Singe Comes to Life

I'm not sure if any of my current readers have actually read this post about Singe my BJD dragon which I posted on my Fantasy blog, 7th August, 2016. Well I was looking at him a few weeks ago, after seeing Jodi's little dragon and suddenly I felt very sad that he had been so neglected. 

Back then, I was really into fantasy dolls and I'd had full intentions of painting him, but as usual, I never quite got around to it. I'm sure you're all familiar with the "someday, one day scenario" where you keep putting things off waiting for the right time.

For the past few days I've been so busy with "the kids", which hasn't left me with much time to give him anymore thought. However, now I can see more clearly (having the cataract finally removed), I felt it was time to paint Singe and give him that well deserved attention that he's been so patiently waiting on.

ABOVE: After a quick spray with Mr. Super Clear and his base coat of purple acrylic, which I mixed using Pacific Blue and Hot Pink with a touch of Pearl White.

Then I gave him another spray with MSC before commencing to add his detailing.

Unfortunately I only had a MSC with a matt finish on hand, so I will give him a final coat to give him a shine when I can find my gloss.

So what do you think? Does he look as he should? Does he look like a gentle, confident dragon who takes care of his friends when they are in need of a little warmth, even though he can hardly raise a flame? I do hope so.

Coming for Christmas

A Practical Magic Victorian House from Gold Rush Bay. The house is modeled after New England Victorian lighthouse-based designs with light tower.

It has a generous porch which surrounds the house and there are minute details such as a flower and potions conservatory, even a hidden stained glass window surprise! The entire structure measures 8.5 inches wide 6.5 inches deep and 8.5 inches high.

An Addams Family Victorian Mansion, also from Gold Rush Bay. This one is modeled after French Second Empire Victorian Mansions, but looks similar to the Nevermore Academy, shown in Burton's Wednesday.

A generous mansard roof surrounds the top of the house dotted with open dormer windows and there are minute details such as a Corinthian columns flanking each window and porch, fishscale tiles on the roof and a semicircular conservatory on the right side. Inside can be revealed by opening up the hinged house, where a staircase connects first and second floors. The entire structure measures 8 inches wide 6 inches deep and 8 inches high. 

Both houses have been 3D printed in HO scale, which is a rail transport modelling scale using a 1:87 scale (3.5 mm to 1 foot), and they are ready to paint with acrylics. The first one I shall decorate in colours which would suit a coastal theme and the second I'd like to paint as a haunted house.

A Little Knitting Pattern

This week has been full of ups and downs, mainly due to the worst bout of hayfever I've ever had. Not even my antihistamines have kept the sneezing, runny nose and eyes at bay.

Aside from that, I've been looking for items to add to the kids bedroom, which led me to making throws for the bunk beds. It's a simple pattern which I made up myself as I wanted a loose lacy look which works well for this scale.

Using 5.5mm needles and 3ply yarn, cast on 32 stitches. Finished size 30 x 32cm.

1st row: knit 1, *purl 1, yarn over needle, slip 1,  knit 1 and pass the slip stitch over, repeat from * until the last stitch, then knit 1.

2nd row: as above.

Continue until you have the length you require then cast off and sew in the ends.

I then blocked my knitted piece to open up the lacy pattern, by simply pinning it to my ironing board, setting my iron to steam, covering the throw with a tea towel and steam ironing it flat. You can read how to properly block your knitting here.

They are not perfect works of art by any means, but I didn't think they looked too bad on the bunks. Holly had other ideas.

Primrose was very happy with hers, Magnolia insisted I make hers in pink and Holly couldn't resist telling me "They need a fringe at each end." So it appears I have more knitting to do.

Until next time, have a wonderful weekend everyone!

UPDATE: Here's the finished ones.