I'm in.
End of July, one TufaPet coming up.

I have four 'pets' I have been wanting to make but I was putting them off for a year or so. Looks like I may have to step up to the plate and get started soon.

Who was it on this forum that had the Chesire Cat with glowing eyes? It will be hard to compete with that kind of skill..., and was it Marly with the frogs on her leaves? Man! what a challenge!

If I get finished in time to post a pic before the deadline I will give you the permission to laugh. Its still fun!

jazzbone I consider these challenges a 'get off your butt and start make mud challenge'. just a way to get everone focused on an interest project. People love working in groups, even when the 'group' is spread over 2/3 of the planet.

I have very little artistic skill. I'll be lucky if my entry faintly resembles a critter.:)

If you have the camera try to take as you go pics for everyone to "admire" your skill. Never know it might translate into another project. I need to get started soon, most of my weekends are full but who needs to go work!
Paws

I'm in also."Must use something along with the portland and sand but you choose."Whatcha mean?I could use portland,sand and water,right?That generally is my mix of choice.

Paws I'm not doing any more pictures of work in progress.
My last ones just brought me negative email.
I love to chat about general principles and new ideas but would rather leave the actual how-to up to everyone's own imagination.
I will however post pictures of my finished critter regardless how it turns out.

I'm in with a gecko ... not my 'favourite' animal but it IS something I want to make for my garden. I'll get started on that!

Woo Hoo!

Marly

I'm going tiny.
I now have all the fixins, except one, used for making concrete jewelery. I'm going to try a little ladybug using iron for the orange color and see if I can get a green tint in a black recipe using copper.
I've seen some gorgeous jewlery/art done on a small scale with concrete.

Where's Jo?? I think she might be finished with that 60 foot sheep!

Ok, Paws...does dipping my boyfriend's cat in tufa count? I'm going to have to wear some armor!

HowieDoin. Yes it does count, you even get bonus points! I myself prefer dogs, 6 Shih Tzu to be exact.
Sarasaid-Since this is a Tufa group try something extra with the portland/sand/water.
I have my eye on a X ingredient I didn't get to try last time.
Paws

Oh.. all right,I'll crush up the pups kibbles.I'm looking forward to this challange.I can't wait to see what everybody comes up with!

An animal? I'm not really the "dog holding the basket" type. I'll have to think of something that would fit in my yard. Hmmm...

Deb

Who was it that was going to do a 4 foot rat in his front yard?I'm wanting something to make a statement in my garden,too.Hope I have enough hardware cloth!

hehe Sarah, I figured out what I'm going to make, too. A giant SLUG...it'll fit right in with my yard :-\

Deb

Deb, that might work as one of those "organic" pest controls! You put that in your yard and the smaller ones will move out because of intimidation!!

LOL Howie
I'm betting there are no little slugs in your yard!

I prefer good ole copper wire to keep the slugs gone.

OK TE, I'll bite:

I need some clarification here. Is that one of your cutting cutesy remarks or are you just laughing at what I said? Really can't tell at this point but I won't tolerate being bit on the ankle while I'm posting.

LOL!
I'm six feet tall with a very bad back.
I haven't been able to bit an ankle for years now.

OK, I guess I'll assume it's a cutting remark then.

Howie, copper doesn't cut the slugs, it just leaves a bad taste in their mouths.:)
Check my link.
This is great looking stuff as well. I would like to use it decoratively.

Maybe a tufa ball and copper mesh rain chain.

Here is a link that might be useful: Got slugs?

DEB!!!
uhhhh a giant slug.That's what I'm talking about.Like one of those ick Banana slugs!!What could you use for the slime?

How are things coming people. I have my brain wrapped around a plan now to create the project physically.
Paws

I have it visually,just have to cut some rebar and git started.

New guy here. I'm up for this too. Now all I have to do is figure out how to post pictures. (computer challenged)

To post a photo inside a post ...
First set up a free on line photo album.
http://www.shutterfly.com/learn/index.jsp

Once you have photos in your album, click on the photo you want to put into your post. Once you have that photo in front of you, put your curser on the photo and right click.

Then, click on PROPERTIES.
look for the address, it will start with http://.
Drag your curser over the address only, and right click again.
Click on COPY and exit out of everything.

Write your message in Garden Web. In that message type "[img][/img]" (without the parentheses). The address of your photo needs to go in-between the brackets. NO spaces anywhere. Place your curser between the first bracket and the second bracket and right click. Then click paste.

Your photos address will be inserted between the first bracket with "img" in it and the second bracket with "/img" in it. You will not see the photo in your message until you post the message.

Good luck! It's really easier than it sounds.
Here's a quick rundown ...

1. Post photos on line
2. open photo
3. right click
4. properties
5. copy address
6. write post in Garden Web
7. type "[img][/img]"
8. copy address into the middle of img brackets
9. publish your Garden Web post

Just an experiment to see if I can post a picture from the instructions.

"[img]http://a6.cpimg.com/image/46/8E/49675846-f2d5-00540080-.jpg[/img]"

sorry let me try again

"[img]a6.cpimg.com/image/46/8E/49675846-f2d5-00540080-.jpg[/img]"

Ok I got good news and bad news. Good news first--I have been so busy with my "other" crete work, stepping stones,leafs, pet markers, etc. Bad news--I haven't had time to work on my Challenge, so is it OK to entend the deadline until the middle of August say the 15th?
I know bad me but aleast there is a good reason.
Paws

Ok with me... mine is done! I will just have to be patient and wait for the middle of August. Didn't do a gecko afterall.

Marly

I am waiting on my animal to cure.... don't now how its gonna look. When do we post pics?

O.K. here are some dumb questions from a newbie. I would like to make a hypertufa fish for my garden. Would I use the same mix that I use for a trough? Also, would I just mix the stuff up and form it as I would clay, or would I need to use a mold. I am wondering about forming it over those old copper jello molds that were in the shape of a fish, then carving in the scales, fins etc. Would this work?

Right now our temperature has leaped up to 93 degrees and I am busy keeping my Hypertufa troughs moist, and covered with the plastic. Got three more weeks to wait until I can uncover them. I am really pleased as they are nice and hard. So, my next project will be the fish.

Archer4-Depends if you want it heavy or light. Any mixture can be used just might need some reinforcement if it is thin.
richlyn71--On the 16th of August lets post our pics. I will start a new thread then.
Paws

Hey Dellare,

I just copied the url you posted first (http://a6.cpimg.com/image/46/8E/49675846-f2d5-00540080-.jpg), minus the [img] brackets underneath the window you type your message in, where it says "Optional Link URL" under Post a Follow-up, Then name it whatever you like, I called your link "Dellare's link"... try it!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:68906}}

you can use that will work.

eg

you can use image src="PICTURE PATH IN HERE"> that will work.
EG:
sorry for previous posting

I have a confession to make. I have been so busy with "real" work and my Stepping stones/Dogs/Life all I got done was half of my armature for my caterpillar. I so SORRY. My plans had to take a backseat.
Now for all who did finish their's post them on this thread. Can't wait to see the finished projects.
I will finish mine when time permits.
If you can't post pics send them to me and I will post on this thread.
Paws