Remember earlier this year, in my CHA Summer 2009 wrap-up post, when I told you how much we loved Woodland Scenics? They are a company that specializes in materials to create life-like scenery for model trains, architectural designs, or dioramas.

Well, they loved us too, and sent us one of their Scene-A-Rama Creative Mask Project Packs to play with. They have lots of project packs to choose from (create a village, a cell, or an erupting volcano), but if the other kits are anything like this mask kit, the sky’s the limit with what you can create with them.

Just look at everything you get in one kit! A pedestal, backboard, cardboard, brushes, paints, glue, clay, plaster cloth, fur, and more. Everything you need to get creative… and messy!

It took me and Jo a while to decide what to make with this kit. Sure, it was designed to make a mask, but that was just one of a million possibilities. We wanted to try something new and different. Since we were going to Sanibel for vacation anyway, we wanted to do something beach themed. We decided on a beach diorama, complete with palm tree, umbrella, and sandcastle!

We started with our beach umbrella. We used the included cardboard and some tape to make the umbrella shape, then covered it with the plaster cloth that came in the kit. This plaster cloth is so versatile and fun to work with. You just dip it quickly in water and spread it over your surface, then smooth it out with your fingers. It dries hard in minutes, and then you can paint or finish it however you want.

Next, we cut the included foam core backboard so that it would provide a backdrop, and painted a sky, water, and birds on it. We also cut and painted a palm tree on the side, and then cut some palm fronds out of the remaining foam core. Once they were painted green, we attached them to the top of the trunk with glue.

The sandcastle was the next — and most fun — part. We made a little model out of cardboard, then covered it with more plaster cloth.

When it was dry, we coated it with the included project glue, and then sprinkled it liberally with sand fresh from the beach.

When the umbrella was dry, we painted it in bright colors and then stuck a bamboo skewer in it for a handle. For some finishing touches, we used more plaster cloth to make a beach blanket to match ours and we used the included modeling clay to make a little bucket and shovel.

Put it all together and just look at the awesome beach diorama we made!

Jo’s 4-year-old daughter helped us a lot with the project, too, and was entranced by the creativity. She especially loved helping to decorate the finished project with sea shells we had collected from the beach that morning. We really ended up with a great memento from our trip, not to mention a fun craft project.

If you’ve got a diorama project in your future and don’t know where to start with supplies, consider the Scene-A-Rama Creative Mask Project Pack. It’s a great way to get you going.