Burnt my cookies today

I thought I would try my hand at making some chocolate chip cookies today since the wife is out of town.

Big mistake.  While I didn't burn them I sure over-cooked them.  Thank goodness I like milk with my cookies.

Chicago Blackhawks Clock

(1-30-15)

This is a 12" clock I made for you Blackhawk fans out there.

A clock for me

(1-25-15)
Clock update.  I cut out the wood around the letters last night using my Dremel with a ball bit.  I like the rough cut look of the wood and the rough edges of the words.
Today I put the clock movement in it.

The board is a 2 x 12, twenty inches long (wide?).  I used my router to create a hole in the back for the clock movement to fit in and the hole is deep enough that the clock doesn't stick out the back.

I painted the letters and shield black and I will let it dry overnight and see if I need a second coat.

I think it turned out pretty nice and I can use it as advertising at craft show booths.

I think I am just going to let it age naturally versus applying a poly spray finish. 

I am also not sure if I need some kind of embellishments on the left side.  What do you think?

(1-24-15)
I am working on creating a clock for myself and incorporate my logo into it. Logo on the right and the clock will go on the left.

I laid out the template and then took my Dremel and started cutting away.  It is still a work in progress and may be a little hard to see but hopefully tomorrow I can get more done.

Mark

Pop goes the ballast

I was working in the shop this evening and I hear a large POP and one of the fluorescent lights goes out.

Crap.

I am hoping it is just the fuse to the ballast and that I don't have to replace the whole light.

Basketball Clock

I am working on a basketball clock since I have done 2 baseball themed clocks so far.

No pictures yet but I think if will turn out pretty good.

Little shelf with some hearts

This is a little shelf (15 inches wide) that I rescued from Goodwill and refinished and enhanced with some hearts.

It was in rough shape when I got it but some sanding and finishing and I was done.

Mark

Before

After

Happy Saturday!

The temperature is supposed to be in the mid forties today and no snow so it is going to be a great day!  I will be out working in the shop making some clocks today.  Make sure you get out and have some fun!

A couple of shelf projects I am working on

A couple of days ago I blogged about projects I found at Goodwill.  Here is one shelf that I refinished and a couple more I am going to start working on.
The first one is 31 inches tall and 12 inches wide and has double-doors that swing open.  It was a light colored pine unit but the finish was worn and needed to be redone and some structural repairs made to it.
I tightened it up and stained it Red Oak and then sprayed it with a satin poly to finish it off.  I think it turned out pretty nice.

This one is next to be finished.  The only thing it needs is to be finished sanded and sprayed with a poly finish to protect it.  It was like someone made it, sprayed a finish on it and then quit working on it.  It is 18 inches wide.

Then I will work on this little magazine rack.  It is about 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide.  the little heart is going away and I will stencil on something that will take up more space and fill it out.  I am thinking of a bird sitting on a branch.

This rack is kind of dirty so it will get a good cleaning with Kramer's Antique Improver and it should be good to go.

I am also working on a Chicago White Sox clock but more of that later.

Waiting, waiting, waiting

I have 2 projects in the garage that are drying.  It sure seems to take a lone time, you know, watching paint dry!  I crack myself up sometimes.
So now I am looking for more product ideas while I want for the paint to dry.

Chicago Cubs Clock

This is a Chicago Cubs clock I made.  It is 12" x 12".  Next up is a White Sox clock.  I don't pick sides on the teams :)

Buying, Refurbishing, and Selling

I try to look at all avenues of woodworking, from creating new to buying used, to getting free stuff from the curb.  I find it amazing what people throw away!

Recently I have stumbled across a great source of inexpensive used items.  This source is called Goodwill.

I have never really spent much time in a Goodwill store, or the Salvation Army for that matter.  I am usually dropping off old clothes and books but a few days ago I stopped in to look around the Goodwill store and I was amazed at the things they had for sale that were very inexpensive and only needed a little TLC and cleaning to make them useful again.

For $20.00 I was able to fill my cart with 10 wooden items, shelves and small cabinets, things like that.  there is no way I could make any of these new for this price.

These items also gave me ideas for other items that I can make.  It was a truly wonderful experience.

So now I have have been spending some time cleaning, repairing and refinishing some of these items.  My wife has laid claim to a little shelf unit once I am done with it.

So bottom line, check out your local resale shops and you may be surprised at what you find.

Once I have them refinished I will post them for sale.  I have had good luck selling on Craigslist so I will pursue that avenue as well as crafts shows that are coming up this year.

I just wanted to share and encourage all of you.  Have a great day.

Mark

Notebook/Tablet Stand

I have seen several of these ideas and decided to go ahead and make one.  1/2 Oak strips, a piece of Luan for the drawer bottom, some small hinges and latches and I was done.

It is multiple position so you can tilt your tablet to a comfortable position for you.

Working for the Man today

I have to work for today and then the weekend.  It has been an enjoyable 2 weeks of holiday.

It is a New Year!

Happy New Year everyone.  

I hope everyone was safe last night.

I am looking forward to a Great 2015.  New job, new attitude and more woodworking!