Christmas Village Base with Side Steps Tutorial 

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.

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.

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

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.

I LOVE your videos! Thanks for sharing them!

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 👍🌹

Another great idea so uplifting and inspiring

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🙋‍♀️

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Thank you! It is beautiful! ❤️

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

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 💕💋

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.

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!

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

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

Definitely will be trying to make this - many thanks !

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

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

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

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.

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

This is so helpful!!! Thanks so much.

Awesome! Great video!

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

I love all your videos !!!

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.

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

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

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. 😊👍🎄

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

You are awesome!

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!

AWESOME!

Thanks so much for your Labor of Love ❤️

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 ❤

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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