Some pics from the Christmas Workshop, Christmas Eve, and Day



Kelly and I worked on this set of kid proof carts for our Twin Grandsons - "Bryce and Chance". They have had such fun moving around all the sand on the property, riding the old Tonka trucks, pushing each other on toys ... we decided they could enjoy some really sturdy carts. They can loade them up. Dump the contents via the rear gate. They can ride in them while being pushed. They can coast downhill! They can mow each other down and crash into the log path borders!!! hahahah. They will have a ball. And - we made them sturdy enough they might be around for "their kids" too!



We labeled them with our famous brand Logo! haha



They proceeded to keep them busy Christmas Day. And, Adults were seen smiling and pushing them around the circuit of our Son's house. hahah.



Kelly had a craft session with the kids to make Christmas ornaments.



I made some picture frames from the Yupon! Hey - we have to find some way to get rid of the stuff! hahahah. And, they made great frames for Kelly's fine photography and print service. She's great with kids and has a good eye thru the camera.



My daughters provided me with this most excellent "Pneumatic Moose Mount" which arrived in the mail. I opened and inflated it on Christmas Eve. They are good kids - if just a bit ... misguided. hahaha. They and everybody else tells me that "You are soooo hard to buy anything for!" Part of the curse of the artist's life. haha.



I stumbled across this "Kit" of materials for one of the gifts I gave Kelly.



After following the instructions carefully - it turned out to be a small table.



It has yet to be determined if it is a plant table or a coffee table. The eventual final level of finish will be determined by it's intended use.

Hope you had a great Christmas. I'm back at the grind moving stuff around. Working on a knot of issues that seem all related. I hope it will be like a kid's sneaker lace - once you fish out that one loop from the knot - it all comes loose.

Thanks for reading.



GAry

Hi Gary,

Merry Christmas to you. It's so nice to watch the kids enjoying their presents and the magic of the Season. After reading this post, I have to assume that everything is well for you and Kelly. Good for you!!! You both deserve it!!!

Best,

Julio

Gary,

I can see it now; you on the porch with iced tea challenging the kids to see who can dump the most sand on Grandpa's drainage berm.

Cool stuff.

Merry Christmas,

Lon

Looks like a good time was had for all. I lust wonder how you find time to do all those projects you do but then i keep forgeting you moved to FLORDIA like most retired or semi retired people. hehehahahohohoh. That reminds me of a funny bumper sticker i saw ,,,, Yesterday i was tired and today i am retired .

Thanks
Kurt

Some great projects there, and it looks like the carts are going to see some pretty heavy use.

Those table logs must have been fun to bisect...band saw?

Hi Sean,

Table saw. I'd tell you my system - but I don't want anybody getting hurt trying it. I don't take any risks. Tip - you can't run a full length thru.

Gary

The other thing that happens around Christmas - and I'm sure I mostly put this on myself. However; for the last 50 years, or so; people have watched me "make stuff". At Christmas ... it seems I should hang a few handmade things on the family tree.

Hi Kurt,

Yeah - I'm "re-Tired" the end of every day. haha.

As for the "how do I get it done" issue ... I just move around always keeping some tool handles warm. If you let them get cold - they forget how to work.

I can do just about soooo much head banging and then I move to something else while the brain's "back room" sorts out whatever was making trouble. I get back to that part just as soon as I have some clarity.

As you know (since you work in shops) there are an amazing number and variety of tools required to do each "simple" step of a project. They have to be where they can be safely stored, easily retrieved, and returned - without a bunch of wasted steps. The shelves, cabinets, bins, containers, electric outlets, lights, climate control - all has to be in place to work on complex projects. I'm getting there.

Thanks Kurt,
Gary

Those are sharp looking young men. You said you wanted a new name for your new rifle. YUPON GS????

There ya go Don! Good one. hahaa.

GAry