Working Wonders

Side Table/Stands & an Airplane

2011-12-30T05:54:00.000-08:00

Finished projects....

...and an airplane. The plane was constructed by a friend (Steve),

and I applied the paint & finish coats.

It's a Christmas gift for one of my grandsons.

More Projects

2011-12-22T04:16:00.000-08:00

I "fell into" a few interesting pieces yesterday...

three windows like this one,

this little wicker stool/stand,

this piece (we don't know which end is "UP"),

and almost all the pieces to this stand (below).

Only a part of the lower shelf was in the pile,

so I fashioned a new one to insert.

Additional spindles and odd pieces filled a small box.

More "projects".

Scraps with a Purpose

2011-12-18T04:19:00.001-08:00

After cutting down an old chalk board to fit the frame above,

I had a scrap.

Yesterday, I fashioned a simple frame for the scrap - FROM scraps.

Slowly but surely, I'm finding a purpose for pieces from my scrap pile.

Her (Early) Birthday Present

2011-11-29T14:15:00.001-08:00

She says the pictures don't do it justice...

It's true.

Glass is in the cabinet doors.

It's ready to move inside.

Easy Peasy

2011-11-28T06:39:00.001-08:00

I removed an old chalkboard from its generic frame

and placed it in an empty one we had.

This is its current message as it hangs in our dining area...

She's Moving In!

2011-11-25T15:10:00.001-08:00

We delivered the doll cabinet to our granddaughter on Thursday.

She's making progress moving her dolls and their accessories into it today!

Stripped and Ready

2011-11-21T05:47:00.001-08:00

The original finish is removed and the cabinet is ready to be stained. Investigation proved the sewing machine's bobbin case to be damaged and not worth repair....so, I fashioned a bottom to fit the cavity. This will provide yet another storage possibility to this unique piece of furniture.

Completed...and Just Begun

2011-11-11T07:58:00.001-08:00

Just completed! The small table (to the right). I sanded down the top

and painted the legs black. Applied wax over all.

Behind it, an old chalk board in a new, old frame...

(The small table was a curbside find, i.e. free.)

My next big project--this sewing cabinet. We bought it yesterday for $5. Rebecca will be checking in re. the price to repair the Singer sewing machine that came with it. If it's financially feasible, this will remain a sewing cabinet. If not....maybe a computer desk????

Finished!

2011-11-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

All that's left to do is to find boxes to fit on the shelves.

The doors on "our" cabinet appear narrower than the "model".

Not sure if we'll be able to duplicate the pocketed hanging storage

but MAYBE the other side????

Any suggestions how to carry this out?

The photo I was working from...

Small Improvements

2011-11-04T16:32:00.000-07:00

Replaced the "pulls". This will be much better for the cabinet's purpose...

Getting There...

2011-11-01T04:37:00.000-07:00

See my previous post for the goal.

Meanwhile, I'm getting there.

Shelves and divider cut and in place.

Clothes hanging bar inserted....

Possibilities Abound

2011-10-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Above - a child's tilt-top table...

Thrift store find. $3

We also decided to purchase the cabinet above

to fashion into the cabinet below for a granddaughter.

Maybe too big? We'll see.

Stay tuned.

Possibilities Abound!

Sweet. Very sweet.

2011-10-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

Sweet!

"VERY sweet," she said.

Roadside Treasures

2011-10-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

These are two of the four pieces we found at the side of the road last night.

This afternoon, I began to strip the old finish off the child's chair

and the table top.

Both of these will be fine pieces of furniture.

Flushing and Filling

2011-10-04T08:40:00.000-07:00

Flushing and filling...

Doing what I can to address the Low Coolant Warning Light...

Hoping the condition is solved!

I also finished a small project,
repairing this box.
I created a side "handle" to replace a missing one.

Mid-September Project

2011-09-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine bought this night stand for $4 at a garage sale.

He asked me to refinish it, and I was happy to do it!

He's done a lot for me.

I stripped the old finish; sanded lightly; stained it (Provincial stain);

applied 3 coats of wipe-on polyurethane;

and finished the top with a paste wax and buffed it out.

In My Spare Time Today

2011-08-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

I painted the inside of a wagon that had rusted.

I packed this chest into our car trunk, having found it on a curb this afternoon.

I used fine steel wool and paint thinner to loosen the paint on its top.

removed it; and put on some light oak Restore-A-Finish.

That's all it needed!

New Old Shed Decoration

2011-07-28T03:06:00.000-07:00

We were the recipients of these two vintage (antique?) tools.

Rebecca had the idea to hang them on the side of our shed

...so last night I climbed the ladder and fastened them. (Thanks, Rick!)

The scythe still has some "life" in it.

Not exactly sure what the other one is.

Just found out! A Hay Knife. The tool has two wooden handles, one for each hand. The right hand stays stationary 'loosely' to allow a swiveling action.

"The design for this style of hay knife was patented by George Weymouth of Dresden, Maine on March 7, 1871. The patent was reissued in 1882 and 1886 and both of those patents were assigned to Hiram Holt. His company, the Hiram Holt Company of East Wilton, Maine, sold them using the name Lightning Hay Knife. The cost for a Lightning Hay Knife was 50 cents in the 1897 Sears and Roebuck catalog."

Outdoor Projects

2011-07-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

Never mind that the bumper of the car needs repair!

I tightened up the four backyard chairs before applying a protective coat.

Out they'll go again to maybe last another season or two.

If I have any poly left, I'll coat this decorative birdhouse.

I re-roofed it with a piece of scrap metal.

(Re)Born on the 4th of July

2011-07-05T03:51:00.000-07:00

Sanded and did some wood fill repair on a couple of spots before painting this $2 garage sale find.

It cured over night and stands "in place" in our kitchen/dining area to hold cookbooks and other treasures.

I didn't notice the irregularities at first. And only after moving it into the house did I see one! (See the bottom, right-hand corner & the left vertical line...)

Done

2011-06-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

See previous post for prior condition.

A Project for our Daughter

2011-06-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

Our daughter brought this damaged, small chest for me to repair.

I've put a bottom in the broken drawer and primed the chest for painting...

Tomorrow I'll apply the final coat of paint
and try a couple of styles of pulls.

Cabinet 3 Complete

2011-06-25T03:15:00.000-07:00

Prime Time

2011-06-15T08:14:00.000-07:00

Sanded and ready for primer.

Primed.

This Will Be Next

2011-06-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Found for $2 at a garage sale on Friday.

It's got a few rough spots.

Bench Stress

2011-06-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

I replaced old boards on the bench above with some other old boards.

I sanded the top lightly trying to keep as much white paint as possible...

then put a coat of seal on it.

This stressed bench is about 1 1/2" shorter after I had to cut some rot off the bottom.

(It has set on the ground for about 2 years--all seasons.)

The End

2011-06-05T16:31:00.000-07:00

Inside - one coat of poly...

Outside - two coats poly.

Hardware attached.

The end.

Tack Box Two

2011-06-04T05:08:00.000-07:00

Stenciled. Sealing begun...

Tack Box

2011-06-03T15:34:00.000-07:00

A friend built this tack box for his daughter.

He asked me if I would stain and seal it.

So, after sanding it, I am applying the stain he selected.

Before sealing it, I'm going to stencil the owner's name on it

and maybe a couple of horseshoes, too!

Tonight was a beautiful evening to work on this project...

garage door open, natural light, etc.

Completed and Sold

2011-05-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

After a couple of hours in front of our house (and on a busy road), the chest of drawers sold.

It really DID turn out "handsomely" (as my wife says).

Mid-May Projects

2011-05-16T10:04:00.000-07:00

I've put a few hours into this curbside treasure.

There were holes to fill and drawers to repair/remake...

It's now primed and ready to be painted.

In between rains and lawn-mowing,

I also got this "tree-bed" (as my wife has dubbed it) finished.

Bug Box

2011-04-24T16:31:00.001-07:00

My grandson loves looking at and learning about bugs. The last time we were together I told him I would make him a bug cage. I had not remembered until he came for Easter. He reminded me that the next time I saw him I would have a bug cage. Part of Saturday we made this bug cage. I used some scrap wood I had. Got some aluminum screen from the hardware store. This was scrap they just gave me. I stapled the screen to some plywood. I covered the staples with small pieced of wood. Made a circular door and fixed a square piece of thin plywood that hinges on a screw. Then I took an old scrap strap that I took off the old high chair we found on our trip south and used it for the handle. I forgot to take a picture so I had my daughter send me one after they returned home. I noticed my grandson has written on it already. He helped me do the hammering of the nails. Not bad for a five year old.

A Little Modification....

2011-04-22T03:17:00.000-07:00

I painted the top of this table a few months ago. We moved it into our dining room while I was repairing a drop leaf table. THIS table was quite large for our space. When it came time to move it out, my wife suggested taking it apart and making a desk (or half-table) out of it.

This is the result. I used the set of legs from the center of the original table in the back of this "half-table". It serves our purposes well! I may make a second "desk", paint a chair white, and see if we can sell the pair at a garage sale in a few weeks.

Look What Came in from the Rain!

2011-04-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

I found this on a curbside today.
Warped & wet from the rain, it needs some work,
but it's a good, sturdy chest of drawers.

The pulls are quite large & would have been worth stopping for (if nothing else)!

It's not real clear, but there is an eagle in the center of the pull with 3 stars over it.

Watch for the finished project!

Finishing Touches

2011-04-04T02:42:00.000-07:00

Yes! I think this will work just fine.

Vacation-Induced Projects

2011-03-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

This chair was lying in pieces along the road as we were heading south for our vacation.

I've begun gluing it.

My wife found the little footstool in a thrift store for $1.
I've taken it apart.

She'll select some fabric
and we'll decide what to do with the wooden sides...

A Vacation Project

2011-03-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

The slope required some unique maneuvers to apply stain to all surfaces of the trellis!

Above: Kiwi vine beginning to leaf out...

Vacation project. North Carolina.

Old Paint

2011-02-18T05:25:00.000-08:00

"I ride an old paint; I lead an old Dan
I'm off to Montan' for to throw the hooley ann
They feed in the coulees they water in the draw
Their tails're all matted their backs're all raw..."

(I have NO idea what the hooley ann is!)

She DID it again! You can read the details HERE.

The main thing I'm learning is that old paint has its issues...

and how to live with a few imperfections.

Another Completion!

2011-02-06T02:46:00.000-08:00

Finished and beautiful!

I painted the table's "apron" at my wife's suggestion. It made a positive difference, I think.

After another 4"-5" of snowfall yesterday, I spent a few minutes shoveling snow off the flat portion of our roof! That was a "project", too!

Blizzard Aftermath

2011-02-02T08:19:00.000-08:00

Larry and Steve came in with their big equipment and made short work of cleaning our driveway.

#1 Snow Emergency means no traffic can be on the roads, so

in between shoveling sidewalks and sermon preparation...

I've painted the first coat of white on the table top and chairs.

I'm pleased with the way the wood fill and paint combine to cover the grooves that had contained the rattan work in the center of the chair backs. You'd never know the groove had been there!

Blizzard and Projects

2011-02-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

The rattan removed, I filled the grooves with wood fill.

Below: The chairs with seats removed, grooves filled, sanded and ready for primer!

Meanwhile, the predicted snow has begun (again). 3"-4" fell last night; there was a lull; and now around 4:00 p.m. it's snowing lightly. Sounds like I'll have plenty of time for my February projects!

My Almost-February Projects

2011-01-30T11:30:00.000-08:00

I've filled in a couple of spots with wood filler.

I'll sand it off and (if the plan doesn't change) paint the top only.

The legs will be cleaned up and the wood finish preserved.

Rather than replace the wicker in the back of this chair,

I plan to remove it, fill in the groove, repaint the wood and reupholster the seat.

Wrapping/Wall Paper Caddy

2011-01-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

5 minutes was all it took to find a board and cut it to fit the bottom of the cart. My wife is happy to have a caddy for all the wrapping paper and wall paper that she uses to wrap presents, line drawers, wallpaper dollhouses, etc.

Finishing Touches

2010-12-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

Busy days during the week of Christmas! Charles (father-in-law) and I applied the quarter round and kick plates under the kitchen cabinets. I had painted them the night before. They look great and trim off our new floors wonderfully! Last night I painted the mirror above the mantel. (It had been light oak. A bit of it can be seen in the top picture.) It is a great finishing touch to our "new" kitchen/dining area. Merry Christmas to us!

Below are some pictures of the floor installation process. There was quite a bit of leveling to be done...

A Wiry Wreath

2010-12-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

Earlier this past fall, friends donated some old bed springs they wanted to get rid of...

I cut several individual springs out of the frame,
and we spent some time arranging them in a
wreath shape - finally wiring the entire thing together.

Another friend graciously welded the wreath,

and this morning I painted it white per my wife's request.

Ta-DAH!

Duncan Phyfe Restored

2010-10-03T03:56:00.000-07:00

Metal Cabinet II

2010-09-29T07:36:00.000-07:00

The second metal cabinet is finished. The best place for it is in our laundry closet where it stands beside the first cabinet (which has a clothes hamper built in).

There's a lot of good storage in this one! Rebecca lined the shelves with leftover wall paper and is busy filling it with a sewing basket, a box of craft paints, etc. "Before Picture", here.

Table Talk

2010-09-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Lynn and Donna I am now working on a Duncan Phyfe table that was in their attic. I have taken the finish off 3/4 of the top. I lightly scraped much of the finish off the top. The finish was old enough to come off fairly easily. It will sand up very nicely. Thank you L & D.

September Projects

2010-09-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

Found at an estate sale yesterday for $2.50. There is a lot of rust...but I THINK I can turn this out to be a good-looking metal cabinet!

the inside

the latch

Another project already in motion. A friend found this chair on a trash pile and picked it up for us!

I guess we have a reputation.

I'll need to recover the seat.

This object (don't know what to call it) was on a trash pile several months ago when my wife and I were enjoying a housewalk. She saw it and we loaded it up--not sure what to do with it. Yesterday we saw it in a decorating book at Borders standing elegantly in the entrance hall of an 18th century home! After painting it (it's only primed in this photo), we'll look for a piece of glass to put on top of it.

August's Completed Projects

2010-08-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

Now...

Then

Progress

2010-08-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

The top, front and sides are all sanded down. I set in some shelves and have primed them with a tinted primer. After the primer dried, I sanded lightly and used the shop vac to remove dust.

Below is another project! We forgot to take a "before" picture. It was damaged on top - the "slats" were loose and I have glued it to repair the damage. Here--sanded (but not dusted off).

August '10 Project

2010-08-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

"She" found it today for $1. I now have an August project.

July Projects

2010-07-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

Above: As we found it at our favorite thrift store. $8 was the price.

Above: The cabinet after sanding, priming, and painting! To the right - a part of the seat I've primed.

Below: A finished rocking chair - primed and painted. A third piece remains to be done.

Restaining the Back Deck

2010-07-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

Powerwashed the deck earlier today, and then this evening I used some left-over solid color stain to do the floor.

Corn Hole 2

2010-06-28T03:43:00.000-07:00

Basically, the point is to get the bean bags into the hole. We played our first game last night.

Brushing Up the Christmas Gift

2010-06-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

Our children gave us Corn Hole equipment in the rough last Christmas. Since two of our grandchildren are coming to stay with us a few days next week, I decided to get the decks sanded. Here I am applying the primer coat. Next comes some high gloss paint. I've googled the rules and we should be up and running by Monday!

Finished and Furnished

2010-06-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Curtains hung; rugs in place...furnished and ready for delivery.

Two Birds; One Stone

2010-05-29T04:42:00.000-07:00

Last night I accomplished TWO tasks - cleaned out a corner of the garage AND spiced up the exteriors of our house and shed! The shutters match the ones I hung in front of the house earlier We found them trashed on the roadside. Here they frame the garage window.

Below, a window on the shed.

Now we have a "unified" look, and I have 4 less items in the garage!

The Monet House

2010-05-29T03:34:00.000-07:00

Our friend who made our house sign is traveling in France. Yesterday she posted a picture of Monet's home in Giverny.

Who knew this was the picture we already had in our heads for our newest doll house? Since we are committed to using what we have on the shelves as much as possible, the shade of green we'll use for accents is darker (and our roof is already brown) but we're pleased to be in such great company as the painter, Claude Monet! We'll definitely refer to it as the Monet House from now on.

Another Dollhouse Comes Home

2010-05-28T05:33:00.000-07:00

I'd already begun painting the window trim and roof when this picture was taken. My wife returned from Chicago with this gem. It had been painted pink all over (a very poor paint job). I sanded the pink down to remove paint drips, etc. Rebecca is interested in retaining the "shabby-pink" look.

She found it for 1/2 off its $2.99 price at a Salvation Army store. We found it on the internet listed for $149 new (a Melissa and Doug creation). The inside shows NO wear whatsoever.

Rescued and Restored

2010-05-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

Found beside a trash can; cleaned; applied Restore-A-Finish; hung.

Keeping It Up

2010-05-06T04:42:00.000-07:00

"Yard Art" repaired and repositioned.

Driveway redefined.

Chime Time

2010-04-29T04:52:00.000-07:00

After purchasing three bolts yesterday, I was able to attach this bell to a corner of our back porch. We brought the bell back from North Carolina. Our brother and sister-in-law had purchased it years ago in northwest Indiana but didn't think it fit with their lawn decor. We were happy to bring it home! It has a beautifully deep (and loud) ring tone! Looks like I need to clean one of the porch posts....

Kitchen/Dining Room Floor Progress

2010-04-18T04:57:00.000-07:00

Under the sub-floor, linoleum. Under the linoleum, wood floors. We hope to keep them.

About 1/4 of total area is stripped and scrubbed.

STAY-CATION PROJECTS

2010-04-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, inspired partially by all the beautiful shutters we saw on historic homes in Charleston and partially motivated to get corners of the garage cleaned up, I constructed these shutters from pieces we'd found discarded curbside at least a year ago! Both of us are pleased with the result.

Today I'm taking the plunge to remove carpet and pad (and probably at least a section of sub-flooring to see if there are wood floors underneath). The ultimate goal is to replace the carpet (dining area) and linoleum (kitchen) with wood floors. Stay tuned!

North Carolina Projects

2010-04-12T06:39:00.001-07:00

In addition to cleaning out and organizing his shed, I constructed this shelf unit to add storage to my brother-in-law's garage. The top two shelves were specifically sized to accommodate the respective containers.

Before and After

2010-03-23T05:27:00.000-07:00

BEFORE and...

AFTER!

"Dolly's" Almost Done!

2010-03-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

The wife got a little eager to show the brown and pink exterior (I had just touched-up the brown paint, as the photo shows).

The "dolly" is really starting to take shape! You may see that I have put trim around the floors of the room (painted white). The very top of the chimney will be painted pink to match the other exterior trim.

Painting "Dolly"

2010-03-12T06:42:00.000-08:00

After painting the interior white, I applied wallpaper to the attic ceiling (closer look below) and the back wall of the room on the lower floor of the original house.

We went shopping for paint for the house's exterior. We had a difficult time finding dark brown in a small amount (pint or quart).

Finally, at Meijer, while looking at "paint mistakes" we found a gallon of paint that will work! We paid about 1/2 of what a quart would cost and just a little more than a pint!

Watch for the pink trim to accent the brown exterior!

The "Dolly"

2010-03-03T13:47:00.000-08:00

This is how I will add two rooms to the original two. Note the attic area, now open since the roof covering it was removed.

Me, too.

2010-03-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

"I like to work a lot with wood. I make furniture that falls apart. I also sew." Tim Conway

Remodeling the "Dolly" -- K.I.S.S.

2010-03-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

This doll house has been sitting in our sunroom holding magazines on its "floors". We are currently dreaming about remodeling it to give to a granddaughter for her birthday. Shhhhhhhhh. The goal is to add a couple of rooms and to Keep It Simple and Sturdy for young hands to enjoy.

I've already discovered an attic room accessible by removing the front part of the existing roof. I think I can use the section I removed to cover the addition. Stay tuned!

Our House Sign

2010-03-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

I made the frame and fastened the tiles inside. Once the weather gets warm enough, we'll figure out where to hang it! One of Rebecca's friends from college did the painting and lettering.

Vanity, Vanity. All is Vanity.

2010-02-27T14:43:00.000-08:00

After deciding to paint over the stock oak finish of one of our bathroom vanities, I removed the door and drawers and hardware. The high gloss paint I first applied produced an odd effect - the grain of the original finish seemed to show through, producing an uneven appearance So after a couple of coats (and one of primer), I covered it all with semi-gloss black. The end result is much preferable.

(This picture is actually of the high gloss, but it gives the effect. The mirror above the vanity is also painted.)

Front View of the Completed Dollhouse

2010-02-17T05:34:00.000-08:00

The house is finished, and here is the front view. The lighting doesn't allow the true colors - the window trim and porch posts are a light tan color; the porch floor is glossy white.

Here is a closer look at the door. The door knob is actually a small brass screw. We will be looking for some hinges on a thrifted item in the coming days. (I didn't want to spend as much on new hinges as we paid for the dollhouse itself.)

Come back in a day or so for "Moving Day"!

Dollhouse Stairway Surround

2010-02-10T12:52:00.000-08:00

I carved the posts out of 3/8" square pieces like the one on the left (a prototype). The "surround" will fit into the posts as illustrated in the picture on the right.

This is the gist of the stairway enclosure. I will glue it together, stain it, and then install it in place. A similar construction will be made to fit the staircase on the lower level.

Adventures in Miniature Land - Baseboard Trim

2010-02-10T05:54:00.000-08:00

Snowed in! So I'm working on the baseboard trim. It's painted in some rooms...will be stained in others.

Here is the door in that same room trimmed out.

My next challenge is figuring out railing at the top of staircases. I have some ideas to try out.

Changing a Seat Covering

2010-02-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

Procedure the same - removing seat BEFORE recovering and AFTER new fabric is applied...

Getting corners right is the trickiest.

Finished product. This fabric is the same I used to cover the back of another chair that also sits in this room.

Stairway to ?

2010-01-27T09:30:00.000-08:00

Constructed from scratch (paint stir-sticks), painted and installed.
Next, the door frames.

Here are two of them (one up close; one in distance) glued and taped into place. I'll paint them after the glue has dried.

Wall-Papering Completed

2010-01-22T05:57:00.000-08:00

Walls, half walls, no walls and borders...

Next steps? Trim out the inside doors, install staircases.

Another Potential Project

2010-01-20T15:12:00.000-08:00

Our daughter and son-in-law found this "project" in a dumpster. They are storing it until I can look at it closer. They think it has a large, self-storing leaf that pops up in the center. I'll be interested to see if it is all "here" and if it is repairable! We seem to attract tables...

The Decorating Begins

2010-01-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

All floors have been varnished. Walls and ceilings primed and painted. The bottom part of the attic wall is wallpapered. I'll need to put a "chair rail" between paint and paper. In the second story, you can see the room to our left has walls to paper (one unseen & the back, window wall). The middle room is painted; the room to the right will have a piece of wallpaper "border" between the upper and lower parts. The bottom floor (unseen here) will have a combination of paint and paper also. All the wallpaper has been sitting in our stash, waiting to be used.

Shabby Chic Chair (Happy Birthday, Rebecca!)

2009-12-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

Front and back view of the finished chair. Thrifted for $3.

One of the back legs needed repair. A triangular 3"-4" piece had broken off the leg. I formed and attached a patch, primed and painted it to match the paint. I rearranged the padding under the existing upholstery and then covered the backside (which was not finished) with some drapery fabric we had on hand.

My wife calls it "shabby chic".

I call it her birthday present!

I've Been Workin' On The....

2009-12-21T03:08:00.000-08:00

DOLLHOUSE!

Finished the roof. Since the top is a flat roof, I used the sand paper as flat sheets like a rubber roof on a flat surface. Then I used a 3/4" piece as a ridge cap between the slant and flat roof sections.

Used old glass cut to size and framed it with 3/8"pieces. Cutting the glass to size is the challenge.

Done - Inside and Outside

2009-12-20T04:07:00.000-08:00

Inside....

Outside

One New Project; One On-Going

2009-12-15T16:34:00.000-08:00

This toy box was purchased at a thrift store for $10. There were a few places that needed to be better secured. I filled a few rough spots with wood filler. I have done a little sanding and will finish sanding and paint the box.

Since the last view of the doll house, I secured the porch posts and put one coat of paint on them. You will notice the porch roof is started. I used 40 grit sand paper. I cut 1" strips, giving me eight strips. I placed a notch for the shingle effect one inch apart. I glued them with a quarter inch overlap over each row. Double click on the picture for a close up view.

Ready for Pick-Up or Delivery

2009-12-15T14:26:00.000-08:00

The chairs were sanded between the primer and this final coat of paint.

2009-12-09T15:23:00.000-08:00

I used black primer for the first time to prime these chairs that we'll give to our youngest daughter. I think one coat of satin finish black will be all that's needed on top of this primer.

Building Dollhouse Stairways

2009-12-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

After several aborted attempts to design a staircase to fit the holes existing at the time I acquired the doll house, I decided to use paint stir-sticks as the material for these stairs. It is delicate work, but I think we'll be happy with the final product.

Keeping the Workplaces Organized

2009-11-26T03:19:00.000-08:00

I had lots of help cleaning out the shed Wednesday!

Completed Wood Box

2009-11-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

The wood box is finished. Repaired the lid. Secured the corners and the hinges. Then lightly sanded the whole box. Used Provincial stain to darken the areas where the wood grain showed. Then I used a paste wax over the whole box and buffed it to give it protection and shine.

Details

2009-11-19T05:01:00.000-08:00

These were the only two porch posts with the dollhouse when we bought it.

I hand-carved two which will be placed on the ends of the porch. The two original will frame the door.

Wooden Box

2009-11-18T18:05:00.000-08:00

Purchased for $1. Needs some work. Board split around hinges.

Need to decide about finish.

An inside look....

Progress

2009-11-14T16:26:00.000-08:00

Trimmed out the windows and door on the front of the house. Painted them a light tan color.

Put a trim piece on the ends to cover the cracks where the board meet. Gives some definition to the ends.

Doll House Painted

2009-11-03T12:47:00.001-08:00

Painting the exterior is another step in the process. We used paint we had on hand. Rebecca liked the color for the house. Next I will work on the window trim.

Saturday's tasks.

2009-10-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

Finally back to working on the doll house. Found this product to give stucco effect. It worked well from my standpoint. It dries so you can paint it in 30 minutes.

Stucco effect.

Painted star white to blend better with the porch trim.

Oak Chair

2009-10-25T16:52:00.001-07:00

Chair refinished for friends. I failed to take a before picture. I then reupholstered the seat.

Made detailed pieces for each arm. The old ones had broken.

Porch Renewal

2009-10-22T17:31:00.001-07:00

From the second picture you can tell that the porch was dark brown color. We decided to stain the railing white and paint the floor the color of the house. We like the way it turned out. The view from the street really sets off the house.

Backyard Trellis

2009-10-22T17:28:00.001-07:00

We were able to get this trellis at a 75% reduction. Works good for our purposes.

Rebar Deer

2009-10-22T17:26:00.001-07:00

My friend Andy agreed to teach me how to weld. I had never done this, so he brought his welding equipment and we set up to weld a deer out of rebar I picked up at the local salvage yard. My welds are not nearly as nice as Andy's but the deer looks good in our back yard.