Why Christmas Villages

Someone asked me once, "Why are you so interested in designing and displaying Christmas Villages for others to see?" My answer to the question wasn't preplanned, scripted, or sugar-coated.  It was one of passion and of shear love for the history of our country and its beginnings.  There is a reason why I choose to depict scenes from out country's earliest days in my village displays.  I was the kid in school who loved reading about American history.  I wished we had spent more time though on the pioneering and Colonial periods.  That could be the essence of what pushes me to a sense of realism in my village displays, and depicting true to period decor and dress.

Pride in Our Glorious Flag and What it Represents

 A grand shout out to our beloved country.  Tis a wonder why too many of our fellow countrymen fail to take pride in flying the colors that represent the country that provides them their freedoms.  Were it not for what happened back on July 4th in 1776, there may have never been a United States as we know it today.   Too many are more than ready to gather for BBQs or other traditional gatherings without giving due honor to the sacrifices made by those that came before us.  Let us give thanks and a prideful salute to those who laid the groundwork and helped forge the development of our country.

In this American's eyes, it's sinful to be seen flying the colors of a country you left behind to come and take advantage of what our country provides, and not fly colors of your adopted land.  That's like a royal slap in the face and disrespectful to the country that opened the door for you to come in.  

Colony Bay

Check out the link to this great new site from the founders of Riley's Farm in Oak Glen, California.  If you're nostalgic and love historical theatre based on our country's glorious beginnings, you'll love this.

http://www.colonybay.net/

A Bit of History on Villages

Thought this was a pretty good article for those who just want a brief capsule of information on the history of villageing.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_village

A Tribute to Papa Ted and Famous Putz Collection

This is a great article that recently came out about Ted Althoff, otherwise known as Papa Ted in the world of villaging and collectible village pieces.  He has collected a very extensive ensemble of village houses known as Putz, and is a wonderful resource and knowledgeable authority on these older type of village houses. 

Check out his site for a nostalgic trip back in time to some of the early days of villaging.  http://www.papatedsplace.com/ 

Another 5 Great Traditions for Your Family During Christmas

We've added a new excerpt to our library of Christmas stories and articles at Villagescapes by Village Fantasies. Check out our stories page at http://villagefantasies.blogspot.com/p/article-library-by-village-fantasies.html 

Oh Where oh Where Have My Villagescape Photos Gone

What is a villager to do when their harddrive file full of Villagescape photos ends up being inaccessible because the computer had a mind of its own and moved them to an imaginary removable media device entitled local Disk C? He screams at the top of his lungs. Plug your ears, this could get painful.

Wonderland of Noble Firs on Display and Sale at Riley's Farm

A trip back in time to colonial America, a stimulating and invigorating experience that brings smiles and appreciation of a simpler time in our country's history.  At Riley's Farm in the historical Southern California apple town of Oak Glen, you can not only enjoy reenactments and hands on activities that hark back to our country's roots, but you can also buy #1 grade Noble Firs like these cheap, enjoy live music, fresh ground wheat bread, a tavern fireplace, and Adventures in the Old World? Make plans!

Linda and I at Riley's Farm-circa 2009(love that word 'circa', sounds so historical)

A Christmas Village Preview From Villagescapes Past

The Village Fantasies Villagescape transitions from the colors of the fall season in to winter with a light dusting of an overnight snowfall.  A Christmas village with added texture and detail will cause your thoughts to wander back to an earlier forgotten time.

Windermere Church in late fall

A Bountiful and Happy Thanksgiving to All

From us at Village Fantasies, a belated but wonderful Happy Thanksgiving to all of you

Christmas Traditions-Give Your Family Something to Look Forward to With a New Tradition

Christmas Traditions-Give Your Family Something to Look Forward to With a New Tradition

Check out our new Christmas tradition article about adding some new flavor to your annual holiday festivities.

Shutdown of Yahoo Christmas Village Designer Group Leads Many to Tears

My apologies must go out to those who stuck with us on the Yahoo group known as Christmas Village Designers. We weren't able to keep up with the posts necessary for three different social arenas, that being Facebook, the Yahoo Group, and this blog. We made the difficult choice to eliminate the Yahoo group after notifying all the members. We hope that many of you alerted have arrived here safely and are enjoying what we feel is a much more useful and flexible site for displaying all that Village Fantasies has to offer.

Steve

Thanksgiving Music Anyone??

We were just wondering if anyone had any favorite background music that they liked to listen to during the Thanskgiving holiday.  We yearly hear the Christmas tunes playing over the airwaves, but why aren't there any recognizable Thanksgiving tunes?

Pipe in if You Dabble with Harvest Village Displays

Would love to hear back, with photos if possible, from anyone who does any harvest themed villages. I know I'm not the only one.

The Nostalgia of Elgin Park

For anyone who is nostalgic about our country's history like I am, you have to check out Michael's Smith's Elgin Park diorama photos.  His work is amazing.  As someone who appreciates skilled miniature replication, I am in awe of his talents, and eye for detailed imagery.

Michael and I are both cut from a similar cloth, in that we have a passion for seeing larger scale scenery in a smaller format.  The level he has mastered, is being able to replicate miniature vignettes of the 1930s to 50s using scale model cars and buildings typical of the day, and adding magnificently realistic photo backdrops to add a fullness and lifelike image to his work.  Except without the life. You'll notice there are no people in the photos.

Take a look at his use of shadowing and light grading. I'm a fan for life.

Welcome to Elgin Park