Description
This is another Lantin where the idea has been bouncing around my brain for at least a year, and again it’s a relief to exorcise it – but boy, it took SO much work!
Tinter Wonderland Five is inspired by one of my favourite Christmas films, The Polar Express. We have the 3D version so of course this Lantin had to be as 3D as possible!
To achieve the 3D effect with the snowflakes – which are tiny decals designed for decorating fingernails, believe it or not – I die cut the various elements and glued them onto three pieces of clear acetate. I then affixed the nail decals to each piece of acetate, and I am so pleased with how it all worked out.
Including the back and front pieces, this Lantin has a whopping FIVE layers:
- Layer 1 – background of mountains, fir trees and glow-in-the-dark moon and northern lights, all affixed to a beautiful rainbow mirrored card.
- Layer 2 – bridge and train (the train has ‘lit’ windows of iridescent yellow paper).
- Layer 3 – glittery fir trees and an eagle.
- Layer 4 – snowy hills, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, and a stag (sorry – couldn’t find a caribou cutting die!)
- Layer 5 – foreground of a glittery forest, three wolves and a squirrel
I’ve attempted to photograph layers 1-4 without the front layer, to give you an idea of how the 3D snow effect looks, but no photo will ever do this Lantin justice 🙂
The USB-operated LED fairy lights in this Lantin are multi-coloured, which work fantastically with the mirrored card to produce an overall pastel-coloured light show which pleases me very much! As for Mr Mooshkin – it’s rare that he shows much emotion towards my work (he’s funny like that), but he’s insisted that we keep one for ourselves, so it must be good!
In this extra large Lantin, whose overall measurements are 19.5 x 15.3 x 7.6cm, there’s a huge amount of detail – each one takes me around two hours to make and I have used at least eight different cards and papers in its making.
Like all of my Lantins, “Tinter Wonderland Five – The Polar Express” is presented in a branded cotton bag with a 1m USB extension cord which will give you some extra distance between shelf and socket. Additional or longer extension cords, should you need them, can be bought for a couple of quid at eBay.
Note: you will need a USB plug (such as is used for charging a mobile phone) or a USB battery pack – neither of which are supplied with the Lantin. While my Lantins will undoubtedly be attractive to children, please exercise caution and keep the Lantin and its cables out of reach of tiny hands.
