Started...
As you can see, our table is getting used which is exactly why I wanted it built. I have also used it quite of few times for my own projects while keeping an eye out on the cats.
Testing...
Completed!
The second bench is about halfway done. Hurray for Dan!
Way back in the middle of January, we used our farm table for the first time. My mountain man helped me "sew" up some hardware cloth to put under a new garden bed. It is much easier than sitting on the hard concrete which is tough on my hips, knees and more. It was still a little hard on the back; but, not as hard as it would have been sitting on the ground.
In spite of feeling awful, I threw on my coat, grabbed my camera, went outside and everything crunched. For some odd reason, I thought of my sister-in-law and warned myself to be extremely careful. (My sister-in-law who lives much further north slipped on ice/snow several weeks ago and broke her arm). I took a brief look at the land and I feared for all the bluebonnet plants. Let us hope they survived. Anyway, I took a few pictures of our farmhouse table which was loaded with frozen rain before I had to call it quits.
{To see a larger image, go here.}
Shot with my macro lens
Those are actually raindrops frozen in their tracks.
I went inside to change lens and then back outside.
{To see a larger image, go here.}
Shot with my wide angle lens.
By the way, I went back outside around 10:30am and the world was still frozen. I checked the temperature and it said 28 degrees (Fahrenheit). It did eventually get above freezing; but, it only reached 37 degrees before it started to get colder. Yes, it went below freezing again overnight. This is extremely unusual for us to see ice or snow down this far south in Texas. The last time we saw snow or ice hereabouts was back in 2011.
{To see a larger image, go here.}
A beautiful knot on our farmhouse table.
This project was finished and set in its place this past Saturday (1/4/2014). I am real pleased with it and I believe Dan is too. I am champing at the bit to make the benches to go with the table. However, we have to wait until the no spend month period is over because it is not a necessity according to Dan. In the meantime, I am focusing and gardening efforts (building beds, screening and more).
These pictures were taken as the sun was setting. I should have waited until the sun was behind the hangar, errr, detached garage; but, I was so tired from a variety of things that occurred on this day that I decided to just be done with it – I am pleasantly surprised at how well these pictures came out.
I had posted this DIY sneak peek back in December. Well, now I am going to showcase what I have done. Dan was sick with allergies and I wanted him to take a break from doing work on my room. I was raring to do something I had wanted to do for a long time all on my own – a major woodworking project.
I began this project on November 31, 2013 by first going shopping and buying all the necessary supplies. Speaking of that trip, I was mostly in charge with Dan tagging along. It became hilarious when an employee asked me what I was looking for and I told him. He then proceeded to ask me what length I wanted and I looked at my list and exclaimed “shit”. The man immediately replied with “we don’t have that size” making Dan and I laugh. I apologize for my language and checked the plans again online using my phone. Dan explained to me that it is often assumed that if the length is not mentioned, then it is usually 8 feet. So, I then repeated what I was looking for in 8 feet lengths to the very patient and amused employee who then directed us where we should go.
Once we returned home with the supplies, I immediately started cutting the wood with Dan’s guidance and power tools. He had no clue to what I was doing and started reviewing the printout of the plans while I measured wood so that he would be better informed. By the way, I did all the measuring and the cutting. I honestly wanted to do it all by myself. When I finished the first cut, He mentioned creating a jig and I was like “What?!?” He explained what a jig was and I was like “oh, a template”! Ha! Quilters have their own terms for similar woodworking things. Anyway, once he showed me how to do that, the process went a lot faster because I did not have to measure all the wood – just the first one of many of the cuts of the same size. I was thrilled!
The next day, December 1st, was the start of building the actual project. But, I hit a stumbling block – my own strength. I could predrill holes; but, I could not get the screws in. It took me forever to get the first one put in. I even put my whole body on to the screwdriver and it still wasn’t enough. I wanted to do at least one to say that I have done it. After that, I “hired” Dan to do that work. Even with his strength, it was hard work for him. I felt bad because he was still sick with allergies. But, I think he felt good doing something. I still put things together and told him here and here and here (where to put the screws). He changed a few things with my approval simply because it seemed the better way to go.
By the end of the day, the project started to take shape and I was thrilled. We finished making the top the following day and then we had to take a break and return to doing indoor project due to the weather (it was extremely cold baby!) and the fact Dan was feeling better. I think from here on, I will let the pictures tell the story.
12/8/2013
Table top done! I believe this was after we had it prepped and ready for staining.
12/21/2013
The bottom part gets stained (morning)
12/21/2013
Table top gets stained (afternoon)
1/1/2014
Table legs get primed
Table legs painted (same color as the casings in our house)
First coat of Poly (and it is still wet in this picture)
1/5/2014
I will take a picture after the second coat of Poly goes on and the table is in its place (better lighting in that location). This could take place this weekend. And, someday in the near future, I will make two matching benches to go with this Farmhouse table.
Note: You can find the plans for the Farmhouse table here. And, on that site, there is plans for matching benches. Let me warn you in advance, the table weighs a ton! Once it is in its place, it is not going to be moved again! Ha!
Now what am I working on? Yes, I am actually doing a woodworking project this time around. I had no choice but to "hire" Dan's help simply due to the fact I did not have the strength to do a particular task. Yes, I am such a wimp. *sigh* However, I am gaining me some muscles in my arms! Woo Hoo! Ha!
