Sunday, November 25, 2007

Fun Monday - Not Yet

For this week's Fun Monday challenge Blue Momma said, "I want you to show me your......projects. More to the point, I want to see your unfinished projects. I have so many that I really need some reassurance that I'm not the only one. Home improvement projects are what I have in mind, but it you don't have any of those show me any kind of project - needlework, cooking, scrapbooking, etc."

It is probably some kind of personality flaw on my part, but I do not seem to be able to complete projects. Throughout my lifetime, I have started many projects. However, only some of those projects have reached 100% completion. I may begin a project, but often there seems to be an obstacle that prevents me from completing some of my many projects. This obstacle may come early or late in the developmental process. The result is is the same, another not yet...

Since I was a young lad, I have enjoyed building models of all kinds, model cars, ships, planes, tanks, and so on. When I was young and poor, we could not afford many models so I would rebuild the same model over and over. Today, I am fortunate to be able to buy many models. One of the problems in completing models today is that I have too many to choose which one.

Here are a few of the models in my current collection.

I set a deadline to finish this fine vintage Indianapolis race car by Memorial Day 2007. You know the Indianapolis 500 race day is on Memorial Day weekend. While working on this project, I kept adding new dimensions to my model design such as authentic-looking frame rails. Hence, Memorial has come and gone, and the Number 9 is unfinished.

Early in the 1970's, I began building ships-in-bottles, and I actually did complete and sell about 25 of these pieces. The process is tedious and time consuming. I do have some partially completed tiny ships and some bottles with artificial water, but these ships have yet to set sail. My reason for slowing down the ship-in-a-bottle production may be due economics. Each piece takes time and effort to construct, and buyers are unwilling to pay a reasonable price for the labor.

Pictured here are bottles with artificial ocean and a stand to build a small ship.
You see there are many reasons that my projects go unfinished. All that being said, I occasionally do finish projects. I posted about my crafts for a Fun Monday post in June.

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15 Comments:

At 2:18 AM, Blogger Hootin Anni said...

My hubby would LOVE some of your ships in bottles!!! Those are amazing. I'm gonna have to bring him here when he is around. Truly, very cool.

 
At 7:38 AM, Blogger Sandy said...

Ships in bottles? I am in awe! and your other unfinished projects? Very organized!

 
At 8:18 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I always wondered how that ship in a bottle was done. I was guessing blowing the glass around the finished ships. Do you have very teeny tiny tweezers? :-)

 
At 9:02 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, your projects are majorly time consuming! No wonder it's difficult to finish...I've always wanted to see one of those ships in the bottle in progress, though.

 
At 10:18 AM, Blogger Alix said...

I loved your finished projects, most impressive. I couldn't even start something that requires that much patience so I think beginning was pretty cool. Hope you find some time to finish

 
At 11:03 AM, Blogger Sauntering Soul said...

I have always been amazed at anyone who can do the ships in bottles. Both of my brothers were big into the models growing up. I always thought making models looked cool but apparently, girls were not allowed in my brothers' minds.

 
At 11:47 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

Ships in bottles! What dedication. And, such a lost art form. I would've paid for your labor!

And, although not complete, your models are nicely stacked!

 
At 12:25 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Artifical water? Is it painted on? I'm very impressed by your patience. Doing that type of detailed work would set my stomach churning.

It's nice to see you starting to blog a bit again!

 
At 1:07 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've always thought those ships in a bottle were so neat. I know I'd never have the patience to finish one, but I'd love to try someday.

 
At 2:38 PM, Blogger Tiggerlane said...

Wow...I didn't realize you were so talented. And I didn't know anyone did those ships in bottles anymore - UBER-COOL! And I actually know how this is done...you flatten the boat, and re-erect it inside the bottle, right?

 
At 8:48 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My husband would LOVE looking at all those models. And the ships in a bottle are spectacular! Amazing skill.

 
At 9:50 PM, Blogger Pamela said...

probably they can buy cheap ones Ch*na...where they have figured out how to mass produce them.

 
At 4:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Willi and I are the proud recipient of one your ships. It is on display in our dining room. I am honored to have this fine work of art in our home. You may take awhile, and some may not be done yet, or even started, but the finished project is magnificent!

 
At 7:14 PM, Blogger Molly said...

When you finish the Number Nine car, maybe you will help me with the denim rug.

 
At 10:07 PM, Blogger Attie said...

Wow i too love those bottle ones how cool!!! Where do u get them??

 

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