Christmas Isn't Just Kid Stuff Any More

Christmas is a time of magic... A time of renewal... A time for new beginnings. And that's precisely why it's so fitting that The Master Miniaturists Video Instructional Series has chosen Christmas as the theme to begin your journey from novice to expert miniaturist.

Your guide along the road is Judy Orr, owner of "Judy Orr Miniatures" in Orangevale, CA. Judy specializes in the art of miniature Christmas decorating. And in Volume 3 of the series, "Decorating Your Christmas House," she teaches beginners how to create miniature Christmas decorations from easy-to-assemble kits. Because kits include most of the materials needed, they're a hassle-free way for novices to learn the art of miniaturing.

Using simple kits, you can create a miniature Christmas house that will bring the magic of the holidays into your life year-round. But to complete the miniatures demonstrated on this video, you won't even need a kit, since most of the materials used can be purchased at local hobby shops.

"Decorating Your Christmas House," begins by demonstrating two simple stitching techniques you'll need to know to create all the decorations featured. From there you'll learn how to make miniature Christmas cards; and then using red felt and gold chord, you'll make Santa and Angel card holders from which to hang those cards.

Then Judy introduces you to lycopodeum, a moss that's been preserved and dyed to look like pine. You'll watch as she glues it to pipe cleaner to make everything from wreaths, to garland, to trees. It's a good project for beginning miniaturists wishing to create Christmas decorations.

And because you'll be working with such small pieces, Judy suggests, "Keep the glue away from your fingers as much as you can so the greenery will stick to the pipe cleaner and not to you. This will make it easier to work with. "And when gluing the lycopodeum into the pipe cleaner" she advises, "Don't press too hard while the glue is still wet. Fill in with more lycopodeum later, after the glue is dry." Extreme close-ups let you see every detail of the action. So you won't miss anything as Judy turns paper, glue, and ribbon into a miniature Christmas package, complete with wrapping and bow that will rival any gift you see under your full size tree this year. Then she'll show you how to make a stocking from which to hang the package.

When prepping the pipe cleaner for your Fireplace Garland & Sconces, it's crucial to get the exact measurements. Judy demonstrates how to measure the pipe cleaner against the fireplace in your room box to get the perfect fit.

And speaking of a perfect fit, the video uses a Christmas tree to demonstrate a space saving technique so clever, you may be tempted to use it in your own house next Christmas. Finally, you'll watch as Judy assembles all the finished pieces in a room box. For your convenience, kit model numbers for all the finished and unfinished miniatures demonstrated on the video are included.