Review - Christmas 3D frame miniature kits from Rolife

I received these kits in exchange for a review

A few weeks ago I shared some gorgeous Christmas themed miniature kits from Rolife, and now that I've made a start on my Christmas crafting I'm delighted to share the results of these two kits from the DIY Miniature House Story Frames Series.

These kits are titled Christmas Eve Party and Santa's Toy Shop. Each kit contains everything that you need to assemble a miniature world which is fitted inside a deep frame. All you need to add are two AAA batteries so that you can light up the scene. I chose to work first on the Christmas Eve Party kit.

Inside the box you will find the plastic frame which holds it all together and a selection of materials including wooden pieces to press out, stickers, paper cut pieces, the lighting kit, a variety of small themed accessories and full instructions. There is also a small screwdriver for the battery box, plastic tweezers, and tiny double sided tape strips.

Christmas Eve Party depicts a dining room filled with Christmas treats. There is a dresser with shelves filled with festive articles, a display of Christmas plates, a table piled high with delicious food and drink, and a Christmas tree in the corner. The first step is to assemble all of the tiny items that sit inside the scene.

Then the lighting kit is placed into position, and all the tiny items are stuck firmly in place before a plastic dust cover is added to the front. The picture below is taken before the front of the frame was added so that it can be photographed without a reflection. I'd recommend leaving it a day or so before adding the dust cover just so that you can check everything inside is stuck firmly - although it is possible to remove the front to make changes it might risk upsetting everything inside!

The dust cover is a great way to make sure that everything inside stays nice and clean, especially as this is something that you will want to bring out from year to year. I love all the detail in this kit, especially the tiny cake and mug of cocoa!

Next I worked on Santa's Toy Shop. This kit is slightly different because it is in portrait rather than landscape format. It also doesn't have a dust cover, instead the elements of the kit extend outside the frame, making a tiny world that you can imagine walking into. It features the entrance to the toy shop, with a front door that can be pushed open to reveal more decorations inside. Piled up outside the shop is a heap of gift wrapped boxes, one filled with sparkling baubles, and the shop window displays more festive delights. 

Once again the assembly of the kit was simple and enjoyable. Both kits did have their fiddly parts, in particular the tree in Christmas Eve Party and the lamp post in Santa's Toy Shop. Some of the wooden pieces are very delicate and I did have a couple that snapped when I pushed them together too firmly. It was easily fixed with some superglue, but it's a reminder to be careful and not get impatient. I used glue (not supplied) in some places just to make sure that everything was stuck firmly.

I also messed up slightly when I installed the battery box on this kit, I slotted it in backwards and then found it very difficult to remove. It's very important to read the instructions and check the pictures very carefully, all the information is there if you look properly!

The finished frame kits have a plastic hook at the back so they can be hung from the wall, or else they can be displayed free standing. I can't even decide which is my favourite! 

The lighting for the kits is very simple and easy to install. The battery box is accessed from the back, and two AAA batteries are required. There is a light sensitive button for the lights which is on the outside of the frame, and a light touch is enough to turn them on.

Here are the frames displayed proudly on my bookcase so you can see the scale, they each measure approximately 16cm by 21cm. They look lovely together but would also make great individual kits. They would be a lovely gift for a crafty friend, or something that the family can work on together to create something that will decorate the home at Christmas for years.

These kits are not too difficult to put together, and it's a very satisfying process. Each one takes about two hours to make so you can complete in an evening, but I'd recommend taking your time and enjoying the assembly, as well as making sure that each step is firmly stuck before moving on to the next. 

These kits would make a lovely addition to your Christmas decor, as well as giving you a lot of enjoyment when you work on completing them. Next I'm going to be working on the Gingerbread House miniature kit, and I'll be sharing my progress soon!