Projects

In what little spare time I get, I have been trying to get a few projects completed.   I recently finished another Milk Can.  This time around I decoupaged postal stamps all around the center section and painted the top and bottom blue.   Back in the day, people used to send letters to each other and some of the people collected the stamps.  I purchased thousands of them going back 10 to 40 years.  I call this one my tribute the United States Postal Service.

Gotta Keep A Runnin

I was talking with my mom and my sister on the phone.  Conference us all together, that was a first.  Need to get us all setup with video, it would be more fun.   It was great to catch up and I get to see my sister next week.   Really looking forward to hanging with her and the family.

Work is super busy, but that’s not new.  I have some serious travel coming up through the rest of the year.  Looking forward to it as it will give me a chance to spend some time with our awesome team members.  I need to do it more, but it is tough.

I was perusing through my older post and I what I learned is that I need to get out and take some pictures.  I used to be so good about it when I was hiking all the time.  I need to get back start doing both again.  If I would get my ass out and hike, I am sure I would find something to take a picture of.

I started a new project this last week.  This has been a challenge but fun and worth the effort.  Back in the day, talking 20+ years ago, my parents gave us an oak dining room table.  I think they had it while I was growing up, so it’s at least 40 years old.  We used it for years; I even sanded it all down and re-stained it at one point.  Well long story short it was time for something new .

About six months ago we got a new table and chairs and the old table has been down on the garage taking up space.  I couldn’t get rid of it.  We have had it so long and I knew I could do something with it or give it to one of the boys. 

As luck would have it, Candy turned me on to barn quilts.  Google it and check it out.  So I figured I could use this table to make a barn quilt table.  Yes I am so original.   So this is my adaptation of the Lemoyne star quilt block.  I drew out a couple of ideas on paper so I could figure out my placement and colors.  

I will say working with a larger medium is a bit more of a challenge.  

First thing I did was to take the table over to the shop and take it all apart.  I pulled the top off the base.   This table used to expand and you could add two leafs to it.  I glued it together so now it will just be a round table.  I then took my sander with some 80 grit sand paper and sanded the top and all around to remove any stain.  Once that was done I blew it all off and then wiped it down with a cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining dust or dirt.

I used a string, stick pin and pencil to draw out the outer edge. Then used a tape measure, yard stick and a long piece of trim wood to draw out the lines.

I applied white paint that we already had in the garage.  This is the paint that we used to pain the kitchen walls.  It was still good and I have enough so why not.  I painted table with two coats of the white and let it dry.  Then I brought the table home and placed it on our dining room table.

I drew out my design using my tape measure and pencil.  This project requires a little math so be ready.   Once it was all drawn out, I started adding my colors.  This project goes a little slow as you have to tape off each area and apply several coats.  This only allows me to get one or maybe two squares done  a night.  Now I know where the term “waiting for paint to dry” came from.

What's next

I have two projects in mind.  I need to get going on another penny, nickle or dime bowling ball project started.  I have three of them at the shop, waiting for me to do something with them.  

This trunk was fun and being that I had to tape it all off, to paint in the green stripes, it really got me jazzed about doing a couple of Barn Quilts.  Who knew there was such a thing.  Candy had introduced me to them a couple of weeks ago.

I am thinking about doing four of them all at once.  Each one will be 4ft x 4ft, all will have the same design and colors.  I have a couple of ideas where I can hang them when done.  Either on the fence or one on each of the sheds and two as gifts.   Seems like it would be fun and if I have buy paint, might as well use it up.

Something Old, Something New

Well it's finished.  This was a fun, but long project.  The hardest part was the removal and clean up of all the hardware that I stripped off the old trunk.  There was over 160 rivets that I had to grind off to remove all the hardware.  Once it was all off, I took the wire wheel and knocked off most of the rust and dirt.  Then bead blasted each piece, primed and painted.

The box is made of premium pine panels.  I got them at HD and then cut everything to size and glued and clamped it together.  Instead of using screws to hold it all together, I drilled holes and used wooden dowels.  I would insert the glue in the hole and then nail in the dowel.   Sanded and then sanded some more.  Cleaned it all up and then applied two coats of golden oak stain to the top and bottom.  Once the stain dried, I taped it all off and painted in the green.  Why green? It's what I had from the wheel barrow project.  I also painted the inside of the box green.  Once the paint dried, I then applied two coats of urethane.

With the lock being brass I decided to use these gold looking decorative wood screws.  I have to say, overall I got pretty lucky as the colors work really well together.

For now I have it sitting in the living room.  I plan to give it my Mom if she want's it next time we go back or they come visit.

Trunk Update

I didn't get a chance to work on the trunk this evening, but I did run over and take a couple of pics.  Also gave me a chance to see how the urethane looked now that it had dried on the lid.  I still need to urethane the base.

I sat it together with the lid on and then place a couple pieces of the hardware on to see how it was going to look.   If I don't screw anything up, I think this will look pretty decent when completed.

Keep on Trukin!

I guess it has been a couple of weeks since my last post.  Last week I was pretty much a loser as it
relates to getting my distance in.  I came up with an excuse every morning on why I couldn't walk to work.  We have been super busy at work as well as dealing with some growing pains from our most recent acquisition.  I can understand the frustration and at the end of the day, we may have moved a little quick.

I have to say I have a blast out of making stuff.   It is easy to do and the end results are so cool.  From the penny ball I made with Candy's Mom's bowling ball, to the latest piece of yard art or my latest creation.  This project was actually a request.  Eric asked me if I would make him a steam-punk bookshelf for his Birthday.

I had been cruising on Pinterest looking at ways to refinish old dressers.  I don't know why, but that is what I was doing and found some cool ideas.  When Eric asked me for a bookshelf it got me started on some ideas.

In the shed we had an old dresser for one of the boys.  It used to be full of books but Eric came and got them about a year ago, probably longer than that.  When he mentioned what he wanted, I finally noticed/remembered that is what out there.  I got home of Friday evening from work.  I walked in the house and directly to the shed.  I pulled it out and took out all the drawers.  I got Candy to help me carry it all around to the truck, in front of the house.

I drove it over the shop and unloaded.   I started out by working on the top shelf and removing all the screws holding it in place.  Took my wooden mallet and knocked it off.  Then I measure all around from the bottom to just above the top drawer.  Took my saw and followed my lines.   Then I placed the top on shelf on the bottom drawer.  It fit great! I was so happy.

Pulled it off and sanded around the top to clean it up.  Ran a bead of glue around the drawer base and then put the top on and then clamped it down and let it set for the night.  the whole process took me about 45 minutes.

On Saturday, Candy and I went and picked it up.  Candy had suggested that I decoupage it with cloth.

  I had never used cloth before, but I didn't see why not.  I was hoping to find some cloth with gears or clocks, but ended up with a world map fabric.   Candy cut the fabric and ironed it.  I covered the top with decoupage and then we applied it.  Pushed out any bubbles and let it sit for about 30 minutes.  I then applied three coats over the top with my last coat going on at 1:30 AM in the morning.

Sunday morning we ran out to Lowes and picked up some steel pipe and fittings.  I also grabbed the wood I will be using for the shelves.  Brought it home and put it together and then placed it atop of the drawer to see what it would look like.

I still have work to do.  I need to stain the shelves and clean up the pipe.  I still have a few items for finally assembly to ensure it will hold together and hold the weight.

After I took it apart, I sprayed a coat of sealer on the top and drawer face.  I used a whole can and I could still use some more.   As it was drying it looked like it might rain,  I carried it in the house and once dried I added the drawer handles.  Guess it will sit there until next weekend and I will try to get back at it and finish it up.

Wood Working

I spent a good portion of my day working over at the Shop.    I needed to build something and was running out of time before I returned to work.   I dug through the scraps of wood I had to see what I could come up with.

I had some old ceder fencing that I had picked up and some other scraps.   I sanded and cleaned the old fencing and built a shelf to put cups and saucers in for display.   I cut grooves in the wood so the saucers won't slip out.   Used dowels and glue to put it all together.  I had a couple of coat hooks from another project and used them as well.  Not sure what purpose the coat hooks will serve, but it looks cool.  I used two different types of stain for this project, darker for the shelves and a lighter for the back, this way it gives the appearance of being deeper than it is. 

Candy is really happy with the completed project and once it cures overnight I will hang it tomorrow and we can load it up with the cups and saucers that we have.

Happy Thanksgiving

Where has the year gone?  I can’t believe that today is Thanksgiving.  Boy, the year has flown and is flying by quickly.  Here is wishing you and yours health, wealth and happiness and all the best on this Thanksgiving of 2014.

We have been cooking since about nine this morning.  The plan is to eat around two this afternoon.   The boys will be here and I think Eric is bringing a guest.   It is really starting to smell good.   It is eleven now and Candy is loading the turkey into the oven. So what’s on the Menu?

·        Turkey

·        Dressing

·        Rolls

·        Green bean casserole

·        Ranch Spinach dip

·        Roasted Cauliflower

·        Pumpkin pie

·        Mashed Potatoes

·        Margarita Punch

Should be some pretty good eats!   I know we have a whole lot to be thankful for.

I had yesterday off as well as today and tomorrow so I need to take advantage of it.   I don’t see much happening today.   I checked the weather and tomorrow will be the day to hang the Christmas lights.   Need to get it done now as I will be traveling and super busy the next couple of weeks.

Yesterday I got over to the shop at about 10:30AM and returned home about 4:00PM.   I cleaned, seems like I am always cleaning all the time, from putting tools away to sweeping the floor.   I make some pretty big messes, so it gets dirty quick with my various activities, sandblasting, sawing, sanding, grinding, etc.

I had some croquet balls left from my most recent project.   I was standing in the garage juggling them trying to figure out what to do with them.  Throw them away, store them in a box, whatever.

Then it struck me, I should just make a set of juggling balls.  So that is what I did.  I gave the balls a quick sanding.  Screwed in a small hook into each of them and then hung them from wire.   Shook my spray paints and I away I went.   Between coats and while they were drying I worked on making a wood stand to hold them.

After a couple of coats they came out pretty nice.  I will say it is tough to paint round balls and not get any runs.

I had one of the Williams wrenches blasted and ready to do something with.   I taped off the ends and gave it a coat of primary and gold paint.   Not sure why I chose gold, but it looks pretty good.   Now I need to figure out what I am going to do with them.   I have some smaller wrenches and was thinking about making a tree.   Using one of these wrenches as the trunk and then use the smaller wrenches as top branches and use nuts and washers as leaves.

Left my boots at the office

Oh it was cold this morning.  How cold was it Dennis?  It was so cold that politicians had their hands in their OWN pockets!  Now that’s pretty darn cold, but I braved it and made the 3/mile walk to work.  Not wanting to deal with the cold tonight, I snagged a ride home from a co-worker.

This morning the auction house called and let me know we snagged an old stained glass window and frame from the auction yesterday.   Not having a car created a bit of a dilemma, luckily there is a young kid working at our office and he let me borrow his.

When I got home this evening I started working on the window.   I added a rope light behind the glass and mounted brackets for hanging.  Cleaned up the wood frame and oiled, wiped the glass.   I went ahead and hung it so I could get an idea of what it is going to look like when done.  I am going to have to build a box around the window so that I can get at least 3 inches of distance from the wall to the glass.  The plug for the rope light 2 inches long and the glass is up against the plug and won’t lay flat against the wall.  Guess that will give me something to do this weekend.  It looks pretty awesome!   If you come across any old stained glass windows, let me know as I am in the market.

Yes, I left my boots at the office when I left this evening.   Luckily I have another pair that I can use tomorrow.

Happy Hiking

Arts & Crafts

Over a year ago I bought a bunch of used postal stamps at a garage sale.  They looked cool and I figured I could do something with them.   About six months ago I found a use for them and that was to decoupage my artist box that I keep all my paints, brushes, pencils and other goodies in.   Ah yes from time to time I do a little painting and sketching.   Usually those are winter projects, something to do when it is too cold out.

So thinking about it was winter when I started this decoupage project.  Well I am glad to report that after six months I am finally finished.   I don’t know the exact count but taking a guess I would say about 650 stamps were used to cover this.  I used stamps from the 60's, 70's and 80's.  The person that originally saved all these, did it for years and must have written a lot of letters to loved ones and debtors over the years.  Lot's of holiday stamps and various series stamps.  I estimate that I still have at least a thousand or so left. Over the weekend I finished up the last remaining side and on Sunday, I applied three coats of gloss sealer to protect it..  Tonight it was dry so I put all the hardware back on loaded it back up.  Actually looks pretty cool!

After work on the way home I stopped by the shop this evening to see if I could get another stud up on the back wall.   I figured if I can spend one hour an evening there for two weeks I should be able to get the back wall finished out.  I did get the stud up, so only about twelve more to go.

Once finished at the shop and heading home, I came across this sly fox crossing the street and on the prowl.  I haven’t seen any around our house this year.   I have seen a couple of new cats running around and we have a bunch of squirrels so the hunting should be good.

Happy Hiking

Back to work tomorrow

Well here I am wrapping up my two weeks off.   This was the first time that I have taken two weeks off and pretty much checked out from work.   I think this is just what I needed.   I do have a long list of items to start working tomorrow when I get back to the office.  I am actually looking forward to it!

Using the second week to work around the house and shop and managed to get a lot of items off my list.   I finished both the east and west walls at the shop.  To get rid of the dust I spray out the shop with the hose.  Straitened everything up and starting working on my list for the back wall.   The shop yard is actually looking pretty good as I was able to get some water on it this week.  Pulled a lot of weeds and mowed everything.   Today I pulled the corvette out from under wraps and took it to the car wash and detailed it.   Looks great, went to Sonic for a cherry coke when I was done.

Around the house I finally finished out the basement hallway.   I painted the walls and ceiling and replaced the door frame and door for the bathroom entry.   The hardest part was staining the door, frame and trim.  Looks great everywhere now except for the bathroom.   I talked with a plumber today and he is going to give me the names of a couple of people that do shower surrounds.   I can start getting some estimates and find out what I need to do to prep the walls for the new panels.  Once the shower is done then I can start working on the rest of the bathroom that I can do myself.

After working at the shop all week I needed to get my truck all cleaned up.   I detailed it yesterday and it took about two hours.   It was pretty nasty.

Lot’s of other little items like laundry, dishes, etc. that I managed to get done this week.   Wow I need to get back to work so I can take a break! J

Candy should be home soon, so I need to run.  Told her we would go for a ride in the corvette and get a coffee.

I hope to have some new stories and pictures form the trail as I plan to start walking back to work and getting some miles in.

Happy Hiking!

Party's Over

Holidays are over and tomorrow it is back to work. Going to be a busy year and looking forward to it. I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wish you the best for the New Year!

Let’s see I was planning on doing the Mt. Rosa loop on Sunday but my hiking partner slept in. Then I thought I would do it today but I didn’t want to spend my last day off gone for 6 hours.

It was a great day to be outside so I headed over the shop to see what work I could get done.

I got a new blast cabinet a week of so back and today seemed like the day to get it all put together and ready for operation. It went together pretty easy doing it by myself. I need to get some sand and then I can look forward to blasting something. This one is larger than my old one so I should be able to blast bigger pieces.

Once the blaster was all setup I spent a little time working on the west wall. I have most of the insulation up and am just about ready for sheetrock but that will have to wait until spring/summer, just too darn cold in the shop without any heat. Heat is on the list but it is going to be a while.

I loaded up a new back pack and will be trying it out this week for when I walk to work. I am planning to try to walk everyday this week. I started a new spreadsheet for 2012 to start tracking my mileage and diet. I have a lot of travel planned for the month of January so I am going to have to get used to the treadmill when on the road.

Happy Hiking

Getting Closer

Saturday night I started putting the trim along the concrete wall. I had to glue this portion of the basement as I can’t drive nails into the concrete. This morning I finished my cutting and put the trim up on the remaining walls. Headed over to the shop and put another coat of stain on my additional trim. If everything goes according to plan I should have this wrapped up by next weekend.

Now it’s off to catching up from being off last weak. I need to get through my email and update my task list. We are really busy right now and we are all thankful for that!

Day 2 of my Vacation

Today sure flew by quick.  I managed to complete the flooring and electrical work.  Now I am down to the trim work and a few little paint touch ups.   Need to pick out the oak trim and start staining hopefully tomorrow afternoon/evening. 

We have company coming this week, actually tomorrow.  So I need to take a break and get some house cleaning done.

Here is a picture of today's progress.

Day 1 of Vacation

Well making more progress that I had expected. I finished out the cut in and other spots that needed it. Painting is done, so scratch that off the list.

Around 1PM, I started working on the flooring. After measuring a couple of times I found my starting place and away I went. I should be able to finish up the floor, electrical outlets and vent covers. We picked out the trim we want to use. I will probably get it tomorrow and then stain it on Wednesday.

A few pictures of the progress I am making.

Let the Vacation Begin!

I am on vacation this week. Nothing major planned just working around the house and getting miles in. This morning we did 3.5/miles up through the park. I am so glad that we got out. Fall/Winter is quickly approaching and it’s going to be getting cold soon.

Feel kind of bad about taking time off right now. But there never seems to be a good time. We have a lot going on around work and need to strive while the iron is hot as they say.

My other project this week and to get our basement re-finished. We started this project about a month a go by ripping out the carpet, pad, base boards. On Saturday I got the ceiling painted and today I got a coat on the walls and most of the cut in done. I should be able to wrap up paint by tomorrow evening and then will be ready to start working on the flooring.

For the ceiling we used Toasted Marshmallow 76OC-1 and the walls we covered with Toffee Crunch 700D-5. It looks pretty good together. For the floor I am laying Allure floating resilient plank flooring. Looking forward to see how this goes. I read the owners manual and have watched a couple of videos. I hope to get started on the floor by tomorrow night, no later than Tuesday.

Happy Hiking

Back in the Saddle

Wow, I have been traveling since July 1st. I am now back in the Colorado Springs and hope to be for a while. Don’t see any travel in my plans for at least the next couple of weeks. There is so much to catch up on.

Being that I am home I am back to my walking to work again. I managed to get miles in everyday this week. Just need to keep it going. It’s a little rough as I did not really do any hiking the entire month of July. I did manage a couple of small hikes through Bear Creek Park on the weekends when I was home.

So lets’ see we celebrated Candy’s Birthday and our 24th wedding anniversary. For Candy’s Birthday we went out to eat and then took the boys and their girl friends to see the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. AWESOME MOVIE! It was rewritten for today’s times and was in my opinion very well done.

For our Anniversary we went and rode horses up in the mountains. I have to say I had a pretty good time as this wasn’t high on my list of things to do. I always think about Christopher Reeves and his accident.

Last week while in Austin one of the guys I work with took Eric and I out on his boat. It was great to be on the water as the temperature was over a 105 that day. Eric tried out wake boarding and managed to get up on his second attempt.

 Now that I am home again it is back to my hiking and working on the house in the evenings. We are starting our basement remodel. Yesterday we managed to get all the carpet pulled, trim removed and the floor cleaned. Candy is picking out paint colors so I guess that is what I will be doing this weekend.

Managed to get my two restoration projects completed today.   I think they both came out pretty decent!   I had the seat and the planter frame sand blasted.  Today I just finish up some sanding and then applied the primer and paint.  For the wood window frame I did the finish sanding and then applied a golden oak stain and two coats of polyurethane.

For the planter we are going to have a mirror cut to go behind the window frame and then it should be ready to hang up on the wall.