A Patriotic Post for Thanksgiving!

Please forgive me for not getting this up yesterday (I desperately wanted to!), but as luck would have it, my path was crossed with someone who had nothing, asked for nothing, but needed everything... I spent a large portion of my time yesterday doing what any of us would do when finding someone in need.  I was able to sleep well knowing that he had something to eat, clean clothes and a warm place to sleep as the temperature dropped down to 14 degrees! *Burrrr!*

So... count this for yesterday's as I had something special planned for my Father today (more on that later! ;D)

As Thanksgiving is typically hailed as one of our major holidays filled with food, family, football, fun and giving thanks, I thought "what would be more patriotic than a troll slayer in patriotic striped pants?!" Well, here ya go! Meet the Ironrock Hammers!

I finished these guys a while back, and just haven't put them up yet on my blog!

(click here to vote on the Troll Slayers at Cool Mini or Not!)

 

I wanted something  in "Red, White, and Blue" and loved painting these patriotic pants on the Troll Slayer! LOL

 

(click any of the pics to enlarge)

 

Here are those nasty, hard-hitting blitzers!

(vote on these Blitzers at Cool Mini or Not!)

 

Some short, stumpy, white bearded runners...

(these Runners are also at Cool Mini or Not!)

 

Star Player Boomer Eziasson, with the Coach Mini used for a turn marker...

(Boomer and Coach are at Cool Mini or Not!)

Here is the whoooole team lined up for ya, complete with their "Hammers" logo emblazoned on each of the right shoulder pads with those wearing armor! :D

(click to enlarge)

(this click will take you to Entire Team at Cool Mini or Not!)

 

Well, I trust that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you enjoy your festivities! I will (in all likely-hood) post some additional things here today for my dad! Happy Feasting!

Dedicated to Chris's Kilmora!

Okay, so due to the fact that: 1) I left my digital camera at a Blood Bowl match yesterday (finished very late!), 2) since All of the pics I have taken of the work I have completed over the last week are on it (so I can't download them for a post this morning), 3) as I have been wanting to 'nudge' my good friend Chris into sharing more of his outstanding work... I am 'showcasing' him here today!  (Truth be told--been wanting to do this for a looooooong time!)

Let me be clear that the painted mini pic I am showing is NOT MY WORK! It belongs to a very adept, patient, detailed, and talented painter whom I personally know; this is a custom mini that was completed for a Blood Bowl Tournament "Bash'N'Dash Classic" in Raleigh North Carolina about a year ago.  You can 'clic the painted pic' below which will take you to his site (which I highly encourage), and be prepared to be inspired by some of his work you will find over there, as it is very well done! I can honestly say that he certainly is an inspiration to me!

(click the pic to enlarge)

Here is the mini 'static' or unpainted:

 

Here is Chris's vision of what Kilmora the Deft should look like... Awesome!

(Chris's Board and Brush)

 

Here are her character stats in case any of you want to add her to your dwarf team, just keep in mind that you will have to work her into your house-rules as she is not LRB CR 6.0 approved:

 

I might add that Chris is not the only painter in my league that inspires me!  Our "Commissioner Rick" is an amazing painter as well, and he just recently returned home from a tournament with a "best painted" trophy (no surprise), and I would love to see him blog his work up as well as he has a lot to offer!  It would be something if these two were it! Jay is another who does nice work... and there are yet others still who are very adept!

 

I am quite sure that many of you know someone who is very talented in this vein of mini painting, and love seeing their latest piece.  Next time you get together with them, ask if they won't share a little technique they use, and then try it out to see if it will improve your own work... you might be surprised what they have to share! :D

 

I know for myself it has been very rewarding growing with the hobby of mini-painting, and am glad that I can now do it professionally (on top of everything else I do!)  It is always fun when I am learning new techniques and connecting with other people through it... I hope you don't mind me showcasing you Chris!

The Callous Dowboys!

So here is a throwback to my days as a youth when I was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan!  (not so much anymore...)  I suppose I did this more to honor my childhood, as well as my best friend growing up named Steve.  We were die hard followers of Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, and all the rest of the phenomenal players 'back in the day'.  I am posting these little guys because they belong to my RL BB league named the "Callous Dowboys!" (you can read all about them with the link provided)  These are my star blitzers, Mrandon Bagee and Taylor McSturdy! Getting these guys ready for a tournament this weekend... the SPR Bacon Wrapped Blood Bowl Tournament! (Is this a Cool Mini or Not?)

Note: the Cowboys "Star" was used with nail decals I purchased on Ebay from LuckyStarStyle.com, she typically carries about every major NFL as well as College football team known to man! Make it a lot easier to get your favorite logo just right!

Barak Varr Midshipmen Dwarves

This is a follow-up to yesterday's post regarding my match against the undead team; I have been more inspired by college teams the last few years as opposed to pro-football teams.  A coach in my league (unwittingly) inspired me to pursue this venue!  I have a couple of teams in the works, but I thought my Callous Dowboys uniforms were looking a little dingy, and (being a former Marine) I was inspired by the Naval Academy's uniforms.  Sooo... trying out the "Barak Varr Midshipmen" uniforms and would appreciate your opinion! Click this link to take five seconds and VOTE! :D

(Vote on these guys at Cool Mini or Not!)

Chainmail Dwarf Warrior

This is a miniature that I came across years ago, and absolutely LOVED the pose of this dwarven maiden/hero!  She looks so tenacious!  She has that "I am coming after you with me ginormous 'ead-choppa axe, crazy huge shield, and flaming red-hair!!!"

 

(Please vote on her at Cool Mini or Not!)

I think this is a Ral Partha mini... but I am not sure; if you happen to know the manufacturer or sculptor, please let me know so that I can give proper credit where credit is due!

Update Oct 13: Was reminded by Bebi626 that this was a WOTC production when they were pushing the re-release of Gygax's Chainmal.  This mini is OOP, but there is a fan group now that supports Chainmail (kinda like Blood Bowl! *wink*)