Fenders and Company!I

By Debra from Olde Cape Cod, 28 July

I took the fender out of the clamps, actually clothespins, and most of the ripples had settled down. I was glad about that as I really didn't want to have to make another fender. I put on two coats of matte finish and let it dry. I did have more trouble with the rippling so had to put it back in the clamps for awhile. Note to self, use wax paper next time as the pieces of wood I used to clamp with stuck to the finish and I had to do part of it over! But, it was finished at last and glued in place.  If you're wondering what the washers are for, they are so the wheels don't rub on the house when in motion. I ended up glueing them on the back of the tires too and think I will used some silicone lubricant on them before I glue the axles in place. Of course, I had to try out the wheels to see how it would look! 
So while I was busy with this project, I had minions roaming around my shop looking for something to do. Since it's been in the 90's with 90 percent humidity, they can't go outside as they would quickly be just another grease spot on the sidewalk! One of them found the helmet I made for the steampunk robot awhile back and declared himself a Viking! I just remembered that I have a Viking-looking hammer around somewhere, I'll have to look around for it. Don't worry, it's plastic and is a very small hammer! LOL! Next he'll want a ship too...I must have a tiny rowboat somewhere......When I was almost finished with the fender, Dr. Watson came by. Sherlock is a friend of the Steampunk family and he heard about the telescope and told the good doctor. Since he is an amateur astonomer, he was excited to try it out. I helped him onto the porch roof and he spent quite awhile gazing up at the sky. At least I think he was gazing at the sky....I'm beginning to think he was looking at the lady in the McKinley room box too! LOL! I asked him if he would do the trim on the porch while he was up there and he just laughed and said "I'm an astronomer not a carpenter!" Very funny Bones......Have a great evening all!

Fender Bender?

By Debra from Olde Cape Cod, 27 July

I wanted to create a fender for those front wheels on the Summerhouse. I spent some time looking at fenders online and while my DH and I were out riding around on the weekend, I noticed some fenders on utitlity trailers that I liked. Didn't get a chance until today to try out my plan. First I fiddled around with a paper pattern until I got a shape I thought would work.  I had purchased some 1/16 basswood the other day just for this so got out my utility knife and cut the shape out very carefully. Cutting the piece on the outside edge of the fender was a little trickier, but I did manage to cut it out without doing any personal injury....always a good thing! LOL! I glued the top of the fender to the straight part first and let it dry, also the small curved piece on the front edge.  After the glue was dry, I bent the wood around that curve and superglued it.I made sure the Captain wasn't around and added my bling aka rivets!  I put the first coat of paint on and thought maybe that was the end of it....  But when I went back to check on it, the front edge had started to ripple....since the paint was dry to the touch, I clamped a couple of pieces of wood on either side and will leave it overnight in hopes of flattening it out. Otherwise, either the Captain had a fender bender last time he was out in it or I'm going to have to start over! Won't worry too much about it until I unclamp it and see how it looks. I tried putting brick paper on the back of the house while the wheels were off and it ended up crooked! So that came off and I am waiting until I feel more amiable towards the brick paper. Still really hot and humid here, I'm beginning to feel refrigerated....have a great day all!

Swirling Skirts and Fenders

By Debra from Olde Cape Cod, 04 July

Happy 4th of July! Sat on the tailgate of our pickup last night and watched the neighbors' fireworks. They were great! Real humid outside today so I am back in my shop. The Captain expressed some concern for Rose and her long skirts around that large back wheel. He didn't want a horrible accident on their next trip! I had actually been thinking about how to deal with this, so started on a fender right away. I was wondering what to use for the curved top when I saw a piece of scrap wood curling up near the bus kit that is slated to be the next project.  My DH (dear hubby) cut a piece out of a paint stick for me on his bandsaw and I had my pieces to start.  I glued them together and curved the edge with my heavy duty scissors.  Next is the part where the Captain always leaves the room because he's never quite sure if I'm making rivets or if he's going to have to put up with bling! LOL! Between you and me, they're definitely going to be rivets....  I was going to paint this metallic Gunmetal Gray, but decided that the front needed a little more color to it. I think I will paint this with a matte finish or maybe dry brush some bright copper on it, but for now have to wait for paint to dry. 
Pray for our country and have a great day all!