To-Do's

I'm starting to feel some self induced pressure as holidays approach.  "Are you crazy?!" you say.  "The holidays are several months away."  Yeah, I know but I wanted to try to make several things for Halloween and Christmas.  I know how my time tends to slip away while with the kids so I wanted to try and start earlier this year.  I've read that some Halloween home haunters start on projects around July (on average).  With the plans I had to make (and save money) versus buying this year, I created a list of things I wanted to make.  Will I get these done?  Probably not.  I have gotten more done this year (since last post) than I usually can claim.

1. I built a bookcase.  Results: not the best but nice.  I wanted to use joinery (and my router) instead of store bought fasteners.  The joints could be tighter.  I also rushed the finish (example: I didn't sand it down to the level I would have liked).


2. I've made several rings.  Results: varies.  I made several rings from one dollar Sacajawea coins, one from a Canadian two dollar coin, and one from coconut shell.  The coin rings were good practice and look relatively nice (but could use more polishing).  The shell ring looks good but could use a finish that makes it shine more otherwise it's very dull.  The only real complaint is that I have a hard time sizing them.


3. I found a chest of drawers/dresser being thrown away.  I sanded down the frame (leaving the drawers) and refinished it with Johnson's Paste Wax. Results:  very nice.  We're using it as an entertainment stand.  The only down side?  It's not meant to be a stand holding heavy things like the t.v., CD collection and DVD collection so it seems to bow slightly in the middle from the weight.  Still to be done: convert some of the drawers to hold the DVD player and other electronics and still run the wires through the back to the t.v. and speakers.

I hoped to get some projects done like some paper mache jack o'lanterns, maybe a flying crank ghost or other such mechanical ghost/creature and some sort of display for the porch.  The potion bottle collection also needs a better display.  I just have to decide how I'm going to do these.