Dear Miniature Enthusiast,

We're having a wonderful time here at the Gazette preparing for Halloween and making some pretty fall accent pieces to brighten up the exterior of any dollhouse. The best time we're having is a way of marking time! Charlene joins us this month with a tutorial for a working hourglass that is sure to be the pride of any witch, wizard or sorcerer. And yes, you read that sentence correctly. This hourglass really works!! I can't wait to give this a try and make my own. It's perfect for any witchy Halloween scene, but this fascinating piece would be just as delightful in almost any mini home.

We also have some fun autumn fashions for the exterior of your dollhouse. Wait till you see the secret component of this picket fence window box! Not only will it enhance any dollhouse exterior but I'll bet that it will get you to thinking about other ways you can use this mystery mini. To finish things off, we have a tutorial for a coordinating picket fence in pretty autumn colors.

Oh, did I forget to mention that Charlene is also our Member of the Month? Not only will you learn how to make one of the coolest minis I've seen in a long time, but you'll also get to know Charlene and see a little more of her miniature art.

Have a happy and safe Halloween! And don't forget to treat yourself this year with a special dollhouse just for fun.

Deb Roberts
Editor in Chief

Bewitching Hourglass

By By Charlene Crawford Horrocks

Every wizard and witch needs an hourglass so as to not over-or-under-cook spells and brews. Admit it, your haunted house cries out for one. But if you can find a working hourglass in scale, it will be very expensive and possibly threaten the mortgage payment. What's a mini enchantress to do? Well, here's an easy way to create one that actually works. The directions and supplies are for the easiest assembly, but I did several versions and it's a cinch to personalize - try wood or metal instead of mat board and turned cocktail picks, straight silver or gold jewelry pins or floral wire instead of coiling rods. Make the stand round, square, star or moon shaped. Before you know it, you'll have the perfect, unique accent for your fantasy scene.

Member of the Month - Meet Charlene!

By Heidi Cleveland

This month I would like to re-introduce an original member of the forum, Charlene. Charlene has been a member of the Greenleaf forum since August 4,2005. She started around the same time I did. I stumbled upon her one day here last month. I had to find out how she was doing. I think this is the perfect way to find out!

Read more about Charlene...