Room Progress Journals!

Codename: Kimmono20

Well I have finally started working ony sets...who'd a thought all that left over masking tape would be good..but know I feel lile I shouldn't continue...my wig only got one point...and I voted for it...I hope I can do better on the dress chalange...I dunno mabye I should just give up?

 

Codename: Kimmono20

I feel bad but I need to make windows so I recycled some old plastic card holders from church...I wonder if they'll know it missing...oh well!

 

Codename: Kaiju

Well it is going better then i thought so far, i am keeping within budget which is a must i know, but i thought it would be harder for some reason. I started on the furtuniture first because that would be the most complex thing to do and to be honest i am nearly done with the frame work. Two days isn't too bad. I think i will have to do some more work on the frame tomorrow then varnish it.

Then the sewing, i hope to start that while i am waiting for the varnish to dry because that way it doesn't feel like i am waiting time. It is a good job i have the free time for this ^^;

I didn't get enough stuff for the floor will have to pick up some more stuff for that, but that is not too bad, 2 parts cost like $1 and i think i will need another 2. Although it is finding time to leave the house and pick up my new bits. I also need more fabric for the walls. I couldn't pick those up on the Sunday because the store was closed.

I have enough for everything else, just nothing of the right "look" but it will also needs something to hold it up out to make 2 walls. I am sure i can think of something. I might be a dig in the cardboard bin for that. ^^; I better check when that is due to be taken. I can't remember if that is tomorrow or next week ^^; I best i best be quick with that one.

 

Codename: Odonata Green

Part 1
I started out with the defining furniture piece. The 20usd budget is really tight on my local price level, so I'll need to use as much rubbish materials as possible. My concept piece is a antique lion feet bathtub that has been crushed from one side and turned into a decadent avant garde lounge. The piece is rather complicated and I'm really worried will I have enough time to finish it in time.

I started out by making a clay model of the tub (not including clay into costs as it is reusable and only a tool not a material here) and laminating torn newspaper strips all over it using wall paper paste as glue. I needed the tub to be rather thick to make it durable using just paper so this took ages as each layer needs to dry before adding new ones.

I also researched the internet for wall paper ideas. I wan't something classic and luxurious I can tear and mess up for my set. I have a smoky blue colour in mind that I'll just mix from tubs of paint at home. It will be so hard to evaluate how much would a 1-2dl cost from a 10liter paint bucket. I wonder should I just divide the price of the large quantity or find the price for the smallest possible amount available on stores?

 

Codename: Kimmono20

OMG!!! I just struck gold two pieaces of perfectly cut wood for a dollar!!!!I bought the spray paint too...and have left over fabric...whoohoo!!!

 

Codename: Kimmono20

Well I don't want to work in my room and make a mess anymore so I banished myself to the garage and backyard I will spray paint like crazy!

 

Codename: Black Seaweed

Warning, this may involve blood and other things you usually see on detective stories, films and such. People who are sensitive to corpses, blood, and such, may not want to read.

I thought this was a productive way to use my diary. It's, in fact, the diary of the detective in charge of my entry ​

Act 1: The Detective.

I was called to my office early in the morning.Four men in black suits found me lighting a cigarrette. "Hey, Vince" they told me "You have work to do"

In the detective's office, people run like mad. Forensics, policemen, and all the press crew run from right to left, upstairs and downstairs. They all are preparing their equipment for the crime scene.

About hour and half driving on the car, we arrive at crime scene. An abandoned house, pretty old from what I can see... The house has three floors, the upper one is almost destroyed and the roof seems to have been brunt down due to a fire.
The front door is off its hinges, and it has been put apart with care. Two policemen hold their flashlights and guns, they enter in front of me. At my back, the whole troop.
The main floor it's almost empty, there's nothing interesting to see: broken tables, broken chairs. Some naughty graffiti here and there, some empty cans...
I sneak at the ceiling, some serious mildew stains let see a bit of a drain in blood.
-Up the stairs-I say.


The rusted iron stair squeaks when I step on it. Only my forensic leader and the two policemen come with me.
Once up, we find the door to the livingroom.
We walk in with misterious gaze, and the faces of my subordinates turn into horror masks when we find the scene.

The entire living room is a slaughter.
The floor, the walls, even the windows are covered with blood.
Broken pieces of furniture lay around, the only corpse lays head down in the sofa, in front of a broken TV, covered with bruises and holes. There are a blood lake in the floor, and one thousand red stains around him. Even the ceiling has stains.

-Have the forensics take all kinds of samples- I tell to the forensic leader. He, as pale as milk, nods and hurries on getting out there to call for their companions.

I walk near the corpse and stick my eyes to him.
My cigarrette falls from my mouth to the floor-
I can't tell how he died, or from what angle. I can't tell even if this was a murder.
Some of these wounds seems done by himself, some of those seem done like a butcher.
It doesn't seems like he has been fired or stabbed or choked directly. It's more like a slow dying blood strainer system.
The dead corpse has his eyes open wide.
Even if I try, I can't line up my gaze with him.

Something insides me breaks up and I start to feeling nausea.
I feel a white hand on my shoulder.
¡ARGH!
A sudden fright. The forensic asking me if I'm OK.
I stand up.
"What a hell." I crush the cigarrette with my foot, feeling sick. "I should not have choosen this job".--



--------------------------------------------------------------
So, I've wrote this after having the great idea. I'm going to make a crime scene.
I have to investigate about making fake blood, and go out to find old and rusted things I can canibalize. I have in mind the whole thing, I hope I can do it! I want my final idea to be more light- for people not to be too scared

 

Codename: smudgekitty

Well so far I've made the walls and floor out of a large shipping box that I hadn't thrown away yet. And covered them with left over vinyl from room darkening shades. Currently making a bunch of little props and plan one trying to make a chair tonight.

 

Codename: Opposumsrubnoses

DAY 1
_____

Current project status: getting splinters while waiting to see if they will even be worth their pain
Project concept: Eccentric Mad Scientist's Lab/ office/ headquarters
Scale: Pippos
------------------
Testing, testing.. um I guess this thing is working, just wanted to try it out. I don't know if I'll have time to update as I work on the project, I've been going since 8 this morning till about 10:30 tonight.

Technically this is day 2 I guess. Yesterday I scoped out some materials, mmm dumpster diving, nothing new for me- the best prop is a free one. (and by dumpster I mean the good will throwaway piles/dumpsters. Yes I know, I'm still a hobo)

I found some great old junk- broken mirrors, lots of broken electronics, the innards of an old rear projection tv, and the always fun bits of random nuts, bolts, gears, and metal.

I also got some wood for very cheap since my neighbor was just going to burn it anyway, I'm checking with a mod now to make sure they will allow the price I payed as the listed price- I don't see why not, it's the oldest ugliest wood I've ever had to work with.

I went ahead and started my measurements, and cuts on some of the wood since I know it's going to take up most of my time. I'm trying to work with mostly the shapes and sizes the scraps already have so I can avoid as much labor as possible. I can already tell, this is gonna be a pain!

The funnest (read sarcastically) part of the day was collecting rocks off the gravel road my parents live on, I don't know what I'm using it for yet but I'm pretty sure i will want it- did I mention I picked up rocks based on color. @.@

------------------------------
-The plan for tomorrow: If the wood is a go cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut cut....cut, eat lunch, repeat the cutting step. At dark, go inside and work on props. Cool science stuff must be had.
- Money spent so far: 5$ (if the wood is allowed, if not 0$)

 

Codename: Kaiju

So ouch sanding you skin off with sand paper really hurts! I mean really hurts it is right on the joint of my finger so really in a harsh place!

I have finished off the frame of my furniture and i am pretty pleased with it, it is the most complex thing i have ever done actually, out of wood any way. I have sanded down the edges (ouch) so there is no rough parts and applied the first layer of varnish.

Today i plan to do so sewing for the furniture and hopefully i will get all that done today, or most of it any way. Applying new layers of varnish as it dries.

The only problem i think i have now is when i can get some new supplies, for the walls and the floor. I have like half of floor, because it is not big enough. But that should take too long to do since i am sewing together (or at least part sewing together) cheap sushi mats. Because i think it will give a nice feel since the furniture is a futon.

And for the walls, because i want something that kind of looks like it could be wall paper. I might have a trip to the local shop near me, which costs more, or wait till Saturday which is when i can next get into town. Because that is a cheap material place and is much bigger with more choice. I might have a look and see if i can get anything with my budget.

If it is too pricey or they don't have what i want, i can make everything else and leave that part till last. I am doing the hardest part first.

I am pretty excited about this set actually, because i think it will be something i can work with again and again. And at worse it is somewhere for my dolls to sit together which i have wanted for a while. Because currently they are on two separate "seats" plus i do really need more material for different BGs. I am too poor to buy to many but buying one (i get paid the day after the deadline) i can use for the contest but is a start.

Oh and the card wall idea is out of the window because the bin went today, but speaking too my dad all the card was under all the garden waste ^^; I am sure i can sort something out ^^; I might have to see if my grandparents have any card board. Or find something else. I am going to drape the cloth over it any way to look nicer. But since i can't pick that up to late i will have to make sure it is all done apart from the finishing touches.

My wig material is going to look pretty odd, i can think of some pretty funny ways to include it, but i am not sure how well that might go down. (I might do it any way for separate photo's after the contest because while i have everything set up i might as well take more and do a shoot) but i have sensible choices, which i might try first. It will look odd but oh well.

 

Codename: Kaiju

Eeep there is such thing as too much varnish! I had to sand it down again an then apply a much thinner coat. Because it was a frame when it was dying it ran ^^; oops. I didn't know about that.

I have sewn the mattress for the futon and the cover, which works as a throw over when it is in chair mode. Although the stuff i used for the throw is really fluffy and it got every where so have to hoover the room! So i hoovered the throw just to be sure after wards too. It is look good so far.

I need to do cushions still though. And i need to think more what i am going to use to decorate, and how i am going to include wig material in the place. I think i have a cute idea how i am going to pose my dolls though ^^

 

Codename: kaiju

So i can make it into town after all so i don't have to wait to find some more great material and get more sushi mats! I was thinking i would have to wait, but i don't think i will now! So yay!

cheep fabric for me and sooner too!

 

Codename: Opposumsrubnoses

Day 2
______

Current project status: becoming good friends with my saws, and beginning to smell like dumpsters.
Project concept: Eccentric Mad Scientist's Lab/Office/Headquarters
Scale: Pipos
------------------------

Well the mods approved my wood, hurray! Now the fun begins.

I've spent most of the cooler parts of the day in the shop cutting, cutting, and more cutting. My arms may fall off before the end of all this. I will miss them.

The hardest part is cutting out the windows. I am using my grandfather's hand drill to make holes in each corner, then the keyhole saw to cut them out. Besides the splinters, and the taxation on my muscles, working with the tools that have been in my family for generations, with the skills passed on by those same generations, makes the whole thing feel really awesome, but exhausting..did I mention exhausting?

I did a bit more dumpster diving today, but didn't turn out much useful junk- I'm going back early tomorrow in hopes of finding the prize I so wish for. If I can find it the results will be..shocking, mwhahahaha. (I'll describe what I mean when/if I can find one in the trash)

I've been up and working on this since 9 today, and now at 12 I am finally going to bed. I spent most of the evening in the kitchen disassembling various electronics to get parts I need to make props. Science props! I can't wait to get down to the prop part.

Hopefully I can continue to keep up with this, even if no one reads it- the journal is rather cathartic.
-----------------------------------------

-Plans for tomorrow: Finish cutting the wood, which I hope will be easier tomorrow, go treasure hunting/trash hunting, start painting
-Money spent so far: 5$-wood

 

Codename: Meowth

Yesterday I went off to my local craft store and went a little crazy! I actually spent about $40... But! Almost everything I bought came in packs of 5-10 and I'm only going to need one or two of the items int he packs. I found all these amazing little wooden candlesticks and assorted shapes. I'm going to glue them together and cover them with sculpey to create my furniture. I'm going for a modern-ish rococo like design, so I'm going to have to go pretty crazy with the little sculpey details.

Thank goodness I had a 40% off coupon! That sculpey is expensive! Lucky, it's only going to cost me about $7 even if I use the whole pack, which probably won't happen. I'm really counting on my sculpting skills to bring this room to life, so I don't feel bad about spending nearly half my budget on the clay... Still, $20 is really hard to work with!

I'm so glad I still had the refrigerator box that I used in my Almost Doll photoshoot...otherwise there's no way I could afford the walls and floors!

My final big purchase, bought with yet another coupon at my local fabric store, was some of the most amazing fabric I've ever found! It's a tiny shiny black on matte black checker board pattern. I'm going to get so much use out of that fabric! So I bought 2 yards...which was part of the reason I spent so much. I think I'll probably only use about 1/4 of a yard, which will bring my cost down significantly. But later, after the competition is over, I'll make more furniture using the same fabric so that everything will match! YAY! It'll be awesome.

Anyway, I'm off to paint!

 

Codename: Kaiju

Today i have done little work directly on my set, but i have done some shopping to get other parts i need. Which means tomorrow i will be able to work on more then just the furniture, i can actually put the set together which will be good.

But keeping to the budget is really hard actually, i can only use $20 like everyone else, the only problem that is only about £13/£14. I have kept in it but just, i only have about $3 left and i really hope i don't need anything else. But since i have only done the furniture so far i am not sure. I think i have everything i need. I really HOPE i do.

But it is masking tape deco for me, since that is a freebie and a possible rummage though the re-cycling bin. And I am even tempted to have round up old newspapers and masking tape as my main support because they are both freebies. I am so glad at school i had a lesson where i had limited about of tape and paper and i had to make a bridge out of it and the person who's could support the most weight got a prize.

I think it going to come in handy ^^ lol!

I should be OK unless i have not foreseen something that i will need.

I think i will be happier tomorrow when i see the set coming together ^^ And on the plus side the most expensive parts of my set will be the parts i gain the most future use.

 

Codename: YumeChu

Okay, so M.C.Escher is AMAZING. I love the image 'Relativity' and I think it very applicable to the hobby...your view on it is all relative based on your standpoint. It's just like all the little people going about their business on the stairs...some might think their view is up, while to someone else, it's completely backwards. That's what I like about DoA, all views are put here. I think that's why I wanted to recreate 'Relativity' for my set as the third part of the Triathlon.

Just studying the picture to see if making it doll scale was even possible helped me appreciate Escher's work. It is completely doable...and there's something very gratifying seeing art and math and science all working together...it's like our ABJDs. I just hope I can do it justice.

At the moment, it is designed for Pukifee (Lati Yellow) sized dolls. Depending on the finished size, I might have to use Pukipuki dolls instead...It all hinges on if I want it to look more vast or more cutesy...

Sugar cubes are gonna be the deciding factor on if this is even doable. They are a set size so it will help with the construction stage of the stairs...from there (and if it works...) I will be able to get the rest of the room built around them...

I really wanna do something that'll wow people and something that's out of the box...fingers crossed.

 

Codename: Kaiju

I have been busy with my set all day, but have been putting the little touches in, i am hoping to get it done either today or tomorrow. The main thing and pretty much the only thing i have to do know is figure out what and how i am going to include my wig material it is so different to all my set.

On the plus side all the colours of my set tie in together nicely i think the material i got to use for the walls works with both the sushi mats, and the futon, so that is a pretty good plus.

I made a couple of little plushies as well

 

Codename: Kaiju

This is most likely my last blog since I FINISHED!!

That is a big relief it is so good to get it done, my set looks simple and more simple then i thought, but i did what i could with the budget.

So this morning i made the pillows for the futon and i made some cute little plush toys, i would have been cool to make more of those though, but sadly didn't really have the budget. But the 2 are pretty cute. I made another little drow (i did have one before but i lost him) and i made a cute little spider, complete with multiple eyes! I think they are cute

With my wig material i made this weaved thing and just had my one of my dolls looking like she was weaving. I did plan for it to be a rug or a wall hand or something, but it kept going thinner and thinner and at that point i knew it was going to be the case. I had some lose strings of my wig material near by too to make it look like she was weaving more. I think i am going to enjoy seeing what other people do with that, since i feel i wasn't as creative as i could have been with that.

My set went up easy enough, i placed my "walls" up which was like two frames of news paper rolled up (which i know are really strong) with cloth draped over them. But i defo have 2 walls and it is a corner so that should be good. My floor i lay down some black cloth and then lay over sewed together sushi mats, well i could only sew two together because of the way they lay. Which wasn't too hard.

But i liked all the colours i think they go together quite well, the walls have the colours that the futon, throw over and similar to the sushi mats. So i think it ties in nicely. Sadly it does not look as good on my camera as it did in really life. It was a bit harder to photograph then normal, i think it is because i am used to a smaller scale.

I stayed in budget and still have $3 left, which can allow for anything i might have forgotten to include. I think i have added everything right. I do get paranoid about these things though.

I even have even edited the photo's so the only thing i have to do now is submit them as soon as the form comes up. I love my dolly futon though, my dolls can finally sit together in fact they are sat on it now, looking pretty cool.

 

Codename: YumeChu

Ahhh...got some cardboard flats from the beer stockers today at the grocery. Hurray for freebies...the sides are shorter so I won't have to cut down a bunch of boxes I got from the school's recycle box...

I've finished 98% of the stair construction. I'm leaving a bit of wiggle room at the final joint just in case I didn't grid the picture correctly. I've got two of the 'base' walls up so I don't have to rig my awesome stack of miscellaneous boxes to hold up the stairs. For the most part the sugar cubes are very sturdy, but with nine or ten stairs holding on one seam, it's unrealistic to think it'll be hunky dory overnight. Plus I don't trust the kitty cats! Or the toddler...or the husband. Hahaha.

It's nice to have something that's almost completely right angles...it doesn't LOOK like it, but the joints almost always are on the 90 degree. My fingers hurt from the sugar/hot glue burns but I can still wield my exacto knife! Gotta figure out the arches though...Hopefully something in my recycle bid will work...Styrofoam cup, maybe?

I double checked the thread and found that scrapbook paper IS accepted. Got two trips into the Hobby store today! I'm at about $13.00, so I can't add too much more. Heading to my folks for the weekend to see the family so that'll cut some serious time out of my work...but I can take the items to make the furniture and decor.

Left to do at this point...

-Finish walls
-Add in finishing stair joint
-Create stairway arches
-Paper the walls
-Add decor

Ahhh...only 6 days to go...please, let me get done and it look good...

 

Codename: iMad

DAY 1

​

I live in a very small studio, so build a big set would be a shame, cause any of what I'm going to do won't to be keep. So I decided to create a scene for my Chibi Unoa… using whatever I find that be colourful; and after the challenge the set will disappear or I can't stay at home!
The room that I want for her is a modern one. A living room that you could find on a Ikea magazine, funny and girlish.

Yesterday I collected the material I need and bought a pair of things also. I spent 3€ in gift papers to do the walls and floor, and 4,50€ in sweets for the special furniture that I want
That's less than 15€ which means I bought things for less than 20$ following the rules.
The rest of material that I'm going to use is most cardboard from a moving –my brother has a new home- and blocks of porexpan –I don't know if it has other name in English, sorry-, and maybe a bit of waste that I find around.

This morning I started with the work!!
I have a very special assistant with me: My pet Benson!
He follows all the work I do very close ò__ó Nothing escapes his eyes!

Here's some pictures of the moment until I had the floor and walls assembled.

​

In the afternoon we're washing up some used Nespresso coffe capsules UXD That's better than take it to the shop for recycling. I don't know if I'm going to use them at the end, but they have a beautiful colour that suits very well with the set.

Of course, Benson attention is the best!

Tomorrow I'm going to start the marshmallows sofa!!
​

​

Yummm ​

 

Codename: YumeChu

Every wall, every step, every door and arch is fighting me...I have to be completely focused so I don't waste materials. I must stop eating the sugar cubes....and dissolving them in my soda to stay awake. Between work and the baby and my poor neglected husband the only time I have to work on the set is at night when they're all asleep. So caffeine is king at the moment.

Here's what I got so far...



Argh...I know I've got days left, but I'm losing tomorrow to travel...I'm scraping the idea of using scrapbook paper in favor of just painting it...I think it'll look better and be a better homage if it's hand painted instead of using pre-printed materials.

Oooh, they've closed the voting thread for the tape dresses...I hope people liked mine and voted for it...fingers crossed...I'd love a little leeway going into the last part. It's getting there though...

Finally-To Mr. Escher...sir, awesome stuff...great illustrations that are actually feasible...next time I build something though, you will not be my first choice. Still love ya though!

 

Codename: crabcraft

Soooo, I decided to go ahead with the third challenge and I think maybe this was a bad idea because of all of the outside stresses on me at the moment, but whatever. I said I'd do it. I've considered and discarded a suspended chandelier nest for Sewek, a rollerderby themed nightclub for Delphine, and a Victorian sitting room for Magnus and Kaspar.
I've settled on an art gallery setting for Max and Anastasia to visit: simple white walls, a gallery bench for one of them to sit on, and assorted contemporary artworks on the walls. Maybe something on a pedestal, maybe something suspended, depends on time energy and motivation. So far, not feeling too energetic or motivated in the little time I have left at the end of the night. The set also has to compete for space with the photography set for the upcoming jewelry release, so the live/work room is a sad disaster that makes me want to flee that end of the house. Except that the other end has the dishes and laundry and other chores I still need to finish tonight. *sigh*

So far I've purchased my foam core walls, located my roll of contact paper and begun chopping up magazines and shopping bags. Digging through the trash at work has been pretty successful this week: weird clear plastic insert from some shipping container, pink bubblewrap, a broken plastic chandelier that I'm hoping still lights up, some hefty chunks of glass that I was able to cut into maybe useful shapes, and an abandoned Easter rabbit finger puppet. Might also try to incorporate one of the chunks of marble dumped on the sidewalk by an interior design shop in the neighborhood.

 

Codename: iMad

DAY 2
(first part)
​

I know that people will do impressive things with their sets after saw last challenges. I can't do any amazing thing cause I don't know how to do it, and I haven't many imagination. So I use colourful materials to hide my pathetic skills LOL

When I read what we have to do in this last one I almost die!
Days before, I told a friend that may have to build a diorama for dolls as a terrible joke. And well… better shut up!
I don't like to make furniture, nor walls or objects. I find it so boring, cause I don't like to work in a same thing for a long time, and this type of art needs many hours of work. I am not especially motivated, but I'm having a good time anyways.

Today is candy day!
I have the base of the sofa made of porexpan blocks. It's time for give it a sweet look with marshmallows candies. Yumm!

At the beginning I wanted to assemble the marshmallows playing them with sticks. EPIC FAIL! I can't put more than one marshmallow in the stick or the candy melts to be dragged. It isn't useful!
So, ok, forgive the sticks… but I wont to glue them with real glue because… there are a lot of candies!! And I want to eat them later!!!
What a problem we have here… Let me think…
Ok! There's another possible solution! I can use syrup instead of glue. I don't know if works well but I'm going to try.

Let's cooking some sugar then!!

 

Codename: YumeChu

Gah, one point...and here I was hoping for some breathing room. Oh, how I wish I could take the whole she-bang with me to my folks' house. I'll have a little one (Pong Pong) with me though to figure out an outfit(s) so they don't overpower the set. I'll need...five, I think? It'll be funny seeing some Pukisha tromping up those stairs. So later today, my task will be outfitting and doing one of the furniture pieces if not both...Mom's dieting, but surely the oven still works...ahahahah.

Note to self, ADD the TOOTHPICKS to the itemized price list...they were donated to the cause, but I feel like they need to be added in cause you can't really recycle toothpicks...ewie.

I did get a lot done last night, all the doors are carved out and they've had their frames put in at the right depth. I was in hopes that I'd have at least one completely flat section for everything to sit on, but to recreated it properly, it has to be a slight tilt...There are so many floors and ceilings. But they DID cooperate. I'm so thankful I got the cardboard pallets from the grocery. It helped having pieces that are exactally the same length, width and depth! Thank you beer re-stocker man!!

Oooh, I can't wait to make the piazza and patio parts!! Finally some color!

Still need to...

Put rails up on the stairs
Paint it (Can't have Pop-Tart and Chic-Fil-A boxes showing through)
Furniture
Photographs!

Okay, that seems like a lot, but I can do it! I HAVE to do it...I'd really love to give Regen a home...aaaahhhh, the pressure....

 

Codename: Winnie

I started a little later than I would have liked, but I'm making progress on my set!

My concept is based on an illustration I did a while ago (that, unfortunately, I don't have anymore) of a tree growing up through a room. I had already decided that, for space reasons, I wanted to make this to fit my Yo-SD White Rabbit, so...a rabbit burrow, perfect!

After I sketched up my design and did a layout of things on paper, I cleared some space in my room, grabbed some cardboard, an Exacto blade, and a hot glue gun, and got to it!

%

 

Codename: Winnie

I started a little later than I would have liked, but I'm making progress on my set!

My concept is based on an illustration I did a while ago (that, unfortunately, I don't have anymore) of a tree growing up through a room. I had already decided that, for space reasons, I wanted to make this to fit my Yo-SD White Rabbit, so...a rabbit burrow, perfect!

After I sketched up my design and did a layout of things on paper, I cleared some space in my room, grabbed some cardboard, an Exacto blade, and a hot glue gun, and got to it!



Walls and floor assembled. My cat, Mina, 'helped' me.

I used a pencil to sketch in the places where the branches and furniture will be. I picked up a bunch of old newspapers and used them to start blocking in the bulk of the branches that are spreading out across the wall, like so:



That took forever! But hey, the fun part comes next - papier mache!



I found glue at Hobby Lobby for $3.99 a pack (score!) and mixed up a nice, gooey mixture of water and paste. I'll likely only use about half the pack.

Cost so far: $2



Okay, I've got my newsprint and my paste. Time to get messy!

 

Codename: iMad

DAY 2
(Final)
​

I'm very tired now.
Finally I haven't advanced so much today.
I tried to use syrup to glue the pieces cooking it by myself, and I had never do it before. So the first time the syrup has been more like candy, and I can glue hardly two marsmallow to the sofa. Then I have tried to cook the syrup one more time… but in that occasion the result has been too liquid and the pieces hasn't assembled very well.
At the end… well, you won't to know how I glued the marsmallows But I'm in process. I hope I could finish the sofa tomorrow.

The best part of all this is that I ate lot of sugar today!! And the candy I cook tastes so so good

Now I'm working on something easier. I found the way I can use the coffee capsules and I'm doing a table.

I intend to get up early tomorrow and work some more on set. Let's see if I get it.

 

Codename: YumeChu

Traveling...and an Anniversary...

Whoo hoo!! Married Six YEARS today! How awesome...just wish we could have stayed home. But I did get to see my mom, dad and grandmother, so I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth! They also rented us a little cottage in town for the night so me, the hubby and the little one are all snug and comfy in a quiet house.

All I was able to get done today was the outfits for the Puki...it's important that they fit in with the surroundings of the set...usually my little ones are like bright little pieces of rainbows, but for something that's based on an etching in black and white, they have to tone it down a bit...still trying to figure out what to do with hair/hat...I really need focus to be on the set though...little toboggans maybe?

Oooh, this house is so cute!! It's all homey and teeny tiny...ack...back on topic!!! Pong Pong is in heaven with one of the shelves here...

I think it'll work better if the sculpey I'm making the furniture out of has a toothpick or something inside it to sure it up...I'm thinking of continuing the stair motif in the chairs and table to make it more visually interesting...in the pic, they're really, really plain. We shall see if time allows...at least the outfits are done...simple, but cute.

​

See?? Super simple...

Gotta go get some sleep...long day of travel today and more of the same tomorrow...

Fingers crossed to make sure I can get dooooooooone. Whee~!

Gotta do well...gotta do my best!

 

Codename: Marshmellow Sunshine

Gyyyaaarrrggh. I didn't think I would be using this form, but gyargh. I got the walls/floor set up, and I have cut the 'carpet' to the right size, I have made the armchair to go in the set, and now I have to actually decide on wallpaper. I have lots of scrapbooking paper, and am now searching through my retro patterns looking for one that best screams 70s. It is NOT as easy as it sounds! the carper is forest green (or red, I may change to a maroony-red as yet!) and the couch is sort of an old carpet bag material (think Mary Poppins carpet bag fabric) but the main colour is cream. So now, I have to decide on the wallpaper, and it is nigh on impossible!!
But I am definitely pleased with the couch - the massive sampler of upholstery fabric that I found at Creative Junk is awesome! Its the same place that I found my 'carpet' which is some other sort of upholstery fabric. And I am fairly certain that a large amount of the fabric genuinely comes from the 70s - some of the patterns are awful!!
So, back to wallpaper choosing

 

Codename: crabcraft

Have abandoned most of the ideas I'd been working with. I realized that it was very difficult for me to create art for this gallery setting that wasn't art I would make myself. So, magazine clippings are out, transparencies are out, chandelier sculpture might be out too.
Furniture has changed. I looked at all of the scrap marble I had in the atrium and none of it was long enough to work for my gallery bench. Went back to the all glass idea, but then came across some wooden purse handles I'd salvaged. I'd discovered last month that one of my purses had been water damaged so I tossed it. I'd only paid five bucks for it but I was kind of sad to see it go. I cut the wood handles off thinking I'd use them for a knitted bag at some point. Turns out they make pretty good bench legs! A little silicone glue and it was done. With wood legs on the bench I then figured I shouldn't do a wood floor (not enough contrast), so I'm ditching the contact paper and I'm going to go root around in the paint recycling bin at work tomorrow to see if there's any concrete gray color I can use instead. I was hoping to avoid painting, but I guess I'm not. That means I don't have to create baseboard trim though, so that's a plus.
Set aside the eggshells from breakfast to work into a hanging sculpture. I had been thinking white eggs would be perfect to look like porcelain, but then realized that I always buy brown eggs. If the brown eggs don't work, well, I need more eggs anyway so I'll just buy white ones tomorrow morning.
The panel that I created out of a shopping bag looks pretty good, I'll mount it on some cardboard. I think I can fashion some frames for some illustrations out of the preservation fillet that I've had stored away for years. Will have to dig out the box of framing tools to see if I have the miter pliers for cutting it. Otherwise mitering all of those corners is going to be a PITA and I will probably skip it due to lack of time. Been thinking of what type of illustrations to do, and I think I'm going to do a series of jewelry designs. I'd thought about, many years ago, doing a line of rhinestone animal pins using mutuated animals as the models - five-legged frogs, two headed lambs and such. Blinky Bling. When I was checking in some merchandise yesterday, there were some great uniformly sized white cardboard squares in one of the packages, so I'll use those as the illustration board.
Still feeling guilty for taking the time to do this challenge, but I'm in this hobby for fun dammit! I need to let myself actually play now and then.

 

Codename: iMad

DAY 3
​

This time with some photos!
As you know, yesterday I was very tired, and though I took a pair of shots of how the thing works, I had no desire to upload them. So I do today.

Here's the candy thing I cooked to paste marsmallows. It taste very good!

And the sofa in the process…



​

Right now the sofa is already done. It doesn't dislike me at all. I think I might have a sofa like this if it doesn't smell so great… because it makes me want to bite. My pets thinks the same, believe me. They turn all mad when I pick it up to work or take a look general of the set.

Oh, well… Today I worked more than yesterday. Despite of I had an accident this morning – the legs of the table I was building have been taken off and then rolled over the floor- and I'm more clumsy than usual, all goes fine.
I repaired the table, I almost finished the sofa, and I made a lamp from a plastic egg that I found under my bed. It's incredible the things that you can find under a bed!! I suppose that I didn't throw away in its moment and Beson played with it until he got bored… and ended there.

Here's the plastic egg in question:

I think its from a hello kitty surprise toy LOL

​

I have to start to get more serious with some accessories. For now, I have a wall clock made from a tag and a hair fork. Also a cup made with random plastic. But I want a plant, magazines and some pictures for the wall to use some of the streamers. I was thinking about using them only on the plant, but I now I think I can make use for picture's frames too.

Last photo of how my table looks this afternoon while I'm working in the sofa.

See you tomorrow!

​

 

Codename: Opposumsrubnoses

Day OMG PANIC MODE
__________________
Project status: P A N I C
Project concept: Eccentric Mad Scientist's Lab/Office/Headquarters
Scale: Pipos
------------------------

It has been a few days since I've made one of these, if you can't tell it's because I am in all out panic mode, at least I have a lot of free time to work on things.

I don't have much time to do this but I needed a break so I figured I would write one.
I wont go into details, but I have finished a LOT.

I have cut out all the wood, erected the walls, painted the walls, finished one piece of furniture, dug through dumpsters, dissembled a tv (that came from said dumpster), drug various other garbage into the house and reassembled it into new and exciting objects/flooring/props/furniture, did some drawings to hang on the walls, cut apart some of the broken wrist watches I got from the good will store, and started on that electrifying project I was talking about.

Hopefully more about that electrical thing when I have some time to sit down and explain how it works, but think a handmade and more dangerous version of those plasma balls from the discovery store- and all for the cost of a single cheap light bulb! hurray for garbage! (serious supervision or electrical experience required! don't try at home)

Seriously this competition has been fun, I have gotten to recycle so much, and its really made me realize how much you can make with so little! :3

 

Codename: YumeChu

Home again, home again, jiggity jog...worked til 2 am last night to get caught up...I still don't think I'm as far along as I should be...I'd have worked longer, but I was so tired I was physically dizzy and didn't wanna pitch headfirst into the set...hahaha...sigh.

I DID get everything painted and am happy that the cardboard pretty much took the color evenly. I still think I'll cross hatch it though so it looks more like Escher's image.

​

Before paint...

​

And after...

I also got some of the stair railings up...lord, that was TRICKY!! I was all like, it goes this way, maybe? Probably...runs to check source image. Okay!

​

I'm sad I don't have a reason to go to Chich-Fil-A again!! Maybe I DO need more boxes...hehehe.

I'm a bit apprehensive about lighting and photographing this set. It's built on it's side in comparison to the "Relativity" image its based on. I'm hoping it will turn, but if not, I'm hoping rotation is okay...it should be!! Surely, it is.

Hum...oh, got the vase and the bonsai tree ready to get cooked. Now on to the poles, chairs and table! And trees, and incorporating wig materials... whee...still have GOT to take a nap with the kiddo. Hubby love has offered to take her out this afternoon and I might take him up on it so I can get a little more work done. Gotta keep going! Only two full days left!

Best of luck to everyone!

 

Codename: crabcraft

Rifled around in the paint recycling bin today and scored an almost full quart of cheap-ass Ben Moore white primer. Tinted it concrete-colored and I'm ready to paint my floor! Also found my miter pliers so I can cut frames out of my plastic fillet.
It's sooo hot today and I have to do some demolition at work. I hope I have a little energy left when I get home tonight!

 

Codename: Stripey Feet

This is the summery of the building of "the good ship cunning plan". Coming out of the tape contest I was pretty much sure that my house couldn't take another sweeping craft project, but this seemed too fun. Each of my submissions I tried to go with a different feel. For the wig I went with the gorgon base, for the outfit, inspired by too much Blackadder on netflix, I shot for and elizabethan gown. Now given the chance to do a full set, I thought it was time I turned my attention to the tinys.

Having recently picked up legend of zelda for my ds, I was struck by how fun the towns and sets were, I had considered making a town, or a house, but I wanted it to stand out and so I set on to the little steam boat style from the phantom hourglass.

Step 1: I had to build a boat base. I knew I wanted to use popsicle sticks for boards but I needed to have something to attach it to. So as luck would have it my roomate had just ordered a shield with the tri force on it, and it came packed in foam and with a long box. So I cut out and glued the foam in to the basic shape of the boat, and reinforced it with tape.



Step 2: I knew that to get the front of the boat to look good I would need to bend the sticks. So I boiled them for a few minutes in water and using an little cage used for plants and strips of old fabric I bound them around it and tied them. I had to leave them overnight to dry.



Step 3: I needed to build the cabin and roof form. Using more scrap material from boxes we recently got, three toilet paper tubes and a paper towel tube, I made the line of the cabin and the roof with a little smoke stack which will poke out the top. you can see the tools, hot glue gun and the ref from my ds while I worked on it.



Step 4: This part took up the better part of three days. between stacks of popsical sticks which had to have the rounded ends cut off with a pair of scissors. Lined up and adjusted so that it looked like a wooden deck on the ship. The large tongue depressors were used on the sides cut and layered. Using small craft sticks i attached them to tape around the cabin. Digging in my craft box I found a small stack of miniture foil origami and used tape to attach it to the stack, as well as two strips of star paper for the piping.




More to come!

 

Codename: YumeChu

Ahh...bad day for working on projects. Awesome hubby even took little one out for the afternoon so I could work...but to no avail...everything I did turned out wrong...

Sounds like it is happening to everyone...

Still it stinks the most pungent when its under your nose, right?

Why didn't I choose something with only TWO bloody walls, and only ONE bloody floor...? Nooo, I had to pick something that has a multitude of both and ceilings for heaven's sake!

Why?

Cause I wanna win...I wanna win bad. And I'm close...I'm really close. All I can do is hope that people will appreciate it for the homage it is...

Anyway, after tears and much gnashing of teeth...I got some inspiration from the source of all the madness...my dolls. The Pukipuki looked so bored in their little gray suits, so unlike themselves without their neon wigs and cute clothing, I figured they'd be bored in the set as well. No matter if they were upside down or upside up, they'd have NOTHING to do there...

So we've added some color...lots of bold basic colors and the Puki bystanders are gonna be the painting crew...so tiny paint buckets, brushes and rollers have been made...still need to do the doors. ARGH...damnable doors... and sugar cubes have been painted. Much to the chagrin of their stability...and it's cute...it feels more mine now, less Escher and the Pukipukis are rejoicing that they get to be near (dry) paints!

​

​

Still have to do furniture. Don't think scaffolding or ladders will suffice.

 

Codename: Black Seaweed

Act 2: The Scene

As the forensics were working on the analysis of the blood and flesh tissue laying around, I start to observe the evidences. Besides some cans, rubblempieces of tiles, and the sofa in which the corpse is lying, there is only one more piece of furniture in the whole room: In front of the corpse, there is a TV set.
A really, really old TV set. I step toward it, the whole set is on top of six oil cans, rusted and half broken. There are some wires coming out from the back of the set. I try to switch on the TV, but it only tunes white noise.
-Vince, Mr.Vince?
A young voice awaken me from lost thoughts. Opening my eyes, I can see a tall policeman looking at me sighly worried.
-Some men came to the entrance to see you.
Dressing on my coat I go downstairs to see what is that about.
Smelling each corner as if they were hounds, there are two men in black suits and black sunglasses. As soon as they see me, they face me all tight and serious.
-Are you Inspector Bratt?- says one of them.
-No, I am Detective Vince.-I answer honestly.
-Inspector Detective? Or Detective Inspector?-the other one arches one of his thick eyebrows.
-No, just Detective. Private Detective Vince, to be more exact.
-Where's the actual official Inspector then?
I frown, annoyed. It's just the same as always.
-He's busy right now, he has left this case entirely to me.
-Then you are the entire leader of this case?
-That's it.
-Ok-the two men gazed each other-we're from...
-Let me guess. FBI
-You're wrong. We're from the Special Militar Force.
-And what the hell are you doing up here? This seems like a...
-This is not a regular case. We have been looking for a serial of murders of this kind.
-I doubt you have seen something as bloody as this.
-You have four hours to have your team collect all they need. Then we will take care of the situation.
-Go for a walk and return then.

The two men walk outside. I go upstairs and inform the forensics to hurry up. In a few hours, they have already finished and are tidying up their instruments.
The main forensic comes to me with his old eyes showing tiredness.
-We've finished with the scene. We were ready to pick up the corpse but we have received orders to not move it.
I take a sight of the corpse.
-I suppose the orders came from those black-suited men right?
I have no answer.
Greeting the good work to the team, they leave.

And I find me alone...no, not alone. I'm with the corpse.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm almost finished. I have spent almost my entire day doing the mixes for the fake blood, rust, dirt and such. You can't imagine the things I've put in the bowl for the blood. Things from coffee, to nail polish, to dishsoap, acetone, to rice dye... I walked around home looking for things to get the right colour lol
I had a really, really good time painting the walls, and splashing all with the fake blood.
This is what I have, plus the TV, but I didn't took a nice pic yet.
I'm really pleased on how the floor came out!

 

Codename: Black Seaweed

[Act 2: The Scene
As the forensics were working on the analysis of the blood and flesh tissue laying around, I start to observe the evidences. Besides some cans, rubblempieces of tiles, and the sofa in which the corpse is lying, there is only one more piece of furniture in the whole room: In front of the corpse, there is a TV set.
A really, really old TV set. I step toward it, the whole set is on top of six oil cans, rusted and half broken. There are some wires coming out from the back of the set. I try to switch on the TV, but it only tunes white noise.
-Vince, Mr.Vince?
A young voice awaken me from lost thoughts. Opening my eyes, I can see a tall policeman looking at me sighly worried.
-Some men came to the entrance to see you.
Dressing on my coat I go downstairs to see what is that about.
Smelling each corner as if they were hounds, there are two men in black suits and black sunglasses. As soon as they see me, they face me all tight and serious.
-Are you Inspector Bratt?- says one of them.
-No, I am Detective Vince.-I answer honestly.
-Inspector Detective? Or Detective Inspector?-the other one arches one of his thick eyebrows.
-No, just Detective. Private Detective Vince, to be more exact.
-Where's the actual official Inspector then?
I frown, annoyed. It's just the same as always.
-He's busy right now, he has left this case entirely to me.
-Then you are the entire leader of this case?
-That's it.
-Ok-the two men gazed each other-we're from...
-Let me guess. FBI
-You're wrong. We're from the Special Militar Force.
-And what the hell are you doing up here? This seems like a...
-This is not a regular case. We have been looking for a serial of murders of this kind.
-I doubt you have seen something as bloody as this.
-You have four hours to have your team collect all they need. Then we will take care of the situation.
-Go for a walk and return then.

The two men walk outside. I go upstairs and inform the forensics to hurry up. In a few hours, they have already finished and are tidying up their instruments.
The main forensic comes to me with his old eyes showing tiredness.
-We've finished with the scene. We were ready to pick up the corpse but we have received orders to not move it.
I take a sight of the corpse.
-I suppose the orders came from those black-suited men right?
I have no answer.
Greeting the good work to the team, they leave.

And I find me alone...no, not alone. I'm with the corpse.


----------------------------------------------------

*okay, my wiffi went away so this may be a duplicate... may be not*
I'm almost done! I've spent the whole day working on this. I've finished to tile the broken floor, I assembled the walls, made the sofa and... covered all with dirt and fake blood.
The mixture to make the fake blood it's a big lol. You can't imagine the ridiculous things I've mixed to get something that resembles blood. From coffee to nail polish, rice yellow coloring, dish soap, white glue and such things are put togheter...
I think it came out pretty nice. Well, nice is not the word... rather horrible than nice



I already made the TV, I love it but I didn't took any good pics yet. But I've been enjoying a lot mixing things to look like dirt, blood and rust. I'm quite pleased with the result

 

Codename: Winnie

Progress update, part two!

Well, I worked the whole weekend on my set - and made quite a mess in the process! I forgot just how messy papier-mache can be.

Anyway, when all was said and done, this is how it turned out:



The box in the middle there is going to be the bed. I cut it out of cardboard, too, and placed it in - it's removable, though.

I would have really liked to be able to spend more time on this part. I felt rushed, so I didn't get a chance to put in the little details I wanted...but really, that would probably take days and days to do. I used hot glue in addition to the papier-mache to make tiny little 'roots' and things - it added a really cool effect! Check it out:



The glue is actually very sturdy when it dries. I love the way it drapes across the empty space there. :3

Alright, so I painted next....and this is where I think things really started to go wrong. I used a LOT of paint, but I still kept running out. I probably did about five layers on the tree and branches, and there were still parts I couldn't quite get covered. Urgh. Fortunately, I added a bunch of moss in, and it covered the rougher parts - I think it added a really nice effect overall, too. This is how things stand as of right now:



Well, it looks a little more like something out of a Surrealist painting than a cozy bunny burrow...but, ah well, sometimes you just have to roll with it, huh? I'm going to finish the bed tonight, and then take pictures when I get home from work tomorrow. Almost there!

 

Codename: YumeChu

Hahhhh....still working, thought I was done, but I'm not quite yet...I have two doors left, and a painting in the middle of the whole she-bang...But the Puki are ready and raring to go. They're so cute in their little painting smocks...I got little wigs made for them today as well. Yeah...didn't wanna build that table. I got it done as well. It looks like a painter's table to me! And stainless steel looking to boot!

My little painting crew!!

​

And the revamped set, with more color, more rails, an improved orange arch and on and on and on...Can't wait to take pics in REAL light for once and not at 1 am...the little paper people are to help me position and figure out where the HECK the Puki are gonna go.

​

All in all, a very productive day. It's exciting to see that there are more prizes now...I'm still aiming for Regen though. Fingers crossed.

 

Codename: iMad

LAST DAYS OF WORK
​

These last two days I have been depressed with my work. I had a couple of nightmares related to the set and then I fall apart immediately. That's why I didn't want writing here and follow my progress, though still working on it, I finished it and even I took two photo shoots on different days because at first I didn't like any of the pictures for the contest.
Luckily my friend helped me to overcome these lows. Thank you very much ;__;
So finally, more thanks to him for encouraging me, I've submitted my entry. Now just have to wait and rest a little.
I can't wait for see what people do!!

And what I've done this couple of days?

First, as there was still a few marshmallow in the bag, I decided to do another piece of furniture. Cut in half the sweets, I started building a library.
It's somewhat disastrous, but we can excuse that it's "modern".

Then I put another pair of shelves on the wall clock. They are transparent, made from a pair of plastic packing from the iPod box. I think that they suit a lot with the table.

​

Thanks to this contest I realized that I am a maniac to keep boxes, packing, and all kinds of things people can consider trash...
And finally, once placed all the furniture in place, it was time to introduce some decorative elements: a calendar for the small table, magazines, and pictures to the wall. In this way I could use the streamers adding to create frames and also on the shelves.
To make them, my petit nendoroid Kaito donated its case to the project XD

He feels lot of proud!!
​

And… omg!! There are still sweets in the bag!
Let's use them to create a happy plushie family =D
That was the best part

Aren't they adorable?


​

 

Codename: Black Seaweed

[Act 3: Not Dead

The night is falling and an ambar light leaks into the room. The fresh blood of the walls and floor reflect its shines.
As I walk towards the corpse, lying on the sofa, my shoes impregnate from the sticky red liquid.
A strange aura comes from the corpse. I don't know if it's the set of the lights, or that I'm so tired and sick of this scene.
The corpse lies on the sofa. I can't tell what age was this boy, he doesn't seem too young, but he doesn't looks like over the twenties either.
I take a close look of his wounds. All kind of wounds, scratches, bruises and cuts are opened on his body. As I'm doing my research on the body, I realize something.
There is not a murder weapon. This all seems done with bare hands. I keep observing the corpse, so much close my hand brushes his body.
It's still somewhat... lukewarm.
I move away my hand in an instant. Lukewarm? This seems like dead days ago. But the skin looks kinda pinkish yet.
I bend to take a closer look of his face. Big dark circles around his black eyes, open wide.
That's when I realize he's returning my gaze.

Stuffed with fear, I start to walk away. Incapable of stop looking at him, I find myself standing in the middle of the room, completely paralyzed because of fear.
He then starts to move. Like if he was being sleeping, he yawns, wakes up, stretches his arms and starts to walk.
Towards me.
I can't pick my gun, I can't even ask for help. Nobody would come either, I'm alone on this.
The zombie walks to my side. He gives me an empty gaze, then he leaves using the door.
Last thing I can hear before faint, is his steps down the metallic stair.

Then I understood. There was no murder weapon. There was no murderer. There was no corpse. He was an Undead.



----------------------------------------------------


Finally finished this. It has took forever!! But I'm quite pleased with the result. I hope I don't get myself into trouble by adding the gore thing... but this is all I could think of, and I read a million times the rules and there wasn't any "no gore allowed". Besides, we have seen worst things on TV... some of them even real.
I was going more for the "horror game scene" thing...
As a bonus, some pics of the making of!

Drying up the coffee paper. I had some left from my wig entry, so I just soaked it in water to wrinkle, and stick to the wall core later.


And the making of the floor... it took me forever too to do this, because the set is SO BIG...



So, this is a goodbye I think... I must thank every moderator to make this wonderful contest, and everyone to make such amazing entries!!
Hope to see you next year with the new contest!
Thank you!

 

Codename: YumeChu

Gah...It's DONE! Or as done as it's gonna get. I'm so glad that gluing their little Puki feet to the stairs worked. Hopefully they won't take revenge later. I'm really pumped that it worked. I hadn't played with the Puki in a loooong time. They are sooo flipping cute! I mean Pukifee and Littlefee are super precious, but the PukiPuki came first and are amazing little engineering marvels! I love that they get to interact with such a great artist's image!!

Here's what came out...

​

I just hope people don't think it's Photoshopped...I took a video just in case!!

I'm waiting for the relief of it being done, but I know waiting for FIVE days for voting and probably another day for results...argh...I'm ahead by one measly little point. I hope I can keep the lead...I've completely fallen for Regen...

Fingers crossed.

Best of luck to all, can't wait to see the entries!!

 

Codename: Itchy Brother

So - Its been a horrid week - The loss of a close friend has caused an emotional upheaval and at one point I didnt want to bother submitting this - suffice to say I felt that I owed it to my friend to keep my sh*t together and finish what I started. Then at about 9pm US Time I had what can only be described as the "great hand of intervention" get in the way of my computer complying with me submitting my set photos, every time I clicked the Submit button I got an error message from the server so I'd like to include them here and hopefully you will get to see and enjoy the fun I had whilst competing

I spent a total of $22.18 AUD on materials which is the equivalent to $20 USD - everything in the room excluding the embellishments is made from recycled cardboard and masking tape and a peach tin. The bed is cut from a microwave box and masking taped then painted white.

My puchases were:
Glue Sticks $2.90
PVA $1.95
Sheet of Scrapbooking Stickers: $2.59
"Make'n'bake" $2.95
Pkt mixed Beads $0.99c

Existing Materials:
Fabric Remnants (using roughly half of a $5 scrap bag) $2.50
Pink Ribbon 5 meters at 0.10c a meter = $0.50
Green Ribbon 1 meter/$0.50
scrap wire cuttings about 20c
lace scraps $1.10
Glass mirrors 1/2 pk ($2.00 pkt of 12) $1.00
Paints $5.00
















RIP friend Michelle Rae Cook - you will be sadly missed my dear friend....

 

Codename: Meowth

Well, I was so busy working on my set that I didn't have time to write anything about my actual progress until after I submitted everything.

Oh well! I just have one progress picture I wanted to share, since I fear that otherwise, no one will believe that I was able to make this fireplace out of recycled stuff and spray paint!



And there you have it. Water bottles and margarine containers for the columns and lots of cardboard and tape for everything else. I was lucky enough to find that wooden mantle piece thing on top at Hobby Lobby. It would have been too expensive for me to use had I not saved a 40% off coupon for just this occasion! (I actually went back to Hobby Lobby like 4 times so I could use the coupon over and over again. )Additionally, the back left corner of the shelf was really damaged. This didn't bother me at all since I had already built up the back with cardboard. The damage was actually a relief! When I pointed it out to the cashier, she was kind enough to give me yet another discount!

I love how my set came out, and I know it wouldn't have come together so nicely if I hadn't been able to pull off this fireplace. I'm glad it worked in the end!

 

Codename: crabcraft

Didn't have time to make any more notes here before the due date. I managed to get my entry in about two hours before the deadline. It felt like I did everything on the last day, because I discarded so much of the stuff I started with, but if I think about it I did make the bench last week. The color block painting and the organic hanging sculpture were the more successful pieces because they were some of the ones made early and survived the purge. Not so much the poor mutant animals in their hastily measured frames. I realized that with only eight hours until the deadline I shouldn't get bogged down in really detailed drawing because it wasn't going to show in the photos anyway.
I think the most important thing I'll come away from this challenge understanding is that it really doesn't take much money or time to create a setting for a photo and I no longer have an excuse to use the same three boring fabric backdrops! And as long as it's quick and entirely disposable I won't annoy my girlfriend!

 

Codename: iMad

GOODBYE

I said at beginning of all this that I can't keep my set at home. So I decided to clean up the entire studio where I live and… with it, destroy the set.
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I feel a little sad when, after the work, my set disappeared. All I have kept folded are the walls and floor. Maybe I used it again to take pictures.
But while I said goodbye, others were having the best time of their lives. A dream come true. The dream of many children, many of us and of course my pets!
You already meet Benson, my personal assistant. Sorry I could not post any more photo of him. The truth is that he spent the rest of the work sleeping XD But apart of him, I also live with three lovely ladies: my pet rats

I want to introduce you Miss, Mecha and Bollo. You're going to see that the room I was made suits them perfectly too!

Beware!! The following pictures may make you cry!!
It's only a joke. Don't worry. But... All those beautiful plushies… Maybe this would be the crime scene part two!! XD

Hey Bollo! You're going to keep getting fat if you eat all this sugar!


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The poor bunny...
Obviously you don't mind getting fat...



Mecha looked at me every time. She dind't know if what she was doing was right or wrong XD
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Bollo: Let's pick another one mum!!
Miss: You're going to look like a ball...



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Lot's of thanks to my friend who took these beautiful shoots. The girls are very fast and difficult to photograph. I can't do it. But I want to show you the great time they had, and that my set was recyclabe one more time! LOL
Don't worry though. They don't eat everything. They only taste a litte of sugar

I hope you have enjoyed reading it. If someone wants to know something more about how I did my set, you can ask me. I have even some photos that I haven't submitted here. I'd try my best.

Thank you all for this super-contest!!
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