A little scene

Sometimes, a thing just demands to be made.I've made tiny scenes under glass bells before, and I've known about these lanterns (from Ikea) for years, but last night I sat down with a lantern and my felting tools and went to town. I'm utterly delighted by the result: a felted scene that demands to be picked up, turned, and examined, with little details to notice.

Of course, it's also annoyingly hard to photograph!I made the tree and ground last night; today was about figuring out how on earth to make a tiny swing. A visit to my local model train store started to solve the issue; I picked up a 2 ft piece of wood, a tiny saw, and the very tiniest drill that you just spin with your fingers. I mentioned to someone at the train store that I was concerned about the swing appearing to have weight; the rope supporting a swing usually stays somewhat taut, even with no one on it. I didn't want the swing to seem too light, but I very much wanted the swing to swing if you moved the lantern (so using wire was out). They suggested stiffening the string with watered down glue, which worked quite well; the swing swings when you move the lantern, but appears to have weight.

Of course, like any proper swing that's well-loved, the grass has all been worn away beneath.

In what's possibly my favorite detail, light shines through the star-shaped holes and into the felting of the "leaves" above the tree, much like shining through a tree's canopy.

There's still a few little things I'd like to add. I can't find my embroidery flosses (they're still packed away somewhere after a recent move), but I'd like to add some french-knot flowers to the grass, some yellow and some purple, and I'm sure pulling out my flosses will bring up other ideas.I'm delighted with this little piece, and so excited to play with this idea some more. Someone at the train store suggested LEDs might be a fun addition, so I may have some learning to do!