Since my nail gun was kicking up such a fuss delaying my beloved window moulding project today, I did what anyone else that didn’t know a thing about tools would do. Go visit someone that did.
Lucky chosen Dan lives about 2 minutes drive from me. But when you get out of your vehicle, you transport a million miles away to some foreign fun land.
[ click pictures for larger view ]
It just so happens a large mini golf project (see Dan’s journal on that HERE) is in the works in the area, so the driveway had seemingly sprouted up all things cartoon.
I had forgotten what it felt like being around these tall and wonderful creations. I hitched a ride with Dan awhile back, but it was no regular ride. In the back of the pickup was some tall, cartoon apparatus. I think it was an airplane. Anyway, the turning heads, pointing fingers and happy feelings these creations spread around the highway really caught me off guard! People forgot about road rage and became instant kids again.
I turned to Dan and asked, “Do you EVER get use to all this attention?!”
He just smiled and said, “This is normal.”
Funny how one’s normal is completely different from another’s.
For the newbies here, Sawatzky’s Imagination Corporation specializes in themed environments and off the wall signs. What you’re seeing here is fibreglass reinforced sculpted concrete. The signs are created from routed precision board. Then everything is hand painted with many layers of paint and glazes to achieve the realistic effects. It’s some of the same materials my fireplace mantel was created from by Dan and crew.
This mini train will eventually travel around the entire property. Metal parts were fabricated, then welded together, rusted with a specialty paint and acid treatment.
I’d be happy to take everything in this here picture home with me thank you very much!
The shop was built several years ago…
… with a most recently built dream house to match. If curious, you can see the entire house being built in Dan’s journal on his website HERE. It’s quite a portfolio!
Dan got my gun working fine, so my excuses for an unfinished window are no more. Yay! But we accomplished a little more today as well. Not only did the driveway cheer me up, I got some good, sound advice from a friend that saw what I couldn’t see myself.
I know many of you, just like me, get busy with family and work and probably don’t get out much. Is that why we go online so much I wonder? 🙂 But it’s rather amazing how an outsider looking in sees things much differently than we see ourselves.
My wish for you is to seek out a friendship like that. Someone that cares enough about you to push you hard in the right direction even though you dig in your heels all the way.
If things go as planned, 2014 could be one big, brave, big girl year for Funky Junk! More soon as things develop.
And if all else fails? I can always park myself on Dan’s driveway and just be happy. 🙂
Dearest Donna ~
Yesterday’s post really “hit the spot” regarding how I, too, feel about my house. Unsatisfied. Unthankful. It was encouragement to get my heart right about having a decent place to live and making it all it needed to be so that it was a cozy comfy inviting place for me and my little family. Somewhere along the way I embraced a real negative attitude. It was not my dream house. But what ever is, really. Now I am encouraged to look at its possibilities, work with it, embrace it as home, and to be THANKFUL for it. Amazing what an attitude adjustment can do.
Looking forward to your farmhouse trim. The look I wanted looked so much harder than it really is to achieve. Flat four inch side and bottom boards, six inch at top with a strip of picture moulding (half round) along the bottom of the top board and a small ceiling moulding along the top. Hardest part – mitering those trim pieces. Just like the old farmhouses.
I collected oodles of pictures, never really knowing if I could have it myself. Then I found instructions online, and realized it was simply pieces of trim that had been applied to give “the look.”
With each new project this house becomes more mine. But I do believe the key to it all is thankfulness.
You have certainly put your stamp on your abode!
Blessings ~ Brenda
YES! That’s exactly how I handled my window. It totally intimidated me to try for the longest time. Until I studied the pieces. It’s a special recipe is all. Can’t wait to show you my easy way! 🙂
What an amazing place! Thank you…
Fun stuff! That’s how our work and inside the shop looks like everyday!!! Working in themed entertainment is always an adventure-in-the-making… It’s work, but gets in your blood and becomes your life… I’m still dreaming of a road trip up your way… Would be fun to meet you and Dan…we all have A LOT in common!!!!
Now, off the net to begin some pre-kitchen-remodel dismantling … Oh the joy! (And the mess!)
After almost 10 years….(of many other house projects!) it’s time….Yipppppeeeeee!!!!!
Cheers!
What an enjoyable post! Since I live across the continent I am not likely to see the real things, sl the photos were a pleasure.
Mary, you may be closer to Dan’s work than you realize! His work is all over the world.
West Edmontom Mall is one of them. There’s another world’s largest mall in the states I’m drawing a blank on too… ah! Must find out. Is it in Minnesota?
Wow – what a fun friend to have! I’d love to just be a neighbor who could bask in the wonderment.
Such a fun place. So glad you were able to have a little fun. Thanks for sharing.
What a great Friend to have! Inspiring and a kindered spirit…:) A true Blessing!
I want to borrow a cactus and drive it around in the cold Minnesota winter just to see people look.
I love that donkey! He made me smile!
Donna – go for the big, brave big girl year!
Anxiously awaiting the bathroom reveal…. Find the nail gun already… hahah. 🙂
I know this is a little off-topic but…
You mentioned that one of Dan’s pieces was ‘artifically’ rusted using a special paint. I’ve found products that de-rust items, but would dearly love to find a product(s) that would either rust metal items, or a rusty-looking paint. All I can find is a rust-coloured primer by Tremclad. Do you know of anything?
P.S. Keep up the great work!
Hey Laurie! Sophisticated Finishes carries a paint with metal pigments and an acid kit. Once acid is sprayed on, the metal rusts. It’s pretty cool! Some say Michael’s carries small kits but I haven’t checked lately.
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