Sand castle

I didn't have to leave the garage to build a sand castle.
The sand ( box ) castle is complete. Well - almost.
The only thing missing is the sand. I had a blast building this project . I can't wait to see my son use it.

As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Cutting Boards

I've been using a lot of softwood lately in my projects. When I do use hardwood, especially like maple, walnut or cherry, I always save the cut offs and scrap pieces, even the narrowest ones.
I use them to make simple cutting boards. You could laminate a bunch of one inch strips together if you wanted. You can alternate the species of wood in order to create a striking pattern.

You always need extra cutting boards and they make great gifts for Christmas or a housewarming gift. I have a couple of templates that hang on my wall that I made out of 1/4" plywood.
When I collect enough material I make a cutting board.
Glue the pieces together, trace the pattern, cut out the pattern and sand. It's that easy''
You can cut them out in any shape to create some pretty dynamic looking pieces. If you have a boutique or gift shop in your area try to get them to carry them for you. It;s a simple way to make an extra dollar.

As always - Thanks for following

Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

The possibilities

I saw this stack of framing material near the barn at Hancock Shaker village. I love the mortise and tenons cut into the boards.
I just wanted to start stacking and piling them up like a kid with tinker toys or Lincoln logs. I need to pay another visit to see the end result.

As always - Thanks for following

Be safe and be creative

Best

Steve

Fuel

I want to give a huge thanks to the good folks at Milwaukee tool for their generous, and much needed donation of a new 18 gauge 'fuel' brad nailer. This is a new product line for Milwaukee. They just introduced them to stores in April
I'm excited to put it to use.
I'm charging the battery and will put it to the test shortly.
I'll give you my review when I'm done.

As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative.
Best
Steve

Writing desk

In an earlier post I talked about the Shaker lap desk I made and gave to my brother as a retirement gift.
I took a picture of it while we were in Toronto last week.
My Brother reads daily all of Toronto's major newspapers. He uses the desk I gave him to read the papers on.
I finished the desk with a coat of oil and wax. I love how the newsprint has given the pine a funky patina.

As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative.
Best
Steve

Toronto return

We were in Canada the past few days visiting my family.
My Brother recently retired. He and his wife have bought a new home and will move in it in June.

While visiting him in Toronto I thought I would take some pictures of his kitchen. His kitchen was the first kitchen I had ever done. The cabinets are plywood and the doors and trim are solid oak.
I like how it turned out. I did learn some things along the way- such as where to put the door pulls. The upper cabinet door pulls should be lower. I centered them, they should be at approximately eight inches from the bottom of the door. Oh well- he left them centered and everything still works fine.

I hope the new owners enjoy the kitchen.

As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve

Roadside Attraction

I like whimsy. I appreciate it when people try to add a little sense of humor to their yard for passerby's to see.

I saw this charming bit of woodworking whimsy on a front lawn of a house in the lakeside community of Port Dalhousie, Ontario Canada on Saturday.
The entire stump was about four feet tall. It had a nicely carved door and a tin roof. It made us smile as we walked by, which I think is the intent of the project.
Perfect'

As always - Thanks for following
Be safe and be creative
Best
Steve