More Trees!

 A woodland tree

 close up!

 A Cowboy and Indian Tree

 Snow Tree with Radko Decor

 Santa!

 A gold and red tree with angels for a client

 

 

                                               
The clients front porch

I usually decorate 6 trees in my own home, sometimes more! The client above had her own decor and I was charged with putting random stuff together. But really, that is fun!

Trees!

The Music Tree

 

 

 

Hot Wheels Tree

The Festival of trees & lights is a Gala to benefit the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada.
I partnered with the lead designer to come up with this tree. We only had a week. The ornaments are glass with melted crayons inside for color. Melted with a hair dryer...Yes it took forever, but got the marbling I wanted. Cars are just wired to the track. They auction these trees, so I did not want to ruin the track. Squares are photocopies found on the Internet and mounted on craft foam.A few odds and ends from a party store too. Hard to see at the top, but there is a miniature traffic light which blinks.

It's November

So I am currently putting away the last of Halloween and thinking about Christmas. Yes, I have to start now. I like to get it done before the first of December, so I can enjoy it. There is always a party, concert, get-together that keeps me from finishing everything. I have at least 6 to 8 trees in the house. Here are some pictures from years past.

Vulture Hill 2013

A young couple stopped by tonight and knocked on my door. They could not get over the yard display. I thanked them and they asked for advice on how to improve the their own display. Its hard to give advice on something I haven't seen, so I promised to stop by. It's nice to know that there are others who share in my passion.

 A night shot with my camera. Not as red as it looks...

 Hidden behind the skulls is a small speaker than screams when anyone steps on the mat.
 Skellie wasn't cleaning up his act, so.......made a bar of soap.

 "BoomTown"

Building a Ghost Town 10

95% done...for now
A few extra details and I will call it done.

 New entrance sign

 The singer and his banking buddy.

What big nuggets you have.....

 What's left of the Earp brothers.

 I know......he has no boots on. I need to find him some.

 Half of the yard.

Building a Ghost Town 9

Long day!
Placing skellie's and props. Some lighting done, but not all. Do not have a great camera so night shots are all flash.....

 He's a pickin' and a grinin'...

 Now THAT'S a bath bomb.....

Hello, Lookin' fer a good time?

Building a Ghost Town 8

Windy Today!
Got the roof on the saloon Thursday.
Did some re-paint and such. Not so much today.
Worked inside as the wind is making my allergies act up.
A better close up of the Balcony Bride.

Hard to see the face in the mirror, but it's there....

Building a Ghost Town 7

The "bathhouse" is semi-complete. Still needs it's sign and canvas roof.
The saloon  has a second story, but no roof.
Tomorrow is gonna be busy..

  A low and far away shot, but the Balcony Bride is at her mirror waiting for Mr Wrong....

Building a Ghost Town 6

Tombstones went in today. Of course, that took longer than expected as I had to touch-up or attach new supports. Added the gold nuggets to the minecart, but still waffling on placement.

Building a Ghost Town 5

Not a lot done today. Ugh..So hot today. What happened to Fall?
 Did get the faux barbwire fence up.

The tracks and minecart are in place in front of the mine but not detailed yet.Tomorrow.....

Building a Ghost Town 4

The Set-up begins. Not sure of the palcement of the  buildings. I may move things around in a day or two. Saloon still needs it's roof and mine needs its back. Interiors will start when everything is set.

Building a Ghost Town 3

The start of the "Lost Wages Mine"
This is a do-over of the facade I used 2 years ago.
More detail to follow, after it is put in place.

Building a Ghost Town 2

This is a reworking of the Bank bldg. It will have a porch roof and details to follow.

 

Day 2

Building a Ghost Town

Working on a remake of my Saloon. Ugh. Just a note. I am no carpenter, so sometimes its trial and error. In the end it all works out,and I still have all my fingers. This is a good thing. First picture in the base/1st floor. 2nd is the 2ndfloor/front. It will be 10ft tall when its done. I pray we do not have 50 mile-a-hour winds this October. Otherwise ,it will be doing it's impression of Dorothy's house in the Wizard of Oz. Still needs a roof and porch detail. It will get there.

First new Halloween Prop

So I made this today.
I needed a piece to fill in the Bride scene in my Halloween display. It is on a balcony above the garage ,so it will not be seen up close. I could have made it functional, but maybe next time. Its just foamcore and paint.
Thanks to TheJacksonManor.com for the 13hr clock face. 

 Below is the original clock I copied.

Halloween Yard Haunt 2013

So this year, I will hopefully posting the process to transform the yard into the 2013 Halloween display of Vulture Hill.  A few pictures from last year to give you a hint of what to expect.