Christmas Ornament 2010

My wife and I exchange Christmas ornaments every year. Last Christmas my wife also happened to be pregnant with our first child. Before we found out that we were having a daughter we were referring to her as our nugget. So, after her ultrasound, I decided to make her an ornament featuring our “nug-ette”.

I used half-lap joints for construction, and the wood is actually from a driveway plow stake. It’s a hardwood, but I’m not sure what exactly it is. Maybe ash? The glass and photo are held in the frame with tension created by approximately 1/8” thick strips of the same wood. It is finished with aerosol lacquer.

I also had my first, and hopefully last, significant blood loss due to woodworking during this project. After I rabbeted out the back of the frame, I used a chisel to square off the corners. Foolishly, I had my hand in front of the frame when my chisel slipped out of the wood an into my index finger. So, I wrapped my finger and headed to my wife’s office (she’s an NP). I thought I was in for stitches, but because it was such a clean cut they actually used medical super glue. I’ve got a nifty little triangular scar as a reminder to keep myself out of the way!

Thanks for looking.

-- The Dude abides...