Tag Archives: Boyd’s Bear Village

Decor – Setting up a Boyds Bear Village display

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In two previous posts I discussed the many wonderful pieces of my Boyds Bear collection that I started in the 1980s.  Throughout the years I have collected Boyds stuffed animals, whimsical figurines and picture frames.  The main portion of my Boyds Bear collection is displayed in the library of our home in a lovely oak glass-front lawyer cabinet.  These items are displayed year-round in the cabinet and I also add additional seasonal holiday themed figurines.  (If you would like to see more of this collection, please click on the following links:  Displaying a Boyds Bear Collection Part One and Two)

The focus of this post will be the setting up a Boyds Bear Village Display and will included step-by-step instructions of how I set up the display.  In addition, I will show how I change or add special seasonal items to the display for the various holidays.  The Boyds Bear Village display is set-up on the bottom shelf of my Boyds Bear cabinet with several of the charming Boyds Bear Village houses that remain in place throughout the entire year.  The Boyds Bear Village house are: “Edmund’s Hideaway”, “Grenville and Beatrice’s Homestead”, “Emily’s Carrot Cottage”, and “Bailey’s Cozy Cottage”.

Below are the step-by-step instructions and photos of how I set up the display:

First, I lined the bottom shelf with newspaper and then placed two large bricks to add height to the display.  The newspapers were used to prevent the bricks from scratching the oak bookcase.  Next, I placed two smaller bricks to create more height in the center of the top section of the display.  I also used two large rocks on either side of the display to create more texture and visual interest.

Boyds Bear Village set-up 1Then, I placed the four Boyds houses, leaving space in the middle for additional accessories.  On the lower section of the display, I placed a piece of artificial grass.  To hide some of the brick, I used four sections of stone walls and added small rocks.  On the top section of the display, I used a three piece section of fencing between the two houses.

Boyds Bear Village set-up 2Next, I placed several trees around the display.  Special Note:  I have several sets of seasonal trees for the different holidays.  Such as full green trees for summer/spring, bare-branch and golden brown trees for fall and pine trees for winter.

Boyds Bear Village set-up 3To hide the base of the trees, the spaces behind the wall on the lower section and behind the fence on the top section and also to fill the other empty areas of the display I used Spanish moss.

Boyds Bear Village set-up 4Finally, I place some of the Boyds Bear Village bear/hare figurines around the display.  Special Note: I have several different sets of small seasonal figurines that I add or remove during the different seasons and holidays.

Boyds Bear Village set-up 5

Below are several photos taken of the Boyds Bear Village display throughout the year for the various seasons with a description of the items that I add or remove depending on the holidays.  Some of these additional items are from the Boyds Bears product line, I also use some Department 56 items and other items were purchased at local craft stores.  Every year I try to change or add to the seasonal displays!  Craft Tip: Keep an eye out during the various holidays throughout the year for miniature decorative accents; also check the dollhouse section in the craft stores for more miniature items to add to a display.

Valentine’s Day

Sometime near the end of January, I will remove some of the winter accessories, such as the Christmas figurines and pine trees leaving only the bare-branch trees.  Then, in my local craft store I found miniature pink and red hearts that I sprinkle on the grass area of the display for Valentine’s Day.  (Next year, I’m thinking of adding more small hearts to the bare-branch trees for an extra special touch)

2012 Valentine's Day Boyd's Bear Village2012 Valentine's Day Boyd's Bear Village closeup

Spring/Summer

Usually in March, I will remove the bare-branch trees and will replace them with a set of full green trees.  Next, in the railroad model section of my local craft store I found miniature white, pink and yellow tulips which I added to the top and bottom sections of the display inserting them into the Spanish moss so they would remain upright.  To complete the Spring/Summer display I placed several of the Boyds Bear Village small figurines.

2013 Spring Boyd's Town2013 Spring Boyd's Town closeup 1

Fall – Halloween & Thanksgiving

In mid-October, I will remove all the Spring/Summer accessories.  Then, I will replace the Spring/Summer trees with several bare-branch and golden brown trees for a more seasonal autumn look.  Next, for Halloween I will add several “trick or treaters” figurines, a pumpkin patch figurine and several miniature pumpkins to display.  As a final touch, I will add a “harvest moon” in the right corner of the display.  For Thanksgiving, I will remove the Halloween figurines and on the left side I will add a figurine of two small turkeys.  Last year, I could find the right accessories to add to the Fall display so I made sunflowers from small buttons that I found in my local craft store.  I added small twigs, which I attached through the button hooks on the back and glued small leaves onto the twigs and placed them near the rock wall on the lower section.  I also added small corn stalks near the fence on the top section.

2012 Halloween Boyd's Bear Village

2012 Fall Boyd's Bear Village closeup 1    2012 Fall Boyd's Bear Village closeup 2
2013 Fall Boyd's Town closeup 1    2013 Fall Boyd's Town closeup 2

Winter – Christmas

At the beginning of December, I remove all of the Fall figurines and replace the Fall Trees with snow covered pine trees for a winter look.  Next, I add a small Santa bear and several snowmen figurines.  I also add several tiny lamp posts accented with Christmas wreaths and place them near each of the Boyds Bear Village house.  To finish the display I sprinkle several miniature snowflakes which I found in my local craft store.

2012 Christmas Boyd's Bear Village 1

So, I hope you enjoyed seeing how I set up my Boyds Bear Village and also how I accessorize the display throughout the year!

 

Decor – Fall Home Decorations

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FALL … the weather turns a little cooler; there is a fire in the fireplace, and steaming hot chocolate in mugs to drink!  It is now the time to change out the spring/summer decorations and replace them with fall decorations.

Due to the unpredictable Midwest weather, I usually keep the exterior decorations of the house simple.  This year I decided to embellish a simple wooden pumpkin sign I used as a front door decoration from a previous year.  Because of the shape of the sign, I choose an oval wreath to match and added some gold chrysanthemums and fall leaves that I already had.

Since the fall season has two holidays, I have two different signs for our front porch.  For Halloween I have a “Trick or Treat” wooden black cat and for Thanksgiving I have a resin Scarecrow on a wooden stick tied with a raffia bow.  To complete the porch, I set out four pumpkins.

This year, I am excited to add one of my recent Craft projects.  The Corncob Luminaries were very easy to make and a great way to use recycled water bottles. On Thanksgiving Day, these luminaries will be placed on the walkway leading to our front door and will set a festive mood to greet our Thanksgiving dinner guests.

Now, it is time to decorate the interior of our house.

In our entry, I have a low bench and I place a wooden “scarecrow” crow (funny!) with a sign that reads, “Welcome, Happy Harvest”.  On a pedestal next to the bench, I have a white rose floral arrangement and with the addition of some peasant feathers it changes to a fall festive look!  (Another idea is to add fall leaves or peacock feathers to an existing arrangement – these simple ideas can really stretch a holiday decorating budget – maybe you can buy a fabulous fall sweater with the money saved!)

In the family room, I arrange several pine sprays on the mantel over the fireplace and add several ceramic fall leaves and red berry sprays.  The pine sprays usually stay on the mantel and I will remove the Fall decorations and replace them with the Christmas decorations later – this saves time and expenses.  I also place two charming scarecrows on the fireplace mantel to complete this area.

   

In the library, I have a small glass front lawyer’s bookcase which displays my Boyd’s Bear Collection.  On the top shelf, I add my seasonal figurines which for Thanksgiving are a set of Pilgrim and Indians Boyd’s Bears.  On the middle shelf, I add fall leaves to my existing Bear figurine collection.  The bottom shelf holds my Boyd’s Bear Village.  I usually decorate this for every season and for fall I replace the summer/spring trees with bare branch trees.  I add a pumpkin patch and a couple of turkeys to give this display the look of a crisp fall afternoon!

      

In the dining room, the main decoration will be a lovely Fall Victorian Centerpiece for the table.  This is another one of my recent projects for fall.  (Please, look for this week’s Craft post for full instructions)  Since I am using this new centerpiece, I have moved the floral arrangement I use year round in the dining room to a table in the family room and add peasant feathers to give it a great fall look.  I love when my decorations are versatile, not specific to one area, and can be used in other rooms of the house.  This allows me to be creative with my holiday decorations and it keeps the process fresh every year!

In the china cabinet, I arrange three Currier and Ives porcelain house that I bought several years ago from a local craft store.  These are arranged on a mirrored silver display stand.  I add several small figurines and pine trees to create a charming display that transitions from Fall to Christmas.  I love when my holiday decorations can be used for more then one season!

To complete the dining room, I place a “memory tree” on the tea table.  During the Fall season this small tabletop pine tree is decorated with small family photo frames and golden feathers.  Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and with this special decoration it is a wonderful way to honor and remember our families.  (Please, look for an upcoming Craft post with full instructions on creating your own Memory Tree or Wreath)

In the kitchen, I have a basket of artificial vegetables placed in the corner and it usually stays there year-round.  For the Fall season, I add a resin pumpkin carved with the words, “Harvest Welcome”.   Above the kitchen cabinets, I have a picture frame that reads, “Celebrate family, friends, traditions” which is perfect for Thanksgiving.  Normally it is displayed with a trio of decorative green plates and ceramic tea pots but I replace the teapots with two ceramic pumpkins for Fall.  Once again, I love to multi-purpose the items in the house by adding simple decorative items to an existing display and this saves both time and expenses.  (You’ve got to love that idea, right?)