Estoy_Listo

Thanks, Jim and Carl.  
 
The Admiral approves too, describing the work as "elfy."  Elfy, as in the Keebler Elf.  She was drawn to the details, below.  
 
I'm back to puzzling out how to download pictures from the cloud. (Don't mean to publish them so large.) I'll figure it out eventually.  I really enjoyed building this, and I'm quite pleased with the results. There are many ways it can be improved, but that takes time and practice.  I can't wait to start another
 
 
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Having problems removing an extra picture.  If I'm successful, then good for me. If not, then thank you for your patience. 
 

Here it is.
 

Here it is.
 

Here it is.
 

Here it is.
 

Here it is.
 

Popeye's right--filler is your friend.  
 
In looking around that blog I've found that folks use a lot of different brands and types of filler.  I used a balsa filler that I bought on line. Very light weight, as you would expect, and easy to apply and sand.
 L
Looks pretty crude
 
 
I sanded the stem to shape and size, and was pleased to find that the bow looked pretty good.  I applied another course of filler, but this time I smoothed it with a damp brush.  
 

 
 

Looks better.  
 
I added the hatches and tidied her up, and now on to the paint.  I found a lot of useful information in the painting section.  The instructions said to paint w/o sealing--it would give a more natural appearance.  I was afraid that "natural" might mean "fuzzy," so I decided to seal it w/ a 50/50 mix of Elmer's and water.  Turns out it didn't raise any fuzz at all--I was surprised by that, and wondered what I'd done wrong this time.  Maybe nothing.  Maybe that's just how it is.  
 
 

Ready to paint
I"ll be using Vallejo brand paint, at the recommendation of a number of you, thinned to a paintable consistency--whatever that is. I've got scrap wood and time in equal amounts.  Looking forward to practicing my painting this weekend.  
 
Thanks for checking in.
 
Mark  
 
 

A year later, I'd say it was about time to finish the build. (Moving from a four bedroom house to a 650 SF apartment is a serious disruption, and this Spring we've been getting out and exploring our new hometown of snohomish

 
I spent a lot of time painting--or rather, learning to paint.  I used filbert style brushes which worked well.  I thinned the paint to a workable consistency and just did the best I could. Getting even color w/o brush strokes is a real challenge, but I did the best I could.
 
I got bogged down attaching the molding. I was using CA for the first time, and I goofed in aligning them between the deck and hull. I tried to "color in" the gaps w/ a fine-tipped pen but that made things worse, and as often happens w/ bad ideas, I kept at it until there was nothing left but to strip them off and start over, which led to re-painting the hull and then, finally, the superstructure. This gave me an excuse to experiment with tints and shades and mixing colors.  I finally settled on a color and got it done.  
 
Rigging was fun. It took a while to develop a hand for working with the blocks--several of which I lost, replaced, then lost again. At length all was assembled and in working condition. The rigging thread looked too much like thread, so l bought some proper rigging from Syren. What a difference! A terrific upgrade.
 
So here I am. My first model finished. I'm pleased with the results. I had a lot of fun, and I made some rookie mistakes,  but I'm pleased with the results. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I planned to finish this about a year ago but I don't like the way that the nets turned out and I haven't go back to the build.  Maybe by acknowleging my frustration I can move on - maybe.
 
The white netting provide with the kit was not large enough to cut the net pieces.  Off to the fabric store and I came back with some black tulle.
 

 

 

 
And there she sits waiting for some renewed entusiasm!
 

I'm more inclined towards working boats, but I can see why you're enthused about this build.  It looks great.  

This has been very instructive, Dee_Dee.  Thanks.  Looking forward to watching your progress.   

This has been very instructive, Dee_Dee.  Thanks.  Looking forward to watching your progress.   

Aye, but it does look good

This book is mentioned elsewhere in the forum, but it wasn't until I was snooping through my party host's bookcase that I discovered this gem. What a book! 3700 articles arranged from Aalesun, a seaport on the Norwegian coast, to Zulu, a type of fishing vessel peculiar to the NE coastal ports of Scotland. (We learn here, among much else,  that carvel hull had a pronounced rake and that they were rigged w/ a dipping lug foresail and a standing lug mizzen. The model pictured in the book is a beauty.) 
 
Copyright 1988. High quality paper, crisp text, with binding that makes it a pleasure to hold.  Bought it used online from you-know-who.Com.  $4.99. 
 
Can you beat that? 
 
Merry Christmas, all 

I'm more inclined towards working boats, but I can see why you're enthused about this build.  It looks great.  

Aye, but it does look good

Aye, but it does look good

Aye, but it does look good

I'll add a "me too" to John's post. It really is coming along, and the furniture is outstanding.  

Welcome aboard. Hope to see more of your work.
Mark Anderson 
Seattle, Washington 

this week I've made a little progress rigging the anchor blocks and making the chainplate racks plus some general tidying and fitting of blocks at various points on the hull and deck.  I'm off to the UK in a few days so I really want her to be ready so I can start on the masts, bowsprit and rigging when I get back in January.

Thanks to my followers and their 'likes' and comments.  Have a Happy Festive Season and I'll be around again in January.
 

First time I've logged in for ages was really interested to see how your getting on ,what a fantastic job your doing I'm blown away hope your proud great job the rigging on them cannons is fantastic looking forward to seeing more as your progress 
kind regards
steve 

Welcome Steve.  Looking forward to seeing what you get up to.  
 
Mark

Ok maybe its time to come clean here. Per & I have been discussing the best way to mark the waterline on a model. My wife has one of these levels that projects a laser line across the room. She uses it when hanging pictures in the house. I borrowed it to try out on my model. As Per describes above you need to get your model level both from side to side and front to back. Now in the case of my Syren, the plans show that she is just a bit lower in the Bow. so being level is not always the right solution.
Once you have your model setup correctly you need a tripod or a similar stool to put the laser on and project the line across the model. I have found this is the best way to project the water line on any model.
 
And for Christmas and for all his help I sent him a laser to use on his Bluenose. The result is what you see above.
 
One suggestion - for those models that the waterline is not even with the deck as the Bluenose is. I used the plans and created a mark on the model with a black marker that was at the bow and where the Waterline ended. I also created a similar mark at the stern. I then adjusted the laser until it touched both marks. Give it a try.

Glad to see your post, Dee Dee.  I've got a Glad Tidings under my bed, awaiting its holiday wrapping and eventual berth under the tree. I'm looking forward to following your lead.