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The show must go on......Opening Act

Remembrance Day 2020 - Animal Heroes

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Remembrance Day 2019

Sir Isaac Brock died during the battle of Queenston Heights, aged 43. He was tall, standing 6 foot 2 inches, and was a commanding figure.
He is considered a Canadian hero, especially in the Niagara region. An ambitious man, he rose through the ranks from ensign at age 15 to major-general when he died. Many of his promotions were during peacetime, an unusual feat.
His elevation to a knighthood was in recognition of his role in the capture of Detroit. Sadly, he died before he knew of this promption. His legendary hat had been ordered from Britain and arrived after his death.
Here is a depiction of him before the battle, surveying the situation.

I found this figure at a garage sale, minus sword and hat. Made something for him to stand on, furnished him with a weapon from my stash, and made him a replica of his famous hat.

School Daze

Some of us look back on school days with nostalgia, and some not so much. School rooms give lots of challenges, for both design and construction.
Our mini group decided to create a 50’s primary school room.
This is our inspiration.

First came the desks. In my stash, I had a desk part, which was our starting off point. From this came the pattern.

And the prototype done with card.

Then to cut out a gazillion pierces of desk legs from cardboard., glue 6 together.

Coat with wood hardener. (This is optional. I don’t think it made the paper that much stiffer!) Sand edges smooth

The card prototype

This is the underside with supports for the book shelf.

And the other side showing supports to fasten the seat.

Now for the real thing. The pieces before being gessoed and then painted.

Clamping jig setup, painted pieces in place.

What do you think of the wood used for the desk? Can you believe it is made from foam core?  Just cut to shape and sand the edges. Use a steel brush to create the texture. I have a tiny one I found at a garage sale, but you could use a pet brush. The ink wells are air dry clay, rolled thin and cut to shape with a large straw. Place on double sided tape, glue a small bead on top, allow to dry and paint the whole thing black. Then glue in place.

Several coats of Modge Podge and the desks are ready for occupants.

All the desks in line. Notice anything? We had planned for 6 students, and there are only 4 seats! Doggone!  Back to the drawing board to make 2 more seats. Cut down the desk supports to make a chair, went through the whole process again.

Now the kids in the back have a seat.

Remember those blinds that would all of a sudden flip up and make a terrible racket as the spring took control? They were never straight, either!

 

This was a fun project.

Remembrance Day 2018

This year is the centenary of the Armistice signalling the end of the Great War, with hopes that this kind of carnage would never happen again. Well, we know how that went!

This is an excellent article explaining what reality was like on the battlefield. Imagine not being able to tend to your wounded friend, who would have to wait for the stretcher bearers! Attack at all cost!
Many conscientious objectors were allowed to play in a non-combatant role as  a stretcher bearer, not participating in the slaughter, but providing aid and comfort to the wounded.
http://guysboroughgreatwarveterans.blogspot.com/2013/07/stretcher-bearers.html

The bravery and dedication of the stretcher bearers who risked life and limb to rescue wounded and dying soldiers is recognized in this painting by Brian Lorimer.

http://www.projectremembrance.ca/in-flanders/

https://www.brianlorimer.com/project-remembrance/

This is a room box with poppies in the foreground using Brian Lorimer’s painting as backdrop.