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In the Garden - by DeeinNJ
(September 2005)Today we take our dioramas outdoors... well, not REALLY outdoors, but it just looks that way.
Here we have the lovely Delphine dressed in her Garden Party fashion. Of course, she would not look properly displayed in this fashion unless she was actually strolling or relaxing in a garden setting. So, I created one for her. Here’s how:
First is the garden backdrop. This is two sheets of 12 x 12 Thomas Kincaid scrapbook paper pinned up as a backdrop. If you wanted to do a room box, you could have color copies of the background paper made so you’d have enough to cover your entire box. Or, do an internet search for photo backdrops and choose from a host of lovely settings you can print off your computer.
Because 12 inches wasn’t tall enough for this display, I needed to extend the height of the garden. To do this, I put hedges at the base of the paper to cover the part of the background not hidden by the scrapbook paper. Now, these particular hedges were torn off a decrepit version of Barbie’s 1960s Dream House (hey, I used every scrap!). But, you could make some hedges pretty easily.
Find a grass or leafy print paper. Scrapbook paper is good, but if you can’t find it, do an internet search and then print something off on your computer. Then, paste the paper to some card stock. A 7-inch wide strip by whatever length works well. Then, just score the card stock at intervals such as 3 inches (front), 1.5 inches (top), then again at 3 inches (back). Then fold it up and it stands up on it’s own.
I like working with paper, but if you want more realism, maybe buy a foam brick in the floral department at the craft store. Then, just stick greens in the top and front, leaving the bottom flat. Then you will have more realistic looking hedges. Just some ideas. I know a certain diorama expert who just made some beautiful topiaries. There’s no limit to what you can do if you just search around the craft store!
For the stone patio, I took a piece of scrapbook paper and scanned it on my computer, then I pieced the image to cover an entire sheet of 11 x 17 paper and output several sheets.
The 3-panel folding screens (obviously, one of my favorite subjects) I found in the clearance bin at the Hallmark store. They are actually made for hanging hallmark ornaments. Each panel has a hook and the lattice pops out of each panel if you want to hang something. Now, if I had some nice mini hanging flower baskets, I’d be in business! (Anyone know a good source?) This find just goes to show that it pays to keep your eyes open; I wasn’t looking for diorama stuff, but buying a birthday card!
I think you could easily make a lattice folding screen similar to these if you just ran pieces of white card through your paper shredder and then criss-crossed the strips onto a frame made of heavy paper or cardboard. Any takers on this type of screen for our Sept. 26 Make a Screen Challenge?!
The arbor was actually a garden swing that came with a Barbie/Ken Garden playset. I got rid of the swing and decided not to affix the printed flower stickers that were to decorate the sides of the arbor. Instead, I found some mini florals with a vine-like quality at the craft store and wove them up the sides of the lattice for a more realistic floral presentation. Now, this set was out a couple years ago, but you might still find it at flea markets or ebay or, you could probably make something on your own if you are crafty.
The chairs were a lovely gift from a doll club meeting I attended, but I’ve seen these on ebay, as well.
Other items you could add would be garden urns with plants or flowers, a tea cart with refreshments or a bistro set. Add some more dolls for a true garden party! Even a bride and groom would look nice in this setting.