My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.

About a week ago I was cleaning mine, now over 30 years old, and she said
"Mom, I know this sounds kind of funny, but if anything ever happens to you,
I'd really like to have that box"

Back in the day I used it as a stash box.

So I asked myself, why wait?
She LOVES dragons so I went crawling around the web looking for ideas for
the dragon to put on top. Eventually I found a design that I could alter in
order to achieve what I was looking for. We're Irishmen, so I wanted that in
the design, and of course the dragons.

I have an OLD book shelf from back in the 20's or 30's that I scrounged up
several years ago in the hopes of loving it back to life. I have one that I
had already restored and thought that since this was a perfect match for it
that I would make them companion pieces. However this particular one had
been badly chewed by a big dog.

It's been too long in the storage mode of restoration. SO I made an
executive decision and I chose to use the wood from the shelves to make her
box. The shelves are just the right thickness.

So, here is what I have so far. I used my original box as the inspiration
piece and started carving the top.

Her birthday is on the 9th of October, I hope to have it finished by then.
--
Kate
______
/l ,[____],
l-L -OlllllllO-
()_)-()_)--)_)

The shortest distance between two points,
is a lot more fun in a Jeep!

"Kate" wrote in message
...
My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.

About a week ago I was cleaning mine, now over 30 years old, and she said
"Mom, I know this sounds kind of funny, but if anything ever happens to
you,
I'd really like to have that box"

Back in the day I used it as a stash box.

So I asked myself, why wait?

She will totally love it.

Good on ya'.

On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 13:20:56 -0500, "Kate"
wrote:




Very cool.

This past spring, I vacationed in Iceland. While there, we checked
out a few museums, and much local architecture. Celtic women were
early settlers of Iceland, so we saw lots of examples of early Celtic
work.

That box is very authentic, based on what I saw.

"B a r r y" wrote
Very cool.

This past spring, I vacationed in Iceland. While there, we checked
out a few museums, and much local architecture. Celtic women were
early settlers of Iceland, so we saw lots of examples of early Celtic
work.

That box is very authentic, based on what I saw.

--

Oh wow.. that's great to hear!
I was just pulling most of it out of my imagination.

One of my daughter's dreams is to visit Ireland someday. Of all things she
says she wants to repel off of the side of a castle... the little daredevil.

On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:30:07 -0500, "Kate" wrote:

Oh wow.. that's great to hear!
I was just pulling most of it out of my imagination.

One of my daughter's dreams is to visit Ireland someday. Of all things she
says she wants to repel off of the side of a castle... the little daredevil.

Very nice work, Kate...
I wouldn't have a clue how to carve, but admire the work a lot..

Not involving the Iris, but my wife and I have been reading the "Outlander"
series and there's a lot of Celtic/Scots references and drawings...

I think the reading is inspiring the wife to start more Celtic type wood
burning, other than the knots she does now..

So, in the far distant future when you're on the other side of the grass, will
your daughter have both boxes?


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Very cool, I want to crave like that when I grow up.

This secret box is it the type you have to slide parts around to find the
compartment for the key, then rearrange it a second time to get to the
lock.?

Mike
Watch for the bounce.
If ya didn't see it, ya didn't feel it.
If ya see it, it didn't go off.
Old Air Force Munitions Saying
"Kate" wrote in message
...
My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.

About a week ago I was cleaning mine, now over 30 years old, and she said
"Mom, I know this sounds kind of funny, but if anything ever happens to
you,
I'd really like to have that box"

Back in the day I used it as a stash box.

So I asked myself, why wait?
She LOVES dragons so I went crawling around the web looking for ideas for
the dragon to put on top. Eventually I found a design that I could alter
in
order to achieve what I was looking for. We're Irishmen, so I wanted that
in
the design, and of course the dragons.

I have an OLD book shelf from back in the 20's or 30's that I scrounged up
several years ago in the hopes of loving it back to life. I have one that
I
had already restored and thought that since this was a perfect match for
it
that I would make them companion pieces. However this particular one had
been badly chewed by a big dog.

It's been too long in the storage mode of restoration. SO I made an
executive decision and I chose to use the wood from the shelves to make
her
box. The shelves are just the right thickness.

So, here is what I have so far. I used my original box as the inspiration
piece and started carving the top.

Her birthday is on the 9th of October, I hope to have it finished by then.
--
Kate
______
/l ,[____],
l-L -OlllllllO-
()_)-()_)--)_)

The shortest distance between two points,
is a lot more fun in a Jeep!

"mac davis" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:30:07 -0500, "Kate" wrote:

Oh wow.. that's great to hear!
I was just pulling most of it out of my imagination.

One of my daughter's dreams is to visit Ireland someday. Of all things she
says she wants to repel off of the side of a castle... the little
daredevil.

Very nice work, Kate...
I wouldn't have a clue how to carve, but admire the work a lot..

Not involving the Iris, but my wife and I have been reading the "Outlander"
series and there's a lot of Celtic/Scots references and drawings...

I think the reading is inspiring the wife to start more Celtic type wood
burning, other than the knots she does now..

So, in the far distant future when you're on the other side of the grass,
will
your daughter have both boxes?


mac


Of course she will Mac! She's the only one of my children that really knows
it's history or would use it for something special.

I'd like to see some of your wife's woodburning, I bet it's lovely.

As to the carving, it's not that hard if you have the right tools - which I
do NOT.
I'm making do with what I have for now but have been researching tools and
see a lot of goodies out there.

I used to carve wax, much easier than wood and if you made a mistake you
could just melt a little back into the gash and carve it again. This is a
whole new ball game but I am enjoying it immensely.

Kate

Hey Mike,
In this particular case it will not be that elaborate. It will have one or
maybe two sliding panels that will enable it to unlock. No key.
I'm thinking of a way to engage a spring loaded button on it somewhere as
part of the mystery... but my head is so rummy from close up whittling that
I only have a shadow od an idea.

I thought that some inset gemstones into the borders with one of them having
a catch on the bottom with a spring that held it up..
It's coming.

Kate

"asmurff" wrote in message
...
Very cool, I want to crave like that when I grow up.

This secret box is it the type you have to slide parts around to find the
compartment for the key, then rearrange it a second time to get to the
lock.?

Mike
Watch for the bounce.
If ya didn't see it, ya didn't feel it.
If ya see it, it didn't go off.
Old Air Force Munitions Saying
"Kate" wrote in message
...
My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.

About a week ago I was cleaning mine, now over 30 years old, and she said
"Mom, I know this sounds kind of funny, but if anything ever happens to
you,
I'd really like to have that box"

Back in the day I used it as a stash box.

So I asked myself, why wait?
She LOVES dragons so I went crawling around the web looking for ideas for
the dragon to put on top. Eventually I found a design that I could alter
in
order to achieve what I was looking for. We're Irishmen, so I wanted that
in
the design, and of course the dragons.

I have an OLD book shelf from back in the 20's or 30's that I scrounged up
several years ago in the hopes of loving it back to life. I have one that
I
had already restored and thought that since this was a perfect match for
it
that I would make them companion pieces. However this particular one had
been badly chewed by a big dog.

It's been too long in the storage mode of restoration. SO I made an
executive decision and I chose to use the wood from the shelves to make
her
box. The shelves are just the right thickness.

So, here is what I have so far. I used my original box as the inspiration
piece and started carving the top.

Her birthday is on the 9th of October, I hope to have it finished by then.
--
Kate
______
/l ,[____],
l-L -OlllllllO-
()_)-()_)--)_)

The shortest distance between two points,
is a lot more fun in a Jeep!

"Kate" wrote in message
. ..
Hey Mike,
In this particular case it will not be that elaborate. It will have one or
maybe two sliding panels that will enable it to unlock. No key.
I'm thinking of a way to engage a spring loaded button on it somewhere as
part of the mystery... but my head is so rummy from close up whittling
that
I only have a shadow od an idea.

I thought that some inset gemstones into the borders with one of them
having
a catch on the bottom with a spring that held it up..

Another common trick is to glue a rare earth magnet inside on something that
needs to move. Place a magnet on the outside and move it in the right way.

Very nice box indeed. Both my husband and I are very fond of all
things Celtic. He's already said to me he'd like a box like that. I'm
guessing that was a hint, so I'll have to think about where I can
borrow some tools to make him one... after mine of course! lol!

My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.

About a week ago I was cleaning mine, now over 30 years old, and she said
"Mom, I know this sounds kind of funny, but if anything ever happens to you,
I'd really like to have that box"

Back in the day I used it as a stash box.

So I asked myself, why wait?
She LOVES dragons so I went crawling around the web looking for ideas for
the dragon to put on top. Eventually I found a design that I could alter in
order to achieve what I was looking for. We're Irishmen, so I wanted that in
the design, and of course the dragons.

I have an OLD book shelf from back in the 20's or 30's that I scrounged up
several years ago in the hopes of loving it back to life. I have one that I
had already restored and thought that since this was a perfect match for it
that I would make them companion pieces. However this particular one had
been badly chewed by a big dog.

It's been too long in the storage mode of restoration. SO I made an
executive decision and I chose to use the wood from the shelves to make her
box. The shelves are just the right thickness.

So, here is what I have so far. I used my original box as the inspiration
piece and started carving the top.

Her birthday is on the 9th of October, I hope to have it finished by then.

"Kate"

"Casper" wrote in message
...
Very nice box indeed. Both my husband and I are very fond of all
things Celtic. He's already said to me he'd like a box like that. I'm
guessing that was a hint, so I'll have to think about where I can
borrow some tools to make him one... after mine of course! lol!

There are some things you need to learn about this woodworking thing.

If your hubby wants you to make something, it is a perfect excuse to buy
more tools. Don't pass up this opportunity!

Outstanding, Kate!

On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:42:21 -0500, "Kate" wrote:

I'd like to see some of your wife's woodburning, I bet it's lovely.

I'm trying to get her to put some of her pictures on our web page... right now
she just posts to her pyro forums on Yahoo or something....
Maybe "film at 11" someday.. ;-]


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

"Casper" wrote in message
Very nice box indeed. Both my husband and I are very fond of all
things Celtic. He's already said to me he'd like a box like that. I'm
guessing that was a hint, so I'll have to think about where I can
borrow some tools to make him one... after mine of course! lol!


"Lee Michaels" muttered:
There are some things you need to learn about this woodworking thing.
If your hubby wants you to make something, it is a perfect excuse to buy
more tools. Don't pass up this opportunity!

Ha! Yes, that is true and I try as often as I can get away with it!
That's how I got my lathe. Unfortunately, we lack the most important
thing... space. I've spent some time this year trying to clean out our
storage barn (8x16.. I think) so I can try and convert at least one
side of it into a workshop. I so need a saw (table, band, whatever).
Right now I have to beg on someone else to get my wood cut up.

We're hoping to move next year, so basements, garages and outside
workshops are on the list of additions!! I'm trying hard so I can then
talk my father-in-law into giving me the Delta shop scroll saw he has
hanging out in his barn. Cast iron table and all! If I can find room
for it, I'll be rebuilding it and sawing everything in sight!!

Thanks for the tip!! ;-)

`Casper

Kate wrote:
My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.


Beautiful work Kate. Here's one that I carved for my brother. His niece
wanted a treasure box (she's 3 or 4). He had an old mahogany humidor
that he wanted something "scratched" into the top. Her name is Sarah
Rose (thus the central theme). I didn't get a picture of the finish he
put on it but I heard that she was duefully impressed!

Very nice Kate! Is it all done with hand tools?

Mike
Watch for the bounce.
If ya didn't see it, ya didn't feel it.
If ya see it, it didn't go off.
Old Air Force Munitions Saying
"Chris Damico" wrote in message
. ..
Kate wrote:
My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.


Beautiful work Kate. Here's one that I carved for my brother. His niece
wanted a treasure box (she's 3 or 4). He had an old mahogany humidor
that he wanted something "scratched" into the top. Her name is Sarah
Rose (thus the central theme). I didn't get a picture of the finish he
put on it but I heard that she was duefully impressed!

On Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:49:44 -0500, Chris Damico
wrote:




NICE work!

"mac davis" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:42:21 -0500, "Kate" wrote:

I'd like to see some of your wife's woodburning, I bet it's lovely.

I'm trying to get her to put some of her pictures on our web page... right
now
she just posts to her pyro forums on Yahoo or something....
Maybe "film at 11" someday.. ;-]


mac

Keep me posted, will ya!
K.

"Lee Michaels" wrote in message
. ..

"Casper" wrote in message
...
Very nice box indeed. Both my husband and I are very fond of all
things Celtic. He's already said to me he'd like a box like that. I'm
guessing that was a hint, so I'll have to think about where I can
borrow some tools to make him one... after mine of course! lol!

There are some things you need to learn about this woodworking thing.

If your hubby wants you to make something, it is a perfect excuse to buy
more tools. Don't pass up this opportunity!
---
Lee is absolutely right!
Any excuse to "tool up" should not be overlooked.

Kate

WOW Chris! That'a so pretty!
You know, it is something she will treasure forever.
Kate

"Chris Damico" wrote in message
. ..
Kate wrote:
My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.


Beautiful work Kate. Here's one that I carved for my brother. His niece
wanted a treasure box (she's 3 or 4). He had an old mahogany humidor
that he wanted something "scratched" into the top. Her name is Sarah
Rose (thus the central theme). I didn't get a picture of the finish he
put on it but I heard that she was duefully impressed!

Thanks Mike!
Yes, all by hand. I don't have any fancy carving machines.
I have my Xacto knives and some small, very cheap (Harbor Freight) carving
tools that I'm using.
I have the top done, I'll post a shot of it.

Kate

"asmurff" wrote in message
...
Very nice Kate! Is it all done with hand tools?

Mike
Watch for the bounce.
If ya didn't see it, ya didn't feel it.
If ya see it, it didn't go off.
Old Air Force Munitions Saying
"Chris Damico" wrote in message
. ..
Kate wrote:
My 23 year old daughter has always coveted my 'secret' box.
It's a box with a secret lock integrated into the design.


Beautiful work Kate. Here's one that I carved for my brother. His niece
wanted a treasure box (she's 3 or 4). He had an old mahogany humidor
that he wanted something "scratched" into the top. Her name is Sarah
Rose (thus the central theme). I didn't get a picture of the finish he
put on it but I heard that she was duefully impressed!

Thanks Barry


"B a r r y" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:49:44 -0500, Chris Damico
wrote:




NICE work!

Thanks Charile!

"Charlie M. 1958" wrote in message
...
Outstanding, Kate!

On Wed, 3 Oct 2007 21:19:21 -0500, "Kate" wrote:


"mac davis" wrote in message
.. .
On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:42:21 -0500, "Kate" wrote:

I'd like to see some of your wife's woodburning, I bet it's lovely.

I'm trying to get her to put some of her pictures on our web page... right
now
she just posts to her pyro forums on Yahoo or something....
Maybe "film at 11" someday.. ;-]


mac

Keep me posted, will ya!
K.

I got her to let me post a few of her older ones...
She's evolving new skills and stuff and wouldn't let me copy any of that.....
The "Mexican Influence"?


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Hey Mac!
Those are great! I truly admire anyone who can do faces. I have tried so
many times to sketch a face and have never come up with anything more than a
pair of eyes and a crumpled piece of paper.

My favorite is the one with the child and the kitten. It tells a story.

Tell your sweetie thanks for sharing!

K.


"mac davis" wrote in message
...

Wow! Mac your wife's work is amazing, I have enough trouble drawing with a
pencil if it doesn't involve rulers and straight edges, but to be able to do
it with a burner is great.

Mike
Watch for the bounce.
If ya didn't see it, ya didn't feel it.
If ya see it, it didn't go off.
Old Air Force Munitions Saying
"mac davis" wrote in message
...

On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 12:44:38 -0500, "Kate" wrote:

Hey Mac!
Those are great! I truly admire anyone who can do faces. I have tried so
many times to sketch a face and have never come up with anything more than a
pair of eyes and a crumpled piece of paper.

My favorite is the one with the child and the kitten. It tells a story.

Tell your sweetie thanks for sharing!

K.


"mac davis" wrote in message
.. .


Thanks, Kate.. I'll pass on the kind words..
She's been through several books and dvd's on faces and says the hardest thing
is the mouth..
probably 4 out of 5 mouth/lip/teeth efforts get sanded off..

The one of our youngest grand kid and her kitten was from a picture they sent ..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Fri, 5 Oct 2007 07:27:03 -0600, "asmurff" wrote:

Wow! Mac your wife's work is amazing, I have enough trouble drawing with a
pencil if it doesn't involve rulers and straight edges, but to be able to do
it with a burner is great.

Mike
Watch for the bounce.
If ya didn't see it, ya didn't feel it.
If ya see it, it didn't go off.
Old Air Force Munitions Saying
"mac davis" wrote in message
.. .

Thanks!

Her work is actually much better now.. she's learned shading and a lot of other
stuff...

The funny thing is that she says that she CAN'T draw...
Most of her caricatures are from photos, but her Celtic knots and free hand
stuff amazes me.. but she says that she couldn't do them with a pencil... go
figure... lol


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Nice mac. Woodburning? For a moment I thought maybe scrollsaw. I've
been trying to convince my husband to let me buy a scrollsaw for a
while, but haven't gotten him fully convinced yet... lol. Been
thinking of trying my hand at woodburning to add details and designs
to my turning projects. I just am not sure I'm that good free hand, ya
know? Tell her real nice work.

I got her to let me post a few of her older ones...
She's evolving new skills and stuff and wouldn't let me copy any of that.....
The "Mexican Influence"?

mac

On Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:18:40 GMT, Casper wrote:

Nice mac. Woodburning? For a moment I thought maybe scrollsaw. I've
been trying to convince my husband to let me buy a scrollsaw for a
while, but haven't gotten him fully convinced yet... lol.

Trade in that next toaster oven "gift" for a scroll saw?? ;~)

Been thinking of trying my hand at woodburning to add details and designs
to my turning projects.

That's actually how she got into burning.. and found out it was more fun to do
her own thing then work on mine... lol
Since we moved to Mexico she has been playing with burning tourist stuff on some
mushrooms and little turned sombreros, though...

I just am not sure I'm that good free hand, ya know?

I know that I can't do it... She's got me signing my turnings and I really suck
at it...
Of course, as a lefty that refused to write upside down, my normal hand writing
makes a doctor's look good...

Tell her real nice work.

I will for sure.... I've been printing the replies for her and she's feeling
very flattered..



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

"Casper" wrote in message
...
Nice mac. Woodburning? For a moment I thought maybe scrollsaw. I've
been trying to convince my husband to let me buy a scrollsaw for a
while, but haven't gotten him fully convinced yet... lol. Been
thinking of trying my hand at woodburning to add details and designs
to my turning projects. I just am not sure I'm that good free hand, ya
know? Tell her real nice work.

I got her to let me post a few of her older ones...
She's evolving new skills and stuff and wouldn't let me copy any of
that.....
The "Mexican Influence"?

mac

I bought a nice little scroll saw at the local pawn shop a few months ago
for $50. It's a Delta single speed.
You can get them at good prices there. I have not had much time to play with
it but I DID buy some circular(?) blades that let you cut in any direction
and WOW it was fun! You can cut itty bitty patterns just like carving
cheese.

"Kate" wrote in message
...

"Casper" wrote in message
...
Nice mac. Woodburning? For a moment I thought maybe scrollsaw. I've
been trying to convince my husband to let me buy a scrollsaw for a
while, but haven't gotten him fully convinced yet... lol. Been
thinking of trying my hand at woodburning to add details and designs
to my turning projects. I just am not sure I'm that good free hand, ya
know? Tell her real nice work.

I got her to let me post a few of her older ones...
She's evolving new skills and stuff and wouldn't let me copy any of
that.....
The "Mexican Influence"?

mac

I bought a nice little scroll saw at the local pawn shop a few months ago
for $50. It's a Delta single speed.
You can get them at good prices there. I have not had much time to play
with
it but I DID buy some circular(?) blades that let you cut in any direction
and WOW it was fun! You can cut itty bitty patterns just like carving
cheese.



Assuming that scroll saw uses plain end blades instead of pin type blades,
on of those circular blades isn't necessary as those small plain end blades
can turn very sharply and leave a very smooth edge that will need little if
any sanding. Takes a little practice but the results are much nicer.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Scratch Ankle" wrote

Assuming that scroll saw uses plain end blades instead of pin type blades,
on of those circular blades isn't necessary as those small plain end blades
can turn very sharply and leave a very smooth edge that will need little if
any sanding. Takes a little practice but the results are much nicer.



--
Mine is a Delta, it uses plain end blades.
I have used both blades a little and find that I like them both. Each has
it's own benefits and drawbacks.
I'm looking forward to making something with it soon. I may use it in the
making of my next box... hmm... the wheels are beginning to turn again

Kate