I found this image of a pirate ship in a vintage children’s play structure book…and this is the inspiration for the whole project:
![IMAG0029 IMAG0029](http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Srs9Wh4N8E0/TiCDkYDVswI/AAAAAAABDPc/USHwWuIBJTE/IMAG0029_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
Sadly the book just showed this with no plans or instructions. I started researching the internet, and only finding a few options. A couple weeks ago I finally settled on a simplified idea. A friend of ours did up a drawing for me of what I explained to him I was trying to do.
![IMAG0517 IMAG0517](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ctMn05UBWAU/TiCDnfmPMMI/AAAAAAABDPk/udmNaN6V-Z4/IMAG0517_thumb%25255B19%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
So we’ve been busy designing, shopping, cutting, thinking, painting, and constructing. Basically all our free time has been thinking about this party and planning.
I did a mock up with index cards to get a feel for what we were looking to accomplish.
![IMAG0516 IMAG0516](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WfWxRk3WiMw/TiCDqdzXCgI/AAAAAAABDPs/SOMCH-LghSY/IMAG0516_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I did the drawing and my husband and dad did the cutting.
![2011-07-04 2011-07-04](http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZZA7dbPHcgI/TiCDsWaPA3I/AAAAAAABDP0/Hg5s0AqfwD8/2011-07-04_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I did the supervising and the revising LOL:
![IMAG0095 IMAG0095](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LeUXmn0b6hw/TiCDwPXXfTI/AAAAAAABDP8/PVB1MqWR3Gs/IMAG0095_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
I also primed all the pieces, and the kiddo helped too:
![The kiddo helping with the painting. The kiddo helping with the painting.](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7mQuBlPeUXE/TiCD0rerDcI/AAAAAAABDQE/xTB-Szys4yA/IMAG0520_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
One of my favorite parts is the seahorse, the hubs cut this out using a jig saw it notches into the front panel:
![I drew the seahorse and ken cut it out with a jig saw. this is it "plugged" into the bough of the ship. Things are coming together. I drew the seahorse and ken cut it out with a jig saw. this is it "plugged" into the bough of the ship. Things are coming together.](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4tN1E0IQeOQ/TiCD3KyD_nI/AAAAAAABDQM/2u-wsnom5ug/IMAG0564_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
That’s where we’re at right now. I’ve cut the steering wheel and anchor out of plywood using my rotozip (see mom I finally used that birthday present from 12 years ago LOL!) I’ve got a few more things to prime and the painting is almost done! We’re looking to get it installed early next week. I’ll post more pictures soon.
So I promise to post more about this pirate party as it unfolds. Catch you later!