The New Year is about here. I am going to be breaking in the year by being at work. No Big deal really,since having been a young man the day isn't nearly as "important" as it used to be. My Dad ,being a former police officer,always warned us kids away from "Amateur Night". So again I don't worry on it to much.
I am looking forward to the new year. It will have its moments for sure and I am certain of that. But I have a feeling this year will bring something special to me.
New Years Day is also a day of thoughtful memory. It was my Dad's birthday. He would have been 75 this coming b-day. Instead he will forever be 67 to us all. Not sad ,but thoughtful.

This is a picture I took this morning from work. The sun was just rising and it was briskly cold. The coffee was hot and so were my thoughts. I seen this across the street and thought it would make a pretty picture.


Happy New Year!

Before new Years Eve, a PSA for ladies wishing to drink guiness lol

Kicking back at the shop on a brisk morning decided to start a nice fire in the fire pit( one of the benefits of having a wood shop is plenty of wood for a fire.Either from off-cuts or projects that didn't quite come out right ... lol).... and I wanted to share the moment with everyone.


Merry Christmas to all my friends. I hope your day is filled with joy and peace!

I was asked to build another franklin chair for someone. This one they wanted a different color and some carving on it as well.
The color is a mix of red mahogany and provincial that I came up with. I think it is a beautiful color.

The carvings are adequate , they have a thing for dragonflies.These were done in a style called chip carving. A special knife called a chip carver is used. It is held at a 45 degree angle and a "chip" of wood is removed.

twl showed the elf getting tied up by lego's. I can't really top it because my elf has been up to no good

I did a project for my younger sister today in the shop. She does a lot of things in her city and one of them is stand up comedian. She is also a HUGE Monty Python fan(as am I). So I made her something that I know she will like.

The wood is 1/2" thick spalted Pecan. An absolutely beautiful wood.
I scrolled sawed the figures and glued some black felt on the back of the wood. Then finished it with tung oil and wax.
The theme is from the Ministry of Silly Walks sketch.
First a side view to show the depth of cut and some of the wood.

Now a straight on view.


This is the sketch form Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Don't only practice your art,
But force your way into its secrets,
For it and knowledge can
Raise men to the divine.
~ Ludwig Van Beethoven

Some random crap I wanted to blog about.
Been awhile since I blogged a doodle of mine. This one I finished this morning.By finished I mean I couldn't think of anymore crap to put on it lol.


These 2 pics I seen and they made me laugh cause they are the perfect bit of childish humor that I find funny!!!



And this next one....what can I say?? Stupid silly and just weird. It is only 17 seconds long ..... it made me giggle by the end tho it is STUPID!! lol

One thing to think about this year for gifts is to maybe think of buying hand-made. Buy from a local maker/artist. It is rewarding in so many ways. For both the maker/artist and for the recipient of the gift.

Started another new project.
Start out with 1, 6 foot board of red oak.

Then cut and prepare the stock.


Then measure and cut the joinery. This is one of my favorite parts of the build.


Oh I do love it when I can use some of my antique tools. This one being a set of dividers.

What I am doing with it is marking regular intervals for the next step. The Carving!

Now a vid I took of me working a little on the project.