It has been an eventful but unproductive few months for this woodworker. February included a trip to Key West for a week at the beautiful Heron House on Simonton Street. Right outside our room was a beautiful rain garden. We had a relaxing week although Mary Lou continued to have some intestinal problems which didn't seem to respond to treatment.After our return to Ohio Mary Lou ended up in the hospital and had surgery. We have been consumed with dealing with the impact of this surgery and the changes in our lives for the next few months.
Anyway, we began going back to the lake house a few weeks ago and I had the time and energy to complete a few of the unfinished projects I had hanging. I applied spray finish to three Tic-Tac-Toe game boards and to the bodies of two potpourri holders. The tops of the potpourri holders are plywood with a scroll sawn design that was spray painted with a copper finish paint. The tops look rather subdued and more attractive than the plain birch plywood would have looked with a clear finish. The sides are walnut with an arched base to create the illusion of feet at the corners. 
The Tic-Tac-Toe boards are also walnut. I used the Rockler bit to make the depressions for the marbles and a stencil kit from Rockler to make the grid lines on the top. I used black pain to accentuate the grid lines and then again used the Helmsman spray finish. Three of the boards are walnut and one is maple. I intend to package all of these projects to be give-aways to visitors and friends.
I also took a lathe tool sharpening class at Woodcraft. I learned a lot of new things to do and several old techniques to change. I bought the correct wheel for my slow speed grinder so I now have two different grit wheels to use with my Wolverine Sharpening System. I built a new base for the grinder and now have a convenient and thorough system to keep my tools sharp as a turn.
Finally, I signed up for an Elderhostel week at Ripley WV, Cedar Lake Conference Center, in August. It will be a full week of turning classes. I have never taken such an extensive class so I am interested to find out what it will be like.
