Saturday, December 23, 2017

Deck The Halls.....




Finishing Touches....

It is almost Christmas Eve, Dear Readers, and in my eagerness to get the Secret Christmas House done in time for Christmas, I almost neglected to prepare any of my other dollhouses! So I hurried around today and made sure the trees were put up. Charles is admiring the same old tree in the same old corner of The Lovely Old Dollhouse. There is still a little time left for last minute preparations, but he is telling Helen she must not go out in this weather... it is too dangerous! It has been freezing rain all day and everything is covered in ice!  Helen is telling him she doesn't have any more shopping to do anyway, so she is happy to stay home and admire the tree. I must admit, I never get tired of seeing these mini tree lights go on!

The Silver Tinsel Tree has been put up in The Cloud Palace...
It is decorated with Golden "Wishing Stars" 
which are the Specialty of Blue the Blue Fairy Beary.
Sometimes just looking at the stars is enough to grant a fervent wish... 
So you better be careful!

And Brother Beorn has invited Sweet Pea to join him
 on the Palace Tower Garden Top 
to admire the "Christmas Beacon Pines"!
(Surely, Someday this Tower Garden will get finished!)

And since I left you wondering whether I would
 make a better tree for the Secret Christmas House,
 I had better show you what I have managed to do!

Here is the humble beginning... a mini "bottle brush" tree 
next to the paper version that came in the kit.

I started by trimming off all the fake white snow...leaving a narrow brush tree.
(I actually made it narrower than this but didn't take a picture.)

Then I coated it in glue and rolled it in some "landscaping material" 
which was left-over from the Tiny Garden kit I made last winter.
I thought it looked wonderful as is... 
but the color is just a bit too yellow for a healthy Christmas Tree!

So I painted it a richer green...
Which did start to make the texture a bit too "clumped"....
So I used my exacto knife to cut gaps into the shape...
but I am afraid you cannot see the difference.

And then I wanted to see if I could make some 
tiny "berry" garlands out of tiny nail-art beads.....
I spread a thin line of clear gel glue along the plastic surface
 and "roll" tiny beads into it and let it dry thoroughly.

When they are dry I glue them to the tree!
In order to see how this will look in the Parlor, 
I have to cut the tree from the thick wooden base...
 
It is just leaning in place to get a sense of the size....

Here I have added some tiny beads for Baubles....
(I am not sure they are tiny enough!)

And of course, I have to keep testing it in the Parlor
 to see if I am getting anywhere!

And I have to compare it to the paper tree...
 to see if I am making any difference...
It is cute... but not there yet!

And while I am debating and Dithering, Dear Readers, 
Pollyanna has gotten involved in another Teeny-tiny project....

It is a Tiny Dollhouse kit by "Young At Heart" 
that I picked up last year at the Sturbridge Fair...

(I had to give Pollyanna some help... 
she doesn't have the right tools yet!)

I painted the floors red..... 
because the Lovely Old Dollhouse has red floors... 
and this reminds me of the Lovely Old Dollhouse!

With the remaining floor and side added.... 
not as easy as it looks! 
(I don't have the right tools yet!)

We are making some progress!

I painted it white and added the roof....

Oh, I LOVE this tiny House!!!

Meanwhile, Dear Readers, 
I have decided that I simply Must try to make 
some Itty-bitty candles for the Christmas Tree...
The paper version has them, after all.... 
and I have always adored a candlelit tree....
(I forgot to take pictures of the progress... 
but they would have been too small to photograph anyway...)

Can you see them here?
They are made of glue-stiffened sewing thread cut very short, 
with an end dipped in super fine glitter... 
and the bottom end glued to a piece
 of gold "glitter" (the ordinary kind).....
I am sure you cannot see all the bits in the pictures....

Testing it in the Parlor... 
I think the candles add a wonderful layer of detail!
And even though you cannot see it in photos, 
in RL the candles do sparkle!

And there needs to be a gold star on top!

And then I decided that I really did need to "touch up"
 the edges of the Creche figures... 
where they were cut from the card left some white showing
 that was very distracting... 
so I painted the edges of the angels
 with gold on the wings and
 blue and green on the gowns...

And then Finally.. glued it to the mantel!

And the Tree too.... glued in place!
(Oh, I also added more pieces of red "glitter" for baubles...!)

We are nearly done.... 
But the gifts are still not all wrapped!
(I may be running out of Time!)

But it is Christmas Eve...
 
Over at The Folly, 
Will has put up the little Creche....

Such a simple vignette, but so moving....

And in the Lovely Old Dollhouse too...
The usual creche is in the usual place...
(Although no-one can ever remember on which side the camel sits...)

Yes, I may be running out of Time, Dear Readers..... 
but that is nothing new.... 
(even when the Holy Baby was born... they were not quite ready...!)

So I am still Decking the Halls,
 and wrapping the gifts....
Adding the Finishing Touches.....
And I am still drawing the Christmas Card....

But Christmas Comes!
May you All have a blessed Holiday!

34 comments:

  1. Voila une journée qui semble bien remplie pour vous chère Betsy, j'espère que tout sera prêt pour que vous puissiez passer un magnifique réveillon de Noël.

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    1. Thank you Jean-Claude! I will be happily playing with tiny things on Christmas!

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    2. Oh, and I forgot to add that I hope your Christmas is wonderful and merry and filled with minis!

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  2. I see that all of your dollhouse are decorated and ready for Christmas, Betsy! I always love seeing your miniature scenes and decorations for this time of year.
    The new made Christmas tree for the Secret Christmas House has absolutely become an awesome one, I knew that you could make a better one than the paper tree of the kit ;)! You did a great job and I love seeing all of the tiny details, like the lights/candles and tiny decorations you made for it: really awesome work!
    I hope you'll get ready for Christmas today, dear friend, and don't forget your card ;O!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours, dear Betsy!
    Warm hugs, Ilona

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    1. Dear Ilons, I am glad you like my new tiny tree! It certainly gave me some challenges... and as usual... nothing seems small enough! LOL!
      I am still drawing the card... but that too has become the "Tradition"! LOL! Merry christmas!

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  3. What a splendid Christmas scene! The tree and the crib are lovely, so the tiny house. Happy Christmas to You
    Hugs

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    1. Thank you Claud! IT is very tiny! I am loving this scale of mini! Have a Merry Christmas!

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  4. All those tiny, delicate details are beautiful. Fantastic work!
    Merry Christmas!
    Hugs,
    Drora

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    1. Merry Christmas Drora! Thank you for your lovely comment!

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  5. Such patience and attention to detail!

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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    1. Hi Irene! This tiny scale has me enchanted... I can't seem to stop! LOL! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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  6. The tree is beautiful Betsy! Amazing job again! Have a lovely Christmas!

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    1. Thank you Shannon! I hope your Christmas is Merry and your New Year filled with Joy!

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  7. Loving each one of your Christmas trees no matter what their size!
    Merry Christmas dear Betsy! :D

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    1. Dear Elizabeth, I am so glad you like my trees! I am keenly aware of their "funky" nature... which I think is part of their charm! This tiny one is so much more formal... I wasn't able to make it as "loose" as I would have liked.
      I hope your Christmas is Wonderful and your New Year Full of Joy!

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  8. No Christmas would ever be complete without that some old question about the camel's side... ;O) Thank you for this very festive post bringing me into the full Christmas spirit. It's so lovely to see that everyone in Betsy-world is preparing for Christmas (well, almost everyone... I really wonder how Christmas is celebrated in Renées home... I'm not sure about her Grandmother's ability to make the Season bright) I'm in awe with the tiny house Pollyanna made with your help and of course it was my biggest pleasure to see everybeary is having a great time at the Cloud Palace. Wow, the Tower Garden Top looks already very promising... And what else to expect from you... the new tree turned out stunning, I'm glad you've thrown out this odd paper one. What an impressive tree, just right for this fantastic house. Nevertheless I had to think of a scene from this classic Christmas movie, I think it's called National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation in your country, it's the tale of the Griswold Christmas... do you know it? If so, remember the scene when Rusty says about the Griswold family tree coming out of the woods "This thing would even be too big for our garden!" Answer of his father: "But it's not supposed to stand in the garden, Rus'. It's going to stand in our living room!" *teehee* But as long as there's enough space to place a star on top the tree has the perfect size... and your tree perfect in any way. Merry Christmas to you and yours including all the little ones that brightened my year with all their wonderful stories... oh... and of course best Christmas wishes for a special card that is hopefully getting along very well. *grin*

    Merry Christmas
    Birgit (who must add that she is a bit upset because it looks that my little Christmas greeting that was sent weeks ago didn't make it to your home... *sigh*)

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    1. Dear Birgit, I am sure you will understand that Time moves differently in Renee's world! LOL! In her story we have not made it to Autumn yet... let alone Christmas!!! (Believe me, I am aware of this and... *sigh*... eventually will have that solved!) As for the Camel problem... I have a project in mind that might cure this problem.... but now I have to wonder if it should be cured at all? LOL! (Like my late Christmas Card... which by now has become a "Tradition"! What would I do on Christmas if I could not be still drawing the card?!) And yes, the tree needs to fill as much space as it possibly can! (In my old house I had a studio with 14 ft. tall ceiling and home-grown trees in the back field.... *sigh*) And as for your missing gift...... I am relieved to hear it is on the way, but there is no sign of it yet! :(
      I am so glad you are here to share in the Wonders of Christmas in miniature, Birgit! You are an inspiration (and an instigator, I might add...!) as well as a most generous and Creative and fun-loving friend! Merry Merry Merry Christmas to you and yours! (Including all the Little furry friends from all my little furry friends!!!!):):)

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  9. Merry Christmas, Betsy! Your mini house is amazing. All the Christmas trees are very beautiful! Best wishes!
    Tatiana

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    1. Thank you Tatiana! I am having fun with the tiny house... I still have more to make for it!
      Merry Christmas!

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  10. Hi Betsy, Yes you did make a difference to the tree when you added the sparkly candles. The house is becoming quite full. I wonder what you will do next.
    All the best for a wonderful holiday and a safe and healthy 2018.
    Regards Janine

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  11. You have made wonderful Christmas decoration in all your mini houses. I don´t comment often here but I´d like to say that I follow your blog now and have enjoyed a lot following your progress with your tiny house. It´s turning out so lovely. I love it! Merry Christmas!!

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  12. Wonderful as always!!! Merry Christmas to you too!
    Geneviève

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  13. What wonderful and heartwarming Christmas scenery! I love the tree you have made, it's just so much MORE!
    I hope your Christmas was filled with love and fun, and look forward to all the lovely treats you have in store for 2018!

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  14. Hello, Betsy - I loved seeing the Christmas trees in the Lovely Old Dollhouse, the Cloud Palace (I love the shape of this one, especially) and of course the Palace Tower Garden Top pines! I'm glad that you remembered them just in time. You did superb work on the tree in the parlor of the Secret Christmas House - as I knew you would! I like your excellent idea of enhancing the tree by adding the landscaping material. The teeny baubles and candles and the tree-top star - all just perfect touches. I'm so happy that you decided to trim a new tree for the parlor; this one is just right, and it says "Merry Christmas" as though it means it! I wish you much joy and many blessings in the New Year.
    Marjorie

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  15. Just wonderful! Your photos set the scene for a very cozy Christmas indeed. Fabulous work on those tiny little items. You are very inspiring. Happy New Year!

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  16. felices fiestas y feliz nuevo año !!

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  17. I didn't read this one in a timely fashion, so you may not even notice my comment. I am overwhelmed by your attention to detail! And patience. Both qualities that I lack. Bravo!
    Love, Mom

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  18. This is great. Your tiny house is exquisite. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too.

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  19. Hello Betsy,
    I have deep respect for you, working at this scale. All way too small for me. But I love it! Love your Christmas tree! And I love the tiny dollhouse!! So cool!!
    Christmas is long gone but I wish you a wonderful, joyful, healthy and creative New Year.
    Big hug,
    Veronique

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  20. Happy New Year Betsy! <3
    Hugs, piikko

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  21. Hello Betsy,
    I hope you had a lovely Christmas and I wish you all the best for the New Year. Seeing these pictures this morning put me back in the Christmas mood. your mini decorations are wonderful, but I will say the tree for the Christmas house blew me away! How perfect! The tiny dollhouse kit is wonderful, but I can already imagine it glued to my finger...I love it, but I'd go nuts.
    Big hug
    Giac

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  22. Loving each one of your Christmas trees no matter what their size!
    Merry Christmas dear Betsy! :D

    หนังตลก Comedy

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