Christmas Prop Contest Discussion

[larry]

Whoohoo! Time for a contest. This is the main discussion thread.

Official rules can be found here:
http://www.christmasfanclub.com/showthread.php?t=1136

Thanks all in advance for your participation.

Thank you to all of the fantastic sponsors for their support.

Christmas-LEDs.com (http://www.christmas-leds.com/) - "We offer a large variety of LED lights, rope light, wire frames with and without lights and accessories."

Winkelbottoms.com (http://winkelbottoms.com/) is a small custom wire frame company that is composed of myself and my autistic step sons. We offer stock frames that are built to order."

RC Creations (http://rccreations.blogspot.com/)- From ornaments for the tree to decorations in the yard, Christmas to Halloween, RC Creations offers the best hand-made, customized decorations for any occasion."

and our member Carrie, who has years of experience reconditioning, repairing, collecting and teaching about her passion of blow molds.

Thank you Sickie Ickie for all of your help with implementing this contest.

[Sickie Ickie]

This is bound to be a blast with all the great prop makers we have here! :D

Check out the prizes! http://www.christmasfanclub.com/showthread.php?t=1136

[putrid]

Totally cool! Count me in! Those ornaments from RC Creations look a lot like the late 1800's to early 1900's German "End Of Days". Cool looking ornaments! All the prizes are cool.

Now I gota think of what I want to make....and not go over $25.

[Sickie Ickie]

Putrid, have a pic of those antiques? I'd love to see them!

[Frosty]

I have a idea but i already have a few controllers that i would need to use that i have had for years and years and wondering what the restrictions are on this. Ones a 3 plugin with remote that does effects and the other one is a rope light and such controller. Can i use these without adding to price or what. How would this work?

[Sickie Ickie]

Good questions Frosty. I think (unless Larry says otherwise) that all costs has to be added to meet the challenge and level the field,

For example, someone may build a prop that drops from the trees, but the cost of that prop for the competition is the prop + controller + servo, etc (because that prop won't work without the controller and motors).

Now, after having said that, I can say that there's still 2 ways you could still enter that prop... 1) as a static one, since it not moving it does NOT depend on the extra cost for controllers, etc. Then you still build to meet your needs, or can complete it after competition.

or 2) You can add the cost of your motor/controller, etc. if you can figure out how to build your prop with whatever remaining moola so you won't go over the $25 budget.

Hard, eh? Yepper, this is what makes it a challenge! :p

[EnlightenedGrinch]

This has to be a prop for INSIDE the house, as opposed to an outdoor prop??
I'm more an outdoor prop maker myself.

[Frosty]

Me too but put your thinking cap on and make a typical outside prop a inside prop like i did :)

This has to be a prop for INSIDE the house, as opposed to an outdoor prop??
I'm more an outdoor prop maker myself.

[EnlightenedGrinch]

YEA, that's true. Thanks for the tip. I'm going to come up with something eventually. I need to finish up my Scary Christmas contest entry for the HalloweenForum first. LOL

[Frosty]

When i saw that contest it was at 3 am and i was like oh no! what do i do then it hit me and i was done by 4am :) <==-ToeTag

EDIT: What i meant by that was not that i was done so fast but when you least expect ideas to come to you thats when they do.

[putrid]

I got some questions for ya,
How much of the prop can be found or free materials? The body and outside of the main structure would be lawn scraps. These have to be used in order to get the look. However the base of this will be made out of 1/4 inch ply that I got free. The base of the sean would also me made out of dumpster wood.
I don't know how much I spent on one item but do know where I got it. ( and ya'll know me. the only way I'd get it is if I got it cheap. LOL) Would this be fair? Go to Ebay and average the winning price of 6 or 7 of this item and use that as the cost?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I get more things put together.

[putrid]

Putrid, have a pic of those antiques? I'd love to see them!

Sorry Sickie Ickie, I don't own any of these. Only seen them. Every once in a wile you can see pics of them on Ebay. Kinda be REALLY cool if a box of these went up for auction and nobody but me knew what they were. I love to dream cheap! LOL

[larry]

Prop can NOW be indoor or outdoor!

If you recieved something at no cost / free = it should be considered 30% of retail cost
thrift store price= what you paid
paint, glue, glitter and usables= prorated

costs should be of the items themselves...not tax or shipping.

[Sickie Ickie]

LOL Beat me to it, Larry! :D

[putrid]

YIKES! When I bought these deer you couldn't open a page on Ebay with out seeing them. Now only 3 have been offered and sold. Average price of $13.65!!! Because I don't know how much I spent for mine I'm going to have to go with this price.

I'm wanting to make a split twig sleigh. What would be a fair price for stuff I pick up off my lawn? LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

I think we can safely say twigs and sticks and rocks and leaves are free. ;)

[EnlightenedGrinch]

Prop can NOW be indoor or outdoor!
Alright!! Good news! Thanks, Larry!!

[putrid]

That's good news Sickie Ickie! With the deer being $13.65 the rest of the prop might have to be made out of rocks and leaves. LOL That still leaves me $11.35 to do the rest. Not a problem. Bread clay, paper mache and I've got a dremel so I might carve a few of the toys out of sticks as well. Like my folk art ornaments only smaller. Even if I use $35 material for the Santa. Be only about a 6x6 piece. Comes to less than .65.

So has anyone else started? I've already worked out a ruff estimate of the sleigh size. Did it by figuring out how tall the Santa would be if he stood next to the deer I plan to use. Then used % in comparison to my height and measurements wile sitting in a chair. Then I did comparisons with pictures I have of real old German twig sleights to get the over all size.
Now I plan on going threw Ebay to look at harnesses for the deer. I'll check out what's been done and chose what will look good with this set up. I've got a few old Santas with sleigh and reindeer. I've never looked at the harnesses on the deer. LOL

I have pictures of paper trees. Done in the same manner as real feather trees. I might start by figuring out how to make them.

This is something I've wanted to make for myself anyway. So win or loose I'll still have one.

GAME IS ON DUDES!

[bethene]

what a great contest, now if I can only think of something to make! I am not up there with the mechical stuff, but do try with the halloween things. I need to get the imagination going.

[Frosty]

My entry should be posted tonight :)

[Sickie Ickie]

Yepper, and it looks great. :)

[putrid]

Totally cool. I still got a long way to go before I have anything complete enough to show. Still figuring out how to make it. LOL

[bethene]

I actually came up with a possibility, but don't want to seem like I am copying Putrid, I have a wooden sleigh that my cousins hubby made for me a few years ago that has been sitting in the basement collecting dust waiting for me to do something with it, I have a idea of how I want it painted, with poinsettas and holly, ( I do decorative painting) and maybe fill it with ever greens, and maybe have a santa by it, It is about 1 1/2 to 2 feet long, about 12 inches wide. i dont know. Is that too much like Putrids, and also, cuz I had it for a while, can I use it? even though I haven't fixed it like I wanted it, it is just a all over red, ugly ! Any way, feed back is appreciated, if It is too much like Putrids or cuz I already had it, I have a couple of other ideas in mind too,

[putrid]

Bethene not at all. In fact if you wanted to make a Santa for it and don't have a head you could follow the instructions on my Santa face and body, (when I figure out how I'm going to do it. LOL) to make yours. You'd have to make it bigger to fit your sleigh. After all the spirit of this site is sharing and learning from each other. And according to the rules you can use some store bought stuff. It'd have to go past the officials but the sleigh could be considered pre made or store bought. Like my deer you'd have to find and put a fare value on it. And in the rules all it says is one of the items needs to be hand made by you.

I have another question. It's about how the rules are worded. Is the entire piece supposed to be under $25 or just the hand made parts of it?

Bethene, You do know this will all be OK till you win. That's when I'll throw a tantrum like a 3 year old. But we live far enough apart. I don't think you'll hear it. LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

The entire piece is supposed to be under $25, Putrid. :)

"the sleigh could be considered pre made or store bought. Like my deer you'd have to find and put a fare value on it."

Putrid hit the nail on the head in that one sentence. Adding something hand-constructed to the piece would meet the criteria. For instance, painted pottery solders that use the terra cotta plant pots would be considered much the same thing.

And, no. I don't think that would be too close to Putrid's. If we couldn't do a piece because someone else was doing something, imagine what limitations we'd have! It's already a challenge. We're not trying to make it impossible! :D

[bethene]

well, I did buy it, from my cousins hubby, he makes them to sell, so I would just put theat price on it. I also have some porclein santa heads, form when I used to make old fashioned santas for craft shows, I was going to use one of them, and add the price, but will make his body and clothes, and paint the sleigh, I don't know what I am putting in the sleigh for sure, maybe a toy bag, I don't know, np deer though. Ok, will have to get ready to do this, and take the pics of it. so I guess that is what I am doing. I was also looking at my paint pattern books for other ideas, so something else might jump put at me, but I think I might do this.
Putrid,you, throw a tantrum ?!? Not you, surely!!

[putrid]

I can cuss like a hung over sailer on a stormy Sunday morning. But I have to do it standing up. If I fell to the floor kicking and flailing my arms around I'd need help back up. LOL Looking forward to seeing what you come up with Bethene.

In a Halloween prop challenge where you'd have a multitude of icons to choose from. For Christmas there's only a hand full. So similar ideas should be expected.

[Sickie Ickie]

Okay, I figured out what I'm gonna do. I'm making a flying angel.

I already bought a doll baby at a thrift store, but my 4 yr old has decided it's his. (sigh) So I may have to buy some more.

I'm also going to try using one of the motors from the singing chicken I told you guys I bought in the after Christmas sales.

[putrid]

She has the body of an Angel but the voice of a chicken. JK LOL

Totally cool Sickie Ickie. Looking forward to see it.

[Sickie Ickie]

Me too. LOL I have to get a multimeter tonight to see how many volts and amps are getting to the motor before I dismember it. Pluck the motor, so to speak. LOL

[larry]

Lots of lurkers.... More entries...more entries more entries..:)

[bethene]

Sickie, that sounds cool, can't wait to see what you do with it

[Sickie Ickie]

Me too, B. :)

Who else is joining the competition?

[EnlightenedGrinch]

I'm planning on making something. Just haven't figured out WHAT yet. Hmmmmmm......

[Just Whisper]

I'm trying to clean my bedroom closet. It'll probably take me 3 months. Unless i find something in the closet I didn't know i had that i can use for the competition, it aint gonna happen. And if you guys don't hear from me in a couple days....the closet monster probably ate me. Hmmmmm...maybe I can use him on the HF for that competition...LOL Plus my husband went and put the S2000 back in the garage after I put away all the halloween and christmas stuff, so I can't get to my tools or craft stuff now. But i will have fun watching you guys.

[Sickie Ickie]

*Sound of trumpet blowing*
Hear Ye Hear Ye

Only ~5 1/2 weeks left.

:D

[bethene]

oh man,. I keep thinking I have alot of time. I also came up with a different idea, see have that pans out. Hopefully get started this week end,

[putrid]

5 and 1/2 weeks!!! I love procrastination. LOL Cool Bethene. Looking forward to seeing your entry.

[bethene]

I just couldn't decide what to make, but once I do get going i hopefully will move right along. And yup, procrastinate is what I do best!

[Sickie Ickie]

Start procrastinating tomorrow. LOL

[EnlightenedGrinch]

I'm still wracking my brain trying to figure out what to make.............

[Sickie Ickie]

tick tick tick. :p

[Sickie Ickie]

16 days to go! no rush. :p

[Frosty]

For the ones that are having a hard time comming up with what to do heres a few projects i have been thinking about that might jump start the imagination.

A land here sign (i still have not finished mine)
a holiday mailbox or dear santa letter box in your yard.
make your own wire frames that says something like happy holidays or what ever.
A lighted ladder for the chimney with two boots sticking out of chimney with a flood light on them.
Tree ornaments hand crafted can get all the stuff you need at a craftstore
Make a wreath that says happy at the top with blinking lights and holidays at the bottom.

Well thats a few ideas for now i hope that helps to get the juices flowing
Good luck :)

[Sickie Ickie]

great ideas! You can also visit the SP site for some as well. :)

[theedwin]

Does the cost of the newspaper add to the cost of the prop? (I am guessing not, since you CAN get free newspapers.)

I have my idea, I have 1/3 of what I think I need. I can't post anything yet since I haven't quite started my "real" idea and haven't taken a picture of a newspaper yet.... But Tomorrow! Watch out Boys! (and Girls!) (and by "Tomorrow" I mean today since tomorrow is today already...)

Here's a clue, it has something to do with "flying" reindeer!

Edwin

[Sickie Ickie]

Newspaper does not figure into the cost. heh

Is it flying reindeer "apples" ? LOL

14 days to go folks...tick tick tick :D

[larry]

correct. yes...tick..tick...tick. Get those entries in!

[Sickie Ickie]

12 days left and 3 people entered so far.

If anyone else wants to jump in, now's the time!

Did'ja see the prizes? :D
http://www.christmasfanclub.com/showthread.php?t=1136

[EnlightenedGrinch]

OK, I finally figured out what project I want to build.
I'm glad we have until March 19, 2010 to finish or I'd be sweatin' it!!

[theedwin]

ROFL!!

Good thing you're not sweating it Enlightened!

[putrid]

OK, I finally figured out what project I want to build.
I'm glad we have until March 19, 2010 to finish or I'd be sweatin' it!!

LOL Probably the time I'll be done with mine as well.

[Sickie Ickie]

yay enlightenedgrinch! :D

[EnlightenedGrinch]

:eek::exclaim::mad:
Uh-oh! I just had my lawyer read the rules. March 19, 2009!
Sheep Dip!!! Looks like I'm in for an all-nighter!!

[Sickie Ickie]

We're routin' for ya! :D

[larry]

Get R done! Still time..Still time..Be great to have more great entries.

[EnlightenedGrinch]

I think I'll have it in under the wire. The hard part was trying to paint all of the colors on all of the pieces in one day. Now I just need to put it back together and see if it still works.

[Sickie Ickie]

Let me guess...Christmas Dentures! :D

[Sickie Ickie]

Ending time: TONIGHT March 19, 2009 at 11:59 pm.

I'm not eligible, but I wasn't able to make it. I applaud those who will finish on time!

[EnlightenedGrinch]

Let me guess...Christmas Dentures! :D

:confused::confused:
Whaaaa????

[Sickie Ickie]

LOL Lack of sleep make SI go funny. :D

[Scare Shack]

Them entries are very cool to say the least.
I dont think I can vote as I cant pick, I like them all.
Hummm....this is though voting for me. Your all winners in my eyes.

On that note, I dont know if this is allowed, but to show my spirit for the holiday and all the nice creations I would like to donate a 4th prize gift card. Have to see if thats allowed.

I wanted to enter, but had no time to make my animated reindeer chewing on.....

Let me know on the 4th prize offer.

[Sickie Ickie]

That would be very generous of you, Scare Shack. Please send me a PM with more info. Thank you. :D

[Scare Shack]

I’m personally going to send the 4th place winner a gift card in the amount of $15 to the following of choice.
Joann Fabric and Craft Store or Michaels / AC-Moore.

I’m offering this out of the love for what you all do with building and décor.

This prize will be mailed in the form of a gift card of your choice(see above)in the amount of $15.

Please let me know via email which store your prefer your gift card to .
Gift card will be mailed within a period no longer than 1 week of receiving mailing info.

[larry]

I think that is very generous. Hopefully nobody has a problem with this.

Thanks much.

[Scare Shack]

Anytime. The entries are great to say the least.

Please let me know if an issue with this. This is for fourth place prize.

Thanks

[putrid]

And because we only have 4 entries I HAVE A CHANCE!!! Totally cool Scare Shack.

[Just Whisper]

Wow Scare, that is so sweet of you. Wish I had had time to enter. And I agree...everyone did a fantastic job on their creations. It was really hard to pick just one. But on the bright side, each person who entered is now one more prop closer to having Christmas done. LOL

[EnlightenedGrinch]

Wow, thanks a lot Scare Shack!!
I think you might be turning into a regular philanthropist!! LOL
(Did I spell that right?)

[EnlightenedGrinch]

And because we only have 4 entries I HAVE A CHANCE!!! Totally cool Scare Shack.

Oh, c'mon Putrid!! A CHANCE? If the prize was awarded for most time and effort put into their prop you'd already BE the winner! :) :littlepresent: