Western Red Cedar Birdhouses for GOG2, PT.2

Nine Houses on the Market

[Photo: Easy perches - drawer pulls and wooden spoons]

August 19 is circled on my calendar. Gathering on the Green II. Set up a table at 10 AM. Open the door at 11.

I will display about three dozen birdhouses, mostly red cedar. I will have a few other items on hand as well, in an effort to clean out my workshop of 'stuff'.

Close Ups:

 The perch weighs six pounds! That's quite the drawer pull!

I collect wooden spoons. Don't throw them out! Call me : )

The workshop should be closed by mid-October after I finish two more little free libraries. Until then, I'll keep chugging along, broom at the ready.

This is - officially - the last batch of the season

Please link to Western Red Cedar Birdhouses for GOG2, PT.1

Photos GH

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

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.

Please link to Little Library Taking Shape (Pt. 3).

Photos GH

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.

Please link to Little Library Taking Shape (Pt. 2). 

Photos GH

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.

Please link to Little Library Taking Shape (Pt. 1).

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!

Please link to Custom Fire Hall Birdhouse (Pt. 3).

Photos GH

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.

Please link to Custom Fire Hall Birdhouse (Pt. 2).

Photos GH