Castle of Courage

[Scott Hackler]

This is my donation piece for the Beads of Courage program, down at SWAT, this year. I spent quite a bit of time trying to get the picture out of my head and into this arrangement! I was a little scared that my roughouts would warp too bad or crack and I wouldn't have usable wood to complete this...but everything worked out OK and this is the end result. All three "towers" are containers with lids. The lines for the bricks, the main roof and the front gate were burnt in. The texture on sides was achieved using a needle scaler and 400 grit to soften before dry brushing black stain. The connecting pieces are just 3/4" boards with a cove down each side to match the round tower profiles. The flags are bamboo skewers with plastic pieces cut out of a butter container (the only red and white flat plastic I could find)! And a little sifted gravel glued down for garnish! The trees are just some plastic foliage I bought at Hobby Lobby and attached to 1/4" dowels. Both the flags and trees are removable in case the little one is too little for such things. A note stating so is inside for the parents.

Everything was sprayed with a coat of rattle can lacquer. The tallest tower is close to 12" tall and the whole piece is about 16" wide. Silver maple.

I hope this brings some joy to a wee one that is going through their medical treatments.

Comments are always welcome and see you at SWAT if your going! Thanks

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[Paul Williams]

Great job Scott. Your attention to detail makes the piece.

[Scott Brandstetter]

Great piece. Obviously a lot of time went into this project. You should be proud.

[Mike Tilley]

Very nice will make someone very happy i'am sure

[Dennis Ford]

WOW, I am looking forward to seeing it in person.

[Steve Doerr]

Great job Scott. Some kid will be extremely happy with that.

[Lori Kleinberg]

That is a great piece Scott.

[Alan Arnup]

Excellent result Scott.

Someone will surely appreciate your efforts.

Alan

[Bill Blasic]

Nicely done Scott!

[jwjerry w kowalski]

Very nice Scott, your attention to detail is great, I like the shadows in the gate and how real that makes everything look, and your texturing of the castle to look like real stone is exceptional. Everything is proportional and well balanced too. This took some time to do and I'm sure it will be warmly welcomed.

[Nicolas Silva]

Beautiful work. Very inspiring.

[Dan Jechura]

very nice, something I am not sure I would try.

[Glen Blanchard]

Yeah, that's awesome. But considering who made it, I keep wondering how thin it is. I wonder why that is. Hmmmm.

:-)

[Steve Schlumpf]

Absolutely stunning work! Love the imagination and your attention to detail! Some child is going to be thrilled to get this! Thanks for sharing!

[Faust M. Ruggiero]

Scott,
Your work is always excellent but your generosity and consideration for causes is remarkable. What a Guy!!
faust

[Kelvin Burton]

Scott, another great contribution that will thrill a child! Should wow the judges too! See you in a couple of days!

[Scott Hackler]

Thanks for the extra comments. I am anxious to get this (and the other pieces) on the tables so I don't have to worry about breaking something in transit. :)