Category Archives: Last Minute Elf

Last Minute Elf 2013: Wednesday

The Last Minute ElfMemories.

Aren’t they awesome? I mean, think about some of the best holiday celebrations you have ever enjoyed. What were some of the things you can remember? The smell of the special food? The sights and sounds? The gifts you received?

My car's RadioSome gifts you remember for a good long time. Two years ago, I got a new stereo for my base-model Toyota Corolla. Because it was built in 2007, no one had given any thought to making an easy connection from an iPod or other digital music device to the stereo. I had tried many different tuners and other patches to try to get the car to play my iPod, but they didn’t really work. That’s when my wife gave me a nice Pioneer sound system, complete with a USB connection. Right after we opened the gifts, I raced out to the car, tools in hand, to install it.

It took some time, but went in with no problems. Today, whenever I drive, I can listen to my music whenever I want to. I see it every day, and I am immediately whisked back to that Christmas morning.

Gift GivingI also have many memories of the presents I have built for others. So, I wasn’t surprised when I started posting about the Last Minute Elf a few months ago, there would be stories about woodworking projects that would be totally heartwarming. One came from reader George Bouchard. It was such a great story, I have to share it with you as he wrote it:

I built my sister-in law a cedar chest for Christmas one year, but told her we had hit on hard times and couldn’t afford much that year. There was a look of total disbelief when she opened up the ugliest pair of socks I could buy, she cried when the brother-in-law and I walked in the room with her cedar chest. We still exchange ugly socks every year for the past thirty years or so.

Now, that’s the kind of memory that will last a lifetime. Remember, when you are in your shop building those projects, you are doing so much more than assembling pieces of wood – you are making memories which may last decades.

Andrew's Cocobolo PocketwatchToday’s winner tried to get his project in as many different categories as possible. Andrew Arndts told me that it could go in the turned category, or perhaps the greenest project. Maybe a child would like it, but an adult would certainly enjoy it as well. Yeah, he covered the bases. But, this simple cut off of cocobolo, with a chain attached and a simple clock insert certainly makes a handsome pocket watch, and it makes him our winner!  Hey, Andrew, you are going to receive two pairs of MicroJig’s Zero Play guide bars for making the jigs of your dreams and a Consulting Woodworker’s two-book combo – Sand Shading and Frontier Log Building – for when you want to build your next awesome gifts!

The gift ideas keep pouring in!  There are a lot of friends out there in the online woodworking world who are helping to come up with some great Last Minute Elf ideas. Today’s batch is a Doozy!

 

 

Last Minute Elf 2013: Tuesday

The Last Minute ElfHold on a minute… is this thing on?

OK, you have to forgive me. I’m just a trained shop monkey, and Tom left me in charge of the blog today during his big holiday building event.

Can we talk?First, let’s get one thing straight. He recently ‘finished’ the new workbench. But, as with everything he tells you, that’s not 100% true. In fact, I drew up the plans, shopped for the lumber, cut everything to size, cut the mortises and tenons, screwed the thing together. Yeah, so it’s ‘his’ bench only in the sense that it resides in the house he pays mortgage for…

Since he’s supposed to be busy building projects – but he’s inside, watching some kind of random sporting event on TV, it’s going to be up to me to get this building stuff done. So, the theme is something quick and easy, ready to be given to a lucky recipient in time for the holidays.

The wine bottle and glass caddyI know Tom knows a lot of folks who like wine, and he can’t push any more of those silly wine bottle balancers on his poor, unsuspecting family… So, I decided to ask our good friend David Picciuto of the Drunken Woodworker if it was OK for me to build one of his totally awesome wine bottle caddies. He said yes (probably because I asked, not Tom).  Thanks, David.

Choosing the woodNow, to pick out some choice hardwood for this piece. I’m thinking these two pieces of mahogany and tiger maple may do the trick. Fortunately, these projects don’t take a lot of material, so I can probably get a few of these babies out of these two boards.

The planes are tunedWith my hand planes tuned to the finest level, I threw on my Santa hat (I had to get into the spirit), put some Bing Crosby crooning Mele Kalikimaka on the stereo and set to work. I’ll show you my results later this week…

But, I would be remiss if I didn’t pick today’s winner of a Last Minute Elf reader submitted project. Today, we have a pair!

Tree OrnamentsFirst up, Charlie Baker put up an Instructable on how to make tiny tree ornaments using a band saw and a plug cutter. For a simple little project, these things make some awesome ornaments! Charlie – how would one of Infinity Cutting Tools’ six-piece router bit essentials kits look in your shop?

Christmas in a boxAnd, let’s give it up for Cindy Schmid. Her project is very heart warming. When her son was stationed in Korea, she wanted to build something for him to be able to celebrate the holiday far from home. So, she built – get ready for it – Christmas in a box.  Basically, it was a way for her son to decorate his barracks area to have a bit of a homey touch. She didn’t include a drawn out plan per se, but she did a write up about the project you can find by clicking here.  Cindy – you are going to love your prize.. because it comes from someone hairier than me.  Marc Spagnuolo is going to send you a copy of his latest book, Hybrid Woodworking, as well as a copy of his book on finishing. Hope you enjoy!

Steve Ramsey is in the holiday spirit

Today, I wanted to post a special link to someone who has taken the spirit of the Last Minute Elf to heart for years. In fact, I told Tom to check out Steve Ramsey’s (Woodworking for Mere Mortals) stuff from years past to inspire the mook. Steve has posted some awesome plans for this year that you won’t want to miss:

The best part is that he’s coming out with a new plan just about every day! Be sure to swing by his busy shop to see what new and off-the-wall ideas he has.

Remember, if you have posted a Last Minute Elf idea on your site, or see one posted somewhere, be sure to send the link to tom@tomsworkbench.com so he can post it here this week!

Last Minute Elf 2013: Monday

The Last Minute Elf“It’s the thought that counts.”

Ugh. How many times have I heard that expression. Usually, it means, “Way to go, bonehead. I really didn’t need a Pepe Le Pew key chain for the holidays, but wow, you must have really been desperate to find a last-minute gift at the local gas station before you stopped here.”

It's Pepe LePew!Yeah, I’ve done stupid stuff like that.

But, I can also tell you that while getting something you may not want could be a disappointment, not getting anything – when others around you are receiving gifts – can really be a blow. That says that, yes, it’s true, that no one thought about you. It’s happened to me a few times, and it did not feel good…

That’s part of the reason why I enjoy building gifts for friends and relatives. It doesn’t only show that yes, I thought of you, it also shows much more importantly that not only did I think of you, but I carved hours out of my free time to make something especially for you.

Christmas Boxes, 2003The first year I built holiday gifts was when I made some mitered boxes for my parents and my in-laws. No, they weren’t all that great. I can still remember trying to figure out how to hide some gappy miter joints after I had assembled the pieces. And, there were more than a few puzzled looks on the faces of the recipients when they got them.

But, ten years later, when I walk into my mom’s or my in-law’s homes, I can see those boxes still out on display. I know that they are still being appreciated.

So, if you have never built a gift for the holiday season, give it a go. While you may not think the project is a big deal, it may be a huge deal for the person who receives it.

Yes, it certainly is the thought that counts.

Today’s winner?  Well, when you get an entry from someone known as The Woodfather, it’s an offer you cannot refuse, capisce?  That’s what happened when Mario Cappellano sent me the plans for his children’s picnic table.

The Kids approve of this table!Mario – I’d say the kids are liking that table. And, when the weather gets warmer, it will be a great place to gather with friends to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine – and a good snack!

For being today’s winner, how about Fine Woodworking’s Basic Box Making DVD with Doug Stowe?

And, here are some Last Minute Elf links for some really cool quick holiday ideas.

Remember, if you have posted a Last Minute Elf idea on your site, or see one posted somewhere, be sure to send me the link at tom@tomsworkbench.com so I can post it here this week!

The Last Minute Elf 2013: Sunday

I woke up this morning and realized… WOW…. it’s DECEMBER… which can only mean two things.

First, I have to flip the page on my calendar.

Second – and most importantly – it’s day one of the Last Minute Elf week!

The Last Minute ElfThat’s right, all of you elves out there. It’s time to get off your duffs and start building for the special people in your lives. After basically completing the new work bench yesterday (Iggy was a huge help), we’re getting the rest of the shop ready for the holiday season!

And, I think it’s a good time to award our first prize for a Last Minute Elf project.  John Gulich was definitely thinking green when he came up with this cool doll bunk bed plan. Click here to get the plans and some more photos of this interesting project made of pallet wood.  Hey, John, I hope you enjoy the set of Two Cherries Chisels, courtesy of Wood Magazine! GE DIGITAL CAMERAToday, we are going to ease into the week. Let’s start off with a quick poll… with the holiday shipping deadlines coming up in a few weeks (less, if you are shipping overseas), how are those projects going?

I made a boo-boo

You know, I’ve been talking about the Last Minute Elf project since September. And, I have even worked with some of the biggest names in the woodworking world to line up some sweet prizes for a contest for the best last-minute project designs.

Holiday presentsAnd, I forgot one most important thing… Where to send the submissions!

So, here we go again.

Build a simple gift project that can be completed in a weekend in an average hobby workshop, and the design needs to be your own (not pulled directly from a commercially-produced plan).

Submit it to tom@tomsworkbench.com

Be sure to select which category you want to submit it to:

  1. Best Turned project
  2. Greenest project (using recycled materials)
  3. Best project that will fit inside a large USPS flat rate shipping box (12 inches x 12 inches x 5 1/2 inches)
  4. Best gift for a younger child (ages to birth 12 years old)
  5. Best gift for a Teenager (ages 13 – 20)
  6. Best gift for an adult (20 or above)

The Last Minute Elf

And, that should be about it!

Right now, the current prize list stands at (With the newest ones on top):

A wooden snowflakeNow, here comes the best part. So far, I have gotten one … that’s right … ONE entry. Help us spread the wealth by submitting your plans. Get out into those shops and come up with some sweet inspiration to help those who may be waiting until the very last minute.

 

More Elves are on board

The best thing about being a woodworker is that we work with some of the most generous folks.  Once I put the notice out last week, we have had a few more folks come to the table to offer awesome prizes.

The Last Minute ElfRight now, the current prize list stands at (With the newest ones on top):

A gorgeous ribbon boxSince we have more prizes, that means there will be more chances to win!  So I have added a few more categories..

  1. Best Turned project
  2. Greenest project (using recycled materials)
  3. Best project that will fit inside a large USPS flat rate shipping box (12 inches x 12 inches x 5 1/2 inches)
  4. Best gift for a younger child (ages to birth 12 years old)
  5. Best gift for a Teenager (ages 13 – 20)
  6. Best gift for an adult (20 or above)

So, get out into those shops and come up with some sweet inspiration to help those who may be waiting until the very last minute.

 

The Last Minute Elf gets serious

It was just a short month ago when I announced the latest woodworking event for everyone to participate in – the Last Minute Elf. And, so far, the response has been great. I have been sent a lot of small project ideas, and things are starting to pick up some steam. Heck, we even have a Facebook page.

The Last Minute Elf

To help get things moving even faster, we’re upping the ante when it comes to the event. That’s right, we’re going big time here – with the Last Minute Elf project contest.

Hey, I know I’m not the first person to think of building easy holiday projects. Over the years, I have seen lots of beautiful, clever and easy to build projects that were thought of mere days before they were due to be delivered, but made the deadline. That’s why I’m turning to you for your inspiration for this event.

Me and Iggy working hard in the shop

The rules should be easy enough to follow … Build a simple gift project that can be completed in a weekend in an average hobby workshop, and the design needs to be your own (not pulled directly from a commercially-produced plan). I’m thinking we can break this into a few categories…

  1. Best Turned project
  2. Greenest project (using recycled materials)
  3. Best project that will fit inside a large USPS flat rate shipping box (12 inches x 12 inches x 5 1/2 inches)

And, of course, we will also have a special prize for the best of show. How will those winners be picked? Well, I’m looking to assemble a panel of judges who can weigh in on this and help me select the winner. In order to do the judging right, we’ll need to have pictures and plans of those projects in no later than November 24. That gives us some time before the Thanksgiving holiday here in the states to get them judged.

And, what will those winners get? I’m working with the folks I know to see if we can get prizes for this event, and so far, the generosity has been awesome…

There are definitely more to come, but I’d say this is a pretty awesome start!  I’ll keep you updated as they come in.

I’m looking forward to seeing what comes in.