Lovely old Sweet Chestnut

I have passed this tree many times and have always wanted to stop and get some photographs, well today I did. Its a lovely old Sweet Chestnut that is in decline but still fighting on.



Not too sure as to why its declining, it has one half of the tree that is dead wood, and some of the branches are scarred on the underside, could be fire damage some years ago?.



Either way I love this tree and I'm sure it has some storys to tell.

"Chuck Chucks"

Me and Elizabeth went to see my folks today.
My step mother loves her new egg basket she's over the moon with it.
Elizabeth couldn't wait to put it in use collecting the eggs and feed the hens, or "chuck chucks" as she calls them.



She loves the hens and enjoys feeding them.



Hens fed, eggs collected, Elizabeth taking the eggs back to the house.



The egg baskets new home, I hope my folks enjoy using it for years to come, I know when Elizabeth visits it will be the first thing she picks up as she heads out to the hens.

Egg basket

After seeing my spoon rack my step mother liked the design so much that I thought that I would try and replicate the style into something for her. My father and step mother keep hens so after much thought I decided that I would make them an egg basket for collecting the eggs.



Its based on something I remember seeing years ago in an antique shop if I'm not mistaken.
I thought that it would be perfect for eggs with a rustic feel and a stable container for protection, plus I just love the simpleness of it.





Its made from Birch with a Willow handle, that is pinned in place by two large thorns from a Hawthorn tree. I wanted to keep the shape and finish rustic so its finished with a knife, the lid and outside of base are finished with the crook knife which gives a lovely rippled effect.
It holds 6 large eggs, I only had 3 in the house for the photos.



The lid pivots on the Willow handle on one side and the other side of the lid has a notch cut into it, it doesn't need any kind of latch as when its carried its in an upright position the lid doesn't swing open. Although one could be fitted, I'll see what my step mother says when she receives it.



I'll get some pics up when I go round to my folks house.

Pine cones and Willow

I managed to do a bit ofWillow harvesting last week, I wanted some Willow for a fish trap project, not too sure when I'll find the time though at the minute. The Willow came from a prunning job.



We also had two Pine trees to do aswell so as my Brother in law has just got a log burner, I collected a big bag full for him.



I love Pine cones, their shape is very symbolic, I found an interesting piece on their symbolism here. They also make great fire lighters.





So my brother in law now has enough to keep him going for a few burns for now.

Tool projects.

I have managed to get a few tools done that I have been meaning to do for a while. My mallet has started to look worse for wear recently, so as I have got some Ash from a few jobs I made a new one, I also made a carving mallet to use for lighter work and gouge carving.





It has a dried Ash head and handle with an Oak wedge.
My stash of Ash bits and bobs, for a few stick chairs and other small projects.



I plan on making a small stick stool for Elizabeth.

A new handle

My Whitehouse Kent pattern axe handle came loose recently so I rehandled it the other day, the handle is out of Hickory with an Oak wedge, its a bought handle and for what it cost its not too bad at all.



Its a shame as the handle that was on it had a lovely patina, hopefully in years to come the new handle will take on a patina of its own.



I also knocked up a few Gypsy flowers for Elizabeth to put in the garden.





They were made from split Willow, Elizabeth wanted to have a bash at splitting which was funny as she could only just hold the mallet.



Still she gave it her best!.