When I read the first Outlander book with my book club in 2005, I never imagined that I’d spend several weeks during a world-wide pandemic creating a Peeps diorama based on the book. But I did. And it was quite therapeutic.
In case you are not familiar with Peeps, they are a marshmallow candy that is covered with brightly colored sugar, traditionally in the shape of a chick (hence the name), but now also found as bunnies and other shapes. They became popular, especially as Easter candy, in the mid 1950s when the U.S. candy company Just Born purchased the company that had been making them and mechanized their production.
Creating in memory of a friend
I decided to participate in the annual Peeps diorama contest at my local library in memory of a friend who died late last year after an extended battle with cancer. She was an artist and art therapist who loved creating complex miniatures, among other art. Peeps dioramas were a natural extension of her work with miniatures. My favorite of her dioramas was based on the book, A Handmaid’s Tale. Her little Peeps with their red capes and white hoods were adorable and creepy at the same time!
Introducing Peepenach
Since the contest (now cancelled, of course) is hosted by the library, the diorama has to be based on a book. Outlander seemed like a natural for a Scottish-American blogger. Plus, I have read some, though not all of the series, as well as met Diana Gabaldon at a book signing in 2008 at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina. And like many of her book fans, I’ve also enjoyed the cable TV series though I nearly didn’t make it past the fake Spanish moss in the trees on Fraser’s Ridge in the season five premiere episode. Yes, I know the series is actually filmed in Scotland, but why, oh, why did they need to add Spanish moss, which generally doesn’t grow above 1,000 feet elevation, to trees in the mountains of western North Carolina??? Fictional Fraser’s Ridge is supposedly set near the actual Blowing Rock, NC, which sits at an elevation of 3,566 feet! I may not know Scottish landscapes, but I definitely know my own Appalachian mountains!! But I digress.
Having never created a Peeps diorama before, I scoured the Internets for inspiration. Who knew Peeps dioramas were such a “thing.” I spent way too much time looking and laughing at many artful creations, while also reading some tips on how to decorate and clothe my Peeps. I decided to keep it simple and create a scene with Jamie and Claire at Craigh na Dun surrounded by British soldiers.
When researching Craigh na Dun, I learned that it’s a fictional place similar to Fraser’s Ridge, though the scenes were filmed on a hilltop in Kinloch Rannoch, a small village just west of Pitlochry in the Scottish Highlands. The standing stones used in the Craigh na Dun scenes were made of styrofoam — at least my Peeps Craigh na Dun uses real stones!!
Putting it all together
Because we were under stay-at-home orders in Colorado, I decided to create using what I had on hand at home. Fortunately, I had ordered the wool tartan material for Peep Jamie and Peep Claire back in February. They are wearing the Outlander Fraser Tartan, which is modeled after the Fraser Hunting Weathered Tartan. I purchased a swatch of the fabric from the Celtic Croft, and it worked perfectly, though I never imagined it would be so hard to make a mini kilt!!
I also borrowed a grass and foliage art kit from a friend, which made a tremendous difference for the outdoor setting. Since the grass in Colorado had yet to green up, I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to create the green, mossy setting of the fake Craigh na Dun.
I also want to acknowledge my excellent Peeps diorama technical assistant, my husband. He put together the diorama box, painted it (adding mountains in the distance!!) and came up with the idea of using painted Zip ties for the swords.
Rather than detail all aspects of the diorama creation, I’ve included a photo gallery showing the different production phases (doesn’t that sound official!!). If you have questions, feel free to ask in the comments. I do have one piece of advice for working with Peeps: be sure to open the package and let them harden a bit before you begin working with them. You’ll find them far less sticky and smooshy.
Hope you enjoy and are perhaps inspired to create your own Scottish-themed Peeps Diorama!
