Monday, December 10, 2007

Something Else We've Been Working On...

This is the beginning of our Winter Village... Usually we'd be a little further along on all our projects, but, honestly, we're still trying to figure out where someone put the cinnamon after it was unpacked!

We spent a snowy Friday afternoon adding to the houses we already had from another year, though. We plan to add a large backdrop of blue fleece for sky, with some fluffy cotton batting clouds... Also need to finish the church and maybe make some more people. We've also got some fun Christmas trees, but we wanted to wait until it's a bit closer to the Big Day to add them. It's a work in progress. We'll post some more pictures as we finish it throughout Advent.

We got the original idea from
Mary Englebreit's Winter book. But, for directions online, you can use this tutorial to make either whimsical little houses, or permanent felt gingerbread houses.
Michelle, half-way through construction on the new rectory.
Theresa working on an outbuilding
The unfinished church. We're looking for a fun way to make stain-glass windows. Any ideas?
Starting to put it all together on top of the batting snow
on the school cupboard in our dining room.

One of our little pipe cleaner guys on his way down the slopes.
A little pipecleaner lass building a snowman.
Two little sledders deep in the fluffy "snow."
One of the little houses, waiting for its garage to be attached.




4 comments:

Eileen said...

Oh, this is too cute! I love the little pipe cleaner guys.

For stained glass, I like little torn bits of tissue paper. Not too creative, I guess, but it does the job!

You could also put a clear "report cover" sheet on top of a picture you like, and trace/color over it using permanent markers. Then I guess you could cut an appropriate-sized hole in the church and glue or tape the "window" to the inside. But then I think you'd need some kind of light source inside the house to enjoy your work to maximum effect.

But then, what do I know? You guys are obviously way more creative than I am!! :)

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Mary Englebreit's work is such a delight because of the vivid use of color and the way her "children" are portrayed. You have cone such a wonderful job of illustrating your village in three dimensions. My goodness what talent abounds in you home.

Lisa said...

Thanks, Eileen! ~ I was trying to think of a plastic source ~ report covers would work perfectly, and I think I just saw some somewhere in my wanderings. Hmmm... let me think... I'm gonna try it. Stay tuned! And, goodness, we are so not more creative than you guys! Your wonderful projects have been so much fun to watch!

GrandmaK ~ Thanks for your sweet words! We love ME for her color and whimsy! I always get her day calendar for Christmas, and have loved to cut out the little illustrations, with their little words of wisdom to tuck in lunch boxes, etc.

Mary Vitamin (Helen) said...

Lisa -- no wonder you said you love Christmas villages! Yours is amazing.