(posted by MsDebbieP)

Aug 21/09

Next month by brother (Dan) is hosting the 1st Annual “Li’l Creek Bluegrass Jamboree” at his home. In the backyard he built a stage (the second photo). He then asked Rick if he could build a couple birdhouses that they could use for a raffle.

Rick built 5 birdhouses (the one isn’t shown as it was just a plywood, unfinished, basic birdhouse. He presented them today, starting with the plywood one: “Is this what you were looking for, Dan?... Well wait.. maybe this is what you were looking for” and Rick unveiled the jailhouse one… and then the other one….

Each time they were thrilled with the creations. And then came the model of his stage. Oh yes… surprise and excitement. And then the last birdhouse was brought out. They couldn’t believe that there was something to top the last one…. it was the stage again but a “new improved” model. This one was for them to keep and the rest were for the fundraiser.

The last picture shows the construction of the roof.

June 6/09

(posted by MsDebbieP)

Well, we finally got the mighty birdhouse up!
Last winter, Rick spent many hours puttering around with this birdhouse. He had to bring it up from the basement in 2 pieces.
I think there are 54 apartments.

This week we finally were ready to put it up. Rick dug the hole, and cut the telephone to the desired length (leftover piece is now a sculpture in my gardens).

But.. a dilemma—the pole weighs about 300 lbs. and the birdhouse weighs about 200 lbs. We thought we could put the end on the truck and then just back up and push it upright. No way… 3 men couldn’t lift it high enough to make it work.

What to do. .what to do.. well, time to call a favour from a neighbour. In comes Mr. D to the rescue (who, by the way, said it would cost extra since I brought my camera out hahah).

They checked it out and made a plan. Rick got a chain from the neighbour’s. Hooked it on and stood it up (in a flash) and tossed in some dirt to hold it. 15 minutes, tops, and it was up.

Next time Rick said (and Mr D also suggested) that he put the pole in the hole and just build the birdhouse on the pole! :)

Thanks to John, “Extreme Birdhouses”, for the inspiration and support.

(oh and I realize that I only have the picture of the one side, which happens to be the back, facing the front.. oh well.
I’ll have to remember to get a picture of the front, which is now facing the back)

March 4, 2009
(posted by MsDebbieP)

A couple of years ago a big branch of our grand Maple tree fell and Rick found a piece of wood that he tucked away for a future project. Every once in a while he would look at it and say “Someday I’m going to make something out of that”.

Well today he did. He put it in the lathe and started turning until it said “I am a broken bottle”.

Finish is just oiled.

September 11, 2008
_

Wood: old barn board
Location: mounted on the basketball net (that I’ve left up for memories’ sake) _

Aug 27, 2008

(posted by MsDebbieP)

This is Rick’s latest birdhouse.
Wood: scrap wood including some cedar and some old barn boards

To paint or not to paint: I voted for no paint. The base and steeple were painted to help preserve the wood.

Aug 17, 2008

(Posted by MsDebbieP)

Yesterday Rick put up his latest birdhouse…

...and as we sat admiring it he had the great idea to put an “outhouse” birdhouse beside the cabin birdhouse.
And so today he spent some time in the shop and put this together.

• it’s a 2-seater
• has a roll of “toilet paper” hanging on the open door (did you notice the toilet paper on the open door??)

Outhouse: old barnboard

Roof: cedar shingle

Toilet Paper: wooden necklace bead

Aug 16, 2008

(posted by MsDebbieP)
Rick was building this birdhouse and was just about ready to start adding the chimney when the “Gorilla Glue” challenge was posted.

He used the Gorilla Glue to attach the stones to the side wall and to the roof of the birdhouse. He chose to leave the foamed glue showing to provide a “rustic mortar” look to the structure.

Wood: old barnboard and cedar shingles.
Size: approximately 14” x 12”.

He built a frame to fit around the metal basketball post and attached the birdhouse to that. He attached it on an angle so we can enjoy the chimney as well as watch the birds go in and out.
It looks wonderful in the yard.

July 31, 2008

(Posted by MsDebbieP)
A few months ago my aunt gave us some scrap pieces of “stained glass” that she found in a box of junk she picked up at a garage sale. She thought I’d like it.

Yes, indeed I do and it didn’t take long for Rick to picture it as part of a birdhouse.

He used the larger piece as the “front” of the birdhouse and the smaller piece for the back. He carved the wood out to fit the shape of the scrap pieces and glued them in place.

He put the hole to the birdhouse on the side and painted some church windows beside the opening.

We put the birdhouse up today, with the windows facing the east and west so that the sunlight will glisten off the glass for my enjoyment.

Within minutes of putting it up the male sparrow from the birdhouse below it was sitting on the perch and peering in the door to check it out.

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure—and a future home for some birdies.

April 5, 2008

(written by MsDebbieP)
Thanks to John (Extreme Birdhouses) for the plans for this wonderful birdhouse. (Thanks John) Rick had an absolute blast building this!!

He used an old pine board we had and some old barn boards when the pine ran out.
The dormers on the front gave him the biggest difficulties and (thanks to JockMike for sending us replacement gauges for our air compressor) the nail gun made putting together the pieces a breeze! (Thanks Mike)

Now… to build a couple more!!! :)

this is the project made on the second day of the Lathe Course at Chalet Woodworking.

Wood: Ash
Decorative Lines: burnt to create contrasting colour.