CraftyManiac

Building a Faerie Door From Scrap Wood

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:30:00 -0400

This started with a scrap of plywood, a chunk of 2×4, and the perfectly reasonable urge to install a tiny blue door in a brick wall.

The door is carved into the plywood rather than built from separate planks. The stone surround and base are scrap softwood, hacked about until they looked sufficiently old and lumpy. Tiny basswood hinges, bits of dowel and styrene, a Christmas-decoration bell, and the end of a rock-candy stick supply the hardware. In other words: mostly offcuts, plus several objects that had no idea they were about to become architecture.

I Built a Logic Puzzle for Thorncroft Mysteries

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

The first Thorncroft Mysteries novel, Terror in Stone, is written. I’m now working through the self-publishing process, which turns out to contain rather more administration and rather fewer dramatic rooftop pursuits than the book.

Lord of The Rings Leather Journal

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 23:28:15 +0000

I made my Daughter a Lord of The Rings journal with tea stained paper (ph balanced)

The entire cover was laser cut and engraved. Leather was hand dyed.

I’ll be making my laser template (withot the LoTR artwork) available for download eventually. Once I fine tune it.

Links

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 22:14:58 +0000

Software I use or recommend

https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/

Affinity Designer is an award-winning vector graphics software setting the new industry standard in the world of design. Available for Windows, macOS and iPad, the super-smooth, feature-packed app is the choice of thousands of professional illustrators, web designers, game developers and other creatives looking to create high-quality concept art, print projects, logos, icons, UI designs, mock-ups and more.

DIY Pumpkin Stem to Wargaming Tree Stump

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 18:40:37 +0000

The Build

In this article, well look at the process of taking a common (yet seasonal) object and turning it into a piece of DIY wargaming terrain. Doing this made me realize that, with the right idea and technique, nothing is safe from wargamers.

Bookbinding: Signature Estimator

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 08:06:12 +0000

Download Signature Estimator v2 Excel File (.xlsx)

Estimate Signature Size for DIY Bookbinding

I decided to make a book. Not write one, make one. I wanted to start with a pre-made PDF because my life isn’t complicated enough. The PDF I chose was the final edition of a magazine called “Write Now” (off site link ).

Designing Terrain from Desktop to Tabletop part 2

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:04:55 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on July 11, 2012 by Highland Piper.

So you have made your 3D model and now your looking to make it a reality. Unless you have a 3D printer your best bet is to make a template and print it on a 2D printer.

Designing Terrain from Desktop to Tabletop part 1

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 02:30:51 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on June 18, 2012 by Highland Piper.

Lately I’ve been making my terrain with Google Sketchup which is a 3D software that allows you to easily build 3D objects. Sketchup is very simple to use and it is free. the ability to make your models to scale is invaluable to me as I will then open the Sketchup file containing my model with Ultimate Paper Craft 3D and unfold the model so I may print it out and build it. In these next few posts I will go through the process of making a piece of industrial Warhammer 40k terrain.

HirstArts Fieldstone Color Tests

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:30:01 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 29, 2010 by Rob.

Before I start, there is a KEY technique I use across all of these: I don’t dry brush in a sweeping motion. I dry brush each layer in a different direction. This cause different colors to be collected in different pockets and not get totally covered by the next layer.

Minas Tirith made out of matchsticks

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:26:38 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on February 26, 2010 by Rob.

Minas Tirith

Minas Tirith!

The Great White City. . . City of Kings. . . Capital of Gondor. . .

New Models from Dave Graffam

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:06:11 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 24, 2009 by Rob.

These are 30mm papercraft terrain models featuring multi-layered PDFs. All of those extra layers mean you get to choose from a variety of base textures and external features. Customize your creations and print lots of different versions of each model with just a click of your mouse.

Warhammer 40,000 and Magnets

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:50:07 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 1, 2009 by Highland Piper.

I have seen many posts that show how to add magnets to your Warhammer 40,000 models. Many of the figures and vehicles have such a multitude of options that it is almost a crime to permanantly glue just one option on to them. The best, and fairly simple, solution is to use magnets into your models. This way you can remove and add the options you need for each individual game. This also keeps you from purchasing multiple models in order to have all the options you may need.

Making a Stucco Wall

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:21:41 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 13, 2009 by Rob.

This isn’t “technically” a stucco wall. Its a variation on Wattle and Daub. Wattles were woven sticks or reeds inside a wooden framework and then covered with Daub (clay, dung, whatever was available locally.) This provided insulation and sealed the gaps against the weather. I’m sure that I’ve seen a similar technique applied to loose stone stacked between wood support beams but couldn’t find anything. Since I live in a fantasy world anyway, I thought, “What the hell! Slap me in a dress and call me Alice.” Err… I mean, “cover it in spackle and pretend its real”. I also figured more people would know what I’m talking about if I called it stucco. I’m very pleased with the result and to heck with reality.

Kit Bashing a Warhammer Fence

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:43:59 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 5, 2009 by Rob.

I was working on my Warhammer Manor and decided that I’m going to base it. Once that decision was made, i started to lay out the base features. I was futzing with the walls and fences when I had the brilliant notion to make the gate a functioning one.

Free Combat Storm Building Pack #2

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:45:11 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 10, 2008 by Rob.

WATERLOO , ON ? August 3, 2008 – Strategy Wave Studios has released their second building creation pack as a free download for their popular plastic army men miniature wargame, Combat Storm. The pack contains colorful custom photo-realistic templates which give players the ability to create their own buildings and scenery pieces when playing Combat Storm. Building Creation Pack #2 is available immediately via CombatStorm.com.

“With the release of the first Building Creation Pack, we received a lot of positive feedback from players who enjoyed our free papercraft products and understood they were hungry for more,” said Lead Designer David Reiter. “Our artists have been working on several new free downloadable papercraft terrain pieces that will be released in the near future, and Building Creation Pack #2 is a sample of what’s to come.

Building Cellar Dwellers’ Blacksmith Shop – Part 3

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:49:58 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on February 11, 2008 by Rob.

Finally! Let’s finish this sucker up. You might want to reread the first two parts which deal with construction and painting.

Ebbles Miniatures:Frontier Farmstead

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 02:43:34 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 13, 2008 by Highland Piper.

Ebbles Miniatures has released their latest paper terrain.

Frontier Farmstead

Price: $5.00 USD
Scale: 1:60
Complexity: Intermediate

Cathedrae Noctis: HellWorks II

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:51:53 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on December 21, 2007 by Highland Piper.

Cathedrae Noctis: HellWorks II

File Size = 30.3MB

$16.99 USD

As the grim tolling of bells peals out of the bellfry, snarling gargoyles and faceless statues seem to somehow acknowledge your arrival. Towering pillars cast long shadows in the dimly lit gloom of these towering halls. Somewhere a demonic choir sings a blasphemous hymnal as the rotting corpses of sinners and devils line the pews. Don’t lower your head! Don’t fall to your knees! And don’t bother praying… it won’t help you now. This is Cathedrae Noctis… where even angels fear to tread!

New Gaming Mat Painting Tutorial at ZUZZY

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:51:59 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on November 20, 2007 by Rob.

Our friends at Zuzzy Miniatures has just released a tutorial on their website showing how to paint the ZUZZY Terra-Flex gaming mat. The step-by-step tutorial has lots of photos and should make it easy to get a nice looking paint job.

Two WorldWorks Games Releases

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 10:06:47 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 13, 2007 by Highland Piper.

Mayhem Marina

$16.99

File Size = 90.9MB

Mayhem Marina is a modern day setting dockyard. It features modular docks in various sizes, a tug/fishing boat and a variety of props. It’s great for nocturnal criminal activities, and with 184 pieces, there’s always action and danger at Mayhem Marina!

MechWarrior Mech Repair Bay

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 07:45:57 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 13, 2007 by Highland Piper.

Back again with another how to. This time we are looking at the Mech Repair Bay or it can be a Mech Hangar. You can find the files here .

“W” Terrain for MWAoD

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:53:23 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 4, 2007 by Highland Piper.

These are some of the simplest terrain you can make. Just a few 3D elements to give them something to help them stand out. You can find the files HERE at Dungeon Crawlers in the Download section.

WorldWorks Games: HellWorks

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:43:15 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on September 21, 2007 by Highland Piper.

HELLWORKS

Matt Lyon takes you to the very depths of Hell with WorldWorks Games’ “HellWorks”. Fire and brimstone dominate this model set with a demented landscape of pain and suffering. Packed full of unique ground tiles, modular cliffs and props, the world you design will take your players to chaos demon realms and the Chthulian explorations of your darkest nightmares! Almost any game genre or type can enjoy our Hellish vista. Hell, maybe it’s not even “Hell”, perhaps this represents an apocalyptic valley of death or an alien battlezone! However you decide to implement HellWorks in your next game you’ll be happy to note that it works with all of our other modelsets for the ultimate mix-and-match utility. Not only that but it comes in zero-grid, 1-inch, 1.5-inch AND hex formats for the ultimate compatibility with your game system.

Building the B7 3D Hill for MWAoD

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 03:21:59 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on September 9, 2007 by Highland Piper.

Download the model HERE

This was a difficult model to build. Not because of the number of pieces. Not because the size of the pieces. No this model is difficult because of the curves in this model. If your a beginner than I can’t stress enough how important it is to take your time. This is not a model to make quickly. You will be required to set it down and let it dry several times before it’s completion.

Building Cellar Dwellers’ Blacksmith Shop – Part 2

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:05:44 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 13, 2007 by Rob.

Welcome Back! This is part 2 of my 3 part mini-series on building Cellar Dweller’s Blacksmith shop. It’s been a while so you may want to reread the first part, which deals with the actual construction of the model . This part is concerned with the painting and Part 3 will deal with “finishing”. (You thought painting it was the end? 😮 )

Warhammer Buildings – Mini Review

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:23:55 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 8, 2007 by Rob.

Why a mini review? Simple… I bought the Warhammer Building Set (The Big One) and if I tried to do a how-to, I’d never (EVER) finish it.

Building Cellar Dwellers’ Blacksmith shop – Part 1

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 10:29:28 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on June 23, 2007 by Rob.

This project began a long time ago. Situations both personal and business related conspired to slow me down. It goes without saying that when I start a project with an eye to turning it into a how-to article, it takes 10 times longer to do than if I just sat down to do it for fun.

Carving Sprue Plants

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 21:21:25 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on February 12, 2007 by Rob.

I was asked to write a “how-to” on making plants out of sprues.

“What are sprues?”, you ask.

Sprues are the plastic frames that multipart models or minis come on. Most people cut the pieces off and throw out the frame. Not me. I never throw anything out (much to my wife’s displeasure).

Texured Spray Paint test

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 19:30:55 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 17, 2006 by Rob.

After seeing the new “Rough” paint that Gamesworkshop is hawking, I thought….. “There must be other options”.

Fantascene Hobbit Hole

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 19:41:03 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on September 11, 2006 by Rob.

Recently, I received an email from a company in England asking for a link exchange. Ever the curious soul, I checked it out. I was greeted with a very good looking “hobbit hole”. I’m a HUGE LoTR fan and have way more models than my wife thinks any normal (or abnormal) person should have. I checked out the site: Fantascene and emailed the owner (Geoff) back.

“The best-laid plans o’ mice an’ men…

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 07:49:49 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on September 2, 2006 by Rob.

… Gang aft a-gley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain
For promised joy.”

After suffering a major melt down recently and reloading my system from backups (you do make backups don’t you?), I kept having weird problems with my system. I finally made the decision to blow away the laptop and rebuild it from scratch. I manually reloaded all my applications and slowly put my data back online.

Got a little head

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 19:24:19 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 15, 2006 by Rob.

I just got a new piece of terrain from Geoff at Fantascene . It was well packed as usual. Upon opening the package, my youngest “claimed” it for herself.

Styrene Jail Cell – With working door

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 17, 2005 by Rob.

I have a confession to make. I LOVE Styrene. There, I said it. Please don’t think less of me.

I’m just a hack when it comes to working with this stuff. I don’t have the best tools and I certainly don’t worry about scale. I build for look and functionality.

Idiots Guide to Making Terrain #4: Ruined Urban Buildings

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 09:35:51 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on October 15, 2005 by Rob.

“Avoidance of built-up areas is no longer possible.” – US Army Field Manual 100-5

From now until the end of modern civilization, fighting in cities of every stripe will become the norm. Cities provide a ready-made defense, and are painful in terms of time and manpower to conquer and then hold.

Ebbles Miniatures the new future of wargames

Sat, 18 Jun 2005 11:58:27 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on June 18, 2005 by Highland Piper.

With growing prices and inflated egos of large gaming industries wouldnt it be nice to get some quality merchandise for a good price? I mean come on, not many of us can really afford to lay down $150.00+ on support vehicles these days. With the multitude of new gamers sticking with card games or cheaply made figures that only come in random boxes, forcing you to purchase hundreds of figures just to get one type of army set up, you would think that the prices of miniatures and the model vehicles would fall right?\

Warhammer Chariot Race Track

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 22:08:01 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on February 16, 2005 by Rob.

Warhammer is a wonderful game in itself, but with all those miniatures you have collected, you would be foolish not to use them for other games. Games Workshop encourages these “mini-games” set within the various Warhammer Worlds, such as Jousting or Pit Fighting, or to some degree Mordheim or GorkaMorka. one of the best mini-games has to be the Chariot Races by GW God Space McQuirk. The rules are classic, and I mean that in the truest sense: they are old!\

Terrain – Keeping it Simple

Sat, 15 Jan 2005 12:41:39 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 15, 2005 by Rob.

Keeping it Simple
Working Foundations

A model is made up of individual components all related and connected. Sounds a bit too simple? Not really. Even the most complex diorama is a series of sub-assemblies that will eventually join together to form the whole. It is with this in mind that I approach all of my projects. In many cases the various components are constructed months apart, but what blends and ties them together? Color and weathering. The colors all fall within a narrow range of tones. They are never bright, nor do they stick out. That is not to say they are dull or boring! The weathering blends the colors. The various diorama elements appear to be about the same age. The weathering is done in such a manner as to enhance, not overpower the scene. A beautiful model will be remembered or judged by its most dominating visual feature. It is a mistake to make this a bunch of brightly colored springtime flowers, or a shiny new vehicle right off the showroom floor. While these may be very prototypical, they do not translate well into miniature. Not everything in the “real world” looks good reduced to scale! Subtlety will always be my number one rule of thumb!\

Idiots guide to making terrain #3: Fences

Sun, 14 Nov 2004 15:22:15 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on November 14, 2004 by Rob.

As you have seen from my previous articles, there is no right or wrong way to make terrain. While I am morally offended by the “book under the tablecloth” hill, anything you do that forwards your gaming table is a positive step. Today I have concocted a relatively simple formula for making durable and attractive wooden fences, using very little in the way of materials. Again, this isnt the only way to make them, just the one I will teach you for now (future articles will detail brick walls and chainlink fences.)\

Building Helms Deep

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 23:38:38 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 28, 2004 by Rob.

This Article is from GeBoom about his Helms Deep project. Im posting it for him as its very heavy with images. It truely is an AWESOME piece of terrain. I wish I had a chance to play on it.

Idiots Guide to Making Terrain #2: Trees

Mon, 26 Jan 2004 19:21:39 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on January 26, 2004 by Rob.

As I have mentioned in lesson
1 of this series, terrain generally hovers between functional and attractive.

Today’s lesson starts with trees that are functional, easy and cheap. The latter
half of this article is definitely NOT for beginners, this is due more to the
tools needed rather than the skill required to do the job. If you are prepared
for this, the trees you can make will greatly exceed the quality and functionality
of the trees in Part 1.

Terrain Workshop: Ruined Watchtower

Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:15:58 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on December 15, 2003 by Rob.

This is not really an extension of my “idiots guide” series, but the priciples learned in the first article are certainly applied here. Free free to review that one before attempting this project. Additionaly, this project uses the Hirst Arts blocks, a whole hobby in itself, which really disqualifies it from being a beginners terrain piece. Overall, however, the project was pretty easy, and only takes about 2 days to complete if you already have the blocks (due to some drying times).\

Idiots Guide to Making Terrain #1: The Basic Hill

Mon, 01 Dec 2003 21:42:07 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on December 1, 2003 by Rob.

The hill is a critical terrain feature. Not only does it break up the flat, featurless table, it is the building block upon which almost all other terrain skills are derived. Lack of these skills would push some so far as to stack books under a tablecloth¹. This is unacceptable, and many would be driven to violence if forced to play under such conditions. Much of your future terrain-related angst can be avoided altogether by simply following these directions.

Spray Foam Terrain

Sun, 16 Nov 2003 13:52:08 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on November 16, 2003 by Rob.

While building a desert gaming table specifically for my Warhammer Skaven and Imperial Guard Tallarn units, I decided to try a new terrain making method: Spray Foam. Sold under a variety of different brand names, with Great Stuff being the most popular, the foam is commonly used as an insulator and all-purpose sealant in places such as where conduit or water pipes enter your home directly through a wall. I had seen it many times in my travels and noted how much the expanded foam resembled rock formations, so it was a natural leap to want to experiment with it on my gaming table.

WARNING WARNING WARNING

Fun with Sprues

Sun, 09 Nov 2003 21:13:41 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on November 9, 2003 by Rob.

This article looks at using sprues that accumulate in a seemingly endless supply. The obvious use is as a stick of some sort and I don’t disappoint because that’s what I did. I also made a plant out of sprue so that should be worth a read.\

Hidden Door in Hirst Blocks

Sun, 02 Nov 2003 20:22:20 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on November 2, 2003 by Rob.

Just a quick write-up on a test for a working hidden door using HirstArts block. I like functional or multipurpose dungeon pieces. Several parts of my dungeon sections have hidden passages and removeable sections. None of them are “working” bits though. I’m swamped with work, which is normal, so tend to take shortcuts. I wish I had time to try carving custom blocks. *sigh*

Building a Dungeon

Mon, 04 Aug 2003 19:01:32 +0000

Originally published on TerrainMonster on August 4, 2003 by Rob.

My first project after building the standard buildings on the Hirstarts Site was to attempt a Dungeon. Since this my first Dungeon so I thought Id document the process. Larger pictures can be found in my Gallery Album I’m just going to use thumbnails here so that it flows better. In building a dungeon there is one main question to answer: What type of floor pattern am I going to use?\

About Rob

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’m Rob. I make things, take things apart, and occasionally discover why the instructions were written that way.

CraftyManiac is my workshop notebook: part how-to archive, part experiment log, and part evidence for the defence. The bench tends to collect wargaming terrain, bookbinding, leatherwork, laser cutting, small software tools, and anything else that looks as if it might become useful after only three or four completely avoidable complications.

Contact Rob

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000