Last year, KT drew me for Secret Santa. The rule was to make your Secret Santa present, and if you really can’t make it, then the budget is $20 value. KT made me a snow globe of us on our wedding day. It’s awesome. Right right??
This year for Secret Santa, I drew KT. (Seriously, I think the drawing was rigged.) KT worked so hard in making my gift last year that I knew I had to make him a gift in return.
We have been shopping for a cutting/serving board for KT for a while now and haven’t been able to find something just right. He wanted one that was unusually shaped. Something small to serve cheese or as a butcher’s plate of pate, prosciutto, salami, etc. So I’m making it with these simple directions.
STEP ONE
Use untreated hardwood. Since we’re eating food on this, I want to make sure the wood is au naturel. I picked a red oak plank since it was already cut down the size I wanted. =P
STEP TWO
Sketch the shape of the cutting board. I considered doing a random odd shape but I decided to give this board a more sentimental value. I used the shape of Venice, Italy. It is our favorite city from our honeymoon. I decided to add the waterways which I will carve out later with a dremel. We’ll be using the blank side (sans canals) for any food cutting so it doesn’t mess up the waterways.
STEP THREE
Cut out the shape of board with a jigsaw. I used a jigsaw before to cut out a doggie door a few years ago but we got rid of it because it didn’t work so well (we used a Black and decker).
For this project, I (we) invested in a much nicer Bosch jigsaw. I finally had to send KT to run some errands so I can finish this project. This jigsaw works like a charm. I was so happy with how well it cuts that I was grinning cheek to cheek.
I finished cutting out the shape in less than ten minutes.
STEP FOUR
Sand all sides and round the edges. Some of the corners that I cut with the jigsaw were really rough so I sanded them down with a 150 grit sand paper.
I rounded the edges with the sand paper to give it a more finished look.
STEP FIVE
Use a dremel to carve out any special details or grooves. I used our dremel to carve out the canals/waterways of Venice.
STEP SIX
Sand everything down with a 220 grit sand paper.
STEP SEVEN
Rub mineral oil with a rag all over the wood to bring out the color and grains. I got the mineral oil from Target for only a buck fifty! Since this mineral oil is for consumption, it is safe to use on the cutting board.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!