Re-use, Recycle for a better shop!

I thought I'd share with you that I have been searching for a better glue bottle.  I know, this is probably something you've been pondering over, too.  It's a problem, that's for sure.  The bottles you buy at home depot have those lids that have a mechanism inside that are supposed to move up and down and keep the opening open so the glue can flow through.  Well, we all know none of those lids work!!
I end up hammering the darned thing to break up the dried up glue, cutting it shorter to get to the dried up gunk, and driving screws through it to allow for flow.

Well, I found a much better bottle, from Heinz Ketchup - who knew??  When the glue dries on the lid, it peels right off.  It doesn't gunk up the opening so the lid is able to close.  The only problem is that even though the opening is tiny, a lot of glue comes out of it!  Way too much glue.  I've made it work by being extra careful, and perfecting the swoop to end the glue run.

But, yesterday at lunch I topped my hot dog with the last of my favorite spicy brown mustard.
And, as I rinsed the bottle out I noticed that teensy opening and had an "Aha" moment!

Just as I thought, French's has created the perfect glue bottle - and just didn't know it!

It's working out perfectly in my shop- I get a nice thin glue line and maybe because the opening is raised up a bit, ending the flow of glue is easy peasy!  Still no sticking to the top, no gunking up the opening, it's PERFECT!  

Now I just need more spicy brown!!

And, even more tables!

A few weeks back I finished a couple more tables for the Doc's new home.  They've moved on to the outside so they'll be ready for summer; so for now, I'm taking a break from their work!

Legal Doc took some pretty good pictures of them in place.  So, here's what was delivered last:

Living room table & hall console

The living room and dining room are side-by-side, so the finish on these is the same as their dining room.  And, these tables are accented with metal hardware, too.

You can't tell from these pictures, but the finish has a grayish undertone,
which is beautiful with their new sectional with the tan pillows.

The X feature wasn't as difficult to do as I thought it might be.  But, as I'm constantly reminded when I'm building anything - I am sadly lacking in math skills!  Good grief, I had to figure out those angles! 

Another thing you can't tell from these pictures is that the top is not very straight!  My next purchase is going to be a planer.  I like working with the 2x material, but oh my is it difficult to get a straight piece of lumber!  Thankfully, the Docs think that just adds character to the piece!  God bless 'em!

And, here's the console.  This was just a bit more difficult because the space for those X's was narrower.  But, it's pretty solid and level, and gives them some pretty place to put their keys!

(and maybe shoes??)

Gosh, I love those urns, pots, whatever they are - really pretty, don't you think?  

Doc Doc has really good taste!

Next up for them - a pretty wood ice chest stand/holder/thing.  

I'd start it, but Legal Doc has to provide some beer bottle caps for it - a lot of them!  

He assures me that he's working very hard at that job! :-)

Materials:  2x material, 3/4" pine boards, metal L-brackets, 1.5" bolts, black spray paint

Finish:  8 steps, 1 coat conditioner, special walnut stain, weathered oak stain,
white wash, combined stain, three coats of polyurethane, sanding between steps.   

Cost for both:  About $300 in materials + finish material

Time:  A couple weeks, finish took most of the time!

Remember my bedroom plans???

It's been so long since I've thought about doing anything in my bedroom.  It looks presentable (when the bed is made), and works as it is.

Remember these frames I built some time ago???  Well, for several months they've been hanging over my bed -empty!

   

 
Then, awhile back I scored some prints at Hobby Lobby (40% off coupon!) that I thought might work.  But, they sat leaning against my bedroom wall for weeks!  I finally cut them down to size and stuck them in the frames!

And, I think I like them!

You can't really tell from this picture below, but the drapes that I hung when I first started this re-do have large orange blossoms and other flowers on them.  

The drapes are muted a bit more than the prints, but it's the same flower.   

I think I'm done with changes here for now!  

I hope you're making much more exciting changes in your lives.