Year 3--2009

Then there were more discoveries.  I found tiny pewter animals, trucks, boats.  I added a helicopter to the hospital and pewter cars for the streets.  The biggest discovery was the thimbles that actually looked like little houses.  Some were very expensive, some not so much.  I bought what I thought was reasonable so I could give Thimble County a more dimensional look.  They seemed to give it a more “realistic” appearance. 

At this time, I found that Birchcroft also had blanks--house-shaped blanks.  Then I had an idea.  If I could make a fire station with a picture, I could make my own thimbles for Thimble County!  Oh boy, could I.  I found printable pictures on the internet and made all kinds of my own thimbles.  Cabins, and houses galore. 

I made one that I prize dearly since it has a front that is 3-dimensional.  For me, it was difficult to make, but worth it.

Since I’m from the Midwest (Ohio), I had to include a covered bridge.  The challenge of raising the bridge was solved with river shells.  I completed the “look” with an Amish horse and carriage.

Then, while reminiscing of my youth, I remembered the Mail Pouch barns that were everywhere.  I had to make a red one, but then I continued with a black one as well.  Not many people remember the Mail Pouch barns.  The company actually went around painting farmers’ barns to advertise the chewing tobacco.  And, like I said, they were scattered throughout the countryside.  To me, I added a piece of my own history by including the Mail Pouch barns to my collection.

But, I didn’t stop there.  I took photos of our house and garage and not only made them into thimbles, but I made our yard and driveway (with accessories) for the thimbles to sit in.  I even made our fence around it all.

Again, Thimble County grew exponentially.  I bought Z-scale people to make it come to life.  

I then had to graduate it to the entire kitchen table.  Luckily, we eat Christmas dinner at his mother’s...

Thimble County sure did grow!