Grumpy_Mike:
Going from 12V to 3V3 means that the regulator has to burn a lot of power. Therefore it will get hot. Make sure you don't exceed the power rating of your regulator. You can be within the current ratings but exceed the power ratings very easily on most devices.See:-
Power & Heat
good advice. I am expecting a fairly low current (I will be clocking the tiny at 1mHZ)... lets say 30mA max? at 7V drop that is 210mW, the datasheet for one of the Dinky 250mA LDO regulators says around 200degrees per watt. So about 40 degrees above ambient, which is 60 degrees C. That's a little toasty but still within the device specs. I'll probably have to double check the current draw.