Check out this bizarre face in our trash can

Sorry for the non-post, but it's New Year's eve and I'm really bushed.

You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!

The scene: three neighborhood boys (including my son of seven years) gathered round a large and jagged row of icicles. The triple dog dare goes out to knock them down. My son steps up to take the challenge!

At this moment he's up in Salt Lake at the children's hospital getting examined for an eye injury. He got eight stitches at the local hospital. We're all praying there is nothing more serious.

Yes, he got piked in the eye with an enormous icicle.

In other news: I tried to play and record a game of 40K today, but that didn't work out. I actually thought I would get some 40K stuff up on youtube. Sorry. But I must say in that first turn I saw the great potential of the Iyanden army. Ah, Eldar, my old love. My first army ever.

Heather got married today. I took my daughter up to her wedding. It was beautiful.

Update: just heard back from my wife up at the hospital-- all is well. Just minor damage, nothing huge.

Feels Like Monday

Picture: a Dark Elf Lord on Dragon. See pics of the whole army here. I've had some comments like "well, that's no legal in a tournamen". Who says I want to be in a tournament? If I want to get whipped for nine hours straight and pay for the privilege, I'll head to Vegas. Ayup, that's the great advantage to having just a small, informal gaming group. Not a lot of stress and I can use whatever models I please.

.

If you want one of these made for your army, the cost is in the $150-250 range, everything included, a completely custom job on deluxe base. We need a pretty broad range for execution, though. Email me at bluetablepainting@gmail.com for a quote.

.

My Dark Elf army is complete at a cool 2500 pts, with a few heroes to spare. Well, I suppose I would like to add another unit of infantry. I was thinking a throwaway unit or two of spearmen, but then I contemplated what wicked badasses the Black Guard are and I'm thinking a second unit of those would fit the bill. That would bring the army up to a cool 2800 pts. Blarg. What am I thinking? This army is plenty fun the way it is without getting megalomaniacal.

.

This morning I found seven inches or so of snow on the front walk and I spent the morning shoveling that. It's not so much a chore. It's fun to be outside and getting something productive done.

.

It was a slow day at the studio. The day after Christmas. I emailed everyone saying no one was expected in. But a few of us showed to play some Warhammer Fantasy. I played against Janene's Dwarfs and that was a lot of fun. Notrep of that forthcoming.

.

I had a huge pile-up of work from over the holidays, but I hit my groove and got everything done that could be done. I was there until 11pm. When I got home the kids were all in bed. Well, except the youngest who was into this room and that, with us chasing him around like a pair of lethargic cops.

If something sounds fishy about this, then you understand it just fine

My favorite line from Ron Paul's "The Revolution".

Pics of the Warp Lightning Cannon

Still needs some work, some polishing. I don't want the base components to be too identifiable.

Can't Stop Loving You

Oh, I'm a filthy little backslider.

.

Isn't that how it goes when thinking about an army?

.

So, I slipped away for a few hours today (yes, Christmas Day; no, I wasn't missed, the kids were all playing with their new toys) and headed down to a vacant assembly room to mutter and putter. I made a Skaven Warp Lightning Cannon from scratch and it turned out so well that I think the rest is going to work out.

.

You see, my evil plan is to see if I can finagle this army mostly from bitz. An unholy combination of ork40k-tech and plastic plague monks. It's going to be cheap to make and with a lot of conversions.

.

I already have the sixty "skavenslaves" painted up in the form of night goblins. I did those for D&D. I plan on adding a few taskmasters on the back for flair.

.

Here are other models to be converted: Jezzails, Ratling Guns, Warplock Engineers (actually made one of these satisfactorily). So, the only models to be bought are: Globadiers, and the Plague Monks (lots of them, about a hundred by my count).

.

Here's the army list I'm thinking of. I am absolutely open to advice. Please tell me how this army could be more fun, variable, and interesting.

1750 Pts - Skaven Roster - Skaven

Warlock Engineer (1#, 85 Pts)
1 Warlock Engineer @ 85 Pts
Hand Weapon; Supercharged Warp-Power Accumulator; Upgraded Warp-Energy Condenser; Warp-Blades
1 2. Warp Lightning @ [0] Pts

Warlock Engineer (1#, 85 Pts)
1 Warlock Engineer @ 85 Pts
Hand Weapon; Supercharged Warp-Power Accumulator; Upgraded Warp-Energy Condenser; Warp-Blades
1 2. Warp Lightning @ [0] Pts

Chieftan (1#, 74 Pts)
1 Chieftain @ 74 Pts
General; Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour
1 Bands of Power @ [25] Pts

Clanrats (30#, 230 Pts)
28 Clanrats @ 230 Pts
Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Shield
1 Clawleader @ [15] Pts
Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Shield
1 Ratling Gun Team @ [60] Pts
Ratling Gun; Skirmishers

Clanrats (30#, 230 Pts)
28 Clanrats @ 230 Pts
Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Shield
1 Clawleader @ [15] Pts
Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Shield
1 Ratling Gun Team @ [60] Pts
Ratling Gun; Skirmishers

Clanrats (30#, 230 Pts)
28 Clanrats @ 230 Pts
Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Shield
1 Clawleader @ [15] Pts
Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Shield
1 Ratling Gun Team @ [60] Pts
Ratling Gun; Skirmishers

Poisoned Wind Globadiers (6#, 60 Pts)
6 Poisoned Wind Globadiers @ 60 Pts
Hand Weapon; Poisoned Wind Globes; Skirmishers

Warplock Jezzails (6#, 120 Pts)
6 Warplock Jezzails @ 120 Pts
Hand Weapon; Jezzail; Skirmishers

Warplock Jezzails (6#, 120 Pts)
6 Warplock Jezzails @ 120 Pts
Hand Weapon; Jezzail; Skirmishers

Warplock Jezzails (6#, 120 Pts)
6 Warplock Jezzails @ 120 Pts
Hand Weapon; Jezzail; Skirmishers

Warp-Lightning Cannon (1#, 100 Pts)
1 Warp-Lightning Cannon @ 100 Pts

Giant Rat Pack (14#, 60 Pts)
12 Giant Rats @ 60 Pts
2 Packmaster @ [0] Pts
Hand Weapon; Whip; Light Armour

Giant Rat Pack (14#, 60 Pts)
12 Giant Rats @ 60 Pts
2 Packmaster @ [0] Pts
Hand Weapon; Whip; Light Armour

Night Runners (5#, 25 Pts)
5 Night Runners @ 25 Pts
Hand Weapon; Skirmishers

Clanrat Slaves (20#, 40 Pts)
20 Clanrat Slaves @ 40 Pts
Hand Weapon

Clanrat Slaves (20#, 40 Pts)
20 Clanrat Slaves @ 40 Pts
Hand Weapon

Clanrat Slaves (20#, 40 Pts)
20 Clanrat Slaves @ 40 Pts
Hand Weapon

Total Roster Cost: 1719

Created with Army Builder
Copyright (c) 1997-2006 Lone Wolf Development, Inc. All rights reserved.

Advice and input from Readers

Shawn - for your Skaven Army list:

You might try nixing the Chieftain for a Warlord - twice the point cost - but think about your opponent's face when they find out your slaves have leadership 10 - priceless. Also, the Chieftain isn't likely to do much, even with the bands of power - you could put your Warlord in the back to help protect him or up front w/ GW for some heavy hitting power - or add the Chieftain as a BSB for the extra re-roll on break tests - again keeping him in the rear rank.

Also, 18 Jezzails are a lot - likely to get ate up by flyers and such, and with their BS, really only (very) useful for mounted stuff and monsters - consider taking only 12 - better yet, 8.

For the Warlock Engineers - Storm Daemon and dispel scroll is a must - also consider the warpscroll - very useful. Remember a lot of Armies now have pretty good magic phases (Demons, VC, Lizardmen, High Elves, Dark Elves) - so, having the extra warp lightning spell can help (2-lvl 2 and 1-lvl 1).

I'm a fan of Gutter Runners - particularly tunnelling teams - I know they're expensive, and pretty random - but, I love seeing them come up in front of 2 or 3 warmachines on a hill, or in range of a lone wizard. Plus, they're scouts.

Oh, and musicians for Slaves - it only takes losing combat instead of drawing once to make a believer out of you.

- Todd

Yearly Chaos Incursion

Begin Transmission

Repetition of General Directive 264-A-XCIV

To: Distribution, Sectorium Primus From: Office of The Grand Inquisitor, Ebineezar Grinchanius Re: Yearly Chaos Incursion

This purpose of this notice is to remind the forgetful of the annual visitation by the minion of Chaos known to the unworthy as Santa Claus.

+++ The Emperor's Light Banishes the Shadows of Heresy +++

As the diligent will recall, the incursion occurs regularly every 8742 to 8766 terran hours, roughly corresponding to a terran year. This trespass has occurred with disturbing regularity since at least the Horus Heresy, and perhaps longer, as many records were misplaced.

+++ Love and Obey the Emperor +++

The faithful will recognize the target on sight, as his garb and gear mark him immediately as an agent of the abominations.

Santa Claus is a corpulent, bloated creature approximating the human form. It wears a crimson tunic the color of fresh blood, marking him as a possible follower of Khorne. It is bearded, mocking the honorable squats, and its hair is a sallow shade of gray, betraying its unnatural age. Be advised that despite the creatures fearsome name, no claws have been observed, and the former is likely a ruse.

The target has been observed in the company of smaller creatures having the appearance of thin (less than 30 kg, approx.), stunted (1.5 meters) humanoids with pointed ears. Their appearance suggests the involvement of the decadent Eldar, and although that race denies involvement (*reference the Rudolphian Campaign [index 111-BGE-MMXCII- Primus], specifically the Battle of Yukon Coneliaus IV [ibid., index 6]*), agents are advised to be prepared for their involvement, as the Eldar are known for their deceitful ways.

Santa Claus is conveyed by means of a grav-sled powered by unnatural livestock as detailed below.

The target's vehicle is a grav-sled. It has superfluous runners which are used only on landing and take-off. Despite the appearance, no frozen water is necessary for its operation (another ruse). The vehicle's resemblance to the foul Palanquin of Nurgle should not be discounted, even though the colors continue to be reminiscent of Khorne.

The device is powered by the unholy ministrations of eight or nine quadrupeds. Ordo Malleus scholars have identified these creatures as warped versions of an extinct species of terran mammal known as a Moose (reference 900002-ER-CIV). These beings single-mindedly pull the target's vehicle during its yearly invasion. They are outfitted with belled harnesses which are apparently imbued with the ability of flight. These beasts have been likened to the Fiends of Slaanesh, and such a comparison should not be dismissed too lightly, as the creatures shed a luminous substance as effluent as they move. Inquisitors should take care to avoid exposure.

Perhaps more disturbing is the variable number of the minion- creatures. On occasion, a ninth Moose has been observed, placed before the other Mooses. This creature radiates a sickly reddish glow from its snout, as a psychic beacon to other followers of the Vile Ones. This Chaotic device has allowed the target to navigate despite our best efforts to jam its navigation systems.

+++ Blessed is the Virtue of Blind Faith +++

Santa Claus gains entry to the domiciles of loyal Imperial Citizens (see below) and leaves small Chaos Rewards to tempt the faithful.

Inquisitors are reminded to confiscate and incinerate these items before any lasting damage is done. As a localized temporal distortion field is in effect around the target, these items are secreted in the habitations of the Imperium at exactly 2400 hours in every location defiled by the creature. It is therefore possible to gain entry to the citizens' cretches and remove the items (often cunningly hidden in footwear) before the citizens are aware of the heresy that has been committed upon them.

In other cases, removal of the items after the citizens have discovered them is possible. In such situations, small children are occasionally loath to surrender the items, as the tainting of the juveniles has already begun. Executions of the above are to be handled in the most expedient manner possible.

Often, juveniles that are well within the Emperor's Grace are given small blocks of graphite ore rather than the more tempting gifts visited upon the less faithful. The identity of these individuals are to be recorded, as future recruitment into the Inquisition or Adeptus Terra is possible. [Note: Inquisitors or other agents who do *not* receive the graphite stones should be watched carefully]

Santa Claus enters the domiciles be way of heating ducts and waste vents. The size of the opening is not a factor, as the creature can adjust its mass and displacement by means of psychic manipulation. Mining these openings with frag, krak and other demolitions has proven unsuccessful.

The creature egresses by the same means, after ritually caressing his nostrils. No mucus has ever been recovered.

+++ The Death of Emperor's Enemies is the Only Gift We Can Give +++

Although all previous attempts at the destruction of Santa Claus have failed, Inquisitors are urged to make such an attempt whenever possible. However, of more importance is the suppression of cultist activity associated with the yearly incursion. The Tainted have been known to erect shrines in their homes in the form of shrubbery adorned with baubles and lights [Note: the shrubbery is often highly inflammable, and offers a discrete method of executing the offending heretics without calling undue attention to the operation]. Other warning signs include: hallucinations involving sugared candies during slumber; excessive singing; references to 'A magical time of year' (note the influence of Tzeentch); the construction of effigies made of snow; and the performance of Slaanishi rituals while underneath plant clippings of the genus phoradendron flavescens.

Once again, executions should be handled in an expedient manner.

End Transmission

PS- I just got a kind compliment about how imaginitive I am to have written this. I didn't write this.

Combat Calculator

Check out this Combat Calculator for Warhammer Fantasy.

Lizardmen Update now improved with Eye Candy

Here's some new eye candy for Lizardmen, due out in February 2009.

I picked these up from Warseer. You can read all the rumors, army list glimpses here.

Monday December 22 2008 Mousetrap

Picture: a Tomb Kings Ushabti. This is a classic look that I don't think will ever go out of style. GW made three or four different sculpts and they are each very evocative. See the rest of them here.

.

Monday was super-busy as usual. I have a double-load from what accumulated over Sunday. However, Sarah and I got cracking and really made some serious inroads, including getting all the packages out. There were a few loose ends to tie up, so those were going out (BFG PM is ready now).

.

There was a huge snowstorm this morning. I think it dumped like eight inches. It was quite a load to shovel out of. But a few brave artists made it in. We had a magic moment all gathered in the break room eating KFC.

.

The big news is that I'm going to shelve the Skaven concept army (80% chance) for the time being and get back to my Chaos Space Marines- Dragons of Moloch. I'm going to leave them up over the Christmas weekend (until December 29) with a standing group price of $650. That's a 2000 point army.

.

If they don't sell, I'm going to expand them with more variety as I had originally planned.

.

Also, as some of you may recall, we did a 4000 point Iyanden army (Eldar) to go on tour through the Grand Tournament Circuit during 2008. Half of that, 2000 points, as well as the display and scratch-build Eldar attack craft (use-able in game as a Vampire Raider!) are coming back in about a week and that will probably go on the block.

.

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=2246

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4qxy-vHKvA

.

I am willing to split this up. In fact, it is likely that I will make each unit an individual item. This is ON TOP OF the Iyanden army I currently have at the studio.

Unit Name
QTY
Avatar
1
Warlock
2
Eldrad (Farseer)
1
Maugan Ra
2
Wraithguard
18
Harlequins with Kiss (blister of 2 models) L5
12 (24 models total)
Harlequin Shadowseer L5
4
Vyper
2
Falcon
2
Support Weapon Platform (blister of 3 models) Vibrocannons
4

.

I would also like to assure potential buyers that there will be NO post-holiday sales. If anything I may pull some items from the block. I will probably add some items, though.

.

Important note: if you buy something from the website, I will get the payment, but the notification is sent to my old email. If you just ping me at bluetablepainting@gmail.com that you made a purchase I will double-check and be sure everything runs smooth. I am very responsive.

.

I really can't lose. I will miss the Dragons, but if they sell, it will fund the next shot. I will probably do Lizardmen. Those are definitely a top three.

.

For those of you wondering why the chill on 40K. It's not on purpose. We're still doing a lot of 40K and it's still the top game.

Skip Forward

Nothing really to say, today. Just another quiet Sunday at home.

It's time to get to bed. Monday is going to be a good day. A busy day!

I am puttering around with various army lists. I brought home like five army books.

I thought of doing an Empire or Warriors of Chaos (marauder heavy) army using the Lord of the Rings Easterlings and Harad figures. That would be sweet. And un-sell-able and not tournament legal.

So, it's back to Skaven mentally. I'm going to do an experiment to see if I can jury rig the whole thing from three boxes of Plague Monks and bitz. I think that the new Ork 40k range provides the best feel and practical parts for this. So, think Orks 40K tech mixed with skaven. I got a really good idea for the Warp Lightning Cannon. That alone might make it worth doing.

When I look at an army, I think "will this be fun to play, both with and against?" I think the Skaven will mix up our current army make-up (at the studio: Bretonnians, Dark Elves, Orcs, and Vampire Counts).

Holiday Hours

Monday and Tuesday

Regular business hours 10am to 6pm. Email until later.

.

Wednesday

10am to 4pm.

.

Thursday- Christmas Day

Closed (I'll probably be on and off email)

.

Friday and Saturday

Regular business hours 10am to 6pm. Email until later. Though we will probably be playing a few sweet games!

.

A really, really good way to get a hold of me is via Google Chat (you just need a google email).

.

I am currently booking projects for January. Best to get started early.

.

Remember, I have various studio armies for sale. If I had my way, I would divest myself of the whole lot before the new year. It's a mental thing.

.

Shawn

At This Moment

Right now, the living room is clean and my three older children are watching batman cartoons and playing peacefully with their toys, sharing and getting along.

My wife is upstairs giving the little baby a bath and giving her a little baby lotion massage. Her tone is healthy and she is eating well. She is starting to open her eyes and look at us.

At this moment, everything is groovy.

I'm going to enjoy this sixty seconds while it lasts.

Shawn

A few more Soul Drinker pics

If you have any more to add, please email me. I will get up as much good stuff as possible.

Soul Drinkers

This chapter is a real winner. This color scheme and iconography really works.

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Soul_Drinkers

Note that they have purple armor.

I thought at first it might be cool to use the Thousand Sons type list (ie chaos space marines), I now opine that straight up Space Marines would be great.

.

Personally, I like to use the "counts as" rule and take the named chapter masters. I would do Pedro Kantor (who changes Sternguard into Troops) as Daenythos, and Tigurious as Sarpedon. That's a solid HQ core worth about 400 pts. Or they could just be fielded as regular HQ entries. As for the models I think that some basic conversions to Librarian and Captain figures (plenty of plastics for this) would work nicely.

.

So, I'd suggest those two infantry HQ, three squads of Sternguard (converted from regular plastics with chalice type imagery on them). I'd love to create a chalice type thing for their backpacks. Or just some good back-banners. I can't get over the shape and color of their banner and icon. That just works on every level. So, that's thirty rock-hard models weighing in at about 850 points with upgrades.

.

What next: you're going to need some troubleshooters. I think a few 6-man tac squads in Razorbacks. Some interchangeable hatches will allow for flexibility between games. I like Razorbacks because they can't be ignored-- they have to be dealt with. And you'll need that in this army with the Sternguard, because they die like regular marines and have to hit hard and concentrated on things that threaten them.

.

Additionally, a Razorback body can be later converted into a Whirlwind with judicious use of some bitz.

.

You'll need some defenders, too. I'd say a few Dreadnoughts to act as guardians. These also provide flexibility in the form of swappable arms.

.

Lastly, a Vindicator or two. Or perhaps a pair of much-maligned Whirlwinds.

.

This list wins by creating a strong mid-range game with too many threats; each unit is a "must deal with". It is also very flexible and able to meet a variety of threats. Moving in slow and steady and with a strong close combat element (Sternguard have two attacks each and some good kit for hth) for mopping up late game, and also the Razorbacks to cordon off unwanted attention from other units.

.

Aaaand that about brings it up to 2000 points. Naturally, this list could be vastly different. Probably in the $1500-2000 range to create it (everything included, magically appearing on your doorstep in 30 days).

.

If you are a 40K veteran and would like to comment on this list, to buff it out or make suggestions, by all means email me at bluetablepainting@gmail.com Keep your eyes peeled for input in this post.

.

Comment from Readers

.

A couple of items you might care about: 1) Black Library has better pics of the armor (from their book covers): http://www.blacklibrary.com/product.asp?prod=60100181087&type=Book That is the one coming out next year. It has a link to the omnibus which links to the original trilogy.2)

There is a guy who makes Soul Drinker Pads:

.

http://www.bartertown.com/trading/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=77290 Purple has always been my favorite color and like you I love the imagery. It also could make a good transition army where it could use either the SM or the CSM codex.

--DG

.

Hello!
I just wanted to comment on your list idea, as I am a big fan of themed armies. I believe that Pedro only lets the sternguard "count as" troops, and doesn't change their force chart location. With that in mind, you could swap out tiggy for a techmarine hq. This would let you do two things. first, you can take two dreads as heavy (can anyone say ironclads!?), and also take the conversion beamer as a counts relic. the modeling ideas for both of those are unlimited, and I know your staff is very creative in that area. Just a few ideas for you to think about.
Love the blog,
Danny

.

Hey Shawn, Just saw your blog on the Soul Drinkers and whilst I can't comment on the composition of your list too much I can tell you a little bit more about the fluff behind the chapter as your list doesn't ring to true to the fluff.

.

This is pretty much the plot of a book called Soul Drinker, the first and best in the series of Soul Drinker books, so if you are about to read the book then don't read on.... Otherwise use this to make shape the list more in tune with the chapter fluff....

.

Prior to be declared traitors the soul drinkers were a mobile fleet, having a massive fleet. They are a newer warrior centric chapter, with few suits of terminators and even fewer dreadnoughts. The soul drinkers excel in close combat work and specialist in orbital and ship to ship based combats situations.

.

They are heavily drop pod orientated, with special boarding pods for ship based assaults. The warrior beliefs stem from Dyanathos, a warrior poet in the chapter 10000 years earlier to the time of Sarpedon. Prior to the events that lead to them being declared traitors, the chapter was reigned over by Chapter Master Gorgon, who wore massive power fists (think magneus calgar).

.

When Sarpedon was sent to to retrieve a lost artifact he was drawn into a power struggle and ultimately betrayed leading to the loss of the artifact again and Sarpedon opening fire on Imperial forces.

.

Upon returning to the fleet Sarpedon, who is conflicted over the role of the soul drinkers challenges the chapter master to combat for the right to lead the chapter. The fight goes well for Sarpedon but at the height of the battle Sarpedon is transformed and gifted with an arachnid body. The transformation sends massive ripples through the chapter leading to an all out chapter war. Finally winning the war and scuttling the fleet, the soul drinkers go on the run.

.

Many more of the chapter begin to undergo transformation, but despite their mutations they try to remain true to the imperial way, fighting chaos on a dozen occasions. In later books the chapter, now a fragment of its original size and strength must just fight to stay alive and contend with a schism growing in their ranks concerning their loyalty to the imperium.

Hope this helps. I'm attaching a couple of Soul Drink pics I've found on my travels. I really did toy with making a soul drinker army myself but I already have a blood angel force, which works on similar lines and couldn't justify it. I think it would make a great signature project for Blue Table.

.

Thanks Paul

.

Army list by a client according to what I had above:

here is a bare bones list with no upgrades

2000 Pts - Space Marines Roster - blue table list

HQ: Chapter Master Pedro Kantor (1#, 175 Pts)
1 Chapter Master Pedro Kantor @ 175 Pts
Dorn's Arrow; Frag Grenades; Iron Halo; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Power Fist
1 Dorn's Arrow @ [0] Pts

HQ: Master of the Forge (1#, 100 Pts)
1 Master of the Forge @ 100 Pts
Artificer Armour; Bolt Pistol; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Servo Harness
1 Servo Harness @ [0] Pts

Elite: Sternguard Veteran Squad (11#, 285 Pts)
9 Sternguard Veteran Squad @ 285 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x9); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Special Issue Ammunition; Rhino
1 Sergeant @ [25] Pts
Bolt Pistol; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Special Issue Ammunition
1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

Elite: Sternguard Veteran Squad (11#, 285 Pts)
9 Sternguard Veteran Squad @ 285 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x9); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Special Issue Ammunition; Rhino
1 Sergeant @ [25] Pts
Bolt Pistol; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Special Issue Ammunition
1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

Elite: Sternguard Veteran Squad (11#, 285 Pts)
9 Sternguard Veteran Squad @ 285 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x9); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Special Issue Ammunition; Rhino
1 Sergeant @ [25] Pts
Bolt Pistol; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Special Issue Ammunition
1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

Troops: Tactical Squad (6#, 130 Pts)
4 Tactical Squad @ 130 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x4); Bolter (x4); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Razorback
1 Sergeant @ [23] Pts
Bolt Pistol; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades
1 Razorback @ [40] Pts
Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Twin Linked Heavy Bolter

Troops: Tactical Squad (6#, 130 Pts)
4 Tactical Squad @ 130 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x4); Bolter (x4); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Razorback
1 Sergeant @ [23] Pts
Bolt Pistol; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades
1 Razorback @ [40] Pts
Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Twin Linked Heavy Bolter

Heavy Support: Vindicator (1#, 115 Pts)
1 Vindicator @ 115 Pts
Demolisher Cannon; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

Heavy Support: Venerable Dreadnought (1#, 165 Pts)
1 Venerable Dreadnought @ 165 Pts
Dreadnought CCW; Multi-Melta; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

Heavy Support: Venerable Dreadnought (1#, 165 Pts)
1 Venerable Dreadnought @ 165 Pts
Dreadnought CCW; Multi-Melta; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

Total Roster Cost: 1835

Created with Army Builder
Copyright (c) 1997-2006 Lone Wolf Development, Inc. All rights reserved.

All is Well

I picked up a well and happy baby and rested mother from the hospital today. Baby's various items are in acceptable levels. Everyone is home and happy.

I am at the studio until 9pm tonight, wrapping up loose ends. Then back for regular hours tomorrow (Friday).

Billy Reuben

Hey all. Last night we had to take little Willow to the hospital late at night with dangerously severe jaundice. It was hugely stressful for all involved. Mother and child will spend two nights there (tonight is the second night). The little baby is getting better rapidly. I pray that nothing else goes wrong.

However, I am in the saddle, putting in a full day of work. I ask that you keep up the orders/inquiries. I need to stay busy and keep the business going. I am here to serve you. I am sometimes tempted to not mention these troubles for that reason.

Yummy RP and PS Fix

Snowy Sunday

My wife and I have an arrangement: I take care of the older kids, taking on extra duty, and she sleeps upstairs with the baby. It's extra work to keep the other kids off her back, but worth it to get a good night's sleep. Of course, this only works if the mother can stay home with the child.

.

And sleep I did. I think I slept for twelve hours straight, except one child fell out of the bunkbed, but all is well. Of course, I am in various parts of the house depending on my mood.

.

This morning, there was a thick blanket of snow outside.

.

I am serving Tamie breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed; caring to her every whim. The doula came by this morning to check on her, and helped her with the baby whilst she got cleaned up and presentable for the day.

.

The Relief Society had people assigned to bring pre-prepared food every day, so we're eating handsomely from all that. It's really something else, how those sisters just quietly take care of business when a baby comes.

.

So, I got all the older kids ready for church, easier every time. But the usual rig-marole to find socks. I cut one of my pairs of dress socks down to size for the three year old. And they are having swordfights with pencils in the car whilst I get my things gathered.

.

Church was awesome as usual. A lot of congratulations. We finished up the book of Ether in the Book of Mormon in Sunday School. I realized that I am rarely present mentally during church. I'm usually making notes about what I'm going to do on Monday and the coming week. Maybe that's not all bad-- at least it helps me keep things straight; get a good perspective..

.

After church, the kids played out in the snow, then I fixed them dinner (all re-heat stuff), and we watched Song of the South. You can find it on Youtube. After that we polished up a few items of prep-work for the next day, whistiling Zipitty Doodah.

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky7WCe3vSms

.

What else? It's smooth sailing for the time being. It's real. It's actual. Everything is satisfactual.

.

Thought for Sunday

If god exists, then why does he let bad things happen to good people? Well, I'm not omniscient, so I can't answer that completely, but I can tell you what I think. I find the question incredibly annoying, to be frank.

.

The basic problem with the question is that is presumes that things are bad. Sometimes something that seems bad is actually good. For example: I've almost gone out of business twice. Each time it taught me something important and forced me to get my act together. Each time I was on my knees, and sometimes on my whole frontside! That was some good spiritual stretching!

.

Now, I don't think I've suffered as badly as some people. So, I can't say I'd be so positive if I were to really get crushed. I hope I will keep the faith even in the worst of times.

.

The proper judgment of whether something is good or bad also needs a proper perspective. An eternal perspective. When a child comes to the world, there is a sad farewell in the pre-mortal world as the soul comes to this vale of darkness to be tested and tempted. From our side, we welcome the newborn babe with joy and open arms. But when someone dies there is a lively homecoming in the spirit world, as the soul wakes up from this sleep and is taken into a community where he or she feels at home.

.

My kids want to eat candy bars right before bed. I give them a glass of milk instead.

It reminds me of this passage from Matthew 7:

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

.

I've asked for wealth before. Worst possible thing I could have had. Instead I was given some poverty. It prepared me for better things, and more importantly, made me ever so grateful for what I have. The good Lord took away the hole in my head-- the voracious hole of covetousness, wanting more and more worldly things. Now I have peace. I recognize the real wealth I have-- a sterling wife, four healthy and tender children and a steady job. Thank goodness!

.

What parent, if they could, would spare his child every shred of pain, disappointment, and heartache from this world? I know I wouldn't. A life of unabated ease and success is the absolute worst thing that could happen to a soul. In fact, I even invent difficulties for my children in the form of chores.

.

When I was 17 my mom came home from the wood mill and informed me that I had a full-time job there for the summer; swing shift. Best thing she ever did for me. It hardened my mind and my body. It was hard work beyond belief. I worked side by side with grizzled old-timer mill-hands hauling planks and working heavy saws. It also opened my eyes: get a good education and a good job!

.

I also think that obedience to the commandments will get rid of about 60-80% of earthly problems. Sometimes the bad things are our own doing. I remember once I ate a whole cannister of ice cream and had a terrible gut-ache. I wailed to my wife, "make the bad man stop!" She looked at me sternly and said, "Shawn, you ARE the bad man!" Re: that my own worst enemy song.

.

The other problem is that the question doesn't address what God's motivation might be. Heavenly Father is a parent with a plan; to try and test and prove the soul of each person. To see if they will be obedient. The Almighty will force no one to get closer to Him. He will open the way, but we must do what we can to be led along and follow his Pleasing Road step by step.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matt. 11: 29-30

.

PS- For those new to the blog you should hear my usual disclaimer. I make no pretense at special goodness or rightness. I am just doing my best day by day. It is my belief that each person is entitled to connect with God as a good Father, each person is a celestial prince or princess; royalty of the highest and most noble order. To receive light and knowledge as one is ready to accept it.

I Think I'm in Love

So, as usual, I'm thinking of army concepts and I dusted off my Skaven book. This would be a really nice change of pace from flashy and flighty Elf armies that I normally play.

The major problem with the Skaven are A) that they are being re-done in 2009 it's rumored, and B) the clanrat models, which you need a LOT of, are really very sad. I despise them. So, the plan is to put in Plague Monk models (which I love and come 20 to a box) as the clanrats. Other items will be converted from these models, as crew (eg Warp Cannon, Jezzails). They're a fun army.

I also like playing with (and against) armies that are "mortal", ie they take morale checks. It makes the game a little more exciting.

.

Here is a Skaven basic Tactica army.

.

I'm to a point where I really only want to play friendly games. Sometimes I find myself looking at an army book and trying to figure out the Killer Kombo, and I have to stop myself. That's not the point at all. I mean, even if the trick army works, it's not fun for my opponent. I'd rather play a draw than a massacre (even if it's me doing the massacring). So, with that in mind I've started looking at units in terms of how fun they might be to play. I don' think you can go far wrong with a poco de todo army.

.

In other news, I have started making a lot of flush trays. You'll be hearing more about that soon.

Fourth

Friday afternoon I got a call from my wife saying she was going into labor. She gave me a half hour to get home. So, I wrapped things up at the studio and headed to the house.

To make a long story short, we headed up to the birth home, and four hours later our fourth child, a girl, was born. Everything went as well as could possibly be hoped and both mother and child are doing well.

.

As we gathered tonight for scriptures and prayer the following evening, it really felt like our family is complete. That little pink raisin is ever so adorable. She is squirming and trying to look at us.

.

Her name is Willow.

.

I'll be waiting on Tamie hand and foot over the weekend, and then back in the saddle on Monday (a woman from the ward is coming over on Monday to help out). You may think that I want to be left alone, but that is not the case. I would be more at peace and have more time to spend at home if January were booked up. So, by all means "bug" me with orders/inquiries!

.

PS- The pic makes it look just like she has three fingers! I assure you, there are four.

New Dark Elves Coming

This should round out the Dark Elf line nicely.

Quick Note

Hey all. I am ever so tired. Everything is proceeding apace. I've got everything nailed down at the studio. I am practically caught up. I'm like the Maytag Repairman-- just waiting around to take your order.

I'm living with an invalid, effectively. She needs help getting up and down the stairs. I thought a situation like this would irritate me (on account of being a slothful, self-centered ogre), but it actually hasn't. It's sort of nice to connect with Tamie by getting her every little thing, and also to the kids by being in charge of them and organizing them.

I am now booking projects for January. Happily, I might add. By now, I am sure you are all familiar with the various configurations and perpetual deals (L2, Artistic License, Tank Factory).

I have ever so many things running through my head.

Imagine this world: everyone has the ability to receive the thoughts telepathically within 30 miles, and is contantly transmitting. The intent and character of each person is evident by looking into his or her face. I think that people would gather into enclaves of like-minded individuals, who could stand the presence of the others. I think this is how the next life is. Stratification will happen naturally.

I am at peace at home. It is a wonderful feeling. Each day we get a little more unified. Oh, it's not perfect, but the bickering and unharmoniousness is getting less frequent. Tonight, my little three year old, while kneeling for prayers, bent his bionicle toy into a kneeling position, too, and set it next to him.

Laaast night, I got home and put the kids to work. We worked until exhaustion. We cleaned the toy room, boxing and crating it all up and stowing it in the garage. I'm sick of picking that crap up. It was like an archaelogical dig in there. There were slimy things. There were furry things, for pity's sake! Don't think I'm some kind of anal retentive hun. I let them keep a few things they aaactually use. I plan on setting up the old studio computers as a sort of educational center in there.

Tamie is a picture of misery. I have to massage out her feet every night. They are painful for her to walk on and she's got to wrangle a little three-year-old all day. So, I've been working a little extra in the morning and night to help her out.

Again, I'm taking orders for January. If you are ready to do a project, by all means let's get it underway. I am completely at your disposal to help get things set up. So, don't be shy you'll be helping out me and my staff immensely.

Christmas Warning

If you have a project that you are expecting by a certain date, you need to email me RIGHT AWAY!

I want to be sure that everything is done on time. I don't want to miss anything.

Models on Bitz Order

The following should be in sometime this week:

12 Sisters w/ Heavy Bolters
1 Vindicare Assassin (the one with foot on skull)
2 XV15 Stealth Armour (models)
2 XV15 Stealth Team Leader (models)
1 Wood Elf Lord w/ Bow
1 Khalida
2 Warmaster Skinks
2 Warmaster Saurus
2 Belakor
1 Tomb King Tomb Guard (5 Models)

Comment on Seven Wide

Hey Shawn...

About the 7 wide trays... i have personnaly used that trick alot... Its mostly usefull in 3K and up games and with weaker troops... heres why

1: Im already scared of those chaos knights 5 wide or 7 wide... no need to put more
2: Thats an expensive rank bonus with uber guys...
3: Your most lkely going to kill the opposite first rank anyways so it doesnt really prevent replys.

As for weaker troops...

1: Makes the unit bigger... And if he put 35 guys in there instead of 25, he has a trick up his sleeve !!! (psychological warfare)
2: Its 2 guys more before you loose that rank bonus and with weaker troops, that bonus is what keeps you alive
3: Maybe youll get 1 or 2 reply VS better troops... hence helping on CR..

In big games, i often field Men At arms in blocks of 40 to get 8 wide ranks ( against cavalry 5 wide, you can fit 8 infantry) and if you dont need that 8th wide, well, its just extra inssurance that i"ll have 35 left once in HtH.

The bigger the game, the more you have to do it...

Ray

Stretch Marks

I don't even know where to start.

My good (and much missed) friend Jon painted a hydra and handlers for our D&D game. I have inducted it into my Dark Elves army-- making a few modifications so it will fit into the paint scheme. That's a piece with sentimental value! Not to mention that it's chomps-ville for my hapless opponents.

I also managed to paint up a unit of Shades, we'll see if they are any good. I have a unit of harpies (based on daemonettes) ready to be painted up, too.

On Saturday I went on an all-day daddy-daughter date with my nine-year-old. We bought some pokemon cards at the local game shop. We also went to the mall and wandered around and got some sushi. Good times. I really felt we were closer after that. I think I need to do it a lot more often.

I also dropped in on a local shop (Dragonskeep) I haven't been to in many years. They have vastly improved their place. I was duly impressed.

If anyone is looking for a good shop in Utah Valley I recommend checking out Blakfyre Games in Orem (1600 North and State). They are a really professional operation; well-stocked, knowledgeable staff, and solid gaming area.

We dropped by the studio on our way back home to wrap up some loose ends.

It was the ward christmas party, which was an absolute delight in every way. Some kid wandered in from the neighborhood and swiped my daughter's Pokemon cards out of her hand. I had to chase that punk a few laps around the building. How's that for the spirit of Christmas? Blarg.

The cherry on top of the sundae was sitting at home, munching on some crunchberry cereal (generic captain crunch) and watching 30 Rock. Good times.

My wife looks like a fleshy round gourd with arms, legs and a head. Her feet are painfully swollen. Late at night I was massaging those down to a reasonable mass.

This morning (Sunday) I was in quite funk. My thoughts: you know what, no one appreciates my antics, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut, and watch the show. Time to take a bow and get off stage. And stop making eye contact with strangers. I've been doing some serious examination of my own soul and I think my character is full of holes as swiss cheese. I am really having a hard time properly taking stock. I think humans generally are pretty hard on themselves. Maybe that's me, too.

So, I got the kids ready and headed to church, leaving my wife at home to rest. The kids were angelic as could be. I finally came out of my funk during Elder's Quorum. I love that class. All men with roughly a similar age and situation, and anything is proper topic. A few claps on the back and I was golden.

Guess what? Other people better just get used to my peculiar stylings. Some people are uplifted, cheered up by my quirky sense of humor and love-everyone skip-through-the-tulips attitude.

I'm back baby!

I also have plans for a Warriors of Chaos army as follows:

2x mounted heroes
2x mounted sorcerors
10x warhounds
10x marauder horsemen
10x chaos knights
3x dragon ogres (already have these)
1x War Shrine (should be a fun scratch conversion)
1x Hellcannon

I am very, very worried about the new Chaos Warriors codex. Here's why-- people are starting to ask for seven wide movement trays. That means the killing power of units is so high that it's better to have more models in the front rank than to have more ranks. I don't like this trend. It's very obnoxious and gets rid of part of the Warhammer Fantasy that makes it work.

But don't get me wrong, I really like this list. There are a lot of fun things on there, a lot of possibilities and intriguing magic items. The Troll army has a lot of possibility, I know at least one person who has plans to do it.

One last thing. Tamie's sister is a massage therapist and she came by tonight to give her a massage, which is likely to get things "moving". We're hoping for baby in the next few days. But who knows, it could be weeks.

Which reminds me, a tip for new parents. Sometimes kids get stopped up and a massage therapist can get them worked out. It's a tremendous relief for the poor child. Sometimes they suffer so from constipation. Too much cheese will do it sometimes.

To an expecting father, soon to be with a child, I recommend the following: Have a list of possible things that could be distressing the poor baby. Go through them systematically. Sometimes the baby needs to cry herself to sleep. Sometimes. The problem is that men are "solvers" and get all bent out of shape when they don't know how to resolve things. The list will help you keep your composure and keep you busy doing useful things. When the list runs out, just relax. You don't have to fix everything!

.

The baby has no other mode of communication than to cry. Just roll with it. If it is really getting on your nerves, take a little break and remind yourself that you don't have to fix it. Pretend that the baby is talking to you in a different language. Talk nice back to the tender infant. Sometimes the baby is stressed because it senses you are stressed-- she wants you to be calm.

Also babies are only crying like 3% of the time. Most of the time they are sleeping. Of course, that's no comfort when it's 3am!

.

Oh, man, I can't wait until the baby is here. A sweet little baby girl, smelling of baby powder, baby shampoo and clean diapers.

Wednesday December 3 2008 Pink Bow

Picture: Deathwing Terminators. One was a sample sent by the client from a project we did over a year ago. One big thing about Blue Table is that we are pretty good at matching previous projects. We keep pictures archived (usually) indefinitely.

.

See stuff we have for sale. I've got four 40K armies on the block: IG, CSMs, Eldar Iyanden, and perhaps soon the "Roach Nids". I hate putting things on sale. I like to maintain steady and fair pricing. You've probably noticed that when I run specials, there's always a fair caveat (eg for December, get 25% off on painting if you give artistic license for certain armies). Which reminds me, I still have two slots open for December. You can still have something done.

.

As usual I am pondering my next army. The Dark Elves are nearly complete. I have a unit of Shades on order. I'm going to add a new unit every week for the next three weeks. After this probably a Manticore OR use a McFarlane scavenger dragon as a mount for a Dreadlord. That will push the army into the 2500 range, nice and comfy for any sort of game.

.

I do hope, though that the point level remains around the studio at 1500 or so, because then it's not a power game so much. It's still friendly games, with the thrill of new discovery, and that's a magical time that never comes back.

.

As most of you know I am in my life in the process of divestment. I'd be happy to get rid of almost all the various figures I've accumulated by the end of December. Both in my personal and business life I am paring down to the essentials. I've got plenty of clothes, food, blankets, and the necessities of life. I don't want anything else. Except maybe to rotate in a few new armies a year. However, I think I need to play more-- savor more, eat less. I'm dedicated to playing at least one game a week.

.

I'm also reading Ron Paul's "The Revolution" for the fourth time. That's a good read. Good stuff.

.

It would be cool to make an Empire army made using Khandish or Harad LotR figures. They are dirt cheap (less than a dollar per figure), simple to paint, and really cool theme-ish looking.

I spent the entire morning with my young son while my wife was out on errands. We watched Cartoon Network and I took him for a few shoulder rides. We also raided the halloween candy stash my wife thinks is hidden. Sweet.

.

Everything is running smoothly at the studio as usual. I got everything lined up for assembly this week, well almost everything. They are behind on account of the holidays. I need to plan for that better. We should be caught up in the next few days. Everyone shuts down for Thanksgiving. It's a poor reason for picking a man's pocket everything December the 25th.

.

What else? We put together the baby's crib. That room is every so cute. We re-did it with a white-slat wooden skirt and pink paint. Tamie is in full nesting mode-- knitting borders on the edges of baby blankets and getting laundry cleaned, disinfected and folded. But she needs to be resting more now. If the baby comes too early (like the next four days), we can't have it (her) at the birth home and have to go to a sterile, unfeeling, and expensive hospital.

.

There may be a temptation to leave me alone after the baby comes. Don't you do it! If there are inquiries and orders, that will make my life less stressful. And if there is money/security it will make Tamie's less stressful, not to mention the workers at BTP.

.

Someone asked how the company is doing. We are doing well. Things are slower than I like, but they are picking up and they haven't dipped down to 2007 levels, so I have a lot to be thankful for. I am well aware that every order is a miracle. We're lucky to have such great clients.

The End is Nigh

My wife went in for her baby checkup today. The baby's coming in about a week.

The problem is that the Birth Home has to be paid before we can go there, in the sum of about $2200. What I'm trying to say is... I would encourage the noble reader to take a look at the various items I have up for sale, and very reasonably priced I might add. I am ready to make group deals.

http://www.bluetablepainting.com/for_sale.php

Shawn

Battle Reporter

This is a keen blog

http://battlereporter.blogspot.com/

Sunday November 30 2008

Thank goodness for Sunday. Otherwise I would work myself to the nub.

Last night, my ultra-pregnant wife went to bed early at my request. She has really had it and seems to be overly round even for 8 months along. That left me with to put the older kids to bed. I let them stay up til around 10pm.

The little three year old didn't make it to the bathroom and poo-ed his shorts. Not knowing what to do with the stinky product, he wiped it on the wall. That was a fun late-night shenanigan... cleaning that up. I kept my cool with the poor tyke*, though, which I'm always glad of. He's a sweet boy, and I think he actually screws up less than I do.

I watched part of Hellboy II and drifted off into long and strange dreams. In one random dream I arrived at Angela's house (but different than her real one, this one way out in the countryside) with some other painters to help her with a project. Her mother was there trying to get two greater daemons of tzeentch to go to bed. They talked with surfer-dude teenage voices.

Seriously, don't eat a big meal right before bed.

Today, I'm pretty down. This has been a rotten week for my quest for betterment. Well, nothing to do but take a deep breath, pray for the grace and goodness of God, and give it another go the coming week.

I was up at 4am, uploaded a batrep, then went back to sleep. I've been recording the Mork and Mindy marathon on sci-fi. That show brings back a ton of good memories. It seems like such a more innocent age. Funny, because supposedly it was all debauchery.

The downstairs of our house (a finished basement is a common item in Utah) is where the kids and I are lairing these days. I'm taking charge of all the bedtime routines and laundry to take some pressure off my wife, and I'm having a good time. I had the kids get all their Sunday clothes ready first thing so there would be no rush to find socks and shirts at the last possible second. Everything went off without a hitch and we were actually early to church. Sweet.

G is still having trouble in nursery. I think he's getting too old for it. He'll be in a new class next month. Tamara took him home early.

I taught the lesson in Elder's Quorum today, a task I am wholly unsuited for. Oh, sure, I love to do it. I can get up in front of any number of people without any unpleasant sensation. The problem is that I'm an self-centered grand-stander. Anyway, I got to pick a General Conference talk and boy it was like being in the doughnut section-- they're all so good!

Here it is.

Other than that it's been a long and lazy afternoon. The boys are bickering over toys. I put the clamp-down on that, having them gather the offending items to be stowed away for the week (this was mom's idea, I wanted to throw them out). Parenting is tough. When to be hard and when to be soft?

Random idea: use a spark plug for an Ork Zzap Gun. Is that safe?

I brought home three army books today: Dark Elves, Daemons and Vampire Counts (I have to brush up on Renn's army!). I'm going to add a unit of Shades to my super-mobile dark elf army.

*tyke or tike
Noun
1. Brit, Austral & NZ informal a small or cheeky child

Saturday- Burning the Midnight Oil

I'm down at the studio for a late shift tonight. I am wrapping up all loose ends.

If you'd like to call me or contact me for any reason, please do so. I will respond promptly.

801 372 8545

Also, a little-known fact is that you can almost always get an immediate response through gmail chat.

I'm down here all by my lonesomes listening to Pete Schiff:

December Specials

Here's the special for December. I'm still booking projects for the last half of the month.

These are really good deals. Artistic License tends to give a good result because the artist will use techniques that he or she is really good at. Artists are always excited to get an Artistic License project.

Give Artistic License* for one of the following armies and get 25% off on Painting:

• Warriors of Chaos
• Vampire Counts
• Tomb Kings
• Tyranids
• Cryx
• Skorne
• Orboros
• Chaos Nurgle (40K or Fantasy)
• Necrons
• Tau
• Space Marines
• Wood Elves


If the order is at least 1000 points you get 30% off the cost of materials.
.
Minimum order $200.
.
You should request the special by name.
.
You can contact me for a quote at bluetablepainting@gmail.com I can send an a la carte pricing guide.
.
*Artistic License means we get to pick how it is painted and based. It needs to be within the genre (ie no pink marines!). You get to pick armament and army list.

In other news. I am in the process of updating the various pricing spreadsheets (eg they will now include auto-calculation for various specials like L2), so you may need to request some of them. They might not be on the website.

Fantastic Friday

I played TWO games today and it was awesome. Completely irresponsible. I have a very plump inbox.

Tomorrow I'll be paying in spades: I'm going down to the studio for a fat working day. Among other things I'll be editing and posting the juicy 90 minutes or so of footage I shot today and yesterday.

Good stuff.

For my part, I am a happy man. I got it all. Keeping it simple.

OK, here's more. I played a game of Warhammer Fantasy with Mike. We played at 1500 pts. It was really out of sight. All I want to do is play again. It was a very close draw at the end. Every turn was a nailbiter.

This game, then, was 500 points more than the last one.

I fielded my Cold One Knights this time. And another sorceress. And a third unit of Dark Riders.

This game helped me figure out my army's razone d'etre a little more. How does it win? How is it supposed to play? It's really a hammer and anvil type of army-- a big tarbaby unit (the Black Guard) and then a ton of very maneuverable units that harass and harry, picking apart the enemy's cohesion, getting to where they are needed. I think that sometimes if a unit is close combat only there's an enormous temptation to get it "stuck in" sooner than is prudent. I'm definitely like that. I like to do things and I get into trouble.

Anyway, the Cold One Knights (COK) really screwed up during this game, presenting a huge number of problems on account of Stupidity. We call this a "COK block". So, I'm tempted to "fire" them from the roster, but I've decided to leave them in, and just play them better and smarter and choose magic items that will keep them on track (eg the cold-blooded banner that allows for one turn of enhanced LD).

I also need to consider that I won't always be playing against Orcs! Renn is coming along nicely with his Vampire Counts which will be a tremendous challenge. Returning to the Cold One Knights-- they have Fear which will help.

Thanksgiving Day 2008

Well, I think that I've been maintaining the blog for two years now.

Here's the day in a nutshell:

1. Sleep in.
2. Studio to pick up metal plates, glue and wrap up some loose ends.
3. Watch episode of Star Trek: Enterprise while painting up a few Dark Riders.
4. Get nagged by wife for not helping clean up for Thanksgiving dinner guests.
5. Whip the kids into shape-- making them clean up while I continue painting.
6. Get nagged by wife again for not cooking the dishes I was supposed to cook and now it's ten minutes until guests arrive.
7. Finally go upstairs and appease wife, who finds me dead-sexxy in my chef outfit.
8. My cranberry relish is to die for.

OK, so Joseph and his wife show up with their little cherubs and we really get a spectacular meal underway. What else? The kids were having a blast watching the muppet show and playing out in the frosty back yard.

After dinner, Joseph and I made flush movement trays for our Warhammer Fantasy armies. It's official now, I have 2000 points of Dark Elves all painted up, with movement trays, everything ready to go. OK, well, maybe one thing missing: the hydra I have was painted by If all goes according to plan I'll be playing a game with Mike tomorrow and will have some vids up.

Then we headed out to Blockbuster to rent a few movies: Get Smart and Hellboy II. We watched the former all four of us as the kids dropped off to sleep one by one. Get Smart was good for a few belly laughs.

Tamie put her swollen calves on my lap during the movie and I worked them into shape. Poor darling, she's a vision of misery. Imagine hauling around a twenty pound bowling ball in your abdomen for three months. The turkey timer is almost entirely extroverted (ie her belly button, in case the metaphor isn't clear).

So, what am I grateful for? That's a pretty long list. I really have it all, everything important, healthy family, great wife, community, church, dream co-workers, and dream job... and clients which really, in a way, make it all possible.

Project Update

As usual, we are working diligently and methodically on various projects. I don't give updates every week because the schedule is so fluid, so changing, that it's hard to pin down. This is natural. All sorts of things can delay (or set ahead!) a project. But I probably should do updates more often. Clients seem to like it.

The following projects are finished, awaiting documentation (digital photography), or will be done very soon (2-5 days):
Big Daddy 02 CL
Tyranids 01 BH B
Gritty Orks 02 BC
Tau 10 TO
Space Marines 01 JR red/yellow
Decapitator 01 JD
Alien Terrain FLDLV
Wyches of Thoth 02 BV
AI 02 MN bombers
Crimson Fists 01 RB
Blood Bowl Dark Elves 01 AA
Khador 03 MW
Tyranids 01 ED by nov 22

The following are under the brush (or soon will be) and have an expected completion time of 5-10 days:

Old West Buildings 01 CC
Gritty Orks 03 BC
Heroes 01 ML
Black Templars 01 RH
Mortifactors 01 ST
Imperial Guard 01 JF
Iyanden 03 BH
Salamanders 01 DD
BFG 01 PM
Cygnar 01 RC
Eldar 01 DD
Assassin 01 AK
Alien Terrain
War Machine 13 BF
Deathwing 03 CG er
Khorne 04 JB

The following projects are in Assembly or are just exiting Assembly:

Dark Elves 01 TB
War Machine 14 JL
Heroes 01 ML
Black Templars 01 RH
War Machine 12 JL
Salamanders 01 DD
Cygnar 01 GV
Tau 03 SL
Imperial Fleet 02 EB

The following projects are in a holding pattern-- waiting for materials, instructions or something else:

AI 02 MN
Chaos 04 JC Deathguard 02 HT
Tomb Kings 01 RY

Tzeentch Lord 02 AC
Warmaster 02 GQ
Dark Elves 01 RC
Assassin 01 AK

Sisters of Battle 02 CS
Khorne Daemon Princes 01 MS
Wood Elves 01 JL
Ultramarines 02 SA
Vampire Counts 04 LG
Ultramarines 02 DS

The following projects are coming up in the next few weeks:

Warmaster 02 GQ
Wood Elves 01 JL bf
Tzeentch Lord 02 AC
Tau 03 SL
Ultramarines 02 MN
Deathguard 02 HT
Dark Elves 01 RC
Dark Elves 01 TB
Imperial Fleet 02 EB
Cygnar 01 GV
Sisters of Battle 02 CS
Tomb Kings 01 RY bf and er
Chaos 04 JC termies
Khorne Daemon Princes 01 MS

See how time-consuming that is? And in 48 hours it will all be switched around as packages go flying in and out. We are careful, we keep good track of everything.

Now, if you didn't see your project, or you have ANY questions at all, I am completely at your disposal.

Turkey Humor

A young man named John received a parrot as an early Christmas gift. Theparrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word outof the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. Johntried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently sayingonly polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could thinkof to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary.
.
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelledback. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder.
.
John, in desperation, threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and shovedhim in the freezer.
For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Thensuddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute.
.
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the d oor to thefreezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms andsaid 'I believe I may have offended you with my rude language andactions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressionsand I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude andunforgivable behavior.'
.
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was aboutto ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior,the bird continued....
.
........'May I enquire as to what the turkey did?'
.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I LOVE the Money Fire!

Here's an interesting article snippet:

"... So why weren't these structured debt-instruments "stress tested" before the markets were reworked and the financial system became so dependent on them?

"Greed. Because the real purpose of these exotic investments is not to provide true value to the buyer, but to maximize profits for the seller by increasing leverage. That is the real purpose of MBS, CDOs and all the other bizarre-sounding derivatives; higher profits with less capital. It's a scam. Here's how it works: A mortgage applicant buys a house for $400,000 and puts 10 percent down. His mortgage is sold to Wall Street, chopped into pieces, and stitched together in a pool of similar loans. Now the brokerage can use the debt as if it were an asset, borrowing at ratios of 20 or 30 to 1 to fatten the bottom line. When Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were taken into conservatorship by the government, they were leveraged at an eye-popping 100 to 1. This shows that nearly an infinite amount of debt can be precariously balanced atop a paltry amount of capital. This explains why the $4 trillion aggregate value of the 5 big investment banks and the $1.7 trillion value of the hedge funds is now vanishing more quickly than it was created. Once the mighty gears of structured finance shift into reverse, deleveraging begins with a vengeance pulling trillions into a credit vacuum."

Read the rest here

Put on your tin foil hat.

.

Dump your money in a giant hole

(humor- warning some foul language)

PS- I'm not saying this is right or it's what I think personally. Just some information.

Also, some game-related stuff and fluffy Thanksgiving fare is forthcoming.