Capybara picture frame diorama

Here is a picture frame diorama I made for my girlfriend for her birthday.

Capybara in a jungle setting, something which I'd planned on making for a long while since I bought the Capybara miniatures at Salute last year. They are made by a fantastic company called Bad Squido games if you are interested you can find them here

When thinking about how I would set up the scene I knew I wanted one riding a crocodile, the video of this happening was just too damn cute.

Because my girlfriend loves bright and fun colours as well as a healthy dose of whimsy I added a bowler hat which I painted purple with a pink band. I knew it would likely make her smile as well as give this Cappy a dapper look the others would envy.

I've had a random stick in my terrain bits box for years and years knowing that I'd use it one day
(a hoarders mentality I know!)
I cut it in half and attached it to the inside edge of the picture frame box. I pinned them in place using paperclip to ensure they stay in place.

I loved the moment when I was able to bring the whole piece together, gluing on the capybaras which I had painted separately as well as adding things like this spider and a hidden centipede in front of the crocodile (its really hard to photograph)

The morning after I finished making it but before I glued the crocodile and the ground its onto the frame I had a bit of an accident! 

I picked it up the next morning to get a better look at it in the daylight (as I normally do crafting in the evenings) and the croc its cappy and the ground its on (which is a sheet of card folded with sand glued on and loads of fake plants attached) the whole thing fell into my freshly made cup of tea! 

I scolded my fingers pulling it out then had the nightmare of what to do next!
I ran the whole thing under a cold tap to wash the tea off and cool my fingers down, then placed it next to a radiator to dry out for a few days. 
I did have to touch up the paint in places as well as replace some of the foliage but overall it could have been much worse!

I figure a ruler for scale should help you know what size the thing is! I guess that's important too right?

I'm really pleased with how it turned out and I hope she is too, the only thing I wish I had figured out was a way to contain it to be displayed without it eventually getting dusty. I will keep a lookout for a display box or case that will fit it!

I really love making gifts using geeky hobby skills, though the time pressure is a limiting factor in my enjoyment of it I think its worthwhile. 
Finding inspiration for something to make someone though is not always certain. With that in mind I think I will continue to follow my inspiration and make things as I feel interested, and if that means I have to give it to someone at a later date because I missed a birthday or xmas in the future then that will just have to happen!

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Even if it's just $1 it really helps me out!

See you all next time!