Connecting Backdrop to Layout

Well, it seems apparent from the last photo of the previous entry that the blacktop road does not quite "intersect" with the blacktop of the backdrop.  Well, actually, it's not quite that obvious unless you look closely behind the green coupe.

No problem, just make a paper pattern to connect from layout blacktop to backdrop blacktop roads:

Cut a shingle with backside up to match paper pattern:

 Paint new section with some grey paint and add white center line and black tar in cracks:

Glue some corkboard cut to similar shape in place to raise roadbed:

Glue new section of blacktop road in place and weight down; note that existing scenicking has been removed (mostly with a wood chisel):

Add a little Scuptamold (don't like that stuff; will explain later), fine grey ballast, and ground foam of a couple of different shades:

 And, there you have it:

Before putting the backdrop up again, a good bit of ballasting and some additional scenicking is needed.  Made a couple of small trees from grape stems less grapes sprayed with extra hold hair spray and dipped in ground foam.  The one that's hidden looks pretty good; the other one is a little funky with green ground foam on the trunk!  Had a few Woodland Scenics trees sitting around so incorporated them in the area.  More ballasting and scenicking later.