Getting Ready Santa's House

I missed building models the most ... gosh, model kits nowadays are not cheap and time-consuming.  I need a quick fix and also a cheaper alternative, for a Christmas diorama.  Here's a site I always run to for fun & print at home paper craft ... Canon Creative Park 

Amongst their Christmas Special Collection gallery, I downloaded this Santa Claus's House, printed it and was already working on it soon enough.  One thing though, I printed this in half the size it was supposed to be so, everything worked out smaller than it should. 

Above is an image from their site of the completed model.  Since I am still working on it, I'll share some tips and post up the final product eventually (in 'due' time too).   To save printing, you can just save the pdf file of the assembling instruction manual, maybe into your computer or iPad or something you can keep referring to each step of the way.

One of the things I discovered while assembling this is that, it always helps when you score along the fold lines, so you can get a clean corner.  I score all necessary score lines before cutting out the pieces, because individually, the pieces are much harder to navigate around without running the risk of tearing the pieces up while scoring.  I just use a ruler and the tip of a mechanical pencil, as long as it runs smoothly. 

Another tip, try to use quick dry glue that can hold, because you sure do not want your diorama falling apart before Xmas.  I use my all-trusty All Purpose UHU adhesive.  Towards the end of the assembling instruction, you'll be assembling smaller loose pieces of finishing touches, like the furniture or decorations.  Here are some of the furniture I completed.

Here are some close up of my half-scaled model.  There are some tips in the instructions on how to curl the spiral cord on the 'telephone/computer' or the 'fax paper'.

So, head on over for some quick Xmas decoration ideas here.