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Good progress everyone.

Welds:
Putty will do fine.

I'm impressed with the strength of the friction weld though.

Something else that can be used for this is a 3D printing pen. Can be as smooth or rough as you like, and as it's also melting plastic it'll be almost as strong as that friction weld.The tip of the thing is hot enough to melt polystyrene just enough to weld without adding the filament.

Looking very nice, the use of clear sprue to make the light-up bits is an excellent idea.

Any new updates on progress, anyone? I unfortunately have to withdraw this time, I'm far from home getting more schooling, without any crafting supplies.

There is a fortnight left, but can extend, so look lively folks, how we all doing?

Sorry to hear that Syro_, summer makes things complicated.

On my end, I kind of slacked, due to finishinf a titan and real life work, but if I renounce adding two kegs/stories to the thing (which is currently the plan), I should be able to make it for the 14th.

EDIT : Extension would of course be welcome, but would also tempt me into adding stories to the tower...so...dunno ^^ !

Just primed but need to add texture paste and next week is crazy busy with real life stuff, so an extension would be welcome here..

I'm on track to make the deadline, barely. I'll get some new progress pics later this week.

Have you moved the end date out, or is it still July 19? I know I said I would skip, but while working on my Greeks, I came across this from Sarissa precision. I think I could knock something similar up in balsa.

https://sarissa-precision.com/collections/streets-of-rome-28mm/products/simple-grape-vine-trellis

It wouldn't be much of a distraction, and I'd add some water channels to it from a central well/fountain.

Going to knock the end date out to 30th July. Hope that helps some folk.

Cool with me. I'm done
(Must not make more stuff must not make more stuff must not make more stuff...)

Awesome, we're not far off but would have been a real shame to miss the deadline on our first attempt! July 30th absolutely fine

Btw Skinflint welcome to the madness of the LOER!

I've just put in a big day on the contest, and I'm not super pleased. My big ambition was to have a go at salt weathering, and I have, but the effect is way less pronounced than I'd hoped for. I may have erred with the wrong technique, the wrong materials, or the wrong timing and conditions, but I'm disappointed in the results. I've posted step-by-step photos in my P&M blog... all feedback, guidance, and suggestion for next time are most welcome.

@Graven thanks man! She's textured and primed black now, so more pics coming

@MacPhail, they look good to me - maybe another layer of sponge chipping with some gunmetal and some streaking washes?

I'm not an expert on the technique by any means, but I've seen pretty good results from multiple layers of paint-- bottom layer rust, intermediate layer of metal, final layer of white, for example.

Late entry, but here is my grape trellis. The exterior of the well is from a granola bar package. I have an idea for the grapes with string and flock.

@maniac Shweeeet!
As Josh said, multiple layers, or some sponge chipping in the mix (or both), but really like your results so far.

Thanks, guys... and you're right, sponge chipping is the fix. I can expand the area and almost (not quite) match the look to the point where it blends. I think it'll come together and be worth the effort. Thanks for the tips!

Got the basing done and the wood painted. Now to paint up the well. I think I'm going to try some hot glue to make the water spouting out into the channels, and mod podge for the water.



Then I found this at the craft store, the balls are pretty tiny and I think I will try and make some grapes with it to hang off the vine.

The base looks really nice Maniac_nmt. I use a gloss varnish on top of my hot glue and PVA glue water effects, will you be doing that too? Also, I love your idea for the grapes, I can't wait to see how it goes.

Thanks! I am going to try Mod-podge, which is made for putting a thick layer of shiny gel down which will firm up. It's commonly used on jewelry and similar things. Here is a test of the grape vine:



I have a bit left to do on it, and then of course the grapes and water. Still, coming along quite quickly if I do say so myself.

That's nifty, and it's coming along quickly.

Very random, in a really good way. Would be an excellent addition to a Carnevale board.

Final update pics for my entry. The faux foliage paints up pretty good after a layer of glue is brushed on. Then an exacto knife later and there are little bunches of grapes (i.e. 'rivets') for the trellis.



I've put a few on to see how it looks, and I'm pleased with the results so far.



I have a ways to go to get the trellis fully covered, and then add the water, but it should be pretty straight forward.

Lovely work old son

Looks great Maniac_Nnmt! I'm looking forward to seeing the final pics in the voting thread.

Thanks guys! Looking forward to other folk's finished goods.

Some beautiful plants Maniac !

Back in business on my end, with the basecoat applied. The idea is to finish that section before the 14th and to see wether I am silly enough to try building the others before the end of the month...

Holy Carp, Summer got busy for me! No surprise there I guess...my wife has been putting on the pressure for me to get some of these home improvement projects completed, and so much of my hobby time has gone that direction.

I have made very little progress, so the deadline push actually means I'm not completely out of the realm of possibly squeaking in with at least a partially completed submission...I am notorious for

1. Biting off way more than I can chew.
2. Having absolutely no sense of how much time it will realistically take me to complete anything. (Experts say people with ADHD are temporally challenged)
3. Ultimately not finishing things and drowning in unfinished projects (Take a look at the first post in my PLog for a glimpse at the horror show I've created for myself)

SO. Lets be realistic here...my new goal is to complete just ONE corner of my crazy layered cake tower for this contest (personal bonus points for TWO)....then you guys can root for me to complete the other sections in my project log after it's over.

Great work all around everyone! I particularly love the hanging grape vines...as I live in Wine Country in California and my wife works at a winery!

I'll post some actual progress this weekend, I promise!

Wow, just looking at those.... We've got no chance still, primed and in the painting phase now, will put some photos up tomorrow night