Little Library: Final Touches (4).

Voila! Fini!

Signage Tells the Tale. All Done!

When I attached the final sign this morning, bottom of the front door, I gave a little cheer. Looks good, I thought. Then I opened and closed the door a few times. Feels good, I said to myself. Good n sturdy!

 Five feet of post. Have shovel, will travel.

Red arrows are on each side of the library too. Good 'sell job'.

I think I can say this now.... the workshop is officially closed for the rest of 2016!

(That being said, with three little free libraries on order, I will be opening its door early February, sooner if I get the itch.)

Stay tuned for 2016 IN REVIEW.

Please link to Little Library: Final Touches (3).

Photos GH

Little Library: Final Touches (3).

A Sign I'm Getting Very Very Very Close to the End.

Little messages tell the tale.... Trade Books!

It's also about time to make a phone call:

"Good morning. Are you ready for me to dig a hole in your  front lawn? See you real soon."

Please link to Little Library: Final Touches (2).

Photo GH

Little Library: Final Touches (2).

Final Little Jobs on the Big Project

The Little 'Free' Library stands ready for the Final Touches

As I come down to the wire I have to inspect the library closely. I see I need to give the plexiglass a wipe - it collects dust like a magnet - then vacuum the interior and check the security system.

 All four walls and roof panels are solid. No 'wobblies'. Check.

 Solid pine strips inside door frame are solid, will act a drip edge. Check.

 Base is tight, as are ship lap edges on three walls. Check.

 Corners look and feel snug. Check.

 Door catch lines up with outer door snap. Snap! Check.

Platform and collar for the five-foot 4" x 4" support post are painted!

So, I can begin work on the last little job.... signage. Check.

First, I need a cup of dark roast to steady my nerves. 

More to follow.

Please link to Little Library: Final Touches (1).

Photos GH

Little Library: Final Touches (1).

Last of Its Kind.

The gray barnboard is the last in stock, perhaps forever!!

I'm going to miss loading up the trunk of my Honda Civic with 16-footers of gray barnboard from Fenelon Falls. I enjoyed a handshake deal with a local lumber yard for several years, but it has come to an end. (If you hear a lonely coyote howling at the moon, that could be me!)

That being said, I have also enjoyed the process of turning the last of the barnboard into a 'little free library' for someone in my community. The gray lumber, rich brown cedar roof and sturdy red door (w plexiglass) look A1, in my opinion, and I am but a few days away from adding the final touches, i.e., attaching signage, placing a few used books inside and making a delivery.

 A bit of painting yet to do before I can say, "Fini! Voila!"

Stay tuned.

Please link to Little Library 13

Photos GH

Custom Boat House (5).

Voila! Fini! Ze End.

The Pankhurst M is ready for rough waters.

I enjoyed adding just a few of the details that accompanied an actual photo of this tugboat. Horns on the cabin roof, a life preserver around the entry hole, a few bumpers along the side.

That being said, the recipient may like to add flags to brighten up the poles. Fire away, I say.

Two sturdy poles will accommodate flags or flag lines

The interior of the birdhouse is of goodly size and will accommodate a large family of sea-faring birds too... or landlubbers!

Sail on.

Please link to Custom Boat House (4).

Photos GH

Custom Boat House (4).

Down to the Final Details.

A fall request for a custom birdhouse was accompanied by a good photo (above) and after deciding not to carve a tugboat's hull from a pine log - however, I have a good hatchet - I got down to business.

And business has been good, so far. The birdhouse is a goodly size and the boat's hull (2D) looks like it is seaworthy.

The home stretch is called 'A Few Final Details' and I should be packing up (and sweeping up) the workshop within a few days.

Let the winter of 2016 begin.

Link to Custom Boat House (3).

Photos GH

Six (No, eight) Cedar Birdhouses 4

Ready for the Shelf

I think this set of birdhouses on a sturdy base - all with right proper fencing to keep cats away - will catch the eye.

These may also be the last birdhouses made this season, 2016, for my personal collection. Not bad, not bad at all.

Red cedar bodies with white pine roofs and trim. Smooth move

Please link to Six (No, eight) Cedar Birdhouses 3

Photos GH

Custom Boat House (3).

Progress Day to Day

Yesterday was too nice to me. Motorcycle weather. (So, the workshop was neglected).

However, the day before some progress was made on a lovely custom tugboat birdhouse. Infrastructure is coming together well.

Please link to Custom Boat House (2).

Photos GH

Custom Boat House (2).

Making Waves

The Pankhurst M

The birdbox w attached pilothouse is of goodly size and the boat-shaped facade has to fit just right. After a couple of adjustments I think I have 'the look' finished in a reasonable style. That's me all over - reasonable. : )

Now, for details.

The Pankhurst M tug will soon be ready for the water!

More details to follow.

Please link to Custom Boat House (1)

Photo GH

Six (No, eight) Cedar Birdhouses 3

These Two Got Left Behind

Earlier in the season I cut stock for eight lovely red cedar birdhouses but only had room to attack six with the sander and paint brush. I don't call my space the 'wee' workshop for no good reason. : )

That being said, as I approach the end of the season I will put on a rush to get things tidied up in there.

Don't feel blue. I haven't forgotten you

So, today I cut trim and add a few details to these sturdy models.

Please link to Six Cedar Birdhouses 2

Photo GH

Custom Boat House (1)

The Pankhurst M, Tugboat

Birdbox section is 8"H x 7.5"W x 7.5"Deep, w plywood roof

Pilothouse, left, 4"W, 5"Deep

I've never been on a tugboat, but as I studied photos of the Pankhurst M I thought it. I think it would be a remarkable experience in some ways, and hard work at times for the crew. Pros and Cons, like a lot of other things in life. Good work and Hard work, at the same time.

 Overhead view is in top right corner of sketch

The facade/boat hull profile will be 18 - 20"Long

So, this custom project is underway, I'm using white pine, and there will be a lot of careful painting.

More photos of the M to follow.

Please link to Six Cedar Birdhouses 2

Photos GH

Six Cedar Birdhouses 2

Not Long in the Hopper

 New cedar fence slats plus rescued shakes and slats for roofs

Two of six houses sitting in my workshop require some sanding, and after that it won't take long to put them together and add finishing touches, i.e., a perch, front fence, chimney.

I suppose that's why I use red cedar fence slats on a regular basis. The wood is sturdy, pretty, easy to use (smells good too) and I can build a decent-sized birdhouse (e.g., with a 5 x 6- or 5 x 7-inch interior = lots of sq. inches for a small family) without much fuss or bother.

These two houses will soon be open for business

What do you think?

Please link to Six Cedar Birdhouses 1

Artsy Fartsy Bicycle Gear 1

Shifting to Creative Touch

What might this garbage become inside the workshop?

I walk 3 - 4 miles per day on a regular basis - a fun and fitness routine linked to The GREAT Canadian Comeback - and one day I spotted bicycle parts sitting on the curb waiting for garbage day. Within seconds I was intrigued, and thinking about an artsy project/shadow box.... to show off the shiny bits of flotsam and jetsam that make up modern life.

First, I will give rescued bike parts a bath with paint thinner

So, this fall and winter I will arrange bicycle parts - painted? varnished? gussied up? - inside a rustic cedar shadow box.... and we shall see what we shall see.

Please link to Fini: Workshop Chair and Matching Stool 4

Photos GH

Six Cedar Birdhouses 1

Winding Down

Four in a row on the old work bench

I will likely close the workshop this year by mid-November and during the last month I will finish a few more birdhouses and custom projects. Hopefully, I will have the place all sweep out, tidied up, and gussied up for a Christmas do before the snow flies.

We shall see what we shall see.

The two on the right have cedar shake roofs. Very warm colours.

Two more cedar houses need to be sanded, followed by paint and assembly time.

Coming up. Stay tuned.

Please link to The Production Line - Cedar Birdhouse Models 11

J.R. Models and a Bathouse (2)

Green Roofs and a Black Bat

I think red cedar (rescued, Home Depot*) is an excellent and affordable choice for a JR-style birdhouse. Teak, aluminum plate and chromium screws (see original JR Davidson models online) are a bit out of my league. The perch is a solid drawer handle and the trim is century old red pine. Together, with a touch of green paint, my GH models will stand out well, on a fence post or side of a tree.

GH model is ready to be attached to a sturdy pole or tree trunk

 The bathouse, made from white pine barn board (new, from Home Depot), is another solid model and helps the bat population increase over the years. Old South in the Wortley Village area dropped in numbers a few years ago but are again - gradually  on the rise.

Batman - at your service!

*If I spot red cedar boards w damaged edges I ask for them.... at half price. Fits into the 'rescued' category, in my opinion.

Please link to J.R. Models and a Bathouse (1)

Photos GH

J.R. Models and a Bathouse (1)

Western Cedar and White Pine Barnboard

The list of birdhouses I will build before closing time (Nov. 30) is getting shorter. And for my last few efforts I was very pleased to find some lovely lumber waiting in the wings.

The western cedar (from 1" x 8" slats), looking very clean and rustic at the same time, will make sturdy J.R.-style houses*. (Link to J.R. Davidson for details.) And the pine barnboard, once sanded, will make a sturdy bathouse for someone to attach to a tall pole or under the roof edge of a barn or out-building.

Green roofs are drying. Stock for a bathouse wait for sanding.

I need to sand the many pieces, then scroll a bat!

Please link to Harrison Specials - Trending (7)

*I call my JR-style houses the GH model. Extensively modified.

Photos GH