It has been an interesting couple of months up here in Southwestern Ontario. We've had a lot of sunshine and also a lot of rain - record breaking levels, actually. One result of this gorgeous weather, for me anyway, has been a fantastic year for gardening and thus a busy time for me out doors.

The "down side" of that (if this really is a down side) is that I haven't had a lot of time for sitting inside at the computer. To be honest it felt fantastic! Although I didn't miss sitting at the computer I did miss the daily banter of my fellow Jocks and the ongoing education regarding life and woodworking. It also created a stressful time for me as I had to do a lot of cramming prior to the monthly eMag coming out. You think it is hard to keep up these days? Try going through a month's worth of postings in 24 hours!

In the past few days, I've had some free time, with the peas already harvested and the tomatoes not quite ready for canning and so I've had the pleasure of sitting casually at the computer and being able to participate in the LumberJock discussions. Oh what a pleasure it has been. I even made it down to the shop to create a project or two. Yes, I've missed hanging out at the LumberJocks' shop. It's good to be home!

Hopefully the next month won't keep me away as much (hmmm tomato sauces and apple juice to be made..beans to be pickled and oh so much more. OK maybe I'll have to wait for September to get back into the habit of daily visits. But you can be sure that the LumberJocks will be in my thoughts every day! 

I hope everyone has had a wonderful July and is looking forward to a fantastic August!

~Debbie

Summer Woodworking Awards 2008

Once again our LumberJocks met the challenge head on and created many magnificent projects as entries for our Summer Awards. 

We did have a little glitch occur on the last day for submissions but once that got ironed out the voting began and the members had the "as usual" hard task of selecting favourites. This year we had a category that focused on creativity (One Man's Junk...) and one that focused on technical skills (Serve It Up With Class).

One Man's Junk had a total of 58 entries. Congratulations to everyone for their ingenuity and creative spirit! ((Drum roll)) And the Awards go to:

1. Michael Brailsford with the "Rex Billiard Table"
2. Karson with the "My Woodworking Bench from Salvage Material"
3. GaryK with a "Safety Clamp"

(See all the entries here: http://lumberjocks.com/awards/summer_2008/results/7 )

Serve It Up With Class had a total of 26 entries. Congratulations again to everyone who participated! And the Awards for this category go to:

1. GaryK with "A Faberge Inspired Serving Tray"
2. Dan with "Woven" Cutting Board
3. CharlieM1958 with "Fleur De Lis" Tray

(See all the entries here: http://lumberjocks.com/awards/summer_2008/results/8)

As in our Winter Awards 2008 we also had a "Best Overall Woodworker" Award to the participant with the most combined points from both categories. And for the first time, in the history of LumberJocks.com, our Award Winner receives the newly coveted "Unique LumberJocks Rosewood Trophy". I hope to see a picture of this grand trophy shining brightly in the shop!!

This Summer's Best Overall Woodworker is: GaryK with a total of 448 points!

Runner up is: Michael Brailsford with a total of 142 points.

Third Place is: Karson with a total of 133 points

(See all Scores: http://lumberjocks.com/awards/summer_2008/grand_prize_results)

Again congratulations to EVERYONE for another successful Awards event. Without our participants, our voters, and of course our sponsors (PriceCutter.com, Jack Rabbit Tools, The Wood Whisperer, Eagle America, and of course Martin Sojka) this event would not have been the talk of the summer!

Previous Events
Check out all the previous LumberJocks' Events and get inspired by the creations of your fellow woodworkers; it's just as simple as 1, 2, 3! 
Yes, Martin has been at it again and has created a wonderful index of all of the Awards and Challenges. You can get to the index here: http://lumberjocks.com/contests

Site Survey

You can help make LumberJocks an even BETTER place to hang out!  All it takes is 5 minutes of your time. The main source of funding for LumberJocks.com is from advertisers. How can we increase advertising so Martin can give us more perks? By providing some information about our purchases. Read more about the LumberJocks' survey here.

Pen Turners' Swap - Update

As Itsme_timd puts it, "It is like Christmas in July". Yes, the pen swap is well on its way and participants are as excited as children opening up presents! Check out the latest blog entry: http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/Woodhacker/blog/5407

National Day of The American Cowboy

Heartfelt "howdy pardners" are being said around the globe - in honour of our very own cowboy "Thos. Angle" and our other cowboy woodworkers.  Thanks to Karson for letting us know about this special day.

	Thos Angle has mozied on out to a remote ranch and so is unable to stay in touch on a regular basis. Wouldn't it be great if the ranch owner, one day,  said, "Hey, Thos... you have mail" and there were 4000 letters waiting for him.
If you'd like to get a letter out to the ranch he is at check Karson's blog for more information.

GardenTenders.com 

This past month, the 273 gardeners at GardenTenders.com were challenged to enter the first annual Summer Awards event, with entries in the "Edible Beauty" and the "Indoors-Out" Categories. We had several members take up the challenge. (Read about the Awards here: http://gardentenders.com/awards/summer_2008).

HomeRefurbers.com

Our 204 Home - refurbers were also given a challenge this summer for the first Awards event at HomeRefurbers.com. Again the members took up the challenge, resulting in several entries for the "Decked Out In Comfort" category. (Read about the Awards here: http://homerefurbers.com/awards/summer_2008)

Focus On.. The Outdoors

For many of us around the world July and August are the months of summer and the time to spend outside as much as possible. There are so many things to do outdoors and perhaps the most favourite for many of us is sitting on a deck, with beverage in hand, the warm breeze on our face, and watching the gardens soaking up the sunshine.  Building things for the outdoors takes some special treatment, due to the ultra-violet rays of the sun as well as the rain and other weather conditions.
With this in mind, you have to consider the type of building material to be used:  you can go with man-made material, pressure-treated wood, a natural wood that is suited to the outdoors, or adding a preservative or paint to the finished product. There are, as always, pros and cons to each option including durability, strength, environmental affects, preservation of our forests, availability, and costs.
Here are some LumberJock discussions about options for outdoor projects: Discussion "A" Discussion "B"
Of course, you also have to consider what you want to build, the space you have available, the style you want to surround yourself with, and what the boss wants. For inspiration, here are some: decks  (and don't forget to check the decks posted at HomeRefurbers.com) arbors chairs benches boats fences (the projects aren't all about the table saw!) garden additions signs
Regardless of what you decide to build, once it's made and sitting outside you will be proud of your creation and look forward to using it every time you step out your door! Projects tagged with "Outdoor" Blogs tagged with "Outdoor"

Haven't seen her around??
No tours??
Where can she be during the beautiful summer months?

You guessed it -- she's on vacation!!!

But with fall fast approaching it's time you decided to throw your hat in the ring and let Douglas Bordner (our resident tour manager/writer/graphic artist and everything else-r) arrange a cyber-tour of your shop. Not sure what to expect? Check out the tours that have taken place in 2007 and in 2008. It's so simple; why you don't even have to sweep up for the visit!

Our members are an amazing bunch - always ready to give each other a helping hand, both in person and at the online site.  Strategies, techniques, options and other "how-to" tutorials are provided on a daily basis, in blogs, through the forums and also as comments to posted projects. Here are a few of the shared strategies posted this past month:

We BLOGGED it:

all about routers (video) (WoodshopFreak) "what to do with mistakes" (Benomatic) checking your perspective (Frank) creating "endgrain floor" series (Thomas Porter)   marquetry "how to" (Lee Jesberger) hand-cut mortise (Eric) radial dovetail (Woodhacker) applying finish (gizmodyne)  marking & cutting (Betsy) tips on measuring (Betsy) business plans (ad marketing guy) making a scrolled puzzle series (Allison)   shaping a chair seat (FritzM) making curved doors series (LesHastings) fixing a routing "oops" (bfd)  zero-clearance inserts (PurpLev) aligning table saw angle (garagewoodworks) making a sign (TheKingsTreasures) double Dovetails (Woodhacker)  Food-safe wax formula (Kerux) getting the groove (aussieman) simple/strong butt joint (Betsy) free-hand inlay (thewoodwhispere) segmented blank assembly (darryl)	Project Photos
and of course we can't forget the "Priingles" tips! (Thanks Karson)
Forum Talk
squaring your carpenter's square (GaryK) aligning the table saw (Niki) hurdles, hurdles, and more hurdles (Steve Korz) lathe tool inventory (cliebe91) making veneer (Adventurer) clearning the bandsaw (Phred)  having enough clamps (sIKE) bead boards and kitchen cabinets (lance) joining MDF (CoolDavion) scraper jig (Ben) sufacing wide boards on narrow jointer (tenontim) infeed/outfeed tables (Pitt) sapwood (Garagewookworks) fixing rungs on chairs (tenontim) renewing the cedar aroma (bobdurnell) sanding and wood pores (Eric) outdoor furniture finish (USCJeff) framing a puzzle (Betsy) food safe finishes (phonewired)	Project Photos
And here are questions that remain unanswered as of yet:   http://lumberjocks.com/forums/unanswered

Look at us! We are 5,110 woodworkers making 250,799 comments on 8,964 projects, 5,324 blogs,  417 reviews and 4,107 forum topics

Milestones

5000 members - July 21, 2008

Karson hits 12,000 posts - July 23, 2008

LumberJocks Taking On Promotiona: be sure to have a look! (Thanks Todd)

Why Promote?

• more activity means more advertising potential
• more advertising = site maintenance fees covered
• more advertising = more "perks" and services for the members

How To Help

• word of mouth: talk about the site with woodworkers and woodworking companies' managers/employees
• distribute press releases, flyers, etc as they are provided, for special events
• place a link to LJ.com on your personal websites/blogs
• use your LJ profile as part of your business website
• use the badges and widgets provided, on your sites
• let potential advertisers know about our advertising information
• take the time to check out the company interviews posted
• make a personal donation to the site
• purchase items through the LJ Store
• and of course, don't forget to wear your LJ t-shirt or LJ Hat!

Come and discuss this issue at a dedicated forum topic.

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