Sunday, July 29, 2018

Western Red Cedar Birdhouses for GOG2, PT.1

Nine Players Per Team

Three cedar birdhouses just hangin' around outside the workshop.

Shortly after assembling a batch of small cedar houses for neighbourhood wrens or chickadees, and after hanging them out to dry for photographs, I started measuring and cutting more cedar stock for a team of nine larger models.

What have we got here?

 Western Cedar birdhouse faces, bases, sides and roof slats - ready for sanding.

 Sanding done. Entry holes cut, sanded. Tools assembled.

 First two are done in a matter of minutes.

Stack 'em, pack 'em, get ready for trim.

Gathering on the Green II will be held on Sunday, August 19 (11 - 6pm), one day after I return from a wee vacation. So, as they say where I grew up: "Youse gotta be ready."

More to follow.

Please link to Big Job, Little Houses 1

Photos GH

Saturday, July 14, 2018

A Little Library - Ready For Trades (Pt. 4).

Take a Book, Leave a Book.

[Photo: The library can easily be home to 40 - 50 well-read books]

Voila! 'A Little Library' ready to go. 

Primary colours dominate the scene and for the first time I added blue stain to the cedar roof and used thin strips of blue trim to dress up the door and roof edge. Not a bad match, in my opinion.


 A door latch (outside) and door catch (inside) keeps the door securely in place

The platform (right) is easily attached to the 5-foot post.

Into indoor storage the little library will go to protect it from "dust a-flyin".

Two more libraries and a few birdhouses (for Gathering on the Green II) are on my to-do list, so photographs related to "work in progress" in the shop should soon follow.


Photos GH

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Little Library Taking Shape (Pt. 3).

On the Final Lap.

[Photo: Interior shelf is in place and some signage is attached]

Some pieces of signage are complete but another coat will be applied today. The solid pressure-treated post - with yellow collar and platform - now stands guard over my paint table as progress continues on final tasks.

 "Let's get the collar and platform off the table while signs dry"

 "One solid post can support a lot of books"

 "Second coats are drying. Trim is ready."

Next up. I will attach the front door and latches.

Final photos will follow asap.


Photos GH

Monday, July 9, 2018

Little Library Taking Shape (Pt. 2).

Solid Pine and Cedar

[Photo: White pine library with cedar trim, top to bottom]

After I added the western cedar trim I said, "Dressed up and ready to go to town."

Two coats of light blue, transparent) stain on the tongue and groove cedar roof are dry and only a few items are required to be attached before completion. 


Agenda for today:

Second coats on signage; attach the front door; assemble the platform and collar that sits atop the five-foot pole.

More photos to follow.


Photos GH

Custom Fire Hall Birdhouse (Pt. 4).

The Lights Are On!

[Photo: Final detail finished. Waiting now for new tenants]

A day or two ago I thought I was done. After checking photos of No. 4 and my diagrams, I realized I was not.

Realizing my mistake, I walked to a lovely wee shop in Wortley Village and asked the proprietor, "Do you have two red lights for a firehall birdhouse?"

"Just two. Birds don't go out much at night"

The proprietor said, "Wood? Plastic? Glass, ceramic, organic?"

"I'll know it when I see it," I said.

(I went with ceramic).

It's official... Voila!


Photos GH

Friday, July 6, 2018

Custom Fire Hall Birdhouse (Pt. 3).

Wanted - Firefighters!

[Photo: Hall No. 4, Colborne and St. James, London. Open 4 Business!]

I started with one lovely, dry pine board, cedar strips for trim and one-half of a red, white and blue rubber ball. The rest I put down to being a good juggler.

I juggled my time between cutting the pine into right-sized rectangles and a one-off roof, and the cedar strips into lots of tiny, fussy pieces for windows, roof trim, a porch and more. I juggled other hours between assembly and painting three coats and getting the lettering just right. 



And the rubber ball?

Oh, it's in there somewhere.


Photos GH