Star Wars Oregon
Public Information => Imperial Armor => Imperial Work In Progress => Topic started by: CadBane3 on October 23, 2018, 09:35:51 PM
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Hello all! A few weeks ago, I shared a picture of a Wampa on the FB page and several people said that I should make one. Well, I thought about it and started researching it and decided to give it a go.
I started acquiring parts:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1916/45530370431_28cb6a5919_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cnn3SK)20181018_151906 (https://flic.kr/p/2cnn3SK) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Bear with me on that mask, I have an idea, but it will come in a future note (after I start working on it and see if it works!).
I started working on the feet:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1969/44804766354_254321ee92_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bgf94C)20181018_161034 (https://flic.kr/p/2bgf94C) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And made the claws out of worbla attached to a bolt so I can remove them from the feet if they break:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1918/30589292087_a49d6a496f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NB57PH)20181018_173047 (https://flic.kr/p/NB57PH) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1932/43712854990_6ba0b0d348_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29AKNRC)20181018_173250 (https://flic.kr/p/29AKNRC) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1950/45530366961_e3be8feab0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cnn2QV)20181018_191749 (https://flic.kr/p/2cnn2QV) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I ran into a little roadblock. The styrofoam for the front of the feet would be lightweight but wouldn't be very durable. I'm researching options to make that part out of plastic, so I put the feet aside for now.
And moved on to the arms. I started with this pile of parts. I see two hands and forearms in there, don't you?
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1964/30589290857_e910b73ea3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NB57sv)20181019_110208 (https://flic.kr/p/NB57sv) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
So, I got to work:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1966/44804763284_ac79080679_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bgf89G)20181019_113634 (https://flic.kr/p/2bgf89G) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Finger tips:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1924/44616392605_e2d761edff_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2aYAF7n)20181019_114350 (https://flic.kr/p/2aYAF7n) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Fingers:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1931/44804762984_8ff66a8c8b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bgf84w)20181019_115542 (https://flic.kr/p/2bgf84w) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Attached to the hand:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1924/44616391065_e800b687d1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2aYAEDP)20181019_125332 (https://flic.kr/p/2aYAEDP) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Secured so they won't fall out:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1912/43712849310_a3bfc95701_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29AKMaG)20181019_192256 (https://flic.kr/p/29AKMaG) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I made claws out of worbla:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1916/45479576902_e8ae88eef4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2chSHJf)20181020_161907 (https://flic.kr/p/2chSHJf) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And had the basic skeletal structure:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1912/30589284007_b07c33d2b3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NB55qp)20181020_223037 (https://flic.kr/p/NB55qp) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I added these bars for handles. This will be where I grab them, as you can see, they will make my arms much longer, as needed for the costume.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/45479575602_452dbf56b6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2chSHkQ)20181021_165740 (https://flic.kr/p/2chSHkQ) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I added PVC pipe to add stability so that the hands aren't flopping all over the place:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1946/43712845600_838a77408d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29AKL4J)20181022_120302 (https://flic.kr/p/29AKL4J) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
But, I needed something to adhere the fur to. So, I built a "flesh" layer out of worbla:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1933/45530360201_0fa85156b4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cnmZQn)20181022_143403 (https://flic.kr/p/2cnmZQn) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1952/31657704778_1ce384cb9c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Qeu1Gb)20181022_143412 (https://flic.kr/p/Qeu1Gb) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And then used Styrofoam to build the palm and finger pads:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1944/44804752864_e53edff126_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bgf543)20181022_162752 (https://flic.kr/p/2bgf543) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1944/31657701468_c1bba9e1e1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QetZH7)20181022_172744 (https://flic.kr/p/QetZH7) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I put worbla over that to make the final skin layer.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1959/31657700938_631172c70c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QetZxY)20181022_182026 (https://flic.kr/p/QetZxY) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I then painted the claws and the palm black, with some charcoal and grey accents, but didn't take a picture. Then, I added the fur. May need a haircut in a few places at some point, but I'm really happy with them at this time.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/31657695398_ea63a850ff_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QetXUs)20181023_154313 (https://flic.kr/p/QetXUs) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1918/31657695428_5b6b6b070e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QetXUY)20181023_154942 (https://flic.kr/p/QetXUY) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
May start on the feet or the head next... Or maybe the lower legs... Or the upper body padding... Perhaps the under suit thing... Have a lot to do, but I'm excited by the progress I've made in the last week!
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I love it, great job.
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You're a machine! Can't wait to see how this progresses!
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You're living my dream! Once this is done, I have a galaxy of questions as this goes to the top of the save-for budget.
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Thanks for checking out my progress guys! Glad to answer any questions Jared. I keep a log of all costs and expenditures of all my builds. If I ever go missing, it's because my wife found it...
I got some great feedback from the Wampa Workshop group on facebook and I'll need to lighten the palms/skin to a yellowish/orange. Figure I'll hold off on that for now until I get the face done so I can do all the exposed skin with the same batch of paint and get it all to match.
Anyway, back to my wife, she told me that this build was fine with her as long as I have a helmet on. Being that I'll be on stilts and standing at least 7 and a half feet to the top, probably more, I think this is an excellent idea. I'm likely one head injury away from using a bag to go potty for the rest of my life anyway (joking?).
So, I got this sweet Shadow Conspiracy helmet. So nice, too bad I'm going to hack it up and use it!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1911/30601702347_9fbeda366b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NCaHXH)20181024_082158 (https://flic.kr/p/NCaHXH) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
What I want to do is mount the mask onto the helmet so the whole head apparatus is one piece:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1921/44817203614_56fc857c35_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bhkTe9)20181024_082233 (https://flic.kr/p/2bhkTe9) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Drilled a couple of holes and added some screws and bolts... I hope this doesn't alter the effectiveness of the helmet... Oh well!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1944/30601702267_ac5a0dddf9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NCaHWk)20181024_113509 (https://flic.kr/p/NCaHWk) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1970/44817202254_2719475d0c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bhkSPG)20181024_113513 (https://flic.kr/p/2bhkSPG) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1931/44817202184_3336edcd52_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bhkSNu)20181024_114335 (https://flic.kr/p/2bhkSNu) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1937/30601700057_308c83671c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NCaHhe)20181024_115553 (https://flic.kr/p/NCaHhe) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1960/43725366870_f005ff5847_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29BRWcG)20181024_115603 (https://flic.kr/p/29BRWcG) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Fits perfect!!!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1902/30601698077_1fe53b9d77_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NCaGG6)20181024_115715 (https://flic.kr/p/NCaGG6) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Also, it has the added benefit of making my noggin much bigger so that it'll fit on the body of a Wampa much better:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1975/45492359552_39f3e408da_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1eyL)20181024_115701 (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1eyL) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I started working on the horns. Picked up this syrofoam from JoAnn:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1903/30601697697_008e4661e4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NCaGzx)20181024_120530 (https://flic.kr/p/NCaGzx) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Cut it, shaped it, covered it with worbla:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1970/43725363200_e69b5668a6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29BRV7q)20181024_122700 (https://flic.kr/p/29BRV7q) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1926/45492357832_7fbdfe0768_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1e47)20181024_123113 (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1e47) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1943/30601695697_a899c01a2d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NCaFZ4)20181024_134900 (https://flic.kr/p/NCaFZ4) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, it was time to mount them into the sides of the helmet. At this point, I decided to take the existing fur off the mask. It's shorter than the fur I want to use and isn't a perfect match and I'll need the fur to droop much further down my neck than it would have. Anyway, the real reason I wanted this mask as the base was because I liked the nose and perhaps the lips, the rest is disposable. Once the fur was taken off, I have this horrifying thing looking at me while I work all day...
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1931/45492355752_93c599d977_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1drf)20181024_144548 (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1drf) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
But now you can get a real good idea of how it mounts on the helmet:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1919/45492355822_5115e782d3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1dss)20181024_144558 (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1dss) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then I secured the horns to the sides.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1968/45492355702_cf924f08bf_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1dqo)20181024_152757 (https://flic.kr/p/2cj1dqo) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Looks kind of like a certain Jedi I remember...
Going to coat them with mod podge and then hit them with some paint. I think I'll make the ears next and then get started on the mouth and eyes. Once that's all done, I can fur the whole thing and see if it resembles a Wampa!
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Got some very minor, but important, progress today. Took me about 4 hours to do the mouth, but I'm getting pretty happy with where it now stands.
First, I was worried about the horns needing to be shored up so that there isn't too much stress on the worbla that's holding the screws into place. The whole head will be covered with fur, so I added extra to hold them in place. I also built and attached the ears. These go slightly behind the horns and appear to face downward.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/30616986927_21c6b1d17c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NDw4wX)20181025_114253 (https://flic.kr/p/NDw4wX) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1929/44643913285_59c0012fef_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2b22J3R)20181025_114258 (https://flic.kr/p/2b22J3R) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I started on the mount. Those scary teeth had to go and now he doesn't look so harmful!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1940/45558038401_df47742cc1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cpNRAH)20181025_122903 (https://flic.kr/p/2cpNRAH) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I built a set of teeth out of worbla:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1973/45558037551_6aff2a40d9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cpNRm4)20181025_124652 (https://flic.kr/p/2cpNRm4) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
The look I'm going for is roughly this:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/31685435478_a463c772cd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QgW94G)20181025_124657 (https://flic.kr/p/QgW94G) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
The teeth went into place pretty well but I need them to stay through the rigors of trooping. Here they are set about where I want them:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1911/45558036651_31f06aa028_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cpNR5x)20181025_130918 (https://flic.kr/p/2cpNR5x) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
To get them to stay where I want them, I built Wampa dentures. May have found my true calling!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1925/44643911715_bd1daa4396_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2b22HzM)20181025_131557 (https://flic.kr/p/2b22HzM) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
The dentures have worbla tabs added to them and they are bolted to the mask. They aren't going anywhere now. You can also see that I cut away some of the upper lips so that the teeth can be placed higher:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1959/43740468030_11c6f7078c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29Dckfw)20181025_135718 (https://flic.kr/p/29Dckfw) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
The CRL calls for a tongue, so I built one of those out of worbla as well:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1975/45507726442_400cd5f0a7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ckmZB9)20181025_142813 (https://flic.kr/p/2ckmZB9) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And then, I added speaker cloth behind the mouth so that I won't be visible but also so that air can come in and get out.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1957/45507726132_98944b8deb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ckmZvN)20181025_151521 (https://flic.kr/p/2ckmZvN) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Now, I know that the mask has a "smile" or a "grimace" and I am not planning on keeping that. The finished product will need to have fur, so I plan to cover the corners of the mouth with fur so that it doesn't have such a comical look. Anyway, that was all I got done in 4 hours of puttering today. I need to start on the eyes and then do a few test runs to see if the fur can even be adhered to the spongy mask surface. If not, then I'll be stripping the mask completely where the fur will go, need to build up lips and around the eyes, and then I can paint all the worlba and flesh areas, and then I can add the fur.
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Very small update today but I'm getting there on this head. Last night, I ran out and bought some cheap gas station sunglasses to provide me with eyes.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1978/45572523591_0369695783_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cr66xn)20181026_101322 (https://flic.kr/p/2cr66xn) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1976/44658571295_1bf80e0796_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2b3jRna)20181026_103628 (https://flic.kr/p/2b3jRna) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Now that I had eyes in place, I wanted to do a test furring to see if they would work as placed or if I needed to cut out material and build something up with worbla. I kind of like how it looks but understand that there is a ton of work to do still and styling, cutting, primping, etc., etc.... BUT, it is nice that it is starting to look like a Wampa!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1926/43755146780_3697d6dfac_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29EuyJq)20181026_110350 (https://flic.kr/p/29EuyJq) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Satisfied with the test run, I plugged along and started painting the parts that would need it. No sense in putting on the fur and then ruining it with paint.
NOTE: Always coat your worbla with mod podge or gesso so that it can take the paint and will be a much smoother surface.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1906/31699982658_650fd4f05c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QidGr9)20181026_114218 (https://flic.kr/p/QidGr9) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Got the teeth and gums painted. I'm pretty happy with how this came out. At the end, I coated them with 'Ardcoat, which is a miniature paint that gives a gloss shine.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1966/44847772634_40276cf6eb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bk3ykd)20181026_134051 (https://flic.kr/p/2bk3ykd) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
You can also see that the horns are black so I hit them with a charcoal drybrush. Tempted to hit them with the gloss as well as I've seen a lot of pictures that make them look like they have a shine. May continue my research on Wampa Workshop before I do anything like that.
I need to paint the lips, eyes, ears, area around the nose, and my palms/fingers. Once that's done and dry, I'll start gluing on the fur.
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<slow clap> I love it.
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Plugging away over here. Added the flesh tone to the areas that may be exposed and painted the lips:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1977/45586679871_be747a83e0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cskDHa)20181027_104243 (https://flic.kr/p/2cskDHa) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then I started adding fur!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1930/45586679001_a1e66a1a10_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cskDsa)20181027_105841 (https://flic.kr/p/2cskDsa) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
The "cowl" area around the back will need to be trimmed down dramatically, but it's easier to take material off than to add it on.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1927/31714486608_d90c284912_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Qjv2Xf)20181027_122035 (https://flic.kr/p/Qjv2Xf) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Same goes for the wicked goatee!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1980/31714486518_f58e9f9856_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Qjv2VG)20181027_123729 (https://flic.kr/p/Qjv2VG) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And a quick test run:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1924/45586675921_9daae46037_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cskCx4)20181027_124134 (https://flic.kr/p/2cskCx4) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
It will need some grooming, weathering, and styling, but I think it's pretty good for now. I'll post it over on the Wampa Workshop to see what the pros think!
My office is covered in loose fur. Time to clean up!
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Mike!! you're an animal!! Cant wait to see this!! hope it snows this winter.. you can go out true wampa style! :P
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Looking good so far
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Did a little bit of work yesterday. Trying to build an underlayer for my legs that will make them look bulkier so that my wampa can look swole! I picked up a ton of jersey material and some corset boning with a polyester cover and started making enormous trousers!
I had gotten a little carried away here and ended up cutting them down to about half that size, but large enough that they would fit over my stilts.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1943/44711646245_e8b46cf60e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2b81SGv)20181028_114312 (https://flic.kr/p/2b81SGv) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
More like this:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1980/44900664364_883a4907a2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bpHDcA)20181028_120458 (https://flic.kr/p/2bpHDcA) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And voila! I have an undergarment! Thank god for vaulted ceilings!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1920/45574630502_843155c1fe_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2crgTRq)20181028_131546 (https://flic.kr/p/2crgTRq) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
You can also get an idea in that picture of how tall my wampa will be. It's a bit scary up there!
Just to help them stay up, I sewed in an elastic belt. Will probably also do a suspender-type system to help keep them up.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1957/45574630872_be8c2a22e7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2crgTXN)20181028_134449 (https://flic.kr/p/2crgTXN) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I worked through the extremely time consuming and frustrating task of sewing in the corset boning.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1929/31752927838_c852f88ca3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QnU4c5)20181029_181559 (https://flic.kr/p/QnU4c5) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Now that I have the boning in there, I have very little confidence that it will work. I have a feeling that the weight of the fur will overwhelm it and it will just collapse. I have already purchased metal boning from England that I have stashed in my work room. I was hoping to avoid using it as to not add a ton of extra weight to the costume. I think I will make the "pants" first, see how they look over this undergarment, and then decide what needs to be done.
I also am pretty lucky to know some pretty amazing friends in this garrison. Chris was able to whip me up a vacuformed set of feet that I think I will be able to make work so I can get started on that soon as well.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/31753024988_aae80180f1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QnUy55)20181029_182926 (https://flic.kr/p/QnUy55) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I think I'll need to pour over some reference material to see how the feet look but I like how these have the rounded back so I can secure them to the stilts with hardware and I can secure my claws to them with hardware as well. I already made the claws but seeing how large the feet should be, I may remake them to be thicker and more menacing.
Anyway, that's it for today. Enjoy!
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Continuing on our adventure, I made giant trousers!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1977/45589666442_68e132295e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2csAXvL)20181029_213129 (https://flic.kr/p/2csAXvL) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
At this point, I had broken a sewing machine needle, ran out of thread and had to run to the store, said a lot of choice words and was pretty tired of this project, so the "finished" photo is a more of a "thrown across the room mess" photo:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/45640102231_2a4f57a5a3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cx4sjk)20181030_132130 (https://flic.kr/p/2cx4sjk) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
It was agony waiting for my son to get home from school so I could try them on and get some photos done. I think they look pretty darn good for a first effort!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1947/43822208380_d1ff4835a5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/29LqgNU)20181030_155524 (https://flic.kr/p/29LqgNU) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
They obviously flare out a bit where the stilts are located so I'm not sure if that will be acceptable or not. I also need to permanently install a white suspender system. I can probably make that out of elastic myself, I was just DONE for today.
In my excitement to see what I have so far, I tried on everything I've done.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1975/31767713908_0c1fba53b3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QpcQzj)20181030_155617 (https://flic.kr/p/QpcQzj) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And modeled a little bit...
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1980/31767714028_f81610feac_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QpcQBo)20181030_155620 (https://flic.kr/p/QpcQBo) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I'm pretty happy with them but they are so long that I step on them while walking, which is a bad thing on the stilts. I think my next step is to make the feet and to fur them, so I can see if I can raise the fur on these up a bit to make them safer. I also need to get the shoulder bulk figured out and the back hump and then I can make the "shirt" so I can see how much of these I really need to keep. I can also then cut off a lot of the extra fur that is hanging down the back of the mask once I know where it will be safe to cut. Back to the "shirt," I was thinking about the upper fur meeting at the groin, similar to a TK, so that I can cut a lot of these down and that's less weight, and less areas where there is doubled up fur. That way, maybe I can angle the fur from the sides to the groin at the hip area, which would be a more natural transition area where the fur would be moving than just having a shirt that comes down to my belly and having it look like a fur shirt. I'm also thinking about working on the mask a little more to give it more of a scowl. I dunno. Any opinions?
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Darn job got in the way of too much progress today, but I started on the feet. Thanks again to Chris for making the basic shape I wanted. When I got them, I was a bit worried they would bee too long, but when I set them up with what I had so far, the size seemed appropriate for a 7'6" monster.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1980/44947386874_882298025a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2btR7b7)20181101_115437 (https://flic.kr/p/2btR7b7) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
So, I trimmed them up and cleaned up the sharp edges:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1957/44947386754_bba3a846a4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2btR793)20181101_125802 (https://flic.kr/p/2btR793) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I wanted these made out of plastic so that I could bolt them to the stilts, like so:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1927/45621535662_8c00e2b371_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cvqi85)20181101_134716 (https://flic.kr/p/2cvqi85) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I got down to bolting on the claws that I had previously made:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1953/44757815085_c872eccc16_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bc6v5Z)20181101_150521 (https://flic.kr/p/2bc6v5Z) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And I have a rough shape for wampa feet!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1977/31799809778_306548ce59_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Qs3kyo)20181101_151217 (https://flic.kr/p/Qs3kyo) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I may need to make the claws larger but that's why I bolted them on, I can remove them to remake them if needed. I've got the claws coated in mod podge (because I couldn't remember if I had already done that). Once that's dry, I'll get them painted up and then get the feet and lower part of the stilts covered in fur. I'm hoping to have these done tomorrow or this weekend so I'll have just the upper torso to finish. Then I can look it all over with a critical eye and make adjustments/improvements.
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Got the toe claws painted and furred the feet!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4864/44962813444_269c2652c2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bvdaXs)20181102_145306 (https://flic.kr/p/2bvdaXs) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I ran the fur up a bit so there is some overlap with the pants. I'll be able to put it all on again and maybe cut a few inches off the bottom of the pants now. I may trim some of the fur off the very bottom so it doesn't get below the stilt and create a slipping issue:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1909/44962813484_d9d586f573_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bvdaY9)20181102_152329 (https://flic.kr/p/2bvdaY9) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Curious how these will look when I suit up again. This leaves just the upper torso. Unfortunately, I am out of town for a week but the good news is I can order the parts I need mid week and they'll be waiting for me when I get back and I can finish up and see how it all looks for possible submission photos! Like I said before, I may need to bulk out the thighs but we'll see once I get some photos and can see how it all looks.
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OMG! YES!!!! :D
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You are a freaking genius! We are so lucky to have you in CCG!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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WOW!!! Looks fantastic so far! Can't wait to see the finished product!
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Thanks for all the great comments gang! I had to travel for work for the last week or else I'd probably be nearly ready to submit approval pictures by now! Well, I'm back at it now and hoping to get some time. Had a little time today before a troop, so I started working again.
The wampa is a big, strong creature and needs to have large, broad shoulders to help emphasize his size. Everybody seems to build a framework for this or use foam to build up their shoulders. The more I thought about it, the more I though that there is a better way. I looked pretty bulky when I played football, so I found a cheap pair of shoulder pads on ebay and swiped the card!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4841/44902915385_1a3f7afc46_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bpVbmi)20181109_203648 (https://flic.kr/p/2bpVbmi) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And they seem to do their job to make me bulkier in the shoulders!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4885/43999174470_404826e838_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2a34gEo)20181109_203532 (https://flic.kr/p/2a34gEo) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
But, I don't want the blue to show through, and I don't want the fur up against my skin, so I bought a jersey as well:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4826/45766492452_049f2e5ec8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cJeeJ5)20181109_211958 (https://flic.kr/p/2cJeeJ5) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And we have:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/45766492122_d6aa021cf9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cJeeCo)20181109_212231 (https://flic.kr/p/2cJeeCo) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
But that's not all. The wampa has a large "hump" on his back. Kinda like a brahma bull. So, I picked up this globe:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/45815747271_c105936987_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cNzFt6)20181110_110240 (https://flic.kr/p/2cNzFt6) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And started with my heat wire thingy:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4870/44902912655_795f7290da_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bpVaxe)20181110_111631 (https://flic.kr/p/2bpVaxe) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Well, by the time I did that much, it looked rather familiar, so I played a little:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4839/30876029007_c3835ef2da_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P3pHHH)20181110_111954 (https://flic.kr/p/P3pHHH) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Done with my distraction, I got back to business and went full rebel on the Death Star!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4910/45815746251_2c0598b77f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cNzFav)20181110_112416 (https://flic.kr/p/2cNzFav) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Here's the basic point I'm going for:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4907/30876028057_24bd5dea61_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P3pHrk)20181110_112500 (https://flic.kr/p/P3pHrk) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
So, I sewed it into a cloth holder:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4893/45091314944_6849542425_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bGyLYy)20181110_114603 (https://flic.kr/p/2bGyLYy) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And then sewed that to the back of the jersey:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4877/45815745581_5f6a156fb0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cNzEXX)20181110_120330 (https://flic.kr/p/2cNzEXX) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Now, I have all I need underneath for now to start sewing the fur "shirt." Hopefully, I'll have time to do that tomorrow and then I can try it all on again and see if I'm close to bulky enough. Then, I may want to weather the fur some to get it a bit dirty and more wild looking.
Anyway, I'm glad to be back and back at it!
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It's looking so cool! Loving the build thread.
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Well, idle hands and all... I got bored last night and decided to just keep on working. Needed a Wampa torso/shirt. Started with figuring out how much I would need based on the size the shoulder pads made me and started cutting and working:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4871/45784183562_049fae8f13_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMUFd)20181110_163732 (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMUFd) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4858/44920467515_5e86eb4b8f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2brt8Ze)20181111_103536 (https://flic.kr/p/2brt8Ze) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, today, I started sewing it all together.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4836/45784181042_5a2e3734b8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMTVL)20181111_104552 (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMTVL) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
My Wampa is so cut, he doesn't need sleeves!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4884/30893670767_abb1a7e0ca_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y8ZZ)20181111_104708 (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y8ZZ) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Back hump in action!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4841/30893666967_8d87f504c0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y7St)20181111_104723 (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y7St) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Wampa to the dance floor!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4901/45784179292_c3fb12d560_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMTpA)20181111_104714 (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMTpA) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Grr!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4902/30893670267_eaa1aff69b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y8Rn)20181111_104710 (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y8Rn) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
So, it really did need sleeves. I've never made a shirt before so this is all new territory. Researched how to make sleeves and got to work!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4816/44016816940_fce90e547d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2a4BG9U)20181111_113121 (https://flic.kr/p/2a4BG9U) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And I started cutting away the excess fabric around my waistline:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4913/44016816110_b3d3ac7e92_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2a4BFUA)20181111_121834 (https://flic.kr/p/2a4BFUA) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Now we're looking better!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4823/44920452435_81df939178_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2brt4ve)20181111_122548(0) (https://flic.kr/p/2brt4ve) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4864/30893661057_df4b178b98_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y67z)20181111_122551 (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y67z) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4852/45784173672_34e5763255_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMRJG)20181111_122554 (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMRJG) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4843/45784171562_a907410f70_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMR7j)20181111_122558 (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMR7j) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4861/44016812700_28569173cd_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2a4BETN)20181111_122600 (https://flic.kr/p/2a4BETN) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Oops! I skipped leg day!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4913/31962619988_f1d6f375f0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QGqMmY)20181111_122606 (https://flic.kr/p/QGqMmY) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
So, I cut down the part that hangs down from the mask as it was excess and mostly to hide my neck line. But, with the shoulder pads on, I don't need much of it but I liked having a little bit of it. I also cut down the back waist area and added Velcro so the suit can Velcro up in the groin like TK snaps.
I had nothing else to do today, so I suited up and decided to take some submission photos. I think I hit all the parts of the CRL. We'll see!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4820/31962619658_6d58656f6c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QGqMgh)20181111_130906 (https://flic.kr/p/QGqMgh) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4821/30893652647_ea66bcf3c6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y3Bz)20181111_130920 (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y3Bz) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4823/45784166052_485b352ce9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMPtj)20181111_130933 (https://flic.kr/p/2cKMPtj) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4808/44920446725_20c7e2fce3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2brt2NM)20181111_130949 (https://flic.kr/p/2brt2NM) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Action shot!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4803/30893648207_495d125765_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y2i2)20181111_131021 (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y2i2) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
This one shows that it is about 94 inches from the ground to the top of the head, or 7 feet 10 inches.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4827/30893648437_ba2244b6a4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y2mZ)20181111_131123 (https://flic.kr/p/P4Y2mZ) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Bucket off!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4809/45833337391_cc1a4822d9_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cQ8Qp2)20181111_131153 (https://flic.kr/p/2cQ8Qp2) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I'm going to go ahead and submit the photos and see if it meets the GML's approval. I want to make some changes and other tweaks to make it more comfortable and safer. Fans in the mask are a must. This is by far the hottest costume I've ever worn and air flow will be important. Also, I want to add extra metal bracing around the feet that would go up above my calves and have another strap at that level that will give me added support as the stilts are a bit wobbly and it only takes one mistake to fall and with my hands secured in the PCV pipe arm pieces, there's nothing to slow my decent. Thank goodness there's a helmet on it!
I also want a better suspender system and perhaps I'll attach the inner jersey pieces with the corset banding to the "pants" layer so that they aren't two separate pieces. I also may be able to get rid of some of the double fur layer at the stomach level. The less layers the better. I can also cut some of the fur off the bottom of the "pants" as there is overlap there and a few inches too much, meaning it can become a tripping hazard. Safety first will be the name of the game in this costume. Lastly, I'd like to weather it a bit. Not too much but definitely some to show that he hasn't recently showered.
Oh, and I almost forgot, I need to name him. Most of the wampas that I researched during this build have cool names like Willy Wampa, Pappa Wampa, etc. Anyway, throw up some ideas below.
Anyway, not bad for a three week project with one week of business travel in the middle! What should I do next?
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Looks great!
I’ll propose Waldo Wampa.
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Received approval! Now to improve it and make it look better and be safer! Stay tuned as I have some ideas.
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This thread is so great! Nice work Mike!!
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Congrats Mike!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Back at it again! APPROVAL MEANS NOTHING!!!! Haha. Well, it means I can troop but, like my Cad Bane, approval means I've met the minimum requirements and now it's time to keep improving until I'm happy with it. So, my first concern was the stilts. They attach to my shoe via two separate Velcro straps. While secure, they are a bit wobbly and I wanted to make it safer, so I researched some solutions.
The basic idea is to run two "rods" up my legs to just above my creamy calves and have the stilts secured in a third place. This should add stability and make me feel more comfortable. So, I bought some aluminum "rods" although "rod" isn't the correct word, but you get it...
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4900/45175356514_2fa9eccbb5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bPZvB9)20181114_135845 (https://flic.kr/p/2bPZvB9) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Here's the dry run using tape, safety pins, and sewing pins to see if it seemed like it would work:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4903/44986322235_9968911df6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bxhEir)20181114_151300 (https://flic.kr/p/2bxhEir) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4847/44986321765_3d178b2bf5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bxhEak)20181114_151304 (https://flic.kr/p/2bxhEak) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4859/32028272518_30eedc1e15_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QNegz9)20181114_151333 (https://flic.kr/p/QNegz9) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Satisfied that my basic idea may work, I started drilling holes in everything and sewing Velcro onto elastic:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4857/45849699252_fdf3b3df6d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cRzGd5)20181115_113629 (https://flic.kr/p/2cRzGd5) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4911/45849698692_2f59baccaa_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cRzG3q)20181115_114033 (https://flic.kr/p/2cRzG3q) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4825/32028270798_f0b95b28dc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QNeg4u)20181115_115659 (https://flic.kr/p/QNeg4u) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And viola! I have them done! RUN FORREST, RUN!!!!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4840/32028269978_723ab9f368_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QNefPm)20181115_153035 (https://flic.kr/p/QNefPm) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4837/45175351464_ac14da559b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bPZu75)20181115_153911 (https://flic.kr/p/2bPZu75) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4850/45849695372_269743b18f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cRzF4b)20181115_153918 (https://flic.kr/p/2cRzF4b) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4827/45175351524_6560824e78_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bPZu87)20181115_153921 (https://flic.kr/p/2bPZu87) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Here's the basic idea because there is no way I'm wearing jeans underneath this costume...
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4856/45849697892_c2543ea2ac_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cRzFNC)20181115_153448 (https://flic.kr/p/2cRzFNC) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I wandered around the room with them on for a bit and they did feel more stable. They have some areas where the metal will rub my legs, so I may need to wear some knee braces or something to keep them from chafing, but it did feel more stable and it felt like I was a little safer, which is the ultimate goal!
So, another thing that's nice about them is that they provide me with a frame around my legs and one thing I wanted to do was add some bulk to my legs. I am going to toy around with the idea to have this bulk mounted onto these but need to do it in a way that I can still get my feet in and out and still secure the Velcro to my feet down below. Time to go to my thinking spot...
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Creamy calves! :lol: :lol:
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Yeah I latched onto “creamy Calves’ too Oh My!!!!!
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Wow. What a horrible day... Well, if I'm going to share the good, I may as well share the bad as well. I took a vacation day so I thought I would hammer out the calf muscles. I had bought this huge roll of plastic coated steel boning from a place in the UK because all the other wampas were doing it. My idea was that I would use a few bands of it around my leg supports to give me more bulk and to make it so that where the lower pants meet my shoes, it's not so bumped out and obvious that I'm just a guy on stilts.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4887/44098575340_dd1c0b452e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2abQJ5u)20181115_215356 (https://flic.kr/p/2abQJ5u) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
So, I cut holes in the aluminum supports, and cut my finger. I tried to cut holes in the steel boning and broke 3 drill bits and even the titanium bits that I bought barely scratch the stuff. I ended up drilling a nice gouge out of my desk and nearly broke a hand, as well as putting enough stress and pressure on my shoulders that I may not need to bulk up the top half. Getting swole! Here they are after I was able to put a few holes in them to hold them together.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4901/44098574060_98f3d281b0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2abQHGq)20181116_121411 (https://flic.kr/p/2abQHGq) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Plus, this stuff doesn't want to be flexible. I bent it and hammered at it and swore at it (which surprisingly didn't work). Even my mini wampa helper didn't want anything to do with it:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4874/45914314481_d8413a1b96_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cXhS4K)20181116_140552 (https://flic.kr/p/2cXhS4K) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
So, I took a long break and we went for a nice walk.
Well, after about 5 hours of work, I was able to get the holes in it I needed plus some additional holes at the front and the back should I need to add supports later. I got two of them done and installed and will have to build two more that I want to put up higher. Those will be a little smaller, to show the legs tapering.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4867/45190437024_1f0e717e47_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bRjNvW)20181116_161611 (https://flic.kr/p/2bRjNvW) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I'm not sure if they're going to work. I need to go ice my hand and have a cold one... I should have just worked today...
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Deep breaths... Calmness... Zen 'n stuff...
So, I researched how to best drill through steel as I had 10 more holes to make. I started with a prayer and a chant to Kal El, usually known as a man who can work with steel. I then took several deep breaths and coated the steel in sacred salves and special unguents while rhythmically chanting the names of the cast of Steel Magnolias in order to prepare the steel for the task at hand. I then stood up, spun three circles in the room, and then threw that junk in the trash and went out and bought aluminum.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4889/45221277934_6d419b0025_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bU3SrL)20181118_111615 (https://flic.kr/p/2bU3SrL) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And after a mere few minutes of drilling, I had exactly the form I was going for and was nearing completion!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4875/44128857560_0000d8c0b8_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2aevVVJ)20181118_120701 (https://flic.kr/p/2aevVVJ) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I then added these pieces to the front so that the fur would fall down in a more natural way, instead of bumping out at an abrupt flat place.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4889/31006367967_b00a2ef990_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PeVJXa)20181118_122816 (https://flic.kr/p/PeVJXa) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I put my legs over them and they do look much more substantial now!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4903/45221272004_cd44c03afa_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bU3QFw)20181118_123321 (https://flic.kr/p/2bU3QFw) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
This may just work:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4916/31006359977_3f087f798c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PeVGzp)20181118_123712 (https://flic.kr/p/PeVGzp) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/45033104565_3c156815bf_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bBqr4k)20181118_123727 (https://flic.kr/p/2bBqr4k) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4866/44128848160_348fce6430_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2aevT8E)20181118_123734 (https://flic.kr/p/2aevT8E) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4811/32074324028_097c3bb21e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QSii5G)20181118_123740 (https://flic.kr/p/QSii5G) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
They still bump out a bit at the top, so I'm going to add some of the aluminum in as additional support to the mesh pants that I had made earlier. The plastic corset boning just isn't strong enough. Once I've finished the thighs, I can cut away the extra material I have around my waist line as I don't really need to have double fur as that just traps the heat. Then, I have some ideas for lightening the load on the arms and adding fans to the mask. Then, I may be ready to debut this guy.
Anybody seen my arms? Dammit LUKE!!!!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4865/45945333981_3c1a59c91f_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2d12R5H)20181118_124557 (https://flic.kr/p/2d12R5H) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
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This is how you drill steel!
Aluminum is Def easier and lighter! (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181118/48531082413d998a688c78f89dfae59e.jpg)
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Yeah, I though about renting one. Made more sense to lighten the load in the long run.
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That one is a table top one at Harbor frieght.. Bought mine used (same one) and I've used it tons for at least 8 years! 65 bucks!
The feet look awesome Btw.. That Def gives then more build!
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Still puttering away at improvements and making this costume more wearable. I made some elastic suspenders and attached them to the newly trimmed down "pants." I got rid of the extra material so that I should only have a slight overlap when all suited up again.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4891/45264799274_4c4786aca3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bXTVPG)20181119_155123 (https://flic.kr/p/2bXTVPG) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I made some aluminum hoops that I'm hoping to attach to the inside of the thigh area to bulk them out. Looks pretty good but since I was all by myself, and wearing stilts, a selfie just wasn't in the cards. I may do one more set of hoops a little lower down the thigh so that they have form to the top and the bottom. I am hoping that a few stitches to hold these in place won't be noticed and will be easily covered underneath the layers of fur. Shouldn't be a problem. I'll get that done after the holiday and hope to have a fully suited up picture again.
Next, I added some fans to the mask, just above my eyes and pointed down to blow air down my whole face.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4838/45989187271_b391821436_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2d4UB8V)20181121_105100 (https://flic.kr/p/2d4UB8V) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I then mounted the battery back on the back of my head/helmet. It is attached via Velcro and then covered with the flap of fur. It hides pretty well up there and since it is about 7'10" off the ground, I am confident that the extra head bulk will not be noticed.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4815/31050307167_e3d381d5a4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PiNWxz)20181121_105111 (https://flic.kr/p/PiNWxz) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Oh, glory be!!! Oxygen!!!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4851/31050307197_6cac0b645b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PiNWy6)20181121_104503 (https://flic.kr/p/PiNWy6) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
So, the last few things I want to do before I troop:
1. Cut some of the extra overlap fur off the arms and drill some holes in the arm PVC so that it will reduce the weight and hopefully add a little airflow in there.
2. Extra hoops for the thighs and ensure they are sewn in and not going to move anywhere. This will also eliminate the need for the mesh pants that I had made earlier with the plastic corset boning, which just isn't strong enough given the weight of the fur layer.
3. Maybe alter the facial expression a little using fur to give him an angrier brow... I dunno… I also may do some facial fur styling to even out the areas where the fur was cut and looks like it was cut. Want that to look wild and untamed. You know, like how I usually look. LOL
4. Weather it all.
I think that is about all I want to do for now. I'm sure I'll come up with some more stuff but that's a good list for now.
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So, I added the aluminum hoops to my upper thigh/hip area and now the pants will have more definition and it makes me much bulkier. Then, I started messing with the face. I added some more fur around the eyes to make him look angrier. Here is the new face:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4840/32210074148_22dc029513_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/R5i3S1)20181127_113018 (https://flic.kr/p/R5i3S1) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I still may add a few more jagged teeth but I like how the eyes are less open and he doesn't look quite so surprised!
Then, I bought a Christmas sweater!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4842/32210074458_1ac636eb9a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/R5i3Xm)20181127_113242 (https://flic.kr/p/R5i3Xm) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I started working on lightening the load a bit in the arms. I cut off some of the extra fur:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4915/44265169360_1d53f17142_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2aryyFb)20181127_133900 (https://flic.kr/p/2aryyFb) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And then drilled out some large holes to make them lighter and hopefully help with airflow once all the layers are on:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4854/32210071178_f302f1cc4b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/R5i2YN)20181127_141630 (https://flic.kr/p/R5i2YN) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4853/46031333952_5a77f6d49d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2d8CBSQ)20181127_142208 (https://flic.kr/p/2d8CBSQ) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I started the weathering. For this part, I brewed some tea and watered it down slightly and then went at all the parts with a squirt bottle:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4878/46081357711_d93f6c7ba3_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2dd41cr)20181127_143714 (https://flic.kr/p/2dd41cr) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
The lighting, while wet, makes a real difference:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4836/45169516985_bb2e8bb3b5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bPtzHB)20181127_144356 (https://flic.kr/p/2bPtzHB) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4824/32210067478_2432498294_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/R5i1T1)20181127_144620 (https://flic.kr/p/R5i1T1) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4832/45169515835_9c72b6b890_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bPtznM)20181127_145241 (https://flic.kr/p/2bPtznM) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4822/45357106864_a494c26ce6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2c742DS)20181127_163535 (https://flic.kr/p/2c742DS) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/45357106844_5731384264_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2c742Dw)20181127_163541 (https://flic.kr/p/2c742Dw) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4837/45169514265_6d5522662d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bPtyUH)20181127_163600 (https://flic.kr/p/2bPtyUH) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Going to let all this dry overnight and see how much color stuck. The hope is to get a nice, dirty look with areas where it is a bit darker. May take a few more passes with the squirt bottle before I'm happy but I also need this all to dry out before Sunday's troop!
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Took it out on his first troop today. Went pretty well. Cannot say enough positive things about having a spotter, especially when wearing stilts. Hearts of gold, every one of them.
This troop was at Fred Meyer for Salvation Army bell ringing. I thought it would be a good first try troop as it was indoors, level floors, and there was a changing room. The changing room worked well and I am definitely slow when walking in my stilts. I learned a few important lessons.
First, I need to trim the fur down on the inside of the feet as I kept stepping on it and that constitutes a tripping hazard. I'll need to trim it down or else it can become a problem in the future.
Second, there is a very slight transition to the cart area at FM and it is only a rise of about a half an inch, but that was enough for me to get a stilt on it awkwardly and almost fall over at the very beginning. My absolute nightmare in this costume is to fall as there is no way that I can catch myself. Luckily, I flailed around for a bit and was able to regain my balance. Spotter or no, if I fell forward, she likely wouldn't have been able to catch me and then we have 2 injuries.
Third, the costume is hot. All costumes are hot, so that is not a surprise. I wore sweat pants and a light long sleeve underneath as I wanted to absorb some sweat, but I may need something that is more specifically designed for cooling.
Fourth, my fans did very little to help. My right eye fogged up immediately and never cleared. My left eye stayed clear. May attempt to adjust the fans around to see if that can help.
And, lastly, the hands and arms worked. They are heavy and holding on to the bar worked but once it gets sweaty, they get a bit slippery. May try to create some kind of strapping system to hold them in place when my arms are at rest. That may just be too much work. Gloves may be a cheaper and more effective solution.
BUT, all complaining aside, it was an amazing troop and a lot of things went right. The kids, big and small, smiled and really seemed amazed at the costume. I got a lot of really kind and heartwarming comments and there were many more people that recognized a wampa than I thought there may be. So, yes, there are a few things I need to tweak, but what costume doesn't have that after the first 5-10 troops? Overall, it was a really great experience and I'm looking forward to wearing it again!
Here are a few pics of the troop:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4827/45240254115_887676d247_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2bVJ8pi)received_735286836839430 (https://flic.kr/p/2bVJ8pi) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Blizzard Force!!!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4831/32281147728_272636443b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Rbzjyy)received_2276594539243468 (https://flic.kr/p/Rbzjyy) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
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Love it man! Maybe a strap that attaches near the hand grab bar and goes up and clips above your elbow.. Maybe with a tensioner so you can have someone pull the strap tight one the arm is on place... Then tuck it in? And rubber grip tape for the handle?
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Love it man! Maybe a strap that attaches near the hand grab bar and goes up and clips above your elbow.. Maybe with a tensioner so you can have someone pull the strap tight one the arm is on place... Then tuck it in? And rubber grip tape for the handle?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Yes, that's great. Make two please! :lol:
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Being weird, having too much time on my hands, and hating to not have a project, I also decided that my bin needed decoration. Anybody can roll up with a plain old bin, I need to show up like a rock star, or something like that. I was envisioning something that the imperials may transport a Wampa in. You know, like a Wampa containment unit. So, with a little inspiration, I went at it.
So, I started with my plain old bin and painted it white, cause you know, Blizzard Force and snow and all that:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4814/31269575187_3df174b306_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/PDbKhF)20181203_181115 (https://flic.kr/p/PDbKhF) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I hand painted some ice blue colors to give it contrast:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4809/32336593968_d46a99ca2a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RgtuNd)20181205_113540 (https://flic.kr/p/RgtuNd) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
The paint on the bin didn't adhere very well so I used that to my advantage and scraped off the letters I wanted so that it still has a little white in it and looks like it's a bit frosty:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4844/32336593488_6b3775827c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RgtuDW)20181205_130330 (https://flic.kr/p/RgtuDW) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4827/32336590978_b5a21fd26d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RgttUE)20181205_151443 (https://flic.kr/p/RgttUE) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Except this part, which I painted but I didn't want to do too much up here because that is where my stilts are attached when I'm rolling it, so anything will probably get scraped off.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4867/32336591708_53b9674249_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Rgtu8f)20181205_151433 (https://flic.kr/p/Rgtu8f) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I'll need to come up with some cool stickers to run my troop tracker. My TK bin has TK helmets, my Biker Scout bin has Ewoks, and my Boba Fett will have Han in Carbonite.
It still looked plain so I took this Wampa skull image from the merch section of Blizzard Force and enlarged it to create a stencil.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4833/32336590398_75aba4bd8e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RgttJE)20181206_123452 (https://flic.kr/p/RgttJE) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Then, I started carving:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/32336590298_040e122fb6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RgttGW)20181206_130449 (https://flic.kr/p/RgttGW) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
About an hour or two later, I have:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4831/46158159872_5e31d2c707_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2djQCNC)20181206_134749 (https://flic.kr/p/2djQCNC) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
And here is a close up:
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4910/45484664574_015a57a975_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cijN7J)20181206_134804 (https://flic.kr/p/2cijN7J) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
Hit it with a little matte sealer to try to keep the main white colors from scraping off so easily and now we have a nice little bin that clearly announce who is rolling up!
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4850/45295974825_a69cbfacc7_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2c1DHec)20181206_135400 (https://flic.kr/p/2c1DHec) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4853/45295974755_dc57bd2491_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2c1DHcZ)20181206_135410 (https://flic.kr/p/2c1DHcZ) by Michael Halstead (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150894402@N05/), on Flickr
I may go back at some point and add some "Do not open" warnings or perhaps some warning tape. I don't know. It's good enough for now.
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I've given you the congrats but still have to say this costume is just stupid awesome.
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SO cool, and the containment unit caps it off.