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I actually got to do some fun stuff in the craft/doll room this week. A doll club friend asked for some help setting up a 'Christmas Party' diorama for our holiday party.
The party was held at a local library (one I had nver been to,) so with a rough idea of how we might set something up and a bunch of questions and answers as to exactly what the theme was to be...it was settled a winter wonderland type formal party setting with a dance floor, band, photo op spot, and just some winter lusciousness.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
This was a temporary setup of how an acrylic lighted dance floor might look with a backdrop of trees and lights.
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| oldnewgreenredo |
After the first run with the lights, I decided to really put them in a straight line...the haphazard look wasn't working. I coated the acrylic plastic with washable kids glue clear and then 'basically decoupaged some snowflake tissue on to it. It worked pretty well. I'm hoping I will be able to soak it off later. I may use it for a doll story.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
My goal was to use as much stuff as I already had. I did purchase the tissue 2 packages at $1.47,. glue was like $2.76. I mounted the wood beams (painted silver acrylic) and double stick taped them to a piece of foam core. The measurements of the floor are 24" x 18". The lights were plug in and began at the far end of the stage, you can see the stage footlights reflected on my backdrop.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I had hoped the tables at the library would be as deep as my work table (30")
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I covered a hunk of packaging styrofoam...the thick dense white stuff around fragile electronics. I covered this with my trusty matte silver poster board. I poked holes through the edge of the foam and inserted the lights up from bottom...roughly 1" apart.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
This is my old trusty mini stage from gosh my 2017 Halloween Bash...it looked rough...so I also covered this and made a similar footlight of the poster board. Everything was applied with double stick foam tape.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
Another necessity was to have some seating. Since it was too cold to spray paint all my dollar store chairs...I covered them with some tissue squares and tape. A sweet tie of ribbon across the back. Tables had a cohesive table cloth square and a simple tree for a centerpiece.
I did not do this---it was an inspiration photo backdrop on Pinterest (real size). I could not find the original source, it's been used a million times. My friend wa really liking the idea of a photo op...spot for the dolls everyone would bring to the meeting.
I used the wall backdrops with trees and lights and my trusty cake pillars. These are actually the ones for the Grandview with all kinds of velcro which I utilized to stabilize the dome which is a baseball cap drying frame I've had for years. I did buy 4 sprigs of white berries for 1/2 price at $1.00 each. The glass balls I had on hand from past projects and the battery lights---two strings
Meanwhile the dance floor is hopping, and the band is playing.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
This was a very popular spot for couple shots.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
This couple was waiting their turn in the gazebo.
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Stunning dress on this doll and he's pretty sharp, too.
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These girls were waiting for their turns...for Christmas cards for MOM. Custom dresses on an early Midge and a Handkerchief design on Barbie.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
Here's an over view of the bar area...left- where a group of characters showed up to party. Santa was first up to the modified 'Gloria' bar. The Ugly sweater crew showed up looking adorable!.
The dance floor is to the right. Two more pillars support a rod with my mirror ball lights I've also had for years and never used but for the Billie Holiday Special last Spring. the 18" floor just fit with the snow and tree in front of the backdrops.
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| barbieoldgreenredo |
Everyone placed their dolls where they wanted to party---um this girl must have started very early and was definitely a 'bargirl' and carried her chair everywhere.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
To the left of the bar were a bunch of tables ...the Serious shoppers landed here.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
They also had theatre tickets for after the party.
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The more sedate crowd, the Silkstone party girls were all decked out and enjoying the ambiance.
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Custom dresses on the two on the right.
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Great couples dressed for serious partying.
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The entire event was video'd by our trusty photographer.
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Zara on the violin, Jin on the guitars,
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Tres on Drums, while Sonnie is on Sax and clarinet.
An Barbie Advent calendar doll is enjoying the songs, too.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
Gregory is ready with the French horn and horns.
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And look who popped in to do some Holiday music...
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
Ella backs him up...and oh, they sound great.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
The weather outside is frightful....
A couple of very vintage dolls enjoys the great band vibes.
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
The whole display went up in less than two hours, and down in 20 minutes with lots of help.
Size---4 5'tables 21" wide....and we made it work! A total of 20 feet of lit diorama filled with dolls!
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
I really should have snuck some Mistletoe in there...
who wouldn't love to dance with a guy in a pink tuxedo!
Happy Holidays...a great time was had by ALL!
Please Share your dolly holiday DIY's in the comments, links are fine if they aren't advertising!
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Thank you for your cooperation, Sandi
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| barbieoldnewgreenredo |
