drops her broom and spreads her arms to to hug Marie ~ I am so glad to see you cries Marie ~
You see Big Simone has a reputation for getting things done and when she talks people listen or else... Marie says lets go on to the cabin, you sure don't want to go into the house just now. Nigel has been cooking snakes and has made a terrible stink . He is airing out the kitchen now ~

Well here we are at the cabin, Nigel has been over to sweep it out but has not had a chance to knock down the cobwebs yet ~ Hattie says she can't possibly stay in a shack like this, what will the Count think ~ Simone tells Hattie this will do fine as she will be staying too ~ Hattie says royalty don't stay in cabins can't you put me up at the Hilton? ~ 

Simone thinks the cabin is so nice she might like to buy it from Marie ~ Marie thinks that is an excellent idea as she could use the money for Vulture's Roost ~ Then it's settled says Simone, Hattie will be my guest until the wedding ~

Up in the loft is a pallet for Hattie to sleep on ~ We will knock down the cobwebs and beat the mattress, hope there are no mice in there ~

I am so happy Marie! I have a new home and we have a wedding to plan ~ Dusty Pearl is excited to explore her new home ~

A big Thank You to Kerry of EllaRoseMiniatures for the swap. I made Kerry potion bottles in exchange for this fabulous spooky food. Please check out Kerry's shop for beautiful Christmas treats ~

The beautiful hats worn by my witches are all created by Kat the Hat Lady ~

Big Simone's broom can be purchased in my Etsy shop here ~

Well that is all for today, I promise it won't be as long next time ~ Dusty Pearl was a real dog, she belonged to my neighbor. Dusty went to the Rainbow Bridge last summer after a long and happy life.

None of the people in this story are real ~
People are never real except after midnight ~

Hugs
Victoria 

Vulture's Roost... Hattie's Arrival and Cookin Snakes

Nigel finally rounds up all the snakes and goes out to see what all the racket at the front door is about ~  Hattie tells Nigel she has been out here for ages and that is no way to treat a future Countess ~

Hattie goes back to humming I'm so pretty, I'm so pretty ~ Nigel gets over the shock of Hattie's...beauty and invites her into the parlor ~ Nigel hollers up to Marie and Carlanne " We have a guest" ~

Hattie steps in and looks over the old mansion and wrinkles her nose in disgust ~ What a dump but it will have to do for a few days ~

When everyone is present in the parlor Hattie announces she will just be staying until the Count comes  to fetch her for their wedding ~ I will be a Countess  and live in a castle with servants and not have to look at common people like you. Hattie turns to Nigel and tells him to get those ugly snakes out of here ~ Looks like we have a room full of ugly snakes to me ~ Marie says she must go see about beds for the everyone ~ Where is she going to put them all?

Carlanne and Hattie are finally alone in the parlor ~ Shadow growls low in his throat at Hattie ~ Hattie tells Carlanne  she looks hideous and could really use a makeover ~  

Nigel decides he had better cook the snakes to feed this growing crowd only one snake isn't getting cooked, Nigel can hear her in the parlor telling Carlanne how beautiful she is ~ Hope I can remember how to make Stewed Snakes ~

Marie was trying to figure out beds for all when Hattie marched in and laid on Marie's bed  ~ This is where I sleep and I am not sharing my room, I need my beauty sleepy  and privacy~ Marie has had just about enough of this and is going to give Hattie a stern talking to .... there is someone pounding on the door ~ Who is at the door now Marie thinks with a sinking feeling ~ Could there really be a Count who wanted to marry Hattie? More than likely she is broke and in trouble ~ 

Who is this witch at the door?

Hattie's broom is for sale in my etsy shop Dark Squirrel


None of the people in this story are real ~
People are never real except after midnight ~


That is all till next time ~ when the story will continue ~

Hugs
Victoria

Vulture's Roost...Visitors

When we last met Marie was awaiting Cousin Carlanne's visit ~ Marie is relaxing in the parlor waiting for Carlanne's arrival ~ She arrived on the 3 o'clock train so it won't be long now ~

Nigel is busy cleaning the dragon room and thinking about the disaster up in the attic bedroom ~ I guess I will head up there soon before the snakes come down here and bother the baby dragons ~

The bedroom is crawling with big snakes who are after the rats ~ Aunt Agnes watches silently from her frame ~ Aunt Agnes is the worlds oldest living witch, all that is left of her is her head ~ she hasn't spoken a word in hundreds of years, she just silently watches over Vulture's Roost ~

There is someone at the door ~ a small witch and her beautiful hound ~

Marie welcomes Cousin Carlanne and her trusty hound Shadow ~ Carlanne is a very good witch who always travels with her Book of Shadows ~

Marie and Carlanne relax and catch up on all the news in the cool darkness of the Vulture Terrace ~  They enjoy a cup of tea and delicious cookies that neighbor Tabitha has sent over ~ They hear pounding from below, what could cause such a disturbance ~ the sound is worst than nails on a chalkboard, a feeling of doom and darkness can be felt in the air ~

Who is pounding on the door, could it be Avon calling?

She is singing "I'm so pretty, I'm so pretty" and about to pound the door off the hinges ~

Lucas and Theodore look down with dread at the witch who is pounding and singing at the door   ~



That is all for now, next time we will see who is at the door ~

I have based my characters of Vulture's Roost on real people , some living and some dead. People who have made an impression on me with their kindness, generosity and friendship ~ Shadow, Carlanne's hound is a prized possession of mine. He belonged to an old man who received a pair of dogs, one white and one black as a gift in 1934. He wrote on the belly of the white dog the year and his name, I bought a number of his possessions at an estate sale in 1989  ~

None of the people in this story are real ~
People are never real except after midnight ~

Hugs
Victoria

Vulture's Roost....New friends and old ~

Marie and Clarence her bat minion are tending to new dragon hatchlings who just arrived from the UK ~ Marie had ordered dragon eggs from the Dragon Queen and they had hatched enroute ~ The babies are a mess so Marie and Clarence are giving them a bath ~

Clarence a ooak bat minion by Celtic JuJu friend Julie Rodgers ~

The new twin dragon hatchlings getting a good bath ~ they were sure stinky after being cooped up in that crate all the way from the UK ~

The Dragon Twins by The Mini Dragon Queen friend Nicky Cooper ~ She also made Titan my big dragon head ~  

Marie finally was able to get back to her cleaning ~ Marie worried as she swept ~ What does Hattie want ? why is she coming back here? I don't even have a bed for her to sleep in, what am I going to do? Just as Marie finished her cleaning of the small potion room she heard a knock on the door ~ Marie jumped in fright, could it be Hattie? With dread Marie started down stairs to answer the door ~

Who is at the door ~ is it Hattie?  Knock, Knock, Knock ~

Lucas looks down from his roost on the balcony at the visitor knocking on the door ~ Lucas calls out " Hello old friend, long time no see "

Marie flings the door open to find an old friend ~ it is Nigel a nobel and gentle werewolf ~

Nigel am so glad to see you. What brings you back to Vulture's Roost?
 Nigel explained with a toothsome grin, I have come to help. I heard Hattie was on her way back and thought you could use some help.
 Marie cried in relief, Oh Nigel I could sure use a strong wolf's help around here.
No need to worry Marie, you have more help coming in a day or two. Cousin Carlanne will be on the next train.

Cousin Carlanne is on the 3 o'clock train ~

Nigel the werewolf is my first animal doll in polymer clay ~

Till next time........

Hugs
Victoria

Welcome Christine Verstraete....

Today, I welcome miniaturist and writer http://cverstraete.com">ChristineVerstraete.  

Hi Victoria, thanks for letting me appear on your blog! I'm happy to talk (and talk!) about minis (what else, right?) - and celebrate release of my latest book, <a href="http://cverstraete.com/dollhousebook_inminiaturestyle2.html"> IN MINIATURE STYLE II.  The book is available in eBook/pdf, Kindle, iPad, other e-formats, and print. 

The book includes updated and new features, photos & dozens of new how-to projects in various categories by talented miniaturists and IGMA artisans. See above link for photos, details and where to buy.

I have to say that I LOVE Victoria's imaginative cabinets, and the house she's working on is so cool! Funny thing is if I had to pick a couple favorite things in that house, it's the floor and the coffin-shaped cabinet. A while ago, I was working on the same thing, but in half scale. Done, except to glue in other shelves. What threw me off was being unable to decide on the setting... I have this neat Gothic-looking clock I found, love it!, but it's only a few inches deep with glass in front and a front opening door, so I have to figure out how to expand it. Ideas/suggestions are welcome! I really do want several rooms and it'll probably be on two floors. Don't you hate when something stops a project?

Anyway, I'll let Victoria get in here... 

Welcome to my blog Chris! I just read your new book this weekend and throughly enjoyed it. You have included many easy DIY projects in this book, great for the beginner or for a reference  on how to do something you have forgotten. I love all the pictures of the dollhouses and smaller scale miniature scenes in unusual containers, How cute is a kitchen in a toaster. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys miniatures and would like to mention the small price if you choose to download it to your computer.

So, on to... The Contest!

Each blog on the tour features one question for a kind of online scavenger hunt. The answer may be at Chris'shttp://candidcanine.blogspot.com/">blog (type the words in the search box in left column), but will most likely be on her">website. Hint: click miniatures, a good place to start, or see the >IN MINIATURE STYLE II book page and video.

Comment on that day's blog (DO NOT post the question's answer!) to be eligible to win the day's prize. Then collect all 7 answers  --- EMAIL all to me with Blog Tour in subject line to chris @ cverstraete.com (remove spaces or click contact at website or on blog) - DO NOT POST ANSWERS ONLINE!!. There's a new question and prize each day. Names will be drawn from correct entries.  **See Chris's http://candidcanine.blogspot.com">blog for the prize list and tour schedule.**

Today's Contest Question

Question 6: Name one of the flowers in the book (other than the hydrangea on the cover! Too easy!) 

Christine Verstraete http://cverstraete.com
NEW In Miniature Style II ebook: http://tinyurl.com/6kmt4ya
NEW Now in Print: http://tinyurl.com/4ockdh2
Searching for a Starry Night: #1 Kindle for minis eBook!
Blog: http://candidcanine.blogspot.com 

Dilemma at Vulture's Roost......

Before I present the dilemma I must introduce you to Marie ~  Marie is an old witch of 103...she has lived at Vulture's Roost her whole life ~ Many years ago Vulture's Roost had many inhabitants but over the years everyone moved away except Marie ~ Marie has always loved Vulture's Roost, she couldn't imagine living anywhere else ~ she has cleaned out the old house and is restoring the grand old house on what little money she can scrape together ~

Marie's hat made by Kat the Hat Lady ~ please visit Kat's wonderful blog Here and enter her  monthly drawing for an exclusive Kat creation ~

Marie is my first polymer clay sculpt doll ~ I knew I wanted dolls  to live at Vulture's Roost but knew I couldn't afford to buy the kind of dolls I wanted so I pulled out my clay box and started sculpting heads from very old clay just to practice and use it up ~ I watched hours of tutorials on making dolls and would like to Thank all the artists who so generously share their knowledge ~
Marie is named after a very old lady who I knew for years, she always had interesting stories and lived her life to the fullest for over 100 years ~

Steampunk witches broom by myself, for sale in my Etsy shop Here ~

The Dilemma ~ Marie has just received a telegram from her younger sister ~ Hattie will arrive in 2 weeks for a visit ~ Marie has just had Vulture's Roost cleaned out and was redecorating ~ She has no extra beds and the kitchen is so bare she can hardly mix potions ~ 

Marie is in a panic ~ the house is not ready for company ~

What shall I do? says Marie in a panic ~

Why is Hattie coming back for a visit? Hattie is the youngest and wildest of Marie's sisters, where Hattie goes trouble follows ~

Victoria ❤

Vulture's Roost Progress... Dragons on my mind

The Dragon Room is coming together at last ~ I spent a couple of days trying to get the wall finish just right ~ I did many washes of green and black wash then an ink wash and topped it with a homemade glaze of copper and matte medium ~ I have added my furniture all handmade by myself, the table was a kit I did years ago ~ my lighting so far are battery powered lights from Hobby Builders Supply, I ordered them in January and finally received them 2 weeks ago. The yellow light on the floor by the table is a battery powered cube thing that was in a box of stuff I bought at a yard sale ~ 

Another view of the room ~ I still have more to add as you can see ~ 

Dragon eggs by Nikki Rowe, I am sure if you are reading this you know Nikki and her work. Nikki has created some amazing miniatures, visit her blog Witch and Wizard Miniatures ~ The little guy in the basket is Fido created by Nicky CC , visit Nicky's Dragon blog The Mini Dragon Queen ~ 

The dragon table ~ skull by Nikki Rowe ~ books by Nikki Rowe and Ericka VanHorn ~ scrolls by Dfly Creations ~ dragon embryo by Ericka VanHorn ~
Visit Ericka's blog EV Miniatures and Lorraine's blog Dollhouse Minis by Dfly ~

I want to Thank blog friend Glenda of Peppercorn Minis for offering me all these beautiful dragon things she had collected for a project. Thanks to Glenda I have a dragon room ~

Glenda included these wonderful gifts in my package ~ Glenda makes and sells the little leather journals and  potion bottles in her Etsy shop undancey ~

On to the top floor bedroom on our tour ~ I made a bed for my witches, I still need to dress it. ~

The vampire beds are lined but not dressed yet ~ Thank you to Susan who's blog is Tabitha Corsica for sending me red silk and velvet for the coffins ~

A view of the whole top floor ~ I am making a curtain to hang between the rooms, you can see the hooks I have installed to hold it ~

Well that is all for now ~ I have many other things started for Vulture's Roost and will do a post when I have more done ~

Everyone have a wonderful weekend ~

Mini Hugs
Victoria ❤ 

Mata Hari's Secret

I wanted to share the cupboard I have been working on for the last couple of weeks ~

I have had this cupboard planned for over a year but couldn't picture it ~  one night the Muse whispered " The time has come for Mata Hari " ~ Never argue when the Muse speaks ~

The Secrets reveled ~ 

The icing ~

Mata Hari's Secret is for sale in my Etsy shop Dark Squirrel ~ Here

Everyone have a Wonderful Weekend ~

I promise to be back soon with an update on Vulture's Roost ~

Victoria ♥