Winter day = woodworking Spring gifts

The snowy wind and cold may be keeping us inside, but there is fun to be had in the workshop! I have found so many great books through the the local library and their Ohio inter-library exchange program. This current one titled "Woodworking projects for the Garden" by Richard Fruedenberger, has been a great winter dream escape. The projects are so easy for the semi-beginner/almost intermediate wood shop enthusiast.
Today's favorite project pick is the Berry box wooden tote. I too can understand the disdain for berries smooshed in the bottom of a bucket, as the author shared with it's description. This would make for a great gift to give to those who enjoy picking their own berries and to encourage those who have never been. So many uses for such a simple design, which for now, I just see brimming with berries.
Today I will be playing downstairs, building a few of these to give away for the Spring holiday. WE will (try) to purchase or find the thin wooden berry pints (like these) to be enclosed. Possibly include a local U-Pick gift certificate to encourage it's use.
The pints could be handed out to the children from which they bring back to the tote, before grabbing a new one. This would also be the time you look over their filled box for any bad berries, instead of digging through a pail- mashing up any bruised, soft fruit.
My totes may not be exact to the picture, which is not surprising. I use what I have on hand and what I can purchase inexpensively. We may paint them white, robin egg blue, or some other Spring Farm color. Cheery,fun, and stirring visions of Vintage flats. (I even considered stenciling the receiver's last name on the side).
Stay tuned. There may be a Tutorial coming your way....Maybe. Lets just get the project built first.

Sunny dreams,
Tammie