Bamboo forest

When we were in Florida a few weeks ago we toured some mini golfs to see what kinds of things were new. We found some great golf courses with some pretty cool features. But we also noted some things we missed. One of them was conssitent and bold numbering on each hole. 

As we designed the Trinidad project we purposely designed in a few repeating elements to tie everything together. One of those things was the style of the hole markers. They needed to be bold, simple and consistent. The design we settled on was oversized, random length 'bamboo' sticks with the numbers incised clearly. We sculpted most of them today.

The eighteenth hole marker is yet to come as I have to first design and route a sign to define the scoring rules of the last hole. It will attach the sign to the post before it is sculpted. In the shop the post look like a forest of bamboo.

Climbing turtle

The latest sign to be started is for two attractions - Walk the Plank and Skull Rock Scramble. Since the attractions share the same space we decied to combine the signs. I had already done the design for the jump attraction and would keep it for the top portion of the sign. I extended the bottom of the 'rock' and added Skull Rock Scramble. 

This portion of the sign would be routed in three layers and I will laminate a sturdy steel frame inside. This is what the routing file looked like. Once glued up it will get lots of hand work to make it look like the concept drawing.

It is our intent to feature all of the Gruffles on the signs. On this one we decided that Webster would be climbing the wall. Webster of course resembles a pirate turtle of sorts. I did a quick sketch to work out the idea. Webster will be clinging to the corner of the sign. The tortoise will be hand sculpted.

Late this afternoon I got a chance to begin the sculpt and managed to finish most of the shell. We'll attach this to the sign and then finish off the limbs and head. The riveted brass plate patch was a last minute addition.

Tomorrow the work continues. Stay tuned...

Coat please...

We are currently are in the design phase of a very interesting project. At this stage nothing is too crazy - absolutely anything is entirely possible. Most of the project is currently under wraps but I thought a little sneak peek at the coat rack might be in order...

Imagine the rest of the place...