I have started to paint watercolor with help of some great people at Open Studio at Tukwila Community center a few weeks ago. It is a beginning but I can say already that it will be a lot of fun. Here is what I painted over last few days and I must say that it looks much better in person.

 

A video will show what is this all about:

I used different types of wood and different designs.

from left to right: purple heart, plum tree, accacia, olive wood cocobolo, maple, olive wood and cocobolo. my favorite is:

 

Last few days we tried some pen turning. It is a first time for us and it was fun. Unfortunately I have to say that this is not something I wish to do more frequently.I’ll rather turn something different every time. They can be interesting presents so we might make a few more if we find some good looking pieces of wood. We used Lace wood and cocobolo. Here is are some pictures:

Cutting block is completed.

Farm style dining table project is progressing nicely. We ripped six 4x4s and joined halves to create 7×1.5 boards for table top. Pieces for legs are cut and we started assembly. Here are some pictures:

We started work on farm style dining table. It will be made from reclaimed 4×4 material. We’ll rip some for table top and use the rest for legs.

Here is the look at cutting block we are finishing. It just need edges chamfered and oil/wax finish applied.

It is not that I didn’t do any work while visiting my family but I am back home and in the workshop. My nephew and I are working on a design and build of another cutting board. It is time consuming, mostly waiting for glue to dry. It should be completed in a day or two. Here are a few photos:

Here is what I built for my sister and my mom while visiting last month:

I’ve got this piece of bark from my neighbor a few years back. Last year I did the carving and today I touch it up with acrylic paint to create some contrast with background.

I purchased older ShopSmith mostly to use it as inexpensive lathe. Few times in the past, when I needed it, I had to improvise and use drill press to make the parts. Now I see that turning can be a lot of fun. This tool is in really good shape and has multiple configurations: table saw, drill press, drum sander etc. I am planning to use it as a lathe, horizontal bore and disk sander. Here is the first part I turned to try it.

It is made from walnut and I decided to have some fun and make a five rings around the stem, from the same piece of wood of course.