Heritage – stone walkway

To plan for the walkway at the bottom of the stone steps, I placed loose pavers in a rough layout to see what would look best.

When I cut the foam base for the walkway, it ended up being a little more breakneck than I wanted. :D I used a knife to even out the ground and replaced the stones. Much better.

I primed the newly cut area and the wood base for the stairs.

I added some spackling compound to further even out the ground. To save time in grouting, I decided to add the pavers while the spackling was still wet. I added glue to the bottom of each stone and then pressed it into the spackling.

I consulted with Lyssa earlier today, and she agreed my spackle-plus-glue technique should work. We’ll see if we’re both full of beans! :O Of course, if they do pop out, I can just glue them back in place.

I used a toothpick to smooth the excess spackling and glue into the grooves between the pavers.

Grahame has come to inspect.

As you can see, I broke a few pavers to match the steps.

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
October 19, 2012 | 0 comments

Heritage – Planting The Tree, part 4

Continuing planting The Tree. I apologize for the few blurry pictures. :\ I was trying to work quickly and still take photos.

I used Ballast Fine Dark Brown by Woodland Scenics for the earth portion of the landscaping. I’ll add more later in other areas, but I mainly needed to finish the interior of the burrow. I probably should have used a finer material for good scale approximation, but it was important that the landscaping materials not be “dirty” or have the ability to rub off easily for the simple fact that I would be placing Grahame inside the burrow and didn’t want anything to stain or mar his fur. I was afraid anything with a powdery texture would do just that. During the painting and finishing portion, I had him far away from the mess.

I started with Aleene’s Quick Dry glue put on with a brush.

Using a spoon, I added the ballast to the glue.

And, it didn’t work at all! Hahahahaha. Quick Draw McGraw glue is right! Hardly any ballast stuck and I was left with shiny dirt. Well, I guess I now know how to create slippery waterfront rock.

I applied Weldbond this time, and in smaller sections, and spooned more ballast over the areas. After letting it set while I had a snack, I brushed away the excess and vacuumed what the brush couldn’t remove. Success!!! I had left one ledge of foam bare, because I thought it looked like a rock. (Note from 2024: I would now use Scenic Cement for projects such as these but didn’t know about it in 2012.)

Prior to gluing them in place, I had painted the mesh and some foam pieces to be used to complete the upper portion of the burrow. I don’t think the interior of the burrow will be readily seen, but this will keep any silver metal or purple foam from showing on the off chance you can see inside once it’s complete. I painted more foam than I needed since I wasn’t sure of the configuration I would need.

I glued the piece of foam that contoured to the tree root first and then added a very thin piece of foam to enclose the back. The painted sides are facing down over the burrow.

I adjusted the shape of the mesh and glued it in place, again painted side down. I used straight pins throughout this whole process.

I glued the remaining foam on top of the mesh then stuck my finger into the burrow to make sure there was nothing sharp or intrusive sticking out. :]

There was no more stucco left, so I spread spackling compound to even out the edges and gaps for this final portion of the landscaping.

I am really resisting the urge to put Grahame in that burrow!!! But, I don’t want to risk getting any wet glue or stucco on him.

After letting this all dry completely, I primed and painted the spackling. He certainly does look right at home.

And, he goes way back in there! :D I love it so far!

Woodrow came to check things out, but that is a Grahame-sized burrow. It’s too short for Woodrow. Good thing he’ll have his own home elsewhere.

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
October 18, 2012 | 0 comments

Heritage – Planting The Tree, part 3

Continuing planting The Tree. To keep the burrow ceiling from collapsing during the landscaping process, I cut a dome of Activ-Wire Mesh supported by a wood pole. Grahame has a degree in structural engineering, apparently. :D Here the pole is glued in place though the mesh is still loose so I can paint inside the burrow.

I primed the foam and stucco with gesso. I did try to keep the amount of gesso on the roots to a minimum, but it wasn’t especially important. There would be more layers of paint as well as landscaping materials to cover any wayward marks.

The burrow for Grahame needed some preliminary finishing before creating the top and sealing off access to it. I stippled on layers of brown paints inside and around the burrow until I achieved a good base color. I painted the rest of the area with a mix of brown and black, wiping the excess from the roots as I worked. The paint is thick and will need to dry overnight.

The foam slivers under the front roots look like rock. Something to keep in mind for future landscaped settings.

The Tree looks well planted but somewhat precarious, as though it might uproot and chase after trespassers. :O

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
October 17, 2012 | 0 comments

Heritage – Planting The Tree, part 2

Continuing planting The Tree. I glued the circular tree base onto the landscape base. I used straight pins to hold the foam and will leave them in permanently. Before gluing The Tree in place, I added stucco to the root channels and smoothed the burrow. I’m working with the stucco while it remains pliable.

I added stucco to the holes I made for the root tips.

When I glued The Tree into place, the stucco squeezed under the roots and around the root tips for a smooth fit. :]

I used a toothpick to shape the stucco further. I then glued in the foam scraps under and around the roots, again using straight pins to hold the foam in place while the glue dries.

More stucco added, and the surface is relatively even now.

This was as far as I could go tonight. The burrow floor needs to be painted before I can close it up, so I have to wait for the stucco to dry.

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
October 16, 2012 | 0 comments

Heritage – Planting The Tree, part 1

Time to tackle the portion of the landscaping surrounding The Tree. I sculpted the circular base to start, cutting out channels for the roots and making the outer edge of the circle blend into the surrounding areas. I also cut out the area under one of the upward-curving roots in both the circular base and the initial foam base down to the wood base board.

I made divots in initial base to sink the root tips.

Using the slivers of foam cut from the initial foam pieces that make up the lawn, I built up the area under and around the roots though nothing is glued in place just yet. I’ll need to sculpt the flat front corner of the lawn as well. Yes, that big root will stick out of the ground…yet another lawn hazard. :O

I covered the hole and added foam pieces to abut the back of the root that defines its opening. These are also still loose and not glued in permanently.

So, what’s the hole for? Grahame!!! :D

I won’t make him live in this tiny, cramped burrow full time, but it sure will be cute to take some photos of him peeking out from under The Tree!

Categories: The Haunted Heritage
October 15, 2012 | 0 comments