Monday, January 11, 2016
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Costume Progress - More Pictures
Yesterday I did a quick post on the progress of the costume. Here are a few more pictures of how it came together.
First step was to cover the epoxy saddle tree I'd made with the base fabric.
Next, I covered it with the actual fabric that I'll be using for the seat.
The book I'm following mentions using clothespins to clamp things together, but it mentions that wooden ones might not be good, because the glue can fuse to them too. All I have are wooden clothespins (mini ones), so I modified them a bit by putting little strips of scotch tape on the parts that will be clamping. (this worked great, by the way)
A bit of a test fit on the model. In doing this at this phase, I learned that my rear panel was too long - despite having done test fits all along. Hmmm....
I briefly considered taking the rear panel apart, or making a new one. However, it works just fine if I attach it further up under the saddle and side panels, so I went with that option instead.
Scotch-taped clothespins in action:
After all of the glue had a bit of a hold, I rubber banded the whole contraption onto my model for some "training".
And that's where I left it!
I've still got quite a ways to go on this costume, but I'm really happy with how it's looking so far.
First step was to cover the epoxy saddle tree I'd made with the base fabric.
Next, I covered it with the actual fabric that I'll be using for the seat.
The book I'm following mentions using clothespins to clamp things together, but it mentions that wooden ones might not be good, because the glue can fuse to them too. All I have are wooden clothespins (mini ones), so I modified them a bit by putting little strips of scotch tape on the parts that will be clamping. (this worked great, by the way)
A bit of a test fit on the model. In doing this at this phase, I learned that my rear panel was too long - despite having done test fits all along. Hmmm....
I briefly considered taking the rear panel apart, or making a new one. However, it works just fine if I attach it further up under the saddle and side panels, so I went with that option instead.
Scotch-taped clothespins in action:
After all of the glue had a bit of a hold, I rubber banded the whole contraption onto my model for some "training".
And that's where I left it!
I've still got quite a ways to go on this costume, but I'm really happy with how it's looking so far.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Quick Post: Costume Progress
I've been working on the first costume and here's where it's at so far.
Friday, January 8, 2016
Dinotopia Book Signing and Sketching
I was inspired by a post on the Five Paws Studio blog about how she acquired a copy of a favorite book with a sketch by the author inside. It reminded me of a book signing that I went to, many years ago...
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One of my all time favorite books when I was a kid was Dinotopia, by James Gurney.
I was fascinated by the fact that, not only did he write an amazing story, he illustrated it himself as well. Some of the illustrations have a rough, sketch-like quality, others are full blown paintings, loaded with unimaginable detail. They are all gorgeous, true works of art. Many of the detailed paintings inside look like photographs.
Being a dinosaur loving kid from pretty much the beginning of my life, I LOVED this book (still do!). Around the same time that I spent many hours staring in wonder at the illustrations in Dinotopia, the movie Jurassic Park came out. I was in Dino heaven.
Dinotopia was followed by a sequel, The World Beneath. Of course, I wanted it, but it would actually be many, many years until I had a copy. More on that later...
When the sequel book had come out, I happened upon a mention in the paper. James Gurney was going to be at a book store in the area!
Yes, I still have the newspaper clipping, and also a postcard announcing the book's release.
My mom took me to the signing, but couldn't afford to buy me the new book. I took my well-loved paperback copy of Dinotopia, hoping he'd sign that one for me. I had never been to a book signing before and I was afraid they would only sign the new book. There was a long line at the book store. I didn't realize that he was sketching, in addition to signing. I was so surprised to learn this when it was my turn, that when he asked what I'd like him to draw I didn't know what to say. I told him, "Whatever you'd like to." haha.
He drew a "Skybax" (Quezalcoatlus) and rider, while telling me that everyone was wanting him to draw T-Rexes and Velociraptors, thanks to the popularity of Jurassic Park.
He added their motto, "Breathe deep, fly high, seek peace."
It was a magical experience and one that I have always treasured. I still remember watching him draw in my book and being in complete awe.
Fast forward a few years, when the majority of my childhood books were ruined in a flood. Dinotopia was in that flood too. It was damaged, though thankfully not completely ruined. There was no way I could throw it away, not with the author/artist's sketch inside. So I kept it, water damage, musty smell, and all.
(A quick pause here to add that Kristian of Five Paws Studio is another part of this story. Early last year she sent me a box of Black Stallion books, after I'd mentioned that I'd lost all of my childhood horse books in the flood and was hoping to build up my collection again someday. It was an unexpected and wonderful gift!)
Shortly after meeting Jeff, who is also a lover of books, we had been wandering around in a book store when I'd stumbled across the Dinotopia series. It was then that I learned there had been other books written, after the first two. I told Jeff the story of my copy of the original book, the sketch, and how it had been damaged.
That year, for my birthday, Jeff completely surprised me with hardcover copies of not only The World Beneath,
but also the other sequel, Journey to Chandara,
and the prequel, First Flight.
I'm still a Dino-crazy "kid", and I'm so happy to have these books in my collection, but most especially the one with the sketch of a Skybax.
-------------------------------------------
One of my all time favorite books when I was a kid was Dinotopia, by James Gurney.
I was fascinated by the fact that, not only did he write an amazing story, he illustrated it himself as well. Some of the illustrations have a rough, sketch-like quality, others are full blown paintings, loaded with unimaginable detail. They are all gorgeous, true works of art. Many of the detailed paintings inside look like photographs.
Being a dinosaur loving kid from pretty much the beginning of my life, I LOVED this book (still do!). Around the same time that I spent many hours staring in wonder at the illustrations in Dinotopia, the movie Jurassic Park came out. I was in Dino heaven.
Dinotopia was followed by a sequel, The World Beneath. Of course, I wanted it, but it would actually be many, many years until I had a copy. More on that later...
When the sequel book had come out, I happened upon a mention in the paper. James Gurney was going to be at a book store in the area!
Yes, I still have the newspaper clipping, and also a postcard announcing the book's release.
My mom took me to the signing, but couldn't afford to buy me the new book. I took my well-loved paperback copy of Dinotopia, hoping he'd sign that one for me. I had never been to a book signing before and I was afraid they would only sign the new book. There was a long line at the book store. I didn't realize that he was sketching, in addition to signing. I was so surprised to learn this when it was my turn, that when he asked what I'd like him to draw I didn't know what to say. I told him, "Whatever you'd like to." haha.
He drew a "Skybax" (Quezalcoatlus) and rider, while telling me that everyone was wanting him to draw T-Rexes and Velociraptors, thanks to the popularity of Jurassic Park.
He added their motto, "Breathe deep, fly high, seek peace."
It was a magical experience and one that I have always treasured. I still remember watching him draw in my book and being in complete awe.
Fast forward a few years, when the majority of my childhood books were ruined in a flood. Dinotopia was in that flood too. It was damaged, though thankfully not completely ruined. There was no way I could throw it away, not with the author/artist's sketch inside. So I kept it, water damage, musty smell, and all.
(A quick pause here to add that Kristian of Five Paws Studio is another part of this story. Early last year she sent me a box of Black Stallion books, after I'd mentioned that I'd lost all of my childhood horse books in the flood and was hoping to build up my collection again someday. It was an unexpected and wonderful gift!)
Shortly after meeting Jeff, who is also a lover of books, we had been wandering around in a book store when I'd stumbled across the Dinotopia series. It was then that I learned there had been other books written, after the first two. I told Jeff the story of my copy of the original book, the sketch, and how it had been damaged.
That year, for my birthday, Jeff completely surprised me with hardcover copies of not only The World Beneath,
but also the other sequel, Journey to Chandara,
and the prequel, First Flight.
I'm still a Dino-crazy "kid", and I'm so happy to have these books in my collection, but most especially the one with the sketch of a Skybax.
Thursday, January 7, 2016
The Art of Taking a Break - Part Two
A few months ago, I posted about how I was learning the importance of taking a break when things didn't seem to be going right. In that case, it was my first drastic custom horse in many years. After working on him for many hours that first day, I was disgusted and thought he looked like absolute garbage. A few days later, looking at him with fresh eyes, I was happy with what I saw!
Well, I've just been reminded of the importance of a break. Last week I was attempting to fabricate some tiny pieces of hardware for a tack project I've got going on and I ended up being frustrated. I had managed to make a couple of nice pieces, but each one was a struggle and I didn't seem to be able to replicate them once I'd made them the way I wanted. I need several of these fabricated pieces to make a single item and I was hoping to make a few of these items.. so I need a lot of hardware.
(Sorry for the secrecy... this whole project is a surprise!)
After much struggling in that first session, I put what I'd made so far, along with the rest of the entire project, in my reference book (a tack catalog), put the whole mess on the floor and tried to forget about it for a while.
Today, I decided that I really ought to try again. I didn't want to! However, the deadline for what I want to make these for is fast approaching and I needed to know if I could indeed figure out how to make them, or if I'd have to scrap the whole idea for now and make something else...
Surprisingly.. I was able to make a few pieces with no trouble and before I knew it, I had a small pile going. Best of all, I was having FUN.
This evening I'm off to "Craft Night"; it is a get together of some of the local crafty types. We all take our own projects to work on and sit and visit for a few hours. Tonight I'll be making tiny hardware pieces! I hope to be able to share pictures soon, once they are no longer a secret. ;)
Well, I've just been reminded of the importance of a break. Last week I was attempting to fabricate some tiny pieces of hardware for a tack project I've got going on and I ended up being frustrated. I had managed to make a couple of nice pieces, but each one was a struggle and I didn't seem to be able to replicate them once I'd made them the way I wanted. I need several of these fabricated pieces to make a single item and I was hoping to make a few of these items.. so I need a lot of hardware.
(Sorry for the secrecy... this whole project is a surprise!)
After much struggling in that first session, I put what I'd made so far, along with the rest of the entire project, in my reference book (a tack catalog), put the whole mess on the floor and tried to forget about it for a while.
Today, I decided that I really ought to try again. I didn't want to! However, the deadline for what I want to make these for is fast approaching and I needed to know if I could indeed figure out how to make them, or if I'd have to scrap the whole idea for now and make something else...
Surprisingly.. I was able to make a few pieces with no trouble and before I knew it, I had a small pile going. Best of all, I was having FUN.
This evening I'm off to "Craft Night"; it is a get together of some of the local crafty types. We all take our own projects to work on and sit and visit for a few hours. Tonight I'll be making tiny hardware pieces! I hope to be able to share pictures soon, once they are no longer a secret. ;)
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Almost Wordless Wednesday - Random Burros
There's never a bad time to share pictures of longears, right?
In the summer of 2014, a childhood friend of mine come to visit us in South Dakota. A must see, as far as we are concerned, is Custer State Park - particularly the Wildlife Loop road... particularly the "wild" Burros on said Wildlife Loop. I've blogged about them once before, when I shared pictures of a new baby we came across last spring. Here are a few more pictures of Black Hills Burros.
The picture were taken over two visits, the first set featuring a spunky grey foal who was a silly little guy, always looking for trouble. The pictures with the car are when my friend was visiting and shows off their usual behavior if you stop a car and roll the windows down. My friend and I could not stop laughing as we had burro heads in every window, begging for treats.
In the summer of 2014, a childhood friend of mine come to visit us in South Dakota. A must see, as far as we are concerned, is Custer State Park - particularly the Wildlife Loop road... particularly the "wild" Burros on said Wildlife Loop. I've blogged about them once before, when I shared pictures of a new baby we came across last spring. Here are a few more pictures of Black Hills Burros.
The picture were taken over two visits, the first set featuring a spunky grey foal who was a silly little guy, always looking for trouble. The pictures with the car are when my friend was visiting and shows off their usual behavior if you stop a car and roll the windows down. My friend and I could not stop laughing as we had burro heads in every window, begging for treats.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
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