Childhood Toys

I'll warn you now, this post has nothing to do with miniatures.... It's all about my toys:)

For one, I was a pack-rat as a kid...
and two.... I took really good care of my toys,
...and 3.... I still have all the important ones....
Now that I think of it.... it's kinda scary how many toys I have....
But for now~ We'll stick with these.

I loved Carebears!! I still do actually.... They're just so darn cute....
So the other day when I ran across one on Etsy, I decided to pull mine out to see what I had.... LOL, I didn't really realize how many I had..... And No, I do not have all of them, Yet. ((Oh...and the elephant on the left is a Wuzzle- Remember them? Wish I could find more!!))

So I decided to treat myself and bought myself a Carebear cousin! Took a minute to get here... but we won't discuss that....

....I also have these... The man needs his broom, and I'd love to find the bad guys.... But I'm glad I hung on to these.

While I was digging out my Carebears.... I ran across my Fisher Price toys. I had the firetruck, the swing and the little table but No people. So I ordered these. I also ordered the little changing table because it was one of my favorites. While looking, I also found several of the houses I had as a kid. I'll have to ask Santa for that.... or wait until I win the lottery. I can justify spending ten dollars on 'junk', but not a whole house....

Here's the link to where I found these.... http://www.etsy.com/shop/karenborozinski

I ordered my favorite people.... I loved the Mom doll...and the little girl with Freckles. And who doesn't need a dog in their collection?? Even the bf had one as a kid!

And last but not least, We have my Strawberry Shortcake Dolls. Poor things.... half of them are naked, or wearing something that doesn't belong to them... and I'm missing half their animals. I was actually surprised to see I had so many, lol. We won't focus on their haircuts, I can honestly say I don't remember cutting their hair, at all! Some of them are really bad- good thing they have hats, huh! I was also surprised to see that I had a few sets of shoes! One day, I like to have them all in original clothing.... with their animals.....

....But for now I have spent my limit on toys........

Back to the nesting dolls! I've been painting them for days! Seems like the brighter colors I'm using, need several coats. I think I'm finally at a point though where I can actually start drawing faces on them.

So
Until Next Time

Decisions! Decisions!!

I found some material that I really liked in my stash and used it to do the sheet and the pillow for MarshMallow Manor.......But now I can't decide if I want a top sheet or a quilt. I really like the rose in the middle of the bed and don't want to cover it up......And if I make a quilt, Should I use green or red. I don't want to use both, cause I don't want it to look Christmas'y. I like the red, it makes the bed blend in to the house. And the green makes it stand out, and I don't know if I want that. I may just use the green to do a pillow or something??? Oh, Decisions...Decisions!! LOL


Either way....so far I like it! I also got the curtains glued in the other day.......It's coming together now!!


And I got another coat of paint on The Star Wars Toystore......


It looks a lot more like a 'sand' house now....Just need to go back and add depth and age using some watercolors or chalk...Well see what happens.....

Until Next Time....


**I'm looking for some kind of material that has berries on it that would match the sheet on the bed in MarshMallow Manor.....I'm willing to do a trade for a swatch of fabric?? :) I just need a piece big enough to make a pillow or 2.

Random pictures...

Thought I'd update you on what's been going on around here......

I finally got the 2 shelves (some plastic medicine holders that I got out of the trash at my son's allergists') painted...well, actually, I should say 'sprayed' I coated them with a stone spray then glued them into the shop. Just need a final coat of paint, then I can start putting in the accessories.


Although, I may not keep the accessories in it. The cats have claimed it as one of their houses....and you can always find at least one lounging in it. Here the kittens are running through it as I was trying to get those shelves glued in. Too funny!! Look close, there's 3 kittens in there....One is in the door.


First there's Lily. Lily will be going to live with my ex-husband at his house. You know there was no way Cora was letting this little girl out of her life:)
....another shot of Lily........


Then there's Wilbur..... Wilbur doesn't have a forever home yet, but we're working on that! Don't let his cute little face mislead you, this one is 'crazy hyper' when he's awake!!


Then last but not least is Houdini! He got his name because he kept escaping from the crate I had them in. And yet no one ever seen him do it! He's really sweet, and likes to cuddle. Sunday afternoon, my sister-in-law and my nephew came to get him! They were so excited to get a play-mate for their Jack (their kitty that they've had for a couple of years)...And it felt good to know that I found another Feral kitten a Good home!! I don't care what anyone says, There IS hope for Feral cats!


And my last pic is of the spider that has taken up residency right next to our front door.....We have been enjoying watching 'her' build her webs, but now that she has a nest, I'm not too sure about her anymore.....I really don't like spiders......and I darn sure don't want a army of them living out here......Yikes!!!
Look at her shadow, lol. Neat pic, huh??


Until next time.....

An update on our Toystore

For those of you that don't know....and for those of you that do know, but think I forgot about it....here's a quick update on The Star Wars Toystore....... I'm still working on it, lol, very slowly. For one, I have no where to put it when I'm finished with it, and I don't want to fill it, cause I know those darn cats of mine will come along and eat everything....they're already using it as a cat perch, and those that are small enough to walk through the front door, do. I think they think they've found a really cool hiding spot......and That got me to thinking of all the neat cat houses that could be made out of Styrofoam and plaster..... ha ha ha..... OK, back to this project.


I decided to add lips above the windows and doors using paperclay and plaster.



The plaster went here and there, with no real goal in mind....other than I wanted it lumpy in places.


See. Once you paint it, it all blends right in.

Still have to paint the outside it's final color, and finish some of the walls inside. One day it may even have toys in it....lol

Stay tuned for the next post......

I have recent pics of the furniture I got for Marsh Mallow Manor....

.....and I'd like for you to meet the family that will be moving into the Mouse House....

OH...Did I tell you that the 1/2 scale houses we found at Michael's Arts and Craft store are back......and this time they have castles....not to sure what the scale of it is....but I could sure see one covered in paperclay......wonder if the bf would notice a castle sitting over in the corner?? (I have been banned from buying any more house- LOL, ran out of room for them, Or so the bf says.....hehehe) Yes...There's always room for one more project down the road, Bah Hahaa!!

Until Next Time....

There's a couple of questions tucked away in here...

So....I finally got around to hooking up my new printer this weekend. I had been putting it off because I never have any luck with appliances! It took me 4 hours of pushing a lot of buttons, and this sign kept popping up that said, "Error, please restart computer".....Ugg. I finally gave up! Then for some reason, I figured I'd just try to print something, and see what it did....And it worked! I was dumb founded!! Still don't understand what happened...but I know I can blame it on myself....That's why I don't mess with anything electrical....lol......

Anyways....here's what I've done so far......
Some prints for the nursery. I still need to build frames....and I think they are a little too big, so I'm not sure if I want to make some smaller ones or not....

These next 2 prints will go on the back wall of the nursery. I just cut out the picture, glued it onto a piece of scrap-book paper...then glued that onto a square of balsa wood. Then I coated the whole thing with a sealer. *I decided to go with Beatrix Potter prints to match the bunny growth chart that MiniKat sent me....Just have to figure out how to hang that growth chart~ Any suggestions??

Then I found some magazines online, and printed them out for Cora.....Lots of stuff with Bella and one with Taylor Swift....The 'True Love' and 'Vague' ones are made up magazine that I found.

I've also started printing out some of the things for The Star Wars Toy Store.......When I first hooked up the printer, I realized I only had 2 sheets of picture paper left.....Not sure as to the brand, but it was some good stuff. (The Star Wars ones were printed on the paper I had left....and the magazines I printed for Cora are on the new paper...Can you see the difference??) So, Sunday I went and bought myself a pack of no name brand paper....and well~ it's not working for printies......To hard to fold, but great for prints. I used regular printer paper to do the Twilight book, and it was really simple to fold, but the image isn't as strong as it could be.....So, Here's my other question: What kind of paper works best? I want something easy to fold....and something that won't smear! I do like that Post-it paper Tara uses, but haven't been able to find any......

Anyways.....here's a bunch of magazines, books, coloring books, Mad Lids, Iron on Transfer books....Oh, and a cookbook: LMAO! It's called the The Star Wars Cookbook~ on how to make 'Wookie Cookies'.....Hahahaha! Too cute! ......Now I need to start thinking of how to build a book rack for the toy store!

And last but not Least! We have Otis and Pocus cuddling......He was asleep before he heard the camera turn out, and had his foot wrapped around her head....They slept there all night...got up for breakfast....and now they're back on the couch again....lol! Lazy kitties!!!

OK...until next time.....

I almost forgot!!

Look at What I also found at Party City......dang on most expensive wrapping paper I've ever bought at $2.99 a roll! LOL....What Can I say, I buy wrapping paper all the Dollar Store cause the kids are just going to tear it up anyways, Right??......Well....Not this time.....Momma bought herself a roll of wrapping paper to play with, hahaha!

Don'tcha just think they'll make the perfect bags for the Star Wars Toystore?? I put one of the fairy bags next to Yoda so you could get an idea of what these bags may look like....It will just be his head, but it's so cool. Also thinking I can use Darth Vader's head, and that logo for some more bags?!

But first I must Finish my other bags!! Or I'll never get this stuff in the mail. Mercedes, your stuff is packed, wrapped....and ready to be shipped.....Debbie, Um, what can I say...One day I'll get 'er done! And Heather...I'm still on the prowl for the perfect Hippie paper to make a bag for your bowls to go into.......... Then there's Tessie's bag, filled with a little something special for her...and still trying to figure out what in the world to send Zar, he needs something too LOL!! Ladies....I don't think I'll be making it to the post office today....But soon!

A little help please....

I'm trying to come up with some ideas as to what I should have in the Star Wars Toystore.
(These aren't my pics, just some cute ones I found online)

Here's what I've come up with so far:


*Books, Magazines, Comic books

*Coloring books

*Kites

*Costumes, Masks

*Light Savers and Toy Guns

*Toys: Figurines

*Posters, post cards

*Board games, decks of cards

*DVDs, cartoons

*Soundtrack Cd's

*Legos

*Stuffed animals~ Yoda, Chewy....

*Planet stuff.....those plastic glow in the dark sticky things that kids put on their ceilings...

*Mini space ships, like the millenium falcon or something......

*Star Wars Candy....hehe- Debbie! I can make lolipops in the Star Wars Colors!! LOL

*Stickers

*Bedding, pillows...

*Hats, shirts ........but I guess I'm getting a little off subject now......LOL.....Just thinking out loud here!


OK, These are just some ideas. I was going to do a general toystore at first, but the more I think about it, the more I want strictly Star Wars Toys.......So...

What are your ideas?


What am I missing???

So much to do....so little time.....

^%(^%^%(^.....to having to wait for stuff to dry! You believe when I woke up yesterday, the floor in the Star Wars Toys Store was still wet? I didn't! LOL. So, I decided to build some shelves. They were pretty simple......Took foam core board and cut it down to one inch strips....Then into 6 1/2 inch strips. I made the distance in between the shelves 2 inches, because most of the toys I have are this height. Well, the figures aren't that tall, but their light savers are, lol. Anyways...here's the shelves, with their first coat of joint compound. It took all day, in between waiting for the glue to dry- to adding the compound.....Had to let them sit over night.

......I have managed to use up the whole bucket of joint compound...lol.....so I'll have to wait till I can get some more.

I'm taking the kids to DC this weekend to see Grandma and Grandpa for Easter....and will probably stay until Tuesday. She's taking Monday off so she can take the kiddos to a museum or 2. And I, depending on what my heart is doing that day, may tag along......Damn Mom, I'm suppose to have more energy than you!! I have so much stuff to do before I leave, I'm overwhelmed! LOL...But I tend to work faster under pressure.

*De......You're box is wrapped...hopefully it will be in the mail tomorrow.

*Chris, I have your stuff in a pile, on top of a box.....hopefully it will be in the mail tomorrow!

*Debbie....I'm still working on something Great over here...just can't figure out if I should wrap them or leave them unwrapped??? I hate to ruin the surprise....but a little help here, Please?? :)

Head Butts.....

The further I get, the more I fall in love! I spent the day yesterday adding more layers to the Star Wars Toystore. I painted, I sprayed this stone stuff on it.....I 'iced' some more.....and then painted again. It's still not finished....I need to add some darker glazes to it....But this is where I'm at so far.....

Then last night, I decided to start working on the inside. I want a step/shelf to wrap around the base of the walls......So I cut a 1 inch strip of Styrofoam.....and hot glued it in. Then, I started on the desk. It was so easy.....Styrofoam glued to foam board...glued to Styrofoam, that was glued to another piece of foam board. Lost yet?? :)

Then I coated it with the Joint Compound.......While letting it dry, I decided to take a few pictures of my progress. Even broke out a few toys to scatter about....

Took one picture...went to take another from a different angle......And I got head butted!!!

Then he decided he wanted the camera cord, and I had to fight him off!! Literally! Gees...Go away already!!

I did manage to convince him that he had to stay out of the house for awhile so I could start the floor.....

I could see him now.....rolling around in it. I already got fussed at once for getting paint on his nose...

Could you imagine a cat full of Joint Compound??? LOL...Not good.....

So....here's the beginning of the floor. I still have to go back and add another coat of compound, before I can start painting it........Then it's on to the walls....and the the shelves......

The sun finally came out....

So, I decided to get a little work done on the Star Wars Toystore. I went ahead and used the bucket of All Purpose Joint Compound that we had left over from the bathroom project. (Even told the bf I was using it, and that he'd just have to buy more when he finally gets around to finishing the bathroom.) Friday afternoon, I got the whole house 'iced'. It worked as well as the plaster, however, it does crack as it dries~ maybe it was too thick in areas?

Here the joint compound is still wet......I was finishing up the left side.

Then this morning, I decided to add sand. I had a bag of black sand left over from another project, so in it went. I used this mixture to do the street...it looks gray, but is drying white. I like how it looks, and think I may go back over the whole house with this mixture...maybe. First I want to paint to two different areas, and see which one looks better. I'm thinking the sand mixture is, but if I can get away with the house like it is, then I will....I'm ready to paint!!

Here's a close up of the door jam......I'll probably do the floor on the inside of the house the same way......

Even took it out in the yard for a picture....I'm thinking when it's done I need to take it to the beach for a really neat picture...Either that or I need to find a kid with a big sandbox!!!

What's this? We even have a visitor......Thank God he kept his feet out of my wet sand mixture or he'd have it looking like Hollywood Blvd! ((Actually, now that I'm thinking of it, that may be fun to do.....))

And the last picture for the day is of the cracking that has occurred....The bf says it makes it more authentic.........Guess once I get the paint on it, we will see.........

Ok, little house....hurry up and dry, so I can paint you!

A picture for Debbie....

I honestly have to say, Debbie, you made me laugh with you last comment. No, You're not Dense......I didn't realize that I hadn't shown a picture of the back of the toy store. See.....it's completely open...I'll start working on the inside ofter I finish the outside.

Today's Progress....

Well, we went back to the craft store today for another piece of Styrofoam, Yes! Armed with another 40% off coupon. Today's mission was getting it glued down to the big board. This was another piece of foam core, but this one is about 1/2 an inch thick. Then came the Styrofoam. Cameron wanted stairs.....Cameron is my youngest, and very, Very, much into Star Wars. He has been a Big help when it came to doing research...I didn't know the cities' name that I wanted to go off of.....And of course he did! BTW...it's called Tatooine....that kid knows more about Star Wars than most adults. Scary!

Ok.....So he wanted stairs....didn't care that they don't lead anywhere...he just needed stairs....Maybe this is a small part of a bigger house on Tatooine, and the stairs lead to another house or something? Does it sound convincing? Lol! Again, I just hot glued several layers of Styrofoam together......

Then it was on to the right side of the door....I just cut the Styrofoam as I went~ Eyeballed it~ and glued it together.

Then I did the left side. No stairs here....Once I got it all glued, I sanded it with another piece of Styrofoam....yes, it's messy, but it works!

And here's the front door, with new, thicker columns....

Now I just have to wait for the bf to go to work tomorrow, so I can 'borrow' the other jug of plaster that is STILL sitting in the bathroom waiting to be used to finish the bathroom walls. Yeah! Remember how long ago it was that I had a new tub and toilet installed, Well, we still don't have all the walls or a sink! I figure he's not finishing it any time soon, so he won't notice that the plaster will be MIA for a little while. Seeing as I know the bf still has to buy another piece of wall, he can also pick up a new tub of plaster. Cause I'm sure I'm going to use the whole tub to finish this.............