derekl_1963

The first part of the mold and deckle (used to make paper) I've been obsessing over all week is finally done and ready for delivery. The papermaker will do some work on it, then it comes back to me for final assembly.

(You may have to click through to see the whole image.)

This is actually a pretty simple project from a woodworking point of view... and all week I've really been obsessed over it. This morning, I finally realized why and found the words to articulate it.

I'm making this for a friend, which would ordinarily be reason enough to pay close attention and pay especial care... but this is not really an ordinary project - it's a mold for making handmade paper. After her project is done, it may hang on her workshop wall and gather dust. Or it may be in use for years or decades or beyond. It may come into the hands of a passing student, or those of an apprentice or protege...

But no matter what, every sheet that ever comes from it will bear the marks of my modest skill and witness to my craftsmanship.

I find this oddly compelling. Or I may just be crazy.

Weekend spent mostly in the workshop...

Saturday

The shop was something of a wreck...

It's amazing how much clutter and mess from minor chores and projects can accumulate despite not spending much time in the shop. So Saturday was spent clearing and cleaning. Stuff that shouldn't have been in the shop moved out and put where it should be, stuff that should be in the shop put away in it's proper place.

Brenda spent the day housecleaning (I.E. cleaning up after the piggies and doing the stuff I can't do), and neither of us felt like cooking. So dinner was Applebee's 2 for $20... (Appetizer and two entree's.) I picked the wrong sauce for the wings, and one end of my steak was somewhat gristly (I don't expect much at those prices...) But Brenda loves the Asian Salad there, and the Jack Daniels I had with my steak tasted mighty fine.

Sunday

Decks clear and ready for action - so it was back out into the shop. Did some tests to get ready for upcoming projects, and then hit a snag... It's not yet warm enough to have the door open, so I can't really do any of the painting and finishing. Instead, a lower priority project (the menu board stand for the Culinary Guild) got bumped up and I got all but one cut made before it was time to head in and cook dinner.

Dinner was a pseudo Chicken Parmesan (Skinless chicken thighs baked in egg noodles and a quick red sauce). Brenda picked up some Parmesan on her way back from Scribal, which meant it got home too late to be baked in. Instead we sprinkled it liberally over the chicken and noodles and the sauteed cauliflower that accompanied it at table. (Yum!)

Daylight Savings Time sucks rocks - but at least it moves sunrise back to a more reasonable hour. Now if we'll just get some decent weather!

Christopher Schwartz recently spent some time at the V&A and posted on the dovetails he found on a 15th century Italian chest.

Since the smoker I bought this spring turned out to be a bit awkward to carry about, I built a cart for it. (Finishing just a couple of hours ago.)




Full details on construction can be found here on the Lumberjocks woodworking site.

I'd love to see hrollaug's results... :)