Workshop preparations underway

With the fall Sign Magic and Sculpture Magic Workshops now only weeks away it is time to begin the preparations. I've been designing each participant's name plaque and today they were sent to the router for carving. I still have a few to go and there will be a few last minute guests as always I'm sure as we have a few seats left. In the next weeks the name plaques will be getting their many coats of color and glazes.

I find the name plaques both challenging and fun. Over the years we've welcomed more than 200 guests to our workshops. Each guest has recieved a custom made plaque - all different. These pieces are a way for me to hone my skills and learn new techniques.

It seems there are really no limits to how many creative ways we can do something.

-grampa dan

Polar bear done!

The day dawned a little damp so I spent the bulk of it at my desk creating the routing files for the first of a bunch of name plaques for the upcoming workshops. This afternoon as we finished our break the sun peeked out. I loaded the paint and brushes into the truck and headed out to the bear to finish off the last few bits. The crew had done the bulk of the painting and it only needed a few brush stroked on the numbers and some highlights on the corners of the ice berg to finish it off. I did the job, took a couple of pics and heded back home - just in time for the end of our shift. 

One more project is is off the list.

-grampa dan

guncle dan and Mason

I've long been known as a baby hog. It's one of my favorite hobbies. And times are good these days with a new baby in the house.

Sabrina, our niece is living with us indefinitely. A couple weeks ago we welcomed a new addition - her son Mason into our family as well. We've been debating titles for the last while - what would he call me? Officially I'm a great uncle but that is a mouthful. Grampa wouldn't do in this case for little Mason has a grampa. Today, it was determined (with much laughter and joking) that I would be guncle dan (short for great uncle dan) I decided that would be OK.

We tease a lot at our house. I find it easy (new mothers are REAL easy to tease) to get Sabrina going as she takes her job of motherhood real seriously (as it should be). Now I fully understand the rules (and why) but whenever I'm holding Mason I calmly ask her if I can share whatever I'm eating or drinking with the little guy. I instantly get 'THE LOOK'. If Janis is within earshot I get THE DOUBLE LOOK. Occasionally, if Becke is there too I get THE TRIPLE LOOK. THE LOOK means NO which is what I expect but I get a laugh every time. It's a game Sabrina and I love to play.

Today, Sabrina was busy getting ready to head out to an appointment. I of course stepped up to hang out with Mason until it was time to go. And as I occasionally do, I grabbed a Coke from the cooler. Before I popped the top we snapped this picture - just for fun. Don't tell Sabrina the lid is still sealed.  :)

-guncle dan