Beach/Pier/Bay Diorama

[bonniebeth]

This is a joint project that my husband Chris (clong) and I worked on together. I think this is the first time we have done a diorama that was truly a joint project, where we worked on almost everything together and both contributed pretty equally. Our idea is that this is the beach adjacent to a large bay, hence the rather gentle waves rather than crashing surf. You will see a typical beach area, which I provided most of the detail for, a harbor police station, which is Chris's work, a coast guard station, which is also Chris's, a ferry getting ready to dock, being helped along by Chris's custom tugboat, boats and marine life out on the water, which I provided, an interesting scene where a boat is being boarded by police, which we worked together on, and also a busy pier with vendors and even a Ferris wheel. Chris built the structure of the pier, and I did a lot of the detail work on it, though he made some great contributions that I had not thought of.  S o here we go, hope you enjoy it!

Some overview pictures first:








And here are some shots of the beach:





Some beginning surfers


Guy on a jet ski, waving to....


his girlfriend


This dad is trying to convince his reluctant kids to get in the water


Dad and little boy fighting the seagulls for some lunch while mom works on her tan


Collecting seashells


Another family enjoying the beach


I don't think this puppy knows what is going on


champagne by the sea?


Football, American style


Hammock time!


Preview of a future project.


Beach rentals


These pelicans are going to have to move.


Waiting for a fourth to arrive


Not much explanation needed here


Starving musicians


Harbor police


Getting ready to be sent out


Fireboat arriving back at the dock


The ferry is about to arrive, bringing people from the far side of the bay


Ready for a day at the beach


Chris's adorable tug boat


Isn't it great?


Coast guard station


Control room


They have a visitor swimming around


What's going on here?


Police


Boarding this boat


Searching this boat


Finding...suitcases?


They aren't going anywhere


Handsome fellows


More suitcases in the water


Going fishing


On a more peaceful note, a family spotting something in the water


Off for a day on the water


Group of friends headed out


Another view


At least most of the people on this boat have life jackets


Guy talk


Girl talk


Watching the water


Someone wants cookies


Dolphins in the water


What a view from the Ferris wheel!




Excited couple spotting the dolphins


They see them too


They're missing it!


He better hold on to that baby


Father-son time


Everybody say... dolphins!?


Enjoying the views


Seals in the water


OMG!


A family strolling the pier


Day out with Grandpa


I love these triplets


And I finally found a use for this custom gift stand. I made it a couple of years ago


Another little family


Balloon seller


Bicycle cop and Chris's custom bicycle medic




Ice cream treat


Dad spoiling his little girl


Fitness freaks judging dad over spoiling his little girl




Love this one


Strength tester game


Older couple enjoying the scenery



And here is a better view of the hammerhead


And the seals

Anyway, that's it!

[tahra]

That's great bonniebeth

So many details.. the speedos look great in a beach setting, and those skirts are great in there too - they look like wrapped towels, which works amazing in this case (I find them too bulky to play simple skirts).

Love how you did the water

The tugboat is really cute too.  And the peer looks beautiful.

Now I'm curious about the aquarium too

[Rhalius]

Wow so many details here! Definatly a diorama to look at several times to see all the details. 

Great tugboat and gift shop customs! They really blend in perfectly and fit the scenery perfectly.
I love what you did with the water too, thats very impressive.
And so many little moments between all the families! It really shows how you have put them all together in families whenever you make a diorama! they always really belong together and I gues it helps set it all up for natural activities and behaviour of families. 

I do wonder whats going on on that speedboat though that theres cops armed with machineguns and dogs searching those guys with all the briefcases and bags. Are those two guys smugglers, or did they not wash their hands at the toilet and this is taken very seriously in this police state?

[DrDalek6]

Really great settup with all the wildlife and different textures the pier, gift shop and Aquarium sign look very nice and fitting for the settup, I was trying to figure out if you'd used some strange paper or something for the sea or whether it was jelly and then when I saw the seal and dolphins half in/half out of the sea it sort of gave it away remember that effect form my Pirate posters it works well to show off the boats and sea life particularly when finished off with the little rocks and stuff.

I like your depictions of family life throughout particularly the famillies on the beach and the man trying to coax his kids to paddle in the sea. Really like your 'starving' musicians and the man on the jetski is nice as well as the little boy on the smaller boat with the dolphin tshirt (I think) interesting to see a closeup of the boy with the green vest and sandals as well.

I wonder what's going on with the 2 men in trouble with the Police (also looking suitably attired in beach blue) I saw the guy in the floral shirt today at the market they had 2 boxed I might have to go back in a week or two and see if they've got any left I like the figure and I'm sure I can use the accessories in settups anyway. The little tug boat is indeed full of character the tyres and crew work well 

     

[leefert]

Awesome work BB and Chris!  Love the details, especially the Pier!

Another great use of the Ferris Wheel, and a good use of the Harbor Police station and car Ferry. 

I love the people, the action... Awesome work!

[bonniebeth]

Thanks everyone!

And so many little moments between all the families! It really shows how you have put them all together in families whenever you make a diorama! they always really belong together and I gues it helps set it all up for natural activities and behaviour of families. 

Setting up all the little families is one of my favorite things to do with playmobil. It's always fun to depict the things I observe about people in real life using klickys. I think that's what really brings a diorama to life.

I was trying to figure out if you'd used some strange paper or something for the sea or whether it was jelly and then when I saw the seal and dolphins half in/half out of the sea it sort of gave it away remember that effect form my Pirate posters it works well to show off the boats and sea life particularly when finished off with the little rocks and stuff.

Yeah, the stuff I use is what used to be called cellophane, though these days it's usually labeled as basket wrap. It's transparent and sold in different colors for wrapping gift baskets and stuff. It works perfectly. For smaller set-ups I put crumpled aluminum foil under it to give the wave effect. I didn't want to cover three 6-foot tables in aluminum foil, though.

[Tiermann]

Fantastic diorama Bonnie! Love all the little scenes and interactions.

I bet those guys on the boat are totally getting a ticket for littering. Tossing suitcases in the bay like that.  Though the police response seems maybe a little heavy, but then these no tolerance laws they have now days get pretty strict about that sort of thing.

[Daniela]

Summer Feeling! 

Great display!

I really like the way, you make the water with the swimming figures, it´s a fantastic idea! 

Is the "sand" some sort of felt, or what did you use for it? The color is simply perfect for it!

Love it!
Daniela

[bonniebeth]

Thanks guys!

I bet those guys on the boat are totally getting a ticket for littering. Tossing suitcases in the bay like that.  Though the police response seems maybe a little heavy, but then these no tolerance laws they have now days get pretty strict about that sort of thing.

  Yes, littering, I'm sure that's it.

Is the "sand" some sort of felt, or what did you use for it? The color is simply perfect for it!

Yes, exactly right. It's a soft felt fabric. I have the same fabric in green that I use for grass.

[Birdie]

It's gorgeous  . It was fun going through all the pictures, each with its own little scene. My favourite is the women leaning over to watch and photograph the seals. And the pelicans going after that one fish 
The water looks great, with the added effect of the tin foil and some animals under there etc.

I really like the fence for the pier, do you know which set it comes from? The riding school, maybe?

You've made beautiful signs again, and I look forward to seeing the aquarium when it's finished!