Custom Table 7

Impressive Cedar Slats

 "I think a honey-coloured stain might be in order for this project"

There will be three kinds of red and western cedar on display once this shelf/table is finished in about two weeks. The back and base (8 slats in all) are fence slats from Home Depot, the two shelf/table top supports (8 slats total) and table top (4 slats, not seen here) are from clear western red cedar from Home Hardware in St. Marys via Terminal Co., B.C., and the shelves and trim will be very old, rustic western cedar from Joe Flagler's dock reno in Fenelon Falls.

"I have to find the right placement for the shelf dividers"

"Once the dividers are secure, on goes the table top"

And I have the feeling that once the dust is cleared from the black end panels I will be using ancient red pine slats and slates from Scotland/Newfoundland as part of an artistic shadow box display area. Then I'll figure out a price tag. But, that's a ways away.

Definitely more to follow.

Link to Custom Table 6 

Photos GH

Gord's Gourd 4

The Thin Blue Line

Every long and winding road needs a second coat so this side project will keep me busy for another week or more. I think red and purple paint are in order as well. Maybe more than that!

Stay tuned.

Link to Gord's Gourd 3

Photo GH

Custom Table 6

Sanding is Finished!

By sanding each cedar slat carefully I create two things. Lots of dust and a smooth finish. The task took a bit longer than expected due to burn marks on one slat. And I invited company over for Happy Hour on Saturday.

So, now the four 6-foot-long slats for the table top and the shorter slats for supports/shelf dividers can be strapped together and then put securely into place.

Note to self - take more breaks when cutting lumber, let the saw blade cool off. Sharpen blades. Prep strapping and lots and lots of trim. Think about type of finish. Cabernet stain?

"Tight, dusty quarters. Wear mask at all times when sanding"

"Lovely, lovely western cedar. Worth every dollar"

More to follow.

Link to Custom Table 5

Photos GH

Farmhouses 11

Second of Three - 99% Finished

A few dabs of paint are needed where nail holes or mars are visible. And I still have to put the mark of Zorro on the front door. Then it's done.

Number 3 will be finished off by Wednesday. This week or next.

: )

Link to Farmhouses 10

Photos GH

Upcoming Project - Vintage Medicine Cabinet 1

Spotted in St. Marys

 "Should I eat at Sukie Lee's? Oh, what's that next door?"

I motorcycled to Stonetown yesterday morning for breakfast (A1 - $4.99 at Four Happy Restaurant on Main St.) and - shortly after parking the bike - discovered a unique medicine cabinet that will surely inspire a future* project.

"I spotted this amongst the jumble on Eclectic Treasure's front step"

"Definitely unique, with fussy features, and maybe over-priced"

Note: The seller wants $295, but will take $30 off. Though I can build it (w lumber on hand) for the price of hinges and drawer pulls, I know it would take forever!

*It's definitely a far-into-the future project.

Link to Upcoming Projects 2

Photos GH

Found Object - File Cabinets

Where To Start?

 "These have gone from Army to Kelly Green. I want something else"

 "The two metal cabinets are durable and stackable, but need a scrub"

So, I took an early morning walk yesterday, about 7:30, my motor was ticking by the time I reached the first corner north of the house (Cathcart and Elmwood), and I hung a left. Once past the Presbyterian Church I spotted something on the grassy boulevard on the opposite side of the street. Junk or junque (low vs high class), I wondered? Oh, it was junque. Two vintage metal filing cabinets. In a heartbeat I wanted them. Within ten minutes they were safe and sound inside my workshop.

Two weeks ago I rescued, then refurbished, an old walnut table from the same part of the block. Am I turning a corner in my life and beginning to work my way toward a lifelong dream of being a shop owner - Flotsam and Jetsam, Gord's Old Stuff, Junque: Get In and Shell Out, something like that?

"S. M. Company made these babies to last"

Naw. I travel in another style. I'm too 'risk-adverse' to open a commercial storefront. Why, it would take me two years to figure out its name! I'm just going to paint the two cabinets, store my printer on top and some story files inside and go for another adventurous walk.

: )

Link to Found Object 4

Photos GH

Farmhouses 10

Just What I Wanted

 "One touch of red just to liven things up"

"This farmhouse comes with one free birdhouse"

I wanted six farmhouses ready for next week's sale. I haven't had to rush, just go steady at it. The yellow and blue one (#4) is finished (looks like a charmer, in my opinion) and the red and blue one is set for final touches, i.e., a porch and wee bit of trim. As well, the trim is all lined up for the last one in the batch. Slow and steady will win the race, in this case at least.

 "A touch of paint here, another there"

"Two shades of green paint are at the ready"

More to follow by Steady Eddie

Link to Farmhouses 9

Photos GH