Progress.

Im working on creating a, as we say here in the south.. Puhh-teeeen-ah on my work table. Ive coated it very lightly in Robins Egg paint and am slowly sanding it back down. This will expose the grain of the wood and keep a little color in-between. I've added a lower H-brace to the design for added stability, and a "lip" of sorts on the top, as this table is for my deck, and I'd like a small wall in the case that any pens try and make a run for it..
I also tuned up the chisel set Dad let me borrow on the sharping stone and have begun the much harder than anticipated task of hand carving this rolling pin. The dow plugs came out just as hoped, and the chisel puts a beautiful finish on the Cherry and the Pine, making the Cherry's deep red and brown tones come out, and the Pine's off-white shade creates a nice contrast. But for now, it holds more resemblance to a sweet potato.
Ill keep you all posted on the progress of both pieces.