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A lot of the other forums I am on are having contests for best prop. I think PlanetChristmas should have the same. There should be a limit for you to spend. Then everyone gets to vote who has the best Christmas prop or yard ornament.
Could be fun, but the person would also need to submit detailed plans on how to construct the item! I would rather see that than the PC contest at Christmas.
In my mind, I could see the contest being called the PC Display Challenge. I am not talking a whole display, just a simple wire-frame, blow-mold, electronic gizmo, tree, or just something that everyone here has to have. It could be anything Christmas related. Even an ornament on a tree. Everyone is given three months to come up with their project to submit. Everyone is allowed 30-40 bucks to spend on their projects. With a cut-off of 30-40 bucks, then everyone can do it. And it gets everyone's juices flowing before Christmas. A how-to and a list of parts used is then submitted. Then everyone from PC votes to see who is the winner.(Have to be a member to vote) And you could have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. And if we can get someone to donate prizes, then it will be even sweeter still.
Thank you Jen. I almost forgot about the home. If you didn't want to do it alone, pull someone from your local mini-plus. Now you have three or more people on one project. I don't know how you would split the prize though. It could almost be like a battle-royal of mini-plus'. Chicago, Texas, etc. This might be interesting. Mini-plus Display Challenge. The winning gets a free block of cheese, ropelights, or whatever.
well I think the planet christmas contest should be the BEST handmade display(except for the lights) every thing that is in the yard should be handmade. No wally world kmart stuff.
____________________ Scot Meyers http://rockymountainlights.spaces.live.com
"What matters most to me? Helping people to decorate their hearts with peace and love"- Wally Bronner
Scot Meyers wrote: well I think the planet christmas contest should be the BEST handmade display(except for the lights) every thing that is in the yard should be handmade. No wally world kmart stuff.
Yes Scot that is truly the idea. Except if you can buy something from Wal-mart or Kmart and turn it into something, then I think the Wal-mart/Kmart would be ok. Meaning you find a head on a doll or a bobble head that you feel that you can use. Then by all means use it. As long as you stay within the money limit allowed. I guess I am not saying that you can only buy certain things from Wal-mart or Kmart. Yarn, paint, cords, it is all-expectable. I guess what you are saying is, you can't buy a doll from Wal-mart and then put a bow on it and call it your project. Then you would be right. But if you go to a rummage sale, and you find this old kid's outdoor house for 1 dollar or so and turn it into an animated toy shop with stuff you bought from Wal-mart, then that is perfect.
I know I said that there is a limit to the how much you can spend. Sometimes there are ways around this. For example, you have excess wood or ceroplastic from another project that you have in the backyard. You can put this on your list for free. If your buddy Joe give you a 1-ton slab of marble, well that is just isn’t expectable. You just have to use your head when figuring if one thing is acceptable or not. If you have an LOR or Animated Lighting controller and you wanted to use it to show off your project, I would think that would be fair. Unless the majority thought it would be unfair to use.
Last edited on Wednesday April 19th, 2006 12:22 pm by Mark Sloat
if you buy the dancing santa from wal mart for 40,00 and make him animated to your idplay telling your stories etc YES that would be reconfigured using your talents to make it better. etc. I'm just really tired of the same wire frames and blowmolds from wlly world etc. hand made cutouts lolipops made from pvc etc. THAT's Cool.
Bring on the rules and the spending limit I'm IN!!
____________________ Scot Meyers http://rockymountainlights.spaces.live.com
"What matters most to me? Helping people to decorate their hearts with peace and love"- Wally Bronner
First I have find out if there is an interest first. A contest with one contestant isn't very much of a contest. I get your point about the blowmolds etc. I know some members here may have a certainly liking to blowbold, wire-frames, and etc. So, that is why I thought that throwing them all in one contest might be great. Now people have the opportunity to show what they like blowmold etc, and hopefully their love of blowmolds etc is appreciated or adapted by others who may not of thought of blowmolds etc in that light before. Kind of like music appreciation class, if you will. I hope that didn't come off wrong. It almost songs like a "We are the world" speech. There are probably a lot of people on this forum that can take a blowmold, or make one for that matter, and make it totally different than when they go it. Same goes for the wireframes and etc. Some of the wireframes I have seen take my breath away. You can't buy those at the store.
Anyway, I was almost temped to ask Logan Moore if he would like to host this event. I noticed on his site that he gives out prizes. Maybe he would be willing to give out a small gift to the winner if he is the host. And this would give his site a little more recognition as well. Plus it seems that he is very well know here at PC and admired as well. It is always nice to have a host that everybody knows and likes.
When I started this thread I was hoping for a little more reaction than what I got. Other forums went nuts with this contest, that is why I suggested it. Maybe most here feel that buying Christmas display items is the way to go. It is easy and who has time to make something? I on the other hand, feel if I want someone to come to my display, I would want them to come and see something that they can't find in the stores. Anyone can goto the store and buy an elf and put it out in their yard. Now everyone on your block has the same elf. But not too many people go out of their way by taking that same elf and turning into a Christmas marching elf band. Maybe the contest is a good idea in my mind, but not to others. At least I tried.
Last edited on Saturday April 22nd, 2006 01:06 pm by Mark Sloat
Tje contest sounds like a good idea. My opinion is that you might want to revisit the $30 to $40 cap. I never seem to have any projects come in under that figure. Maybe $100 gives more flexibilty. Just a suggestion.
Tje contest sounds like a good idea. My opinion is that you might want to revisit the $30 to $40 cap. I never seem to have any projects come in under that figure. Maybe $100 gives more flexibilty. Just a suggestion.
When I entered the contested similar to this one, that is exactly when I said. Need more cash. But I was surprised at what I could do for only 25 bucks.(our cap was 25)(Oh, I didn't even come close to winning) Just because the cap is 40 bucks doesn't mean there isn't a way to make it look like it is 100. If you already have the material in your garage, that doesn't add to your total. If you have wood, screws, or whatever that you used in another project, you can use it and not have to be charged for it. That is the cool thing about it. You just wright in on you list "old wood screws etc." Plus the college students or the stay home mom who don't have a lot of money to spend can still participate because the cap is lower. They just have to be a little more wiser than most, to make it look like 100 bucks. They might have to goto a friends house and pick the wood up for free. Now you know why it is called PC Display/prop Challenge. Because the goal is to make the best prop/display that everyone on PC can agree is the best and not have to pay alot of money in the process.
Mark, I'm pretty sure I can manage to donate a few prizes for this, so let me know. I'd be happy to help.
(Even though the majority of my blowmolds did not come from WalMart or K-Mart [they were never carried by either of those retailers as many of them predate WalMart's existence], I am getting the feeling that blow molds and what can be done with them are not welcome in this contest, right Scott?).
okI think this could be a cool idea. i saw the contest on halloweenforum.com and some of the project they came out with where unbelievable. i think is could be a fun idea. one idea. i think hardware (screws, nails, tools, foam) should not be in the cost. 25 dollors or 30 would be a good cap. If you go to big lots you can always find something cool to use.
Carrie Sansing wrote: Mark, I'm pretty sure I can manage to donate a few prizes for this, so let me know. I'd be happy to help.
(Even though the majority of my blowmolds did not come from WalMart or K-Mart [they were never carried by either of those retailers as many of them predate WalMart's existence], I am getting the feeling that blow molds and what can be done with them are not welcome in this contest, right Scott?).
Thank you very much Carrie. Yes, any help you can provide would be most appreciated. The other business owner I talked to today couldn’t help due to prior commitments on another contest.
So it looks like we have prizes for the contest, which were graciously donated by Carrie Sansing. Thank you again Carrie. So, who would be interested in entering the contest? Just so I know if we truly have enough contestants to participate. Also if you disagree on the amount to spend please feel free to speak up. If there are enough people that think the amount should be raised, then by all means it will be raised. Also I would like to get a time frame for people to work on their projects. What do you think that should be? I don’t want to interfere with other projects that you may have. Please speak freely.
The plan is to designate a time frame for the contest. Before the end of this period, all entries must be submitted to this thread with an image or video (if prop is animated) of his/her prop. After that time period, no more entries will be accepted. If you are having problems finding a place to put your image or video on, please ask a PC Member if they have space available for your information and image/video. So, before doing your official entry, you will need documentation telling everyone how you built your project, a list of materials used (including prices), and an image/video of your finial project. After all entries have been received, a voting thread poll will be started on that day. The voting will be for one week. After that week a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd placed winner will be announced. If you wish to show your progress of your Christmas prop please feel free to do so on this thread. It might just put a little pressure on everyone else to get going.
Your display/prop can be anything Christmas related. From a Christmas tree, wireframe, or blowmold, etc. Pretty much anything Christmas related. Doesn’t matter if it is for the home or outside. What ever you decide to make, it is up to you. Just remember that the people voting on it will be members from PlanetChristmas. As of right now, the price limit will be 40 dollars, but this can be changed by popular demand. I don’t think anyone will mind if you go over a few dollars, but try to keep it around 40 dollars. We are keeping this on the honor system. Even though the limit is 40 dollars there are ways to get around the rules just a little. If you have excess material in your garage or paint, whatever, you can put this down on your list as “Already have.” Please use your best judgment on this. Again the honor system will be used, so we have to trust you. Do the right thing. Please don’t tell us you got 20 free 2x4 from a neighbor. That just doesn’t sound fair.
Oh, I just wanted to add on to my message. Since Carrie has been so nice to offer prizes, and since I came up with the suggestion, I too am also giving way a prize. I am going to offer a Menards gift card to the prize list.
Last edited on Sunday April 23rd, 2006 11:18 pm by Mark Sloat
I think that you may not have gotten a big response because a lot of people, like me, are sitting back just reading. Right now some may only come on once a week or so. It could also be because it is under Trains, Ferris Wheel, etc and some people might not look under this area. Of course I don't know where else it would have gone. Dashers Diner perhaps.
I think the $30-$40 is a good range as it will make people have to use their creativity to come up with an idea. Brainstorming. I have so enjoyed seeing the creativity that has been shown on this forum. Of course most of us have lights already...so if they aren't counted in the price, then that would save someone who is planning something big the amount to put onto something else, instead of the lights. If too many people are having trouble getting in that money frame...then like you said you could up it some. That could be the starting point.
What about a time limit...something like Christmas in July...or in August. Something at the end of July or the beginning of August when there are really no holidays, school isn't back in session yet, and aside from vacations...which with the price of gas this year more people may be staying home...well that would break up that chunk of days that are kind of the nothing really going on, lazy, hot days of summer. It would also give most people enough time to get something planned and done.
Also you will have to decide if a person can enter more than 1 thing. For instance if someone has done 3 things...all between $30-$40 each and they can't decide which one they like best...can they enter all 3 or are you going to make it 1 to a PC Member.
Carrie Sansing wrote: (Even though the majority of my blowmolds did not come from WalMart or K-Mart [they were never carried by either of those retailers as many of them predate WalMart's existence], I am getting the feeling that blow molds and what can be done with them are not welcome in this contest, right Scott?).
Well I don't know how the others feel but to me, PC Display contest would mean, if you have a snowman blowmold, blowing bubbles, and playing an accordion, while at the same time jumping on a trampoline, well that is something no one else has and really something I would like to see. Penguin blowmolds standing around a igloo church...dressed for a wedding...after all he would already have on his tux...she would need a veil and a gown though.
It would seem to me that if you use it as part of the display, build something with it, but not just the display itself, it should be able to count, just like lights do. After all it sounded like this was to get our creative juices going...and if you can take a blowmold and make it into something that someone says...oh wow...why didn't I think of that...that is what I want to do...how did she do that, then that is what is wanted. To get our ideas going and to share them, to show ways of displaying things that others may not have thought of.
Sure we all like the homemade stuff, but after all, not everyone is artistic enough to start something completely from scratch, some are more able to do animation, or something motorized and in our PC Family Friendly Forum that wouldn't seem right to leave someone out, just due to a limited talent.
I think if you can come up with a display item, that is a new way of displaying something, or a new way of doing something, you should be able to enter it. The PC voters will decide what they like, but the fun would be in the contest itself and seeing what others come up with.
But that is my opinion and I am not the one making the rules.
Thank you Mary Jayne. Sorry for posting in this topic. I can only hope that I have not doomed this contest because no one knows about it. I can only hope that with word of mouth and people pressing the recent tab that people will see this contest. I certainly don’t want to post in different topics to advertise the contest. It would certainly be hard to track all the projects and certainly make the forum too cluttered, which I don’t want to do. Maybe someone, or me, can ask Chuck Smith if he would be so kind to post something on the main forum advertising the contest. Which might be a good idea. If I had only thought about it sooner, I could have asked Chuck Smith before posting this contest. Duh
July would be a great month to have the contest. It gives everyone 3 months to get their project(s) done and any needed questions that need to be answered. And find out how they are going to post their pictures or video.
Most contests of this caliber have allowed two entries per member. But I have yet to see anyone submit more than 1. Most people are so involved in getting the first one perfect that they never have time to get the 2nd one done. But if you can get two projects done, you are certainly welcome to submit both.
And to answer your last post. If it is Christmas related, doesn’t matter if it a wireframe, blowmold, Christmas train, or a snowman blowmold, blowing bubbles, and playing an accordion, while at the same time jumping on a trampoline, then you can enter it into this contest. This contest holds no prejudices against any prop/display made for this contest. As long as it is in the 40 dollar range.
Mark Sloat wrote: Most contests of this caliber have allowed two entries per member. But I have yet to see anyone submit more than 1. Most people are so involved in getting the first one perfect that they never have time to get the 2nd one done.
Perfect...yep just when you think you have it done...something always happens. So you need that extra time to go for perfection.
Still I know Robin can get those wireframes of his done in no time and I guess there are others who are pretty fast. I on the other hand will probably need some time just to figure out what I want to do...the ideas are like ping pong balls bouncing around in my head. Just hope I can make up my mind and stick to one thing and get it done.
I think you need to do a good outline of the contest...
rules...catogories...timeframe...requirements for entry...prizes and post it in a better place...maybe even have it pinned...
I also think it should be open from the time it is formally announced until nov 30th...judging starts dec 1st and will last a week...
this is the off-season and this would give the folks who start coming back closer to the holidays a chance to participate....and (I may be the oddball)...but...I plan ...ponder and collect all year...but I don't build anything until halloween time at the earliest...
