This is my Gold and White Christmas basket scene. The gold and white theme was chosen to match my home decorations at the time. Time does change ones taste. The tree lights, lamp and fireplace light up, with batteries. The loveseat started out as an inexpensive sofa. I removed the covering and cut out the center portion and glued it back together. Then I used ribbon to make the upholstery. The tree is from a preserved fern kit that when examined under a magnifying glass appears to be a real tree.
My club did this as a group project. It always amazes me how different everyone's finished projects turn out.
Americana Bed Room
This was my very first actual "room box", although not, one of my early projects.
The rabbit in between the window and the two I repainted that are on the corner cupboard shelf were purchased. The standing lamp is purchased, as are the knickknacks on top of the fireplace.
I made all the quilts, the chair, blanket chest, fireplace screen, quilt rack, and the Uncle Sam light myself. The border at the top of room is fabric same as the curtains. The bed frame was a kit. A funny story goes with this bed, while working on it one of my cats knocked off a leg and chewed it. (The marks are still there.) I was telling my husband and mother-in-law about the teeth marks my cat made on the bed leg. They both had funny looks as they were imaging a real bed. We all had a good laugh when I explained that I was talking about a mini bed.
The corner cupboard is a childhood toy purchased at an auction along with some cast iron furniture. It waited a long time to find a home, but sure gave me lots of enjoyment as a child.
This scene is made in a paper mache pumpkin I created. I worked a number of hours trying to build up the ridges, since it was my first attempt at paper mache (except maybe as a young kid, which I don't remember) it didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped. But yet, I am still pleased with it over six years later. The tree was also a first attempt. The color is even brown.
I think the thing that stumped me most about creating this was not the paper mache (although it sat for several months before getting cut open). Instead I was stumped by each appliance and cabinet on the walls that I curved to match the pumpkin itself. It took me some time to do it like I wanted. The appliances were made with a poster board that has a shiny side. Looks very authentic in real life.
I've never been much on dolls, so the story here is that the mom, had to leave momentarily to save the world. So don't worry, the kittens won't get the cookies cooling on the stove. In the last pic, you might be able to make out the pumpkin on the counter. It only has a few pieces of furniture.
This page was updated 4/27/02. All photos are private property and are not to be used without prior permission of Preble McDaniel.
