Month in Review - April 2018

So now it's a third of the way through the year already, it's going in quick.

How are things looking on the old #hobbyresolution2018 then?

1 - Transfer my flip-top paint collection to dropper bottles. (8/519)

Haven't done any this month.   Been kinda busy using the paints for their intended purpose rather than colourful ornaments. 

2 - Organise and run a two day Warmahordes event, (1/1)

APRIL FUEL DAZE 2! was a resounding success.  Or, at least I haven't heard anything to the contrary.  Had a good turnout again this year, with people also travelling from much further afield, so, hopes to grow it next year might not be unfounded.

3 - Make £500 selling old models. (20/500)

Not sold anything this month.  Did dig out my Warmaster Chaos army and considered putting that up for sale, but still on the fence/waiting to hear back about it from someone before I do so.  Also been kinda busy hobbying to tackle the Lord of the Rings trove.

4 - Maintain the Blog with weekly and monthly updates. (16/52 and 4/12)

Still on track with this, more than a couple of late updates, but, I'm OK with that, given my erratic sleep pattern.

5 - Go to 2 Gaming Shows or Conventions. (1/2)

Carronade in a couple of weeks will be the next and let me tick this off.

6 - Play 6 New Opponents. (6/6)

Done ahead of schedule, thanks to numerous pick up games at the club, and managing to get a game in with one of the Norwegians that came over for AFD2!

7 - Play 100 Games (29/100)

Picking up a bit, only a couple of games behind average, but that should hopefully jump up in the next couple of weeks, especially with Welsh Masters coming up.

8 - Play 6 different Board Games. (3/6)

None played this month.

9 - Play 3 New Games or New Editions of Rules (3/3)

I should probably get the rules for this right?

Already complete.

10 - Paint 4pts of Normans for SAGA. (4/4pts, 21/28 models)

Already Complete.

11 - Maintain Butcher's Guild being fully painted. (0/3 Models)

Nope. 

12 - Paint remaining Deathguard for Warhammer 40,000 (0/50 Models)

Nope. 

13 - Paint Waiqar half of Runewars Miniatures Game Starter (0/26 Models)

Guess what?  Nope.

14 - Paint a 15mm Hordes of the Things Army (14/14 Elements)

Complete.

15 - Paint a 75pt Warmahordes List (0/? Models)

16 - Paint the Hog Wild Malifaux box (6/6 Models)

Complete.


So time for some numbers then?

Painted 47 models this month, and assembled at least 60.  The stuff that was sidelined on the workbench remains there.  Should be getting back to that soon.

Played 8 games of 100, so, hitting that average of 2 a week.  Going to have 7 at Welsh next month, so that should get things running at about the right number.

Have now finished 6 of my Hobby Resolutions, a good jump for one month, and should hopefully be at 8/16 by the end of May.

Current #hobbystreakday - 120 (17 weeks straight)


So yeah, that about wraps it up.  I'll try and get some pictures from my games at Welsh (time/alcohol permitting) and I'll be able to show off Project: Top Secret.  Woo!


Cheers,

John

Amount	Task	Completed
519	Transfer Paint to dropper bottles	8	2%
1	Run April Fuel Daze 2018	1	100%	Complete
500	Make £500 selling old models	20	4%
61	Maintain Blog	21	34%
2	Go to 2 shows or conventions	1	50%
6	Play 6 New Opponents	6	100%	Complete (John P, Peter, Richard, Martin, Steven, Merete)
100	Play 100 Games	27	27%
6	Play 6 different Boardgames	3	50%	Blood Rage, Battle Lore V2, Zombicide,
3	Play 3 New Games (or new editions)	3	100%	Complete (Sharp Practice, 40k, Gaslands)
29	Paint 4+ points of Saga Normans	21	72%	Complete (Bishop, Mtd Hearthguard x2, Levy)
3	Paint Guildball Butchers	0	0%
50	Paint remaining Deathguard	0	0%
26	Paint Waiqar starter for Runewars	0	0%
14	Paint 15mm army for HotT	14	100%	Complete (Copplestone 15mm Picts)
67	Paint 75pt Warmahordes list	47	70%
6	Paint Malifaux Crew	6	100%	Complete (Hog Wild box)
1393		12.78%

#workbenchWednesday 25/04/18

Boom!   Weekly update is on time this week.  Look up for signs of flying pigs/blue moons/ signs of impending world annihilation...

It's probably going to be a brief update, as once again, I have nothing to show, as I've been slaving away on Project:  Top Secret.  As always, it's kinda meh that I don't have pictures to post, but I really hope the reveal will be worth it.  And if it isn't, well, there are only 7 or so readers to disappoint, right?    Nah, I'm kidding, the blog is doing pretty good for views, even when I don't spam links everywhere (I mean, you guys can help with that...)

Deadline for P:TS is just before Welsh Masters, so, around about the 17th of May, before I head down to Firestorm once again.


So, what have I been up to since my belated update?   Quite a lot actually.

Monday saw me finish off 3 models for P: TS, pin and assemble another 14, and start clean up on another 5.

Tuesday was getting all the pinned and assembled stuff primed and touching up all the bits I'd missed on first pass.

Today, I've sent out the thank you emails to the companies that provided prize support for APRIL FUEL DAZE 2! (Feldherr.net, Games & Gears and Green Stuff World) and made some progress on the primed stuff.  I am also currently writing a blog post ( :P ) and am going to sort out a brief for an article for the Sculpting, Painting and Gaming blog about breaking into historical gaming from a fantasy background.  I might get a little more painting done, but I have all day tomorrow and most of Friday to make more progress.  Currently up to #hobbystreakday115 which is pretty amazing, and although I've stopped putting up daily images on Instagram, because, well, there really isn't anything to show, I'm still keeping on top of it and writing my actual progress in my #hobbystreak diary.

Next update should be Monday for the #monthinreview post for April, and after that it's only a few weeks until both Carronade and Welsh Masters, so there will probably be a lot to report.

Cheers,

John

Slacking a bit because life... #workbenchWednesday 18/04/18

Yeah, was bound to happen eventually, but at least I've gotten to it now.  No workbench shot ironically, because it's all Project: Top Secret stuff on there...


So, what have I been up to otherwise then?  Well, going back as far as the 12th...

Thursday - Finished 16 models for P:TS, primed another 4, and swung by Common Ground to pick up the zones, terrain and clocks for AFD, as well as some food and drinks.

Friday - Wrote last week's belated post...  Logged all the day 1 pairings into PG Swiss for AFD, ran all over 3 counties doing collection of people from train stations and airports.  Set up the hall.

Many hands make light work.

Saturday - APRIL FUEL DAZE 2! Day one.  Shaky start as a couple of drops and a no-show forced group re-reolls, and relogging it all in PG Swiss.  Sure a good day was had by all, no worrying Judge calls, some nailbiting games, and loads of spot prizes handed out.  Followed by a takeaway, drinks, then the pub for... karaoke of all things...

Loadsa stuff to give away!

They said I couldn't force people to play fully painted.   They were wrong.

The lesser spotted gaarew letting his hair down.

Sunday - APRIL FUEL DAZE 2! Day 2. - Day started well, as there was no hangover to deal with, so I didn't have to threaten to DQ anyone for making a Judge call.  Unlike last year, most groups went to 3 rounds, so was a long day, which saw Konrad crowned the new AFD Champion.  Got the hall cleared up, and grabbed some food, happy with how things went, and that was another #hobbyresolution2018 knocked off.  15 weeks straight!

A new Champion!

Craig legs it with his "Strongest Player" award...

Adam Williams, a worthy recipient of the Toilet award.  Started drinking round 1.

Monday - Basically spent sorting all the event stuff in the house, did some Watchmachine.

Tuesday - Priming stuff for P:TS, varnished some models and did some base work.

Wednesday - Played game 28/100.  Headed through to Common Ground to get a game in with the Norweigans that had come over for AFD.  Killed a Dracodile,  Threw a Wraster into Caliban.  Battered him until he died.  Was gonna do my blog post but had a meeting at work.

Seems excessive for 1 game...

Thursday - Loads of work on P:TS. 

Friday - Finished off another model for P:TS, did a load of basework and getting bits finished off and varnished.

Saturday - Pretty much the same as Friday.  I did however have something to show, as my #frostgroove prize from the Osprey blog arrived.

Frostgrave:  Ghost Archi...  collection of Islands.

Sunday (today) - as above.  Without the prize obviously.


So, again, feels naff that I haven't got much to show off, but, I am ploughing through my Secret Project, hoping to have it ready soon.  I guess I should maybe work on some other stuff too, just so I have something to post, right?  Thoughts?  (From all 7 of you...)  Back in a few days.

Cheers,

John

Yet another belated #workbenchWednesday post 11/04/18

Yeah, yeah, yeah...    I'm not making a habit of this honest, just event conspiring against me.  (see what I did there?)

Playing catch up today as I've been dashing about all week between work, kids, and getting the last bits sorted for APRIL FUEL DAZE 2.  But let's kick off with the workbench shot.

All about that base.

So, what else have I been up to?

Thursday - wrote up my belated blog post from last week, played game 21/100 and pinned all the Celestial Fulcrum.  Picked up all the silverware for AFD2.   Looking swish.

Shiny!

Best Painted Army Award

Group 2-4 Champions get an award this year

Best in Faction Awards

A little tongue in cheek award.

Friday - Played games 22-23/100, finished off assembly on the Fulcrum, pinned and assembled a Woldwarden and pinned and assembled a unit of Farrow Valkyries.

Saturday - Pinned a lot of Project: Top Secret stuff and boxed up all the prizes for AFD2.

Sunday - Played games 24-25/100, primed the brown parts of the Fulcrum, realized my grey primer was goosed, pinned more Project: Top Secret stuff  (14 weeks straight #hobbystreak!)  Also, based on how I'm working things out over the year, caught up to my average games for last month...

Monday - Played game 26/100, inked the brown parts for the Fulcrum, and work on Project: Top Secret.

Tuesday - #hobbystreakday100  Kinda a milestone for me here.  Bunch of Project: Top Secret stuff done.  Played game 27/100.  When you only kill 3 models in a game, it helps when one is the enemy Warlock.

Killing my own piggies.   Feels bad man...

Wednesday - Made a custom base, assembled some stuff and primed stuff for Project: Top Secret.

And lots of event type stuff mingled in between.   Super busy today, but you'll find out all about that next week.  (Liver permitting...)



Cheers,

John

Another belated #workbenchWednesday 04/04/18

 Annnnnnnnnnd we're back.  Fell asleep before posting, but still been busy.

How does the workbench currently look, then?

Giant ball of fire above Scotland ruins photo (more than camera operator normally does)

 Got the skin, cloth, hair and bones blocked in on my Corelocks from Lucid Eye Publications, plus a lot done on the Cro Magnon Boss.  He is on a 30mm base as I'd originally intended him to be a Tracker for Frostgrave.


So, what have I been up to since last week?

Thursday - had to head out and order all the trophies and awards for APRIL FUEL DAZE 2, as well as more book-keeping.  Also squeezed in game 21/100 Baldur2 vs. Ossrum.   Not a fan of Dwarf Kettles...

Oh, so you do extra damage to my big guys AND remove all my Stones defences...  OK...

Friday - typing up lists for the event.

Saturday - Wrote up my Month in Review March blog post.  Locked AFD2 list submission in.

Sunday -  Did the live group draw for AFD2, then finished painting, varnishing and basing the metal Oathmark Dwarfs.  Hit 13 weeks straight #hobbystreak.

It's good to be King

I absolutely adore this miniature.  Turned out OK I guess.

Compulsory ginger command figure

Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarge!

Another beautiful sculpt

Any excuse for blue fur

Dwarf Hearthguard (another 1pt for SAGA)

Monday - Basecoated and washed the shields for the Dwarfs, and blocked in all the metals on the remaining 15 Frostgrave Barbarians.

Gotta paint 'em all...

All that fur...

Tuesday - finished off and varnished the Dwarf shields.  Skin and hair and cloth on the Corelocks.

Wednesday -   glued the shields to the Dwarfs (except the one with the 2handed axe) and painted the bones on the Corelocks.

Fully armoured up now.

Off to a good start.  And probably war.

And that's me up to date again.   Plans for today are to go collect the trophies for AFD2 and try and get the Corelocks details blocked in so I can give them a wash.   Might squeeze a game or 2 in later.

See you in a week.

Cheers,

John