Friday 16 July 2010

Work in Progress

My days are filled with this phrase now. For me it simpy used to be the sentence I'd trot out to justify leaving my workdesk covered in paper scissors and unfinished anything. Now it means the difference between getting an invoice out or not, accounting for the quoted hours spent and administrative stuff that helps work flow into and out of the joinery. The other phrases that I use often, to remind me that all these hours that I used to spend crafting are still being used in a worthy way is - 'hell-hole', 'only for Mr Dunnit' and 'I hate working'. I don't, really, but I don't want anyone at the job to think I'm doing it out of anything but loyalty to Mr Dunnit. His business partner has become very ill and so sudden, reluctant, administrative help was needed, see, and I can do reluctant. I may be in my cougar yers, but goodness, I can be reluctant like any teenager, still!
Well, the joinery work may satisfy his career, but deep down, he's a wood sculptor and cabinet maker. Over the years we've all benefitted from his creativity, you've already seen some of it! So last week he decided to carry on with the third rocking horse. He's hacked out the shape, set the face and eyes and is to be seen doing the detail sanding. You may look all you like at this picture, you may see a work in progress of a rocking horse. Personally I see those strong and beautiful limbs. His forearms and hands. Not the wooden legs! Anyway...I digress. The point is, everyone has creativity in them, and this is his expression. If he decides to sell this one, (we have two, can't part with 'em, although the second lives elsewhere )I might get involved in the label, but that really is the limit of my input. As it should be; you don't want people messing with your mojo, huh! The new one is destined to be painted, here is the one he made from a non-painty hardwood for Miss Dunnit about 12 years ago.

She's called Amy Oats, by the way. The new one will look the same but be painted; the last one was a dapple grey. Clever ain't he, my Mr Dunnit. So this weekend, there will be dust clouds emerging from our garage. And of course, I might be in the little room behind the garage getting my week's fill of paper play. I hope so. Have a lovely weekend!

54 comments:

peggy gatto said...

What a beauty!!!!!!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Wow Wow how good is Mr. Dunnit, that rocking horse is stunning. Hope you both get time to do something creative this weekend, but with not too much dust. Have a good weekend. Tracy x

Annie said...

What a clever guy he is. His work is really amazing. I love wood with a passion.
A x

Elin K. said...

AMAZING!!

Artyjen said...

Super rocker! It is a joy to see someone work wood with so much skill.
Always had a thing about rocking horses.....I once had a ride on a rocking horse in Winston Churchill's home when my mum & dad went for a job interview....how's that for name dropping LOL !
xoxo Sioux

Scrapcat 1 said...

wow what a fabulous horse your very clever mr dunnit made, hope you get time to play.

Kirsty.A said...

He's definitely a keeper!

Darcy Marshall said...

oh Julia tht is a thing of beauty, truly, far more dare i say than anything i could make out of paper or fabric. Wood just has that superior beauty. He is very skillful indeed, I am in awe.

Carmen said...

What a beauty. Such talent and I totally agree with you rpoint about creativity being in everyone :)

Karen said...

O M G Julia!!!!! That is the most beautiful rocking horse that I have ever seen and I have seen a few as my late Dad used to make them!!!!! I love that it has never been painted as the wood is lovely!!!

No wonder you are admiring those arms & hands...they are soooo talented! XXX

Helen said...

Your Mr Dunnit is a find - hang on to him, Julia!! I love rocking horses - always have - when I was growing up there was a wool shop in the parade of shops at the top of the road and when Mum went in to buy her knitting wool, we'd all play on the rocking horse they had - and it was a dapple grey, from memory, too (although that may be wrong, we're going back over 40 years here...) Thank you for reminding me of it. AND it was a fab shop too, I used to love all the colours of the wool on the shelves. Oh, childhood...!!! happy days.

Elaine A said...

Oh my Julia -

Clever indeed is MR. Dunnit! What beautiful magic he makes with his hands. Lucky, lucky girl you are!

Elaine Allen

Jenny said...

Wow, what a talented hubby you have! Amazing x

Ann said...

What a talented husband you have Julia. I can see why you two teamed up!

Sue said...

Hi Julia
oh wow Mr Dunnit is very skilled, what a stunning rocking horse, i couldnt part with that either, beautiful workmanship, have great weekend,sue,x

Sue said...

Hi Julia
forgot to say,did you get an email from me about the easel?? we have been having probs with them not all mails have been received?? sue.xx

SDCrafts said...

What a lovely post - testimony to a strong marriage (you see his hands and forearms...) and the positivity of creative work. Then there's the admin...see it as a creative expression of love - it'll make all the difference, promise. Really lovely post Julia.

Helen Laurence said...

Stunning x

donnalouiserodgers said...

I once insulted a cabinet maker by calling him a carpenter (I was only 18 and knew no better) - I'd say your chap's an Artist - but don't tell him - he too may feel insulted!

and oooh there is something about watching a man using his hands especially if there is manly machinery involved and beautiful product at the end... - hmmm - doone drifts off a bit -

reluctant or not - you have to help if you can - hope the partner recovers fully and soonest,

have a good w/e too.

Dx

Kaz said...

Wow that is just fabulous! He certainly has a whole lot of talent in those there hands!! xxx

Hels Sheridan said...

Your Mr Dunnit truly is an artist... if I were holding that powerful looking weapon, I mean tool, I would have chopped the head and legs off it by now LOL Cannot wait to see how it turns out.. hope you will share with us hun..tell him he is a talented chap from me :O)) x

Linby said...

wow-that is talented. Do you get rocking horse dung too LOL!
Linbyx

Anne said...

Wow a true craftman at work Fabulous rocking horse Mr Dunnit. Julia thought you were helping with lambing pmsl well the image is a lot smaller on my blog time for new glasses me thinks
Anne xx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I've been out all day and when I came home and saw your post, I was surprised at how many comments you had already received and how many people said they also had a thing for rocking horses. I swear, that must be a British "thing" (I know I've told you my grandmother was British), because here in America, they are collected in very discrete and limited circles. As dust collectors (oops, you know what I mean), they are hard to find, except at Christmas or in the baby sections of novelty stores and quality toy stores like F A O Schwarz in NYC. Mr. D's rocking horses rival any I have seen in high end stores, and I have seen a few.

I was so taken by your lovely tribute to the man you have lived with for 25 years, whose arms and hands you can gaze on at any time, but choose to see them with such honor and respect. I only wish more married people felt the love and admiration you obviously have for each other.

You have my address. When Mr. D. is finished with the rocking horse, he can ship it to me and I'll even pay the shipping (grin). Seriously, these are true beauties, with unparalleled detail. I'm almost ashamed of my collection after seeing the one you photographed.

BTW, that "police tape" came off an EK Success card of law enforcement stickers. I once held a CSI swap and a gal sent the card (which has about 8 stickers on it) as a hostess gift. There's also a gun, a nightstick, a badge, and a few other police related items on the card. Probably a US thing, since (if I understand correctly) handguns are not allowed in the UK.

Let the dust and the glue fly this weekend and enjoy your time away from the reluctant.

JoZart Designs said...

That horse rocks in more ways than one and so does Mr Dunnit. He's as rare as Rocking Horse P*o!!! So wonderful to see such beautiful heirlooms.
Most everyone in England, as a child, had wonderful experiences with a rocking horse somewhere. They evoke that wonderful feelgood factor.
There was a giant one in Blackler's Store in Liverpool, which went to Alder Hey Hospital when the store closed, and as a result they have a charitable trust called "The Rocking Horse Appeal" which raises much needed funds.

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Such secret talents in yur household :) is it that we all have a secret yearning to have a rocking horse ( maybe due to riding one at the fairground?) or is it that we just love them as they cost nothing to maintain like the real thing! horses that is!
I would love one, although where I would put it would be beyond me! Mr Dunnit is certainly talented and I don't mean those arms either! lol
Happy Creating to you both
Hugs x

Sue said...

Hi Julia
thanks for mail have replied this morning with my adyy, hope you get it ok, if not i'll stick me addy here! lol. have great day. sue,x

airing cupboard crafts said...

Oh my goodness Julia that rocking horse is stunning!!!! Mr Dunnnit is so talented.

Glad to see your secretly enjoying work. Hope to catch up soon

Laura x

Diane said...

What I wouldn't give to be able to produce something as beautiful as that! Oh My!
I am sorry I missed the woyww this week, have been pretty ill. Just beginning to get back to the world today, hopefully will join in again next week.
What a talented pair you are!

chrissy xx said...

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chrissyxx

Claire said...

Oh My! Julia, that is stunning, thats one talented fella you have there :)
C
xx

Jane said...

Wow he truly is a talented man!! Amy is gorgeous!!

Kathy said...

Oh wow! The rocking horses are just wonderful - I can see why he finds them difficult to part with. I love the first photo, seeing that lovely wood being worked upon is a delight.
I'm soooo jealous of Ms D for owning Amy Oats, I hope she'll be treasured in your family for ever

minnie_mac said...

What a fabulous post. Amy Oats is stunning. What superb work with a gorgeous hardwood.

Marilyn

Twiglet said...

Wonderfully strong, robust and ruggedly beautiful - and the rocking horse looks good too!!!!!

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Ohhhhh how fabulous! Lovely limbs too - don't get jealous Julia I mean the horses hehe. It's just soooo fantastic, you can't get better than a wooden rocking horse ;-)
Anne xx

Charlie said...

WAUW - in fact DOUBLE WAUWWW - he is very talented - and a keeper for sure. That is one BEAUTIFUL rocking horse indeed. Thanks for letting us see his lovely work and have a nice weekend.

Handmade with Love said...

Your Mr Dunnit is a seriously talented man. That rocking horse is stunning and I would have been absolutely chuffed to get that when I was a child. Have a wonderful weekend, both of you. Tracey x

BethanyR said...

Beautiful! I would not be able to part with it either.....

Chrissie said...

This is simply beautiful and your spouse is a real artist. What talent! I love this fabulous creature. Well done Mr D!
Chrissie

Rosie said...

S'funny, I like a man's hands and forearms too - there's something very comforting about a strong pair of arms ... Your Mr Dunnit is clearly very talented in the wood department! I wish mine was - he can't even put coat hooks up straight, bless him.

Foil Play said...

Wow - the rocking horse will be a real work of art!

I hope you manage to get your fill of paper play too, this weekend :-)

Andrea - Wales, UK said...

Oh my word...that is truly amazing,stunning, gorgeous, beautiful and all the other lovely words you can think of.
Mr Dunnit is certainly a very talented man!


xx

Mummylade said...

oh my gosh, that is absolutely stunning. And that would include the arms ;)

lisa said...

The Dunnit household sure is a talented one. What a beauty. Any little girl (and big one come to that) would be over the moon to own one of these gorgeous horses. Isn't wood just the most wonderful thing!
Hugs Lisax

debby4000 said...

WOW now that's what a call a rocking horse.
luv
Debby

Lyn said...

I am truly honoured that I have seen and stroked and admired the beautiful Amy Oates. And dismally failed to slip her under my coat and sneak her out of the house.

Stunning work from Mr Dunnit and one lucky Miss Dunnit :)

mckinkle said...

Good golly Julia, those rocking horses are the thing of a girls dreams.

Oh if ever I should be lucky enough to be granted grandchildren, I would dearly love to buy one of those.

Please forward my noises of appreciation to your Mr D!

TFS those fab images!

Keryn x

Spyder said...

This is amazing...perfect.
(Lyn)

jude said...

Thats trult amazing stunning.Im sure if he did that full time Mr dunnit would be very busy man!!what atalent he has and the one in piccy is outstanding.Hed make a fortune for you hun!!!
Very crafty household in deed do!
thanks for showing hugs judex

ikki said...

He certainly is a very talented Mr. Dunnit! Just FAB! ikki x

peggy aplSEEDS said...

amazing! your Mr. Dunnit is sooooo talented!

Pam said...

Beautiful, my late FIL made one for my nephew it was a labour of love, he had vowed to make each of the 3 grandchildren something from scratch. Hannah was 1st and at 2 made her a wendy house she's 16 soon and I think sadly its on its last legs, Toms rocking horse was next and unfortunately time ran out for Jake, but each of them has at some point enjoyed the horse and its something that will always be there.

Pam

Tracy said...

Wow! What a clever man your hubbie is!! Absolutely beautiful. Can he make a shire horse one??!!