tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33819187489789175332024-02-06T19:51:28.833-08:00Diorama Fun!This blog focuses on dioramas, buildings and figures for 1:64 scale cars. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-67594260264796711062016-04-18T19:03:00.000-07:002018-03-17T12:48:24.112-07:00So you want to create a diorama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UGrca6I2mW_S25y-boW3oT1k3evWEFoBCyBsm6dp-QSPBHDhMt8w9HQEhvrjqlLsu0e0rCqdqnDf16I02NLL9msPG39SHfVPDmGM9BDuZ1T5QsGaAzMRuiGiUWOWC04ZzPasoY4_0HmG/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UGrca6I2mW_S25y-boW3oT1k3evWEFoBCyBsm6dp-QSPBHDhMt8w9HQEhvrjqlLsu0e0rCqdqnDf16I02NLL9msPG39SHfVPDmGM9BDuZ1T5QsGaAzMRuiGiUWOWC04ZzPasoY4_0HmG/s400/055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hi There! Today, I'm going to talk about how to create a diorama and photograph it for your Hot Wheels and other die-cast cars. Most of my die-cast collection consists of 1:64 scale cars, so this will be the focus of my discussion.<br />
<br />
From the wikipedia definition, a diorama is a three dimensional miniature model. With respect to die-cast, we want to depict our favourite car or truck within a realistic setting. If we want to share our diorama with others, then we will want to take some decent pictures of it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbNuLWXm8MhE_hQCNp5CHWwcydZBAIhCM9FgOSX8PXtpjiHTk7Tx6uy_R7d_IAW99n86dJrVD9qrRZA2kEgUzGYUmlx0YDev5mu6PKJMSii2T91AVq1kSI3s0Az3-KWujfTDIzHMafVCB/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbNuLWXm8MhE_hQCNp5CHWwcydZBAIhCM9FgOSX8PXtpjiHTk7Tx6uy_R7d_IAW99n86dJrVD9qrRZA2kEgUzGYUmlx0YDev5mu6PKJMSii2T91AVq1kSI3s0Az3-KWujfTDIzHMafVCB/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
What you'll need</h3>
First I'm going to list the essentials for creating a diorama, then I'll go into some detail about each of those items. Let's begin:<br />
<br />
1. A die-cast car.<br />
<br />
2. A table or desk and a desk lamp.<br />
<br />
3. A backdrop.<br />
<br />
4. A camera.<br />
<br />
5. Optional accessories.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
A die-cast car</h3>
So you've probably got a favourite die-cast car or truck, like a Hot Wheel or Matchbox brand. How should you display it? Well, it depends on what type of vehicle it is. If you've got a race car, you might want to depict it at the track. If you've got a muscle car, maybe it's in a garage. If you've got a truck, maybe it's driving in a field or making a delivery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifydgIH0-UXwqO8f1ZFvHVKOWwi2SWGYuMkmrWt1XKIz2ydN7EDCNkDu07jba09IVibJok00zTEJeHRZYP0Z7VleNjbiG_C7QFvtH43nU6fb9jPT-YRmUPPwoOGCAlN2pxrZ7luRaRWyv-/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifydgIH0-UXwqO8f1ZFvHVKOWwi2SWGYuMkmrWt1XKIz2ydN7EDCNkDu07jba09IVibJok00zTEJeHRZYP0Z7VleNjbiG_C7QFvtH43nU6fb9jPT-YRmUPPwoOGCAlN2pxrZ7luRaRWyv-/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The idea is to create a diorama that portrays the vehicle in a setting where you might normally find it.<br />
So putting a race car in the middle of a cornfield or on a busy downtown street wouldn't make much sense. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM4W0X13kO_IXioombfFDAS9A5_eLpV6WcZbLAdIx9QcN2Du0hCxgvZFXqTjyE-JjLAqohPeb3G4Xudffum9Km57rUQoRLMN88GULjT7_BhPyL5fvc73rTqx9lJnsFq2TzghS8jHKpvxg/s1600/jun+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM4W0X13kO_IXioombfFDAS9A5_eLpV6WcZbLAdIx9QcN2Du0hCxgvZFXqTjyE-JjLAqohPeb3G4Xudffum9Km57rUQoRLMN88GULjT7_BhPyL5fvc73rTqx9lJnsFq2TzghS8jHKpvxg/s400/jun+006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Take a look at your die-cast model and envision how you want to display it. Then start to build your diorama around it. <br />
<br />
<h3>
A table or desk</h3>
<br />
So, this is pretty obvious but you'll need to display your diorama specifically for photographing. It's up to you how permanent your diorama is, but mine are always temporary. Once I've captured it on camera, I tear it down because frankly I don't have a lot of space to put everything.<br />
<br />
Your tabletop or desktop should provide enough depth (distance from camera lens) to allow different camera angles and give your pictures a greater depth of field. I recommend that you work with a space of at least 2 feet wide by 2 feet deep. Now mind you, there are always exceptions. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-Gr1ZEf24ZLC9hJalH-GVIIALSfMiv-NnaX0DgD6ebcguKaa_ej7ROlDHIJtc7-4qC3XISzTr21DhCdqK9kWRIcGJR00HlRNOMdccI6fcZcMKuSsH6ZFUTjDRk69bbJW40AK7t9EsGij/s1600/P1130022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-Gr1ZEf24ZLC9hJalH-GVIIALSfMiv-NnaX0DgD6ebcguKaa_ej7ROlDHIJtc7-4qC3XISzTr21DhCdqK9kWRIcGJR00HlRNOMdccI6fcZcMKuSsH6ZFUTjDRk69bbJW40AK7t9EsGij/s400/P1130022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
For example, this simple little diorama is about one foot deep by one foot wide and was positioned on my Ikea bookshelf. The building in the background is only about 1.5 inches deep giving me about ten inches of remaining depth to play with. I placed the yellow Hot Wheels ramp truck up against the building but brought the Hot Wheels Chevelle race car closer to the camera lens. This allows me to differentiate the subject matter (blue chevelle) from the background (building and ramp truck).<br />
<br />
The more room you have to work with, the richer in details your diorama can be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xOL8KUvvUIuZZpFeaXqdqdJTPG7YfOufH-hIfQyzxCJfTMASKY6uV6gfjjjsAQjS8MXSMCX4T6djxb1yI0lX_JYoHcHtTf5bhYKd3qhjU1yfh25lq159uvPw_74wZHaoRwIS2c3JDiWu/s1600/115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xOL8KUvvUIuZZpFeaXqdqdJTPG7YfOufH-hIfQyzxCJfTMASKY6uV6gfjjjsAQjS8MXSMCX4T6djxb1yI0lX_JYoHcHtTf5bhYKd3qhjU1yfh25lq159uvPw_74wZHaoRwIS2c3JDiWu/s400/115.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In the picture above, the Chevy Suburban showroom is about a foot and a half deep.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAUz4QAa2mZuyDONeR15jR5Umo-0Sgifb5Hs4hWTSQA8nTJm5E9ohjPWHscm4BS0HJ89tecud5SZ0hpLQmWvM6K-sRzqqHqqhT2hiJefzRRQTjmS1TfReB96iHWbQXxXUhH70sO_8rqmh/s1600/P1150728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAUz4QAa2mZuyDONeR15jR5Umo-0Sgifb5Hs4hWTSQA8nTJm5E9ohjPWHscm4BS0HJ89tecud5SZ0hpLQmWvM6K-sRzqqHqqhT2hiJefzRRQTjmS1TfReB96iHWbQXxXUhH70sO_8rqmh/s400/P1150728.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Here's another example of establishing depth. The VW van is in the foreground, the bug and surf shack are mid depth and the trees and foliage are way back. Again this setup is about 1.5 to 2 feet deep. This is my preferred depth of field for picture taking.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
An overhead lamp</h3>
<br />
I can't stress how absolutely critical it is to have an overhead lamp above your diorama when taking pictures of it. Your camera will need the light to properly capture the scene. And the light will help to establish a mood and also put focus onto the car which you are featuring in your picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTfv0MthUncoo_GJz-42mCYng_mwGr9Jr_3dcmhUQRBMZgU0UWcQ27eVmyXEEYwWTIGSlXJxUX-CLMq8ukonGLK3y3vz88JHPdi2AM6SQjnF4ZoX1LFXLIJIYH7ZyoQeOUyNsPrpfTDTN/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTfv0MthUncoo_GJz-42mCYng_mwGr9Jr_3dcmhUQRBMZgU0UWcQ27eVmyXEEYwWTIGSlXJxUX-CLMq8ukonGLK3y3vz88JHPdi2AM6SQjnF4ZoX1LFXLIJIYH7ZyoQeOUyNsPrpfTDTN/s400/IMG_1196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ok, so let's put what we know together so far. <br />
<br />
We need a feature vehicle. Johnny Lightning Jeep Cherokee. Check.<br />
We need a table that can give us a visual depth of about 2 feet. Check.<br />
We need an overhead lamp. Check. Wait, where's the lamp?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzg52NOyrMD_Y2NGZwNgSXf1gyrg5qiEFLxvExziXChHApDDUOxdCNM_KEMd_Siaw9FVXDq9MpNgtsMF9qwq52ICyHic-wooUeE50PG4kPdpQ0NZZH6qdpDNNr8x4g3DVGBVU4QYnruwq/s1600/_1130949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzg52NOyrMD_Y2NGZwNgSXf1gyrg5qiEFLxvExziXChHApDDUOxdCNM_KEMd_Siaw9FVXDq9MpNgtsMF9qwq52ICyHic-wooUeE50PG4kPdpQ0NZZH6qdpDNNr8x4g3DVGBVU4QYnruwq/s400/_1130949.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
If you look carefully, you'll see that I've setup this diorama on the bathroom counter, Lol. 2 foot depth remember? I probably could have gotten away with one overhead light but I opted for two in this shot. <br />
<br />
My floor lamp is from Ikea, it has a gooseneck so I can position it directly over my shot, without taking up additional real estate. But you could light this shot with a desk lamp from Walmart. Just make sure it has a goose neck so you can position the light how you want it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
A backdrop</h3>
<br />
What's a backdrop? For me, it's anything that will serve as a background to my diorama. It can be as simple as something as a DIY building or a picture I printed off the internet. Or you can buy something from a toy store or dollar store. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0N9xsMABM7m1EAh5YMEqkQJYRcP_NEHXOyKmkKkWaJkaLk0JCwee_A6hixjikDC-KFmdF4SxBDGu0HJGlS9Q2V8kREcQkNa8-lzEjIzT6cOLDgdcQBqmJveCeFHxJH1PNbNvgNNBRvrr/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0N9xsMABM7m1EAh5YMEqkQJYRcP_NEHXOyKmkKkWaJkaLk0JCwee_A6hixjikDC-KFmdF4SxBDGu0HJGlS9Q2V8kREcQkNa8-lzEjIzT6cOLDgdcQBqmJveCeFHxJH1PNbNvgNNBRvrr/s400/036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I found a picture of a tree on a hill with a blue sky from the internet. It serves as the backdrop for this shot. The Toyota Land Rover sits on a sheet of grass mat and I added a small deer. That's all there is to this shot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfPJz3Ap-bSYJyISMQ5_30a8fBhdxwTSLewOlqOi1QNV8WHt9xWZ6kRz9Axnp78SUMbkzMXW3qHgJ3merF-1gfzqc_ygxnZuiVhN1w3jVCx4dZnate3_FOuXvGSFhlHAWIX9Eus53Kmd7/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfPJz3Ap-bSYJyISMQ5_30a8fBhdxwTSLewOlqOi1QNV8WHt9xWZ6kRz9Axnp78SUMbkzMXW3qHgJ3merF-1gfzqc_ygxnZuiVhN1w3jVCx4dZnate3_FOuXvGSFhlHAWIX9Eus53Kmd7/s400/017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The surf shack in the orange VW pic is made out of cardboard. I printed the images off the internet and glued it to some cardboard. The yellow fence? It's made out of popsicle sticks which I painted yellow. Surfboards came from the Hot Wheels models: Surf Crate and Deora.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJigkKpeb7QBD2FSxCB8l-UKbkSWBsnUlRUbqS9N9PiJWNIbyk7OtfD-_VYv1LbGzfXuv1Wz8wW9NbRryCT90AxpI_yYTK8RbHAsj5vnK8LRyF2Hq3PBFuGEpKMYAve-kOaxwLRDHuuyi4/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJigkKpeb7QBD2FSxCB8l-UKbkSWBsnUlRUbqS9N9PiJWNIbyk7OtfD-_VYv1LbGzfXuv1Wz8wW9NbRryCT90AxpI_yYTK8RbHAsj5vnK8LRyF2Hq3PBFuGEpKMYAve-kOaxwLRDHuuyi4/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Girls doll houses that I found at the dollar store. They scale well with my Hot Wheels and such. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RDIdiEOPejP2K4IFGDANYnQjhwA_ziEwyNyyNdebOZBk6TKnxshyQ_ZnpH_dfxp1KHReqIyAAa5SGeK0K1D7XYW-q0W1ooyLCEqp7DSOL7ciPxcnTswOEGE3CtfPLlixRcrEcoHTlIi1/s1600/IMG_8705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8RDIdiEOPejP2K4IFGDANYnQjhwA_ziEwyNyyNdebOZBk6TKnxshyQ_ZnpH_dfxp1KHReqIyAAa5SGeK0K1D7XYW-q0W1ooyLCEqp7DSOL7ciPxcnTswOEGE3CtfPLlixRcrEcoHTlIi1/s400/IMG_8705.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
These highly detailed japanese style buildings were bought from ebay and make a great backdrop for my Tomica collection.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
A camera</h3>
Ok, this is where we have to get technical. What kind of camera do you need to take shots of your dioramas? You want to have some control over the camera settings, specifically the Aperture and Exposure levels. So your camera should have these settings on it. Check your camera manual if unsure. Some point and shoot cameras have these settings. Most mirror less and four thirds cameras will have them and all DSLRs will have them for sure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrWvFU8A-DhVCF9DtPfiHqgSlTWOLrMQ5ZJOBJ12ecZGE7WN0k9WOjZyBc8ipfkONRRYe2zPJgONG7oaDPNS4aT-fDUMmAxea24rApBNjp3Y5PyYgasnblZCTe0kLP0DuE4PMWZoAwAOJ/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrWvFU8A-DhVCF9DtPfiHqgSlTWOLrMQ5ZJOBJ12ecZGE7WN0k9WOjZyBc8ipfkONRRYe2zPJgONG7oaDPNS4aT-fDUMmAxea24rApBNjp3Y5PyYgasnblZCTe0kLP0DuE4PMWZoAwAOJ/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Aperture setting controls how much of the picture is in focus and is especially useful for taking pictures of your die-cast because typically you want the car to be in focus and the background to be slightly blurred. See how the fire fighter above is focused where the background is blurred?<br />
<br />
You can also set the Aperture to focus clearly on both the foreground and the background. The Japanese buildings and the cars from the previous picture are in focus because I wanted to show both of them. I did this by setting the Aperture to F11. Google camera aperture to learn more.<br />
<br />
Exposure just means how much light is in the picture, ie how light or dark it is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgtUa7DX8WIgPVsCuB32PKirBil_03QyFGliYchAHo9z4OJUqA5xJ07aTelipLBJKVvrhBOk_kQu1wAK5V2jSiHPq85KNBNzE8gWBCkwe589SXe67_8UsKdnmo9nKGnbWWNQ-xx93gTjN/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgtUa7DX8WIgPVsCuB32PKirBil_03QyFGliYchAHo9z4OJUqA5xJ07aTelipLBJKVvrhBOk_kQu1wAK5V2jSiHPq85KNBNzE8gWBCkwe589SXe67_8UsKdnmo9nKGnbWWNQ-xx93gTjN/s400/055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In this picture, I turned off the room lights and just shone my table lamp onto the cars. In order to make sure you could see the cars, I had to control the exposure on the camera. Here's some more examples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hzIibYdCE9Q/VjPhxeNwVBI/AAAAAAAATeo/b-eJFtRYLRIA1uAsAn3O9yORVrZ11TwngCKgB/s1600/P1160944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hzIibYdCE9Q/VjPhxeNwVBI/AAAAAAAATeo/b-eJFtRYLRIA1uAsAn3O9yORVrZ11TwngCKgB/s400/P1160944.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rFu9tiikG9VlI-iYBIUoyMjfjUPAnvE05wVTEb2ygYvTdy_jPp6vzxVmC5wC9Y6QOQwD-Xk8IHNkZk97EPAltCz2304U43bImy7fadfHbWdbHIW5DN-WmREM75AtEp0EGjwfiKsajhog/s1600/P1170682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rFu9tiikG9VlI-iYBIUoyMjfjUPAnvE05wVTEb2ygYvTdy_jPp6vzxVmC5wC9Y6QOQwD-Xk8IHNkZk97EPAltCz2304U43bImy7fadfHbWdbHIW5DN-WmREM75AtEp0EGjwfiKsajhog/s400/P1170682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here are some pictures with a lighter background.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwgBcQNlloIMpSTfvmq8JrLV-AF3ZTEB4TQfSyfS_2FqvA8dLVtwOzv0Td7vtZF3DZHVtLo1Gec-X2ycfUSLdUQQPGS8d354_vET7GlyhpxVyP2Q4Jx2EBg-W9XUA54qGefXlaegLhWwM/s1600/IMG_7942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwgBcQNlloIMpSTfvmq8JrLV-AF3ZTEB4TQfSyfS_2FqvA8dLVtwOzv0Td7vtZF3DZHVtLo1Gec-X2ycfUSLdUQQPGS8d354_vET7GlyhpxVyP2Q4Jx2EBg-W9XUA54qGefXlaegLhWwM/s400/IMG_7942.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KFykClh9kyqR80CtdCauuQkQXadtn7oFmKISi4r5v5KcNuofwFTWDiYurKq4H634MJXsvYMLLGNSIBBPPngrq0vWLqtd2z0UxKKhTvJPoEf0ItRjMniSleNHHXD9dOmLwsEHdDYbLwZB/s1600/IMG_2517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KFykClh9kyqR80CtdCauuQkQXadtn7oFmKISi4r5v5KcNuofwFTWDiYurKq4H634MJXsvYMLLGNSIBBPPngrq0vWLqtd2z0UxKKhTvJPoEf0ItRjMniSleNHHXD9dOmLwsEHdDYbLwZB/s400/IMG_2517.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also, when taking pictures, it's best to mount your camera to a tripod instead of holding it. This will ensure that your pictures aren't blurry or suffer from the shakes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Optional Accessories</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Your die-cast diorama will look perfectly fine with just your car and a simple backdrop. But if you want to make your pictures even more interesting, you want to add details to the dioramas, such as figures, foliage, additional cars and buildings, etc. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmnLO_jWM3d4WGMQ0-huYs6FQLZsXdg_D1PRvsQGPhW6jgC_-fuXS-F3_kO2_dYAHUI70pzpC63OMOWhBxR4qg0ntYFBqCOTdGvkW-i_QSFLSOZBpl38ZIhaUkklgGL2O5BWfXWyXCRO_/s1600/apr+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmnLO_jWM3d4WGMQ0-huYs6FQLZsXdg_D1PRvsQGPhW6jgC_-fuXS-F3_kO2_dYAHUI70pzpC63OMOWhBxR4qg0ntYFBqCOTdGvkW-i_QSFLSOZBpl38ZIhaUkklgGL2O5BWfXWyXCRO_/s400/apr+027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's really up to you, how much stuff you want to add to your dio pictures, but be careful about going overboard. If you want to showcase a car, then keep the background simple. If you want to do a bigger display then add more details like street signs, other cars and such.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xDMdVdWoWEfS93JB1Lh797R8Gea-rIT2zZrmENcG3YSzwhQ7-O9CkOY3gYpbnziOMtEMKuvhjNWt3roGLOUsVdvHw2SlocRFLM9VMnvd7h4TEeh1OSr6v9kXauApaVFeHIIgeRpF6JDx/s1600/DSC06691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xDMdVdWoWEfS93JB1Lh797R8Gea-rIT2zZrmENcG3YSzwhQ7-O9CkOY3gYpbnziOMtEMKuvhjNWt3roGLOUsVdvHw2SlocRFLM9VMnvd7h4TEeh1OSr6v9kXauApaVFeHIIgeRpF6JDx/s400/DSC06691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ok, that's it for this long post. Hope this helps you get started and feel free to add questions or comments in the box below.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-49965754641497260662015-11-01T16:55:00.000-08:002015-11-01T16:55:52.597-08:00Amercan Muscle cars At the Pizzeria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7VDY9-SBgnGj3VXykwl4cYzvfTnae-ya3JmFIEJwDUUa541oZFV1LjvpWdQa5kPGk_-9wMG_Sdv-LS4AxiwTnlNPjtkbCjEFzbjPAxY1cQdrzkEXGhSn52xme3_QXTWFXdC77Cypac55/s1600/P1170003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7VDY9-SBgnGj3VXykwl4cYzvfTnae-ya3JmFIEJwDUUa541oZFV1LjvpWdQa5kPGk_-9wMG_Sdv-LS4AxiwTnlNPjtkbCjEFzbjPAxY1cQdrzkEXGhSn52xme3_QXTWFXdC77Cypac55/s400/P1170003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYIvCfeFWQrHmhSNEQcnjfEw1zQ2pZoec1CN_aY-TzIJ9PL8nKbRKRaHqmwBjjZco3fBO9SzDewhXHbGeWtP14D6LAhyphenhyphenr4yuKaBwUqAX0czlMs-DooYyDLNiNfpFxuUBqIV7vxzHLEz1i/s1600/P1170002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYIvCfeFWQrHmhSNEQcnjfEw1zQ2pZoec1CN_aY-TzIJ9PL8nKbRKRaHqmwBjjZco3fBO9SzDewhXHbGeWtP14D6LAhyphenhyphenr4yuKaBwUqAX0czlMs-DooYyDLNiNfpFxuUBqIV7vxzHLEz1i/s400/P1170002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbQRDOhMGVzhT5dbcafN7h2GMjCZmnos2pPGeunMmfx3XPrrZuLhasPBO_-KZcqJVgME0jaLsyPRM5YzmaxE-AYGNB1DpTkTVLgieh0UpVZPNM_VwP3xRUhywzbLdrfCgANsW3CHLYW_h/s1600/P1170004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbbQRDOhMGVzhT5dbcafN7h2GMjCZmnos2pPGeunMmfx3XPrrZuLhasPBO_-KZcqJVgME0jaLsyPRM5YzmaxE-AYGNB1DpTkTVLgieh0UpVZPNM_VwP3xRUhywzbLdrfCgANsW3CHLYW_h/s400/P1170004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE1qYCF9QE0S-5KPuqEWbH33ymi5XG7ZQX8i_4LHHt3jTDIO54698uWWH21-EqSVMShcEYH58GoE76R60HeeducNLLedAn9atvjKi0saee2txDabVSA6Z14Oy6tK_nkoqXiRULZFuVx5Y/s1600/P1170006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNE1qYCF9QE0S-5KPuqEWbH33ymi5XG7ZQX8i_4LHHt3jTDIO54698uWWH21-EqSVMShcEYH58GoE76R60HeeducNLLedAn9atvjKi0saee2txDabVSA6Z14Oy6tK_nkoqXiRULZFuVx5Y/s400/P1170006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEDK5rOcCpnI037XKQY5LxFcSUrSRUCxl1jjTJwB3QsI4I6bwf0w5WQd8n4teu0j4FuYzyZaVGsff2wZVbRY05Ej1vpwXUpGX6ztWyx2GIj2PkHzoeX2EEd13o7ffKJq5CaPwXwnEhSH7/s1600/P1170005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEDK5rOcCpnI037XKQY5LxFcSUrSRUCxl1jjTJwB3QsI4I6bwf0w5WQd8n4teu0j4FuYzyZaVGsff2wZVbRY05Ej1vpwXUpGX6ztWyx2GIj2PkHzoeX2EEd13o7ffKJq5CaPwXwnEhSH7/s400/P1170005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP2qUWmLP-JkRBtXZVx0kpkTahboAjuzRsR2DhnIsqLe4O8Yg_gEf-dfIcwsoowFeMtm857L1Wk7wYLEDoUYVTmhx597_Tv6sUjQ4x7olgMirOMJ3A8aJveNvTHHAEpVGzofEr4LLzTgU/s1600/P1170010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP2qUWmLP-JkRBtXZVx0kpkTahboAjuzRsR2DhnIsqLe4O8Yg_gEf-dfIcwsoowFeMtm857L1Wk7wYLEDoUYVTmhx597_Tv6sUjQ4x7olgMirOMJ3A8aJveNvTHHAEpVGzofEr4LLzTgU/s400/P1170010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZOVLEGo54JAN5n_HwFDgIMSvFHvAT5YGaj3RBpZrLJJzc4udHRyCI4cbbu0yuevlv8ZTlz9d6YWJEKwaYayLxnBzSoItdUhdJz2_EoNIbhjFcR6kO2eIDbWXOhOy0CUZFtWF3azWS4NC/s1600/P1170008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZOVLEGo54JAN5n_HwFDgIMSvFHvAT5YGaj3RBpZrLJJzc4udHRyCI4cbbu0yuevlv8ZTlz9d6YWJEKwaYayLxnBzSoItdUhdJz2_EoNIbhjFcR6kO2eIDbWXOhOy0CUZFtWF3azWS4NC/s400/P1170008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWuVjLyoR2Y/VjawO97fgMI/AAAAAAAATh0/f4jcFrAwO20/s1600/P1170012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWuVjLyoR2Y/VjawO97fgMI/AAAAAAAATh0/f4jcFrAwO20/s400/P1170012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrtlDSaSw0P1Kjni3k4lqNE5LgFHBIZieGyXZpDT3eqMlAhquqs9NevgSHjlnfkV0AGeJGTu-t_2oS5FHqSGiPdJYnjCnZP5C254LeusSi0hnbo8KvzKcBHJryGW2pw6wE5AISf-Km7Or/s1600/P1170009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrtlDSaSw0P1Kjni3k4lqNE5LgFHBIZieGyXZpDT3eqMlAhquqs9NevgSHjlnfkV0AGeJGTu-t_2oS5FHqSGiPdJYnjCnZP5C254LeusSi0hnbo8KvzKcBHJryGW2pw6wE5AISf-Km7Or/s400/P1170009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GprXqpQzAJuvmk66g-NwYZxgrXA9GlI35Zsd13B9K_J8cB9KsyEKgI0wqzrVk5QK3wosj8gYN3yvAhKR_G6Ksx_4Hs4ru7AH1b4axjl-S1pWapHVX3xkogBn5dbHWj_zUVYBupr6Q5sB/s1600/P1170011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GprXqpQzAJuvmk66g-NwYZxgrXA9GlI35Zsd13B9K_J8cB9KsyEKgI0wqzrVk5QK3wosj8gYN3yvAhKR_G6Ksx_4Hs4ru7AH1b4axjl-S1pWapHVX3xkogBn5dbHWj_zUVYBupr6Q5sB/s400/P1170011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just displaying the pizza store I used as a background element for my diecast pictures. I found and printed a storefront image from Google and pasted other images over top, like the open sign, the pizza logos to make a pizzeria. Cut the whole thing to fit this rectangular plastic box that I had, and voila, instant backdrop.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-83610241758134934562014-07-11T20:48:00.001-07:002014-07-11T21:12:51.818-07:00BP Gas Station - Updated Pics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The diecast well has pretty much dried out these days so I apologize for not having posted much recently. I thought I'd post some updated pics of my BP Gas station. For those of you not familiar with it, this is a kit that you have to put together. It has several pieces that make up the gray base. Then you have the car wash, service bays and convenience store buildings to put together. Finally there are the gas pumps, exterior sign and roof.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtn1_tbWKU28hmQGdbyDtnmNsD7CMoDDE1J33SfK9tm6tgp0JaAxzQq2l5rSpk2e00hekWZVqQBndCIB1yM2TFvVok99MmXp8BgCTNlToooG6JUrkE9MUgm58ehWMVsKiBFoNA9LsGq3i/s1600/IMG_5288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtn1_tbWKU28hmQGdbyDtnmNsD7CMoDDE1J33SfK9tm6tgp0JaAxzQq2l5rSpk2e00hekWZVqQBndCIB1yM2TFvVok99MmXp8BgCTNlToooG6JUrkE9MUgm58ehWMVsKiBFoNA9LsGq3i/s1600/IMG_5288.JPG" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The original kit had the buildings, gas pumps and signage molded in a silver gray, but I decided to paint them white to contrast the BP green.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGjhh9jA3AGhLu2lCYOSB6T8hqaIQwIvJ3m6NakQNNqH2mpBBM8cKfk4Cv_yyroJgouXYy4xn0iuMmhzmc0JSwFXgh0YSM64tBDc858RZGnwAE82GkGPtHlBTs3WAh-pTFLdX2ovG9IJv/s1600/IMG_5289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGjhh9jA3AGhLu2lCYOSB6T8hqaIQwIvJ3m6NakQNNqH2mpBBM8cKfk4Cv_yyroJgouXYy4xn0iuMmhzmc0JSwFXgh0YSM64tBDc858RZGnwAE82GkGPtHlBTs3WAh-pTFLdX2ovG9IJv/s1600/IMG_5289.JPG" height="400" width="365" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, I remembered that I substituted the clear glass that came with the kit with some green glass. I took an old AloeVera drink bottle (you can find these at your asian supermarkets) and cut it into rectangles to fit my car wash and service bay. The green windows compliments the BP green.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHUPcAi9O6cuJUyOd5Z5mGjvO5kPHMB9GDX9CBCyZDZyIpjjHSV1aujkf7osvrv3m7rywyfbNC6oe_zv0q0hMpwZqVXvmnPBmcT93wwa0XQh7qJhFcH2xAZh1fu5pq1Jb-gA8-PAd3dHY/s1600/IMG_5291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHUPcAi9O6cuJUyOd5Z5mGjvO5kPHMB9GDX9CBCyZDZyIpjjHSV1aujkf7osvrv3m7rywyfbNC6oe_zv0q0hMpwZqVXvmnPBmcT93wwa0XQh7qJhFcH2xAZh1fu5pq1Jb-gA8-PAd3dHY/s1600/IMG_5291.JPG" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What's that yellow light under the roof awning? more on that later.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffK_Tpyg0IkFQ9EaNdTpX0CThZ8aQQ-X28rQrsheGM6AorzttnWGXu-bnuemVZL0B72dDxcW7ifQ9HHcmf0RJEAcPxB19UxPkJf3uuDhZixK4H0ieoA72b82WzYplAamM4HLWZ9kFfnC5/s1600/IMG_5290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffK_Tpyg0IkFQ9EaNdTpX0CThZ8aQQ-X28rQrsheGM6AorzttnWGXu-bnuemVZL0B72dDxcW7ifQ9HHcmf0RJEAcPxB19UxPkJf3uuDhZixK4H0ieoA72b82WzYplAamM4HLWZ9kFfnC5/s1600/IMG_5290.JPG" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I added a small tire center using some dollar store diorama building and a tire rack. That didn't come with the BP station set.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik91VD7Zx8e4WD30LEDV694p90bPL1x8WRAsoC0aW_0_IU4-2sjwVaBEH3pyDp738PSHeaPy-o94jRTZ2_VIFwSEb4YcfCIeXe7cST2uepir2cUm8bU10XFr20OPkeoUZWlNnSYYQgfRAj/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik91VD7Zx8e4WD30LEDV694p90bPL1x8WRAsoC0aW_0_IU4-2sjwVaBEH3pyDp738PSHeaPy-o94jRTZ2_VIFwSEb4YcfCIeXe7cST2uepir2cUm8bU10XFr20OPkeoUZWlNnSYYQgfRAj/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I wanted some lighting for my gas station, but didn't want to spend a whole lot of money to do it. I found this battery operated led shoelace on ebay for a buck, and just basically just taped it to the underside with scotch tape. It is a bit of a hack, but hey it works ok.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFenWr8lA0eJK_iPcZWEpfClY_UMHlpqiX2kfTDsIFU9Lat186NxbnaEpLTITzQ6q5H8udfKf1RxZ9i9w1xnwRtkhpCv2a820-N9wakPR5PBPEDkn3XSPQoKGV9eL2kPtPPf-BCol25RL6/s1600/IMG_5297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFenWr8lA0eJK_iPcZWEpfClY_UMHlpqiX2kfTDsIFU9Lat186NxbnaEpLTITzQ6q5H8udfKf1RxZ9i9w1xnwRtkhpCv2a820-N9wakPR5PBPEDkn3XSPQoKGV9eL2kPtPPf-BCol25RL6/s1600/IMG_5297.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's how the station looks with the lights on during the day...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFHfcBHKU5RWm14VW8DhRrALrj_SfWNCzmq8KNlDHz07sqOHY3B5RTRGOEv1gjl7rHYGWMRcmD4Nt4V-w-vTJ1cyRiE5VifpPHgkq-ufgYfz34ZVsb4a2nblUVS8QWKFO9DViJXG7MN1Y/s1600/IMG_5294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFHfcBHKU5RWm14VW8DhRrALrj_SfWNCzmq8KNlDHz07sqOHY3B5RTRGOEv1gjl7rHYGWMRcmD4Nt4V-w-vTJ1cyRiE5VifpPHgkq-ufgYfz34ZVsb4a2nblUVS8QWKFO9DViJXG7MN1Y/s1600/IMG_5294.JPG" height="157" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here's how it looks when the sun sets.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-He_GYHQpdpDPCcAxevNT0SWbD11dGIUUDhY6n6gFXysyt1YCeNYNwZsD9KQmZkG-RUCYosfe8cvVl8SR_1I7SeZo3gQIlLr5VPWUK-zjo7GZ1vyO6jriAEjc2CFBXzDuPPm3zgOwUk4P/s1600/IMG_5284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-He_GYHQpdpDPCcAxevNT0SWbD11dGIUUDhY6n6gFXysyt1YCeNYNwZsD9KQmZkG-RUCYosfe8cvVl8SR_1I7SeZo3gQIlLr5VPWUK-zjo7GZ1vyO6jriAEjc2CFBXzDuPPm3zgOwUk4P/s1600/IMG_5284.JPG" height="126" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Anyways, thanks for checking in, hope you enjoyed the pics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRmswgSGd28DomEkq9v9MY4E72K-2Pt8I_AAwV96HLC6ydu1J7FwMDV3Du7SkdAGCgBe8TdYOcDz9cZSLKWGILM32fd-X6lkdbeyrPjmTK9N-geETP_JHMqxlgLvleymhL4_1TjrODz33/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRmswgSGd28DomEkq9v9MY4E72K-2Pt8I_AAwV96HLC6ydu1J7FwMDV3Du7SkdAGCgBe8TdYOcDz9cZSLKWGILM32fd-X6lkdbeyrPjmTK9N-geETP_JHMqxlgLvleymhL4_1TjrODz33/s1600/027.JPG" height="121" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-73906173634987602042013-10-26T15:39:00.001-07:002018-03-17T12:48:35.918-07:00Greenlight GL Muscle Exclusive Figure Multipack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSCNgDWZ-UoI0Pkq1mTxRhchlmmRc2xkXLbrKYLeN4JzRE-cbnIkP5qbR2MuaFC10cYlPTzrKt7l9mTsm7y1XiHE6UWQ9aoTstY92CUiok-aAWKtOQimN0vCYMbRqWaExQcP3Hv0_W3YD/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSCNgDWZ-UoI0Pkq1mTxRhchlmmRc2xkXLbrKYLeN4JzRE-cbnIkP5qbR2MuaFC10cYlPTzrKt7l9mTsm7y1XiHE6UWQ9aoTstY92CUiok-aAWKtOQimN0vCYMbRqWaExQcP3Hv0_W3YD/s400/IMG_2256.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGzMLBnIPhrevQqeTNx1RzpliF7aABWO7M7xPpJcsDfAcw8w-xf4u7T5bVOaVVOhyphenhyphenDZpxsXZHq7gO0_MUYSyWyLeMR3ImFAuEf9y-Nwjm2ZkpjPaLF_J1Oh8_1u0cx88j2YRGp3Bq7O-8/s1600/IMG_2259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGzMLBnIPhrevQqeTNx1RzpliF7aABWO7M7xPpJcsDfAcw8w-xf4u7T5bVOaVVOhyphenhyphenDZpxsXZHq7gO0_MUYSyWyLeMR3ImFAuEf9y-Nwjm2ZkpjPaLF_J1Oh8_1u0cx88j2YRGp3Bq7O-8/s400/IMG_2259.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVorICIhVKrJUpqMnRp2zU4to5D5VnzkuBd_muh1DLCaOSJtbryoq0vIe58qE_9CHtySFpaiPWhc2MPYDj5A97ynNtBognB5wcIYco5jaDOFU-1NL0VqGVVkwTWNGy-l7cBwDfvzxj_YF/s1600/IMG_2257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVorICIhVKrJUpqMnRp2zU4to5D5VnzkuBd_muh1DLCaOSJtbryoq0vIe58qE_9CHtySFpaiPWhc2MPYDj5A97ynNtBognB5wcIYco5jaDOFU-1NL0VqGVVkwTWNGy-l7cBwDfvzxj_YF/s400/IMG_2257.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HsB-fgBC7TKp9o8abyEqp4ecTMSiVC__jOvtS53NrI-BfauF8RaRtdyKNU6bdQtuGqXtqCnefcIRICXrneScTe1lPwwRIPWe50uz4ODT8WDuYp8vcf7UWlB5vDNxKDWrENALptc08NBz/s1600/IMG_2258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HsB-fgBC7TKp9o8abyEqp4ecTMSiVC__jOvtS53NrI-BfauF8RaRtdyKNU6bdQtuGqXtqCnefcIRICXrneScTe1lPwwRIPWe50uz4ODT8WDuYp8vcf7UWlB5vDNxKDWrENALptc08NBz/s400/IMG_2258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I picked up my package from the Post Office today. It was a box from Hong Kong and in it was my order of Greenlight vehicles and the Limited Edition Figure pack of six people. Greenlight's facebook page hinted about these figures a few months ago so I've been anxiously awaiting their debut. The front of the pack indicates that it's part of the GL Muscle lineup. It also indicates that it is 1:64 scale, Limited Edition and an Exclusive Figure Multipack. On the back of the package it describes each of the figures: Business Man, Delivery Man, Police Officer, Seated Man, Vacation Man, and Waving Woman. <br />
<br />
Sadly this pack is simply a rehash of figures previously found in other Greenlight diorama sets, of which I already have. I think the only figure I don't have is the Delivery Man. Personally, it would have been more exciting if Greenlight made a whole set of police figures or firefighters, because I'm sorely in need of some emergency and rescue figures to go with my Greenlight police cruisers and my Code 3 and Amercom Fire Engines. Let's hope Greenlight hears my pleas for more emergency figures.<br />
<br />
Brand: Greenlight Collectibles<br />
Series: GL Muscle<br />
Set: Exclusive Figure Multipack<br />
Scale: 1:64<br />
Year Issued: 2013<br />
Retail price: $4.99 USDUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-12840060384422578192013-08-25T10:59:00.000-07:002013-08-25T10:59:11.575-07:00Johnny Lightning Dioramas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviCbaqplzKwpdmdqe7CAUat2RIT_j85BnhKxgpxIIZaynHj7D1AVT60LM_wXRVXaMLH3lrbBfveJtxJzLqifwNJa2jIQYHd0ikXDztDNW7BFQjln2MhO4nykLi4nvEfzu38FDJrLbJmHj/s1600/075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviCbaqplzKwpdmdqe7CAUat2RIT_j85BnhKxgpxIIZaynHj7D1AVT60LM_wXRVXaMLH3lrbBfveJtxJzLqifwNJa2jIQYHd0ikXDztDNW7BFQjln2MhO4nykLi4nvEfzu38FDJrLbJmHj/s1600/075.JPG" height="400" width="385" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKX5TvMUw8-FStF537bctv38PcafYgd0gZkWfaF5Zb9lZaXxt7TxZ7v2r4Tjv-8WEo0y8hG6RnX_qQ65eGNm35UPHwYF613Z10VX_yNGzN0Zd1ZyKYHXT_ZOCSRHcfsLQg4nQe3oGOtRm/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKX5TvMUw8-FStF537bctv38PcafYgd0gZkWfaF5Zb9lZaXxt7TxZ7v2r4Tjv-8WEo0y8hG6RnX_qQ65eGNm35UPHwYF613Z10VX_yNGzN0Zd1ZyKYHXT_ZOCSRHcfsLQg4nQe3oGOtRm/s1600/077.JPG" height="165" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhZZ5dI4Dct2mVghmuShuUV_MAunSpiSQw9YlmHbQc2T9PnPUjcIu1I3job8H6RYIrmQcccIKK-9DzlasdQrU9PLl1avXYcRuuRag9mvevAqix9d8_vheMQsf1N-eCiJCeJKJnfZDyCNK/s1600/078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhZZ5dI4Dct2mVghmuShuUV_MAunSpiSQw9YlmHbQc2T9PnPUjcIu1I3job8H6RYIrmQcccIKK-9DzlasdQrU9PLl1avXYcRuuRag9mvevAqix9d8_vheMQsf1N-eCiJCeJKJnfZDyCNK/s1600/078.JPG" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcGYmi1fmug/Uho4nEUCEsI/AAAAAAAAQsE/17iAp-RH8nI/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcGYmi1fmug/Uho4nEUCEsI/AAAAAAAAQsE/17iAp-RH8nI/s1600/079.JPG" height="400" width="372" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5LbdcCGc0vWeUHbmL_Q80PaZSh17mUEYytwSLBd5jYVGutPeeoWCvKiGzX3CF6Yz0hTXmL6UghGrBlHyqltXoyzNT0oFUG3Ze7a704crZ-KfO5z_K4d9cerYmLDASJyeJ9WlZYv6ZEd-/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5LbdcCGc0vWeUHbmL_Q80PaZSh17mUEYytwSLBd5jYVGutPeeoWCvKiGzX3CF6Yz0hTXmL6UghGrBlHyqltXoyzNT0oFUG3Ze7a704crZ-KfO5z_K4d9cerYmLDASJyeJ9WlZYv6ZEd-/s1600/080.JPG" height="183" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ9somm7YUxM12B3AliSi7SIykXQAJB2JSfoPIhn0sX7ZciWZlzURrhGcOIIIqBsJvBhWEKwm_wX7c7XC0aXFPL6RSL4WIV1Yw61fLzwMlokeCElECBG8Mq1wlT1k5GagzYjA0NAgkPoc/s1600/081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ9somm7YUxM12B3AliSi7SIykXQAJB2JSfoPIhn0sX7ZciWZlzURrhGcOIIIqBsJvBhWEKwm_wX7c7XC0aXFPL6RSL4WIV1Yw61fLzwMlokeCElECBG8Mq1wlT1k5GagzYjA0NAgkPoc/s1600/081.JPG" height="188" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogwfaQwMLsHIMbw4YUGA-wwxj8P6fJLj57rKw6IKNgN46IlPBdcnSLs1TaOFH6o4gpL-sfh1YE0VHt8SPtJRKIHzc0ITbzEI5__J3cYW7vWZNsBirYaM1b6ugS-MhfQGe5T8EbLBt1EPf/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogwfaQwMLsHIMbw4YUGA-wwxj8P6fJLj57rKw6IKNgN46IlPBdcnSLs1TaOFH6o4gpL-sfh1YE0VHt8SPtJRKIHzc0ITbzEI5__J3cYW7vWZNsBirYaM1b6ugS-MhfQGe5T8EbLBt1EPf/s1600/073.JPG" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59HIChjRdoO7XEkLUiu_3FCdFvmVJyjRxj5IUV77amREHPpS5o4B7aM3rpaV7vAqIlWKvaz09CZcSYQrgpwcmPyPnyS9YMKP1_KegqNhxLKZT4CzxEaWjiHFitrRbeBpnuSikSWtNsNuU/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59HIChjRdoO7XEkLUiu_3FCdFvmVJyjRxj5IUV77amREHPpS5o4B7aM3rpaV7vAqIlWKvaz09CZcSYQrgpwcmPyPnyS9YMKP1_KegqNhxLKZT4CzxEaWjiHFitrRbeBpnuSikSWtNsNuU/s1600/074.JPG" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's too bad Johnny Lightning didn't make their 2 car dioramas a regular feature each year because they featured some great cars. Here's three of the sets that I have in my collection. <br />
<br />
First up is the James Bond 007 40th Anniversary diorama called Choose Q's Ruse. The two cars in this set are the blue Sunbeam Alpine convertible (Dr. No) and the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (Die Another Day). It should be noted that the Sunbeam Alpine from the movie was light blue not dark blue. More about James Bond's cars here: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_James_Bond_vehicles">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_James_Bond_vehicles</a>. Along with the cars comes 2 Bond figures and a Q figure.<br />
<br />
The second Johnny Lightning Diorama set is the Back to the Future "Great Scott, it's a time machine" set with a white stepvan and the legendary Delorean from the 1985 movie. Johnny Lightning produced four different versions of the Delorean for their Hollywood on Wheels releases. Doc Brown, Marty McFly and Einstein the dog figures come with this set.<br />
<br />
Finally, I've got the Surf's Up with the Monkees diorama that has a VW Van and the Monkeemobile based on a customized GTO. Very cool redline rubber wheels on both of these vehicles. And look there's the four Monkee figures too, Michael, Micky, Peter and Davy. The Volkswagen van was discontinued from the Johnny Lightning lineup after appearing in this diorama set.<br />
<br />
Brand: Johnny Lightning<br />
Series: Dioramas Release 3 - Monkees, Release 6 - Back to the Future, and Release 8 James Bond<br />
Models: Volkswagen Bus, Monkeemobile, Snack stepVan, Delorean, 1962 Sunbeam Alpine, 2002 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-13082938120085136972013-07-22T05:05:00.001-07:002013-07-22T05:05:50.238-07:00Diorama Background and SignageIf you have a decent printer, here are some backgrounds and signs you can use for your diecast dioramas. <br />
<br />
Backgrounds:<br />
<a href="http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171153">http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171153</a><br />
<br />
Signs:<br />
<a href="http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172418">http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172418</a><br />
<br />
Buildings:<br />
<a href="http://www.thortrains.net/freecoms.html">http://www.thortrains.net/freecoms.html</a><br />
<br />
Making a Quonset hut:<br />
<a href="http://www.cmhweb.org/Files/Terrain/Building_a_28mm_Quonset_Hut.pdf">http://www.cmhweb.org/Files/Terrain/Building_a_28mm_Quonset_Hut.pdf</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-11963481912746787092013-07-15T06:44:00.000-07:002013-10-26T18:08:58.771-07:00Rural Farmhouse Diorama - Behind the Scenes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiesQ0Akz6tGLrIcnc2WVNLwkmGH5K8plChrsQwtu_uT-xNTXtlIcKkKklPKYIsqgSKIPsnPvM-SiHLQoxhJA8m2RmTEKgit_q2b_0NwW3VkUvmdV8mcL7RZm7ooPYBNrbnmC5bUnERZr/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiesQ0Akz6tGLrIcnc2WVNLwkmGH5K8plChrsQwtu_uT-xNTXtlIcKkKklPKYIsqgSKIPsnPvM-SiHLQoxhJA8m2RmTEKgit_q2b_0NwW3VkUvmdV8mcL7RZm7ooPYBNrbnmC5bUnERZr/s400/IMG_1191.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi All. Today, I wanted to show you a behind the scenes look from one of my diorama setups. I recently blogged about my latest acquisition, a Jeep Wagoneer by Johnny Lightning/ERTL. (more pics can be found here: <a href="http://mytoycars.blogspot.ca/2013/06/ertl-1981-jeep-wagoneer.html">http://mytoycars.blogspot.ca/2013/06/ertl-1981-jeep-wagoneer.html</a> ). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the above blogpost, I wanted to present the Jeep in a rural setting. Even though I live in the city, I like to drive out to the countryside every now and then and enjoy nature and surroundings. A lot of times, I will see a house on a big parcel of land, and sometimes there will be a tractor cab sitting in the driveway. I thought it might be interesting to show a bit of that in the diorama.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme99z6Lj-UXiiEMTgCsdTydJFfXBeff0lm5R92iepcVvwWnbswJe0rafxdVyT-tqee-gefvv0UzCJD6043cgkTEPpr3slDlRiJwU2BS_T3PSzo3IusLuwNxusPx08RDVosGEo48ni_tmL/s1600/_1130954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme99z6Lj-UXiiEMTgCsdTydJFfXBeff0lm5R92iepcVvwWnbswJe0rafxdVyT-tqee-gefvv0UzCJD6043cgkTEPpr3slDlRiJwU2BS_T3PSzo3IusLuwNxusPx08RDVosGEo48ni_tmL/s400/_1130954.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I actually have more diorama pieces than I need for this setup, but wasn't sure which angle I wanted to use so I added some extras even though they weren't featured in the blog pics. My normal diorama table is already filled up with a few buildings and there wasn't enough real estate to give me the visual depth that I wanted for the shot, so I ended up taking over the bathroom counter. Shh, don't tell my wife!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRSZFoD7tPmN3iNzQygDn6CiVk8W8XBCpAduZEHS4vdU_8TGxvCT448fpyW2g_Mt3WUsnKkyASdGCBWBenNIlV32jHGZZJkALgfWfS9ZjYOK4nDs0H40Ibwq5DwAulJhDKU04FQG116SM/s1600/_1130952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRSZFoD7tPmN3iNzQygDn6CiVk8W8XBCpAduZEHS4vdU_8TGxvCT448fpyW2g_Mt3WUsnKkyASdGCBWBenNIlV32jHGZZJkALgfWfS9ZjYOK4nDs0H40Ibwq5DwAulJhDKU04FQG116SM/s400/_1130952.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The main dio pieces are a farmhouse by ERTL, which I haven't quite finished completing yet, a grass cloth mat that represents the lawn, a linoleum tile with sand attached to the sticky side to simulate a gravel driveway, and some dollar store grass mats for the background foliage, a favourite I like to use often. Also featured in the shot are some white picket fences from Tonka playsets and a couple of paper shacks I built using cardboard. Got some dollar store christmas trees that I painted green to remove the snow. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKfbF_f4mI0MfTZ90AdMI6YYyEzYyZeNmHMBFt02ZoYvhhkZigZt3rhNGBpKc45y1-r3kn-p_HoJIGSdEtsrHhIMzD-i4VQPWFAh5PXeWr3b_SuBsbRQ5B6_lN-gP89k4YShFQdq78SJ_/s1600/_1130951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKfbF_f4mI0MfTZ90AdMI6YYyEzYyZeNmHMBFt02ZoYvhhkZigZt3rhNGBpKc45y1-r3kn-p_HoJIGSdEtsrHhIMzD-i4VQPWFAh5PXeWr3b_SuBsbRQ5B6_lN-gP89k4YShFQdq78SJ_/s400/_1130951.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
To light the scene, I use two freestanding lights with CFL daylight bulbs. And my Canon S90 camera mounted on a tripod.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4Q28eeEUQDR9Zq6HXP1MU9V7rvlvjkaN53_EEmORE36sDYtPaj0fueGUkUDoFK8Z4Tt3XnQmUztS5BXo-8ARFEgHpKtjutehG-rADXB54xUwoDiYXXFe8tMIlKahPP-wXxrbF49BYa-v/s1600/_1130953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4Q28eeEUQDR9Zq6HXP1MU9V7rvlvjkaN53_EEmORE36sDYtPaj0fueGUkUDoFK8Z4Tt3XnQmUztS5BXo-8ARFEgHpKtjutehG-rADXB54xUwoDiYXXFe8tMIlKahPP-wXxrbF49BYa-v/s400/_1130953.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The vehicle assortment in this shot consists of the ERTL/JL Collect N Play gold Jeep Wagoneer which i wanted to feature in my blog post. Also in the shot is another ERTL/JL Collect N Play vehicle, the red International Scout. Background vehicles consist of the Matchbox Super Convoy blue Kenworth Aerodyne Cab, a Johnny Lightning yellow Chevy Blazer. Vehicles that never made it into the shots consist of a brown UPS delivery truck and some Maistos, a golf convertible and a bass boat on a trailer. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErPF97XbifaXYgRBodax4svuZWjTEIn1RCTNfYCsmxfh4nH_rIGX0Hs_I1E9VpsC0JjY6o3GH3T9Fb1a-8Yu3XZyKmkKX8JPfZKyssR8NP_qhUUmbovktJwVodyBvum54hXq0WHksdoLW/s1600/_1130956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErPF97XbifaXYgRBodax4svuZWjTEIn1RCTNfYCsmxfh4nH_rIGX0Hs_I1E9VpsC0JjY6o3GH3T9Fb1a-8Yu3XZyKmkKX8JPfZKyssR8NP_qhUUmbovktJwVodyBvum54hXq0WHksdoLW/s400/_1130956.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
For added interest, I've got a couple of JL dog figures and some assorted figures from Tonka and Greenlight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NLSckbYsOs4/UcoxpHfc3MI/AAAAAAAAP-c/yQZQAsoIkQQ/s1600/_1130955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NLSckbYsOs4/UcoxpHfc3MI/AAAAAAAAP-c/yQZQAsoIkQQ/s400/_1130955.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I always like using a low camera angle on my blog shots as opposed to the overhead helicopter shots, as it feels more real (well, to me anyways). Although, if I moved the lights out of the way, the overhead shot would still work if I cropped out the bathroom counter, lol. I will typically crop the shot so that the main focus is the vehicle I'm featuring. Also I will try to blur the background so that the attention is also directed on the featured vehicle, although I will always use one or two shots with a full depth of field, for anyone who likes looking at all the details of the picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRd-oyucedjAu1Ba1BjaeYsxTRNbjO1p2q77z-xZpyPV5ZAU04jDOaVdak6e1gJW2WNUKwmzE_JHgGHTrHsy7RTVRDy2g8vVewzXb_L-oRWHzEJyIyMhCuFZ8hxaerzT5u2qpeNIGVQRlT/s1600/_1130949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRd-oyucedjAu1Ba1BjaeYsxTRNbjO1p2q77z-xZpyPV5ZAU04jDOaVdak6e1gJW2WNUKwmzE_JHgGHTrHsy7RTVRDy2g8vVewzXb_L-oRWHzEJyIyMhCuFZ8hxaerzT5u2qpeNIGVQRlT/s400/_1130949.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From a functional point of view, I never glue down any of my dio sets, as I tend to reuse pieces in other layouts, so everything is pretty much fluid. Layout the base, add the necessary pieces, take the shots and tear it down. I imagine that they use a similar idea for movie sets.<br />
<br />
I really believe in layering a shot, with dio pieces in front of other dio pieces. For me that means a lot of visual detail in trying to achieve a believable look, but I'm not so anal as to try to fool you into thinking it's real. In this example, you've got car on lawn, car on driveway, people interspersed, house behind people, fence behind vehicles, trees behind fence, foliage behind trees, etc, if you see what I mean.<br />
<br />
And don't think that dios need to be expensive. Apart from the farmhouse, which I think cost me about twenty bucks, the rest of the featured diorama pieces probably cost under ten bucks, not counting the cars.<br />
<br />
Well, there you go, hope you enjoyed the behind the scenes look of one of my layouts. Hope it gave you some stimulus and ideas for creating your own diorama shots. Oh and don't forget to click on the pictures to see more detail. Thanks as always for visiting!<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-43515591719285859252013-06-15T09:39:00.000-07:002013-07-21T04:34:13.579-07:00HO Scale figures from the 100 yen store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit9G6vTXZvniZgdVtU7y90asjFHddEKnNDMPPGVSJA8OQvFzOAyga0E__dFtXnb4Nbsoomj8qr4knFDMiHyB03vqDbqT3caXC2I1nA6c-Eo1mNAAyyOMcF_PVmIr4_e7dV9l3gJizMpLI/s1600/106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="HO scale figures from the daiso 100 yen shop in japan" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit9G6vTXZvniZgdVtU7y90asjFHddEKnNDMPPGVSJA8OQvFzOAyga0E__dFtXnb4Nbsoomj8qr4knFDMiHyB03vqDbqT3caXC2I1nA6c-Eo1mNAAyyOMcF_PVmIr4_e7dV9l3gJizMpLI/s400/106.JPG" title="HO scale figures from the daiso 100 yen shop in japan" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
I found these little figures along side the train accessories at the Daiso 100 yen store in Osaka Japan. They are a bit on the small side, I would say they are maybe HO scale or smaller, but I reckon I could use them as little kids next to my other figures. Of the seven figures, three are seated, so I might be able to put them into some cars or use them in my buildings. Looks like they are made to be put inside their trains as pictured on the packaging.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Mv9blCoQbjFJYaWDrROuXu5nqxZMo6YSbqGkaGkgQV-9nSGxhIj10_P8VfQB1STi8QiAEpzTyiTUV5eGv0SnV58gOK-OXx6KKaSE52Ne58FHSDvbRBsa_sWXdrLz7WAt6DqvO9qApJMP/s1600/107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Mv9blCoQbjFJYaWDrROuXu5nqxZMo6YSbqGkaGkgQV-9nSGxhIj10_P8VfQB1STi8QiAEpzTyiTUV5eGv0SnV58gOK-OXx6KKaSE52Ne58FHSDvbRBsa_sWXdrLz7WAt6DqvO9qApJMP/s400/107.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The instructions on the back of the package show how the figures can be seated inside the trains or the platform. There were other assortments, namely some business men, some old guys and some police figures, but given their size, I passed on those ones. This set is pretty good, especially when they only cost around a buck.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-44755806026612184192013-05-15T15:39:00.000-07:002013-07-21T04:33:44.161-07:00Train Platform from Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5yGCftv2mEw/UV9PVEzWtJI/AAAAAAAADuk/waZvdrqwOSk/s1600/dio+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="daiso 100 yen store train diorama" border="0" height="177" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5yGCftv2mEw/UV9PVEzWtJI/AAAAAAAADuk/waZvdrqwOSk/s400/dio+018.jpg" title="daiso 100 yen store train diorama" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErOjLpJUHsQ/UV9PV7PnvqI/AAAAAAAADuw/-8YSnShUAfM/s1600/dio+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ErOjLpJUHsQ/UV9PV7PnvqI/AAAAAAAADuw/-8YSnShUAfM/s400/dio+019.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv7l6nzIlvk/UV9PWXh-CXI/AAAAAAAADu4/iEkw8Xi8RLw/s1600/dio+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="diorama train platform" border="0" height="205" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tv7l6nzIlvk/UV9PWXh-CXI/AAAAAAAADu4/iEkw8Xi8RLw/s400/dio+020.jpg" title="diorama train platform" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBBNZ6JeydU/UV9PWtKQFXI/AAAAAAAADu8/JP9Jg87yLzI/s1600/dio+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBBNZ6JeydU/UV9PWtKQFXI/AAAAAAAADu8/JP9Jg87yLzI/s400/dio+021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hey dio fans, good morning to you from Japan! I'm over here for 2 weeks of vacation and just wanted to show you what I found at the 100 yen store, which is the equivalent to our dollar stores.<br />
Some 100 yen stores have a small toy area and usually you will find a section devoted to trains since they are really into trains in Japan. They have motorized railway trains, tracks, bridges, columns and much more, all for 100 yen apiece.<br />
<br />
In this post I'm going to look at one of those 100 yen railway accessories, the train platform. It comes packaged in a resealable plastic bag and contains an assembled platform. I'm guessing HO scale or smaller, so it won't be a perfect match for 1:64 scale cars and trucks but it might work as some kind of background building. It's a good quality plastic unlike the crap plastic dio pieces we get in our dollar stores. Molded in 3 different colours, I bought a couple possibly to use as gas bars or i might even just re-purpose the roof for something else. If you can think of other uses, let me know.mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-52296549080535401602013-05-15T14:54:00.000-07:002013-10-26T18:10:01.435-07:00100 yen store overpass bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIZnKZb2Tj4/UV9PSBCNTkI/AAAAAAAADt4/y7jEqRc9DQQ/s1600/dio+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIZnKZb2Tj4/UV9PSBCNTkI/AAAAAAAADt4/y7jEqRc9DQQ/s400/dio+012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0x84-LESxs/UV9PSxqAujI/AAAAAAAADuA/xu670-EF5Ew/s1600/dio+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0x84-LESxs/UV9PSxqAujI/AAAAAAAADuA/xu670-EF5Ew/s400/dio+013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uFSOIsKLTU0/UV9PTUoxnRI/AAAAAAAADuI/_IkTeiZrr78/s1600/dio+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uFSOIsKLTU0/UV9PTUoxnRI/AAAAAAAADuI/_IkTeiZrr78/s400/dio+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIpCOm3SoKc/UV9PUTci8KI/AAAAAAAADuU/AVXiEPQt88o/s1600/dio+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OIpCOm3SoKc/UV9PUTci8KI/AAAAAAAADuU/AVXiEPQt88o/s400/dio+016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbIQZ79VRoo/UWh8dxSCl-I/AAAAAAAAD0A/yuqUep0oEPQ/s640/apr12%2520019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qbIQZ79VRoo/UWh8dxSCl-I/AAAAAAAAD0A/yuqUep0oEPQ/s400/apr12%2520019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's the last of the train diorama accessories that the 100 yen store was selling, an overpass bridge. It comes package flat and you insert the two support pieces into the base of the bridge.<br />
The detailing on the bridge panels is excellent and the colour works well. The archways underneath are a perfect size for my diecast cars.<br />
<br />
I revisited the 100 yen store and decided to pickup some track and four train cars to add some background interest. Can't wait to get these home so I can update the diorama table. mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-82096490831721889892013-04-26T19:49:00.000-07:002014-01-01T15:04:12.882-08:00Ms. Ruby went out of business<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jBGdEFCi5UMPMsC-b1FU2N_XLGhFXbHh2_-FVvqVv2zCsoKUdWFFan3X3II1rdOfwYRLJ6HONYzvmjHDH1I9eamNGRA5NPwQxhcuHLo3gYC5mdrCQJpBc3p5-x1u916TnHB0LMGCQFbH/s1600/148.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jBGdEFCi5UMPMsC-b1FU2N_XLGhFXbHh2_-FVvqVv2zCsoKUdWFFan3X3II1rdOfwYRLJ6HONYzvmjHDH1I9eamNGRA5NPwQxhcuHLo3gYC5mdrCQJpBc3p5-x1u916TnHB0LMGCQFbH/s400/148.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj26pgAovKA/UXrhjKxeocI/AAAAAAAAPLo/QzNi65UcUwI/s1600/151.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cj26pgAovKA/UXrhjKxeocI/AAAAAAAAPLo/QzNi65UcUwI/s400/151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHzDSV51eOt5CHdFDwPlNVa_XEy11XpIrdBgo_cLS6UHC2s39o9B5bXdYpH57d0gBF_zZjYgohRY8F17mEF0O4r1vifHlazX9XP0-DK3DXNbWwcqLNzTot50JW3W7yZ6ffrHBsY4oQi1t/s1600/146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHzDSV51eOt5CHdFDwPlNVa_XEy11XpIrdBgo_cLS6UHC2s39o9B5bXdYpH57d0gBF_zZjYgohRY8F17mEF0O4r1vifHlazX9XP0-DK3DXNbWwcqLNzTot50JW3W7yZ6ffrHBsY4oQi1t/s400/146.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzx6_KHU6MLfYJ-3KsioIuq4nmAbZhC_V-NIAabsC9T9Hq12YterurhvOOzC5Yb_AbeFsIAfPF-t4YA97wzMTMI3c4FMT3m2gqvyWij5vFtYUN3f3K5SCS_JQVofJcaQoftVUWewWtJtP/s1600/msruby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzx6_KHU6MLfYJ-3KsioIuq4nmAbZhC_V-NIAabsC9T9Hq12YterurhvOOzC5Yb_AbeFsIAfPF-t4YA97wzMTMI3c4FMT3m2gqvyWij5vFtYUN3f3K5SCS_JQVofJcaQoftVUWewWtJtP/s400/msruby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I found this flat background on the web and made some minor modifications to it before printing it out and gluing it to a box. I thought it would be cool to put Ms. Ruby's boarded up business under my railway tracks. I've parked an old Hot Wheels 1940s Ford pickup beater and a rusty Johnny Lightning 1970 Plymouth Superbird in front of the store. Both of the cars scale well to the store which I set at 2.5 inches high and 5 inches wide. Whoever did this originally did a nice job on the plywood. I forgot to make a more cruddy foreground with lots of litter, junk and tires. Oh well, next time.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-67505802399959610142013-04-24T13:29:00.003-07:002014-01-01T15:05:45.888-08:00A cheap train line.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRnIZkxklIhA8PFU2vay6F9AOUwOB0gQpXq9FPPY8Y0Ap0gL6zMlk_lbj_RtyLiMUXUGBV5C0X4HHugQpoDmjPm2IarU28RilSZdZuVfKG_xTViEC-0nN-b24l-gZZfqhVeT2HO1qtuyL/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRnIZkxklIhA8PFU2vay6F9AOUwOB0gQpXq9FPPY8Y0Ap0gL6zMlk_lbj_RtyLiMUXUGBV5C0X4HHugQpoDmjPm2IarU28RilSZdZuVfKG_xTViEC-0nN-b24l-gZZfqhVeT2HO1qtuyL/s400/074.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7nq5C4gO_0W6926RqvGfMz7-ILbuXYKtw-JckUMNAKpx1a8gkxMEKX4b3hZ8NPnpDmUASyq7jjBdvS5v8LMcb9wtTcKRlYFIaQUZ5Fh7ymFM_im8uLeJSTPVFC0X3WXwdmVUvAsrHZ1N/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7nq5C4gO_0W6926RqvGfMz7-ILbuXYKtw-JckUMNAKpx1a8gkxMEKX4b3hZ8NPnpDmUASyq7jjBdvS5v8LMcb9wtTcKRlYFIaQUZ5Fh7ymFM_im8uLeJSTPVFC0X3WXwdmVUvAsrHZ1N/s400/055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgKifRTS8-PcpwYAdpjIFYi6lwcrCPHLUDe5Cw0fqUdepIeFKzmmnTgTWbRxAf4flLHZ1t1BqxzmSZIHVMBgT-Y84VZ9SiQUlNjNWWobOlq3HiOa8SD2jeo567gmMeEYg4EeejrD02fTZ/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgKifRTS8-PcpwYAdpjIFYi6lwcrCPHLUDe5Cw0fqUdepIeFKzmmnTgTWbRxAf4flLHZ1t1BqxzmSZIHVMBgT-Y84VZ9SiQUlNjNWWobOlq3HiOa8SD2jeo567gmMeEYg4EeejrD02fTZ/s400/053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJtGqldB-08/UXg63dR50mI/AAAAAAAAPLM/eZ4E7Ln1Q5Y/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJtGqldB-08/UXg63dR50mI/AAAAAAAAPLM/eZ4E7Ln1Q5Y/s400/048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1NFDptgM-OK_rYH6GhFzJrfDfWL9w1ZCjtzQRR58xSgpjdcaEBfUOIGaYatO4hRFEFwxcelp9i-tNphJPe8rLVuvuQL5EK-tkWs0aVjt5yCq_YQtpakPp290Xzz4GagQTBw3TjCHsu1R/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1NFDptgM-OK_rYH6GhFzJrfDfWL9w1ZCjtzQRR58xSgpjdcaEBfUOIGaYatO4hRFEFwxcelp9i-tNphJPe8rLVuvuQL5EK-tkWs0aVjt5yCq_YQtpakPp290Xzz4GagQTBw3TjCHsu1R/s400/073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3k_EB7BZBPigsSq01l1SFCQ9JPSmiD2SrPzhhQ-5Ob6i56nb3mRqzGLSOyKLYluYHSTEkgp8dhSsE-hWjIRLTc5h_8fHowua74JhKrTpATt_xOpHn3jxIsPztnv3InpVfiTfTwNlle6iC/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3k_EB7BZBPigsSq01l1SFCQ9JPSmiD2SrPzhhQ-5Ob6i56nb3mRqzGLSOyKLYluYHSTEkgp8dhSsE-hWjIRLTc5h_8fHowua74JhKrTpATt_xOpHn3jxIsPztnv3InpVfiTfTwNlle6iC/s400/058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are pics of the little train line that I set up on my diorama table. The pieces consist of 4 bridges, some supports, some straight track and some curved track, all acquired from the Daiso 100 yen store in Osaka Japan. The height of the supports almost perfectly matches the height of my other dio displays, such as the Motormax Mel's Diner, Rusty's Garage and Main Street. I also bought some of the train cars, and the middle car is battery operated so that the train can actually go around the track. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48SQY857Ftg/UXKUnOTHyiI/AAAAAAAAO90/lT978V_0OCU/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-48SQY857Ftg/UXKUnOTHyiI/AAAAAAAAO90/lT978V_0OCU/s400/034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-jyovR6-EXtCw5oCpBn3_DQVwLExkVD3JBFaugX8GxdZu0EFiuNdG8-Z18i6e1lqAmcqROkpvZneFjC03t-nbUIu1CNp8lbLTugWAYsE11vWZ_b8OVN5zqzYdCMfPDjxE3KxvLg_mTJ0/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-jyovR6-EXtCw5oCpBn3_DQVwLExkVD3JBFaugX8GxdZu0EFiuNdG8-Z18i6e1lqAmcqROkpvZneFjC03t-nbUIu1CNp8lbLTugWAYsE11vWZ_b8OVN5zqzYdCMfPDjxE3KxvLg_mTJ0/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's a cost breakdown of what I paid:<br />
2 packages of curved track @ 100 yen per package: 200 yen<br />
3 packages of straight track @ 100 yen per package: 300 yen<br />
4 bridges @ 100 yen per bridge: 400 yen<br />
4 train cars @ 100 yen per car: 400 yen<br />
2 packages of bridge supports @ 100 yen per package: 200 yen<br />
<br />
Not pictured:<br />
1 train station platform: 100 yen<br />
2 packs of small figures @ 100 yen per pack: 200 yen<br />
<br />
I saw some equivalent track, bridge and train accessories in the Japan toy stores made by Tomy, and they were about 1000 yen per item, that's ten times more than I paid. My total cost: 1800 yen or about 20 dollars at current exchange rates. For this small price I get some interesting backgrounds for my diorama and car pictures. Deal or no deal?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-87968682813933626592013-04-15T14:38:00.000-07:002013-07-21T04:33:03.004-07:00railway bridge from 100 yen store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWsJ3aKw6V0/UV9PN65YQVI/AAAAAAAADs0/t2Y1fh3Z2rg/s1600/dio+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWsJ3aKw6V0/UV9PN65YQVI/AAAAAAAADs0/t2Y1fh3Z2rg/s320/dio+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fqw4Eokiiiw/UV9POUEi51I/AAAAAAAADtA/-awSD0X21Os/s1600/dio+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fqw4Eokiiiw/UV9POUEi51I/AAAAAAAADtA/-awSD0X21Os/s320/dio+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-228WhOpoasc/UV9PQJS-87I/AAAAAAAADtc/RI3h-hZFtJw/s1600/dio+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-228WhOpoasc/UV9PQJS-87I/AAAAAAAADtc/RI3h-hZFtJw/s320/dio+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MkEom96oQw/UV9PQ80L3BI/AAAAAAAADtk/1efiTDDSRP8/s1600/dio+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MkEom96oQw/UV9PQ80L3BI/AAAAAAAADtk/1efiTDDSRP8/s320/dio+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6iwp3GdAaI/UV9PRRfX3wI/AAAAAAAADtw/pB9BEURzCRY/s1600/dio+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6iwp3GdAaI/UV9PRRfX3wI/AAAAAAAADtw/pB9BEURzCRY/s320/dio+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In this post I'll review another diorama find from the Daiso 100 yen store. Pictured above is a plastic railway bridge. It's moulded in good quality plastic and has excellent details. The dark red colour is not bad, so you could paint it, but i'd probably keep it as is. It comes packaged flat and you have to assemble it yourself, but the pieces go together really well. You get the two side girders , a top girder and a bottom support but i found mine stayed together quite nicely even without the bottom support. <br />
<br />
The back of the packaging shows you the instructions on how to assemble it plus it shows you the optional piers and tracks. If you attach a few together you could have a cool looking long covered bridge for only a few 100 yen (ie a few bucks). This would look great for background effect.mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-77602922388031507802013-03-15T07:11:00.000-07:002013-10-26T18:10:41.118-07:00Surf Shack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfWGiTz5NorrqCDC7yJBWDCOTfguBkUMW2A5jnqXFqE-K2kEY3yMoJ7GPfdyi6rZhSmCToIYPbJlhOXRcCLAaEM62b3NlY0eYr00Vc0rbDNZq8IFP3pDe_kz71KvW2VXReLFARFumpIZv/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfWGiTz5NorrqCDC7yJBWDCOTfguBkUMW2A5jnqXFqE-K2kEY3yMoJ7GPfdyi6rZhSmCToIYPbJlhOXRcCLAaEM62b3NlY0eYr00Vc0rbDNZq8IFP3pDe_kz71KvW2VXReLFARFumpIZv/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetq0e63p-QiA_7FgU5uZXUJiy8Ji81GjsrXB6L-XOSFD5u-9QbdquPjq02UidpeQSJDGJugwU0p0CTlUtyjb2FLH6i0rxarXj9nuSTyI6RG7oA_nasDpMXLdIMOYYWfK9amBEDwOkYH73/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetq0e63p-QiA_7FgU5uZXUJiy8Ji81GjsrXB6L-XOSFD5u-9QbdquPjq02UidpeQSJDGJugwU0p0CTlUtyjb2FLH6i0rxarXj9nuSTyI6RG7oA_nasDpMXLdIMOYYWfK9amBEDwOkYH73/s400/014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoU93jlrnOFSJ90eH4cYnprgUxR4kohllVSiPdktHyW47jCbfJqx-P5pRo7WTroFfpn5IKpoVNPc0nEVMi206E0PNbufbqnZusSY-9YAy-YqvKOKyF_8qaPjiBRXAFfCW0H3BAWTVa8dx3/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoU93jlrnOFSJ90eH4cYnprgUxR4kohllVSiPdktHyW47jCbfJqx-P5pRo7WTroFfpn5IKpoVNPc0nEVMi206E0PNbufbqnZusSY-9YAy-YqvKOKyF_8qaPjiBRXAFfCW0H3BAWTVa8dx3/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2_6IIVUTJGs/UUm_USlH41I/AAAAAAAAOuk/0P7-IZGMjRc/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2_6IIVUTJGs/UUm_USlH41I/AAAAAAAAOuk/0P7-IZGMjRc/s400/012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipccZjxfgJZ2npzC05Xyckc_2PwAKqlOYmz77RRNYfPfHq7M2agqVLfySqykSDJwxu19utURSVId0zGsjBVCoTL4gZF9hyphenhyphennfl1LCmo7wr6muH7-djf80Z3GthorhEOv9n0oRly8pHApjpe/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipccZjxfgJZ2npzC05Xyckc_2PwAKqlOYmz77RRNYfPfHq7M2agqVLfySqykSDJwxu19utURSVId0zGsjBVCoTL4gZF9hyphenhyphennfl1LCmo7wr6muH7-djf80Z3GthorhEOv9n0oRly8pHApjpe/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG4OGYqFM2mtlb-D-mwAt5UKVc5c1PtRPUas1wQLbhwDSn__ELqoTuyOmnau7GknyjVe4OKz6v1-yzY0s4-NIRCtjJzCAUT5HSbFtaiV-F0XstLrPe-IYCEIaAWrM1zluTwOmvFgtMQSQ/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVG4OGYqFM2mtlb-D-mwAt5UKVc5c1PtRPUas1wQLbhwDSn__ELqoTuyOmnau7GknyjVe4OKz6v1-yzY0s4-NIRCtjJzCAUT5HSbFtaiV-F0XstLrPe-IYCEIaAWrM1zluTwOmvFgtMQSQ/s400/017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xDbi_e1ArNsFBqRhGczULFgR_b1cZW5KFJxwUFPsi-NAIFmzzSYfYO6MMbaTFuC0jQrsxnn_yFmftGgvwEIOIXGfXlsrhX4Tmr7UgQ_rsq3-nmfx9DdfJhmLaMCv0uux6j1zJW5L7tpw/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xDbi_e1ArNsFBqRhGczULFgR_b1cZW5KFJxwUFPsi-NAIFmzzSYfYO6MMbaTFuC0jQrsxnn_yFmftGgvwEIOIXGfXlsrhX4Tmr7UgQ_rsq3-nmfx9DdfJhmLaMCv0uux6j1zJW5L7tpw/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hey diorama fans, check out this little surf shack I just put together. I was looking at my <a href="http://mytoycars.blogspot.ca/2013/03/johnny-lightning-1950-mercury-wagon.html">Johnny Lightning 1950 Mercury Woody wagon</a> and was thinking about the best way to display the car. Because it had surfboards on the roof I knew I wanted some kind of surfing theme. A few months ago I had downloaded a free paper model of a old wooden building, and it occurred to me that it was the right size and with just a few extra surf related images, it would make a nice building to display with the car.<br />
<br />
Here is the link to the free paper model. <a href="http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/freebuilding.html">http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/freebuilding.html</a><br />
<br />
If you look at the pics, you'll see that the building is nicely detailed from all sides, even the back. I just printed it out, and cut up some cardboard for backing. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of skill when it comes to cutting and pasting so apologies for the rough finish. To get the extra surf logos I just googled surf logos and found some that were the right size.<br />
<br />
The surfboards are mostly from Hot Wheels deoras (old and new versions) for those interested in doing the same setup.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-51738769657522852262013-02-15T13:42:00.000-08:002013-10-26T18:11:18.485-07:00Hitting the Dollar Store - Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SM1V0AVfAvY/Ttoof2xP2pI/AAAAAAAAINQ/ouKN6KxbAdE/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SM1V0AVfAvY/Ttoof2xP2pI/AAAAAAAAINQ/ouKN6KxbAdE/s400/003.JPG" width="367" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfGxNY_WfIc/Ttora1jhePI/AAAAAAAAINg/8MGSx-AucSg/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DfGxNY_WfIc/Ttora1jhePI/AAAAAAAAINg/8MGSx-AucSg/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpc9VbDza6BdhXGjwObGS5jywKPEWQ0CpnTOBoq_0Bu9sOAumNY-ZqOhNPKTjtylyeGgLm8qPd6f5ceOZTCwlcUW84GwV_6UJo4FNtQgZaW5HyUV7NU0NuoltIAgY9PEOsA60ZAJct85C/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpc9VbDza6BdhXGjwObGS5jywKPEWQ0CpnTOBoq_0Bu9sOAumNY-ZqOhNPKTjtylyeGgLm8qPd6f5ceOZTCwlcUW84GwV_6UJo4FNtQgZaW5HyUV7NU0NuoltIAgY9PEOsA60ZAJct85C/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtdxNK1tpm6JWwMkp6tJ5-JG_yGYEPqtaYveJmBzE3SUpYAtHgKY6z2C8Iz0-Y_OKDt7NkPTkGH9ny49a4SOOgMJP7LFwjp5bvTMCuaBlhQnfNKGeArFaSm0bLLa4l8Av9rE51IwjF8BE/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtdxNK1tpm6JWwMkp6tJ5-JG_yGYEPqtaYveJmBzE3SUpYAtHgKY6z2C8Iz0-Y_OKDt7NkPTkGH9ny49a4SOOgMJP7LFwjp5bvTMCuaBlhQnfNKGeArFaSm0bLLa4l8Av9rE51IwjF8BE/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-fZR7RLiqklwDWOK7VG3CC5RpQCkfUgubSmQdemQ6_8pFZ3WqpHQB4ixL5fzK66JB3N0VaKcXnQMMLU6CCqOUdDV3wNBP4_xUCOFWOO7SWB78H2WOj9lIu7NadoT9uYvZVV60c9sJQZC/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-fZR7RLiqklwDWOK7VG3CC5RpQCkfUgubSmQdemQ6_8pFZ3WqpHQB4ixL5fzK66JB3N0VaKcXnQMMLU6CCqOUdDV3wNBP4_xUCOFWOO7SWB78H2WOj9lIu7NadoT9uYvZVV60c9sJQZC/s400/070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8UdlpGZ56TJCIRz7kM-8yIvjnYflMawxmbEivpuVw9zuUf9jvtLCIP2F0r8Qv2-C8RoeVrH1H8RxaPAtSrnadBuQe-knCiwOQWYweFLGHV1nkOWfr6EpteS8M1281SjSw_kSv12el-t1/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8UdlpGZ56TJCIRz7kM-8yIvjnYflMawxmbEivpuVw9zuUf9jvtLCIP2F0r8Qv2-C8RoeVrH1H8RxaPAtSrnadBuQe-knCiwOQWYweFLGHV1nkOWfr6EpteS8M1281SjSw_kSv12el-t1/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the final segment about my finds from the dollar store. I saw these yellow, pink and green doll houses on the shelf at my dollar store and almost walked right by them without any notice. But something in my brain, told me to stop and examine the box a little more closely. The colours were really off putting, but what caught my eye was the sizes of the front doors and the garage doors. It seemed to be seemed to be pretty suitable for 1:64 scale cars. For two bucks, I bought one to take home. <br />
<br />
Once out of the box, the house came with some plastic figures and furniture, nothing i could really use. However the size looked right and I immediately threw a die-cast car in front of it to see how it looked (see first pic). Opening front doors and garage doors were a bonus and their 1" inch deep profile didn't take up a whole lot of room on my tabletop. It dawned on me, that I could do a quick spray paint of them too. So back I went to the dollar store. Turns out that there was two different styles of buildings, the second had bay windows and a balcony but the size of the front doors were more 1:43 scale. The doll houses came in different colours too so I randomly picked out some of each. I took them home and lined them all up and awesome, instant streetscape! <br />
<br />
Now if I had the talent and the time, I could probably repaint the houses to make them more realistic but for right now I think they work great as backdrops for my die-cast dioramas. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-58905190889173271702013-01-15T19:27:00.000-08:002013-10-26T18:12:02.841-07:00Hitting the Dollar Store - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEAqosLslcOyWUAhSmHOAKtwUcU-DJOL7kNbeyOhhrICvlITL69RSQDrXlUmYXQ0BuuzfVJOnwthNcqXtnH-b_bycZjaic-3QNsn3lZHMHMxbpduhZlmzJP1esqdn-1eeLzhXnT45GD97/s1600/dios+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEAqosLslcOyWUAhSmHOAKtwUcU-DJOL7kNbeyOhhrICvlITL69RSQDrXlUmYXQ0BuuzfVJOnwthNcqXtnH-b_bycZjaic-3QNsn3lZHMHMxbpduhZlmzJP1esqdn-1eeLzhXnT45GD97/s400/dios+032.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnR5H3id7kc/USGZf72X-0I/AAAAAAAAOMI/C8uZtuZ3-So/s1600/dios+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vnR5H3id7kc/USGZf72X-0I/AAAAAAAAOMI/C8uZtuZ3-So/s400/dios+033.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOft6lJZWqoRPVtlAnwSjjBFkMzB9UGw89e2mmBlDJJYCH_J56epI22Wd2yVHmKQ2cbVmbyOxAOc7TJRhxzvvBYYyyrjJNSCDEv3jVvSLfVI6l0sH5qb1LwDhoQa9BHViLwYXMDj2-QUY/s1600/dios+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOft6lJZWqoRPVtlAnwSjjBFkMzB9UGw89e2mmBlDJJYCH_J56epI22Wd2yVHmKQ2cbVmbyOxAOc7TJRhxzvvBYYyyrjJNSCDEv3jVvSLfVI6l0sH5qb1LwDhoQa9BHViLwYXMDj2-QUY/s400/dios+050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OV8D_Jm0a-c/USGZArEnVmI/AAAAAAAAOLA/04t6GXm7O0Y/s1600/dios+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OV8D_Jm0a-c/USGZArEnVmI/AAAAAAAAOLA/04t6GXm7O0Y/s400/dios+019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR9H_mzh_Yxxx7R23J4SlT_XZMNTuQUKauwy_UxuniU-atZik361VbWpTtZCDtN42tvo0qoHMB6ADLaX90E7Pl8CZENBOPvMiPlba7khcS78pM1FsDBvSuw5tUABQ1HE0Y_TLLgScLLqo/s1600/dios+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR9H_mzh_Yxxx7R23J4SlT_XZMNTuQUKauwy_UxuniU-atZik361VbWpTtZCDtN42tvo0qoHMB6ADLaX90E7Pl8CZENBOPvMiPlba7khcS78pM1FsDBvSuw5tUABQ1HE0Y_TLLgScLLqo/s400/dios+027.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nRshCWKkXSdJDF6VaOfr8ebD7DjWX3zQvaId6UqyOUo3yWhdbz7mS3oyf8aau-RREUeOquyvZu7h3UGXMd-DHxCJp0SLFC2Orn3LI6Sgv7wLFKDKtx4mSeFu-s8AcacKSSQHi3O3mgr3/s1600/dios+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nRshCWKkXSdJDF6VaOfr8ebD7DjWX3zQvaId6UqyOUo3yWhdbz7mS3oyf8aau-RREUeOquyvZu7h3UGXMd-DHxCJp0SLFC2Orn3LI6Sgv7wLFKDKtx4mSeFu-s8AcacKSSQHi3O3mgr3/s400/dios+024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iviqQ4Tce30/USGYtZEMmII/AAAAAAAAOKg/qJ1Duie_sWA/s1600/dios+008+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iviqQ4Tce30/USGYtZEMmII/AAAAAAAAOKg/qJ1Duie_sWA/s400/dios+008+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiystEp4wWF-Uu6w2tfR_eIDgTwJNlkcEsNPxlepAzDQtP1qVKoEokwyJzUU2DUFYd9cRIMx6Jd58ZmDJD_0jDDALtAiZKijgFMDToAsdSpELtXVHmG_JUWkXwsn1OwSp0VjOiadLZqEyNq/s1600/008+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiystEp4wWF-Uu6w2tfR_eIDgTwJNlkcEsNPxlepAzDQtP1qVKoEokwyJzUU2DUFYd9cRIMx6Jd58ZmDJD_0jDDALtAiZKijgFMDToAsdSpELtXVHmG_JUWkXwsn1OwSp0VjOiadLZqEyNq/s400/008+%25283%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In part one of Hitting The Dollar Store, I looked at how grass mats and ceramic trees could give background interest to my dioramas for my die-cast car displays. This post will look at some of the buildings that I found in the toy aisle of Dollarama, the main dollar store in my town. As the box shows, they are called Connect City and cost two dollars each. There are a series of six different buildings or displays which are made out of plastic, and have two folding cases that when open, form a base for the dioramas. The six displays are: a Toll booth, a playground, a fire station, a police station, a gas station and lastly a construction site. Of the six setups, the only one that I did not buy was the construction site, which I felt wasn't really that interesting.<br />
<br />
I ended up removing and separating the black folding cases from the dioramas for later use. As you can see the toll booth has some good detailing and working lift gates. The police station had these out of scale yellow pylons which i subsequently removed. I got a couple of the fire station, because I liked the look of the building and the little fire hydrants, and ended up repainting one and making a bus stop out of the other. I also picked up two of the gas stations but repainted and added some pumps to one of them. I later ended up taking it apart to make a little tire depot out of it. And finally there's the little playground which has a little merry go round, slide and park bench. For each of these little dios, I added some foliage and figures to complete the look. <br />
<br />
I want to point out that dioramas for my die-cast don't have to be 100% realistic. They are there to serve merely as backdrops for the main focus which is the die-cast car or truck I happen to be displaying. The last part of this three part series will look at some dollar houses (!) that I also found at the dollar store and how I use them for my backdrops also. Stay tuned for that upcoming post, and thanks for dropping by!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-37097717360474438432012-12-15T17:49:00.000-08:002013-10-26T18:12:28.268-07:00Hitting the Dollar Store - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtXh0_2wZkk/UQnJ8sna0SI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/hCWJk2Z53h4/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OtXh0_2wZkk/UQnJ8sna0SI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/hCWJk2Z53h4/s400/028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Times are tough and I really have to watch my diecast budget. For this reason, I do a lot of shopping at my local dollar stores. One of the big dollar store chains in my area is called Dollarama. They always seem to have a lot of interesting stuff and I'm always looking at different things to see if I can use them for a diorama.<br />
<br />
In the picture above, there's a plastic grass mat. As you can see it costs two dollars and I'm not sure what you would actually use it for. It's about 12 inches square and I used to buy a few of these mats to cut into strips and make a hedge. Lately I've simply propped them up to add background greenery to my shots. You can find these grass mats in the gardening aisle of the dollar store. Sometimes they will come with little flowers on them, but I usually just go for the plain mats.<br />
<br />
<br />
At Christmas time, there's always a lot of village accessories at the dollar store for people who like to display their little christmas buildings and villages. A lot of time I get disappointed because there's some really cool stuff like clock towers, fences etc, but they are too big for my 1:64 scale dioramas. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHgBsoA4S_k/UQnKB-BHP6I/AAAAAAAAC9Y/wNWSN4G3ma8/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IHgBsoA4S_k/UQnKB-BHP6I/AAAAAAAAC9Y/wNWSN4G3ma8/s400/029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Fortunately, they always have the ceramic christmas trees for a buck as shown in the pic above. These are usually green trees but covered in white to simulate snow. To be able to use these trees for summer shots, I simply take some green paint, dilute it a bit and paint over the white parts. If you change up the colours, the trees will stand out nicely from the background.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aTGjqpgjePo/T9dWZIktDJI/AAAAAAAAA_0/ZNE3ESKoaEw/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aTGjqpgjePo/T9dWZIktDJI/AAAAAAAAA_0/ZNE3ESKoaEw/s400/058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffwNwwWdUgw/UQnJ3Km5WkI/AAAAAAAAC9I/gooQBPCfI1Q/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffwNwwWdUgw/UQnJ3Km5WkI/AAAAAAAAC9I/gooQBPCfI1Q/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In the pics above you can see the combined use of the grass mat and the ceramic trees to serve as a forest background for my M2 dodge lancer and greenlight dodge camper. Well, that's it for this post and hope you enjoyed the pics.<br />
<br />
In part two of my dollar store post, I'll look at some of the other stuff I get there for my dioramas.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-31036247406390281232012-11-15T06:26:00.000-08:002013-10-26T18:12:58.335-07:00Background figures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyqhm5eBpFU/UPK_R6ZrBOI/AAAAAAAACwg/NJnTlOhoo8A/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyqhm5eBpFU/UPK_R6ZrBOI/AAAAAAAACwg/NJnTlOhoo8A/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello and welcome back diecast and diorama fans. I've had lots of comments and questions about the figures I use in my pictures and so I wanted to share some information about them here with you. Pictured above is a typical setup where I use some background figures behind my featured diecast car. I use these figures primarily to add interest to the picture and to establish the scale of the car. I have different diecast car brands in my collection and sometimes it's not easy for the viewer to discern how big the car is. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTYeRDRVUAc/UPK_NpZYM5I/AAAAAAAACwY/xpphp1-YTUE/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTYeRDRVUAc/UPK_NpZYM5I/AAAAAAAACwY/xpphp1-YTUE/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a closeup shot of a couple of the figures. Obviously they aren't much to look at when you look at them in macro mode. That's why I typically use them for background interest shots where they don't really draw a lot of attention. They are made of hard plastic and stand about 1 inch tall though size varies with each figure. According to the ebay description they are 1:75 scale and they come with an assortment of different figures and either painted or unpainted. I bought a 300 piece painted assortment and I think they cost about $15 USD at the time, which was a few years ago. You can save money if you buy them unpainted and can paint them yourself but I have shaky hands and no skill, so painted figures was the way to go for me.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9KSQPqP-5Q/UPK_V1SQIGI/AAAAAAAACwo/Fj4pSOcZZE0/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9KSQPqP-5Q/UPK_V1SQIGI/AAAAAAAACwo/Fj4pSOcZZE0/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For those of you who aren't sure if they will look like the right size for your diecast and diorama pictures, here is a Matchbox brand Ice cream truck. I took one of the figures and glued it into the truck so that I could have an ice cream vendor.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIsTjbnNgO0/UPK_ZjJ0tQI/AAAAAAAACww/jgUio_jh-WI/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIsTjbnNgO0/UPK_ZjJ0tQI/AAAAAAAACww/jgUio_jh-WI/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pictured above is a Johnny Lightning Chevelle with the 1:75 scale figures.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzRkftLJnrs/UPK_dUbRUuI/AAAAAAAACw4/ZfL6KVxd5n8/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzRkftLJnrs/UPK_dUbRUuI/AAAAAAAACw4/ZfL6KVxd5n8/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Normally, Greenlight branded diecast cars are true 1:64 scale making them too big to be displayed with my 1:75 scale figures but the 70s Chevrolet Camaro featured here doesn't look too bad with the figures. What do you think? Do they look ok?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmNRHG99pmc/UPK_IvbGsWI/AAAAAAAACwQ/71b2pzKNDSo/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmNRHG99pmc/UPK_IvbGsWI/AAAAAAAACwQ/71b2pzKNDSo/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anyways, thanks for checking out this week's write-up and pictures. If you click on any of the pictures you'll be able to see them in greater detail. Feel free to comment!mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-50434381473852365362012-10-15T19:31:00.000-07:002018-03-17T12:51:22.727-07:00Tonka Farm People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNAzbKYa86I/UOJWbWSWFLI/AAAAAAAACtg/U_kikcm45s4/s1600/_1100053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dNAzbKYa86I/UOJWbWSWFLI/AAAAAAAACtg/U_kikcm45s4/s400/_1100053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkbCMHc9-rs/UOJWeawNl7I/AAAAAAAACto/jGV72tPu1Q8/s1600/_1100054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WkbCMHc9-rs/UOJWeawNl7I/AAAAAAAACto/jGV72tPu1Q8/s400/_1100054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGh1orA-5Ew/UOJWYUOhNTI/AAAAAAAACtY/earUQjPzLRk/s1600/_1100052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGh1orA-5Ew/UOJWYUOhNTI/AAAAAAAACtY/earUQjPzLRk/s400/_1100052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92h8vJP_jYI/UOJWhsohM6I/AAAAAAAACtw/TvDWnZUuwM4/s1600/_1100055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92h8vJP_jYI/UOJWhsohM6I/AAAAAAAACtw/TvDWnZUuwM4/s400/_1100055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjEk2Z8DVSc/UOJWlXzjyDI/AAAAAAAACt4/IZlvLWusXGQ/s1600/_1100056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjEk2Z8DVSc/UOJWlXzjyDI/AAAAAAAACt4/IZlvLWusXGQ/s400/_1100056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XBeZB3xrj4/UOJWpM_ZyKI/AAAAAAAACuA/Fw4sjHTpQlo/s1600/_1100057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XBeZB3xrj4/UOJWpM_ZyKI/AAAAAAAACuA/Fw4sjHTpQlo/s400/_1100057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OMEMkePKi-k/UOJWsE1qm_I/AAAAAAAACuI/T_D-1Gk7weU/s1600/_1100058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OMEMkePKi-k/UOJWsE1qm_I/AAAAAAAACuI/T_D-1Gk7weU/s400/_1100058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's some more of my 1:64 scale figure collections. This week I'm featuring my Tonka farm people from the Power trax series. I have six figures that consist of 2 women and 4 men in various poses. From the first pic you can see how the figures scale next to a Greenlight Chevy C10 pickup which is also 1:64 scale. Enjoy the pics. </div>
<br />mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-58539725492504097332012-09-15T17:24:00.000-07:002013-12-17T04:24:35.255-08:00Toysrus Fastlane Garage - Pt 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syapTeBNT6A/UKQdl0HEcUI/AAAAAAAAB0g/voK-pIrt2nM/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syapTeBNT6A/UKQdl0HEcUI/AAAAAAAAB0g/voK-pIrt2nM/s400/036.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cm9QVAQJ08/UKQdnw2y_MI/AAAAAAAAB0o/Gdvf5YmRFGQ/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cm9QVAQJ08/UKQdnw2y_MI/AAAAAAAAB0o/Gdvf5YmRFGQ/s400/037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyF6twt3NH8/UKQdj5j5baI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/KJx88_s57no/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nyF6twt3NH8/UKQdj5j5baI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/KJx88_s57no/s400/035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrV6mt3bLjw/UKQdpSiKqmI/AAAAAAAAB0w/O1Un24oW2y4/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrV6mt3bLjw/UKQdpSiKqmI/AAAAAAAAB0w/O1Un24oW2y4/s400/038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4YhzgwXBUY/UKQdrA2bNEI/AAAAAAAAB04/KSIcHkn2uMU/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p4YhzgwXBUY/UKQdrA2bNEI/AAAAAAAAB04/KSIcHkn2uMU/s400/039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUZbci1_-NM/UKQdtPrwVyI/AAAAAAAAB1A/UV5KlLWNnLw/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUZbci1_-NM/UKQdtPrwVyI/AAAAAAAAB1A/UV5KlLWNnLw/s400/040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTmYm3p32iY/UKQdvH-KMPI/AAAAAAAAB1I/FhOaWMniUyU/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTmYm3p32iY/UKQdvH-KMPI/AAAAAAAAB1I/FhOaWMniUyU/s400/041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eyeVLwRRi0/UKQdw6y-doI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/OpAQ_P9ADP4/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eyeVLwRRi0/UKQdw6y-doI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/OpAQ_P9ADP4/s400/042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SI3367jjckI/UKQeBQHcTAI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/D_LykNqweDs/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SI3367jjckI/UKQeBQHcTAI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/D_LykNqweDs/s400/055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CGIELHMONUE/UKQeHUG_V1I/AAAAAAAAB24/P323sMHtNLE/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CGIELHMONUE/UKQeHUG_V1I/AAAAAAAAB24/P323sMHtNLE/s400/061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MePp2Hipj8g/UKQeGDrdJoI/AAAAAAAAB2w/If52iZ86nNI/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MePp2Hipj8g/UKQeGDrdJoI/AAAAAAAAB2w/If52iZ86nNI/s400/060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YAWfiGxxODY/UKQeETCDFBI/AAAAAAAAB2o/cPRVPdP7yCg/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YAWfiGxxODY/UKQeETCDFBI/AAAAAAAAB2o/cPRVPdP7yCg/s400/058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the second set of pics regarding the Toys R Us Fastlane Garage that I picked up recently. I installed a dollar store light strip to the ceiling of the garage to see how it would look. Because the light strip only runs on batteries, the light is not that strong, but it's enough to fill the inside of the garage. What do you think?<br />
<br />
On a side note, I've had some comments that the garage looks to be more 1:43 scale than 1:64. It might have to do with the height of the ceiling in relation to the cars, or it might have to do with the size of the sliding garage doors. I can see where that might be true. Instead of a car dealership, I might make it a truck dealership, certainly the ceiling height and size of the doors will accomodate. I'll have to take some more pics of some of my Matchbox Real Working Rigs inside the garage to see how things look. Stay tuned for more pics!mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-26352541071197907832012-08-15T17:17:00.000-07:002013-10-26T18:14:26.752-07:00Toysrus Fastlane Garage - Pt 1.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcj8EaDcdeE/UKQdiX-GbPI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/mj1_ZS_eQdo/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcj8EaDcdeE/UKQdiX-GbPI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/mj1_ZS_eQdo/s400/032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V39-FKTuP20/UKQd7_-YHnI/AAAAAAAAB2A/dqviV2wjsKk/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V39-FKTuP20/UKQd7_-YHnI/AAAAAAAAB2A/dqviV2wjsKk/s400/050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDjONgCuYgI/UKQd_Vef5rI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/_hZnAnyu4wc/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TDjONgCuYgI/UKQd_Vef5rI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/_hZnAnyu4wc/s400/053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mulImZE-Bro/UKQdyjz5_PI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/bifh70OXBhg/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mulImZE-Bro/UKQdyjz5_PI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/bifh70OXBhg/s400/044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNfKAygxmRg/UKQd0G8pyFI/AAAAAAAAB1g/5E1Y3iOwbOQ/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNfKAygxmRg/UKQd0G8pyFI/AAAAAAAAB1g/5E1Y3iOwbOQ/s400/045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8LESWp3-38/UKQd5mHgijI/AAAAAAAAB14/7BFhQL54cwk/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V8LESWp3-38/UKQd5mHgijI/AAAAAAAAB14/7BFhQL54cwk/s400/049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hi-kDW9iz3w/UKQd9cnFI_I/AAAAAAAAB2I/zqz00VrhjmM/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hi-kDW9iz3w/UKQd9cnFI_I/AAAAAAAAB2I/zqz00VrhjmM/s400/052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Nov 2012: I went to Toys R Us today and discovered this new Garage by Fastlane. It comes mostly pre-assembled and I just needed to add the ramps. It has a gray base, blue tinted windows, white walls and a red roof. There is a red lift inside that moves up and down and there are sliding doors on each side of the garage. <br />
<br />
The footprint of the garage is about 12 inches long by 8 inches wide by 4 inches high. Other accessories include a pickup truck, gas pumps, signage, lego style ramps for each door opening, and stickers and instructions for assembly. I plan on repurposing the garage and making it a car dealership for diorama table. Pictured above, you can see how some Matchbox and Johnny Lightnings scale in size to the garage. I plan to make some of my own signage and add some lighting on the interior which I will review in a future posting.<br />
<br />
While I was in Toys R Us, I checked out the Tomica selection and there were a few buildings for sale including a gas station and dealership, however I noticed that the Tomica dealership was more than double the price of the Fastlane and had a much smaller footprint. I definitely think this Fastlane garage is pretty good value.mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-42351575703912663712012-07-15T18:58:00.000-07:002013-10-26T18:15:11.318-07:00Tonka Delivery Guys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jijDdTzXl9tw7aIvf9mAuN9aO_WLCb1n9DeJd1w5FrTFq_oEliLv7OmTRSpFxGYQ9TaHyt9Vw0mKZXdcA9tXF2ez9c6QXctk0UkhaNnN50FGCsTXHiTiE5ZADozLdqNQRkbpEXKdzdXN/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jijDdTzXl9tw7aIvf9mAuN9aO_WLCb1n9DeJd1w5FrTFq_oEliLv7OmTRSpFxGYQ9TaHyt9Vw0mKZXdcA9tXF2ez9c6QXctk0UkhaNnN50FGCsTXHiTiE5ZADozLdqNQRkbpEXKdzdXN/s400/020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSASgyOa7bG_nT5bCj_BQTErhaaatsW_MpJgW_TQCzXCvgUGCpSE3_Ux8LYM9yoGrTzGUQGSm7izeyJS3zYlMBntXlJkCAZlU1abmIzWc58He4admPjBlzFt4vbKCgD1x2Fgd7V9caSRPp/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSASgyOa7bG_nT5bCj_BQTErhaaatsW_MpJgW_TQCzXCvgUGCpSE3_Ux8LYM9yoGrTzGUQGSm7izeyJS3zYlMBntXlJkCAZlU1abmIzWc58He4admPjBlzFt4vbKCgD1x2Fgd7V9caSRPp/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Waiting around with a handcart.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLrS2LZ8KPxdqZ5EL_qB08L6sxzl4_VXBoERUf89nAcRrL6T7sUKzByzLCJQFwYN2BNMYJlWEwAkjnjxoXnmwgiF-_4TZ8orGsZC-6BTFfyWfUdDjy6z4WEJ6OU9ILAPq1w3RDfeWH8IC/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLrS2LZ8KPxdqZ5EL_qB08L6sxzl4_VXBoERUf89nAcRrL6T7sUKzByzLCJQFwYN2BNMYJlWEwAkjnjxoXnmwgiF-_4TZ8orGsZC-6BTFfyWfUdDjy6z4WEJ6OU9ILAPq1w3RDfeWH8IC/s400/014.JPG" width="372" /></a></div>
<br />
Pushing some heavy boxes around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yZsWwf11rCn9A6NXztaSETiYacaTMrGSHLB41evVWcptKkTgOxFfc0LKdVboXjGuAfjxTmgI3pKSkSEkRNKsnPnmRVy_TPvzEpGP09_KOxJ35xm8t4uKzyhJBPC4FzjoziuiVZOoKkT5/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yZsWwf11rCn9A6NXztaSETiYacaTMrGSHLB41evVWcptKkTgOxFfc0LKdVboXjGuAfjxTmgI3pKSkSEkRNKsnPnmRVy_TPvzEpGP09_KOxJ35xm8t4uKzyhJBPC4FzjoziuiVZOoKkT5/s400/015.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
<br />
Toting a wooden crate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlFuqgoadgc/T_OXOgLz1zI/AAAAAAAAMPg/YSWl1oQ4F5E/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlFuqgoadgc/T_OXOgLz1zI/AAAAAAAAMPg/YSWl1oQ4F5E/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A stack of sacks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGNgU26JsHc/T_OXRpKoRgI/AAAAAAAAMPo/bvL2jnj8NbI/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGNgU26JsHc/T_OXRpKoRgI/AAAAAAAAMPo/bvL2jnj8NbI/s400/018.JPG" width="347" /></a></div>
<br />
Must be the supervisor cause he's got the clipboard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09eAFTagJk9U_8NSBroi4dD4g89X6MN_YMUBnH1D9285AEuqSI4bEfJMminJky1OMYUQZUOKGd6vRkoPKLx1pyUCjpt7jWLOqMUevgrDatWcsJhhlUhBL3ZKxGrv_txKZXSZcJVrCHHwE/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09eAFTagJk9U_8NSBroi4dD4g89X6MN_YMUBnH1D9285AEuqSI4bEfJMminJky1OMYUQZUOKGd6vRkoPKLx1pyUCjpt7jWLOqMUevgrDatWcsJhhlUhBL3ZKxGrv_txKZXSZcJVrCHHwE/s400/019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Time to call it a day. cool lunch box!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYx6PjYovLkmUdtjqvPFM8mPMmG_P2QEzY7rUBBTC7O8HaT89JdCekMgHLtdVQlR5MHJo-cYBAr99KcqWVI-ikeplnmf-t9JgR0H-IRNAGbHEv-ab7EV-k47tgKTlp0-JPr7XI-4JEKaG/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYx6PjYovLkmUdtjqvPFM8mPMmG_P2QEzY7rUBBTC7O8HaT89JdCekMgHLtdVQlR5MHJo-cYBAr99KcqWVI-ikeplnmf-t9JgR0H-IRNAGbHEv-ab7EV-k47tgKTlp0-JPr7XI-4JEKaG/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In a previous post, I displayed some construction workers from the Tonka Powertrax line. Here's another set of figures. The delivery guys all have blue shirts, blue caps and green overalls. I especially like that they all have an action pose and have some kind of accessory. Tonka Powertrax are manufactured by Kentoys.<br />
Here they all are pictured above with a Greenlight Dodge pickup and a Matchbox Real Working Rigs container truck.mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-2708304185801437082012-06-15T15:21:00.000-07:002013-10-13T13:33:40.352-07:00Of brick walls and fancy floors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsI8ZWFKylUnYl_ABznGGC9ybkD1C2_LDi8pWY3FXhCH-H8UC-mZX8soU8kbr21lGr7eJ-bgp2tFcTZXzrr9Ym4b9Frz0WWvjMgZlSGtGpQ15JBYVa6HXXcHuy9ggnSfiwMpiUx1a7afY/s1600/115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsI8ZWFKylUnYl_ABznGGC9ybkD1C2_LDi8pWY3FXhCH-H8UC-mZX8soU8kbr21lGr7eJ-bgp2tFcTZXzrr9Ym4b9Frz0WWvjMgZlSGtGpQ15JBYVa6HXXcHuy9ggnSfiwMpiUx1a7afY/s400/115.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-bJnGaYYd-SDgfg6EPOh96Rervhci8qv1y9BHVnZ9AkRqlY397MN6Ila_SB4EYCumt8FShlFbLub11PFFvkYIjKMTzjAd6j3szZprPvTpqaibnzKwPCz0DYHO2cWFtz0jBpd1Ht3YRbA/s1600/120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-bJnGaYYd-SDgfg6EPOh96Rervhci8qv1y9BHVnZ9AkRqlY397MN6Ila_SB4EYCumt8FShlFbLub11PFFvkYIjKMTzjAd6j3szZprPvTpqaibnzKwPCz0DYHO2cWFtz0jBpd1Ht3YRbA/s400/120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2gERTKiMj4/T95UmNCaKEI/AAAAAAAAMIE/_t9UGgIo-j8/s1600/121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2gERTKiMj4/T95UmNCaKEI/AAAAAAAAMIE/_t9UGgIo-j8/s400/121.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieC5z9dE82yckJSjyD8qCOsXCORbOJZc_Ud7nNL2K97AdKip_qMAWKQIjVr5QLrpR0a4GNpmgAe2mRbtp81y9n0uYEW4qLZcQplHt6yW6m24btxlOyUpnDNf9L4VEuVJa77LS6ZapPGpk/s1600/117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieC5z9dE82yckJSjyD8qCOsXCORbOJZc_Ud7nNL2K97AdKip_qMAWKQIjVr5QLrpR0a4GNpmgAe2mRbtp81y9n0uYEW4qLZcQplHt6yW6m24btxlOyUpnDNf9L4VEuVJa77LS6ZapPGpk/s400/117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjXkvt9hiapY_5cL1bRt1bctMeJT6Uir33C0NyClVS4_6dT_TR5tBXwxPWoWEiG5TeWzEFF9536zwQyi-b0zxp-fakYZJypDoGytM9fYWu1HZ4pw_Cdw7eOIuoBffc1jufGspArlhnqWT/s1600/116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjXkvt9hiapY_5cL1bRt1bctMeJT6Uir33C0NyClVS4_6dT_TR5tBXwxPWoWEiG5TeWzEFF9536zwQyi-b0zxp-fakYZJypDoGytM9fYWu1HZ4pw_Cdw7eOIuoBffc1jufGspArlhnqWT/s400/116.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxog1agjRrD7ialsZ0-IGZuzC3Ul4JezakbH3wzd1jMF49U5VZytf6VLZCSQ_ISJBBrD_WY8RW8JyQrpH2FHqJ01ZqZ1Ywtmw5uer2U6wYjJbQHDCgkuPkh7GXzfGqXto66_KVz6A29b2n/s1600/118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxog1agjRrD7ialsZ0-IGZuzC3Ul4JezakbH3wzd1jMF49U5VZytf6VLZCSQ_ISJBBrD_WY8RW8JyQrpH2FHqJ01ZqZ1Ywtmw5uer2U6wYjJbQHDCgkuPkh7GXzfGqXto66_KVz6A29b2n/s400/118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jkv89HKsQwV8xebXfybLmcaGHAo_xkiI11VYwc4fU5_JTDzsltGaKicZ2dYEZE9zAl1lj1MFD6ejkeZTP6kq5Pwjs-lG04gZ4317d-HsyrKUIPeCeUX1ndO37NunnrcDNjocYjX3_RaJ/s1600/119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jkv89HKsQwV8xebXfybLmcaGHAo_xkiI11VYwc4fU5_JTDzsltGaKicZ2dYEZE9zAl1lj1MFD6ejkeZTP6kq5Pwjs-lG04gZ4317d-HsyrKUIPeCeUX1ndO37NunnrcDNjocYjX3_RaJ/s400/119.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_V1LIaJb5YI8E-kfy9MKLcfYwa1y9kZSxGvY9nqNH_cSCQZayVgClVfhPvmvCjF14dlfERDm7dQgePNQEsK_yLRBZLEn0OIctJW0o_Uc9NWg-NOceqKXhUPIkfGfHMsx5S-7ZytQ7w22/s1600/122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_V1LIaJb5YI8E-kfy9MKLcfYwa1y9kZSxGvY9nqNH_cSCQZayVgClVfhPvmvCjF14dlfERDm7dQgePNQEsK_yLRBZLEn0OIctJW0o_Uc9NWg-NOceqKXhUPIkfGfHMsx5S-7ZytQ7w22/s400/122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj3u3QKkM2kzK-GlzmV9qo71YeOGn_IOiu4WegV_bCjaQYeFpRsg2CmFVu77RWybVsSm-c0hrsxKv2BfsDe8WpGVUSifU5q6sQSxhd5UNcnwQJxhmtmfIHPyszWStZ7jbvox2pvmcCQqw/s1600/123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj3u3QKkM2kzK-GlzmV9qo71YeOGn_IOiu4WegV_bCjaQYeFpRsg2CmFVu77RWybVsSm-c0hrsxKv2BfsDe8WpGVUSifU5q6sQSxhd5UNcnwQJxhmtmfIHPyszWStZ7jbvox2pvmcCQqw/s400/123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A special shout out to my friends George T. and Daniel R. over at Swifty's Garage for providing me with the wall and floor templates respectively. By printing the sheets out and lining the inside of a cardboard box, i now have an excellent showroom, don't you think?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-24345031431112453362012-05-15T05:54:00.000-07:002013-10-26T18:16:10.860-07:00Dodge demon at the salvage yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4Q2fiq3Yvg/T9M9gdxdoOI/AAAAAAAAA6w/qlpL5fncLTE/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4Q2fiq3Yvg/T9M9gdxdoOI/AAAAAAAAA6w/qlpL5fncLTE/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeSQ44dDWe0/T9M9joboa4I/AAAAAAAAA7I/rygkegphAKU/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeSQ44dDWe0/T9M9joboa4I/AAAAAAAAA7I/rygkegphAKU/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2YkbL4ctnM/T9M9hkaigAI/AAAAAAAAA64/pJuLNFd-kY8/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2YkbL4ctnM/T9M9hkaigAI/AAAAAAAAA64/pJuLNFd-kY8/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0PZVQaDB3Mk/T9M9ihrG8sI/AAAAAAAAA7A/RCVyo8Zb0Ks/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0PZVQaDB3Mk/T9M9ihrG8sI/AAAAAAAAA7A/RCVyo8Zb0Ks/s400/012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrtDY98jfQI/T9M9e9rN_6I/AAAAAAAAA6o/WTMeKiaXg-E/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hrtDY98jfQI/T9M9e9rN_6I/AAAAAAAAA6o/WTMeKiaXg-E/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktISUphAN9A/T9M9d06aBeI/AAAAAAAAA6g/3saV3KDROIQ/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktISUphAN9A/T9M9d06aBeI/AAAAAAAAA6g/3saV3KDROIQ/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HYq6LHHDZc/T9M9c9MijwI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/I70FGGjnxOk/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1HYq6LHHDZc/T9M9c9MijwI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/I70FGGjnxOk/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dL3N1mmk3c0/T9M9buT3e3I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/fSx-KeDZIxE/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dL3N1mmk3c0/T9M9buT3e3I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/fSx-KeDZIxE/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bM_lq04-0xI/T9M9aV6BP_I/AAAAAAAAA6I/w3nUsa29CRo/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bM_lq04-0xI/T9M9aV6BP_I/AAAAAAAAA6I/w3nUsa29CRo/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcn-ulx0oTM/T9M9Y6ggTgI/AAAAAAAAA6A/_qtycG51nO0/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jcn-ulx0oTM/T9M9Y6ggTgI/AAAAAAAAA6A/_qtycG51nO0/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
More pics of the little salvage yard today. I just took a bunch of spare parts, old cars and dio pieces and threw them together. The showcase car today is a Johnny Lightning PIP (Projects in Progress) series Dodge Demon. In my last pic you can also see an old matchbox VW van that I painted over to give an aged look. Also there's a JL gremlin which started life out as a white Zinger.mytoycarshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11017548383701211424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3381918748978917533.post-70914667505235745902012-04-15T11:01:00.000-07:002013-10-26T18:16:50.304-07:00Mels Diner by Motormax<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOk6KSBwR9wknhs7hNeqpRRDGoNBR2K3Um0JR6NM3hyphenhyphen8DEu4a2avzqhiVluVrWt-gtvAeFNa_k2gi7Vtkn438shQ6Mu8D7DC9qJULGwwDuPiBoJ3SiX9oyDq0WFnJ6L7RJxPpAh7u30Gc/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOk6KSBwR9wknhs7hNeqpRRDGoNBR2K3Um0JR6NM3hyphenhyphen8DEu4a2avzqhiVluVrWt-gtvAeFNa_k2gi7Vtkn438shQ6Mu8D7DC9qJULGwwDuPiBoJ3SiX9oyDq0WFnJ6L7RJxPpAh7u30Gc/s400/011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMvdLIYcFBQU2H_F0wYlnrHu07gWREmwgVkl4XwO6xiFoRtFUcmDcJ8LWNryZJw-sYxebca_cvvpbn4QifDWMd2iaSaI9Cyfe7DRVeDzFId0zRnan3G1J5lQR2sSn7BwzCjv8o08yuAj0/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMvdLIYcFBQU2H_F0wYlnrHu07gWREmwgVkl4XwO6xiFoRtFUcmDcJ8LWNryZJw-sYxebca_cvvpbn4QifDWMd2iaSaI9Cyfe7DRVeDzFId0zRnan3G1J5lQR2sSn7BwzCjv8o08yuAj0/s400/012.JPG" width="387" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholD5cvAaunMclF_D8EkkJnmmak6qP4wT5DXjAKRvBexluEX9aGqLpuBi8mK7hIK9QsV-NlAZ2szOki1br06mUCKk7B3vnrRGAtNx7qbEs61Z5g2xQVkI_aexg6sIVtBnJmKwIZQ0v3C0t/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholD5cvAaunMclF_D8EkkJnmmak6qP4wT5DXjAKRvBexluEX9aGqLpuBi8mK7hIK9QsV-NlAZ2szOki1br06mUCKk7B3vnrRGAtNx7qbEs61Z5g2xQVkI_aexg6sIVtBnJmKwIZQ0v3C0t/s400/014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6Xa9QDAdABozQK4kH06FNIUfV6dNUkObX7Hax5lNQRGrwts8kGHG2Qe1PhfAo_IIIqpZieavlUXrE6S84UvmwmgdzuRmTN3RTLUHfHLS1-KNMzvvdOBTPXMouRCk-3XL9aRGElGI81B3/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6Xa9QDAdABozQK4kH06FNIUfV6dNUkObX7Hax5lNQRGrwts8kGHG2Qe1PhfAo_IIIqpZieavlUXrE6S84UvmwmgdzuRmTN3RTLUHfHLS1-KNMzvvdOBTPXMouRCk-3XL9aRGElGI81B3/s400/013.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eP-TWpj7DLIR7czt8UhsYkzsw8WMF44DpkYNS65__hL6YGlucztCO3u6VTPcSAn9tk7Cu97ULRD9uFm2CWRw-bMc50Q1wCAZ2wvBAeDvH8-8nKxPOFaajCzsfRa2gE0PsohZfyou7zy1/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eP-TWpj7DLIR7czt8UhsYkzsw8WMF44DpkYNS65__hL6YGlucztCO3u6VTPcSAn9tk7Cu97ULRD9uFm2CWRw-bMc50Q1wCAZ2wvBAeDvH8-8nKxPOFaajCzsfRa2gE0PsohZfyou7zy1/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Motormax made some great diorama sets as part of the American Graffiti collection. There was the country store, garage and tire shop, but this Mels Diner is my definite favourite of the bunch. It has three figures and a great little ford coupe. The diorama retailed for about $10 but is no longer available in stores.<br />
<br />
In the last picture I've removed the dio from the base and added some new figures and embellishments. I put a nice Maisto 57 Chevy in the foreground.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0