Thank you, thank you, thank you, for this video. You just taught me how to elevate my Styrofoam platforms like a sandwich. Two buns on the outside, then all of the baloney Styrofoam pieces in the middle. lol. Most helpful to me was how you cut out the stairs. I have to learn how to do that for my village. You need to be on HGTV. No kidding. Thanks a million again.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

😂🤣😂. You are funny, if you k is anyone over them, let me know. 🤣 You are very welcome, so glad it has helped you!

I LOVE your videos! Thanks for sharing them!

@MiriamsManner

8 ай бұрын

Thanks so much and you are very welcome!

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I was at my wits end on how to even get started.

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! 😁

Such an awesome tutorial Miriam. Thank you for all you do! I learned the hard way to not stretch the plaster strips, it makes the rocks just appear as bumps...lol I glued more styrofoam bits over top the dried strips and going to use a lighter hand with the strips. Hope this doesn't mess up the project Fingers crosses.

@MiriamsManner

6 ай бұрын

It won’t mess it up. It will look great. 😁

I’m in AZ!! Can’t wait to buy some of these!!! 🥰💕

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Oh, fantastic. I will let you know once I have everything ready.

Another great idea so uplifting and inspiring

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! 😊

I am so happy I have discovered Miriam’s video. Other tutorials are not as detailed, I feel like I can actually successfully make this platform.

@MiriamsManner

10 ай бұрын

Hello Nancy, thanks so much for your feedback, I really appreciate that. I hope you have great success with your platform builds. I have a "Christmas village tutorials & videos" playlist loaded with more videos like this one. 😁

This is so helpful!!! Thanks so much.

@MiriamsManner

9 ай бұрын

You are very welcome!

Thank you for thinking about the out of towners you are awesome.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! Hopefully I will have it figured out soon. 😃

Awesome! Great video!

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Thank you. I’m looking to take my village to a new level. This is perfect

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! 😁

Definitely will be trying to make this - many thanks !

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! You are very welcome! 😃

Thank you so much for all of your tutorials. This year I decided to step up my game.

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome!

I really like these platforms. You are definitely teaching me how to make my village look better. Thank you.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Marina, I’m so glad to hear that! 😁

Oh thank you! I was looking for a tutorial like this. This year, I guess I can build my high base with your help. You're really creative, amazing work. Thanks again.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

You are so very welcome! 😃

Thank you! It is beautiful! ❤️

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! 😄

Best tutorial, nice clear instructions and quick pace. You are fabulous!

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Olivia! What a great compliment. 😀

Thank you Miriam! I love the idea of using scrap sytrofoam as spacers to get extra height! I've been gluing sytrofoam panels together to get the height I'm looking for, but the scrap pieces idea is fantastic! Love your videos!

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Mike! 😀

I really loved the look of these platforms. Definitely looks like rock! Looks easy enough to replicate. Awesome job!

@MiriamsManner

9 ай бұрын

Thanks Martha! It is really easy, let me know if you try it. 😁

Another awesome video! You are one talented woman! I will definitely be making a few of these platforms this year. God Bless You

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Barbara! 😃. I look forward to seeing what you do. God bless you too! 😃

First time doing this type of craft. Thanks for all the details and material list. Love it!!

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

Miriam, you are so talented and you have giving me an idea to try this for my huge church building. God bless and love your family.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Michelle! 😃. God bless you too and Love to you and yours!

Beautifully done and very cost and material use at a minimum of scraps...You are the BEST, always!

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, I appreciate that! 😃

I love all your videos !!!

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! 😃

I am so excited for my next Christmas village, thank you so much i will definitely gonna try this.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Marco, that is so exciting. I hope it turns out great for you. 😀

You are all in Miriam. So much detail. Thanks for sharing.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! 😁

Omg this is amazing Miriam, I had no idea of the work that goes into making these platforms. You did a great job on the paint work. I love watching the Christmas villages in the stores around Christmas time. Tfs 💕💋

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, I appreciate that. They can be very detailed but I love to craft. Thanks so much for the compliment.

This is one of the most useful videos I have seen in researching diy for my Christmas village. ❤. It’s beautifully done

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much! Have you been to my Christmas village playlist? I have tons of different tutorials, big and small like this one. 😁

This is so helpful. I am putting my first village together this year.(Your my inspiration. )I am so excited to try this out. All of your videos have been extremely helpful. Thank you. Diana

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Aw, thanks Diana! 😃. I am so happy to hear that you you have found my videos helpful!! I’m even more excited that you are doing your first village. The first one is always so special, I hope you enjoy every step of the process. 😃

You are awesome!

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

AWESOME!

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Thank you, you sure are talented... You make it look so easy, yet fun... Your very beautiful, love your smile and voice.. your boyfriend or husband is one Lucky man I hope he knows that... Starting on my own Christmas village soon... I'm working off all your ideas and demonstrations, thank you... Looking forward to seeing more 👍🌹

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much Chris for the compliment. My hubby is very blessed and so am I. Will you be entering the Christmas village contest this year?

@chriso5355

Жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner I would like to try my wife passed away from cancer a couple of years ago so I kind of been a a hermit and haven't really done much just hard moving on

@chriso5355

Жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner yes and you're very beautiful and your husband's a lucky man I got nobody...

Thank you so much Miriam for sharing your God given talents with us... free to watch ❤ You gave me the courage to start crafting a mountain for my Santa's wonderland North Pole Tower from Lemax that I just purchased. I am not very skilled (2 left hands as we say here 😅) but I am so motivated by your videos. Thank you so much 🌷🌷🌷 Warmest greetings from Amsterdam🙋‍♀️

@MiriamsManner

10 ай бұрын

Aw, thank you so much for sharing that, I truly do appreciate it. I’m so glad you decided to give it a try. The more you do it, the easier it gets. 😁 I would love to see it when you are done. You can tag me on Instagram or TikTok @miriamsmanner

Hi Miriam, wanted to tell you that you do ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL work with these Christmas arrangements! I think I could do this where I use foam and the same plaster to construct my model railroad. You make this look easy and watching your videos of the steps you take and w the experience I have from doing this similar work w railroad designs gives me confidence to succeed w this! Very talented and totally admire your work! Thanks for sharing your videos and I'm viewing them from the 1st state of DELAWARE.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Shawn, thank you so much for such a lovely compliment, I greatly appreciate it. I love model railroading almost as much as I love villaging. The two hobbies are so similar to one another in a lot of ways. I am not a knowledgeable about trains though. I want to purchase a new train maybe next year for my village. I have an HO scale Bachmann right now but it derails a lot. I always make sure my tracks are properly connected but still it will derail. Any advice?

Again, you make it look sooo easy. But you've given me the passion to try again, and this time succeed. Wish me luck!

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

I wish you luck and I hope you have great success! 😄

Hi Miriam, You're becoming an old pro at creating these platforms. They certainly give your village a unique look. Was nice to see you take your time using your hot knife. No wobbly bent blade this time. Hahaha! I was able to get about 90 minutes after work to do a bit of village prep. Since I'm setting up my village in my dining room, my faux fireplace is a perfect platform to add extra houses. I was able to get my base covered and prepped. It turned out quite well. The next step will be to add my houses and some foliage before accessorizing. One more work day and then I have my two day weekend. My next art lesson was completed on Monday, so villaging will be my main focus. Excitement is in the air. Wishing all the best to you and yours. Thank you, thank you, thank you for generously sharing your gifts and creativity with all of us.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I am having fun experimenting with different materials and styles. I my next project after this one i am so excited to build. I am itching to get to it. 😂😂🤣 Yes, I trying to take care of my tools better. 🤣😂

Very good and informative tutorial. I just finished the plaster cloth part on my railroad mountain today, and tomorrow I will add the Plaster of Paris, followed with painting in the next few days. 😊👍🎄

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

Nice!! How exciting! 😁

Brilliant Miriam, I’ve just started my village today!! 😃 so fingers crossed 🤞 I’ll let you see some pictures of the village when I’ve finished it xxx

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Elaine! Ooh, I can’t wait to see it! 😃

@a4eyg32

2 жыл бұрын

Check out my village in my videos please x

Hola miriam sos una mujer inspiradora con tus trabajos yo ya realize el mío para mi villa me quedo bien pero no tan hermoso como el tuyo deberías tener un grupo de facebok para que tus seguidores suban los trabajos enseñados por ti bendicines desde bolivia

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hola Karem, Bueno idea, muchas gracias!

I love your videos! Very helpful!! When I lay down plaster strips, I take dry strips, lay them over where I want them and then take a paintbrush dipped in water and dab it over the plaster strips. It gets the plaster wet, doesn't roll up on me and helps push the plaster into the cracks of the styrofoam or other edges. I just find it so much easier. Just a suggestion!

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!! That’s a great idea Lisa! I have never tried that before but I absolutely will give it a go on my next project.

This is so cute! I have visions of Thomas the Train on here for my Grandson. New friend, full watch, thumbs up. tfs

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello and welcome! 😀. Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it! The train would look super cute with it.

Thanks so much for your Labor of Love ❤️

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! 😃

Thanks so much for the tutorials. 👍🏾👍🏾 Love your level of detail. How do you determine where to cut out the holes for the cords?

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, thanks so much, I truly appreciate your kind words. That is a really great question? Once I cut the size of my styrofoam, I place the buildings on it that I know I want in that area and i draw the holes where they line up with the buildings. Did that explanation make sense? 😂.

@SimplyVatHome

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner OK, thank you. I really appreciate the response. And yes, I understood you 💯. Looking forward to the next video in your 2021 christmas 🎄 village series. 😀

Sorry if I missed it are you waiting for the placated strips to dry first before going in with the plaster of Paris mix or do you d the strips then just go for it I’m learning so much from you your the best Blessings Ps I hope you show what the kids create again this year ❤

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

Hello Cari, yes you want to wait for the plaster strips to dry before adding the plaster of Paris. And yes, the children are working on their villages now so I will be showing theirs this year again. 😁

@carishields7834

Жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner thanks 🙏

Hello Miriam, love your videos! What can I use instead of plaster strips?

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. You can always carve your rocks directly into the styrofoam if you don’t want to use plaster strips.

Hey Miriam, do you feel it needs a coat of plaster of Paris over the bandage first before painting, just to hide the bandage texture? Iv used spray expanding foam but the painting all the nooks and crannies is a nightmare. Thought adding the bandage first would make it easier for painting. Thanks.

@MiriamsManner

5 күн бұрын

Hey Peter, I did add liquid plaster of paris over the plaster strips to hide the holes before painting. You must have missed that part in the video.

Thank you so much for this tutorial Miriam. Do you put those plaster strips on the top of the platform too or just on the rocks?

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! I did not on this one but I have in the past. I had one roll of plaster to use for both of these platforms so I only covered the rocks. Covering the top definitely keeps the foam protected and makes the base stronger overall.

@debbikelley2357

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner thank you

Hi Miriam. My name is Melody and I truly appreciate all of your videos. I have started a platform for Halloween. I'm running into some questions. I bought 4 x 8 polystyrene sheet from Lowes. What is the type that you mentioned is good to use from Lowes? What glue do you use ? I purchased WeldBond from Ace hardware. The small pieces of styrofoam don't stick very well. I'm wondering if my foam isn't the best.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Melody, thanks so much! 😄 That is exactly the foam I get. I just remove the protective barrier from both sides to get it down to the white foam. I use regular white glue (Elmer glue) to attach pieces together. Let me know if you have any other questions. 😀

@melodymalia3671

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner I think that I didn't get all the plastic off One side had a foil type of covering.

Thank you! I'm still not sure how to form steps without the hot carving iron. I have the cheap styrofoam from Walmart, that will probably fall into little pieces when I try to cut it. I may just have to make a ramp with cardboard. I'll figure something out. Lol

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

A ramp would work perfect. You could also use a utility knife and cut a ramp through the foam. If it is bumpy after you cut, sand it with sandpaper until it is smooth.

@janitaboatner9353

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner Thank you! I will try that! I still have to get a piece of plywood to work with.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

@janitaboatner9353

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner 😊❤

Hi I'm using foam for the first time for my village. Very excited. Where do you get this tool?

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great! I get them from hot wire foam factory. My rep is Pat and her number is (443) 454-6554.

Awesome video. Just bought my first village house, now I need a hot knife cutter. What size do you recommend? 4, 5, 6 inch? Do you use an engraver as well? I live in Canada. Thanks so much.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! I would buy the 6” so you can cut through deeper foam if needed. I have never used an engraver.

@glennpattywilliams5440

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner I was wondering if you were thinking in the future of doing tips on the planning of your villages. eg. how big to make your pieces you display them on, best sized to make so they are multi functional, having enough room for roads/sidewalks etc. So excited to get my hot knife and my first piece arrives tomorrow. My family has teased me and called this first piece "the one that started the addition" Enjoy your day. Hope to catch the next live.

Hi Miriam, as a Christmas Village fanatic I've enjoyed watching your videos. I have a 'hot knife/cutter' however the tip has broken off. Can you please tell me where/whom I could purchase/order one from. I live in Calgary, Alberta, CANADA. Much appreciated, thank you.

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Maureen, I absolutely love the brand Hot Wire Foam Factory. I just received the contact info for a distributor from another subscriber. I will get it and pass it along to you.

@maureenproctor6478

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner Thank you for your prompt response Miriam, I look forward to receiving this information. Although I've been creating Christmas villages for the Hoidays throughout my house for years I'm still learning from watching your wonderful, excellent/helpful videos. Thank you.👍

@maureenproctor6478

2 жыл бұрын

Touching base with you re the name of the distributor of Hot Wire Foam Factory. Thank you.

What is the tool that you are using to cut through the styrofoam?

@MiriamsManner

6 ай бұрын

It is a hot knife from hot wire foam factory. You can order one through my rep. Her name is Pat and her number is (443) 454-6554

Do I have to use the plaster strips. Can I just use the plaster paris

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, you could just use the plaster of Paris. You might just need a few layers for good coverage.

@Ioki-sb2qv

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner thanks

Do you still use plaster if you use hot tool to sculpt out sides?

@MiriamsManner

11 ай бұрын

Hey there, it just depends how I want the finished product to look. If you carve the sides you don’t need to use plaster. I have done dozens of bases without plaster. If you visit my Etsy page, you can see a lot more examples of that there. The link is below. www.etsy.com/shop/MiriamsManner

@allaboutthatwifeandmomlife

11 ай бұрын

@@MiriamsManner thank you!

Hello Miriam, my name is Gisela, your project is very nice, if you can help me where I can buy the styrofoam, I have not been able to find it. Thank you so much.

@MiriamsManner

11 ай бұрын

Hello Gisela, thank you very much. I use the insulation foam boards that you can purchase from Lowes or Home Depot. There is a protective liner that comes on both sides and I just peel it off. I have attached the link below for you. www.lowes.com/pd/Common-1-5-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-1-4375-in-x-3-875-ft-x-7-875-ft-R-Expanded-Polystyrene-Foam-Board-Insulation/3362408

What are the dimensions to these platforms and your town square platform?

@MiriamsManner

Жыл бұрын

Approx 30”x14”x3”

Hello , do you happen to sell these and other rock creations like this ?

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello, Yes I do, I have one currently available on my Etsy page and I will be uploading more in the next few weeks. I also take custom orders if you have something in mind. I added the link to my Etsy page below. www.etsy.com/listing/1090523270/christmas-village-platform?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=MiriamsManner&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&tr_rank=1&organic_search_click=1&frs=1&cns=1

@mo_daville_9046

2 жыл бұрын

@@MiriamsManner thank you very much . I will be raking a look for sure . Your work is great for sure . Building my first village this year and I'm trying to work with a 4x4 section . I already see I dont have enough room lol

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

😂🤣😂. That’s how I felt when I started growing by village. I actually will have one piece posted tomorrow on my Etsy page and a different one with a water feature in the about 3 days. If you favors my shop, you will be notified when I post them. Right now, I will only have 2 of each kind. I will be making more but those might take a little longer for me to make since I’m still trying to finish my village.

Hi Miriam - could you send me the name and phone number of your Hot Wire Foam Factory rep? I've seen it in other videos, but can't seem to find it now. I want to order a couple of tools (you've inspired me) and ask some questions. Thanks so much - Shirley

@MiriamsManner

2 жыл бұрын

Hello Shirley, that is awesome! Her name is Pat and her number is 443-454-6554