Max's step stool

When I met with the clients of my last project, they had asked that I make a simple step stool so that their dog, Max could actually see out the window.

This was a simple process of utilizing left over material from the bookcase I made for them. It was assembled with brads and glue and I dressed it up a bit with a simple chamfer around the top and some trim around the base along with simple feet. I think the construction of this took about two hours.

I am happy to say that Max took to it immediately which was quite funny to see.

I worked so hard the other day...

My latest project - my yard. I worked so hard on my last project, that my yard was really starting to look bad. Here, I have spread clean pine straw in a natural area next to my driveway.

I worked hard, but not on woodworking; rather, whipping my yard into shape. I am actually between projects and in case you didn't know, woodworking continues to be a very, very distant second job for me. With my last project completed, I am catching up on some chores around the house, namely my yard. When the weeds get close to knee high, then something has to be done (some were literally this tall in my backyard).

So, if you don't see a post from me as frequently as you used to, you'll know why. I'm out diggin' in my yard. I'll be back to woodworking soon.

My next woodworking project

Here is a glimpse at my next woodworking project. It really isn't a woodworking project at all. I am developing downloadable plans for the coffered ceiling project completed in my home several years ago.

I will post updates on the process just like I have with my last three woodworking projects. And if anyone has some advise on this, please let me know by email or through comments.

A few years ago, I volunteered to be editor of our church newsletter. At that point my favorite graphics program was CorelDRAW! This graphics program was utilized by a printing company I used to work for, however CorelDRAW! has fallen out of favor in the graphic design community.

My church utilized Microsoft Publisher for their newsletter and I happen to have this program on my laptop, but I had never used it. Over the two years I served as editor, I became pretty knowledgeable of Publisher.

Due to this, Publisher is the program I am using to assemble my downloadable plan. I already have about four pages written. Since my coffered ceiling was completed during a period in which I did not understand the benefit of photography, I will have to use SketchUp to provide the artwork for the step-by-step process.

So, I'll keep updating this project as I go.

UPDATE: May 30, 2012 - The completed woodworking plan for the coffered ceiling I built can be downloaded by clicking here.