Where I've Been A Lot of the Time

12 years ago

Hello all.

I have been checking in from time to time (love seeing the Fall Posts that are starting to show up again), but I haven't been posting or adding any replies.

That's because I've been focusing on another hobby that started three years ago. I set up a backyard theater during the summer months and have seen this little hobby start to take on a life of its own.

I kept a journal and have converted what I've written to a little blog so that I could share its development with so many people that have helped me on the BackyardTheater.com Forum.

OK. Having given you a little background, here is why I am sharing this now. I have created a rear projection outdoor Halloween theater using the equipment that I normally use in the backyard.

I thought you might be interested in the steps I used - well, just in case you ever need to make a castle wall!

Luvs has been instrumental in encouraging me, as I was afraid to try my had at the painting, but all is well.

Here is a picture of the "theater" I made. The projector sits in the garage and projects onto the shower curtain (screen) and can be seen from outside. I will run Halloween clips for a couple of hours each night, then on Halloween, I will probably run Monsters, Inc.

If you are interested in the steps, you can go here for a little tutorial.

Castle Wall

The blog (which will not be more than a few pages ever) is under construction right now, but the page I'm sending you to, ought to be fine.

Happy Halloween

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Comments (12)

christmascandy
12 years ago
OA, that is just too cool. What a super idea. I'm sure the neighborhood kids and your DGK's absolutely love this!!

While I understand why you have been missing, your absence has been felt. You always created such great tables and other decorations. We have missed your input.

Obviously, your creativity has been channeled in other directions. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Candy
oldalgebra
Original Author
12 years ago
I've just been taking a little time off. I'm still VERY into tablescapes and will be returning on a more consistent basic soon!
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Peat makes an excellent preservative. The modern horticultural practice of using a sterile medium like peat is in order to create a hydroponic environment, that can force-feed plants into rapid production. I've found a few nurseries who grow in-pot organically, and they avoid peat. I don't see large chunks of pine bark in their soil medium, either. Some use rainwater to irrigate, most are wholesale and at least one is open to the public. Transplanting and establishment ease have been outstanding with these trees grown organically with a comost-based medium. Some use pots that are designed to eliminate circling roots. This is a far superior product, that establishes and plants easier, than any tree grown in peat, or in a plastic pot. It's really a leap were speaking of, for a root to make the transition from an extremely acidic, sterile medium to a nearly neutral, live mineal soil. It ain't natural, and creates unnecessary stress on the plant when it needs it least-- during root establishment. But we grow potted plants in peat, anyways. Modern horticularal practices do not serve the grower so well, Most of the potted trees and plants you'll find in a retail nursery, have been force fed to grow lots of pretty foliage, in a poor soil medium, with underdeveloped and potbound roots. I know peat is good at preserving cave people and tubulars. But as a potting medium, it's used becasuse it is thought to be cheap, and that's the bottom line. There are conflicts of interest between the grower and the hulticulturalist who pushes peat as a pot medium. A lot of the carp they teach in hort school (and ag school, and other fields), has a bias towards perceived economic benefits, and can ignore for years, better, sounder science. M This post was edited by Mackel-in-DFW on Fri, Apr 25, 14 at 23:01
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I do the same thing, I love perusing the old posts. Iron sharpens iron, it's fun getting inspiration from other like minded folks. I believe we are in a world all our own lol you should see the looks I get when I start talking plants with someone who isn't a gardener. Sometimes I just can't help it. But it's fun to strike up convo. in the nurseries with other garden nuts. lol I am in zone 8 but 9 AHS. We have high temps. 105-113 for 40+ straight days in the summer with very little rain if any. Tough gardening conditions for sure. Rena'
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totally off-topic totally...but as i've spent a lot of time here
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Comments (42)
Ebean - your doctor may not have said it, but you should be very proud of what you went through and 5 years must mean something! It sure beats not getting to 5 years!! I wish you many more anniversaries and hope you get to the point where you vaguely remember the day because it was so long ago and you have lived so much life in the interim. I lost a high school friend this week unexpectedly and our sons' bus driver passed this morning from being in an accident on Mon with a tanker truck on the way to picking up the kids for school. Not everyone gets a second chance, so your story is wonderful because there is no ending to it ;). The fact that you are here to share your daughter's growing up and what is to come and are also here to grow old with your husband (someday, not yet), makes me tear up some. I want to go wake the boys and give them big kisses, but will wait til morning. Dh is recovering from "minor" surgery yesterday, but it is not an easy recovery nonetheless. I am so grateful he that each day will be better and his problems were "fixed" in one shot. If he were not sleeping finally(!), I'd want to wake him too!
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Comments (1)
Hi!! I still check in every now and then. Don't really like the new setup. We have all been super busy as well. I am painting for a boutique in a few weeks and have been doing a little yard art biz. We have started a rabbitry and have a bunch of chickens now so the farm and garden and family keeps me busy. Glad you are still around! ~Anj
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phonegirl
12 years ago
OA, you are truly one amazing lady!!! I hope you make it big someday because you deserve it with all your talent. I'm in awe once more with what you've come up with. I've always loved everything you do!

Of course I went through your tutorial and loved every step. Thanks, Luvs for encouraging OA on this out door Halloween theater.

All I have to say is "You've Been Missed" and "We Want U Back" more often, you incredible person u. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this project.WOWZERS.....

Punk
Purplemoon
12 years ago
I couldn't agree more!! Its neat what you've done, super creative, and I bet a huge hit with everyone.
But we miss you soooooooooooooooooooooo much here.
;o)

hugs, Karen
jeannespines
12 years ago
Oh, it's GOOD to hear from you, OA! Yes, as everyone above has said, you are certainly missed here! You are such an inspiration!

And now, you are inspiring again with your new project over the past 3 yrs (gosh, that long...goes too fast!) & your new blog...I enjoyed reading about your progress. WOW! TFS this & am glad everything is going good for you...always love to hear from old friends!...meaning old in the good sense of the word! ;-) Jeanne S.
oldalgebra
Original Author
12 years ago
My! How nice of all of you. That's such a heartfelt "Welcome Back."

Even though I've been fooling with the backyard theater for three years, I haven't been away from the Holiday Forum for that long. It's just that I've had so much on my plate these past few months that I had to narrow down my focus for a bit. Some things had to go. But as I mentioned, I'll be back soon enough - bugging ALL OF YOU.

Speaking of bugging people, I saw these silhouette tombstones and thought about how well they'd go with Jane's silhouette witch (or a least I think it was Jane's). I just love Grandinroad holiday items, but gosh, how expensive all their things are.
nana2010_gw
12 years ago
Gosh OA, Your talent and creativity are endless! I'm glad you are having success with your theater project Do you put on live performances?
As the others have said we REALLY REALLY REALLY miss you here.
Please come back soon.
Nana
plainjane425
12 years ago
My-My-My- OA...just when I thought you couldn't get anymore creative - Up You Pop with another Incredibly Creative Idea!! I agree you are one Amazing Woman!
This idea is so spectacular (3 yrs in the making) Wow...
and I'm sure will be the 'Talk of The Town'...wish I were there to witness it all. I'm just so glad you checked in
to share this with us and to let us know how busy you've been, and that all is well.

I checked out the Silhouette Tombstones...yes, I did the Witch last year...and these tombstones are fabulous! I have to show them to DH. Next week I'll be getting 'her' ready for Halloween again. Thanks for thinking of me.

Now, like everyone else here...I MISS YOU TOO!..all your wonderful ideas..tutorials..tablescapes and EVERYTHING in between! Come Back...Little OA...Come Back!!
(I think you might remember the Original (Sheba)movie)! lol
It's so good hearing from your again.
jane
oldalgebra
Original Author
12 years ago
Shirley Booth! Good grief, Charlie Brown. Whatever made that pop into your head??!!!
You bet I remember. :-)
plainjane425
12 years ago
LOL..OA - My DM used to always joke about that movie...I guess thinking of wanting you to 'come back'...just made me think of it - and knowing what a movie buff you are (hoped you'd know what I meant)... lol
By the way, when I was a Kid, I called my 'Spaldine' ball 'Sheba' and when I would play with it outside and it got lost, I'd call for it to come back - using that name.... I know, I know... I was a strange kid!!!!
jane
luvstocraft
12 years ago
It turned out fantastic,OA! You are just so good at coming up with wonderful projects and actually getting them done too! Your blocks turned out wonderful, and I love the flame holders on each side and that huge axe is perfect! I can't applaud you enough--great job! ;o) Luvs
kathleen_li
12 years ago
What a great idea, OA!
You are very versatile!
I wondered what happened to you.
Luvs said you were busy! I didn't know you were building a castle!

Where I've Been A Lot of the Time

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christmascandy

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