Ummmm.. Yeah, they are

GO READ THIS!

Seriously, go read Yarn Harlot's blog post for Sept 29, 2008.

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/

Yep, one ordinary Canadian here as well thinking that Mr. Harper seems to have lost his freakin' mind.

I'm back....

I'm home... and it's Fall! Crazy. Some of the trees in my yard are even naked and I missed the entire thing. Some look like this.



This looks like what may survive of the harvest of the mystery plant of '08. Every year there seems to be something sprout in the compost. This year it was pumkin with the biggest, craziest vine I have ever seen. It was HUGE! Most of the fruit got blossom end rot but I did save this four beauties. I wonder if they will ripen? If they don't, they still look like a whole lot of chicken food. Of course Garm is home with me and demanding as ever. I missed him too.



When I checked on the 'Girls. I found the most amazing brown egg ever. My friends who looked after them for the two weeks said someone had started laying brown eggs. Wow, they are super pretty. If I figure out who is laying these, she may be a candidate to over winter. I'm thinking it's the Moran, she's the only odd one out, and she hadn't started laying yet.

More of the Same

We're done. There will be tech run through and set up but that's not my gig. Today is clean up my gear, get organized and do some shopping. This is the winter stock up, I may not be back to the city for a while. Casual trips are seriously curtailed with the cost of gas these days.

I am supposed to get some pics sent of Saunders up and running. I'll be sure to post them here as soon as I get them. So, I leave you with a parting shot... I'll be back next week, back working in my own studio.

A Day Outside

Sort, clean, finish. That was yesterday and should be our day today. We finished the Pirate Cove, The Chainsaw Cabin and the Train Platform. If you ever wonder what needs to be drug around to achieve a day like this, have a look.







Today, before we head out, we're cleaning the car!

The Pirate Cove was updated with a few things like this.





Then there's a Train Platform. The gag being the train that is bearing down on the wagon a little way's down the road.




Then, there is a Chain Saw cabin. I don't think a haunted ride can happen without a chainsaw scare? Not for the faint of heart, we started out kind of plain, still daytime friendly. Then, not so much....




More of the same today.....

And now for something completely different...

What's the title quote from? Does anyone remember? I'm thinking Monty Python but I'm really not sure.

We finished up in the barn yesterday. There are a few technical things that are going to have to be gone back over, but the dressing is done. It looks FAB. Of course, all the great stuff is impossible to get pics of, but trust me, it looks really good.

The end of the afternoon was sunny and beautiful. So to try and blow off some of the dust and unmentionable dirt from a day in the barn, Matt and I spent a little bit of time decorating the courtyard. I think it's a good transition into the Haunted Barn, a little bit of Halloween but still cute for the families who are still walking through. Of course, the fact that I consider putting a silly hat on a skeleton cute may reflect some over exposure to gore on my part lately! I'm not sure if I should be disturbed or not, as I'm laughing at the string of skulls I just put together.

Fresh air Tuesday, back to "Zey Pirates". Fun stuff planned for there.

The Haunted Barn

We have put in some long hours on the haunted barn. Things are looking really good, but not quite done yet. The plan was to get it done today. That just didn’t happen. Things always take longer than what you think.

I’m at my Grandfather’s for the weekend and outside on the line are a couple of shredded sheets I dyed in a dip bath. They weren’t dry when I left the farm so I bundled them up and brought them here to dry. I wonder what the neighbours think they are?

These pics are of the barn interior, they aren’t the best. Things are lit with a lot of coloured floods, flickering lights and strobes on hidden switches. The overall look is really effective. There are also alot of different textures and levels to walk on that are disconcerting. All in all, people are going to be scared!

Ze Pirates, zey are coming!

I spent the entire day yesterday in hip waders working on the Pirate Cove. It really is amazing how much work it is to walk through knee deep water all day lugging heavy bits and going up and down ladders. I feel like I've entered one of those reality work out and loose weight quick shows. Don't I need a 'target' dress or something? I think my hip waders will have to do!

Things are looking good though.

Fluorescent Paint is a Wonderful Thing

Two scenes are done now on the outdoor Haunted Hayride. The Toxic Dump and the skeleton playground. The playground is really some drive by interest on a quieter stretch of road. The skeletons on that section are 1/4 scale, something that's not obvious in the pictures. The Toxic Dump is full scale. That was a lot of fun, climbing on the irrigation pipes they have assembled, hanging around throwing paint on things. All of this will be lit with black lights so the fluorescent colours will sing.

Saunders Farm

Well, I'm here in Ottawa for a two week stint working at Saunders Farm with my friend Matt Ficner. I have to apologize for not getting any good pictures yesterday, the place is HUGE and I was working to take everything in and still get work done. There are now, about 4 finished scenes in the haunted barn. I'll try and get pics today.

Beading Workshop

Last night I went to a Beading Class held by Connie Boyd of the Silver Moccasin. Our teacher was Hank Rodgers whose beadwork is just beautiful. Check out some of his stuff. It's going to be a long time and a whole lot of practise to even begin to live up to his work after one little three hour class. Thanks Hank and thanks to you Connie for putting this all together.



This is Hank and Connie hard at work.



These are some of Hanks moccasins. (Photo credit goes to Connie at the Silver Moccasin.)



and really.. what's a fun class without sharing it with friends. Thanks for getting me out of the house for this one Val!

Etsy

I haven't put much up about my Etsy shop lately. Mostly because I haven't had much time to work on it. Back to it though, it's September, time for a fresh start. Check it out.

Etsy Buy Handmade TheMatchFactory

Fall Fair Time

I can't believe it's September! I guess the only thing to do is get ready for the fair. I always try and enter a few things in hand crafts area. I enjoy looking at what everyone else is up to so I should contribute as well, right? Umm.. yeah, see that picture, the one with the wet afghan pinned out and drying? I'm about to go get a fan to speed up the drying process so I'm sure to have it ready to enter tomorrow. Nothing like doing things ahead?!