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Mom's 80th Birthday

Project by MsDebbieP posted 854 days ago 951 views 0 times favorited 53 comments Add to Favorites Watch

My Mom will be celebrating her 80th birthday this September and I wanted to make her a box. The vision has changed several time – sometimes because of a creative idea and sometimes because of technical difficulties.

(Once again, the router has “won” and so I had to change my design to eliminate the need to use the router). Someday, Router.. some day!!!

Anyway, I decided that this box would also double as an entry in the joinery category since I have met my personal challenge of no longer using screws if I didn’t need to.

Everything is put together using the DowelMax (including the inclusion of the front pillar). The pillar represents my Mom who is the pillar of the family and if you can see it, the knot in the wood looks like an eye, presenting how she keeps her eye on everyone to make sure she is there when needed.

Wood: walnut (legs and bottom of box), pine (sides of box), aromatic cedar (front pillar)
Joinery: dowels (using DowelMax)
Finish: wipe-on Poly.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)


53 comments so far

View john's profile

john

1202 posts in 1281 days


posted 854 days ago

Nice work Debbie , it looks great
September is a great month for birthdays including mine. lol

-- John in Belgrave ,(Slideshow http://cid-69bce320c6d8b119.spaces.live.com/ (Website) http://www.extremebirdhouse.com

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 854 days ago

haha I’ll try to remember..
You probably never have enough bird seed! :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Bill's profile

Bill

2561 posts in 1061 days


posted 854 days ago

It looks like you made a nice box Debbie. So, the router won this round, but I bet you get it next time.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

well… Rick lost this round as well.. lol
but I haven’t given up!! :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Bill's profile

Bill

2561 posts in 1061 days


posted 853 days ago

Maybe the key is to leave the router alone for awhile. Soon it will be feeling unwanted, and will be more cooperative when you show it some attention. Amazing what a little loving will do…

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

hey.. that’s a good idea.. into the corner it goes!! :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9551 posts in 887 days


posted 853 days ago

Great looking box! I like the symbolic eye!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

thank you Gary. It was a lucky find as I kept changing my mind about that main piece… and then “voila” right before my eyes—there it was—the eye

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View robbi's profile

robbi

171 posts in 854 days


posted 853 days ago

Very beautiful. She will love it. I like the symbolism and all the thought that goes into each piece you do. Don’t worry about that router, every tool I own with a motor has to be looked at and pondered for at least 5 days before I can even take it out of the box, then it sits in my garage (shop) fully put together waiting for me to touch it for another 5 days, then, sometimes, I use it once it scares me so much I have to just watch it for a while longer before I touch it again. Sometimes the fear just never goes away, but fear is not an all together bad thing when it comes to power tools.

-- robbi-Yadahooty!

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

that is true….
safety first :)
that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3427 posts in 963 days


posted 853 days ago

Nice work, and great serendipity with the eye. The dowelmax seems to be a solid performer for you.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

View TomFran's profile

TomFran

2515 posts in 893 days


posted 853 days ago

Debbie, Very nice work! Isn’t great that woodworkers can “create” something unusal that has character. I’m sure your Mom will treasure it.

Hey, I was wondering if you were interested in selling me your Dowelmax. Those Dominos are better you know. I’d even give you $125 for it ;^D

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

View Joel Tille's profile

Joel Tille

214 posts in 1143 days


posted 853 days ago

I like the contrast in wood colors. You Mom will be very please.

I will need to go get some photos of a small box I made for my mother and post it. Thanks for reminding me Debbie

-- Joel Tille

View TonyWard's profile

TonyWard

285 posts in 1227 days


posted 853 days ago

MsDebbie There is a lot of love gone into that work, well done!

t.w.

-- Bandsaw Box Plans

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

3710 posts in 879 days


posted 853 days ago

Debbie;

Great work! Gota admit though, when I saw, ” made a box for my mom”, I was a little concerned. LOL

Nice job. Regarding the router: ”stupid router”

I guess we all have toys we don’t play well with.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View Obi's profile

Obi

2191 posts in 1136 days


posted 853 days ago

you’ve come a long way, Baby, to get where you got to today. (Virginia SLims commercial from the 70’s). Beautiful work, Deb.

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

View dennis mitchell's profile

dennis mitchell

3791 posts in 1214 days


posted 853 days ago

I remember something along the lines of “I just want to build a box, any box.” I just got to say wow! Wow what a box!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

thanks everyone.

Yes, Obi … I look at my first boxes (which are still pretty nice) ... 4 sides and a bottom.
Now? 4 sides, a bottom, 4 “legs” and a decoration :D

Thanks Dennis .. yes.. I just want to build a box hehehe I think I can now say that I have met that goal.

(PS. router? what router? I don’t remember any router? )

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Karson's profile

Karson

25873 posts in 1300 days


posted 853 days ago

Great Job Debbie.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

Thanks Karson.
It looks exactly like the little drawing I made of my idea so I guess it turned out well :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1076 days


posted 853 days ago

First, Deb, I need to get this out in the open; I just love small wooden boxes!

This one represents a huge leap forward in your wood art journey. It is unique in its concept, well executed in its crafting and very nicely finished. If you always get those three steps right, your work will always be objects to be appreciated and desired.

Very nice, Debble.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

finally—Don came out of the closet and told the world: he loves small wooden boxes!!! that must feel good, Don, to get that off your chest haha.

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, this one is not “just a ” box

(oh and I thought of you as I reached the finishing part … walked through your notes in my mind)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Jojo's profile

Jojo

581 posts in 871 days


posted 853 days ago

What a wonderful box Debbie, it’s a very clean design and nice contrasting woods. Did I say that love the symbolism you gave it too?

My only concern is how did you stabilize the know? Because it seems the dowel gets right through it… isn’t it any loose?

It’s great that there ain’t any screws in sight but…

...where is the live edge? :o)

Don, you shocked me. Nobody would have said you love small boxes, that’s a premiere!

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://twitter.com/kagushokunin

View Dorje's profile

Dorje

1767 posts in 896 days


posted 853 days ago

Looks good Debbie! Is the top fitted to the opening?

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

stabilize? ah… I don’t know. It all seems to be working fine.

Live edge: not my mom’s style. A live edge box would probably be received with an “oh. thanks… I could toss a plant in it”. Hopefully she will like this style.

There’s no top for it. Since I couldn’t use metal hinges and i didn’t think I was up to doing wooden hinges this weekend, I decided against adding a top to it.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1402 posts in 1372 days


posted 853 days ago

Wonderful box, Debbie. Your mom will be happy!
woodworking without glue.. visiting shops without traveling… what else? lol

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

haha that’s funny!! :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Sawhorse's profile

Sawhorse

279 posts in 1339 days


posted 853 days ago

Very nice box, Debbie…love the contrast and symbolism….your mom will love it…

-- Sawhorse - Sulphur Springs, TX - www.sawhorseworkshop.com

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

thanks :)
I hope so.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View scottb's profile

scottb

3402 posts in 1226 days


posted 853 days ago

Yeah Martin, everytime I hear a bump in the house, and can see the cats sleeping I figure its Debbie taking a peek (and waving a finger) at my shop! Nice entry.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

View Martin Sojka's profile

Martin Sojka

1402 posts in 1372 days


posted 853 days ago

Maybe she is just working with her Dowelmax there, Scott ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

you’ll never know; you’ll never know!!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View barbs's profile

barbs

134 posts in 985 days


posted 853 days ago

Nice box, Debbie, I hope your mom loves it. And don’t feel bad about that router…I’ve done many things with my router and built several jigs and my own table for it, but I’m primarily a hand tools user, and the scream and violence of that thing makes me look for alternate ways to do things. It sits so long, when I have to get it out to use, I always need to re-read the cotton-picken’ manual to make sure I don’t kill myself. I feel a high degree of personal conflict with that stubby little machine, and much prefer the quiet side!

-- BarbS, Wenatchee WA

View Buckskin's profile

Buckskin

484 posts in 887 days


posted 853 days ago

Great box! Love the contrasting colors.

View RobS's profile

RobS

1244 posts in 1206 days


posted 853 days ago

Great job Debbie! I also like the symbolism and contrasting colors. Mom will be proud.

-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

thanks everyone.

And thanks for that Barb … At this time, I’m just going to add it to the list of “Rick’s tools” :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View oscorner's profile

oscorner

4572 posts in 1210 days


posted 853 days ago

You did an excellent job and I like the annalogy of the knot being your mother’s eye keeping watch over the family and the symbolizm of her being the pillar of the family, too.

-- Jesus is Lord!

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 853 days ago

Thank you :)

Gosh, with everyone’s kind words, I like my little box even more than I did yesterday! :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View mot's profile

mot

4904 posts in 936 days


posted 852 days ago

Debbie! I’ve been watching your progression with your projects. Your work is really impressive! Happy birthday, Ma!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 852 days ago

aw thanks Tom :)

The progress might be slow and it might be timid .. but I’m still impressed with my accomplishments. And of course I have to thank everyone here for their encouragement and their challenges!!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7049 posts in 1199 days


posted 851 days ago

Very Nice Debbie.
You’re getting better everyday. It looks like it has a Oriental-Canadian design influence.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 851 days ago

yes, Dick .. that is the look I was going for—I said to myself, “Self.. I think you need to make a box with an Oriental-Canadian” feel to it :) haha.

I like that idea though and I’m going to use it :)
and thanks re kind words. I do indeed feel like I’m getting better at this every day :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

7357 posts in 1146 days


posted 851 days ago

Dick I was going to say the same thing I see an asian canadian design mix going there. Deb you really have come far, I never thought you’d get this far along. But you really have come along way and are doing spectacularly. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

View PanamaJack's profile

PanamaJack

4447 posts in 977 days


posted 851 days ago

Mom’s gonna like this Debbie. Tell Mom we all said Happy Birthday!

Maybe we could all sign a “Happy Birthday” Blog….(?).

-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 851 days ago

oh wouldn’t she love that P.J.!! :)

Thanks Mike. That means a lot to me :)

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

714 posts in 986 days


posted 851 days ago

I see your talents progressing, very nice box. It is sad to see our parents get old, my dad turned 80 last year and I can see a more rapid decline in his overall health. I wish your mom well on a great milestone.
I had heard a rumor about Don’s secret passion for small boxes, I guess his secret is out of the “box” .... small wooden box that is. BOOOO!

-- DocK, WV

View Greg3G's profile

Greg3G

770 posts in 985 days


posted 849 days ago

Deb…I have been meaning to post to this but for some reason I keep getting side tracked…life happens sometimes. Anyway, I just wanted to complement you on your progress as a woodworker. You have come a very long way in a very short time. If I can only get my brother to get into this more…oh well. I hope you are a better influance on him than I am.

Great Work, looks beautiful.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 849 days ago

thanks Greg :)

“Hey Bro… what woodworking interests you? Lathework? Small boxes? Rustic? Scrollwork? Big furniture? ... let’s see some stuff”

(How’s that???) :D

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 805 days ago

my Mom LOVES her present… My aunt says that she proudly told about the symbolism and I guess she had a tear in her eye when she showed it off.

Yup… success.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

3055 posts in 921 days


posted 805 days ago

Good job Deb.
Your mom is very lucky to have daugther like you.
Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

784 posts in 800 days


posted 796 days ago

Debbie, this one caught my eye whilst cruising around the site. I, too, like the knot / eye feature. I love to make use of what some might see as a flaw in the wood

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

View grovemadman's profile

grovemadman

558 posts in 671 days


posted 654 days ago

Very beautiful box Debbie!

-- --Chuck

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1060 days


posted 654 days ago

why thank you!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

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