Moving along:



This small area is finished with scenery. There are two layers with weeds, grass, and overgrown grass besides more dirt added.



Checking the internet I ran across an idea for overgrown grass that I thought was pretty cool so I tried the technique out. I started with some very small pieces of a Scotch Brand type scrubbing pad cut in odd shapes to get rid of the straight lines. Then I pulled up the fibers with a pair of tweezers. After that they received an application of light green spray paint. They held the glue well and when dried looked like tall overgrown grass; on both sides of the rock formation. I also blended in the right side of the dirt pile at the end of the track as well and around the rocks.

That's it for now and next I'll start making the primary building as well as adding the details and scenery. As always thanks for stopping by and for your great comments and/or suggestions.

Kyle very nice!! That is looking like a real "professional" layout and the lighting only adds
to the charm.

Good Morning,

Tom since I couldn't post in the announcement thread for some reason, I just wanted to say
congrats for being one of the contest winners and for your great and informative thread. Have fun
with the grass.

Rick thanks for coffee and breakfast. Beautiful photo and you and Star have a safe hike.

Philip hope you and Gina are feeling better this morning.

What's going on guys?

It's a beautiful sunny day in New York currently @ 41 with a high of 71.....hehaw!!!!!
Going to be an outside type of afternoon, unless the Ellie has other plans for me. Taking
a small break from modeling while I wait for the wood to arrive; hopefully tomorrow.

Have an enjoyable day!!! Be well and stay safe.

Good Morning,

Figured I'd check in while I wait for the floors to dry; getting ready for Easter.

Rick thanks for the coffee and breakfast. The quality of movies haven't been all that great
the last few years but there are some good ones coming out this year. Nice photo. I'm with you
on flu shots; never have....never will since I've heard the same thing.

Philip hope you and Gina get well soon and the meds help; nasty stuff.

What's happening guys?

It's a sunny 39 with a high of 49 in New York. Been work on the layout a little at a time and started with the next section. Ran out of wood so I ordered yesterday am about 8:30 from N.E. Lumber and by 2pm I got a notice it had been shipped. Should be here Friday or Saturday; not too shabby.

Enjoy your day!!!! Heal up if you're sick and stay safe.

Morning Gents,

Rick thanks for the coffee and breakfast this morning. Interesting looking bird.
From what I'm hearing the Amateur is a really good movie; sort of like McGyver on
steroids. We haven't been to a movie since the last Star Wars one; we just wait until
is comes on a streaming service.

What's happening guys?

It's 34 with a high of 43 in New York. Spitting some white crap but at least not what they're getting north of us; 2-7 inches. Old man winter just doesn't want to leave!!! Worked outside yesterday digging up. rose bush and moving it to a better location. Did mange a little bench time and maybe more today.

Have an enjoyable day!!! Those of you who are sick hope you're on the mend. Be well and stay safe.

Good Morning,

The morning beverages are all set to go. Breakfast is breakfast burritos with egg, cheese, and salsa served on a warm tortilla shell. There's sliced hot peppers and hot sauce if you want a little "pep in your step" this morning.

To answer your question Rick yes I'll be blending in the dirt pile at the end of both tracks.

What's going on?

It's a sunny 56 with a high of 64 in New York and rain after 1pm. Worked outside yesterday afternoon getting rid of a gnarly bush by the driveway. Might do a little more outside work this am before it rains. Nothing from the bench yesterday but maybe today.

Have a great day!!! Be well and stay safe.

Kyle that is really coming along nicely; great job!

So I've been starting on the scenery work:



The first layer of scenery material has been applied. "Painted" small sections at a time with white glue before sprinkling on some grass then sprinkled the dirt over that. Once done I applied a mixture of 50% white glue & 50% water with a couple drops of dish soap added so it wouldn't sit on top of the material but soak in. Applied with an eyedropper due to the small space. Also added a wood rack on the side of the Shed filled with firewood.



Before I started the scenery material I spray painted the rock casting with gray primer. Once dried I went over it with a diluted mixture of black paint/water painting it on then wiping it right off with a piece of paper towel for shading. Once dried it was weathered with tan and brown chalks. To keep it in place I put down a small amount of plaster and added glue to the top part of the casting. Set the bottom in the plaster and pushed the top against the backdrop. Cleaned up the plaster along the bottom and waited for it to dry. Once dried the rock casting was firmly in place.

While the trees are certainly not up to "Roland" standards, I think they came out pretty dang good compared to my previous attempt a couple of years ago. Started with 1/4 inch dowels, cut to 9 inches, which were grained with a wire brush then painted a light tan. Once dried I brushed in a little black chalk to highlight. The tree itself is made from furnace filter cut into squares then cut to shape differently than I did before. They were glued in place with white glue. Once dried they made their way to the garage where the branch parts were spray painted with a coffee color paint. Once dry the branches were given a coat of spray adhesive then fine green ground foam sprinkled on top with the excess shaken off. By drilling the depth of the holes at different depths the trees appear to be different heights for variety then glued into place.

Next will be to add some weeds to the area and a little more dirt for the second layer of scenery material. Trying to add some depth to the scenery. As always thanks for stopping by and for your comments and/or suggestions.

Kyle looks like a feasible plan to me. Enjoy.

Mike great job on the tank car and a cool way to make straps.

Good Morning,

Rick thanks for the coffee and breakfast; bacon & biscuits works for me.
Sounds like you're a busy guy having a great time. Enjoy the rest and thanks
for another beautiful photo.

What's everyone up to today?

It's 40 with a high of 55 in New York; maybe some sun later. Started working on the tree
trunks yesterday and put down the first layer of scenery material. Today work will continue
on the trees and see what I can come up with.

Enjoy your day!!!! Be well and stay safe.

Philip HAPPY 48th!!!!!!!!

Jerry looking forward to your thread.

Curt that looks really good despite being fiddly! Sometimes a "colorful" vocabulary helps with the process.

Morning Gents,

Coffee's on as well as the other morning beverages. Breakfast is hash & eggs along with crispy bacon.

Yes Jerry gonna make some new much taller trees; so we'll see how that goes.

What are your plans for the day?

It's a rainy 40 with a high of 47 in New York. Going to work on the basic ground cover for Jacobs this morning then this afternoon going to the Daughters so Ellie can see her apartment for the first time. Firing up the GPS since I haven't driven there yet myself.

Enjoy your day!!! Be well and stay safe.

Kyle that's coming along great. It's always nice when you see what's in your noggin
come to life in 3D.