Another competition piece

and it's started another 'collection'

It was with the same group I did the pergola with, but this time it was for a 'Decorated Door'.  Just the door, decorated if desired.  I chose 1:48 scale, which didn't turn out for the best, but being away I didn't have the materials for 1:12th scale or means of getting them.

The time of year as well as availability of materials on my computer etc decided that the theme would be a Christmas door.  I had clay, a brick mould, and measurements to make the door the correct size, poinsettia flower kits and pots, lighting.  I looked for a small box in which to set it and Kylie came up with a spare ring box from the jewellers - perfect!  I took it apart and used one half and here is the result:

 Because some of the entrants (there were only four of us) misread the rules, not everyone submitted three photos or stated the scale.  Usually we submit a main photo and one or two with details, and state the scale as well as giving details of what was bought or made from scratch.  To give an even footing, no mention of scale was made, and no details were given.  I was disappointed about that because apart from the pot and lighting which were ready made, everything was made by me.  The flowers were made from a kit, everything else from scratch.
Here is the photo that was shown as my submission.  As you can imagine it didn't look very good compared to the rest which were in 1:12th scale - quarter scale never does in close-up, but I was thrilled that it received 3 out of the 14 votes.  The winning entry won with a well-deserved 9 votes.

 The interior of the box is wallpapered, and you can see inside in the daylight even though it doesn't show in this photo. Here it is without the light on:

And here's a closeup of the wreath on the door.  I enjoy making these wreaths, using scraps of wire left over from the flower kits, painting them brown.  I cut thin strips of gold wrapping ribbon to wrap around it and curl downwards, and added three poinsettia flowers.  Quite suitable as a Christmas decoration, I thought.  I had tried to find some beads to add as 'baubles' or 'fruit' but was unsuccessful in finding anything small enough and my efforts at making them in clay weren't good either, so I settled for just the flowers.

 And on the step we have a pot of poinsettias and another pot with candy canes (painted wires twisted together) and a sign that says 'Santa please stop here' such as you see in front of many houses.

 Closeup of the pot of poinsettias - it's been cropped then enlarged so sorry it's a bit blurry.

 And closeup of the sign - this is what I named the doorway 'Santa Please Stop Here'.  I wish I could import the original sign, it is so cute (or I think so anyway).  I will try to work out how to do that - taking a better photo would be a good start.

And now I have a new label for my blogs - because this is going to be (hopefully) just the first of several doorways.  After all, wouldn't it be nice to have one for the significant celebrations through the year: Australia Day, Valentines Day, Easter, St Patrick's Day (my mother would insist on that), Robbie Burns' Day (she'd insist on that too), ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, Queen's Birthday, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, one for birthdays in general, our Wedding Anniversary.......and so on.  I have collected several jewellery boxes, and each one does two vignettes - better start looking for more lol!  Kylie? Kirstie? Raid your collections, please, Mum needs empty boxes..................