Saturday, February 1, 2014

Weekend Woodworking Projects

John and I finished a string of Cake Wrecks posts early last week, which has allowed me to flit from one craft project to the next in a state of constant restlessness which John claims is making him nervous. (Did you know some people find continual pacing disconcerting, while others find it soothing? Guess which is which in this relationship.)

I can't help it, though; I'm on a crafting high, people, and I am riding this binge through to its inevitable, sawdust-covered end. MWUAH-HA-HAA.


 First, I had to replace my old beat-up vanity ottoman/stool:

This worked back when our bedroom was Moroccan-themed, but in the room's current Restoration Hardware phase it's a huge eyesore. (Not to mention falling apart.)

I've been looking for a replacement for MONTHS, but it wasn't until last week that I finally spotted something that would work over at Ross:

 Simple, the linen matches our bedding, a hinged lid for storage, and only $15! SOLD!

Trouble was, as you can see, it was way too low.

So I unscrewed the legs from the old ottoman, hack-sawed them down to size, hit 'em with a darker coat of spray paint:


... drilled holes in the new ottoman, added a washer and nut on the inside to hold the legs in place, stuck new felt pads on the feet, and... voilá!

 
 A new vanity stool for less than $20! 

It's rare that I do a project like this completely on my own, and to be honest, John was a bit gobsmacked when he learned I'd sawed off the legs with a hacksaw instead of getting him to use power tools. It took a lot longer, sure, but sometimes you have to remind yourself you CAN do something. (And in all fairness, John did run to the hardware store to get me the washers & nuts I needed. :))

On a completely unrelated note, the sawed-off bits look like cute little muffins:

 Right?


 Part of my project binge has been framing up some of my never-ending art pile, but I had more ambitious plans for this "Make Like a Banana" print by Kristin Tercek:


The print comes on a regular sheet of paper, so I carefully cut it out, traced a template, and then used my scroll saw to cut the same shape out of 3/4 inch MDF. (I snapped 2 blades doing it - which, if you've ever used a scroll saw before, you know never stops being utterly terrifying.)

The woodworking is done, but I'm still trying to decide what to do with the edges before I glue down the art:

What do you guys think: leave the wood as-is, paint it a solid color, or - as John is suggesting - try to fade the edges from blue to light brown to match the art? (The wood is actually lighter than the print; it's just in shadow here, so looks darker.)


And finally, a few progress pics on what I'm calling one of the more ridiculous things John and I have ever attempted to build, JUST BECAUSE WE (think we) CAN:

From template...


... to over 40 individually cut pieces of MDF...

... to a test fitting...

... to this:

 "Now witness the power of an (almost) fully armed and operational... Rocking AT-AT."

Actually, we still have a fair amount of work to do to make it safely ride-able: John's adding foot pegs tonight, and we're testing out different kinds of metal handlebars. And it may get a padded seat. Once all that's figured out: paint! 

Fingers crossed this works; I usually don't post projects 'til they're done, since I'd hate to admit how many never get finished, or just flat don't pan out. Heh. Still, this has come together in only about 3 days, and I'm particularly proud of the legs, since those angles took a lot of finagling. Hope it gives you guys a smile, anyway, and of course I'll post finished shots when (and if! 0.o) I have them!

Oh yeah, and there's some kind of football thing happening this weekend, huh? Well, happy Footballing, if you're into that, and happy weekend to all the rest!

45 comments:

  1. That is fantastic rocking AT-AT, I hope you post more pictures when it is finished "I find your lack of faith (in finishing) disturbing Commander"

    Maybe go with a solid colour or use one of the funky stains/varnishes that are out there for the 'frame'?

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  2. Oh wow - the AT-AT is AMAZING!!! My grandbaby would love that!! Loving all of the projects going on - nice.

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  3. I like the idea of painting/staining the wood around your ice cream print to make a contrast- seeing that someone put a lot of work into a piece of art or craft is very visually appealing.

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  4. I really hope you finish the AT-AT so that I can bug my brother to make one for his future niece/nephew in a few years.

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  5. OH MY GOSH THE AT-AT! I know a 22 year old guy who would love that thing!

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  6. Quick someone photoshop smiley faces on those wood muffins. Stat!

    -Melissa R.

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  7. I love the idea of matching the wood edges to the banana art!! And the AT-AT rocker blows my mind! So cool!

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  8. Oh my god. The AT-AT Rocking Horse(?) is amazing!!! Can't wait to see it all painted and enthusiastically riden!

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  9. Squuuuueeeeee!!!! The AT-AT is adorable!!!!!

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  10. Loving the AT-AT. Seriously. But, as a mother of a one year old rocking-animal enthusiast (hers is the ikea Elk) it's screaming unsafe at me. If it's intended for actual use you need to add some sort of support for the child's back and front. Like on a saddle. Them kids go crazy when they rock.

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    1. Not to worry; it's far from done! We just did a test-fitting with a friend's four-year-old today, so we've got some adjustments to make with the seat & handles. And even then, it will only be for older kids; at least 4 or 5. :)

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    2. Whot she said. We made a rocking dragon for the rug rat back in the day and the saddle is a must. As long as it's smooth and shaped to fit a kid's backside you don't actually have to pad it: it keeps the rocking sessions from going on too long :-) If you can swing foot rests that'll make it more fun for the kid.

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  11. this is only loosely related, but as it involves a previous tutorial, i figured it was okay. on my facebook feed tonight, a "friend" of mine shared a post from a healthy living page with a caption of..."what a great idea. I love it!" To my delight, it was your flip flop hanger...complete with epbot watermark. I had a moment of, Oh, I know her! How fun to see how your great ideas spread all over. It may sound corny, but I was proud of you.... ( I may need to get some non-internet interaction.... or not. I am pretty good with things. <3 )

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    1. Aw, thanks, Tangeria! I know that feel; I'm the same way when I see stuff from the bloggers & online friends I follow!

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  12. I'm usually more of a lurker than a responder, but I have to say: a rocking AT-AT!? WANT!!

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  13. The AT-AT is completely amazing. Now if I could only get someone to make me a rocking K-9 for my own little Sarah Jane when she gets older *hmmmm* Off to scour the internets and plot.

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  14. Ahhh! The AT-AT rocker is AWESOME! And adorable! Awe-dorable? Ador-some? Anyway, SO COOL. :D

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  15. Sawed off leg bits = 1 UP mushrooms.

    They just need some paint, but that is your forte. :)

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  16. OMG!!! I LOVE that AT-AT rocker! So much! My word working skillz are quite lacking, but this project makes me want to improve them so I can make one. Right now!!!

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  17. The rocking AT-AT did not give me a smile. It gave me an open jaw "gasp, OMG, HOW!?, Ugh I hate you people for being so awesome! Oh wow. I want that." That's what it did to me. OK, then I smiled. Wow. Just wow.

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  18. The AT-AT is darling! You guys are so creative. Thanks for showing it "in-progress."

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  19. SO TOTALLY AWESOME!!! Can't wait to see it finished!!

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  20. Oh my gosh! That AT-AT is freakin' AMAZING!! You guys are geniuses! Can't wait to see it done. And yeah, it didn't just make me smile, it made me squeal like a little girl! Too cool.

    On another note, I agree with John that the banana split art would look coolest with the blue and brown paint fading around the edges. But that's just my opinion. :)

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  21. Your energy and talent make me green with envy! You guys are awesome!

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  22. First I have to tell you how much I love the AT-AT; I am sorta drooling over it!! Second I wanted to share with you my newest owl purchase; I'm completely obsessed with them but I really thought you would love this one
    STEAMPUNK OWL I found it at Hobby Lobby in their Spring 2014 section that was on sale for 30% off; and they have crickets and frogs and all kinds of steampunk'd critters that I know you would love. Sorry to be so very very off topic but I had to show you!

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    1. Ack, I love him! Aaaand now I think I have to go search my own store!

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    2. OMG - I love that owl! And since today is #SuperbOwl it's right in theme! I'm going to have to find a friend that has a hobby-lobby nearby!

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    3. Well, crud - there goes my tax return! I have to stop in there tonight and see if they have any in my local Hobby Lobby. Thanks for posting!

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  23. Oh my goodness, LOVE that rocking AT-AT!! So cute!

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  24. The muffins! The art!! The AT-AT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for making my 12 hour work day so much better. I cannot wait to see everything finished.

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  25. Thanks for the inspiration to work on some of my stuff today! I hope to see mor AT-AT photos soon......and dare I hope plans/tutorial/how to tips. :) Fingers crossed.

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  26. I'd paint the edge with that cherry red, to make those pops of color pop even more. The AT-AT is adorable. Wish my hubby were a bit handier in the garage. We have no shortage of awesome ideas, but we do run short on ability with power tools!

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    1. I agree, I think contrast here would make the art stand out even more. Love the same-shaped mounting, great idea.

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  27. I've never used a scroll saw so I've never dealt with a blade snapping on one but if it's anything like the blade on a band saw simply coming off the track in the middle of using it I believe you. Terrifying.

    Also, that ATAT is Un-freaking-believably cool. I think it even beats the Tauntaun rocker that I recently saw. Is it actually intended to be ridden or is it just decorative? I'm curious because I was wondering about using MDF for a dragon rocker and wasn't sure it was suitable for that kind of thing.

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  28. I actually gasped in delight when I saw the AT-AT on the rockers! When you are done, please post the pattern.

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  29. I'm new around here. But oh. my. gosh. That rocker is absolutely amazing. Super creative. Can't wait to see it finished!

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  30. I love, love, love the AT-AT! So much so that I've come out of lurk-dom to comment. Love!

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  31. That's it! I've officially decided to put a AT-AT rocker in my future children's bedroom! It'll go perfectly with a Death Star mobile.

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  32. Rock AT-AT is freaking amazeballs!! I love it.. I want it.. >.> *hints at a tutorial*?<.< (walks away whistling)
    There has to be something cute you can do with the muffin legs, my little brain is trying to come up with something now (if i had a kid i would paint them up like cup cakes and add them to the "play kitchen") Or.. i could just paint them up like cupcakes and put them on my desk at work cause that would be freaking epic.. who doesnt love cup cakes..

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  33. *Best Vader voice* Where are you hiding the plans?

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  34. Rocking AT-AT is amazing! You won the internet today.

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  35. It is a great post, what you said is really helpful to me. I agree with you anymore. Also great blog here with all of the valuable information you have. Keep up the good work you are doing here. Thank you for sharing such a useful post.

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  36. I have an idea for the "muffins": paint them to look like actual muffins (or cupcakes) and put them in a little basket in the kitchen to decorate.

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  37. If you finish the At At, I want to buy the plans!!

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  38. So it is August and I just found this via Pinterest. LOL A little late to the party but loving it all. I really enjoy how you fixed the short ottoman problem. Did you do anything exciting with the top part?

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