The Smallest.....

 

 Pagoda Bed...

Well, I don't know about you, Dear Readers, but I could not possibly fail to Try to make a tiny version of that Amazing (if I do say so myself) elaborate Pagoda Bed that I had made for the Tree House Bedroom all those years ago! Do you Remember it? With the striped mattress and the green velveteen blanket (made from a scrap of cloth from a bridesmaid dress I wore as a child!) and those hand embroidered silk bed curtains that took me a couple of years to complete, and the Pagoda Canopy? You will be glad to know that I had gained some confidence in methods for working in this small a scale... (btw I did the math and it is approximately 1/596th scale or a12th of 1/48th scale!) and so I set forth constructing the bedframe from cardboard (approx. 1/8th inch square) and four posts made from the finest florist wire in my stash (I think it is 36gauge cloth wrapped wire). You can see the beginnings above... gluing the posts one at a time to the cardboard, which I had notched at each corner to hold the wire better. Even the tiniest glue blobs are large at this scale and the more surface they connect with the stronger the join will be. I think the posts are a hair over 1/8th inch tall... 'cause it is hard to measure this small!

 

Here you can see all four posts are glued on... 

and the bed sits fairly level too! 

One of the most challenging parts of working at this scale 

is holding onto the parts as you are working on them!

 

Then I added the head rail.

 It might have been easier if I had tried with cardboard... 

but either way cutting the size just right to fit between the bedposts

 and then to glue it in place between the posts at the right level....!!! 

Harder than it looks!

 But I got it done after several tries where

 the wire "pinged" off into somewheresville... 

never to be seen again! 

But so far so good!

 

Then it got the necessary black paint...

 

Believe me I had to search around a bit to find

 a piece of that green velveteen

 that I had used for the original bed...

(such sentimental attachment...!...)

 and it was a bit challenging to cut a piece

 only 1/8th inch square... but I managed it...

 

And glued it to the bedstead.... 

instant mattress and blanket!

 And Oh so Satisfying to see!

 Real velveteen on this tiny bed!

 (I apologize for the less than perfect photos... 

I was intent on making parts 

and barely remembered to take pictures, 

and it is so hard to make the camera focus on the right items!)

 

And here you can see it with the "pillows" too! 

(I cheated a bit... they are cardstock

 cut to about 1/16th inch long and glued in place.)

 

And then came the real challenge....

 Could I make a"Pagoda" top for this scale?? 

I cut some tiny triangles from paper with the 

base the same as the length of each side

 and the "triangle" taller than the width of the bed

 (and neglected to take any pictures)

 And then I glued each triangle along

 the side of the cardstock base (the same size as the bed)

 which was rather tricky! 

But they "smushed" together just perfectly,

 the glue on the base basically filled the middle 

of the Pagoda and held it all together!

 

Then I glued it to the bedframe! 

Oh my! That was harrowing! 

But it worked!

 

Maybe this is a better angle to see it from?

 

And then it needed to be painted black.... 

 

Isn't this the most adorable little bed??? 

We have to test it in the Nano house....

 

Where we run into the same problem I did with the Original bed... 

I will have to adjust the ceiling

 to accommodate the bed's height!

 A Dome anyone???

 

But this is not finished, Dear Readers!

 Remember those embroidered curtains I mentioned?

 

Well, you know I had to give them a try!

 This is the same silk I used on the original curtains, 

and no I am not going to sew them! 

But I will try to paint a design that resembles the originals....

 

 I wanted to take advantage of the "fringed" edge 

the same way I did with the originals... 

so I painted as small as I could.... 

as close to the fringe as I could... 

 

Which gives me enough to cut in two, 

one curtain for each side of course!

 

Like This! 

Oh Heavens! 

I think it is almost there!

 

Just a little bit of gold glitter detail is needed...! 

There at the base of the Pagoda Canopy... 

 will this do the job?

 

Like This? 

Is it really ready? 

Shall we give it the ultimate test....?

 

A comparison with the Original...? 

Can you see it in there... on the Pagoda Bed itself?

 

How about now? 

Can you see it now? 

Is it good enough?

Oh, my Word, 

I love this tiny bed so much!

 

And of course, we have to see it in The Nano House... 

so challenging to get the lighting and the angle right! 

But, yes, I might have to "dome" the ceiling just a tiny bit

 just as I had to for the Tree House Bedroom!

 

 But Oh Heavens, Dear Readers, 

Is that the Smallest 

Pagoda Bed 

Ever?!

 

The Nativity....

 

 Lest We Forget....

Is it Already Almost Christmas, Dear Readers? How does the Time pass so quickly and at the same time seem to crawl along? Well, I suppose that is a question that always stumps the Philosophers themselves, so we are unlikely to find a good reason on our own! But never mind, however the Time passes, Pass it does, and here we are almost late to set up the Nativities! Pollyanna has declared it time for the Holy Family to find their way to the Lowly Inn that has no room left to host them and hence they must bide with the beasts themselves in the stables. At least that was a roof over their heads and straw at their feet rather than nothing but Stars and wind above and rocks underfoot. They were grateful for somewhere sheltered to lay their heads.

 

"I think this is ready" said Pollyanna at last.

 She had moved and shuffled the characters into

 several arrangements before settling on this one. 

(There is always the concern of the best placement for the camel!) 

Oh, can't you see the camel...? 

He is over in the back behind Mary....

 

Can you see his nose sticking out 

from behind Mary... way in the back......? 

No?

 (I'm not sure we should tell Pollyanna....!)

 

"I think it looks perfect, my dear!" said Charles happily.

 (He can see the camel from where he stands...)

"Now we are truly ready for Christmas whether it snows or not!" he declared.

 

Yes, I think it looks right, thought Pollyanna....

wondering idly why there was no stable with this creche. 

Would it make the pieces easier to place if there was one she wondered?

 

Just then Arthur showed up to check on how the arranging was going...

 "Looks good, Hon" he said, "But where's the camel...?" he added

 

"Can't you see him?" asked Pollyanna, surprised.

 "He's right over there behind Mary.... 

with the Kings which only makes sense..." she added."

 

"Oh, sure, I see him now", said Arthur peeking around Mary 

"but it looks a bit like he's hiding back there".... he added honestly. 

"Well, I can't put him in front of the Kings..." said Pollyanna, 

"that just doesn't look right... as if the camel is first in line....!" she declared.

"Ah, I do see what you mean," said Arthur diplomatically.

 

 

"But I have wondered why there is no stable with this creche..." said Pollyanna.

 "I wonder if it would make fitting the characters easier....?"

 "I think it would be lovely to have a stable again..." said Helen wistfully.

"There was one originally but it was a bit fragile

 and fell apart... I can't remember how long ago!" 

 

Pollyanna glanced over at Arthur and could see 

he was thinking the same thing she was... 

"We could build something...." he said quietly... 

"not for this year.... but maybe by next year...?" 

'Pollyanna just smiled her happiest smile...! 

 

Meanwhile, Dear Readers, over at The Folly Dollhouse

 there are no such questions and no such discussions.

 There is no need for them at all.

 Will and Gabrielle are in Perfect Agreement every year

 that the tiny Nativity goes in the window 

of the Living Room just as it always has!

 

Yes, it is already evening (since it arrives so early these days) 

but they are enjoying their coffee and bread and cheese 

by the light of the fire and the little glowing ceramic Christmas Tree.

 There is nothing to argue about, 

the Holy Family alone with the angel above... 

anything more is superfluous and distracting even! 

This is Christmas at it's most elemental. 

Family, shelter and Blessings from above!

 

Who need ask for more?

 

Well, Dear Readers, I hope that as the Day approaches 

you are able to celebrate with Family and loved ones.

 And that whatever Holiday you celebrate, 

that you have shelter and Blessings from above!

 

Happy Holidays To All! 

 

 

 

Trees...

 

Christmas and Otherwise....

I Hope you will understand, Dear Readers, the enormous Joy that I feel when the tiny Christmas tree lights on the tree in The Lovely Old Dollhouse turn on! There is just something so magical and timeless and beautiful about a Christmas tree with the lights glowing, but even moreso when it is in a dollhouse! Of course, for Helen and Charles it is the "same old" tree in the "same old" corner of the Living Room and it has been just so for how many years? But never mind, the effect is always the same... Peace and Joy come into their hearts and Love for everyone and everything seems possible! 

 

 

"There!" said Charles with great satisfaction.

 (It seems it is always his job to set up the tree,

 but he really likes it that way.)

 "I think it looks better than ever" he adds happily.

 "You do such a wonderful job with

 the Tree, Charles," said Helen quietly. 

"It always reminds me 

of our first Christmas together..." she added.

 "Do you remember?"

 "How could I forget, Darling..." he replied gently... 

"The first major dispute of our marriage... 

and I thought it would please you

 to have the Tree a surprise!"

 "And instead I was so shocked

 that it was up already 

and nowhere near Christmas Eve 

when my family had always put it up....

 what was I to think...?" said Helen laughing softly. 

 

 

"Well, you told me quite clearly 

what you thought, as I recall..." said Charles...

 "Something about poor taste and 

lack of sharing...." he added with a grimace.

 "I wish you could have seen the expression

 on your face, my love..." replied Helen, sweetly.

 "It nearly broke my heart... " she said.

 "But we learned from it and built a better tradition

 for ourselves because of it, I think" she added.

"Always to do it together..." said Charles smiling.

"And never before St. Lucia's Day and 

Never as late as Christmas Eve..."added Helen wistfully. 

"I think it is just Perfect...." said Helen. 

 

And lest you think I have neglected the other Houses 

 

 

the tree has been lit in the Castle Great Hall...

 

 Where it is very dark, even in the middle of the day.

(I will have to bring out the accessory lighting...) 

 

And over at Sally May's and Chip's House

 the Tinsel Tree has been set up

 and shines brightly all through the day. 

Ernie and Blanche have gotten used to the "style" of the tree, 

even though it wasn't what they would have chosen.

They figure that since it is not their own house

 they have no business to complain! 

But the truth is they are really enjoying the glitter,

 no matter that it is artificial!

 

And over at The Cloud Palace,

 

The whole gang is gathered to admire the Silver Tinsel Tree!

As far as the Fairy Bears are concerned 

the Silver Tinsel Tree is the 

most Natural thing in the World!

Who wouldn't love  

a beautiful glittery silver tree

 to light the darkest Nights?

 

And if you look closely you can spot the

 little snowman ornaments made by Birgit herself!

 But that is not all, Dear Readers!

Do you remember the little table-top ceramic tree Gabrielle found? 

 

I assembled this little tree from a kit a couple of years ago.

 I love the ambiance it brings to The Folly living room

which is really too small to fit an ordinary Tree.

 

 

Even so, it radiates so much Peace and Joy!

And perhaps you remember that the Tree House itself 

once had a Christmas Tree in the Salon!

 

I had to hunt around a bit to find it...! 

Can you see it back there in the corner niche? 

I know it is a bit dark...

 

Can you see it better now?

 

But now I am sure you are wondering, Dear Readers,

 what I meant by "Otherwise" in the post title... 

and since we are on the topic of Trees a lot lately,

 I have more to show you of the 

Tree House Nano Tree House....

 

 

 

If you are familiar with the rooms of The Tree House itself, 

you would know that the third room up is the Library.

 But for the Nano Tree House I decided the Ratlings

 would probably wish for a bedroom

 to go with their kitchen and salon. 

So I am trying to make a very small version

 of the Chinoiserie bedroom with the Pagoda bed!

 You can see the fireplace has been attached.

 And the green base color for the walls has been painted.

 

And then I have to try to "suggest" the painted walls... 

which is where the Trees come in...!

(Please remember the walls are 1/4 inch tall!)

So I am just trying to "suggest" the elaborate

 wall painting I did for the Tree House itself.

 

Maybe you can see it better with the flash?

This is just the beginning... 

I needed to see how it looked in photos....

 

 

And here I have added "leaves" 

(okay, a few dots of green) to the trees in strategic places...

 

And the side wall too...

 

 

And, of course, I needed to attempt

 to imply a Peacock over the fireplace.... 

can you see his blue neck and green tail?

 

Oh yeah, and the black door frame and the painted door too...!

Does it remind you of the trees in the Folly Bedroom?

 

Well, Dear Readers, 

that was what I meant by

 "Trees, Christmas and Otherwise!"