Workshop Variety Pack (2).

Cedar Birdhouses, Whale Art and Palm Chisels.

 Smaller models than usual, for smaller birds in smaller gardens.

Recently, once western cedar log cabins were under control (5 of 11 are already finished), I spent time on houses that should catch the eye of local gardeners, i.e., four small units that can be planted in a small garden. Two are in progress, above photo.

The four red cedar houses are now finished and are sitting atop metal poles and waiting for GOG1, June 1.*

The black metal pole plus house is about 6-feet tall.

Work continues on a hand-carved, art piece that will feature a blue whale. 

Palm chisels make quick work of removing lots of wee bits.

More to follow, so stay tuned.

*GOG1, June 1 is Gathering on the Green, a big local event coming up this Saturday in Wortley Village.

Please link to Workshop Variety Pack (1).

Photos GH

Log Cabins from Old Cedar (2).

Log Cabins Ready for The Green.

Five of 11 log cabins are finished, a week before GOG1, June 1*.

This week I will work on six more log cabins made from rescued western cedar from Joe Flagler's dock.

Now, Joe's new dock - on the Trent Severn waterway coursing through Fenelon Falls - will not be ready for rescue and turning into birdhouses and various other projects for another 20 - 30 years or more. So, 'til then, I'll just continue to putter around in my workshop, waiting for the inevitable call.

It will likely go like this:

"Hi, Gord? This is Joe. Do you want a load of nicely-weathered cedar 2 by 6s?"

"Well, I still have a dozen planks left from your last dock but I think I can use those up pretty quick. Same problem at the land-fill site as last time, Joe?"

The darker part of the face is rescued pine, as is the wooden spoon perch!

"Yes. Those beggars want to charge me $150 per pickup load of lumber if I drop it off at the landfill. Yipes, it would cost me an arm and a leg to get rid of this big pile of planks."

"Okay. I'll rent a moving truck, like last time, and see you in about a week."

"Thumbs up!" I'll say.

A sturdy pot scraper makes a sturdy perch!

While puttering in the future I will try to come up with a few new designs for rustic birdhouses because I'm running low on wooden spoons.

*GOG1, June 1 is Gathering on the Green, next Saturday, on the Green (behind the old Ed. Centre in Wortley Village).

Please link to Log Cabins from Old Cedar (1)

Photos GH

Workshop Variety Pack (1).

Log Cabin, Wee One, and One Whale!

Five log cabins are of good size and require a bit more trim before I can say, "Fini." Hopefully, they will be ready to bring indoors for storage by the end of this weekend.

What's that? Yes, Friday does look good for motorcycling - so maybe they'll all be finished by late Sunday. : )

Four smaller houses (made of fine red cedar, almost ready to be placed on metal poles) will be finished by next Wednesday, after a bit of paint work is completed.

Custom project. A faint sketch on a piece of old fir shelving.

Sometime today I will have a whale of a time with palm chisels, hoping to turn the above sketch into a finer piece of wood work, and thinking all the while about how to paint the beast and then frame it properly.

More positive progress to follow as days quickly go by toward my June 1st deadline.

Please link to Log Cabins from Old Cedar (1).

Photos GH

Log Cabins from Old Cedar (1).

Waste Not, Want Not.

Old cedar from Joe Flagler's dock.

I am making 11 log cabins that I should call "Joe Flagler Specials" because I rescued the cedar deck boards from Joe's dock 5 - 10 years ago, and it looks better every year!

I still have a bit of trim work to do in order to finish the first five birdhouses, e.g., a perch, roof edge trim, picket fence, windows, roof ridge, etc., so you will see a few photos in the next few days as progress continues.

You've been warned! : )

The two darker triangles atop the tiers of logs are old 'rescued' pine.

While working on this set of houses a fellow dropped by with cedar scrap from his sauna project. I said 'yes' to the lumber because it is just the right size and amount for three small bird houses I want to attach to three metal poles I rescued. Good timing, I say!

More to follow as Gathering on the Green approaches, June 1.

Please link to another birdhouse w Joe Flagler's cedar deck board at Rustic Harrison Specials (3).

Photos GH

Gathering on the Green, June 1, 2019.

Fine Tuning the Collection.

"Really, I have two dozen birdhouses all set to go. Only 12 more are needed."

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Spring has almost sprung. In another 2 - 3 weeks the workshop should be warm enough inside - without two heaters in operation - for me to sort out an easy work schedule.

By 'easy' I mean easier than last year. Because the writing/research side of my brain has geared up over the last few months - and I have plans for a news column and second book re my Dad's Navy days - I want to downsize the agenda in the workshop and upsize the writing.

'Easy' definitely means no more Little Free Libraries, Swap Boxes, or larger pieces of woodwork (Rietveld chairs, Purple Martin houses, shelf units) unless my lovely wife wants something done.

I'm sure I'll still find time to work on sets of rustic houses using my large stock of old western cedar:

I'm sure I'll still build a few custom models each summer, to use up a pile of license plates or slates for roofs:

So, here's to an easier season in the workshop.

Please link to Rustic Harrison Specials (3).

Photos GH

Rustic Harrison Specials (3).

Before and After "Puttin' on the Trim".

[Photo: The main roof is made up of four cedar slats]

I knew when I designed this type of birdhouse that it would take more time to make than a basic four-sided box. But the extra cutting, sanding and assembly time are worth it, in my humble and dusty opinion.

I get to show off the old cedar faces a bit more, and the extra space at the front gives me room for a small picket fence. As well, parents get extra space for those teenagers who are occasionally reluctant to leave home for college right after they get their high-flying-school diploma.

Before and After the Trim Job:

I add roof edge trim, windows, perch and fence. (Good use of scraps).

More photos and a final "Voila!":

This is the last batch for 2018.

Time now for The Big Sweep!!

See you in the spring!

Please link to Rustic Harrison Specials (2).

Photos GH

Rustic Harrison Specials (2).

I've Got Shingles, The Good Kind.

[Photo: Western cedar house on a square pine base]

After cutting the thickness of the cedar slats down to 7/8ths of an inch (approx.), I cut the slats into several pieces, seen assembled above into a birdhouse with a side apartment large enough for a teenager to rent from its parents for a week or two.

I have not noticed other birdhouses like this (Who else thinks like a teenager who wants his own pad for just two weeks?), so, I call it the Harrison Special, or Rustic Harrison Special, or After Two Weeks You're Outta Here!

The inside looks almost as nice as the outside in my opinion:

The two sides are a titch shorter than the roofline, allowing for air flow.

I often make the roof slats out of the cedar that has been trimmed from the rustic cedar slats, but on this occasion I spotted some rescued cedar shingles in The Annex (lumber, bicycle, yard tools and lawnmower storage facility). Why, I think they're perfect for the apartment roof!

Final photos soon to follow.

Please link to Rustic Harrison Specials (1).

Photos GH