ilultham

I know I'm in danger of blowing my own trumpet a bit too much on here, but I wanted to show you all the mirror I had made for my wife. My wife can be tricky to buy for so I'm always trying to think of something I can either make for her or buy. I've also been trying to learn to carve lately, something I've always wanted to do, and I thought it might be an ideal time to make my wife something small and complete a little carved project. It's only simple, carved on lime wood (from a tree that once grew in the grounds of Hereford Cathedral) and the design itself isn't mine but part of the online course I'm doing, but I enjoyed making it and my wife is pleased with it. 

One of my favourite presents this year was from my eldest (8) daughter.  She's still mad on sewing (in fact on making anything really!) so I think she enjoyed making this with her mum!   She knew I'd like the material she had chosen (I'm forever the biggest geek you'll ever meet)!  I can't believe she's going to be 9 in a few weeks, it's gone so fast! Trying to decide what to get her for her birthday is so tricky so close after Christmas as she never asks for much. I'm tempted to make a tool box for her as I think she'd like that. 

Our children never ask for much, normally their requests for presents are quite random (last year one was a treasure map). This year the boy asked for a  treasure chest, we searched online but didn't really like (or could afford) anything we saw, so time for me to contribute to Christmas (my wife does so much!).  We decided that it would be ideal if it could double up as a toy box, but I might have got a little carried away with the dimensions as it's a proper treasure chest size!  Being a true self employed carpenter I decided to make two boxes at the same time, with plans to sell the second if there is a market for a more unusual toy box! I made the whole thing out of solid pine, except for the base which is birch ply. This made the top a little tricky, but good to test myself a little from time to time, although if I make any more then I might use flexi plywood instead.  I also added a few embellishments to make it more pirate-y! And I cut all three children a cut...

 Sorry I've been terrible with keeping up with the blog lately! It's been a busy time despite not being able to travel around, I've been trying to keep up with Etsy orders, making a few Christmas presents and trying to make sure we comply with the Poultry lock down!  We had a lovely Christmas day and the children feel at a perfect age for it, with them now being 4, 7 & 8, the magic is certainly there. They were super all day and my wife cooked an amazing Christmas lunch (using one of our ducks and one of our Indian Game Cockerels) which I then had to try to sleep off in the afternoon!  This is just a quick note to say thank you for still reading my blog and that it means a great deal to me to still have people commenting, it sometimes feels that blogs have died off lately so nice that I still can write things here and have them read by like minded people.  This next week I'll show you what I've made for presents (and my daughter made me) as well as my new design...

###This post contains photos of dead animals and meat prep### With the Avian Flu lock down yesterday we decided at the weekend to thin our flocks a little bit with a few birds that were going off to go to freezer camp.  The girls have their favourites! No way were these going to the freezer! We had two cockerels (Legbar and a Maran) from a small hatch we did in the summer, leaving us with two layers and two silkies from that hatch. And three ducks - all drakes - to leave us with what is a breeding trio from two sources so next year any that hatch should be unrelated.  The girls had made me promise that this was a weekend job so they could help with the prep. I was utterly impressed with them, they know the process and just get on with the job in hand, 'The only bit they struggle with is the wings and tail feathers, other than that their birds are plucked as good as mine.  They get involved with the gutting of the birds now as well - I know plenty of adults that can't do t...

One of my regular customers contacted me the other day about some work they wanted doing - they needed an island unit for their kitchen.  They had already chosen some granite for the top and needed a base. We discussed their requirements then I priced it and made it to their specifications. As it was painted I made it using tulip wood (which takes a finish brilliantly), with good quality ply for the shelves.    This was it ready to go, finished woodwork in my workshop.  Really pleased with how this turned out. I also shortened their kitchen table as well (altering the frame and the top). The unit seems to work well in the room.  As well as my Etsy products I also have another commission I've been working on which I'm really keen to share with you all soon! Who else could do with a unit like this in their kitchen?

I thought I'd use my blog for a bit of shameless self promotion and show a few of my products I've got for sale on Etsy at the moment.  My potting trays have been really popular and come in a few different sizes.   And the same with my seed boxes.  There are some other items in my shop and I can make things to order when it's not quite so busy!  All these items are made by me, not shipped in from somewhere else and "personalised". I also put a free packet of seeds (bagged up by my children) in with every purchase!  Thanks for looking!