Ray's Giveaway

Ray's doing a giveaway on his blog. You know Ray? Everyone knows Ray! But he insists on getting folks to pimp out his blog every now and again when doing something like this just to round up the few stragglers out there who don't already follow him. I mean, maybe he's trying for 1000 followers, maybe that's his plan!

So for you, the one guy at the back who's just started out on blogging and hasn't already started following the Don't Throw A One blog, or has had Ray follow him, and leave comments, then you really should wander over and check out the prizes. There are rather a lot of them.

Congrats Ray on reaching 500 posts. Here's to the next 500!

TOR Gaming: Mystery Relics Box Giveaway

There are a couple of gamers in the Oldies group I play with that are heavily into Relics by TOR gaming. I have been resisting, basically because I don't want to spread myself even thinner with games I don't have time to play, however, I am tempted.

There is one way I could be tempted to get into the game, and that is by winning a box with 150 pounds (sterling) worth of minis and rules for the game. And who wouldn't. So go along here and enter the prize draw. Or don't, you know, as the fewer people who enter, the better chance I have to win! You need to log on to the page that is linked above to see the entry details. It took me a little time to figure that out, but then, I'm sure my discerning readership is quicker on the uptake than myself.

Even if you don't win, you could always go and download the rules for free and see if something you'd like to get into!

Colore ton Monde June

The results from last month are here. Please let me know if you can see it, as it's now on Facebook, rather than blogger, and I don't know what the access is. There was no real theme for the month, and we were left free to paint whatever. I chose to do the Tod-truppen for my Thule Society for IHMN.

As has been posted on the Club Chaos Facebook page, the theme  for the month of June is as follows:

* Le temps des boîtes *
En juin, beaucoup de monde sont dans leur boîtes, se préparant à déménager. On emballe, on emboîte, on protège. Pour le mois de juin, nous vous invitons à peindre un modèle "en boîte", que ce soit une armure lourde, une combinaison étanche, un transporteur de troupe, ou toute folle déclinaison que vous créerez.

*The Time for Boxes*

In June, lots of people are in their boxes, preparing to move house. We wrap, we box, we protect. For the month of June, we invite you to paint a "boxed" model, that could be in heavy armour, a diving suit, a troop carrier, or what ever other crazy variation you create.

I have a troop carrier for my Britannians sitting waiting to be painted, which takes care of that!  Sorted!

Finally, there are two other little things I would like to mention. First off, Ubique is running a wonderfully unique give-away on his blog, so for more details, click here. Obviously, it is not in my interest for you to enter, but I really do feel it's worth yours.
Secondly, I have rather generously been nominated for a Leibster Award by Ian, who had some very kind words to say about my blog, so I shall be posting my response to that shortly.

Forgotten and Glorious Mini

I had a little surprise in the post this evening. A free mini from the Forgotten and Glorious Company of Art miniatures, a French company that I have been keeping one eye on. They do beautiful miniatures, but just not in any time periods where I have a direct interest, however, when I heard back in December they were doing a give-away of a free mini, where all you had to do was say which of their lines you would like to have a sample of, well, how could I refuse.

Painted mini from here.

I chose to have a sample from their 1916 French Army range, which were the first minis of theirs I saw that caught my attention, and also, If I were ever to get a French Army for Dystopian Legions, would stand me in good stead. I was very pleased to see that the mini I received today was the bugler from this range.

The mini is in 28mm heroic scale, and comes in three parts. The body, the head, and the gun with attached hand. This makes conversions very easy, as I can give the fig whatever head or weapon I want (in fact, there are three troop types that can be made from this basic body with the heads supplied by the company, normal troops, Chasseurs or Tirailleurs).

The sculpt is very clean, with no flash at all, and very little in the way of mould lines to deal with. The sculpt itself is very clean, with nice crisp lines that make the details pop out, and should be a pleasure to paint. If I were to put a unit of these together, I'm sure they'd be a joy to work with.

The mini as it arrived, no flash to be removed

Close up of the detail on the face.

Front Rank, Reaper, F&G, Spartan Games, Privateer Press

Here is the mini pictured with other brands for scale comparison. As you can see, it fits nicely into the 28mm Heroic scale category, and wouldn't be too out of pace with the 32mm Spartan minis.

So, with just one mini,  and a bunch of pics from their site to go on, if you're in the market for either 1916 French, 1806 Prussians or ACW minis in 28mm, I would urge you to go check these guys out. They are very nice minis. One thing to watch when you make an order though, is that you have to order the heads separately, as they are not included in the bodies you chose. I don't think of this as much of a bug, but more of a feature!

O'Leary's Giveaway

It's not often I do a post soley for the reason of pimping another blog, but this one seems to be a little ifferent. Over on her Blog, Anne O'Leary is doing what she calls a Double Triple Secret Give-away. Although, after all the pimpage that has passes on other blogs, I think the name cold be shortened to just Give away!

What is different however is this:

"This give away is being sponsored in part by author Patrick Hatt. You can find Mr. Hatt's Amazon Writers Page at http://www.amazon.com/Pat-Hatt/e/B00AGFMYVC."

Of course, I've put my hat in the ring, as there are some fun prizes up for grabs, and surely Ray can't win 'em all!

Colore Ton Monde, Septembre, la Rentré

Some great entries to August's challenge, and some new names entered too, which is great to see. Go on over to Club Chaos's blog to see them here. And of course, mine can be found here. Of course, the gamers behind the blog are based in Montreal, but that's not to say if you are not, you can't join in. Feel free, it's all for fun anyway!

Onwards to this month's challenge:

C'est la rentrée, les vacances sont terminées

Pour le mois de septembre, nous vous invitons à peindre un modèle qui représente une des deux facettes suivantes de l'enseignement : l'autorité ou l'érudition. Un commandant, un tyrant, un sage, un libraire: ce ne sont que quelques exemples. À vous d'interpréter  le thème à votre façon.

Back to School, the holiday's are over

For the month of September, we invite you to paint a model that represents one of the following two aspects of education: the authority or scholarship. A commander, a tyrant, a sage, a bookseller: these are just a few examples. It's up to you to interpret the theme in your own way.

Hmmm... nothing comes directly to mind for that one. Maybe a mage? I have a reaper mini of a lady reading a book, one of Werner Kloche's fine minis, but I'm not really in the place painting wise to give her the respect she deserves. Thinking cap on for this I feel...

P.S., Ian over on the Blog with No Name is having a give away t o celebrate 500 posts, and his 2 year anniversary, so go on over and congratulate him.

Blog Pimping

There are a couple of blogs I would like to draw your attention to. First off, from of the Oldies group, who I spend my Tuesday evenings with. The blog goes by the imaginative title of 40K with Blackjack and Hookers. There are no real post yet, but go to the links down the side to see some of the wonderful conversions and greenstuff work this guy has done. I'm not a 40K player, but I am very impressed.

Blogging old-timer Big Lee's Miniature Blog has reached 1 squillion hits, and is therefore running a superb give away. As the custom goes, sharing increases the chances of winning, by adding to my times in the draw, but of course takes away from my chances by increasing the number of people who know about it! Still with 1million hits, I'm sure there's enough folks out there already who know about this blog that my little advert won't affect my chances to greatly to the negative! ;)

And finally, not wargaming related (at least not directly), but I direct your attention to this wonderful article written by a friend of mine (who is a gamer), I seem to have some wonderfully talented friends! Why we'll never quit Star Wars.

A New Tool

I bought a new tool today, a sculpting tool made by 'the company who should not be named'. It was bought with the aim of using it to improve my greenstuffing skills, which are, right now, almost non-existent.  However, with said new tool, some green stuff, a sharp craft knife and some olive oil, I sat down and converted a group of 6 Dystopian Legions Riflemen into the beginnings of the 91st Highlanders.

To do so, first I had to trim off the little circle of braiding above the cuff, then I had to GS in some of those fancy pockets the Highland regiments had. All in all, I think it worked out rather well, although, they will look better at a distance on the table with a lick of paint than they do right now, but I'm pleased with the outcome. In two close-ups below, you can see the trimming (in the red circles) and the pockets. The whole section is shown under that. The musician has been ordered, and I hope it arrives in time to be painted with the others so I can get all the tartan out of the way in one go!

 

 In other news, Tamsin over at Wargaming Girl is running a few give-aways over on her blog, to celebrate reaching 100K hits. I have my eye on the third one, but feel free to go over and put your name in the hat. I won't hold it against you!

Urban War: Free Rules Download

Urban Mammoth have announced on their facebook page, that all the Urban War rules are now available free to download. This is a good thing for me, as I have two fully painted squads ready to go for this, and a whole bunch more minis for Urban War and Void back in the old country that I could always bring over at a later date. What's also good for me, in terms of convincing others to play, is that the rules are also available in french.

Anyway, go check out the free stuff, and the minis are quite cool too. If you want to see some painted up, I have some here and here, go have a look.

A Winner Is Me!

One of the great things I have discovered about the miniature gaming blogosphere is the generosity and willingness to help of the members of the community. One of the ways this generosity shows itself is the numerous giveaways (not competitions as such) that are held by so many bloggers. It may take the form of giving away minis and books, to offering to paint minis for others. I'm not ashamed to admit, I love getting stuff for free (I'm Scottish, we have a stereotype to maintain). So when Fog's Soldiers put on a give away for reaching 25000 page views ( a mighty achievement in my mind) I was right there at the front of the queue. 

I was rather surprised to find out that I had actually won. I was downright shocked to read that I had beaten blog-tart supreme Ray  to second place. That guy wins everything!

So, what did I win? I put myself in the draw for the third prize:

The third prize is...painting some miniatures for your collection at our wargame standard.

This is the method:

you have 12 points; a 15mm infantryman = 1point, a 15mm cavalryman = 2 points, a 25/28mm infantryman = 2 points, a 25/28mm cavalryman = 4 points.

As I'm not a 15mm gamer (just sold my only 15mm minis this side of the Atlantic this week), that means I'm up for a great paint job on either 6 troopers or 3 cavalry. A bargain by anyone's standard.

Looking through Fog's Painting Guide, to see where his specialities lie, I see he's about as eclectic in his painting as I am (the gallery on his site has even more). I had initially thought to send some of my Napoleonics to be painted, as the last batch of posts he has made have been historical miniatures, but I see he also paints quite a few Flintloque minis. I would be tempted by this, if not for the fact all my Flintloque stuff is back in the UK. I was hoping by looking at the back catalogue, I would have an idea as to where to start, it seems I'm no further forward! Back to mining the lead mountain... 

For more information on Fog's painting service, visit his website.

Colore ton Monde, July: Fin

So, as I thought, this month's plan was cut short due to visiting family, but a rush finish on the Russian Priest meant that at least I have something to enter. He certainly fits the criteria of a miniature I have never played with (mainly since he was chosen without any particular game in mind).

The base could do with a coat of black round the edge to neaten it up, but I didn't have time to get my brushes out this evening, and I need to send off the pics (I was playing with the camera, more details below).

Not one but two sets of pictures of this guy below the cut. As always, click to enlarge.

Prizes!

More on this guy soon.

I received a package in the post today. I was not expecting anything, as it's nowhere near Christmas, or my birthday. Parcels arriving for the kids at random from relatives abroad is not unknown, but not for me.

It had a German return address, which made me wonder even more.  When I got home and  opened it, I was more that pleasantly surprised by its contents. A book, and a little bag of minis. What a wonderful way to end the day!

A few days ago, I popped a comment onto Großbeeren 1813's post on reaching 25K hits. Looking at the archive of posts does not take long, but it is no wonder that he has had so many hits, the miniatures he sculpts are truly amazing, and even in the flooded market of Napoleonics, he makes interesting, fun and characterful sculpts. I will be sure to pick up copies of the rude highlanders minis once they are finally released (I'm on the waiting list).

As to the gifts (I cannot with any clear conscious call them prizes, as I did nothing to win them). First off was this rather nifty book. This will surely fill a hole in my small but growing Napoleonic Library, which has so far concentrated on the British side of the Alliance, and on the French, to the neglect of the other countries involved.

The second item in the parcel (as if the book was not enough of a give-away prize) was a little bag of 4 miniatures. But not just any old minis, these minis. I was pretty gobsmacked.

Go to the link above for better pictures.

As miniatures go, they are wonderfully detailed and flash free. If ever you get a chance to get your hands on these minis (or any others that these guys produce) don't hesitate. I think I may also now have the start of my Napoleonic vignette.

I had received an email asking for my address for this, but had suggested that Kawe wait till I had purchased the Highlanders, at least then I would be contributing to the postage, but no, it was not to be, and I must admit I'm grateful he didn't wait.

Do you think that's enough links back to Großbeeren 1813? Well, one last one won't hurt!

Cowboys and Gunslingers, for Free!

Reaper miniatures are giving away free copies of their rules "Cowboys and Gunslingers" as a pdf over on their website. I have downloaded a copy for myself, and have given it a glance through so this is not a comprehensive review, just some thoughts.

The downside is that these are not so mch complete rules, but are an add on for the Warlord 2 rules, which until now, I was unfamiliar with.

The rules (or should I say supplement) are not long running to only 11 pages, of which only 6 seem to be actual rules, 1 page for scenarios, and the rest being stats and cards to be cut out for play. The rules seem to be designed to go with the new Box 'o Cowpokes that Reaper have released recently. As such, these are for small, cinematic skirmishes. As to the boxed set itself, if I hadn't already bought many of the minis individually, I would be sorely tempted.

Hey, if nothing else, it gives me a reason to link back to this gal!

The Assault Group free miniature

The TAG free miniature that I requested a while back arrived today. I'm impressed. Very clean little miniature, simple in design, but the face is very well sculpted with little to no flash. I decided to ask for the Russian priest from their renaissance range, although, his robes are such that he could happily fit into any era since, for example I have seen him in dioramas for Bordino in 1812. He,s all cleaned up, about to stick him onto a base and get painting him. Thanks again to The Assault Group for this chance of a freebie. Now to go on over to their site to see if I can use this 10% off voucher that came with him. This mini is certainly a good advert for their sculpting and their minis.

Pimping for prizes, again.

This is becoming a regular feature it seems, but there is a tendancy out there in the bloggosphere to have give-aways to increase following, celebrate blogging milestones and just for fun. It is a commendable effort, and to be encouraged, even if it is not something I am likely to do in the near future (though never say never). It is through such a scheme that I found a new blog to follow. Gunner's Wargaming. He is in the midst of just such a give-away, so go check him out. The post detailing the prizes also has handy links to some of his previous work, and is therefore a great intro to his blog. Go check it out if you haven't already, there's some great modelling and painting on display here.

Pimping for prizes

Pimp be stylin'

One thing I have noticed recently, is the number of blogs that use prize give-aways to increase their followers, and to get their brand known to a larger audience. I think it can be a cheap and effective way of getting some advertising, so I'm all for it. What good is there in having my own blog, if I can't use it to my advantage, as well as to the advantage of others, so with that in mind, there here follows some blatant pimpage.

First off, there's a Prize Give-away over on Lead Legion, whereby you stick your mane in the hat to win 50 quids worth of painting (you supply the minis). What a grand idea. I have a cupboard full of lead and plastic I would happily send their way.

Secondly, there are a few birthday prize draws over on the Frontline Gamer, the last remaining to be drawn is for starter sets for Sedition wars.  An excellent blog, with good reviews, and some interesting info on how to improve your gaming blog which I have read with interest. Go check it out if you haven't already.

Free Assault Group Miniature

After seeing a post on Tim's miniature wargames blog, telling of his receiving a free miniature from The Assault Group, I wandered on over to their site to find more details. It seemed the offer was still on-going, so I sent off my email and posted on their wall. I'm pimping them out here too, the more people who can make use of this offer, the better for all (they're giving a 10% discount code for their online store with the mini). Not a company I have had much to do with previously. They have been on my radar, but they don't seem to deal with any of the eras I'm immediately interested in, although their minis look nice. Maybe the Covenanters will be useful.

Do you think that's enough links to The Assault Group now?