display elements that may not be standard...

[chrisatpsu]

certain things seem to be more common than others, people run lights along the roof, or a driveway, or walkway...
people build mega trees
people have arches
people have built mini trees

what are some of the other things you've built?  (and if you don't mind sharing, how did you build it?)

[rimist]

Every year I build a manger. I live near the Jacobson modular home factory, and they have an area where they put free materials. I use whatever is available. Last year, it was pieces of 5/4" pressure treated decking. This year I found pallets made from oak. I took a few apart, and took one extra large one whole. The whole one became the back, the pieces the sides and roof.

-Rimist

[mms]

Every year I build a manger. I live near the Jacobson modular home factory, and they have an area where they put free materials. I use whatever is available. Last year, it was pieces of 5/4" pressure treated decking. This year I found pallets made from oak. I took a few apart, and took one extra large one whole. The whole one became the back, the pieces the sides and roof.

-Rimist

Score on free materials!

certain things seem to be more common than others, people run lights along the roof, or a driveway, or walkway...
people build mega trees
people have arches
people have built mini trees

what are some of the other things you've built?  (and if you don't mind sharing, how did you build it?)

This was my first year and I missed the sales at the end of 2010, so I was really limited as to elements/lights I already had on hand.  For Halloween, I built a pumpkin pyramid using $1 trick or treat pumpkins from Target and $1 Christmas village lights from Dollar Tree.  I mounted the pumpkins to a plywood structure which then got mounted to my house.  I have other ideas on some "unique" Halloween decorations, but I haven't built them yet. 

As for unique Christmas decorations, my dad made a tree out of pie pans and C9s.  I saw on one of the Christmas light specials an inflatable dog that "leaked" using yellow lights.  I believe they used Bob Rivers' "Yellow Snow" in their show.  LOL.  A friend of mine in Wyoming posted a picture on her Facebook of someone using an over-sized Leg Lamp - a la A Christmas Story - in their display (I don't think the display was animated, but it was damn funny.)

[rrowan]

Every light show my wife seems to like (not mine if you are wondering) has singing pumpkins in it. So it looks like I need to make or buy them. Being a diyer I seem to go with make instead of buy. Looking at two options, first the plastic fence method that RJ used or make it by brazing 1/4 round steel. If that works out well then move on to other singing things like Santa, Tree or even Grumpy from Snow White and the 7 dwarfs. My plan is to use a projector and display a image on some material to draw out a shape and it will be easy adjustable to any size I need just by moving it closer or farther away from the projector

well thats enough rambling for me at this time 

Rick R.

[chrisatpsu]

my projector has a zoom feature, and shines on a white concrete block wall (my basement)  by day, it a projection studio if i need an outline  (like a penn state logo) and by night it's a home theatre   : )

[Ron]

I plan on doing some of the spinners like taybrynn has in his display this year up near the eaves of the houses.

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I'm also doing some FAST tubes for next year.  The drop light led type things.

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Ron

[mms]

I plan on doing some of the spinners like taybrynn has in his display this year up near the eaves of the houses.

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I'm also doing some FAST tubes for next year.  The drop light led type things.

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Ron

He (Taybrynn) has a cool "mega spinner" (to the right of the "Tune to" sign) that has 8 PVC arms that are 3 channels each, 100 lights per channel.  We were at his house earlier this week and got a behind the scenes tour.  Cool guy, great display!

[sirloinofbeef001]

 This year, I used my grinch face(6' tall) but next year my wife wants me to build a a frosty the snowman. Maybe outta cora. Not sure yet.

[travailen]

I like the 4 "spinners' in middle front of this show. I am thinking about making some for my 2012 show.

Rick S

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[chrisatpsu]

i just noticed the spinners, i like those...

i just bought some wireframe reindeer tonight to use next year.

plus i built my own meteor tubes, more to come by December rolls around


i want to do a presents boxes

[travailen]

I have been looking into present boxes. I would like to do some but so far have not been satisfied with what I have found. I am thinking rope lights or something. Maybe put them under the mega tree.

Rick S

[tbone321]

Make them out of coro-plast

[rrowan]

Put real presents out there and handy them out to the kids. Watch how fast you become popular

AUP

Rick R.

[RJ]

Non of my stuff is standard. It's all metric!

RJ

[chrisatpsu]

Non of my stuff is standard. It's all metric!

RJ

figures, coming from FlyHead

EDIT: i mean that b/c you deal with airplanes, not for any other reason