Sandy, You could definitely use the wire frame, similar to a topiary frame. Here is what I would do; BUT remember that once anything is added to the frame it will increase the overall girth of the frame and increase weight; no way around it. So if there is a way to squish the frame work a little smaller maintaining the overall shape you can potentially get about the same size deer. Ok so now here is what I would do; stuff frame with a large plastic bag (black or clear) then using something to stuff inside, stryo peanuts, plastic bags, newspaper etc., know where the opening of the big plastic bag is so you can remove the stuffing if you want later, be sure to have a small access area in a discreet spot if you want to remove it later. This inner core only stops mix from falling through. *cover the outside of the frame with chicken wire if it is not already covered with wire. *Tie or sew the chicken wire on with small pieces of wire (18-20gage)like a bread tie. Tuck in any rough spots. *using Quikwall by Quikrete company you can apply a thin scratch coat first, this does not have to be thick and it does not end up pretty. Quikwall has fibers in the mix, Mix in small batches as it sets quickly, mixed with water creates a very sticky mix that can be smooshed troweled or pattied on to your wire surface. Your inner stuffing will stop the mix from falling through. This does not have to be very thick, it makes a rough surface for the other mix to stick to. Spritz to keep moist or cover in damp toweling. *Wait at least overnight, longer if your scratch coat got a little thick; then *When you are ready, spritz the area that you are working on, and brush on concrete bonding agent (this bonds old to new) just a thin coat is fine, it will make your next mix sort of slippery *work in small batches to apply the finish coat. *apply a finish mix of 1 pt cement/2-3 parts fine sand/colorant if you like, mix with water and a little concrete bonding agent to a thin toothpaste consistency and trowel with the palm of your hand over the scratch coat. This does not have to be much thicker that 1/2". Once you have the armature covered, you are familiar with the entire deer enough to sculpt areas with your fingertips or other tool to add detail or space for gems for eyes or horse hair for the tail etc. You can add to the sculptability of the mix by adding a little more bonding agent as the liquid. *Remember the stuffing, you can pull the inner stuffing out if you like, but it likely will not add much weight overall. Again you will need to spritz your work and cover for at least a week for it to cure and harden properly. Will it be heavy? Yes definitely heavier than what you started with, but much lighter than a piece of concrete statuary.You can be in control of how heavy the piece will be when you trowel on the finish coat. And in ten years you may or may not want to take deery with you. You can ask at the special order desk of Lowes or Home Depot about quikwall, whichever store carries quikrete products. It comes in a 50# bag and goes a long way, here in WA cost is just under 15.00 per bag. It is always nice to create something special for your yard. Dena

LOL at Village Cat. I've always enjoyed seeing Lynne's village, and Kitty is usually in it I think. Very carefully I might add. Jazz would go thru a Village like a tornado, I'm sure. LOL. Wanna trade, Lynne? Jeanne, a mercury gold candleholder sounds real pretty to put with the angels. I experimented this afternoon trying the faux mercury technique on a cheapy GW clear vase. I sprayed it with the Krylon Mirror Glass paint, then sprayed some water on it and blotted it with a paper towel. I also then lightly hit some areas with metallic gold spray. It turned out kind of neat considering I didn't know exactly what I was doing. And anything is an improvement on those big vases GW is always full of. hugs, Karen

If you don't have xmas collections of your own, I hope you have a christmas tree shoppe near by or some other low cost high selection tchotchke store near you. Or hit up family and friends to share theirs. The holiday houses I've been in are crammed with xmas stuff....something in every room, and I agree with alex that more is more. For the table, a nice grouping of something ... anything...will be great, provided you have height with it. So a row of cone-shaped white or gold trees of various heights....or a passel of candles in various candle holders of matching material like all silver or all glass ... or a tall xmas decoration on a cake plate to get some height. Typically there are xmas type place settings as well with red glasses or whatever....ribbons around the wine glass stems, christmasy napkin rings.... Rather than put a bow on the upholstered chairs, I would put a bow on the top backs of each of the wooden chairs. Take a fat ribbon and start on the top left of the chair back...ribbon goes down and under, across the slats on the backside of the chair and up the other side in the front. Criss cross both ends and staple to the center back of the ribbon on the back and let the tails hang...that gives you a base to attach a large bow to. And of course all this needs to be color coordinated so it gives an even larger impression for your large room.

Good golly, I loved it...that green color is fab! I think I have about as much Christmas "stuff" as you do, but unfortunately this is the first year I've not gotten to decorate. We've had a family tragedy and have also been in remodel h%ll on a lake home we bought, so no go for me this year. I so enjoyed looking at your beautiful home. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. How MANY poinsettias, paper whites and wreaths??? Oh child, bless your heart. Christmas decorating really is so much darn work. It looks so great when it's done, but then, if you are like me, you're usually too pooped to enjoy it. HA! Now to a question that nooooooooooo one has asked you...and probably never would. What does the little sign say in regards to the "temperamental toilet?" That's what we are beginning to call ours. This lake place (built in 1952, hence the remodel) is not on a septic system, but it still has some flushing issues even with the new toilets we bought. We've been thinking of making up a little sign, too, for guests. Something like, "flush often and with gusto...flushing is free, plunging is not." Would also like to include something for the shower doors....."if you see a squeegee, USE IT!" Wow, I'm sounding like such a lovely hostess, huh? HA! Anyway, if you care to share the sign sentiment, that would be great. And once again, thank you so much for sharing your lovely home with us. I wish you a very blessed holiday! pup