WOOD RE-WORKING

When we sifted through the ashes, there were some treasures we were able to save.

I made this bowl for Ethan in 2021 from the grapefruit tree he used to love to climb. It was badly singed and covered with the thick, toxic smoke.

After a good bit of sanding, I was able to save the bowl

 and then I put wood sealer on it.

This is one of those things I will have to save for a while

 before returning it to Matthew and Will.

Both of their bowls were burned beyond repair. 

 See on the right hand side--Ethan wrote is name in marker

 so he would know it was his!  

 

OUTSIDE DOINGS

Here is the beauty shot of the finished grapefruit bowl.  

It is 11 1/2" wide and 5 1/2" high.

The bowl is very lightweight considering its size; 

 perhaps due to the dried out state of this wood?

I was on a roll at the lathe and didn't feel like walking away

 so I started another bowl

and it almost made itself!  This Wood is from my son who saw someone cutting down a Fringe Tree and thought I would like a piece or two!  Since the Fringe Tree is in the Olive family, 

this wood looks very much like olive wood!

I turned this piece to mimic the shape of pottery. 

 It is 8" wide and 4 1/2" tall. 

 I'm glad I have another piece of this kind of wood to work!

I also did a bit more of the watercolor cards...I'm catching up  on the one a day schedule as #9 and #10 are partially done.  

And this is why I spent most of the day at my lathe....

Bill is having a yard sale of spectacular size.

He is emptying his collection of shed's (yes, plural) contents

and will sell this Fri/Sat and next week, too. 

This was my view from my side of the garage where the lathe is;  I could admire what Bill was doing 

and enjoy viewing all he was re-discovering!

WOOD ON WEDNESDAY

I  began to shape this bowl last week and then couldn't work on it for a bit.  It is very dried out so it was very dusty as I was turning the wood--I sure had to gear up and that isn't comfortable!

It took a few hours yesterday to hollow out the inside, too.  Likewise dry but there were lots of open areas 

and that requires a bit of finesse!

You can see the two rim areas with bug damage that left voids.   But the spalting and coloring of the wood made it worth every chip and bit of dust I had to protect myself from!

Even the outside has some beautiful natural adornment! 

 The final bowl will be ready for its beauty shots in a few days!

 

LOOKING UP!

When I came out from my appointment yesterday--

the sun was really filtered behind so many layers of clouds. 

 It built to several storms throughout the afternoon but in between---

really good views like this.

Even when I was home--the clouds were like this between each burst of wind and rain!  I enjoy looking up...

We have a new purchase--our old golf card died; 

 it's been gasping for a year now and it finally quit.

The new-to-us ride is amazing--power and control;  speed and brakes!  I will enjoy going out to the pond again!

I played in the garage on the lathe in between the storms--I completed the eighth and final square grapefruit bowls!  

The grain on this one doesn't disappoint! 

And the prompt was...Watch.  This one is imagination all the way.

SATURDAY'S STUFF

I pulled the first of the QFK's off the quilting frame

 and loaded the second one and started quilting it but I was tired of standing by then 

so I put the put the binding on the jar quilt--it still needs to be washed and dried but it's done being sewn.

Bill took the box of Autumn things of the high shelf in the garage so I could put a few things out and about the house!  It was enjoyable to add the pops of orange around the house.  I even hung two pumpkin watercolors on the wall, too.

I added some orange to the tall vase in the corner of the dining room.

While I waited for the pizza to bake, I signed all of the newest bowls with the wood burner so they are official.  I do need to seal the bottoms, though, but that is a job for another day!

Bill brought in the mail and the order from KnitPicks came--sock yarn!  I've missed having some socks on the needles!

 

A FINISH AND ALMOST FINISHED!

 Another bowl is finished-I will be trying a different style soon; 

 one more is my plan for these square bowls first, though.

I completed both tops from the Quilts for Kids kits;

working out the mitered corners on the striped inner border on the one.  The fabric matched on one end but I was unable to match it on the other---I stopped stressing over it and just sewed it!  It looks fine.

And the Jar Collection quilt is off the frame and ready for its binding.

A new bowl and binding will happen but I really want to put the machine knitting sweater back on track.  It has been reduced to a bunch of yarn cakes--not a fashion draw right now!

MULTIPLES

The fourth square grapefruit bowl is finished! 

 No, I am not bored making another one! 

 The wood cuts beautifully and the grain is always a pleasant surprise each step of the process!

The grain and colorings are beautiful, I must admit!

The newest bowl is a smidge taller than the others

 but they are all about 5 1/2" square and 3" tall.

The last block of this month's 6 blocks are now finished, too. 

 I think I am finally getting a handle on the mosaic stitch in crochet!

And I had fun with two more postcards--

an orca whale and a dolphin.

 

A FULL DAY!

A new bowl is at work--this is from the old grapefruit tree, so it is a special piece of wood.  I am making a square bowl from this one.  I have my box of finishing equipment ready to use.  The bowl will be turned now and the front hollowed out. 

 It will be done soon since it is small.  

My neighbor called to say, if I wanted, I could go and pick some Muscadine grapes!  Yes!  Even though Bill put a fence around my plant-something got in  and ate them all!  Millie's vines are close to her house so maybe that keeps them safe.  But I have a ton of them to make into jellie!  I can't wait!

These were also ready-Sand Pears-they are hard even when ripe, you can't eat the skin but I found that when I peel the skin, and cook down the fruit, it makes delicious pear sauce.  We eat it like applesauce.  Yum.

 And then I completed the Jar Collection quilt top--all stitched and pressed!  I  have started a second one, too!   

SENSING RELIEF

I cut a chunk of grapefruit log in half to make a square bowl for my oldest son.

This guy left a lot of trails!  I can work with the holes but not with him!

He was dead already, so it was just a matter of picking him out!

I like the way the wood has spalting lines throughout the grain;  lots of interest.

I think he will enjoy putting wallet and coins in this each night!  6" x 6" x 3" 

The quilt was washed and dried-

full of lovely wrinkles and squishiness!

I made another row for my bed quilt and added a few stars.  I feel a bit better each day-it was nice to be able to be upright for a lot longer yesterday!  I'm looking forward to a bit more work on the FL panel quilt-those stars are fun to make!  Oh, and I have some plying to do so I have that second skein of TDF yarn for this year!