Scenes to go

This is a DIY of a different sort – part instruction, and part tips on how to personalize your craft.

The miniature scene pictured is destined for presentation to Beth Groundwater who commissioned "an outdoor scene." This was a real challenge for a city girl like me – my idea of an outdoor vacation is walking the museum mile up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

All the more fun to put it together!

The miniature has a campfire made of real stones and real wooden twigs that were burned over my sink. I bought the sand in a crafts store and glued it to wooden base; the snow is crafts store glitter. The trees are made from pipe cleaners of two different shades of green. What makes them look better, I think, is that their leaves have been painted with several coats of different shades of green paint, then white paint, then glitter.

Still, there's nothing earthshaking here, unless you count the little critter peeking out from behind the large tree in the top photo.

You all know Beth, author of the wonderful series featuring Claire Hanover, the proprietor of a Colorado Springs gift basket business. Even though she asked for an outdoor venue, I knew I had to include a GIFT BASKET. I put together a small basket with a mini bottle of wine and 2 glasses, and – Beth writes mysteries, after all – a gun. You'll also see copies of Beth's books, A REAL BASKET CASE and TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET, and a few of her favorite authors. I can't wait to hand this over to Beth at Mayhem in the Midlands at the end of the week.

I love making scenes that are suited to a particular person, whether for a birthday gift or anniversary, or for a conference silent auction, where I add books by the authors who will be attending.

Over the years my friends and relatives (like it or not) have received scenes from me: everything from a stable for my equestrian stepdaughter, to a 19th century jail for Ann Parker (Silver Rush series), to a bar covered with books for Left Coast in Denver last year. Samples are at the Gallery at http://www.dollhousemysteries.com.

Like Claire Hanover's thoughtful, personalized gift baskets, the best crafts are the ones that can immediately leave my house as a present or a donation. The bonus for me is that I can then get started on new supplies and new ideas.

So, thanks Beth for your interest and your part in keeping my hobby going! See you and, hopefully, other Killerhobbies readers at Mayhem for the presentation!