Mockingbird Hill Cottage

I’m going on very little sleep. It was a strange night. I had a nightmare early on – I barely remember it now. I hardly ever have nightmares, so that in itself was strange. Anyway, I got up to use the bathroom and I never really got back to sleep except for a doze here and there.

But let’s get to what I was doing yesterday. I decided to make a Christmas tree for Dove Cottage. I was also going to make one for the Lake House, but I forgot how long it takes to make just one and quickly realized that was a no go. Next year.

Don was downstairs writing music and recording. I was upstairs making a mini tree. Both activities required a lot of meticulous attention and at the end of the day, we were tuckered out!

There is a post somewhere on the blog showing the steps I took to make that first tree. If I can find it, I’ll post the link. Found it: it’s here. Though it doesn’t actually say anything more than I’m writing here!

It starts with a tree like this one:

This is a basic bottlebrush type tree that you can find in tons of stores at this time of year. I bought a bagful of Lemax trees on sale a few years back at Michael’s. The one I used for this project was exactly the same size as the tree pictured.

You take the tree and cut back most of the bottlebrush, leaving about a half inch or less (you’ll have to eye it and see what you’re comfortable with) so that you retain some structure in which to anchor the lycopodium, which is a kind of preserved moss, sometimes referred to as preserved pine. A note about lycopodium: you can find it at Earth and Tree Miniatures for $5.00. Pretty good deal! I got mine from miniatures (dot) com several years ago but I don’t think they carry it anymore.

After you cut it down, you start clipping small pieces of the lycopodium and gluing them in, one “branch” at a time – the largest being at the bottom with the tree getting narrower toward the top. I trim as I go, trying my best to keep the tree looking natural, and then I go over it once again when it’s finished. This takes a long time. You will have glue all over your fingers!

Here’s what it looked like when I finished it:

I was finally able to use one of the tree toppers I found at the miniature show a year or so ago!

Then I decorated with some stuff I had on hand. I use those holiday picks that you find at Michael’s. Remove each glittery ball from the pick and glue it into the tree.

These are a bit larger than the ones on the tree in Hummingbird Cottage, but I’m fine with that. I remember my aunt and uncle having some large ornament balls on their tree and I loved them. Eileen, I’m talking about your mom and dad!

And here it is in the dollhouse. I’ll try to get a sunnier picture later. (Some of you keep referring to the great light I have in the studio. I don’t. That’s simply the editing I do on the photo.)

I have to make some sort of tree skirt. I’m also missing my little box of Christmas presents, etc., that I use in creating these scenes. I’ve looked and looked and can’t find them! Here’s hoping I find them soon.

Before I forget, there’s a link for Don’s latest song on the Facebook page for Don and Dan’s collaborations. Here is the link. It will take you to their page and then you’ll see a post with another link.

Okay. Have to go. I didn’t mean this to turn into a tutorial, but someone mentioned that they’d like to know the details, so there you go!

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.