The Christmas countdown is on! While most of us haven't started Christmas shopping yet, if you want to get your Christmas minis ready, the clock is ticking. Fear not, you have time and hopefully I can provide some inspiration. Hobby Builder Supply (HBS) and miniatures.com asked me to put together a Christmas scene using an assortment of products from miniatures.com.
Those of you who have followed me all these years might have noted I haven't always posted elaborate Christmas scenes, but this year I started early (June!) and was determined to make a not one but TWO Christmas scenes.
The Room Box
Two important features of the room box are the fireplace's brick wall and the fireplace itself. The brick wall is a piece of MDF covered in the Embossed Light Brick Sheet. I primed it and painted it with the wall colour. The Jamestown Fireplace comes unfinished. I chose to paint it my wall colour and used the same brick sheet to line the inside of the fireplace.
Once the room box was completed, I began assembling pieces from miniatures.com and my collection. Many of the pieces from miniatures.com were painted or embellished to work with my scene, so please take a look at my shopping list at the end to find all the items.
Winter White Christmas Scene
We begin by peeking into the mini family's living room. They're safe and warm from the cold snow.
The Tree
The Douglas Fir Trees make the perfect Christmas tree. It has lots of flocked branches that are the perfect place to dangle Christmas balls and garland. I simply cut a 1"x 1" square of wood, drilled a small hole in the center and glued the tree in place. A small dab of wax held the base in place. miniatures.com has an entire Christmas page where you can find ornaments for your tree.
The Fireplace
The fireplace features two trees, painted white using spray paint. The Four Green Mini Trees, and many other bottle brush trees on miniatures.com, can easily be sprayed a colour to match your Christmas decor.
The Gold Bamboo Mirror....well, its not gold anymore! Using an x-acto knife, I gently pried the mirror from the frame. I then spray painted the frame white and glued the mirror back on.
Will Santa Visit?
It would appear the mini family left some milk and cookies out for Santa!
I continued to make some easy modifications to my furniture items. I took the White Storage Table and cut off the tiny legs to lower it to coffee table height! Even though it was already white, I have it a coat of white paint to match my walls. This versatile piece has a shelf underneath of display baskets or other accessories.
The table also features Three White "Simple Shapes" Vases and How The Grinch Store Christmas. Santa won't be disappointed with his 3-Pc. Cookies for Santa Set (and a note written to him).
Other Secrets
The living room also features the beautiful unfinished Hudson Side Table. To age the wood I diluted grey paint in water and brushed it on the table. The paint darkens the nooks and crannies and a little light sanding distresses the wood.
The table is also topped with one of the Set of Three Pink Candy Dishes that I spray painted metallic to match my decor. Just be sure to select a spray paint that can adhere to plastic. I used a bit of wax to adhere the dish to cardboard before I sprayed, because I learned the hard way that the paint stream will knock it right over!
One of my favourite pieces is the Dress Form on a Stand. This is a simple black plastic Chrysnbon piece that is very versatile. Using a make-up sponge I dabbed the form with gold paint. Once dry, I used linen to cover the bodice, which was adhered using a regular tacky glue.
Christmas Dinner
Now, I couldn't just make one scene, could I? When I think about Christmas, I always think of the delicious food and the groaning table. The mini meal is much more exciting to work on then the real life meal. Not that I don't enjoy it, but preparing that raw turkey tries my Christmas spirit.
The Dinner
I chose the Garnished Turkey and Platter, which is full of detail and the centerpiece of the meal. I added in the Turkey Dinner Plate with Side of Cranberries and the Green Bean Casserole to complete my meal. For added realism I use the Carving Knife and Fork Set along with the 3-Pc. Silver Flatware Set.
Come Have A Look Around!
If turkey isn't your thing, try the Garnished Ham Platter. I apologize, I didn't think to supply a vegan option at this meal ;).
Those little Christmas trees I used in the previous scene made their way over here too!
The Book of Mini
The holiday season is almost here! Consider giving your loved ones a copy. Kate is a huge champion of our hobby and you can follow her at The Daily Miniatures (@dailymini) on Instagram. Her Instagram features mini artist from around the world. It has led me to make a few discoveries that I would have never known about!
So, I can officially say that I've crossed something off my holiday list, my miniature scenes! Thanks again to Hobby Builders Supply and miniatures.com for their support with this post.
Your miniatures.com shopping list!
Here's the shopping list for the living room:
How The Grinch Stole Christmas book
3 pcs Cookies for Santa Set
Set of Three Pink Candy Dishes
Two Dress Forms on Stands Chrysnbon
Hudson Side Table
White Storage Table
Douglas Fir Trees
Jamestown Fireplace
Embossed Light Brick Sheet
Unfinished Demilune Table
Gold "Bamboo" Mirror
Three White "Simple Shapes" Vases
Four Green Mini Trees (painted white)
Here's the shopping list for the Christmas dinner:
Garnished Ham
Turkey Dinner Plate with Side of Cranberries
Garnished Turkey and Platter
Green Bean Casserole
Carving Knife and Fork Set
Four Green Mini Trees (painted white)
3-Pc. Silver Flatware Set
This post received support from Hobby Builders Supply and miniatures.com
