The many projects soon to be bound for Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Gretna, Nebraska are now all in their final stages of paint and glazing. This is one of the smaller pieces - a sign for a new roller coaster currently under construction on the farm. In eleven short days, we will load the truck which will haul the precious cargo to Nebraska. We will be counting on our friends Wishlow Cranes and JD Transport to once again pull through for us. As always, the crew are working as one to make sure all is done to perfection and finished with a little time to spare. Shortly after the truck is on the way, I’ll also head south to greet the special cargo as it arrives and supervise Vala’s crew as they install all these pieces perfectly in their new home.
Hidden gem
The UnderHill suite will be the largest hidden gem of the Hazelnut Inn. The stunning underground abode is purposely tucked between the more vertical and visually dramatic North Star and Copper Crown suites. The giant twisted tree and top of the hill are visible to passersby but are unremarkable save for the bountiful plantings. The landscape is designed to visually separate the striking architecture on each side. Becke and her landscape team have laboured for more than two years to establish the plantings so they appear to have been in place as long as the ‘ancient’ architecture they frame. The Hazelnut Inn will become more beautiful with every passing year as the plants thrive in this amazing structure.
Celeste Siobhan - the dragon
Yesterday the painting crew applied the first primer coat which is generally something close to the hue of the final paint. The second coat of paint is the first blend where we try the selected colours. It is most often much more of a pastel shade. This will be a purple/blue blend with a lighter-coloured belly. The final blend coat may be adjusted slightly and once that is dry the painting crew will begin using the glazes to bring out the textures and magic. The painting crew have determined the dragon is a she named ‘Celeste Siobhan’.
