Synopsis: Cutting boards are a great destination for short or narrow offcuts of attractive wood. They’re an easy project, but depending on choice of wood can take on an elegance that belies their straightforward design, construction, and finishing. And if you use a template, like woodworker Tim Albers does, you can churn out stacks of gifts. Albers gives instruction on creating a safe surface for food preparation that will stand up to sharp blades and lots of moisture, while at the same time is beautiful and suited to its purpose.

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A cutting board is a good destination for short or narrow offcuts of attractive wood. Nicely designed cutting boards also add a touch of custom woodwork to your kitchen. And if you use templates to make your boards, as I do, you can churn out a stack of gifts.

While any slab of wood can be used as a…