Integrated Priority List and Olson Dresser

Anyone who works with the Department of Defense in certain capacities should know what an IPL is. I decided to take the concept and apply it to home life. Alyssa and I started with a simple list of projects that we wanted to accomplish that aren't associated with a budget or a timeline - just projects. Then we racked and stacked them based on priority and time lines and came up with an order of battle that we could both live with. The reason that it's an "integrated" priority list is that it includes both of our lists.

The list includes small items such as adding a light kit to our master bedroom ceiling fan. It also includes large projects like framing the basement or wiring the electrical in the garage. The first task we're going to knock off is a full wall of "built-in" bookshelves for the office (18'7" wide by 8' tall...). I'm hoping to pick the materials up this week, get them to the shop for prep either Tuesday or Thursday night, and start early Saturday morning. Depending on energy, effort, and interuptions, I should be able to tackle most of it in a day with Sunday as a backup for anything I miss. Pictures and progress to follow.

Also, we wrapped up the dresser for our friends the Olsons and delivered it (Michael did that part) on Sunday. Again, sorry for the Ipad pics:























Hope you like the finished product!! Glad to cross that off the list and very happy with the results. Hopefully we can keep up the pace in the shop and I can find the time to work on all the IPL projects, too!!

Productivity

My life is full of projects, some large and some small. In the woodshop, we have a white board with our running to-do list and our completion list. We figured out that approximately 45 (plus or minus) finished products left the shop last year and we were very impressed, especially considering that I travel semi-often, Michael travels semi-often, Jonah came into the world and took mine over, and we bought our first house - all things that "detract" from woodworking. We've always had a very good buffer in our schedule for family/life stuff so there is less pressure. I thought an important step for this year was to look back at the processes that made our year productive and establish some goals for 2012. Before that discussion ever happened, we had 29 items on the to-build list, including some rather large pieces for Michaels daughter and step-daughter. We talked and decided that we would probably have to say "no" more than once in 2012 due to the already accepted workload. We also conceded that a great many lessons were learned in 2011 that will help us this year and they've already started.

Since the first day of the year, we've finished 5 pieces, re-arranged (organized) the shop, and will hopefully be done with another dresser by the end of next week. We wrapped up 3 pieces last night for a friend of mine who works a side-business consigning and selling odds and ends (will advertise for him when he has his website ready). He wanted some smaller pieces that he can put on display for sale in their rented space. There is potential in this for both parties to make money and market their services. Will let everyone know how this experiment works out.... (sorry for the IPad pics!)

Ski Rack (Beetle Pine)


Ski Accessory Shelf (Beetle Pine)


Ski bench (Beetle Pine)


Would love to hear thoughts on this unique wood!

Inked....again.

I had the privelege of taking Alyssa to get her first tattoo a couple weeks ago - she enjoyed the experience and the results so much that she went and got her second one less than a week later. I have enjoyed getting mine over the last 11 years and decided I was overdue for some more ink work. I've conceptualized many ideas and designs over the last couple years and haven't decided if it will all make it into my skin. The artist, Josh Silvas that tattooed Alyssa is an apprentice at Ink Sanity - he's working up a client base in hopes of making it a full-time, income generating gig. Since he's building his portfolio and reputation, he's doing work for almost nothing. I thought it would be a good opportunity to "test" his skills on one of my simpler ideas - the first 3 words of the United States Constitution - We the people.

It took almost 2 hours last night. I thought it would hurt more than it did. I am extremely pleased with how it turned out:





It's my way of expressing that we need to remember where this country came from and help to steer it back that way - not move backwards, but toward a future based on the morals, principles, and dreams of our forefathers. Written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the world’s longest surviving written charter of government. Its first three words – “We The People” – affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve its citizens, a concept often lost in bi-partisan and inter-party fighting that dominates the media. The average citizen feels that he has very little affect on the government, if any. My "statement" is to remind people that we do have a part to play, a vote that counts, and a voice to be heard.

More info on the next round of ink at a later date. Would love to hear your thoughts and comments! Happy New Year!