Last year Jayme initiated Project 72, which meant we have 72 cubic inches of wood to make something from.  The goal of the project was to create an item every month that could be used for the state fair raffle.  I always thought there were 12 months in a year, but we ended up with 15 items - all the better.  Each month someone would bring in what they had made from the 72 cubic inches of wood they were given and that person would bring in 72 cubic inches of wood for the next person to try to create something from.

This worked very well as can be seen by the variety and quality of items turned (they can be seen in the Photo Gallery by selecting Project 72 as the event).  Each person had their own interpretation and idea of what they could do with the type and shape of the wood they had been given and the results were fantastic.

This year the ante has been upped to 144 cubic inches of wood.  This is a whole board foot.  It doesn't seem like much but some great items were turned from half of that for Project 72.  In addition to 144 cubic inches, the wood is given as two different species.  With the additional wood and a second type of wood, the possibilities could be even better.  Volunteer for a month to create one of these pieces.

The first piece was brought in by Greg Kubinyak to the September meeting. This was walnut (with a knot in it) and tiger maple.  At the October meeting, Larry Hartle should have the next piece to show.

Good luck and I hope you end up with more of your projects on the fireplace than in it.