Winter Trees

I was really lucky this winter season.  I acquired some trees from a former railroad hobbyist... THANKS DAD....and along with a few other supplies, I decided to go whole hog and create a set of trees for the Arctic setup I have.  I hadn't really fleshed out that set at all yet, so I was looking forward to getting something on the mat for an arctic setup, instead of just the cloud idea I have already.  These came together over a weekend, and I decided to make some, and use all of the winter trees I had been given.  All together 16 CD bases of arctic, tree filled goodness.
The tall trees are done with wooden skewers, that I sized up to 5-6" each, and the branches are odd cut shapes of scrub mats that I got from a former employee at work.  Poke a hole in the cut out shapes... hot glue down the painted skewer, and then top with snow.  For snow I happened to have a very dated diorama kit and just used the snow packet for it, but you could use anything.  A quick matte seal coat over the top and boom... trees for almost nothing.  If you had to buy everything yourself still under $20, less if you don't get the fake conifer trees.  For me... nothing says better than cheap.

Welcome to the Jungle - Part 2 (Now with Battle Mat)

Posted the jungle set before I finished the mat I was making.  I just couldn't wait patiently one more day to post the whole thing together.  Finally finished the Jungle mat I have been working on.  This is now officially my favorite mat, and it will be the the star of many games in the future.

I did this using the same methods I have done the last few, following the DIY guide from Miniwargaming.com found Here.  The basic run down is very simple.  Painters Tarp (aka Duck Cloth or Canvas) that is covered in acrylic caulking in several thin layers, allowed to dry between each, given a random textured surface on the last coat, and then painted with the trusty airbrush, sealed with a matte coat, and then cut to size.

This particular mat was done in several shades and tones of green.  I wanted a very earthy vibrant feel to a mat, and I think I pulled it off on this one.  As usual, more pics after the jump.

Alien Plant-life

The VERY first time I went to Hobby Lobby, I fell in love at least a dozen times.  This was for me, the start of terrain building.  Having just walked in and finding literally isles full of plastic plants, I knew that I would be making some alien plant-life for my games.  I will admit I've been to a hobby location nearly every weekend since.  Mostly for inspiration, but also for raw materials.  Foam-board, Glue, Spray-paint, you name it, I get it there.

Trees - Go Hug one ya hippy.

Okay, so everyone and their brother has some trees to use for terrain.  I am no different in that regard, so I figured I would show off the ones I made.  I was lucky enough to get handed a box of 10+ year old railroad hobby materials from my dad who was cleaning up basement storage, and he said as long as I posted about it, I could have em.  

Standard pre-made trees from Scenic Landscapes covered in Reindeer Moss.  Mounted on CD bases.  I made a few flavors of these trees, 8-10 of each set.  A few light ones, a few darker green ones, some palms and an autumn set.

I have in the works a coniferous set to go with the arctic mat I have, but those are still very much a WIP.  I will give them their own post when they are closer to done.