The worst thing about gardening in my opinion is not my weedy garden, or a bed that needs replanting, but rather the fear I have about entering my cluttered dingy garden shed. What makes it worse is the last minute fall pile-in of tools, pots, extra bags of dirt, muddy hoses, etc. If a well ordered garden shed is conducive to efficient weeding, then I have to admit to less than perfect gardening efficiency.

A disorganized shed is simply an impediment to getting outside chores done. We all are prone to procrastination. The thought of dragging various items out of the shed to get access to the long handled clippers almost makes you want to turn the TV on. If you have trouble getting to your outside chores perhaps your messy garden shed is playing a role.

The first thing you need to do to get things organized is to clear out the shed. Everything will get dragged out into the backyard. Make 3 piles – 1) most used things, 2) useful things you never use, and 3) broken or useless things. Those three piles at the end of the reorganization will be 1) fixed, shined up, and put back, 2) given away, and 3) thrown out.

Now that you have gotten everything out of the shed, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Maybe even a fresh coat of paint on the inside will brighten things up and keep the spiders from weaving webs in every eave and corner. You can also use this time that your tools are out to fix up any problems, tighten the wheels on your lawnmower, and oil up any gears and hinges.

One more job that you can do now that the garden shed is totally cleaned and still empty of tools, is to figure out if you need to add some more shelving or hooks to make storing your tools and supplies easier. And I’m not talking about banging in a couple more nails to hang the double wide rake you bought last year. There are great vinyl covered hooks that come in all shapes and sizes that hold tools securely, so you don’t start an avalanche every time you try to get the shovel, but didn’t properly place the garden shears and electric trimmer on their slanted spikes.

The last step, and for me the most fun, is putting back the deemed essential garden shed items each in their own spot, with room to find and access everything required for effective gardening. Now that everything has a spot, and your garden shed is the picture of organization, you will be more likely to approach your gardening with less dread. Garden shed organization is definitely worth the effort.

Custom built garden sheds are enjoying a bit of a renaissance. I’m not sure what the trigger was but we are being contacted regularly by customers that are looking something a little extra when it comes to their garden shed. The old ubiquitous stand by sheds that are sold by the dozens in hardware stores don’t seem to be cutting it this year.

Homeowners who are shopping for garden sheds this year are looking for something to make a statement, something to continue their landscaping theme, or a shed which custom fits their backyard hobby. The simple shed-in-a-box with four walls a roof, and a window with nail on shutters is no longer sufficient.

Some of my clients want to make their garden shed into a design element that carries on an old English garden cottage theme, some want a rustic hunting lodge theme, others are looking for a zen garden contemporary style. On the other end of the scale are clients who want to install a totally green eco shed, made with recycled materials, and customized to take advantage of all off-grid components possible – a solar panel and backup batter to run the lights, and a multi barrel rain water system to collect runoff from the sheds roof and gutter system.

One call I received was for a particularly whimsical style of shed, recently made popular on the reality series ‘Jon and Kate plus 8′. The 3 little crooked houses that they had built struck a chord with many people, and that is the new most popular request – adding some whimsy and imaginative style to backyard sheds is on the top of the list.

The other clients that are looking for customized backyard sheds are concerned about functionality more than style. The green thumb house owners are looking for a place to store all their gardening tools and landscaping supplies, as well as provide a space to do some potting and start seedlings in the spring. There are many others with different hobbies that would like a custom built studio for such things as stained glass, pottery, and painting. All of these are ideal uses for a cute backyard garden shed.

Regardless of what you need a backyard shed for, whether it is to add a bit of extra outside storage space, or whether you need a garden workshop, remember that you shouldn’t be limited to a plain looking press board shed reminiscent of the 80′s. As people discover their outdoor spaces once again, backyard decor has become as important as interior design. Put some thought into the style of your garden shed and you will have a great focal point to base your garden design on.

Many of us throughout the years have had cedar chests passed down to us as a family heirloom. Some are in better conditions than others are but if there is a memory attached to it then that condition is secondary. What you might want to keep in mind though if you plan on keeping this exquisite piece of furniture to go down to through the lines of ancestry then you may have to take some steps to restore it now so it can withstand the hands of time.

One of the most significant things that you may have noticed is that familiar cedar odor is gone. You may remember as a child perhaps when you grandmother would open the chest you would get that woody cedar aroma. Just the thought of it brings back memories. Sadly, though you noticed it is no longer the case. Now when you open the chest there is nothing.

Fortunately, you can restore this. Aside from it creating wonderful memories for you, the cedar has a useful side. It is a natural bug repellant. That s why it was such a favored wood for building these chests. This is where precious items were stored and everyone wanted to ensure they would be where pests would not destroy them.

Over the years no matter how preserved the cedar chest was dust gets into the pores of the wood and clogs them. Or it has been a cedar chest that was in continuous use then the pores may have become pinched shut. So what has happened now is the aroma that once emitted through these pores can no longer do so.

The objective is to open the pores to restore the aroma that is waiting to be let loose. There are a couple of ways you can do this. One method is to very lightly sand the surface using a fine 200 grit sandpaper on a sanding block. What this will do is the sandpaper will penetrate the pores and will open up pockets in the wood where the precious cedar oil is contained. Be very careful with the sanding though as you don?t want to end up with scratch marks. This is avoidable if you sand in the same direction as the grain. You will find that it?s not going to take much sanding before you smell the aroma of the cedar once again.

There are times though when the cedar is just too old for the sanding technique to work. Before going to all that work try sanding a discrete area to see what the end result will be like.

Another way of doing it is to rejuvenate the piece. You can do this with extracts like cedar and some cedar sprays.

You may want to try putting some good grade cedar chips in a nylon and tying it tightly. Place this at the bottom of your cedar chest. Although not as good as the actual odor from the chest it will still no doubt stir up so old memories.

It seems that even those of us that aren’t all that artistic seem to become more creative around the Christmas season. Woodworkers will start building and decorating nifty ornaments

One of the most admired outdoor ornaments is the white Christmas reindeer made from a simple sheet of 4ft.x8ft. exterior grade plywood. No need for a lot of tools either as an electric jig saw will do just fine. One thing you may want to plan on is that just making one of them doesn?t fit the picture. You need at least two and if you feel really creative go ahead and make as many as you like.

There are many places on the internet that you can find quite a few patterns with some variations to them. If it?s your first woodworking project then stay with a simple basic pattern. You can get fancier on your next ones.

So to get started. First, lay your pattern out on the plywood. If you follow the layout instructions that came with your pattern, you will not have much waste of wood. You will find that you can make two reindeer out of just this one sheet of plywood. Now this is the simple way of doing your set but beware because once this set is done you can bet the neighbors and friends are going to being giving some hints on how they would like some. Therefore, to save yourself some work later on make a wood pattern from your paper pattern. You will find it?s much easier to work with. Luan material is good for this.

If you feel that, you don?t want to ruin your pattern by tracing over it then make a paper pattern using graphite paper. Then you can tuck the original away and use it again when your temporary one is no good.

Now using your jigsaw and taking some time just follow the lines of the pattern you traced on the wood. You are going to see an area that has been marked for the slot so be sure you do a perfect cut here so the pieces will interlock properly. Now once this is done and your project is taking shape give them a quick sand and you are ready to add some life to them. You may be a little confused with all the parts that you now have before you but just follow the step-by-step instructions for assembling them.

These little guys are going to be outdoors so you want to give them a good coat of high quality outdoor paint. You may find that its necessary to give them two or three coats but that doesn?t take all that long. After your final coat of white and it?s dried well then paint on the features and give it a couple of coats of urethane. Then out to the yard they go to say merry Christmas to all.

Butcher blocks aren’t something new on the market or even old fashion. They go back hundreds of years. At that time, the favored wood was maple or various other types of hardwood. In today?s building of the butcher blocks, they are quite often made from imported hardwoods, which gives a bit more of a variety. It must be remember that years ago there wasn?t the equipment for slicing meat that we have today. Back in the good old days, it was a lot of arm work and a good cleaver that was used to cut the meats. So needless to say why a butcher block was in order.

In our modern kitchens today, we are far gentler with our butcher-block tops and in most cases, we opt to use a cutting board and leave the butcher block top for esthetic purposes.

You can restore your butcher block if is showing the worst for wear and tear. The first thing you need to do is sand it down. This will remove the other varnish and urethane that probably has begun to chip anyway. It depends on just how bad the condition of the butcher block is to determine the sanding techniques. If it?s very bad then start with an 80 grit sandpaper. Then each time you sand it reduce the grits. This mean each application of sanding is being used with finer sandpapers. The purpose of this is the heavy grit removes the gouges out of the wood but the finer sandpaper removes the scratches made from the previous sandpapers. It actually turns out to be a process of elimination.

One thing you need to remember though when you are sanding out all these gouges the top is going to become uneven with a lot of dips in it. The best thing is to leave some of the deeper gouges. Besides, it adds character to it.

Once you have your butcher block back in condition you need to treat it. Don?t use the urethanes and varnishes that are used on regular furniture. Instead use a good finish of food grade mineral oil. Don?t us your regular cooking oils because they spoil and leave a bad taste on the food. All you do is with the mineral oil is wipe it onto the surface of the butcher block and you will see it rapidly soak in. Keep doing this until the wood has become saturated then remove the excess. Ideally, this should be done one a month. Then ideally, to finish it off perfectly a good coat of beeswax is in order. The food grade mineral oil soaked into the wood but the beeswax will sit on top and give it added protection. It retards moisture and bacteria from getting into the wood surface.

The one thing you want to avoid is having your butcher block becoming too wet. They are made from wood so naturally the moisture is going to eventually break it down. If it becomes too moist the wood swells then the butcher block begins to swell then as it dries out it begins to crack. The same effects can occur from the wood drying out too much as well.

When it comes time to finish your project you need to know that for wood treatments it is either stain, paints or finish. They are each providing a different outcome. To tint the wood you would use wood stains. Paints sit on the wood and protect it. Some finishes are pretty much paint without any color added to it. They are the ones that give that clear protection.

Probably one of the most well known finishes is varnish. It?s a great finish because the more layers you use the stronger the finish. The major problem with varnish is it dries slowly which increases the chance for dust to get into the finish. If possible, try to do your finishing work in an area where there is the least amount of dust.

A mixture of resins and synthetics boiled together is what makes varnish. If you are using polyurethane?s then you are simply using a varnish that has had a polyurethane resin added to it. When you are using a varnish that contains a higher quantity of oil, it makes the product more flexible and this is known as Spar varnish, which makes it perfect for outdoor use because of it flexing properties.

If you are going to use varnish as your finishing product then you need to know how to apply it properly. Working in a dust free room is a priority. Then using a tack cloth wipe down your project as it must be perfectly clean. Put some of your varnish into a container that you can work out of .That way if it becomes contaminated with dust you can just discard that amount. Apply the varnish using long steady strokes with a brush working in the grain direction. Tip off your brush strokes. Wed sand in between coats with fine sandpaper.

There is also wiping varnish but read the labels carefully before using this product to be sure that it is varnish and not tung oil.

Then there are oil and varnish blends. They work similar to an oil finish but have a bit more protection to them but they are not for building layers.

Shellac is a natural resin but not is as durable as the others are. It?s not good for items such as kitchen counter or cabinets for example. It is a fast drying product though and you can get it in various colors.

Lacquer is usually applied with a spray gun but the fumes can be dangerous and the dry dust is explosive.

There are some really good what are labeled as water based finishes but they all have a certain amount of solvent in them. Their two weaknesses is they show brush marks and they bubble when you are applying them so use a synthetic brush for this.

Proper sanding between coats of your finish is one of your most important steps. Be sure to use fine sandpaper. The sanding removes bumps and uneven spots. Especially made sandpaper for wet sanding is ideal. Really, take the time to research the various finishes you are going to use to get the best application and intended use from them.

Working on a woodworking project is always fun even though it may have its frustrating moments. After all, in most cases it is a hobby and one that is suppose to be enjoyable. The greatest anticipation and driving force is the anticipation of the finished product. There is something gratifying in having that almost finished project in front of you ready for the finishing touches. It has been a great project, everything turned out perfect now comes the final decision which is how do you finish it off?

The finishing touches is more tricky than you would imagine. It is somewhat stressful at this point because you have done a lot of hard work and it would be most disappointing if you ruined it at this stage.

The object itself is partly going to help you determine what type of finish you are going to use. If it?s a usable object that perhaps could get market up then you need to think a little differently regarding your finish. For example, a table or countertop is going to have things set on it all the time. Hot and cold items as well as items that could stain the wood. In this case, you need a durable protective finish. At this point, we have not even considered the esthetics part of it. That comes next. You need to decide if you are going to use a stain or leave the wood natural. Finally it comes down to what?s easiest for you and what do you feel most comfortable doing. If you are a novice to woodworking then you need to find the easiest products to work with in the simplest fashion and application.

Again, when it comes to the durability and protective coating that you are going to use you will find many of them on the market but again it?s going to depend on your project. We talked about what tables and countertops are exposed to so you will need a protective coating that is going to withstand this. Then if it?s outdoor furniture or d?cor that you have done then it?s got different requirements for a protective finishing. The same applies for food items such as salad bowls and steak plates. The finishes that you use on these must be food safe. Whatever one you decide on don?t cut corners and be absolutely sure that you have followed the manufacturers directions and have applied as many coats as required.

Naturally, you know that the stains are going to change the color but also keep in mind that the protective coatings will also alter the color somewhat. If you are using the water base protective coatings then it won?t be as much of an issue as with the other types.

It is always a good idea to check with your home improvement center where you buy your products. They have good feedback as well as product knowledge and will be able to give you some good first hand knowledge about the products you are thinking of buying.

Years ago, garden decor used to consist of putting in some exquisite flower gardens then setting up a small umbrella tables and few chairs to sit and relax in. This is far from the case now with most people no matter how small their back yard is. Many people have adopted to the fashion of extending your indoors to outdoors. So now, many living rooms for illustration flow out onto the patio with the couches, loveseats and most any other furniture you would find in the living room. This has called for more broad grooming to the common architecture of the backyard itself. There are many things you can do to enhance the ambience that you have made here in your backyard.

Making little flower rooms in your garden is a wonder touch. It just means having pathways or walkways leading to various segments of your backyard that are little stand-alone areas. You can create these walkways with cobblestones or bricks. You can even use wood chips or stone. Build your walkway in accordance with the size of your workspace. If it?s small then go with smaller paths.

One of the newer additions to the garden is mirrors. These work extremely well if you have a very small backyard or one that has a lot of shade. You can position the mirror so it reflects sun to the shadowed areas. It also makes your flower gardens look twice as big. Be careful where you situate the mirrors though because they are breakable and you don?t want something hitting them during a storm perhaps.

A pond and or fountain add tranquility to your outdoors. There is nothing more soothing than the sound of water slowly running over some rocks. Then if you have a pond, you can consider having some gold fish in it to enjoy watching. In any event, you must keep the water treated so it doesn?t become stagnant and a breeding ground for mosquitoes. If maintained properly it?s no different than your swimming pool. You must keep the water clean. Once you have decided that a pond or fountain is a good idea you will find many simple plans for installing or building one.

Pergola?s trellis?s and garden gates all add to the d?cor of the yard and are added extras or final changes. They are magnificent when climbing roses are allowed to grow over them. You can once again build these yourself or buy kits that you just need to assemble.

In all likeliness, you are going to have to have a storage shed especially when you have a lot of garden tools. This is one area you do not what to skimp on the cost. You not only want one that is durable but you need one that is going to fit in with the ambience of your outdoor space. Be sure to choose something that is going to stay within the d?cor of the area where you will be placing it. Choose this place wisely. You want it easily accessible but not so, it stands out more than the rest of the garden d?cor.

Safety always comes first. For any activity, whether it is woodworking or sports, it pays to be mindful of any potential dangers and how you can prevent them. For woodworking, understand the hazard is not only for your safety but the safety of others around you.

a) Alcohol and tools just don?t make a good team. Avoid the consumption of alcohol whenever you are going to be working with your tools no matter how minor they are. Even with a chisel or a knife, you can get some pretty bad cuts. Your mind needs to be clear when involved in this hobby. The same applies for prescriptive drugs for example that may cause drowsiness.

b) Observe the conditions that you are working in. Sawdust as well as toxic fumes can be deadly to your health. The dangers with these are that the results they can create may not be evident immediately. Health hazards such as these can show their results years later. Use only anti explosion fans and make sure you have a good supply of fresh air.

c) No doubt you have seen a lot of protective gear on the shelves where you buy your equipment and supplies. These items are not just fads and can be important to your health. Items like protection for your ears and safety glasses should be a priority. Something as simple as using a push stick when you are work up close to the blade can save a limb.

d) Don?t socialize when you are working in your woodwork shop, even having a television or radio on can be a bad idea. Anything that could distract you and take your attention away from what you are doing could lead to a potential accident.

e) It is imperative that you keep your shop clean. If you leave tools, lying on the floor there is a good chance you are going to trip. If you are, hanging tools make sure they are secure and you don?t run the risk of them falling on you. Watch for cords try to keep them away from areas where you are going to be walking. Sweep up your debris. Sawdust can make a floor like a skating rink.

f) There will be times that your won?t seem like it is cutting right or it is resisting. Don?t get frustrated and start pushing the wood. Stop and inspect the equipment to see what the problem is. If you continue to force the wood, it could spring back and hit you.

g) Think about what you are cutting. Don?t let your thoughts stray you must concentrate at all times.

h) If you are in a hurry then you should not be working. This is when accidents are most likely to happen.

I) Wear the right clothing. If you have long hair keep it tied back. Remove your jewelry before working with your tools.

j) Make sure your power tools have completely stopped before touching them or setting them down.

Just good common sense thinking can prevent the majority of accidents that can occur in the workshop.

More often than not in woodworking projects, you are required to join two pieces of wood together. Perhaps in the past you may have used clamps or set heavy objects upon the piece. You may get away with that on the rare occasion but for the most part, it doesn’t work so well.

Ideally what you need to have is a biscuit joiner. This is nifty tool that cuts a hole that is shaped like a crescent or half moon in the two edges opposite each other on the wood. Then you take an oval shaped object that looks like a biscuit, cover it with glue and place it into the slot you made. There you have it a joint made in no time at all.

A 4-inch blade on the biscuit joiner is what cut the crescent shaped holes. Naturally, there are the regular techniques that you could use to make your joint but with the biscuit joiner, it’s fast and neat.

Some individuals have questioned as to whether a biscuit join is stronger enough and in the majority of cases, it is. The premise it works on is quite simple really. The glue that you applied to the wood biscuit was covered in glue when you inserted it. The glue caused in to swell and tighten up the joint. Usually its compressed beach shavings that the biscuits are made up of, then they are stamped out into an oval pattern. There are three sizes that are the most common being the #20 which is 1in wide by 2 3/8in long, then #10 which is 3/4in wide by 2 1/8in long and finally #0 being 5/8in wide by 1 3/4in long. There are some newer ones called mini biscuits coming out on the market.

If you are new to using biscuits, you may be unsure as to what size to use. The rule of thumb is to try to go with the largest one that will fit which would be the #20. There will be times though that you will need to go with the #10 or even the #0 if depending on the projects.

You may also hear the biscuit joiner being referred to as a plate joiner.

As you from working with wood, there are several types of joins that you have to make a some point in time during your various projects. If you are constructing tabletops then you have the edge-to-edge joints. Butt joints are end to end, miter joints for picture frames, and then corner joints as well as T Joints.

To make your t-join put the two pieces on top of each other, mark the locations of the biscuits then cut the horizontal slots, followed by the vertical slots then assemble.

To lay out the joint is simple .On each piece draw the line then align the center mark on you joiner with this mark. That?s all there is to it. It just can?t get any easier than this.