Storm before the calm.

Tomorrow I leave for four days to teach a Sign Magic Workshop in Toronto, Canada. I'm excited and looking forward to it with great anticipation. But it also means I am leaving in the middle of a large project. My crew will do fine without a doubt. Today was spent on the jobsite making sure everything was in order, materials were on hand and everybody knew what to do over the next four days. I spent the bulk of my time texturing walls and ceilings where they needed to paint in the coming days. We also painted test panels to make sure everyone was trained in the new technique they would use. It is the final stage of the painting process. When I get back the entry and restaurant areas should be finished save for a little glazing on the bricks and a little detail work here and there. The test panels in the restaurant proved my crew was up to the task and also that it was the perfect treatment for the blank wall spaces. With the dimensional eye candy underway in the shop to hang there the restaurant space will look pretty cool!

In the entry hallway the beans are now all up and the background texture is done. It is looking pretty spectacular! Pub guests are getting more excited each day as they catch glimpses inside of the work we are doing. When we are done it will be a pub like no other anywhere.

My team will work well I'm sure. I certainly won't worry or fret. I'll be busy in Toronto teaching the workshop!

-grampa dan

Getting creative

The Toronto edition of our Sign Magic Workshop is now only three days away. One of those days will be spent in transit and one day is set aside for me to get things organized. I am busy making last minute arrangements and packing supplies I will need. The workshops we hold in our studio are easy for every tool imaginable and paints of every description are close at hand. This gives our participants a multitude of choices and unlimited creative freedom. When we hold our workshops on the road it is a whole different matter.

To my disapointment, the airlines do not permit the transport of paint as part of our luggage, not even acrylic paints. Everything will have to be bought there. This gets to be an expensive proposition in a hurry, especially considering we need so little of some colors. Buying a liter of paint so we can dip a tiny brush into it only a few times does not make much sense so we will be doing plenty of mixing to get what we need. Each student will create four sample pieces, colored and glazed to learn the techniques we use in our shop. Each student will also sculpt a bug using a variety of materials. Even in a well equipped shop it is daunting for some. With limited resources and tools we will be forced to put on our thinking caps for sure.

We'll purchase a small variety of colors, and simply mix what we need to fill the needs of the students. I've stocked up on brushes and other goodies that can be difficult to find. I've printed out the addresses of multiple store locations for the suppliers of the items we will have to source there.  Then we have one day to make sure all is in order and organized for our guests.

I am looking forward to the three days of the workshop. I have no doubt I will be learning as much as the students. It is going to be a wonderful challenge and opportunity to be creative.

-grampa dan

A special treat!

Our second business, Giggle Ridge Adventure Golf is a very special place. It was a dream we held and worked on for more than a decade before we got the chance to build it. Our grand daughter Phoebe has spent countless hours there each summer as she grew up. Her mom worked there each summer season. Phoebe has greeted guests since she was tiny.

In the last summers we wait for the perfect night and then invite Phoebe for a campover. It's a rare treat for no other child could be so lucky as to stay right on the golf course. After waiting what seeemed like forever, last night was, at last, the night we would camp at the golf this year. The highest spot on the multi-level course is also the perfect camping spot. The green on hole 3 is in a cave and has a grand view of the pond and clubhouse. Giant trees would frame our vista. A full moon would cast a magical glow over the entire scene, We would set up camp there. After supper I dropped by Phoebe's house and picked her up. She was waiting by the door with per pack of clothes, supplies and framed picture of her parents - just in case she missed them. My truck was full of our supplies and grandma has also filled her car with necessary things. Even Ditto the dog was coming along, so she didn't get loney by herself at the house. 

Phoebe insisted I stop by our house on the way, however, for she deperately needed her bee tent - just in case it rained. I explained that the weatherman had promised no rain was to fall, but she knew the weatherman wasn't always right and the tent was critical for the camping event to be successful. After some discussion I decided it was best to just agree. 

Once at the golf we had to wait for the chores to be done and all the guests to finish golfing and leave. It seemed to take forever. But at long last it was time to haul the camping gear up the hill to hole 3. It took many, many trips. Everything had to be arranged perfectly and last of all the bee tent had to be assembled. We put in her blankets, pillow and other necessary gear. It was getting pretty full in there - especially with a growing six year old Phoebe. The last thing to put in was her mom & dad's framed picture where Phoebe could reach it if she needed to. Then it was time for a treat and even some of grampa's Coca Cola - only allowed on special occasions. And this occasion certainly qualified without a doubt.

Then the many lights were turned out and Phoebe crawled into her tent. She had a flashlight of course and it was shining bright. Eventually Phoebe nodded off and all was quiet at last. It was well past midnight before grampa and grandma got to sleep.

At 6 am I could hear Phoebe stirring. The tent flap popped open and I was greeted with the biggest smile ever! This was very fun!  We had to strike camp and clear the course for the morning staff would soon arrive to get things ready for another busy day. We headed into town for breakfast - at the very same restaurant we visited last year. It seems this camping at Giggle Ridge is a family tradition... and I'm glad!

I do believe I need a nap however.

-grampa dan