Thursday, November 18, 2010

Doll Cradles and more

The madness has started and of course that means I haven't had time to post anything here.  Not that anybody's reading it anyway, but this is a great way for me to sort out the ideas that I have running around in my head.

I like to have more than one project on the go at one time.  That way if I have to stop a project due to gluing or whatever I have something to do while I wait.  I have quite a few things running right now.  I decided, in my ultimate wisdom, to make doll cradles for my daughter and my friends daughter.  So that has taken precedent over everything else at the moment just so I can see if I can actually do it.

I kept things simple.  I'm using 3/4" plywood for the end pieces and 1/2" ply for the sides.  The idea and part of the design came from a post of the Scrollsaw woodworking and crafts forum where someone posted pictures of doll cradles he had made.  I liked the idea so much I decided to do one myself.  I took some measurements of my daughters cabbage patch kid, as it is the biggest doll she has, and went from there.  I kept the design fairly small so I could cut the circular parts and some of the more intricate things on the scroll saw.  So far the first one is turning out ok.  We'll have to wait and see what the end result will be like.  I like my design so it should be alright.

Of course I also have the dump trucks and the puzzles to do.  Not to mention the two projects I can't mention on here because my wife might read it and it will ruin the surprise.  One for her and one for her mom who is coming for Christmas.  Oh the fun.  At least I love doing this and of course all these things are being made for people that I love, so it makes it all worth while.  I hope everybody likes their presents when they finally get them.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Next step

Ok so I bought up some bins and some dowels.  Everything is set up to try out my first truck.  Can't wait to start, but of course I have to wait for monday.  We'll see if I can find a few minutes to start the cutting.  I have the idea of how I want to do it.  I just hope it works out the way I want it to.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Dump trucks

I love making toys.  I find it very fun and rewarding.  I'm always looking for new ideas.  Mainly I want to make them durable, easy, and cheap(for mass production reasons).  So I was poking around on the scroll saw woodworking and crafts message board when I came across this little dump truck.

Dumper by Sam Johnson
I love the look of this little guy.  The idea of using the yellow stacker bin was genius.  I'm pretty sure I can find those at Dollarama.  The truck itself is very plain and the bin doesn't even dump.  These are for sale for 29 euros for a small one and 49 euros for a big one.  Not sure what the is in our money but someone said 29 euros is about $45 usd.  I can't believe that.  It doesn't even dump.

I think I can improve on this.  I'm sure the kids will like it.  I've never had a complaint about my cars before, so I've got a good feeling about this one.  I have a drawing already mocked up of how I want to do it.  Now it's just getting the bins and some more dowel and I'll make up a prototype.  Can't wait to post it and show you.  I definitely won't charge that much for them either.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Christmas

It's coming up on Christmas.  Ok it's still a few months away, but when you try and make your own presents for people you have to plan in advance.  This year for the kiddies I'm thinking puzzles.  I have to go to the dollar store and see if I can find some old calendars to get some good sized pictures to laminate onto the wood.  Then it's just as easy as cutting them out.


I made some puzzles last year for Christmas, but due to limited painting time they never got finished.  So they will probably get added to the presents this year.  I also have some ornaments that never got done either, so those will most likely be added on this year too.


Still not sure what to make for my wife.  Don't really know what she would want.  I'm usually so clear on this that it's kinda bugging me that I can't come up with anything.  Oh well I'll keep brainstorming and maybe I can come up with something fun. 


The first year I made her something it was a wooden bracelet.  Then the second year was a locking money box with a heart shaped key.  Now I don't have anymore ideas.....yet!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The first post

The first post always seems to be the hardest.  I have had blogs before, but they never really lasted all that long.  I think I will try to keep this one going for as long as I can.  I will promise myself to log in at least once a week to post something.  I will try to remain relevant to my life and what's going on in my little universe.  I can't promise that every post will make sense, but I will do my best. 

I want to make this a blog about my life and the things that I do.  I am a very crafty person with a diverse love for making things.  All kinds of things.  I try to keep it open to any possibility.  I will use this blog to sort out ideas and see if I can get feedback into the projects I am working on or planning to work on.  I write and record music, do some woodworking, sew stuffed animals, and recently am working on making some kites for my daughter(she's 3 and very adorable). 

So I'm not guaranteeing that this will only be about my creative projects, but that will probably be the bulk of it.  I hope you enjoy it.