Hand painted exploding TARDIS T-Shirt

So while I was scouting the internet looking for the pictures of my shirts I came across a couple of images of the Exploding TARDIS from the episode "The Pandorica Opens" and I thought to myself I could paint a really cool shirt with that image.... Ive seen others do it on websites such as Etsy but they charge around $50 for the shirt which I guess with how long it took to paint is fair enough, and dont get me wrong they are pretty good but being that I'm cheap and I have some painting skills I decided I would give it a go myself. 

Lets not forget. I've already painted the exploding TARDIS once for my Dad on a canvas (past post: not quit Van Gogh )

Apologies for the photo quality, on my iphone it looked a lot better...

in total it took me about 3 or 4 hours, adding layers to give it that Van Gogh effect.  Right now I'm just waiting for it to dry before putting on a few extra details such as the writing on the door, and giving another coat to certain areas. Once that's dry I can put the whole thing in the washing machine.

 I used chalk to give a rough idea of placement then using fabric paint I got to work.  The shirt cost me maybe $3 the paint less than $4 so for less than $10 I got myself a pretty cool shirt I think....  Yes another shirt for my collection....

Did you Know, we will be celebrating not only going into a new year but also that fact that two years ago on the 1st Matt Smith appeared as the Doctor for the first time, Happy 2yr Anniversary Mr Smith and a Happy New Year to everyone else...

Geronimo

My Doctor Who T-Shirt Collection

I just wanted to share some of my Doctor Who T-Shirt collection, most of these I got from teefury.com or riptapparel.com with the odd exception of store.glennz.com and obviously the official BBC releases... But I particularly like Tee Fury and RIPT Apparel as they offer one off Ts for $10, the only thing is they are only available for 24hours so I have to check them everyday.  Also of late Ive noticed there's been a couple of not so good shirts being offered, its like quantity instead of quality but still now and again you get a real gem...

When I put them all out on the page I feel like I have more... Im sure I do... and if I do Ill update this page so anyway, just sharing my collection...

Grand Theft TARDIS

I don't think people truly understand what it means when the Doctor says he stole the TARDIS, I mean its not like stealing a car.  Its not like on their 16th birthday every Time Lord receives his first TARDIS, a TARDIS was just used to observe other planets, Time Lord were a race of watches, never getting involved or interfering (much like the prime directive). The equivalent of such actions nowadays is like stealing a nuclear powered submarine, its not a case of just walking into the marina and hoping inside the sub and driving away, now yes there's been reference to how the Doctors Type 40 MkIII was old, and being retired maybe this meant that it wasnt as heavily guarded but still guarded it would have been.  It was also in need of repair, I mean its rare to not see the Doctor fixing (or attempting to fix) something in the console room.

   It was also a capital offense to steal a TARDIS, when the Doctor was caught up with the Time Lords exiled him and forced a regeneration.

   In the episode "Journeys End' there's reference that a TARDIS actually requires 6 pilots, so again for the Doctor and his granddaughter to actually manage to steal a TARDIS would have been near impossible, not only to get inside it but then to get it to materialise, and navigate the craft would take some serious skills or he's just a mad man with a box....

I found a blog with a very similar point to make, and in fact makes it better than me.  Check it out: The Doctor Long Scarf Blog

Happy Birthday Bernard Cribbins 83 Today

Bernard Cribbins OBE, first made his Doctor Who debut in 1966 along side Peter Cushing in Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150 AD as Tom Campbell,

Bernard Cribbins in Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150 AD 1966

More than 40 years later Bernard Cribbins returned to Doctor Who playing recurring character Wilfred Mott in Voyage of the Damned, and the 2008 episodes Partners in Crime, The Sontaran Stratagem, The Poison Sky, Turn Left, The Stolen Earth and Journey's End. He then returned to the role in 2009 for the final David Tennant specials, the two-part The End of Time. In these final episodes, Wilfred was identified as the Doctor's companion. At 80 years of age, Cribbins became the oldest actor to ever play a companion.

Bernard Cribbins in Voyage of the Damned 2008

Did you know, Bernard Cribbins was actually considered for the role of the fourth Doctor...

Ever wanted to snuggle up with a Dalek?

For a while I've wondered when they are going to release some DW plush toys and in September Underground Toys did just that.  Their first series includes two Daleks and a TARDIS,  I did read that there will be a second series around April 2012 which will include a White and Yellow Dalek but not sure what else, my wife is hoping for a plush Ood at some point.

Now the TARDIS is fantastic, the light flashes and you get the materialisation sound but the Daleks I was a little disappointed with, as a plush toy they are great BUT the sounds are from the first gen NSD, one of the sounds even says "You would make a good Dalek" I'm sure everyone would like to know they would make a good Dalek but these are supposed to be the new Paradigm Daleks but the voices don't match.  Yes for a kid I'm sure this is fine and does it really take anything away from the fact they are plush Daleks? no not really, its just disappointing...

So apart from the sound issue that I have with these, I think they are great.  Hopefully with the new release in April they will change the sounds.... I'm sure I'm not the only person to have picked this up and its the second time Ive been a little disappointed by a DW release, it seems they are perhaps rushing to flood the market before the Doctor Who craze fades away when they really should take just a little longer to perfect the product.

Available from $19.99 - $24.99 at Think Geek

Timeline of Doctor Who

Via: CableTV.com

Doctor Who: The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe - Review

The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe promo copyright BBC

This review contains plot points which may be considered spoilers for someone who has not seen the episode


 First of all,the Doctor Who Christmas Special has become as much a tradition in my house as me watching the Queens speech growing up and with that said, The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe was a fantastic mix of emotions from happy to sad to confused to "I simply don’t believe that…" Starts off with the 'I don’t believe that', the Doctor falling to Earth from an exploding space craft, already completely unbelievable how would he breath…have we forgotten about the vacuum in space, and why is the space ship exploding anyway... more questions than answers! Anyway something I’ve always really liked about Doctor Who is the “It might just be possible if….” story lines this was not one of them, and we seem to be finding more of them creep into episodes of late. However from then on, VERY much the Doctor we've come to know…

Nice introduction of characters, some loose ends but mostly stuff that can be ignored.  Set (originally) in the 1930's, with World War II around the corner (Steven Moffat's Favorite era I believe) we are set in the same sort of era as the stories original basis "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". However apart from the title, the era and the snowy landscape that's about it as far as similarity to the original, I think the similarities were just an excuse to have a cool title rather than retelling the Narnia tales...


You may recall that the universe believes the Doctor to be dead, and so he assumes the new title of Caretaker, and returns a favor to a woman who helps him after his unfortunate crash to earth wearing only a space suit (yes, that's the I just don't believe it scene) anyway he remodels an old mansion they just so happens to be the location outside of a war-torn London where this same woman takes her two children (Lily and Cyril) to spend Christmas. And when I say remodel, seriously the guys and girls of Changing rooms/Trading spaces could learn a thing or two! Everywhere you look there's something of interest, something shiny, something loud, something different and whether you love it or hate it its seriously Christmassy, from an impact suit that repairs its occupant, naturally-occurring Christmas trees, dancing chairs, a winter wonderland wrapped in a TARDIS-blue gift box, wooden monsters who really aren't monsters and not forgetting Bill Bailey looking like something out of Halo.

"What's the point of them being happy if they're going to be sad later? The answer of course, is because they're going to be sad later."

I've wondered how long before we see Bill Bailey in a Doctor Who episode, and finally here he is. Shame it was a small part and in all honesty the three storm troopers seemed a little redundant as far as character development, they didn't really offer a lot to the story.  And quite abruptly left the episode as quickly as they appeared.

Without giving to much away, it was as quirky and fun as the previous year perhaps more so and perhaps the best Christmas special so far, although I did rather like last years, anyway back to 2011. When Madge is piloting the craft through the time vortex (SPOILER ALERT) I did feel sad, not wanting to see her husbands death, the children learning their father had died was tear jerking, a GREAT emotional scene… I also like that I didn’t immediately think that the husband would have followed them through the vortex, least not straight away, I had figured it out as soon as she was telling the kids officially….  Whats this an entire episode of Doctor Who and no Ponds? Oh wait there they are... all in all this episode didn’t just have a fantastic ending, it had two weepy finales – even the Doctor was a little teary. Matt Smith continues to make it seem like he has played the role of the Doctor since 1963...  What a cracking way to spend the evening, snuggled up in front of the telly with your turkey sandwich and the Doctor Who Christmas special.  


Merry Christmas everyone.

Merry Christmas

PLEASE have yourselves a VERY Merry Christmas and a SAFE and Happy New Year, spend it with the ones you love, take time to reflect on what really makes all holidays so special! Friends, family and sharing time together REALLY is what makes this season so special! 

And remember its not all about the presents under the tree, but the presence of the people around you.

 

 

TARDIS Birdhouse Update...

So my wife looks out the window and calls me over.... theres a bunch of birds seemingly interested in my TARDIS Birdhouse.

TARDIS birdhouse built by Paul Bradford 2011

With the weather turning bitter right now I'm sure that this strange blue box in a tree will be a welcomed shelter from the wind and rain for some lucky birdies...

TARDIS birdhouse built by Paul Bradford 2011

“I am very happy to stay. I love it" - Matt Smith

Matt Smith as reassured fans that he is staying put, stating on the Graham Norton Show “I am very happy to stay. I love it and love making the show.”

Matt Smith on Grahan Norton Show copyrighted BBC

With the news of Karen Gillan and Arthur Davills' departure from the show coming next season, the big question was will Matt Smith remain as The Doctor. Rumours have circulated the internet for sometime that Matt Smith was quitting however these rumours have hopefully now been quashed by Smiths response to questions.

He went on to say “I’ll miss Karen because she’s my best mate. She’s mad as a box of cats but she’s a firecracker!”

Adding: “There comes a time when a story reaches its conclusion and the essence of the show is that it constantly reinvents itself”

The interview will air on Friday, December 23rd on the Christmas edition of The Graham Norton Show at 10.35pm on BBC1 and for the US, 10:00pm Saturday, December 24th on BBC America

A touch of... Pinto!

I wanted to bring to your attention a friend of mine, Jon Pinto (www.jonpinto.com) I met him at a Doctor Who event in Florida "Hurricane Who" and LOVED his work.  He's an artist, illustrator and he is a great guy to chat with.  I draw, I paint and I make stuff so Im always checking out other peoples work and this guys illustrations really caught my eye.  Unfortunately, I was busy when Jon and his wife had to leave however when I returned to my table I found this on my seat:

Illustration by Jon Pinto

In addition to this there was Star Trek, Red Dwarf, The Mercury Men, Sherlock... the list goes on... There was even a Peter Cushing print that I was particularly fond of.

In fact I loved the work so much that soon after the convention I contacted Jon in regards to perhaps coming up with a design for myself and Scotts tour of the US next year, we plan to do Ghost Hunts and meet n greets all over the US, anyway back to  he story, so I spoke to Jon and his first question was when do I need it, to which he got the worst response any artist can get, "I need it ASAP" so he got to work, after a couple of weeks I recieved a couple of sketches and he wanted to know which way we wanted to go... Bad Ass or Scooby Doo

Naturally, we (Scott and I) went with Scooby Doo a week or so later I got an email with the final piece and I couldnt be happier, honestly I gave Jon free reign, "make it fun, make it yours" is what I told him and he exceeded my expectations.

The Official 2012 Tour Poster Designed by Jon Pinto

Seriously, check out this guys work at http://www.jonpinto.com he's done work for Disney, Universal Studios as well as he's the guy who drew the M&M guys...

Jon, Myself and Scott at Hurricane Who: Category Two Orlando, Fl. Nov 2011

For more details of the Paul Bradford and Scott Tepperman Tour check out: http://www.facebook.com/ddtour2011

Doctor Who Christmas Tree, Decorations and an Angel... just don't blink!

Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches... especially when hanging from them are Doctor Who themed decorations...

Doctor Who Christmas Tree 2011

 I see it only fit that the angel that tops the tree would be that of a 'weeping' angel...

Weeping Angel tree topper

Of course it was going to be a TARDIS blue tree

a nice little touch I thought, and something rather simple to do was add the TARDIS window effect to the blue baubles, and those particular baubles came from Walmart about $3 for about 6 or 7 ideal for a small desktop tree like this....

The Weeping angel is a 5" figure you can purchase, however I did have to modify it, making a full length gown and adjusting the arms to hide the face.  You'd think being that its a weeping angle it would be able to do that anyway, but alas it could not so I did the mods, repainted the whole thing using a combination of different spray paints giving it the stone look, and now it sitts proudly upon my tree...

A sneak peek at this years Christmas special...

Watch a fantastic sneak peek clip from the 2011 Christmas Special, Doctor Who: The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe, before the Christmas Day premiere at 9/8c on BBC America

Synopsis: Matt Smith (The Doctor) is joined by Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Bill Bailey (Black Books), Arabella Weir (Skins, The Fast Show) and Alexander Armstrong (Armstrong & Miller) in the new festive special packed full of Christmas thrills and chills from lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (The Adventures of Tintin).

It’s Christmas Eve, 1938, when Madge Arwell comes to the aid of an injured Spaceman Angel as she cycles home. He promises to repay her kindness – all she has to do is make a wish.

Three years later, a devastated Madge escapes war-torn London with her two children for a dilapidated house in Dorset. She is crippled with grief at the news her husband has been lost over the channel, but determined to give Lily and Cyril the best Christmas ever.

The Arwells are surprised to be greeted by a madcap caretaker whose mysterious Christmas gift leads them into a magical wintry world. Here, Madge will learn how to be braver than she ever thought possible. And that wishes can come true…

Where's the TARDIS?

For many years I've wanted to build a TARDIS of my own, and finally I decided to just go ahead and build it (with a little encouragement from my very understanding and wonderful wife). My Own version, that I can call mine!

Ive no carpentry background, I'm just passionate about my hobbies and interests and so I wanted to make this as best I could.

My 4yr old daughter helped, shes my "companion" and a very good helper....

Materials:
• Plywood
• Pine
• MDF
• Paint TARDIS Blue and screws lots and lots of screws

 

I even took the owning of the build to another level, both the sign on the door and the St. John Ambulance badge are made from white acrylic, which means at night with the light on inside they glow along with the windows and the 'Police Call Box' signs.  All my signs came from Budget Signs in Tucson http://www.gotobudgetsigns.com/

For more of a complete collection of my build diary you can check out my Facebook photo album: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.208552812508803.56670.100000622564596&type=3

So Ive been asked by a few people for dimensions and such.  However you'll see that mine was built to my specifications, its more like the comic book version than any screen used TARDIS.

Either way heres a couple of the plans I used, however there is a MASSIVE amount of information here: http://tardisbuilders.com/index.php?board=9.0 which i found invaluable...

PLEASE NOTE: These arnt mine, these are measurement that I used/based my TARDIS design on