Wish me and my seven year old luck! We’re taking our village to the next level. I’ve used three tiers of styrofoam with snow blanket over the years but these mountains are GORGEOUS so we’re totally making it happen.
Awesome!! You don’t need luck, your mountain will be great. Just take your time and don’t rush the creative process. I have had to take a break from a project for days before it all finally came to me. You will do great!! 😀
This year will be the first year i' gonna take my Village very seriously. So I have A LOT of your video's saved to DIY my stuff. Can't wait to get started!
You make it look soooo easy, I just can't stand it! LOL It's only March and already you make me want to get started on my 2022 Dickens Christmas Village using all your fantastic ideas and tricks. Wish me luck. And thanks again for your fantastic videos...
Well thank you so much for such a beautiful compliment. I am working on my resurrection village for Easter and right after that I will be making a platform for my 2022 village. I always have village fever. 😂🤣
Gran trabajo, y diferente a otros que he visto.Sencillo pero efectivo. Tal vez yo hubiera quitado la marca del circulo en la base, esquina superior derecha. Por lo demas genial !!!
Hi Miriam, I love that you're giving us a step by step process of your village from beginning to end. Such a great way for us to get inspired and add all those little extras to our own villages. I know this is so much extra work for you to video everything, but it is most certainly appreciated. I'm slowly making progress on my own as well. Did a "major" piece on Saturday that I hope will hold up until the end of the year. *Fingers crossed* I'm finally starting to envision different areas of my village, such as mountains, farmland, town center, etc and where I want those areas to be in the layout. I've also brought in most of the houses I plan to use. Now it's going to be a matter of placing them around and seeing what works. Slow and steady gets this project completed. Looking forward to more village videos as well as your Fall garden videos. Plus I'm sure there will be a few Christmas decore videos as well. You're going to be a pro at this yet. Wishing all the best to you and your family. Blessings to all.
Hey Lloyd, You are so very welcome. It is a lot more work to video it but hearing from you all and knowing how helpful it is makes it all worth it. I’m so happy to be able to help. Your village progress sounds great. I can’t wait to see it all done, I know it’s going to be great. Yes, there will also be Christmas decor videos coming after I finish all of the villages. God bless you and talk soon! 😀
Hello Miriam, watching and rewatching this wonderful tutorial. I just plastered my north pole ice mountain with plaster strips. Did not smooth them out the way I should have. But also bought a bag of plaster and see you plastering with liquid plaster so will give that a shot once it is dry. Question: do you also plaster the bottom of your pieces or do you leave them as they are? Thanks for your work 🙏🌷
I just emailed you a video of my first attempt at making a mountain backdrop. I've been trying to document my progress, but I keep rearranging my layout. I need more height. Working on it :). Thanks for the new video on the tiered base.
Once again, this is soooooo helpful. You taught me alot in this video. Now I only wish throughout the year I wouldn't have tossed out scrap Styrofoam. They sure helped to make a very realist rock formation on the side of your village. This village is going to be awesome. I can tell. You're a genius at this stuff. Thank you.
Question... do you have to do the plaster effect on this type of styrofoam or could you just use the hot cutting tool? Just trying to figure the difference! Love all your tutorials! You do amazing work!
Oh my gosh, I have no idea what went wrong but I just used my entire pound of Plaster to basically end up with a pound of plaster stuck to my mixing bowl!
Oh no, how long did it take you to mix it? You have to mix very quickly because the plaster hardens quickly. Also, try adding more water to your mix next time to thin it out a little more.
I thought I was the only one who was starting on their Christmas Village this early. :) Thank you for providing these videos...I really enjoy them. Do you have a video on how you plan/layout your village for the upcoming season? Are there any software programs that you use?
Hey Candace, I’m glad all of us Christmas lovers have found each other. 😂🤣. There are several of us already starting our villages. There are a few that never even took their villages down from last year. I don’t have a video on how I plan my village and I don’t use any software. I just dream things up in my head. 😂🤣 Maybe I will do that the end of this Christmas season because usually I design my layout for the following year at the end of each season. Also, you are very welcome for the videos, it is my pleasure. 😀
Hi Miriam, wouldnt the end result be kind of the same without the first layer of plasterstrips? Wouldnt the plaster cover everything? Or is the strips just to make the second layer nicer/easier?
Hello, the end result wouldn’t be the same the way I apply my first layer of plaster. I loosely apply the plaster strips in certain areas so that every rock doesn’t look so sharp and pointy. I add the plaster strips to give a softer look in certain areas. This is a personal preference though so if you don’t mind all of your rocks appearing more sharp you really don’t need the 1st layer. You can skip it and go to the liquid layer of plaster. 😁
You make it seem effortless! This is very helpful. I know in one of your videos that you mentioned sealing a platform when it was completely done. I cannot remember which video. Anyway, what do you use to seal them? Thank you
Thank you so much Susan. It depends on the finishing materials I use. If I have plaster the whole base, I will use the Rustoleum top coat to seal everything. If you haven’t plastered, you can use the Rustoleum because it will eat away at the styrofoam. So if I have just carved the styrofoam, then I use a matte mod podge.
Thank you so much MMiriam I have gotten so much plaster on the platform, it is almost covered...lol Oh cool Modge Podge is a product I use and even have.😊
Hi Miriam. I am going to try this for the first time. I have had previous villages . . . But not like this. Are the plaster strips a must ? Will the paint work if I don’t use the strips and liquid plaster ?
Hello Nettie, you can paint styrofoam and the paint job would be beautiful. The plaster is used to create a more realistic finish to the rocks. If you don’t want to use plaster, I would recommend carving rock into the styrofoam instead. The finish would come out nicer.
@@MiriamsManner Thank you. After watching more of your videos today, i think i am going to try the plaster strips. Is there a difference between the ones from Michaels vs the ones from Woodland Scenic ? I love your art ! Is there another “”live” scheduled ?
Hello, I have bought cheap knives from Amazon and they have all broke. I love hot wire foam factory tools. The stuff I bought from them works great. I have to buy a mew hot knife myself and I will invest the money to buy a good one.
I asked on another video how you made this, well now I've seen it, beautiful how you explain and demonstrate! I'm an absolute beginner and I don't have that many houses yet, I have a space of 2.30 cm by 60 cm deep and I would like to use that! Can you tell me how big your rock formation is? And is there a possibility that I can email you my display and that you can take a look please? Then I would like to know your e-mail address if you are okay with it. Lots of greetings from far Belgium
Hello Eveline, This base is 32 inches long by 10 inches deep by 8 inches tall, at the tallest part. My email address is miriamsmanner@gmail.com. I would be happy to look at your space for you.
MIRIAM I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SEA WITH A PIER AND SOME BOATS IN MY VILLAGE. MAYBE SOMEWHERE IN THE CORNER. CAN YOU SHOW THE BEST WAY TO MAKE A SEA/BEACH WITH SMALL WAVES????? THANKYOU. I'M KINDA NEW TO THIS BUT YOUR VIDEOS HAVE ME ALL INSPIRED. IF YOU ONLY KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I SPENT THIS LAST 2 MONTHS ON LEMAX. A WOMAN'S HOBBY IS A TERRIBLE THING....hahaahhahaha
😂🤣😂 Your hobby comment is hilarious. I won’t be able to build a sea this year with everything I have to get done but I do have a few videos posted that will help you. I made a boat dock that you could follow the same concept and make it larger for a pier. I also have a video on how to make ripples in water. I will send you the links for both.
Love watching your videos you really should be on a TV program doing a craft and gardening theme your fantastic
😂🤣😂. You are so sweet, thank you! 😄
Another Great Video from the Queen of Christmas Villages....always so informative and makes everything look so easy and direct!
Thanks so much! I truly appreciate you! 😀
Wish me and my seven year old luck! We’re taking our village to the next level. I’ve used three tiers of styrofoam with snow blanket over the years but these mountains are GORGEOUS so we’re totally making it happen.
Awesome!! You don’t need luck, your mountain will be great. Just take your time and don’t rush the creative process. I have had to take a break from a project for days before it all finally came to me. You will do great!! 😀
This year will be the first year i' gonna take my Village very seriously. So I have A LOT of your video's saved to DIY my stuff. Can't wait to get started!
That is so sweet Celine. Please send me pics once your done, I would love to see it! 😀
Amazing idea 💡 I tryed this last night with a paper towel instead of plaster strips it worked so good .
Nice! 😁
Glad to see you back with new village tutorials, Ms. Miriam!
Hey Misti,
I’m glad to be back doing them too! 😃😄
Thank you for all these videos. You have inspired me to start my very first Christmas village..!😊
Aw, how sweet. That warms my heart to hear you say that. If you have any questions, just let me know. I hope you enjoy every part of the process.
You make it look soooo easy, I just can't stand it! LOL It's only March and already you make me want to get started on my 2022 Dickens Christmas Village using all your fantastic ideas and tricks. Wish me luck. And thanks again for your fantastic videos...
Well thank you so much for such a beautiful compliment. I am working on my resurrection village for Easter and right after that I will be making a platform for my 2022 village. I always have village fever. 😂🤣
Gran trabajo, y diferente a otros que he visto.Sencillo pero efectivo. Tal vez yo hubiera quitado la marca del circulo en la base, esquina superior derecha. Por lo demas genial !!!
Thanks so much. I thought about that but I knew the the rest of my landscaping would hide it. 😀
So inspiring… I love watching your videos.❤️
Thank you Rhonda! 😀
Good morning God bless you I love this platform. You are an amazing lady and your videos are getting me ready to decorate.
Hello Michelle,
Thank you so much! So glad you are getting ready. 😀
God Bless you!
I’m so excited that I found your channel. I started building a few years ago and I like making e everything. I love your ideas.
Thanks so much, I’m glad you are enjoying everything. 😀
Hi Miriam,
I love that you're giving us a step by step process of your village from beginning to end. Such a great way for us to get inspired and add all those little extras to our own villages. I know this is so much extra work for you to video everything, but it is most certainly appreciated.
I'm slowly making progress on my own as well. Did a "major" piece on Saturday that I hope will hold up until the end of the year. *Fingers crossed* I'm finally starting to envision different areas of my village, such as mountains, farmland, town center, etc and where I want those areas to be in the layout. I've also brought in most of the houses I plan to use. Now it's going to be a matter of placing them around and seeing what works. Slow and steady gets this project completed.
Looking forward to more village videos as well as your Fall garden videos. Plus I'm sure there will be a few Christmas decore videos as well. You're going to be a pro at this yet. Wishing all the best to you and your family. Blessings to all.
Hey Lloyd,
You are so very welcome. It is a lot more work to video it but hearing from you all and knowing how helpful it is makes it all worth it. I’m so happy to be able to help.
Your village progress sounds great. I can’t wait to see it all done, I know it’s going to be great.
Yes, there will also be Christmas decor videos coming after I finish all of the villages.
God bless you and talk soon! 😀
Cannot wait to start building ours. Right now we are just looking for some figurines and inspiration. But it's September....
That’s a great idea, It’s always a great idea to look for inspiration early so you are ready for the season! 😃
Another great video Miriam...thankyou 😊👋
Thanks Julie! You are very welcome! 😀
Love love love your tutorials! Always so helpful and love the details!
Thank you so very much. 😀
Another awesome video!
Thanks so much Barbara! 😀
Hello Miriam, watching and rewatching this wonderful tutorial. I just plastered my north pole ice mountain with plaster strips. Did not smooth them out the way I should have. But also bought a bag of plaster and see you plastering with liquid plaster so will give that a shot once it is dry.
Question: do you also plaster the bottom of your pieces or do you leave them as they are?
Thanks for your work 🙏🌷
Hello, I do not plaster the bottoms. 😁
I just emailed you a video of my first attempt at making a mountain backdrop. I've been trying to document my progress, but I keep rearranging my layout. I need more height. Working on it :). Thanks for the new video on the tiered base.
Ooh, I can’t wait to see it, I will check it out now. Height definitely adds visual interest to a village layout.
Love it! Thank you!
Thank you! 😀
Another great tutorial. Btw you look fabulous. I have been recommending your videos to people in the Facebook Christmas village groups.
Hello Kyla, thanks so much! I really appreciate you recommending me and thanks for the compliment. 😀
Once again, this is soooooo helpful. You taught me alot in this video. Now I only wish throughout the year I wouldn't have tossed out scrap Styrofoam. They sure helped to make a very realist rock formation on the side of your village. This village is going to be awesome. I can tell. You're a genius at this stuff. Thank you.
Aw, that’s so sweet, thanks so much! 😀
Question... do you have to do the plaster effect on this type of styrofoam or could you just use the hot cutting tool? Just trying to figure the difference! Love all your tutorials! You do amazing work!
Hello Chrissy, thank you so much! No, you don’t have to plaster, you can carve directly into the foam.
Oh my gosh, I have no idea what went wrong but I just used my entire pound of Plaster to basically end up with a pound of plaster stuck to my mixing bowl!
Oh no, how long did it take you to mix it? You have to mix very quickly because the plaster hardens quickly.
Also, try adding more water to your mix next time to thin it out a little more.
i love
Thanks.
I’m curious how you decide whether to carve into the foam to create rugged edges or to stick on scraps and plaster over them?
Hello, it really just depends on the type of look I want. Also depends on how much time I have because scrap styrofoam is a longer process.
I thought I was the only one who was starting on their Christmas Village this early. :) Thank you for providing these videos...I really enjoy them. Do you have a video on how you plan/layout your village for the upcoming season? Are there any software programs that you use?
Hey Candace,
I’m glad all of us Christmas lovers have found each other. 😂🤣. There are several of us already starting our villages. There are a few that never even took their villages down from last year.
I don’t have a video on how I plan my village and I don’t use any software. I just dream things up in my head. 😂🤣
Maybe I will do that the end of this Christmas season because usually I design my layout for the following year at the end of each season.
Also, you are very welcome for the videos, it is my pleasure. 😀
Hi Miriam, wouldnt the end result be kind of the same without the first layer of plasterstrips? Wouldnt the plaster cover everything? Or is the strips just to make the second layer nicer/easier?
Hello, the end result wouldn’t be the same the way I apply my first layer of plaster. I loosely apply the plaster strips in certain areas so that every rock doesn’t look so sharp and pointy. I add the plaster strips to give a softer look in certain areas.
This is a personal preference though so if you don’t mind all of your rocks appearing more sharp you really don’t need the 1st layer. You can skip it and go to the liquid layer of plaster. 😁
You make it seem effortless! This is very helpful. I know in one of your videos that you mentioned sealing a platform when it was completely done. I cannot remember which video. Anyway, what do you use to seal them? Thank you
Thank you so much Susan.
It depends on the finishing materials I use. If I have plaster the whole base, I will use the Rustoleum top coat to seal everything. If you haven’t plastered, you can use the Rustoleum because it will eat away at the styrofoam. So if I have just carved the styrofoam, then I use a matte mod podge.
Thank you so much MMiriam I have gotten so much plaster on the platform, it is almost covered...lol Oh cool Modge Podge is a product I use and even have.😊
Hi Miriam. I am going to try this for the first time. I have had previous villages . . . But not like this. Are the plaster strips a must ? Will the paint work if I don’t use the strips and liquid plaster ?
Hello Nettie, you can paint styrofoam and the paint job would be beautiful. The plaster is used to create a more realistic finish to the rocks. If you don’t want to use plaster, I would recommend carving rock into the styrofoam instead. The finish would come out nicer.
@@MiriamsManner Thank you. After watching more of your videos today, i think i am going to try the plaster strips. Is there a difference between the ones from Michaels vs the ones from Woodland Scenic ? I love your art ! Is there another “”live” scheduled ?
What kind of hot knife do you recommend? Love your videos!
Hello,
I have bought cheap knives from Amazon and they have all broke. I love hot wire foam factory tools. The stuff I bought from them works great. I have to buy a mew hot knife myself and I will invest the money to buy a good one.
Early
It’s never too early for Christmas! 😂😃
@@MiriamsManner that’s true
Is it alright use the plaster that brush on instead of the strips ?
Of course, I only use the plaster strips to better shape my rocks. If you like the shape of yours, you can skip the plaster strips step.
I asked on another video how you made this, well now I've seen it, beautiful how you explain and demonstrate! I'm an absolute beginner and I don't have that many houses yet, I have a space of 2.30 cm by 60 cm deep and I would like to use that! Can you tell me how big your rock formation is? And is there a possibility that I can email you my display and that you can take a look please? Then I would like to know your e-mail address if you are okay with it. Lots of greetings from far Belgium
Hello Eveline,
This base is 32 inches long by 10 inches deep by 8 inches tall, at the tallest part.
My email address is miriamsmanner@gmail.com. I would be happy to look at your space for you.
What kind of plaster strip u used? Tnx
www.amazon.com/Plaster-Bandage-Bandages-Material-Scenery/dp/B0998995T3/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=22US0XKB0IVR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PJyjP-3J46NDC7-jqx67yAnib_2kYgA4zPWHoPB5N6cupigm9KW7svpQPUqFV-ZckomNjpck3F6jOwHL17pqCVs9TN4_uVflAszO1FOBtAmK1jNRnP7ugJ6vIrvyIVoN_6lebYktjUh9liVA1GPYjb0-shX-gdeW4OFcN0yMFS9vyBKjSsKr7DbaSJdnPRTt.CgXK7x23wMRranFSfe87OD5PqGkx06Vvm-q7jsiFkNM&dib_tag=se&keywords=plaster+ateips&qid=1731411488&sprefix=%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-6
What brand hot knife do you have?
Hot Wire Foam Factory.
Where did you get your plaster from?
The plaster strips I got from Amazon and the plaster of Paris I got from Lowe’s. I put box links in the description box of the video.
Hi Miriam
I’d like to know the exact measures of this base
Thank you for the attention
Big hug
Hello, I don’t have the exact measurements right now because that base is stored away. It was approx 30” x 12” x 6”.
Thank you Miriam
Can i buy one of these from you?
Do you mean you would like me to build you a custom build or you want to buy ones of the ones I did a video on?
I do have some for sale on my Etsy page and I do take custom orders. My link to my page is below.
miriamsmanner.etsy.com
Why isn't my glue sticking? 😬 I've used the Jot white glue & All Purpose White Glue from HL. Hold & hold and I can't believe I can't glue!!!! 😂
😂🤣😂 oh no!! Have you tried Elmers glue? That is what I use and it works great.
MIRIAM I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A SEA WITH A PIER AND SOME BOATS IN MY VILLAGE. MAYBE SOMEWHERE IN THE CORNER. CAN YOU SHOW THE BEST WAY TO MAKE A SEA/BEACH WITH SMALL WAVES????? THANKYOU. I'M KINDA NEW TO THIS BUT YOUR VIDEOS HAVE ME ALL INSPIRED. IF YOU ONLY KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I SPENT THIS LAST 2 MONTHS ON LEMAX. A WOMAN'S HOBBY IS A TERRIBLE THING....hahaahhahaha
😂🤣😂 Your hobby comment is hilarious. I won’t be able to build a sea this year with everything I have to get done but I do have a few videos posted that will help you. I made a boat dock that you could follow the same concept and make it larger for a pier. I also have a video on how to make ripples in water. I will send you the links for both.
How to build a boat dock for snow village lake: Boat Dock Diorama
How to make waterfall and ripples in lake: Woodland Scenics Water Effects