Latest builds - Upgraded closet

Over the past couple of years I've learned a lot about building.   I'm sure I over think the design and planning of my builds, I have to take into account how to handle the lumber during the build, and building materials are heavy.  I've tried my hand at miniature furniture thinking it might be easier, but although I have no problem handling the lumber, it's just as much work to make a doll bed as it is to make a queen size bed.  Board measurements are weird, tools are cool, I need a dust collection system and no matter how organized you think you are, when you're building something you can never find a pencil, tape measure or safety glasses!  And, the stand out thing I've learned - I don't like working with MDF or melamine, especially melamine!  It's so darned heavy!  The laminate flies all over when cutting, and the edges are sharp.  I hate it.

But, I did work with it - as a gift for my daughter.  They have a really strange closet - sort of like a low attic area.  It had a single rod all the way across an expanse of about 12 feet.  Horrible.  But, there really wasn't much you could do to improve the situation.  But, we tried!

First I built a center cabinet with shelves.  This was to allow her to stack her jeans and sweatshirts.  I included a narrow top shelf that would hold her numerous pairs of flip-flops and sandals.  And, then I added rods on each side, one side for Cara and one for Jon - guess which side is larger :-)
Then I added a narrow upper shelf on each side.  Although small, this was space they didn't have before.

I must say, too, that I had a good helper!

Center piece in - it was a struggle.  No straight walls at all!  And I can't measure worth beans...

Center cabinet - no shelves yet!  And, two rods.
At this point, I probably could have stopped - she was thrilled that she could see her shoes on the floor!

With shelves and lots of folded clothes.

Hanging clothes and space for shoes and scarves and hats and bags (and way too many things hanging on that rod!)
We need to change that rod out to a metal rod.

Jon's closet with access to shoes and folded clothes-straight rod!

They are both happy with their new storage space.  I'm happy to have it done.
I used some of the leftover melamine to make shelves for Miss Rachel's linen closet.  Just need to install the sides pieces for adjustable shelves!  And, then  I need to use up all the other leftover melamine and get it out of my garage!  

Retirement and Memories...

No, not me!  Not yet, anyway.  Soon, I think.

I've been ready for retirement for a long, long time.  But, it is a tough decision to make.  There are just so many unknowns!  The big one - will I outlive my money?  and then the one you don't want to think about - waiting too long and missing the chance to enjoy the "golden years".  I waited too long to enjoy retirement with my guy, but I hope to have lots of years to enjoy with family, friends, and my power tools!

But, my boss is retiring, or rather beginning what, in higher education, is called a "transition" year.  He will still be employed for a year, assisting the new president when called upon, helping the president at another local university to grow their satellite campus, and representing the CSU system when needed.  Bottom line, though - come January 1, 2015, he will no longer be coming in to work, I won't be sitting in on meetings with him; he'll no longer be my boss.  I'll miss him!

In addition to being a good boss, he and his wife have become friends.  I'm going to miss seeing them on a regular, frequent basis.  I hope to still spend time with them - at our age good friends are hard to find!

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of special events commemorating their 11 years at CPP.  Tuesday night we had a gala at the beautiful Fairplex Sheraton Conference Center.  One of the things we planned was to have special note cards available for anyone who wanted to leave a personal note for them.  But, we realized we'd need somewhere for those notes to end up and we looked for a special container for them.  When our event coordinator sent me the picture of a handcrafted suitcase-type box and said that this would be perfect, a light bulb went off - why didn't I make the box for them? Although I suspect it will be loaded up and stored away, it might, some day, bring fond memories of the crazy lady who took up woodworking at an old, old age!

So, the box was easy, the lettering not so much!  I need to work on a good transfer method.  What I ended up with is less than professional looking, but if you squint you think it looks old and quaint.  At least that's what I'm telling myself!!

Here's what I made for them.  This box measures about 14 x 17 inches.  It has brass corners, hinges and handles that I oversprayed with some darker metal spray.  It's been stained with several layers of stain to give it an aged look.  I sanded off some of the lettering and rubbed a bit of stain over it to age that as well.  The inside of the box has a felt lining on the bottom.

Happy Retirement Mike and Betty!

I wish you many years of joy and pleasure spent with

your girls, in-laws, grandkids, and the many, many friends you've made over the years.

I feel fortunate to be counted among those friends!

Mike and Betty

Ortiz

Cal Poly Pomona

2003-2014