Complete: Lego Patisserie

This week I started to work on creating a Lego Patisserie to accompany our purchased Lego buildings. Mad Dog purchases some grab bags containing pieces from a Lego Cafe Corner and a Medieval Market. With these sets I was able to build on the fly my very owned designed Patisserie. I keep it very old world, at least I feel it is, using a lot be brown for dark wood.  I still have some finish work to do inside, but I think I'll wait on that.

F-Stop. F-This!

I have been recently focusing on my photography. I'm still learning about my camera and what I can do with it. The sad things is I haven't been able to wrap my mind around the basic stuff, which I was so good at before. In college my big things in filmmaking was lighting. I was a wise, and never had an issue with converting F-stops or anything to get the desired look. With my new camera, I just haven't been able to translate it - I don't know if I had to throwaway everything on cameras and lighting out of my memory warehouse to make way for all the stuff I know about kids, but I'm just not getting it.

I'm thinking I'm going to go back and read some of my cinematography books, hoping this will spark a glimmer of the knowledge I once had. Still I press on. I have focused my shooting to getting the right shot and not shooting 100 to get on perfectly framed photo. I think it's the quality not the quantity - at least thats how it is when you're not shooting kids, which is what I have been doing a lot since I have two perfect subjects. Still when I have time I do shot other things. A recent trip to the Brimfield Fair brought the photos you see here. I'm very proud of these and I'm thinking of printing and framing them.

I wish we had time to head out to the Big E this fall, I would love to shoot along the Midway at night. I have a beautiful shot of the Wheel form a few years ago, but would like to shot some of the rides and lights of the fair. I'll have to see if I can make the time, if not there is always next year.

Complete: Hero Box

I finished the Hero Box this week and filled it with little odds and ends, such as a compass, a bug catcher, a rope (for knots), marbles, etc. The box was created for a friends son, a place to put secret things and memories. The detail on the box came out great, however there are a few spots where I wish my craft was better. Each section of the box was done in a different comic book theme. the images ended at the corners of the box and were cut at the same angle. I didn't really do the antiquing that I had planned, because in some parts it just didn't adhere correctly.

Needless to say the box was presented to the owner and it is greatly loved for my understanding. I received an e-mail with pictures this morning. I very happy that it was well received and I hope it becomes a special part of this little boys life.

Drinkin' on the Job

Since being ill, I haven't had much time for anything I've been working on. However at the request of my Mother I pulled to gether this lable for Stuart's newest batch of beer. 

She asked that there be something to do with fishing if possible (Bass, fishing poles, hooks, etc.), also that there be the "C" and the "Stu's Summer Fishin' Ale". I pulled this together in about a half hour and then made the addition of the bee at Stuart's request to ID that the batch is a honey ale. 

Not bad for a little Microsoft Publisher and clipart. 

Design Project: Lego High Fidelity

After building Market Street (item# 10190) I started to design several additional buildings in the same design aesthetics. I focused my research on Amsterdam.  

The first building started with a ground floor record store, with a recording/media studio on the second floor and an small apartment on the third floor. Finishing it off with a roof top garden. Each of the floors are fully furnished from computers, couches and beds to a mini

 kitchenette. The main focus of the garden was the lionhead fountain, with flowing water. 

In Process: Hero Box

This project is a future birthday gift for a friend's Son. The idea steamed from the thought that every little boy or girl (but boys more so) should have a secret box for their childhood treasures.

The piece is cut paper and wood. I'm trying to pay close attention to the edges and corners. The main box has 2 smaller inset boxes that will be given the same treatment, along with the interior of the box. I'm think once I finish the it I might antique the whole thing, giving it a old worn look before sealing it.
I have just over a month to complete the project and already have some items to place in the box to start the future owners collection out with.