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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Shopping at Marshalls

Yesterday I was picking up a few things and decided to stop into Marshalls to see what they had, and boy was I glad I did! Marshalls can be a hit or miss - yesterday I found lots of goodies!

chrysanthemum mirror $59.99, yes please! It is big and gorgeous - all it needs is a little rub and buff in the center to get rid of the silver (red is the packaging)

coral accent rug for the guest room $16.99 - not sure if I have the right place for this so it might be going back ... but I love the fun pattern

Walking down the aisle I spotted this one on top of the stocking bin as it was being wheeled out, once put out for display - I promptly stuffed it in my cart - 6 x 4 for $39.99 - I love the color and pattern :)

Basket $16.99 - love those handles and it is perfect for storing blankets!

Not sure if I will be keeping the rugs ... hopefully, I can find a place for them :)

Maybe your Marshalls got a great truck load in too!! Let me know if you found anything amazing!

Today I started painting the dresser/nightstand for the guest room with annie sloan chalk paint - I love it, looking forward to sharing the finished piece and my take on the paint!

Friday, January 24, 2014

Chuck Bender Cuts His Pins Tails At The Same Time

Woodworking in America 2012 Midwest was filled with banter about the awesomeness of Chuck Norris. While it doesnt take much for a bunch of (mostly) guys hanging out for a weekend to start talking about Chuck Norris, the catalyst for the discussion in Covington was clear. There was an even more powerful Chuck in convention center with us: Chuck Bender.

Chuck Bender chatting with our very own, Tom Iovino at WIA

Chuck Bender is the proprietor of the Acanthus Workshop and the host of the No BS Online Woodworking Show. Chuck’s also a regular at Woodworking in America at many other woodworking shows and seminars around the country and especially the northeast (I can’t think of the last time I went to a show and Chuck wasn’t there).

At Woodworking in America I was able to attend Chuck’s “How To Cut Fancy Pants Bermuda Dovetails Like A Man” seminar. Apparently, as there was nothing to do in Bermuda except drink, have sex and work wood, amusement for the natives came in the form of decorative patterns cut into their exposed dovetails.

Chuck cuts Dovetails in class

Chuck took us through the basics of cutting dovetails his way, the way, and then we moved on to the Bermuda Dovetails. After learning the technique, I’ll say that Bermuda Dovetails are not as hard as they look, but they’re still pretty hard. If the aesthetic peaks your interest, you should probably pick up Chuck’s Dovetail DVDs, as they’ll give you the opportunity to watch over and over as you practice.

A sample set of Chucks Bermuda Dovetails.

I must warn you, before you run out and learn to Dovetail as Chuck Bender does, you must consider the great responsibility that comes with such great power. It has been hard to watch the great Chuck Norris cope with the responsibility his power brings. If you learn to cut your pins and tails first like Chuck Bender does, you’ll become one of the few who are even more powerful than Chuck Norris. Consider that, and tread carefully.