New Project For The New Year…….

Hello there!! Only me. No I haven’t fallen off the end of the world, I’ve been incredibly busy at work and decorating the house for Christmas. (Oh yes, Merry Christmas). Now that all the rush has passed and things are getting back to normal, I can sit at my craft table again. I think my Wife Jak is pleased as well, as she also uses the same table as me and we had to tidy all our craft things away off the dinning room table so we could have all the family round for Christmas Dinner.

I know that I haven’t finished the Warehouse, but I realised that I could cheat and place the Warehouse in a different place on Wynyard Lane. As you may or may not know my layout is in the loft. There is a main support for the roof and it is 10’’ x 3” It stands at the edge where the dock is going to be. I can conveniently place the Warehouse around the main beam and hide it really well. I will have to modify the roof on the Warehouse, but that shouldn’t be much of a problem. I will show you the final result once I have it finished it and have it in place.

The next project I have is again from Scalescenes. They have come up with a fantastic Farmhouse and Barn (T012) It comes in a choice of finishes. Aged Red Brick, Aged Brown Brick, Coursed Rubble,  Squared Rubble and Lime washed Stone. I have chosen the squared rubble finish. Go on over to the Scalescenes site and take a look for yourselves, it’s brilliant.

I will update you as I go and let you see how I get along.

Until Next Time…….

Chris  

Better Late, Than Never!

Here it is then, the latest project for Wynyard Lane. It is the Warehouse/Factory T026 from scalescenes. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to bring it to you but, I’ve had major computer problems. To the point it has had to be totally flattened and re-built. Subsequently I have lost a lot of my editing software and programs, so I’ve had to start all over. Being without my laptop was like having right arm cut off. I don’t just use it for pleasure but I use it for work as well.

Well here it is. I have never seen so many windows! I have definitely got cutter outers finger.

Any way after lot of cutting and cursing I eventually got all of the walls and windows cut out and got them all mounted together to create the finished walls. All the hard work, I think you’ll agree was worth it.

Just when I thought all the hard work was done and I just had to put it all together, I forgot about all the windows and doors. Thirty eight windows to be precise and ten doors.

Not only is there great outside detail, but as with all scalescenes models, the interior is just as good.

The next stage is to build the interior, even though it won’t be seen and pull all of the walls together.

Until next time…….

Chris

FIVE GRAND

I feel that I must post this to thank all of the people out there who take the time to look at my humble blog. When I started the blog back in the summer, I never imagined that so many people would be interested in watching me building my loft layout and my scalescenes models. I feel humbled when I think that I have had 5000 hits. Thank you all so much. There are times when I just can’t be bothered when I get in from work to pick up my craft knife. But I then think that people are out there  looking at my blog and waiting for an update on the progress. That it inspires me to get off of my backside and do something. I am sure that that can only be a good thing. Once again can I thank you all for helping me achieve 5000 hits.

It has been a bit hectic at work recently and I genuinely have not had time to either blog or even pick up the knife, but I promise I will get something on over the weekend as I am off work. First lie in for 20 days. That is if I don’t get called out for the fire brigade!! Here’s  hoping.

Until Next Time…….

Chris

Daylight Lamp & Flashlight……

The very clever people at www.uk.daylightcompany.com asked my wife Jak if she would be willing to try out one of their new and innovative products. It was a very handy product indeed. Not only is it a nifty portable battery powered desk lamp, ideal for crafting. It also boasts a very bright flashlight.

Well I’m afraid I had to get in on the act.

I often use Jak’s other daylight lamp, especially when I’m taking photo’s for my blog, and when my eyes are particularly tired. I use it, as it gives a very clean crisp light and it gives true colours. But it isn’t always set up were I need it, so, when this portable light came along I had to have a go. Maybe I wasn’t expecting the lamp to preform like it’s big brother, but believe me it does. Granted it isn’t as powerful as the mains powered lamp but, for a portable battery powered lamp, it was more than adequate. It has a whopping 28 LED’s on the main light and it has 6 LED’s for the flashlight. It will last for up to 6 hours on just 3 AA batteries.

As you can see it is a very compact size and doesn’t take up a great deal of room on your desk or workbench. You can see from the picture above, it gives a flood of clear white light to illuminate your work. Ideal when cutting out intricate detail.

I’ve had a LED torch before and didn’t rate it at all, as the light it gave was not more than a couple of candles and it spent most of the time at the bottom of my tool box, redundant.

This handy torch has 6 LED’s and gives, like the main light, a good flood of clear bright light. Very handy for those jobs around the house, garage or shown below, the shed. (Trust me when I say that no fuses were harmed in the making of this review) 

In summary, this handy lamp and flash light has got to be one of the brightest portable lamps run off 3 AA batteries on the market, and to have a flashlight into the bargain, Brilliant. I think that Jak may have just lost this handy light.

For those of you who are interested, the picture at the top of this post is the latest project I have started from scalescenes. It is the Factory Warehouse T026. As you can see there is a lot of intricate and repetitive cutting out. I’m sure the end result will be worth it. Drop by again to find out how I get on.

Until next time…….

Chris

N.E.D.C.C Update….

Just a quick update on the North East Dicast Collectors Fair yesterday at Birtley.

First of all I would like to thank all of you that came to see me and introduce yourselves in my little classroom along the corridor. I was out of the hustle and bustle of the main halls, but that suited me just fine. A quiet little haven to showcase my models and build a new one for the collection and on the plus side, I could talk in peace to all you who had questions about scalescenes products. One of the most frequent questions I was asked was “What did I print my images on” Well I can tell you I don’t print onto plain paper, I print onto A4 Address Labels. These are readily available from any stationary store or off the internet. They may be a little more expensive than printing onto paper but, it eliminates sticking the images onto the board with glue and getting the dreaded air bubbles. Plus once mounted onto the board you can work immediately with that piece. No waiting for the glue to dry. I also find that using a glue stick causes me problems, because the glue tends to dry rather quickly and on larger areas, this can mean reapplying a couple of times before getting the image mounted. Anyway this is my preference, we all have our own opinions on what is best.

The model I decided to build was the Garage T017 in brown brick. I wanted to try and complete a project in one day, so that the visitors could see a “start to finish” build. Unfortunately I didn’t manage it, but I nearly did, it only took me about an hour to complete last night and it looks great. 

Once again thanks for all of your support yesterday as well as here on my blog.

I am trying a new format for showing my pictures and I’m not sure. What do you think. Please leave a comment. Thank you.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday.

 

N.E.D.C.C. Birtley VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

And some pictures of the Garage all finished.

Garage T017 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Until next time……

Chris

Quayside………

Well I finally got round to making a quayside for the “Iberian Trader”. It isn’t the final one that will be used on Wynyard Lane but, I wanted to get some sort quay built for the NEDCC Toy Fair on Saturday. It is built from the scalescenes kit T016 Dock Edge. Again so simple to construct, but so effective! The kit can be built as long or as short as you require, and with the addition of the cobbled stone or concrete quayside, it makes a quite effective scene.

It all starts with making the Pilings, these come in a choice of either concrete or timber. I chose the timber as it fits my period.

Please excuse the quality of the pictures, as I have had to use another computer with different photo software and it isn’t as good. Anyway you get the gist.

After the pilings come the quay walls. Again you have a choice of either Stone, Concrete or Brick to suit your needs. I chose the stone as it is similar to the quayside at Seaham Docks where I work. It’s just print – stick- cut out, how easy.There is a choice of quayside of either Cobble Stones or Oil Stained Concrete. You guessed it, I chose the Cobbles.This is just a sample piece, the full size is just short of A4. So quite easy to cover a large area.

Next it’s just a butt joint to the wall and the quay.

Here comes the interesting bit. You have an option of building into the wall some steps. Very effective I think you’ll agree. I have built the steps but I did not put it on the finished model, as I said before, this is just for a display at the toy fair on Saturday. The completed set will go onto Wynyard Lane Dock at a later date.

Here is my finished effort I put together for display purposes. Very effective I think.

As you can see I have inset the track under the cobbles for an authentic Quayside effect.

You can see the finished display at the NEDCC toy fair at Chester le Street on Saturday if you are coming.

I haven’t decided what I am building on Saturday yet. Better get a shifty on.

Until then…….

Chris

N.E.D.C.C

The North East Diecast Collectors Club is holding a Toy Fair on Saturday 15th October. The venue is North Lodge School, North Rd. Chester le Street, County Durham DH3 4BB.(Between the Lambton Worm and the Barley Mow Pubs)

The Fair will be open to the public from 10:00am until  3:00pm and admission is only £1 for Adults and 50p for Children and OAPs.

Along with the Toy Fair there will be a display by the North East Meccano Society, (well worth a look) and a Vintage Vehicle Display(Full size, not models!!)

I am also popping along to display some of my scalescenes models and demonstrating building a model.

Hope to see you there…….

Chris

Finished Terrace….

Well I eventually finished the T020 Terraced Houses from scalescenes which is more than I can say about my house. The story of the Artex on my staircase just rolls on and on!! For those of you who follow my Wife’s facebook will no doubt know, I am taking off some Artex that has been on our staircase for 25 yrs. After several failed attempts and methods, I have eventually found an effective way of removing the said stubborn Artex. With an industrial steamer, a very sharp scraper and a whole lot of sweat and swearing. About two thirds of the way through the job I managed to slice through the main power supply to the first floor with the afore mentioned very sharp scraper. Luckily, I was wearing a very thick pair of insulated gloves because of blisters I had off the week before and never felt a thing!!

Anyway, enough of my problems let’s see the finished terrace.

This build differs from the Small Terraced Houses T022 as it has three storeys and bay windows…..

I also like the fact that these houses have a small front and back wall….

Right, before all of the eagle eyed of you out there pick up on a fault, I will tell you where it is. Look at the right hand side back wall, I managed to glue the section on upside down(whoops). Once I had realized it was too late, the glue had totally set. I blame the trauma I’d suffered from the cutting through the electric cable for the error.

Still I managed to half rectify the problem by removing and replacing the window sills from the top, back to the bottom of the windows and when the houses eventually go onto Wynyard Lane, you will not see the back anyway (PHEEEW)….

All it needs now is its chimney pots and then its finished….

The next project, is making the quayside walls for the dock I intend to have at Wynyard Lanes Port and industrial section.

Until next time……

Chris

Terraced Houses……

I do apologise for not posting for so long, but I have had problems with my computer. All fixed now (touch wood).

This is the project I was building at the Bowburn Show. It is the Terraced Houses T020 from scalescenes . It is similar to the Small Terraced Houses T022. I must admit I get a lot of pleasure out of building these Terraces. You can incorporate as much or as little detail as you want. The large range of interior features is so comprehensive, every thing from carpets and rugs to pictures and bookcases.

The carcase is a very sturdy construction and serves itself well as a solid base to build upon.

This is as far as I got at the show. I was going to keep it in this state until the next show in October and then carry on from there, but I just couldn’t help myself and had to continue…..

I’ve managed to get as far as putting on the roofs and the chimneys stacks. This is a slow process, as the slates are all put on in individual rows. A little fiddly, but the effect is very good.This build has even got the option of sky lights……

The next step is to build the front façades along with the bay windows. I will get these done as soon as possible and show you, but I have some DIY I have to do on my own house first. I have some 25 year old Artex to take off a very large staircase.

Until next time……..

Chris

Sundays Fair at Bowburn…..

Well it’s finally done and dusted, and it was not as painful as I had expected.

I had a bit of a dilemma on what to build at the show. I had planned to build the Low Relief Cinema and Department Store (T006) from scalescenes, but I got building on Wednesday night and before I knew it they were finished!! The build was so quick and easy I just lost myself. Although it was quick, it didn’t mean it had lost any detail. I still managed to take some pictures while I was whizzing along………

I told you it was quick…

It just had to be my two favourite films that were showing at the ODEON. For the eagle eyed of you out there may just know that the two films were made six years apart. The Great Escape 1963 and The Italian Job 1969. I’m sorry but it just had to be.

After the cinema I attacked the department store. And would you believe it, that just flew up as well…..

The basic structure is the same as the cinema. It’s just the façades that are different…..

So because these were finished in just a couple of nights I had to find something else to build. I chose the Terraced Houses (T020) These will fit in nicely at Wynyard Lane. I got all of my printing done on Saturday night, changed all of my blades in my knives and loaded up the car with all my models ready for Sunday.

When I arrived at Bowburn I was met by the organiser Frank and he showed me to my table. I’m pleased it was not in the main hall but in a second, smaller hall adjacent to the main hall. Plus this was where the cafe was.

Once set up I got a cup of tea and away I went. The morning absolutely flew passed and I met loads of people interested in my models and scalescenes. People could not believe that they were all downloaded from the internet. One poor old chap couldn’t understand how I got all of the models off of the printer. Bless him.

There was one gentleman who came up to my table and was studying the large station. He stood for what seemed to be ages just staring at it. I asked him if he liked it, and he informed me that he was building one himself. He wanted to study it so he could see how his would end up.

You could guarantee every time I had something all glued up and ready to stick, someone would ask me a question, but I’m pleased they did. I was so worried I would be sat all on my own all day. I wanted to get some pictures of myself working away, but I was so busy answering questions and showing techniques, before I knew it, it was nearly time to pack up and go. The time time just flew passed and I didn’t get my pictures. I managed to get some as everyone was packing away. I suppose any are better than none…..

As you can see the Department Store and Cinema go really well with the High Street……

Andrew, my work mate, just couldn’t help himself. He deposited an old Binns Truck in front of the Cinema. Unfortunately he took it home with him…….

In summary I have to say I really enjoyed myself. I can’t wait until the next show at Birtley in October. For everyone I met and had a chat with, I hope you have as much fun and get as much satisfaction as I do building these Scalescenes Models.

Until next time……..

Chris

Bowburn Toy & Train Collectors Fair.

Just a quick note for anybody who may be interested, I am going to the Toy and Train Collectors Fair at Bowburn on Sunday 4th September. I have been asked to display my models and to do a demonstration of building a model. So if you want to see the models in the flesh, so to speak, you know where I am. If you do come along and you follow my Blog, please introduce yourself, it would be nice to meet you.

The address is Bowburn Community Centre, Durham Rd, Bowburn, County Durham. DH6 5AT.

It is just off  junction 61 of the A1m.

It is open to the public between 10:00hrs and 14:30hrs.

Might see you there…….

Chris

Finished at last……

And not a moment to spare. It’s gone to the wire, but it’s finished now. I might have complained a lot about building these shops but I’m pleased I have built them. It has given me a chance to take a trip down memory lane. The name of the shops are a mixture of semi modern shops local to where I live, and shops from my childhood. I had great fun trying to remember those obscure shop names from the past. 

Again, I’m blown away by the detail in this kit from scalescenes. Calverts is still my favourite shop, even though it took me the longest due to all the fine cutting out.

I even had a bit of fun with one of my old buses…..

There is a story about this bus. Many moons ago in my dark and distant past, I used to be a bus driver and I actually drove this bus. It’s number was 3662. The service it is on is the 220 between Sunderland and Durham, and I often drove this route. During my time as a driver I started to collect Corgi Buses. Well my collection grew and grew, and before I knew it I had about 60 to 70. I had them displayed in two display cabinets on the living room wall. But this was getting to be to much. All of the dusting and cleaning. So when my Great Nephew Dylan came along, I decided to give them away to him. Every time Dylan came to visit he would be asked if he wanted a bus to take home. Well, I don’t think there was one occasion he didn’t leave with a hand full. Fortunately he has kept them at his Nanas, and subsequently been played with by not just Dylan, but my Grandson Jack and my other Great Nephew Alfie. I’m pleased they are not behind glass anymore, but been played with by happy young playful Boys.

So what became of 3662?

I had to keep it for myself. I couldn’t bring myself to part with it, even to my Grandson Jack. Maybe one day.

Until next time…….

Chris