My Chair Is Done

I just finished this about 20 minutes ago. My house is a mess because this is all I did today. I still need to glue gimp (trim) around the arms, but I didn't have any that matched right now.

Kicking Asses, Taking Names

This is the progress I've made on my chair. I finished all the frame work, I stained and polyurethaned the feet, and I put the springs in. Today I made the attached cushion for the seat. It's filled with loose foam. There is no padding on the frame yet, so that's why it looks weird. Plus none of it is stapled down yet. I think I'm going to tuft the seat to keep the foam from migrating. The back cushion is for tomorrow, and it will definitely be tufted.

I made this little gal yesterday. It's linen, ticking and 1940's era reproduction prints left over from a couple quilts I made for my kids. I'm keeping the reason I made it under my hat for awhile.

Pocket Screws

I've been getting some more work done on my chair. Now, if this chair was a job, I'd have to have it done in about a week. Since it's my chair, and I'm doing it for fun, I can take my time. I can also play fast and loose with the rules, which includes using scrap wood and pocket screws where there should be dowels. I love me some pocket screws. If you're ever in a tight spot and need a quick, efficient joining method, the pocket screw plus glue never lets you down.

Here's what I've done:
1. I replaced both front legs with new ones. I had to knock the remaining leg out, add corner blocks, and use a Forstner bit to drill a hole big enough to attach the legs into the blocks. They still need stained and polyurethaned.

2. I reattached the rocker pieces that had come off. I used a combination of screws, glue and dowels. It's not going anywhere now. I'm going to reinforce the other side, too.

3. I knocked out all the side/front rails and replaced them with poplar. I pocket-screwed the back pieces and doweled the rest. I added oak supports on the inside and little chunks of poplar in the front to create a good sitting angle.

4. I started adding the clips for the springs. I'm using zig-zag springs which are generally considered a cheap and easy alternative to hand-tied springs. I'm using them because the rounded bottom of the chair makes webbing and spring-tying impossible. My other option was to build a drop-in spring unit. Frankly, I didn't want to put that kind of time into this.

I added a photo of what this chair looks like when it reclines. It's a pretty awesome and timeless design. Once I get the springs in, I can start upholstering it. I saved the spring job for tomorrow because it's a huge pain in the ass and I wanted to bake something.

Soap is a Salt

Randi made this to take on her student-teaching adventures. It's a leg with an astro-turf top. I'm pretty sure the red brocade was left over from a Halloween costume I made. Maybe not, I can't remember.

I have been planting things, and making a lot of soap. I planted 40 Impatiens (all started from seed), two days ago. I woke up to a jerk squirrel tossing them about like his own personal snacks. I replanted what he didn't eat, and now I'm short 12 plants. I started those fucking plants in March godammit.

Soap, Tomatoes

Today the tomatoes went outside. I bought these upside-down planters last year, and I was really happy with how they worked so I'm re-using them. I think I could make some more. I started these tomatoes in my house a few months ago. I started four plants, and my cats ate one. Then I re-planted it, but it is at a clear growth disadvantage. I killed the fourth plant today when I tried to put it in the planter. I feel pretty bad about that. I'm going to buy another one to replace it.

I built the structure they hang from. I didn't have a good place to hang them where they got a lot of sun, so I came up with this. It's lasted the year, but I think I may add a couple more 2x4's across the back to keep it stable.

I made soap yesterday. It's cold-process soap, with olive, palm and coconut oils. I ran out of lye so I had to make half a batch. I ordered more lye. I have to order lye and have it shipped because I can't find a local source for it. I think that's because it's used to manufacture drugs. The place I order from required that they have a release form from me before they would sell it to me. This soap smells like roses.