Tiny Houses from Scrap

For Wrens and Chickadees

 "I only have one 'tiny house' left. Better make more"

I save scraps leftover from other projects and every once in awhile, when conditions are right, I look through the scraps to see if a birdhouse is present in their midst.

"The face and back of a tiny house is only 5 by 5 inches"

"Leftover dark poplar will make a sturdy wren house"

"Leftover rustic cedar from a set of shelves will make a lovely house"

After cutting rustic cedar for shelves yesterday I saw a birdhouse. Now five are on the go, made from this and that.

Link to Tiny Houses 4

Photos GH

Custom Table 9

Rustic Cedar Shelves

The set of shelves fit to a T. And while trimming edges in order to achieve such a fit, the shop smelled delicious.

Next up... two types of trim and a little work on the plywood (black) end-pieces.

Has this project completely dominated my time in the shop? No. I took time yesterday to collect some scrap and rescued lumber and start work on a batch of wee wren or chickadee houses. : )

Link to Custom Table 8

Photos GH

Custom Table 8

Four-slat Table Top

I think I have been dealing with some of the finest western red cedar in all the land lately, and Canada is a pretty big land. The distributor was Terminal in British Columbia.

I recall the day I transported six 16-footers (2 by 10-inches) home from St. Marys in my Honda Civic. They filled the car with such a magnificent (but powerful) aroma I had to keep the windows open all the way to London - in November! The planks (that had been cut into 8-foot lengths to fit into my car) are now being turned into various projects, e.g., table/shelfs, birdhouses, and more.

"The top has been cut, fitted and attached into place. Still smells great"

It pays to buy premium wood and I will be working with the remainder for several more months.

About the current project - I will be adding shelves and trim next. Then comes the surprise ending.

Link to Custom Table 7

Photos GH

Farmhouses 12

Two-Tone Green

 "Not only do these models have a grand interior..."

I think the two shades of green go together well and, if I recall correctly, I've seen a house and matching mailbox painted with these same colours just a couple of blocks from my front porch.

"...the front porch provides room for seeds and a rocker"

I should get all six from this batch together on the back deck for (as Ed Sullivan used to say) "a really big shoe!"

: )

Link to Farmhouses 11

Photos GH

Red Cedar Birdhouses 2

Sitting on the Fence

I used the best red cedar I have in the yard for this batch of six rich beauties.

I say, you can have one of these hanging on a fence or tree trunk in under five minutes. Materials required - two nails and a hammer.

Link to Rich Cedar Birdhouses 1

Photos GH

Gord's Gourd 5

Lines, Lines and More Lines

So, I've got the primary colours covered. Now what (besides finishing up the farmhouse in the background)?

More to follow.

Link to Gord's Gourd 4

Photo GH

Rich Cedar Birdhouses 1

The Best* Basic BH $$ Can Buy

 "I sliced open or booked 5 inch-wide slates for the faces and sides"

There are a few things I really like about these basic birdhouses: The cedar is the best in town, the interior floor space is 5 by 6 or 30 sq. inches because the sides are attached to the outside edges of the front and back faces, the roof slats are really solid (a bit thicker than usual) and finally... they smell so doggone nice!

"Three BHs have pine roofs. The rest are 100% premium red cedar"

"The workshop now smells like a million bucks"

I'll add trim tomorrow and I think the final result will be rich.

*best cedar I have ever purchased, from Home Hardware in St. Marys. I bought six 2 by 10s (in.) by 16 ft., cut them in half and transported the end product - twelve 8-footers - home in my Civic. Birdhouses made from the first two boards paid for the load. Almost 0% wastage. Now I'm just having some fun!

Link to Basic Western Cedar Birdhouses 5

Photos GH