| Project by brianinpa | posted 486 days ago | 357 views | 0 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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I had the intention of making this platter server for my wife a few years ago, but other projects always came first. Our dining room table has a few decorations: a bowl that I turned (for rolls but is currently filled with decorative balls that she bought at Pier 1), 
and a set of 6 charger plates. In addition to the items on the table, I also made her the table for Christmas one year. 
Everything is made from red oak and poplar
Now onto this project.
When I was growing up, my family would spend holidays with both of my grand-parents on a rotating basis. I remember seeing and smelling the turkey or ham sitting in the middle of the table on my grand-mother blue and white platter (I can smell the turkey as I am writing this.) When my grand-mother passed away my mom got the platter from her dad.
When I retired from the Navy and finally had a permanent address, my mom decided to give my wife and I my grand-mother’s platter. The colors match the other blue and white items we have on our table, but it was always missing something. When I saw the “Serve it up with class” category of this summers contest I decided to finally dust of this project idea. The timing is perfect because this weekend is also our 22nd wedding anniversary and I finished this just in time.
This one is also made of red oak and poplar so that it matches the rest of the dining room set. I tried a few new things with this one in that it is my first segmented piece and I tried my hand at carving the decorations on the outer edge of the oval. It was enjoyable, but I don’t think that carvers among us have to worry about me taking away their business. The I stained the carving walnut to make it stand out, and the rest of the tray is stained red oak to match the rest of the dining room and finished it off with a couple coats of Minwax poly.
It may not be much, but I think it gives grand-ma’s platter a nice background on the table and I got to think she would be happy to see that it is getting some use. Oh yeah, the wife likes it too.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
13 comments so far
kenn
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217 posts in 612 days
posted 486 days ago
Nice, the whole set looks good together and there is nothing better than keeping the wife happy. I’m curious how you joined the turned part of the platter to the bottom/base? Thanks for sharing.
-- Every cloud has a silver lining
trifern
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7894 posts in 659 days
posted 486 days ago
Great projects and story. Family gatherings will be grand with these pieces. I can see this being used for many generations. Thank you for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
brianinpa
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1365 posts in 615 days
posted 486 days ago
Kenn,
Nice to hear from you again. There isn’t any turning on this project just regular flat boards. The base is 3 boards of poplar and the platter ring was an oblong octagon that I cut into an oval and routed the inside edge. Simply glued it all together. I think with this addition, my wife has ran out of additions to her dining room set: 1 Christmas Present, 1 birthday present, 2 anniversay presents, and one gift becasue she deserves it for putting up with me.
trifern,
writing the story brought back a lot of memories that I had thought were long ago forgotten. I just hope that I am able to provide some memories for future family additions in years to come.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
lew
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4474 posts in 647 days
posted 486 days ago
Brian
What process did you use for the lettering?
Lew
brianinpa
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1365 posts in 615 days
posted 486 days ago
That was my wife’s area of expertiese. She used axrylic craft paint with a simple paintbrush.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
Dusty56
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3456 posts in 580 days
posted 486 days ago
very nice
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
TedM
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1840 posts in 624 days
posted 486 days ago
Very cool. The napkin thingys are a nice touch that completes the set.
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
MsDebbieP
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14159 posts in 1052 days
posted 486 days ago
how wonderful.
Lovely story and the “set” is amazing!!
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Bill Akins
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236 posts in 590 days
posted 485 days ago
Absolutlety beautiful.
-- Bill from Lithia Springs, GA I love the smell of sawdust in the morning.
cd796
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24 posts in 611 days
posted 485 days ago
Great Job, looks fantastic!!
-- Craig, Riverside California -- There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress.
SPalm
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posted 481 days ago
Nice job and a wonderful story.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
brianinpa
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1365 posts in 615 days
posted 480 days ago
Thanks to all for the comments.
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 743 days
posted 474 days ago
Great job. Good luck in the contest.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python