Construction Breaks

It has been five months since the last post: Progress!  As usual, if I'm going to slack on something, it'll be on following up with posting on this blog.  The summer, as all summers do, flew by quicker than should possible and we were able to get out and enjoy a lot of outdoor adventures but that doesn't mean I haven't been productive on the project front.  After the series of attic adventures, I haven't had the gumption to start in on another big project yet.  There was a sink faucet replacement, finishing one of the remaining percents of the 2% left on the deck (yes, it still isn't 100% and may just never be done), and many other random fix-its.  A good chunk of the summer work weekends went into helping a friend put up a new fence.  It shouldn't have been necessary but property lines and ungracious neighbors can make that type of thing a necessity.  There was loads of help from other friends and neighbors and all-in-all, it turned out okay.  I could have done a much better job ensuring it was straight but for a span that went about 200' I think it's probably good enough.  Aside from all that, there have been some other things cooking.

Do these look
bourgeoise to you?

Speaking of cooking, I just have to post a pic of what are now deemed "Bouzhee Buns."  We went to a camp-out where one night was going to be a grill night so I brought my homemade hot dog buns and they earned the nickname because someone thought they were fancy-pants ones, I'll take that as a compliment!  In truth, they looked nice on the outside but were too dense.  I blame it on the old yeast.

Second, as an update to the last post, the lamp turned out great!  As soon as it was done, the mom-in-law said she had a place in mind for it so it's now out enjoying some coastal weather.  Probably a good place for it since it tends to be pretty gray most of the time.

Is it just me or is this lamp
throwing some serious shade?

The rest of the summer was consumed by mostly non-construction projects.  Two of them were started due to some events related to the spouse's job.  There are a couple of activities happening this fall with one specifically related to otters.  The other is animal-related in general.  Spouse asked if I would be willing to make a couple pysanky eggs to donate to the events and so I began brainstorming ideas for designs.  Knowing that at least one had to be otter related, I tested out a native-america inspired design that had been kicking around in my head for awhile.  It looked pretty good on paper so I put it to wax.  The second one I wanted to keep with an otter theme but also blend in a more traditional pysanky look.  The final design really isn't very traditional at all but there are some elements that would tie it back to the original.  Unfortunately, these pictures are of the second-runs since the photos I took of the originals are currently in Canada with the good camera.

Otter egg.  Look out platypus,
you have a rival for weirdness

While making them, Trusty Assistant, wanted to get in on the pysanky-ing as well.  He spent a good amount of time on one that you can see in the background of the white egg.  Unfortunately, the egg had gone rotten and just as he put on his last coat of dye and was showing it around, it broke.  I tried to salvage what I could by putting the rest in varnish and I'll cut off what's usable but, poor kid. 

Hypno-flower-otter

The second challenge project was to make some corn-hole boards for an upcoming conference where spouse is in charge of organizing entertainment.  Well, that does sound up my alley.  Having nearly half of the underside of my deck stuffed with random wood products, I felt I could take this one on and give me a reason to use some of it.  My first goal was to use as much salvage material as possible.  And, after browsing the interwebs for some initial ideas, I just knew that this couldn't be any plain 'ole corn-hole set.  It had to be artistic!  Or at least artsy.  Whatevs.  There was one set that had an octopus theme and they really stuck with me and since this was going to be put in use for another animal-focused group, that sounded right to me.  It's still in the works but I was able to construct the boards using pallet pieces and OSB that I already had on hand along a couple scrap pieces of alder left over from the ladder-shelf.  The only new things purchased to make this were the tubes of acrylic paint (a sweet discount at Craft Warehouse!) and the nuts/bolts/washers hardware to attach the legs to the box.  It's not finished yet but aside from some more detail paint work and a few layers of varnish, they're nearly there.  Spouse found some awesome corn-hole bags online that match the color scheme.  Color coordination for the win!

Maybe we should change the name
to "Cthulu-hole"

Okay two more quick things.  I had the yearning to get to work on another boat painting.  I wish I had a better term for them because "boat painting" sounds pretty boring but apparently I've exhausted by creativity.  Anyway, I started this one up soon after my last post.  Soon after starting Trusty Assistant said, "Is this going to be another one where you paint a lot and then stop for months and months?"  Friggin kids.  I took it as a personal challenge to not stall and actually go that extra mile and finish what I started in the same pace.  It's now October and guess what's been staring back at me since the last time I put some paint to it back in July?  That's why he's called Trusty Assistant, he speaks truth.  I''m going to put some blame on the weather because it's awfully difficult to commit to staying inside and painting when the weather is so nice but now that we've finally entered a true Autumn, I'm hoping to wrap this up...maybe before Christmas?

Boat Painting

Last thing, I found a great deal on a woodcrafter's workbench at a local estate sale!  I know, you're thinking, "But he already has a workbench?"  First, try not to start your sentences with "But" and secondly, this has two very nice wood clamps that my home-built one does not possess.  The clamps alone are worth the price of the bench and this one is much more light-weight as well as having some freakin' awesome castors that let it glide across the floor very easily.  I'm still not sure how I'm to reorganize the basement to make this fit but it will happen!  That's all for now and I hope you all have a lovely autumn.

Estate sale success!