PlaymoFriends

Creative => Photography & Graphics => Topic started by: Tiermann on December 13, 2009, 00:25:05

Title: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 13, 2009, 00:25:05
Here are a bunch of pictures of my Santa Castle for this year. The last time I did one was in 2007, after wich I realized I needed more Steck parts to do something bigger. I have the parts now and here is the new version, about twice the size of my last one.

There are a total of 34 different pictures I've taken. I will post a few each day until I've worked through them all.

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20View%20A.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20View%20B.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20View%20C.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20View%20D.jpg)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 13, 2009, 00:27:36
(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20View%20H.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20View%20I.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Porch.jpg)

That's all for today. Next time we will take a look at the top floor - the workshop.
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: core on December 13, 2009, 02:11:35
Absolutely wonderful! Thanks for sharing ... showed it to the kids and now they want more space by the Christmas tree to build one of their own (albeit at a much smaller scale).
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on December 13, 2009, 02:44:45
 :xmascheer: Well done! I really like your design! Thank you for sharing your creation!  :rudy:
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Sylvia on December 13, 2009, 11:34:55

Very nicely laid out and decorated, Tim!  <*)

I see some parts from one of the very early advent calendars. The bakery one with the lady in white is my favourite because of the cookie sheets and other neat pieces. I wish Playmobil would bring us some more completely new Christmas-themed accessories like the wreath with candles that came out a few years ago.
And I LOVE those little elves with the curly boots. They are adorable! :elf:

Thanks for helping me to get more into the Christmas spirit with your photos. :xmascheer:

Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 13, 2009, 16:47:59
Here are many of the pieces from the Advent Calendars that Sylvia has mentioned in closer views.
The Kitchen:

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Kitchen%201.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Kitchen%202.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Kitchen%203.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Kitchen%204.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Kitchen%205.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Kitchen%206.jpg)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Gepetto on December 13, 2009, 18:02:47
Thank you Tim for posting these pictures! :xmascheer: I absolutely love what you have done with this castle, it was one of the reasons I binged on acquiring Advent sets last year so I could accumulate parts for something similar. Nicely laid out and beautifully photographed, look forward to future installments! :xholly: :xholly:

 :snowman:   :snowman:   :snowman:  (gotta use'm while you gottem)  :snowman:   :snowman:   :snowman:   :snowman:   :snowman:   :snowman:



Gepetto   <*)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: kaethe on December 13, 2009, 23:04:26
i love it!!!!. it is the coziest castle i have ever seen.  i can hardly wait for you to post some more photos.  i have never seen the advent calendar with the baking goodies.  i am off to heather's database to look for it.  i actually have an almost complete santa;s workshop, although my bench is missing the vice, and someday i want to do something similar to this with my victorian house, although i like the use of the castle better.  i also like how you have incorporated an atrium, as santa needs to have plants for the gardeners on his list.
thanks for posting.   kaethe
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Rasputin on December 14, 2009, 05:10:47
Hi Tim  :elf:

   Thank you so much for sharing your North Pole castle. I too really like all the special touches you set up in this festive creation. Great photos by the way, such good angles and lighting :clap:

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 14, 2009, 05:54:08
Thanks for the comments. I really like to make it seemed lived in. Things lke the glass and plate on the side table or the cat sleeping by the greenhouse are what make a scene come alive for me.
Here are the greenhouse pictures.

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Greenhouse%201.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Greenhouse%202.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Greenhouse%203.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Greenhouse%204.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Greenhouse%205.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Greenhouse%206.jpg)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Klickus Mobilius on December 14, 2009, 06:55:58
 :wow: :wow: :wow:  This is great work!  A masterpiece!   :xmascheer:
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: playmofire on December 14, 2009, 10:18:28
A real Christmas treat, Tim! Thank you for sharing it.   

:wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:

I haven't looked in detail yet but the first thing that struck me was how well you had merged the modern glasshouse with the castle architecture.  If only real life architect's could do the same!

Now back to look at things in detail....
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: playmofire on December 14, 2009, 10:33:26
i love it!!!!. it is the coziest castle i have ever seen.  i can hardly wait for you to post some more photos.  i have never seen the advent calendar with the baking goodies.  i am off to heather's database to look for it.  i actually have an almost complete santa;s workshop, although my bench is missing the vice, and someday i want to do something similar to this with my victorian house, although i like the use of the castle better.  i also like how you have incorporated an atrium, as santa needs to have plants for the gardeners on his list.
thanks for posting.   kaethe

I think I have a vice spare, kaethe.  I'll check and PM you.
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 15, 2009, 02:23:44
Thanks Gordon. Fortunately the size of the greenhouse is just about perfect. If the side walls didn't have tabs sticking up the fit would be ideal. As it is I have to  offset it to one side or the other of the tabs, so I bring it towards the front so the tabs aren't seen. Last time I used it with a castle I used the wall piece with the large arched door as the entry. That looked nice but this time I used one of the open wall sides from the small house/ Safari station building. That made for a much larger opening and more light coming into the next room. The porch section on the end was added so that the gate could be used. It didn't fit properly up against the greenhouse. The railings are wedged in a bit but managed to fit ok.
No updates today but tomorrow I will do the workshop pictures.
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: playmofire on December 15, 2009, 03:01:48
Thanks Gordon. Fortunately the size of the greenhouse is just about perfect... this time I used one of the open wall sides from the small house/ Safari station building. That made for a much larger opening and more light coming into the next room.

Loss of light is always the problem when a conservatory extension is added, in real life as well as Playmobil, and you've solved the problem very effectively, Tim.
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Martin Milner on December 15, 2009, 03:35:57
I love that cosy kitchen, lots of pieces in there I've never seen before, including some furniture, that really make it work.

Great set up Tim, can't wait for the next set of pictures.
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Indianna on December 15, 2009, 15:16:12
 :rudy:  :xmascheer:

Beautiful work, Tim!  The set-up and the photography are both first rate!

I love how well the victorian furniture looks with the steck castle walls - also, as others have already mentioned, you have done a marvelous job incorporating the greenhouse into Santa's castle.  Now I am happy that I purchased the greenhouse a few years ago because you have demonstrated how well it goes with my beloved steck.   :elf:

Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 16, 2009, 01:42:42
I love Steck too,the more I use it the more I want

The toy workshop:

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%201.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%202.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%203.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%204.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%205.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%206.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%207.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%208.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Workshop%209.jpg)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Gepetto on December 16, 2009, 02:28:30
Beautiful Tim! I should have a workshop like that!  :'(  Thank you for the photos!.  :rudy:



Gepetto  <*)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Rasputin on December 16, 2009, 04:41:45
Hi Tim  :elf:

I love the pictures of your busy work shop  :love: those elfs are so great. I am glad they became available in Target this year .

   Thanks for sharing more pictures
   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Gepetto on December 16, 2009, 05:38:39
Hi Tim  :elf:

I love the pictures of your busy work shop  :love: those elfs are so great. I am glad they became available in Target this year .

   Thanks for sharing more pictures
   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

I never was able to find those Santa blisters! :'( :'(



Gepetto
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Klickus Mobilius on December 16, 2009, 08:14:20
Excellent!   :wow: :wow:  Where did those little red dragons come from?
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 16, 2009, 15:24:43
The red dragons are form the castle micro set.
I got most of the elves in a DS order the summer after the house carry along set was first released in the US. It would be great if they released a small workshop set some time. They have made all sorts of tools over the years and with multiple elves it would be a desirable set. The problem with the blister is that you only get one elf  :elf: plus a Santa  <*) . How many Santa's can a person use?  <*) I managed to use all of mine this year, but it took some creative thinking and a little customization on one.  I will leave that as a teaser hanging for my next post in a day or two  >:D
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Martin Milner on December 16, 2009, 15:46:17
Love the elf painting the spots on the giraffe and stripes on the zebra!

I agree with Tim, just how many Santas does one household need? I'd have preferred an elf-only blister pack, maybe with three elves as they're smaller figures, and then I think a lot of people would build Santa's Workshop sets - though Tim's has done the job so well it'd be hard to top it.

There are a raft of films and cartoons featuring the elves and their antics  - Elf (Will Farrell), and Santa Claus (Dudley Moore) come to mind immediately, as well as the Polar Express cartoon.

We have red and green elves, how about a blue and yellow variety too?
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Rasputin on December 16, 2009, 16:50:21
Hi  :elf:

   Oh don't get me wrong an all Elf pack would have been much more welcome than what was available. I do not know why they needed two different Santa packs? One Santa pack with the snow man and another one of elf's would have been great. I take what is given and do the best out of it I can. The extra Santa's get cannibalized for their parts and the elf's are set free. I did find it humorous that the 5846 packs Santa came with a stick , was it to keep the elf in line  :whip:

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Gustavo on December 16, 2009, 18:54:37
Really cool! :xmascheer:

I'd love to imagine the names of each character, if I did one of these ... I don't have that much playmo yet :P

 :xholly: Questions:

Who might be the character on the balcony? (near the snowman :snowman: )

&

Do those elfs come with those shoes, or was that customized? :elf: Really cool shoes, I had never noticed them!

Thanks for the pictures! They're very inspiring <*) :rudy:

Gus
:blackhair:
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 16, 2009, 20:43:45
The elf shoes come that way, it's one of the things that makes them so desirable compared to just child Klickies.

The figure on the balcony is from 3810 - Circus Riders (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showinv.pl?setnum=3810) as is his hat. The cape is  Santa's 30 62 2510 - Cloak, full-length with collar (http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30%2062%202510) in the Living Room  Advent calendar
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 19, 2009, 16:28:10
Here is the last installment, if anyone would like specific pictures of any parts you couldn't see well enough just let me know and I will get them for you.

The lower level garage  :rudy: and Santa workshop  <*) (not to be confused with Santa's Workshop).

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20View%20E.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Garage%201.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Garage%202.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Garage%203.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Garage%204.jpg)

(http://animobil.info/playmo/santacastle2009/Santa%20Castle%202009%20Garage%205.jpg)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Gepetto on December 19, 2009, 16:45:14
Thanks Tim  :wave:, love the little safety touches in the shop with the Frankensantas and I like how complete all the different rooms are.  :xmascheer:




Gepetto  <*)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Mountain King on December 20, 2009, 02:13:49
It's pictures like these that want to make you say "Ho Ho Ho, Merry X-Mas" ...

Really love the idea of the "Robotic Santa" ...
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Martin Milner on December 20, 2009, 02:32:54
Now we know how "Santa" gets to every house in one night!
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Klickus Mobilius on December 20, 2009, 08:05:02
The Santabots are intriguing.  Did you come up with that idea?
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 20, 2009, 16:30:41
I'm sure it must have been used before. I don't think I've ever seen anyone do the open back panel like that though. I think finding something different to do each year with the big pile-o-Santa may be an interesting challenge. We'll see what next year brings
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Klickus Mobilius on December 20, 2009, 17:35:04
By the way, I just noticed your modified avatar.  Rudolph, the red-nosed Tyrannosaurus Rex!   :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Rasputin on December 20, 2009, 18:10:56
Hi Tim  :elf:

   Thanks for the updated pictures of you festive castle. I too really like how you creatively used so many Santa's for you scene. It is a challenge on how to use so many of them in the same set up and you figured out a great way to do it. As long as that Dwarf gets the wiring correct  :hmm:

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: baden-wurttemberg on December 21, 2009, 00:37:11
Wow  wonderful creation Tiermann!!!  :wow:  :wow:   :wow: Thanks for sharing with us!!!!  :xmascheer:




Baden  <*)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Gustavo on December 21, 2009, 04:01:23
 <*)

The light of the pictures is really nice. Do you use daylight? (It looks like that.)

Santas 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 8.1, ... :P Scary, in a way 8} ...

Interesting concept, bringing sci-fi into Christmas. Well, this whole Santa Claus story is quite sci-fi, anyway ... Nothing better than robots to explain it :hmm: And/Or time warps 8}

Thanks for the pictures, Tim! :love:

:snowman: :xmascheer: :xholly:
 :rudy: :elf:
 :wave:

Gus
:blackhair:
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 21, 2009, 21:55:16
I use daylight plus fluorescent and halogen light in the room, but no spots on the Playmo. It gives a more natural look, but I have to be careful of camera shake due to slower exposure times.
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on December 21, 2009, 22:34:00
The Santabots are intriguing.  Did you come up with that idea?

I wonder if Mrs. Clause notices any differences  :hmm:? But then again with, power tools, industrial batteries, <*),......never mind  :-[! Excellent workshop display Tim!
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Klickus Mobilius on December 22, 2009, 10:26:23
I wonder if Mrs. Clause notices any differences  :hmm:? But then again with, power tools, industrial batteries, <*),......never mind  :-[! Excellent workshop display Tim!

Bill, you naughty boy, you!   :lol:
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: peetje on December 25, 2009, 14:38:44
Very cool.  :wow: :wow:
I like it a lot.
So mats details.

Nice work Tim.

Thanks voor the photo's

Groeten,

Peter   
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Pirateclick on December 25, 2009, 15:49:14
Amazing castle, I love it  :) Congrats
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: macgayver on December 26, 2009, 20:25:48
Thank you for taking the time each year to supprise us all with a Christmas diorama

Wonderfull pictures

Merry Christmas
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: MansionBuilder on December 31, 2009, 03:31:42
Awesome Castle, Tim!  :snowman:
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tricornejock on December 31, 2009, 09:14:54
Your castel is absolutly fantastic, thank for all pics (a mix of old castel and modern details are really awesome)

Greatings,
TJ
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Tiermann on December 31, 2009, 15:46:37
Thanks for the nice comments. Good to see you back MansionBuilder.  :rudy:
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: Lindama on November 28, 2011, 22:06:11
Bumping this up as it is amazing!
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: PlaymoMan on November 29, 2011, 01:43:13
Yes, what an incredible creation.
Great job, Tim! :)
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: basilsdad on November 29, 2011, 12:10:42
Thanks so much for 'bumping this up' Lindama.  It is a wonderful pre-Christmas present.  :love: 
You did a fabulous job, Tim.  Thanks so much for the original pictures and dialog.
Joe
 
Title: Re: Santa Castle 2009
Post by: playmovictorian on December 01, 2011, 03:18:09
This a timeless Masterpiece dear Tim  :wave:

Every picture has such a wealth of creative and beautiful details  :love:

Karim :)