Initial Sign (Kreg Jig Project #5)

Hi!

So, I've got one more Christmas post!

Before K went to his sister's in October, I made her and her new husband a wooden sign with the letter "T" (the first letter of their last name) for Christmas.

I found this on Etsy, and used it for my inspiration.

I started with some old aged cedar boards we had hanging out in the back of our yard.

I sanded, cut and joined them together with the Kreg Jig.

I printed out a big "T", 

traced it on the wood, and cut it out using a jig saw with a fine-cut blade.

Then I stained it using minwax stain- the same stain I used on the Wooden Dice- and yes, it's still stinky!

At this point I had made another piece of 1x4's for the back, which I was going to attach with the boards going vertically instead of horizontally.  However, the wood is actually 1 inch thick and I thought that made it too thick.

So, I found some already painted thin (3/8"?) plywood to use for the backer.

Here's the leftover pieces. 

I had to stain the sides and edges so the white paint wouldn't stand out so much. 

I put Gorilla wood glue on the back of the letter sign and glued it to the backer.

Then I nailed a saw-tooth hanger on. 

Here's the final product. 

I also made a quick "Joy" sign for myself out of part of an old door and chalk.

I put it on top of our last year's calendar.  (Since I wasn't using the pictures that came with the calendar.  It was a "Milk" calendar with recipes.)

Now, I've got a new calendar with pretty pictures, so I put the Joy sign in the front room.

Have a great day! :-)

Bookmarks

Hi!

For 2016's homemade gifts for the kids, I made cross stitched book marks.

I used this tutorial.

And got inspiration from these:

I gave them with (second hand) books. 

In case you're interested, here are my previous gifts:

2015 Dice

2014 Slippers

2013 Falling Blocks

(Plus Little Owl for N 

and bracelets for C)

2012 Owlies for C

2012 StacRobots for N

Have a wonderful day!
:-)

Christmas 2016

Happy New Year!!

But first,  Christmas...

We had a wonderful one!

Tuesday, Dec 20, C had her school concert.

N went with me to the morning concert, as this will be the last one we'll be a part of after C starts at the Intermediate school next year.

There were a couple more days of school, then the kids were off for Christmas vacay.  

Friday afternoon we drove over with K's parents to K's Uncle and Aunt's house (3 hours away) in Bedford, NS.

That evening, we visited and went to Freak Lunchbox for even more treats.

Saturday the family went to downtown Halifax where we walked around, 

Found a nice Korean/Japanese restaurant, 

Then went to the Halifax Library. 

(Get it? :-) )

Then, we went back to Bedford for dinner and more visiting.

Christmas morning, the kids were up around 7 and they got to open stockings before the rest of the adults were up. 

After opening presents, we hung out; the kids went to the park with their great uncle; the ladies cooked dinner and we ate around 5:00.

Monday, we got up, went for breakfast at Sunnyside Restaurant and drove home.

Also, the kids spent a couple nights at their grandparents' house. 

K worked.  

The kids both went with friends to the newly opened Off the Wallz trampoline park.

I got to work at the newly opened Summerside Rotary Library.

We started a game of monopoly, but never finished.

K and I went to bed early on New Year's Eve, but N and C were up in their rooms til after midnight.

K's parents came up on Sunday, New Year's Day, for cabbage and black eyed peas.  This year, I wanted something different so K cooked a chicken stirfry,  jasmine rice, eggrolls (with cabbage) and BEP's on the side.  Yum!

Now today is the first day back to school. Except it isn't because we're having a snow/ icy rain/ rain and wind warning tday.

So, the first day back will be tomorrow!

Have a great New Year!!!

:-)

Christmas Tree

Oh, my goodness!!!  It's almost Christmas!!

We finally our tree on Sunday.

Here's K fixing up the tree. 

Decorating! 

Each year the kids get an ornament from K's parents.  Here they are looking at their collections. 

All lit up! 

I got the front wreath done. 

And we got some snow. 

(Notice the table.)

(I moved the table for easier snow removal.) 

Last week we had a lot of snow days.  School (and work) was let out 2 hours early on Monday; had an hour delay on Tuesday; let out 2 hours early on Thurs (along with work); and everything was closed on Friday with blowing snow and temps down to Neg 30C (Neg22F) with the wind chill!  

Winter has begun early this year! 

N had his Christmas concert last Wednesday evening.  Here he is (on right) with his friends after.

 C has her school concert today.  

The last day of school is Dec 22.

Have a great day! :-)