It is her wild and wacky imagination which has helped create Fantasia, a Christmas spectacle for children in Waimate.
Ms Chapman and friend Pat Baker have been working in a vacant shop in the town's main street since Monday in preparation for the two open days.
They created a similar display last year to raise money for children's events at the Waimate Edwardian Heritage Group's annual Promenade in the Park.
Visitors pay $2 to enter, and this year the proceeds will be divided among various community initiatives.
Fantasia will be open today and tomorrow between 10am and 4pm.
The scenes range from Fantasia Island and Fabis Lushus Garden to Psychedelic Explosion, the Crystal Cave - "every little girl ... wants it for a bedroom" and the "little bit scary room".
Ali Baba had 44 thieves because Ms Chapman admitted she did not count.
Most of the Faraway Fairies were sleeping and a "Quiet Please, Sleeping" sign from the old Waimate Hospital cost Ms Chapman 50c.
"It's all from the tip, everything. It's all op-shoppy. We don't buy anything new at all. It's absolutely the height of recycling," she said.
Sebastian Snake was stuffed with Mrs Baker's old sheets.
"I just hope my husband doesn't come - these eyelashes are his fishing lures," she confided.
The White Rabbit and Caterpillar, from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, were looking slightly the worse for wear - "they've had too many tipples" - while a flying pig was a reference to the pig which was sent flying during a tornado near the town in 2006.
"I should have been writing story books," Ms Chapman said.
