At long last...what everyone has been waiting for.... 😁
Included in this PDF is the material list, the cut list for the XPS foam, and assembly diagrams for each of the major parts. Alongside the YouTube video, you should be able to use this to create your own version of the Dark Portal!
Looking for the Projection Video? Right here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/52502388
Hey y'all! Here's our "before and aftershow" for the Halloween Cat House! This is something we try to do for each project that gives you a glimpse into what we think is going to happen and then reporting back on what actually happened. :D
Usually we go into a little more detail on some of the challenges we had that couldn't make it into the final cut.
Also....WELCOME TO ALL THE NEW PATRONS! Since we added our plans we've had a huge influx of new patrons and we lo...
2021-08-19 19:47:45 +0000 UTC View Post
This started out as a simple bit of inspiration and we honestly thought it would be a relatively simple project. It turned into a month long epic that ended up being one our longest videos to date. 😅
DIY is always a labor of love. This thing was expensive in not just materials but we probably put 40-50 hours of work into it between the two of us. It would have been so much easier to just buy something, but the fact that Oberon loves it puts a huge smile on Jaimie's face and ...
2021-08-13 19:32:17 +0000 UTC View Post
Great progress today! It has taken like 20 hours of work so far but the pumpkin is completely wrapped. 🎉🤘🏼💀
We had to do it vertically to keep the shape and definition of the pumpkin which meant hundreds of individual pieces and lots of complex braiding. It was a nightmare tbh but at least it came out amazing. 😄😄😄
Next up is the stem then we can finally see if Oberon likes it.
2021-08-08 01:09:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Our cat reeeeaaaaalllllyyyy likes the unfinished pumpkin and basically almost destroyed it already. 😅
But hey, at least he's excited.
Huge welcome to all the new patrons recently, we are excited to see the community grow and are looking forward to chatting with everyone!
Don't forget to come chat in Discord -> https://discord.gg/MtrHrxa
2021-08-06 15:55:59 +0000 UTC View PostHey guys! In about an hour at 9pm CT we'll be doing our first monthly hangout. We're going to be using Zoom so to join, click the link below:
(Link removed since it's over. Thanks for coming out!)
It's a voice call so you'll be able to chat with us and other patrons, but if you prefer you can stay muted and just chat if you have questions. Or, feel free to just listen in and hang!
See ya in a bit.
2021-07-26 01:09:26 +0000 UTC View Post
We made a giant pumpkin! We also officially started video production again and we're EXTREMELY happy with our new workflow. Better audio, better video, better production workflow, faster editing, it's just wins all around.
Remember to come visit and chat in Discord! --- https://discord.gg/MtrHrxa
2021-07-24 23:53:22 +0000 UTC View Post
Last weeks poll was great, thanks everyone! Sunday was the clear winner so we’ll give it a shot for our first one and adjust it next month if we need to!
This our first time doing a Patreon hangout so I’m still figuring out exactly how it’ll work but it’ll probably be either on Discord or Zoom. If you’re not already part of our Discord, you can join it here: https://discord.gg/MtrHrxa (It’s free.)
Once ...
2021-07-21 14:09:28 +0000 UTC View PostHey gang! We're planning our first monthly hangout and trying to see who/what/when/where/how/etc. 😵 We could use your feedback!
It'll likely be at 9pm CT which when our kids are asleep, but beyond that we're trying to figure out which day would work best. If you think you'd swing by for a bit, leave us some feedback below so we can get something inked on the calendar!
2021-07-11 01:36:42 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey y'all, happy Wednesday! This week we're talking about Halloween updates, some new stuff we've got going on in the workshop, a handful of small projects we're working through on the side.
Thanks to Glen here on Patreon for suggesting we look into a Laser Vortex effect. We're both super inspired and have been discussing with the community over on Discord. Come join the discussion!
We needed a new CNC table for our XCarve so we decided to design and build a simple and easy cnc table that can be built in an afternoon with simple materials like plywood and screws.
It's easy to make AND easy to modify to fit your needs. You can use it as a workbench, a desk, a work table, or any number of things.
Full YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/YVeDV_CdQrY
Patrons can downloa...
2021-07-02 20:37:27 +0000 UTC View Post
Learn how to make a DIY Smart Mirror with our easy-to-follow plans! The Smart Mirror is an incredibly fun DIY project that you can do yourself with some basic woodworking tools and materials found locally or on Amazon. This project combines tech with hands-on woodworking and is amazingly fun to build.
Full YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/DjPGoGmO5VY
Patrons can download the digital plans for this p...
2021-07-02 20:30:44 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey folks! Here are our digital plans that show you how to make a Pikler Triangle. This is a really fun DIY project for your kids that you can do yourself with some basic woodworking tools and some easy-to-find materials.
Full YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/DjPGoGmO5VY
The Pikler Triangle was developed by a Hungarian Pediatrician named Emmi Pikler many years ago and parents have been using it ever since to...
2021-07-02 20:18:06 +0000 UTC View Post
If you've ever wanted to build your own countdown clock from Nightmare Before Christmas, we've got you covered. 👻 You can make this from wood, cardboard, foamcore, or basically whatever you want. Plans include all instructions as well as the digital files you need to print out templates, etc. (There's also a Sketchup file included, if you use that.)
If you missed the YouTube video, you can find it here: h...
2021-07-02 15:50:57 +0000 UTC View Post
Good morning, friends! Here are our Raised Planter Box plans, available to download below. The box is built from Cedar 2x4s and basic cedar fence pickets. It also uses some chicken wire and landscape fabric and can be built using just basic power tools. ...Or hand tools if you like exercise. :)
If you've not caught the YouTube Video, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/D-QZoV4WIl8
2021-07-01 16:59:52 +0000 UTC View Post
Over the next week or so we'll be posting the majority of our existing project plans and making them available for free to Patrons. The Dark Portal plans and other Halloween project plans will also be available to patrons as they come out. :)
If you're not familiar with our mini ramp project, you can find the video here: https://youtu.be/_drhVduMwY4
The ramp is built mainly from 2x4s and plywood and is relatively...
2021-06-30 19:31:36 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey guys!! Behold our first "mini vlog"! 😁 This is a new thing we'll be doing semi-regularly to give you a glimpse into what's going on with us outside of just projects.
In this episode, we talk about an exciting new thing in our shop but most important are some BIG changes coming to Patreon in July!
If you're currently a Patron, please check out the video so you know what is coming. Also, please let us know your feedback on the changes! 👊💀
2021-06-25 19:21:15 +0000 UTC View Post
In a previous post I talked about how we couldn't give out the projection video because we'd used some things in it that we can't legally distribute. So, I was able to go in and change the video a bit and make a new version that's fine to give out, and it's just for you guys! :) It no longer has the big skull and we swapped out the background, but it's still an amazingly cool asset.
This
Hey y'all Here is the merchandise coupon for Guardian and Champion patrons! It's good for anything in our store (plans, shirts, etc.). Visit the store on our website and enter the coupon at checkout.
Coupon: skeletoncrewapril
Thanks for your support as always. :)
Our baby situation has begun to stabilize and we've got some new stuff in the works as I mentioned briefly before. Looking forward to sharing some more news with you all on that!
H...
2021-04-03 20:40:22 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey everyone!
We've been mentioning this quite a bit in Discord and some of you have seen it already, but I wanted to invite everyone to come hang on our new Twitch stream where we're playing Dungeons & Dragons! The channel is called, "Bad Plans", and it's a group of us who've been playing together for years and have recently made the leap to streaming our game online.
It's been a really fun challenge to figure out how to technically stream it and still tell good stories and h...
2021-03-10 17:57:57 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey y'all! We're still working on the PDF plans for the Dark Portal, they'll probably release in the Spring. In the meantime, several of you have asked about a cutlist so we scanned our original plans. The main image has a drawing of the shape of the portal with dimensions (not to scale) and the other two have cut lists from two sheets of 4' x 8' 2" foam.
2021-03-08 18:18:58 +0000 UTC View Post
We hope y'all have been able to enjoy the holiday season so far even in the weirdness of 2020. It's been a challenging year for so many reasons but looking back, we also have so many things to be thankful for. 😄 Firstly, our beautiful daughter was born in June! Our three-year-old son also just started preschool last month and is loving it. Our YouTube channel reached 100k subscribers and we had our first video hit 1 million views. 🎉 We had our work featured in Time Magazine and were na...
2020-12-28 16:52:03 +0000 UTC View Post
We're so happy that you guys are so interested in the projection! We've had SO many questions about it and a lot of new patrons have joined since the Dark Portal video. First off, thank you! And second, we thought it would be fun to create a more detailed breakdown of the VFX and editing we used to make the projection.
In this Patron-Only video, Jay screen-shares and walks through how we edited and created the effects used on the projection video.
We can't distribute this video be...
2020-11-02 22:49:42 +0000 UTC View Post
We had the idea of instead of just doing an aftershow, let's do a Before AND After show! Basically before we started the project, we talk about our expectations, expected issues, problems, etc. and then after we reflect on those and see how it went!
We also talk a LOT about the projection and how we made it, since it was lighter in the build video. Enjoy, and let us know if this is an interesting format! We want to continue to make fun content for you guys so we're always open to feedba...
2020-10-30 20:40:24 +0000 UTC View Post
Y'all, this is the craziest, most epic thing we've ever built. I really hope you like it. :)
The Before and Aftershow is almost ready for $5 and up Patrons! Finishing the edit as we speak.
Let us know what you think of the video. :)
2020-10-30 17:22:33 +0000 UTC View Post
Painting in the details is like the big payoff at the end. It’s like this easy and fun step, where, after loads and loads of prep, you get the ultimate satisfying result.
With a few brush strokes, what was once pink insulation foam destined to rot on the inside of someone’s wall in some unknown home project, is instead transformed into 5,000 year old stone, cut from an ancient quarry by ancient hands, and imbued with magical power by the worlds most powerful wizards.
Love this...
2020-10-26 23:56:38 +0000 UTC View Post
After a day filled with foam dust and heat gun fumes 🥵 we finally got our first look at the fully assembled Gateway. Kinda speechless tbh. It’s so awesome. 😄😄😄
Next up: drylock and paint!
2020-10-25 17:57:10 +0000 UTC View Post
Today we’re shaping the gateway! We’re using the same techniques that you saw on the Tombstones we made but at a much larger scale.
Surform tools to break the edges and remove the bulk of the material, files and rasps to add detail and break off big chunks here and there, utility knife to cut cracks, and finally we’ll texture it with the heat gun.
When we do these types of things we try to imagine what would have caused the wear and tear. Why a crack here? Why is that partic...
2020-10-24 21:52:40 +0000 UTC View Post
GUYS! So sorry that we're late on this month's coupon. It's been...uhh, a busy month. 😅 As a reminder, this coupon is good for $5 off anything in our web store.
October Coupon: skeletoncrewoctober
Also, NEW SHIRTS AVAILABLE ON OUR STORE!!! There's both a Men's and a Women's cut available of the new 'Webs We Weave' design. Let us know what you think! 🕷🕸
2020-10-23 22:35:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Every good demonic portal needs a healthy set of runic carvings to, you know, activate the gateway magic, or something like that! 😁
Yesterday we carved the runes and today we installed the LEDs in the back of the columns. Next up is routing power and then we’ll install the top.
After that we can start shaping the columns and getting reeeaalllyyy dirty and absolutely covered in foam dust. Yay! 🤪
2020-10-21 17:48:56 +0000 UTC View Post