Something different: helmet progress

The thought occurs that I haven't posted any progress pictures in a while. I'm to the point where I'm decorating the thing, even though I probably could have done just a little more smoothing and sanding. I'm quite proud of how this is turning out, and at the same time I want to make another, better one.

I'm done, here, with re-creating anything used in a movie. The paint job is my own unique art. Folks who know me may recognize the significance of the design in the right side of the blue stripe.

The subconscious is amazing

Last week, I drew a shape that I wanted to make with pentominoes. It was the right size -- 60 square units in area -- but I didn't know if the 12 pentomino shapes could really be arranged to fill it. I stayed up late one night trying to solve the puzzle (and late for me is pretty late indeed), but had no success. When I decided it was time for a nap, I reminded myself that my subconscious mind would keep working on the problem.

Last night, I pulled out the drawing again, and my little set of pentominoes. I picked the pieces up and laid them on the outline, one by one, and suddenly, there was the completed figure in front of me. It didn't take as long as it's taken me to write about it. I threw my head back and laughed, because I was so surprised. I wish someone had been there to see, but they wouldn't have believed that I didn't have the solution memorized in advance. Which, in a way, I suppose I did -- I'm convinced that some part of my brain really had been working it out all week.

But did I make a conscious decision to sit down and try the puzzle again -- or did that part of my brain decide that it was ready, with my conscious mind just along for the ride?

I have a costume piece in mind for this pentomino arrangement. You'll see it again, if all goes well.

You saw it here first!

Here's my brand-new, never-worn Tangram tabard that I've been planning for a couple of years:

I'm planning to wear it to the Renaissance Festival next weekend. This weekend is pirate-themed, and this tabard isn't all that piratey, really.

If you're viewing this hologram...

If you're viewing this hologram projected from a working astromech droid head set on top of a non-working astromech droid...

... you might be a redneck Jedi.

Boring Old Helmet Progress

It's been so long since my last post! Another Shore Leave has come and gone, and another Artscape. And the car trouble -- oh, you don't want to know. And great interest in The Star Toys Museum.

I've carved some more detail into the helmet. I'm beginning to think that any detail one can put on a project like this will just make it look better. I'm also still thinking of making another one, so I can put the experience of making this one to good use and make the next one better. 

Laser Awesome!

There's a new sign on the door at the laser shop!

My better half remembered that I wanted one of these, found the image and printed it out nice and big. Thanks, Don!

Thanks also to Nickelodeon, or maybe Nicktoons, whichever one has the "Laser Awesome" program block. I'd include a link, but I can't seem to figure out how just now.

Other creative endeavours

Work on my B-Wing helmet continues, but it doesn't look too much different yet. Sculpt, coat with sealer (white glue, mostly), sand, sculpt some more... but I've made a few new pieces. There will be photos as soon as they're warranted.

I made a prototype of a new puzzle the other day, but I probably shouldn't post pictures until it's in production. It's very pretty, and shaped like a flame. I have another design that needs to be made in the next few days, a polyomino set to commemorate an upcoming event.

Meanwhile, here are a couple sketches of an original costume I'm wanting to put together. Partly, they were just an experiment with a couple of human figure templates I found on the Web, but I'm mostly happy with the design. I've got the fabric ready, in colors not quite so bright. The final geometry will be different, I'm sure. I still haven't worked out where to hide pockets, or exactly what the collar will look like.