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Years ago, on impulse I decided to do some woodwork. This was strange to put it mildly, as I was totally useless at this craft at school and I didn't really have adequate tools.

This is what I made for the kitchen and it was the very first thing I ever made. I made all the doors, drawers and the carcass too but it sure took me a while!!!

This was in my 2nd house and as I'm now in my 5th I have made quite a few more things which are much better, but this remains my favourite as I remember the feeling of looking at it and thinking "Jeez, I made that".

What I'll never forget are the comments made by 2 of my uncles, both very handy with wood, who heaped praise on me and were genuinely surprised.

As the varnish aged and darkened, it looked much better but I had to kiss it goodbye when I left my 3rd house.

I've just found these old photos. By the way, the horrible ornaments are nothing to do with me! (apart from the 1937 Coronation mug)

What have you made or created that you were really pleased with?

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I love your creations Unc....you should be really proud.



I used to make all my kids clothes which was pretty rewarding, and I used to make all my own curtains, cushions etc. If you count making a garden form scratch, I've done that several times. A few arty things with pictures, photos etc....nothing as lasting as a piece of furniture though.

SnoozeControl wrote: Very nice, Unc. I'd hire you in a heart beat.



I've done some jewelry with silver and/or copper wire with semi-precious beads... one bracelet was a nice byzantine chain that I gave to a friend.


Gorgeous Snooze..I'd love to do something like that.

Oh, I used to crochet and sew my daughters dresses when they were young, so much fun when you have the time.

Now, I create chocolate chip cookies! But I don't have any pics of them, they disappear pretty fast around here...................

SnoozeControl wrote: Very nice, Unc. I'd hire you in a heart beat.

I've done some jewelry with silver and/or copper wire with semi-precious beads... one bracelet was a nice byzantine chain that I gave to a friend.


That looks great Snooze. Sure it aint store-bought?. You could come and work in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham !

My husbands restored quite a few old Triumph bikes from 'basket cases'.

Snooze, next time you're in the mood to make some jewelry, let me know! That one is beautiful!

Clipper wrote: I did restore this old tractor....pulled her right out of the grave.....does that count?:D




I'll say it counts!!! - It's a work of art and a labour of love by the looks. I bet it didn't look that good when it was new!

I wouldn't let Sheryl see it

I enjoyed making a huge pot of beef stew yesterday.

wow...you guys do goooood work! i was just gonna come in here and answer the quetion and type "love"...but wow...







nice work!

I enjoyed making toast once

hehehe

ok actually I do some beadwork.

I did quite literally weave a cool little basket I still admire.

I make christmas decorations of all kinds, my fave's prolly are the soft sculpture angels I have made my mom

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Clipper wrote: Unfortunately poor Sheryl is hooked on them goose-crap greene wannabe tractors....poor lass....



Bez...ya got any pics of them Triumph's yer hubby done? Always wanted to own one of them bad boys......


I went back to my post and added a pic. I'll try and find some more clipper....love your tractor. We have a lot of Vintage vehicle rallys near here in the summer.....Nostalgiaorama !!! Plenty of tactors, steam engines...it's a wonderful day out.

Clancy wrote: I tip my hat to you all. I've only ever restored old guitars and gave then to people that wanted one but couldn't afford them, so it's hardly stepping out of what I do anyway.



I've seen pics of Snooze's hand made jewlery...it's excellent work.


Don't underestimate the value of that Clancy. You're happy. They're happy

Lon wrote: I enjoyed making a huge pot of beef stew yesterday.


My favourite ....(when my Mom or brother cook it....oh boy:yh_drool )

SnoozeControl wrote: Very nice, Unc. I'd hire you in a heart beat.

I've done some jewelry with silver and/or copper wire with semi-precious beads... one bracelet was a nice byzantine chain that I gave to a friend. (The photo is just an example I pulled off Google)


Hey cool I do silver and bead stuff I like that snooze

Clancy wrote: I tip my hat to you all. I've only ever restored old guitars and gave then to people that wanted one but couldn't afford them, so it's hardly stepping out of what I do anyway.





I've seen pics of Snooze's hand made jewlery...it's excellent work.


Clancy...that's a really special skill...pretty unique. You should be proud.

Wow! You guys are all so clever!

I make earrings (not really any other kind of jewellery) cos I like long dangly earrings which can be hard to find. I used to make loads and sell them at work, but now I just make them for me.

I also like doing cross-stitch. I give most of it away but I must take some photos of the work in progress and paste it.

Hey clipper,back in high school a buddy and me restored a farm all much like that as a project,got our pics on the paper and every thing,way cool.

But i would have too that thought the years I have spent many a summer rebuilding bikes that are donated from people or local police etc.I fix'em up in time for the x-mas season.I am a great bike tech,learned it old school.I still do alot of riding even now.But I do enjoy working on bikes that know will be under some child's tree that normally could not afford one,Toys for tots is where alot of my bikes go.And then some local police stations are always willing too take a few.Seeing how they bring alot too me.It's amazing how the big chain store always love too donate boxes of parts for a small donation for a good cause.

Making kids happy is my high.Big mean guy spins a big mean wrench.

Wow talented people.

I made a clay dinasaur in the 3rd grade.

I do macrame. Make all my own plant hangers.

Also like to work with wood. Made kitchen cabinets out of cherry and molding for around my doors and windows. It's amazing when you take a piece of ruff cut lumber, what you can do with it once it's ran through a planer, sanded and finished. I love using the router to make those fancy designs in the wood. I also make picture frames.

Lil~Basco wrote: I do macrame. Make all my own plant hangers.



Also like to work with wood. Made kitchen cabinets out of cherry and molding for around my doors and windows. It's amazing when you take a piece of ruff cut lumber, what you can do with it once it's ran through a planer, sanded and finished. I love using the router to make those fancy designs in the wood. I also make picture frames.
I made a shoe cabinet out of a single 12-foot 1X12 pine board. Ugliest damn thing you wanna set your eyes on, but my beloved insists on keeping it by the front door because it was my first project.



I tried to make myself a router table, but ended up routing the palm of my hand when I turned it on for a test run (do NOT try this at home!!)



The good thing I can make is pottery bowls, plates, & stuff like that on a pottery wheel. Sometimes I get so mesmerized watching form come out of that lump of mud, I forget it's me that's doing it and mess up. :wah: But I made a few things as gifts. I'm even eating out of one of my bowls right now.

Accountable wrote: I made a shoe cabinet out of a single 12-foot 1X12 pine board. Ugliest damn thing you wanna set your eyes on, but my beloved insists on keeping it by the front door because it was my first project.



I tried to make myself a router table, but ended up routing the palm of my hand when I turned it on for a test run (do NOT try this at home!!)



The good thing I can make is pottery bowls, plates, & stuff like that on a pottery wheel. Sometimes I get so mesmerized watching form come out of that lump of mud, I forget it's me that's doing it and mess up. :wah: But I made a few things as gifts. I'm even eating out of one of my bowls right now.
:yh_rotfl I would have loved seeing you using that router!

Your shoe cabinet is where it should be...your wife is right.

Pottery making has always interested me but have yet to try it. Maybe when I retire.

SnoozeControl wrote: I've always wanted to learn how to do that.There's a wheel on Hill, but I don't know if they have a teacher.

Lil~Basco wrote: :yh_rotfl I would have loved seeing you using that router!

Your shoe cabinet is where it should be...your wife is right.

Pottery making has always interested me but have yet to try it. Maybe when I retire.
Yeh. Keeps me humble.

years ago i painted a lot (oils and watercolors as well). my subject matter was nearly always tropical, and i had the good fortune to actually sell a few. it's been a long time since i've painted however. i liked charcoal sketching also.

Clancy wrote: ....now I have images of the potters wheel scene from, "Ghost"
Except with blood pouring from one hand? :wah:

lady cop wrote: years ago i painted a lot (oils and watercolors as well). my subject matter was nearly always tropical, and i had the good fortune to actually sell a few. it's been a long time since i've painted however. i liked charcoal sketching also. Any pics you can post?

Accountable wrote: Any pics you can post?no, it was in my pre-computer days, and they're all given away now. didn't even think to photograph them.

my ears are burning...

I've taken a few different art classes. I have found I'm not very good in several styles. Sculpting not my forte, unless you need something to scare birds away. Watercolor the techniques of all the different washes, yea confusing! Tracing images with a fine tip pen is alot harder than it looks. Tole painting, way to many details. Give me abstract anyday. How did I come to find all this out? My mothernlaw is an artist. She is talented in all aspects of art. When ever classes were held in our area, she always invited me along. We both know I'm not an artist, but we've had a few good laughs too.

Woo Unc that cabinet is beautiful..!!

Everyone is so talented and creative. Me I not, I can fix things to look like new but not creative enough to start from scratch..

What a great thread. I've really enjoyed learning more about everyone. Restoring a heap of 'junk' to my mind is creative as well....It's all very interesting to me anyway....keep'um coming....

You all are so talented!

I love to cook, I make my own creations I can never follow a recipe. Does that count??:D

When I moved into this house, you could have made the understatement of the Century by saying it was in a bit of a state. My first priority was to get my daughters room sorted so that she had her own space and privacy.

I ripped out the built-in wardrobe and made a new unit in its place, and generally turned it into a room she was happy with.

Some before and after pix

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I made my wife a Pioneer dining table. It's all pine, 4 foot by 8 foot. with geometric redwood legs and accents. I hand-painted flowers in all the corners with enamel.

last Summer, I made her a redwood deck with a bamboo trellis and roof. Redwood steps flow up to the jacuzzi.

I made my grand-daughter a tree swing with yellow ropes that is a blast!

And I took our oak entertainment center, and chopped it so that it was only 3 feet high when we got our plasma screen. It looks like it was bought that way now. (That was tough.)

I also built my grand-daughters a full blown Victorian mansion for a dollhouse. It's pretty huge. about four feet high by four feet by two feet. (Barbie could live in there comfortably.) It came in a kit, but it has everything from siding to wallpaper for the different rooms and a staircase with little railings and working doors, windows, and shutters. Even the roof has individual redwood shingles.

My latest project is a scrollwork pine mantle.