Homemade Fortune Cards

I have just finished my homemade Pulp Alley Fortune Cards. I really liked the colour used in the bought cards but the PDF versions were black and white so I thought I would have a go at making my own, Although they are not perfect, I must say I am really happy with how they have turned out.

I used a template for Microsoft Publisher. Then used a background that looked like parchment. I then got 5 different covers from pulp magazines. I used 1 for the reward cards and the 4 others for the cards.

Once all was lined up - printed off and then laminated.

If I were to do anything different I would use a heavier paper - I used 80 weight but think they would be better at 160. Also, despite it taking ages lining up the images they still did not come out quite right. The template itself was I think pretty hopeless.

Overall though - I really like them and they were definitely worth the effort to do

Terrain in the making

I've been looking at various blogs about making terrain cheaply. A lot use Aquarium pieces but here in NZ they are a bit more pricey. However I did find these in the $2 shop the other day - they were $3 (ha ha) so I got 2

Each bunch has 7 different sprues and each sprue is made up of 4 different elements which I think will go well in making different CD based Jungle/Forrest terrain.

 I will add to this a couple of grass tufts that I picked up a few years ago and I think it will look quite good.

Battle of the Matchbox Vs Lledo - updated

I received some more cars in the post yesterday from another Trade me win. I wasn't intending to get these but they were on at $2 a van for 3 so just bid on the off chance.

Having got them I am again struck by the huge difference in size compared to the Lledo ones.

I don't have the figures yet to compare but definitely think that the Matchbox ones are the way to go

Another successful bid on Trade Me

My successes in picking up good planes cheap continues with this Stinson Reliance




Picked up for $15 - Just need to work out what colour scheme I want it to have

Don't you have Wives, GF's, Husbands, BF's, significant others, to be getting home to?

Ok, just came across the amazing War in 15mm site ( http://www.warin15mm.com/index.html ). The figures and terrain that this guy has is just truly amazing. I am always so impressed with these kinds of photos and as I mused the other day, it gets in the way of me actually doing a game. I keep thinking about how to get the terrain rather than forgetting about the terrain and just using books for hills like I did when I was a kid.

However, I also look at the quality of these things and wonder how long it took them to do? - and more importantly how they get the time for it - if I spent even a tenth of the time I think it would take me to do something to that level of detail, my wife would be being seriously grumpy with me!!

Furniture

The Furniture I ordered from miniatures.com (http://www.miniatures.com/14-Scale-Furniture-Kits-P17012.aspx ) have arrived. The fact that I live in New Zealand should give anyone else confidence in ordering from them.

The set cost US$10 and cost another US$7 for postage which I though was OK. Given that these are just cheap plastic - I was really impressed with what you got

I particularly like the bathroom set. Again they look sooo small to my eyes but looking at the Mean Sets site (http://fauxtoys.com/tvag/620-Mean-Sets.htm) they seem to fit well. 

As an aside - They also included a catalogue of their "proper" doll house furniture. Truly amazing some of the things they are producing - the cost is right up there but if you appreciate small things you can't help but be impressed by what you can buy from this company.

Painting Magnifying Glass

Talking of failing eyesight - I managed to pick this up on Trade Me for NZ$7 to help with the painting. Have seen them on for over $20 so pleased with my bargain. Quality seems reasonable with the weight being good and the lens clean and clear.

Car Comparrison

I am waiting on my first figures from Pulp figures  (http://pulpfigures.com/) so am feeling a bit unsure about how big they are. When I was much younger and played D and D the figures seemed a good size but now I am middle aged and eyes are not so good I am worried - they look tiny in some of the shots I've seen.

Added to this I have been stocking up on some cars. I got some Matchbox yesteryear cars from Trade me and also some Lledo trucks. I wanted the Lledo ones as there was a great yellow taxi in the set. Now that I have the 2 kinds together though, the Matchbox ones seem huge to my eye

However when I check them out in the photo they don't seem too different from each other - not sure what to make of that.

A ruler definitely suggests the MB car is bigger.

Love that Taxi though!! I am thinking of putting a black and white checkerboard pattern down the side as per the Bogart film I saw the other day.

Some words of wisdom

I found the following on the Pulp Alley Board today and it is so true!!

http://pulpalley.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=644&sid=47c6f15bcf73fb83c2356f8752291344

But to turn serious for a moment, I feel that far too many people avoid posting or even playing table top games because they think that every setup needs to look like those in the glossy magazines. Such is totally untrue. I urge us all to use what materials and skills we have to make our terrain playable . . . but don't forgo playing because you don't think it is as good as someone else's terrain.

Have fun and just play with what you have.


-- Jeff


This is normally where I go so wrong. Definitely just need to play the game.