Contest The Great Triathlon Challenge Two: Angel's Aerie

Dry! Come on, dry!!!

I still have a few things I can do while it's drying, but I think I have at least 2 more hours of work to do in the morning. I also may assemble an "emergency backup plan" if I can, in case things get too close to the wire. I'm positive I'll have SOMETHING to submit by end of day tomorrow - but it remains to be seen how nice it'll be!

 

And finally... it's all one piece! Just have to add the restraining system and the doll, and we're good to go!

Decoration? Ha! I barely got the thing itself done, no way is there going to be any embellishing. ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaa... *collapse*

What really annoyed me today (besides the bugs and mosquitoes), was that I had a doll come in, and USPS did NOT knock very loudly or park where they usually do, because I swear I checked out front - all day long - every time I heard a truck pass by (I was on the back porch).
So first thing tomorrow, I'm picking my doll up! Yay! But I waited all day long for them to deliver today. Kept interrupting my work to run go check, and, nada.
I'm telling myself that New Doll would have distracted me, and I wouldn't have gotten the aerie all together tonight.
Yeah, I'll keep telling myself that.


Congratulations to everyone that has gotten theirs done! To those still working on them: Keep on Keeping on!

 

Done!!!!-dances-Come on EVERYONE lets do this!!!!
And submitted of course!

 

I'm so close to finishing but it looks quite plain. I'm just waiting for the paint to dry and then I can add some finishing touches. So close and I'll get to take pictures tomorrow morning when the sun is up. I'm so glad that I kept working on this even though I wanted to quit during this challenge so many times

 

So... the general consensus seems to be that tonight's entertainment is going to be: Watching Paint Dry! Woohoo! Hot time in the old town tonight.

 

I just finished up the last most critical piece that can be done with the paint still wet, but I'm going to make a couple more little decorations I think. I won't be sleeping in tomorrow, but I should have plenty of time to get it done and submitted. This is exhausting!

 

Ditto on the exhausted part, I'm beat. Today it was a race to see if I could finish, take pictures, edit, upload, and submit all before I had to start work at 5. *sigh* I'll be out of town tomorrow and I wouldn't get another good chance after work but I managed with 10 minutes to spare.
I'm fairly proud of myself although like some others I wish I could have added more details to make it special. Oh well. Good luck to everyone else who has yet to submit, you can do it !

 

*flops over on the floor* Holy cow I'm done building and decorating. Now it gets to spend the night locked in my laundry room where my cats can't get to it and knock it over for a second time >_<

I'm looking forward to taking my photos tomorrow and relaxing for a few hours before the next challenge is announced.

 

Spent the night watching a singularly horrible puppet show with parents. Have to crash soon but need to get some more decorations finished.

I still want to know if I can make something for my doll to sit on, that isn't attached to the rest of the niche, so that I can use it again for other purposes.

 

As long as it is stable while it's in there, you can make it removable. The important part is that it be made by you.

If anyone has any last minute questions about this challenge, send me a PM! I'll get back you as quickly as I can this evening.

 

Quick question- I asked in the faceup contest thread yesterday but if you're already here--

Are we allowed to overlap the dolls used in the different contests? I may want to use the doll I am using for the Triathalon to be painted for the faceup contest. Is this allowed?

Thanks!

 

Was out with a friend today, had some brilliant last minute ideas for mine - with things I had already taken a photo of but hadn't used! Going to sit and watch ST:Voyager in the sun while hot-gluing the last few things on, and then I'll be good to take photos! There is such a high chance there will be cat-fur in this when I take the photos, my fur-baby doesn't realise that it isn't an aerie for him!!

 

It might be difficult for you to accomplish the third challenge if you are also trying to paint your doll. Ordinarily I'd say go for it, but it will be really hard for those two to cross over without revealing your identity.

 

I about died an hour or two ago when I looked over and saw my Beastie Boy (small gray cat named Donut) walk toward the thing. I started doing "Donut, no, Donut, no, NO Donut..." and he walked behind it. Lo and behold it WASN'T leaning up against the wall! Hot damn it actually stands up by itself now. I thought it didn't, quite

But there is definitely Cat Hair Everywhere in this project. Thankfully it blends in nicely.

 

It's a good thing I submitted my entry already... one of the cats got to it while I wasn't looking and started eating it OTL I can fix it if we still need it for challenge 3, but sheesh...

 

FORM SUBMITTED! I am so going to bed now... It was worth it, though. I'm especially proud of my detail collage. I hope other people like it, too. My doll certainly seems to.

 

Submitted!! Ahh I am really nervous about how it all turned out!! But between working on cosplay and stuff at work I could only put so much energy towards this! Here's hoping it's enough! I can't wait to see how everyone's turned out!!!

 

I have submitted as well! I had a crazy week that was full of all kinds of craziness so I was worried I wasn't going to finish! Luckily I was able to get my photos taken and got them to the size they needed to be! I am looking forward to seeing everyone else's work!

 

Volunteering all morning, finally getting to start on the remaining parts now! I also had to break down and buy a few more things. I think I'm up to about *somewhere over half the budget* now . Hopefully the difference between the handmade parts and the store bought parts will be obvious though... and I mean in a good way.

By the way, did someone already ask? Does sales tax count? I'm still within the budget either way, I'm just curious.

Also... if anyone has any good tips for getting BLUE SHARIPE out of a wood floor .__. feel free to share. I'm so dead when my boyfriend finds out D:....

 

I think they don't count tax, just what the item costs beforehand. Because didn't someone have an issue with tax putting them a little over?

 

Finally finished mine, and feeling pretty 'blah' about it, which is sad considering the amount of work I put into it. XD I think maybe I added too much detail? >.o Ah, well.

Will take pictures tomorrow after work. Bed time~!

 

Sales tax does not count toward your budget.

 

I'm excited to see what everybody has done. Real Life and a teeny bit of procrastination got in my way. I finished something tonight, I also started tonight. It shows. I spent roughly seven hours working on mine, which was not enough time to make anything that would WOW in a good way. I'm not playing for points though, more for personal achievement.

 

I am soooooo close. I'm waiting for a bit more paint to dry, then I have some decorations to finish up (and i have to clean at least some first because there's not ROOM to make the decorations!) then I think I'm done. I think I'm in good shape to at least finish and get to bed not much later than my usual sunrise (i am a certified night owl), and get up midafternoon to do my photos.

Of course I say that now and so far *everything* on this project has taken longer than I thought it would. I'm almost afraid to find out what challenge #3 is!

Turynn: I suspect rubbing alcohol is the best solvent for sharpie, but I'm not sure it won't also ruin the finish on your floor. Try a magic eraser first and if that doesn't do it, try alcohol in a discreet corner first to see if it strips the finish or not. If it makes you feel better, I accidentally dripped BLACK acrylic paint on my beige carpet. Twice. I rent. I went through like half a roll of paper towels trying to dilute it out and soak up the grey-tinted water up out of the fibers until the water came up clear. You can tell the carpet is slightly greyer there now if you're looking for it, but I think I got most of the stain out.

 

I am spray painting my hot glue mess. . . by flashlight. It had stopped raining this afternoon, but I had to run some errands and buy more paint. I'll be lucky if I can get it assembled before going to bed.

I had to scold Indy (my Siamese) when he tried to sharpen his claws on it. On the one hand I took it as an indictment of my "skill" but on the other hand. . . he might have improved it and I know we aren't allowed outside help.

 

LOL

St. James - Yay thanks for the info.

cowpewter - That was my initial thought but I was afraid what it might do to the floor... oh well... will have to try! I rent too which is why I've got someone freaking out at every little thing haha.




Soooo... anyone else keeping a running tally of challenge-related injuries? Three hot glue burn/blisters, 2 cuts on my arm of mysterious origin, some flesh peeled from my knee, a paper cut, and now slicing a big, triangular chunk out of my finger with some scissors. I really hope challenge 3 is less painful ;_;...

 

I will definitely have to bow out on the second part...I am pretty disappointed, but I was rushed to hospital on Wednesday with severe chest pains...
thankfully I am ok, but it has put paid to the time aspect of it for me...I am hoping to enter one of the other contests, which would suit me better

good luck everyone!

 

Yikes! Another full day today and a crash upload of photos! Here's a tip I discovered from necessity about how to protect your fingers from hot glue burns ------ the Home Depot cotton gloves coated with bright orange latex-like material will protect your fingers. The glue doesn't melt the plastic but will build up on the finger tips as you work. The good news is that you can simply peel off the built up glue. And you don't even need to cover the tips with aluminum foil. I discovered that too from experience! I had so many blisters on my fingers from the wings that I was getting punchy and desperate to protect them that I went overboard. The foil isn't needed making it a whole lot easier to work in the gloves. Now I need to figure out how to protect myself from blisters formed while working on the niche project! Ouch!

 

Ahh! I hope so too, I got several hot glue burns, stabbed myself with scissors and stabbed myself with a scalpel xD;; Nothing so serious as you though. Please be careful!

 

Done! *phew* In the meantime, I'll work on my submission for the customisation competition while the weather's still good...

 

You mean other than pride? I know I can do better. . . but all my good ideas are for dolls I don't own. I did manage to burn my favorite gesturing finger on the low-temp glue, however. *argh*

 

Okay... need to finish the floor of the thing, need to make the seat, and need to make a few more things, and then I'll be done. Whew.

 

Last minute design changes. Gotta love 'em.

Talk about injured pride! It's going to take me twice as long to manipulate all the shots of "things I might use" into a collage than it did to build the thing!....
(Note to self: Get a little firmer plan going BEFORE the next one...)

 

*collapses* I have a stinking cold this week but I have just submitted! What an effort! What on earth is the next challenge going to be xD

 

Well by the time I was done it was light out, so I just went ahead and took my photos. My submission is in and now I'm off to bed. Good luck everyone!

 

Xtal - good point ..I can definitely add pride to my list of injuries .. Especially with this challenge haha. I think my exalted dolly looks pretty awful in the niche ^^;;;; though my yo's seem to love it haha.

Annnnd wouldn't you know I ran out of paint . Good thing I still have some budget left. I'll have to run back to the store in the morning. I think I'm gonna set my alarm for 5am x_X goodnight!

 

Woo done! Just need to wait until it gets (paradoxically) less light to take photos - I'm borrowing my dad's camera since I've managed to lose the cable for mine... No idea how to change the light settings since his is rather posh compared to my point and click - it's overexposing everything right now in this midday sunlight!

 

Sighs, now that mine's submitted, I want to get rid of it after all the time it's taken and how much space it's taking up... but I suppose we might need it for next week. Can't wait to see what everybody else came up with & created,though!

 

Terribly sorry about that Candy Kitten ): But at least you're alright. Hopefully the other contests work out for you better! *V*/

 

That was epic! Submitted and I can't wait to see what everyone created! This has been a great growing and learning experience!

 

Done! I just entered mine! That was difficult!! I can't wait to see everyone's too.

 

Finally done and done! Submitted! I was so tired last night, after I spent about ten hours on this thing. It felt like an obstacle course, I kept encountering problems and having to work around or fix them. It was a very frustrating day, but I got it done! Added the restraint system this morning and shot photos.
WOW what a freaking sense of accomplishment! I almost don't care what the next challenge is, this one was a TON of work! I think I put in a good thirty hours on it this week.

DoneDoneDoneDoneDONE!

Sounds like most folks finished before I did, but for those racing against the clock: Go Go Go!

 

Done and done! Finished construction last night while the puppy was asleep, and took the photos this morning, after she fell asleep again after her morning walk. Living with a young pup is like living with a baby, her needs always take precedent.

 

So.... I know I'm supposed to include a reciept of the items purchased... but my husband went and tossed it... I know I was within budget you can even tell in my pictured materials all the things in packaging that isn't opened is what I bought. I just hope I don't get disqualified for my loveable idiot's handiwork...

Edit: EEEP.

 

Pssst! You might wanna do an edit here

 

Thanks Vampy...

 

Well mine's in... I hope under the right name (wrote down what I chose for the first round and can NOT lay my hands on the paper...). I'm so disappointed in the way it looked in pictures after all that work, but it's in.

Now to collapse for a few hours. Geeeeez.

 

f-i-n-a-l-l-y.... taking pictures kept me occupied for a looooong time *stupid sunlight*

 

Yay! All done and submitted.

Same here, Toxic_nightmist, taking photos took forever, again!

Bring on the final challenge!

 

I got my pictures taken (luckily without any further feline assistance), and everything's submitted. Now to relax for the next 8 hours

Good luck to everyone still finishing up You can do it!

 

T.T I'm missing the deadline... everything I did had to be redone at least once and I just don't have the time or energy left to finish it. So sad

 

Relax? What relax? Please sunlight don't go away, I need you I'm not done yet!!!

 

Whoot! I finally got it done! It's not the best nor the most creative thing ever but I'm glad I got it done. I think it looks pretty bland but I had some fun putting stuff together.

 

Done and submitted! I'm pretty pleased with it, though I don't know how well it'll compete. I'm definitely keeping it after the triathlon is done. That was a TON of work! I'm pretty proud I made it almost entirely out of re-used stuff or things I already had, only one little bit had to be bought.

And I'm really nervous about round three. I hope it's something a little less exhausting!

 

Whew...finally got most of the pictures done save for materials. I swear I feel like I've been sweating for this project the whole week! At least the super important pictures got done in the sun and now I can catch my breath for an hour or two and still have light. Bleh...who else is dead? Show of hands? *raises hers*

 

I'd probably need a permit from the EPA to go down to the inlet and have a Viking funeral for this. . . thing. . . after the contest is over. *barf*

Oh yeah, thanks to all the glue strings it also looks to be either haunted or infested with very large spiders.

*no part of this post represents anything to do with anything*

 

Is your hardwood floor pretty well sealed? You can rub a dry-erase marker over the sharpie (make sure it's completely covered), then clean it off with windex... I use this when the kids get sharpie on my smartboard XD Works like a charm!!

 

I'm cheering everyone on to make it to the finish without any more injuries... geez, you guys, stop hurting yourselves! I've somehow made it injury free through this thing, in spite of using (dangerous tool X) and (extremely sharp tool Y) and (scary tool Z) between the two of them... hopefully I haven't jinxed myself on the third challenge, and some of my good luck can rub off on the rest of you.

 

I'm gonna hope this really means specifically doll accessories and not non-doll human accessories recycled/purchased to decorate with... ... ahhh time is ticking down!! Almost done. Just gotta wait for the store to open so I can get that last bit of paint and then take photos (probably with paint that's still wet haha).

 

Urgh!! Finally seemingly several hundred photos later I finally have a photo of my doll in my aerie that I'm satisfied with, it was super difficult to get a good shot ...because Reasons. (Also due to my cheapskate lack of a tripod)