Bump for projects finally completed.
In July of 2011, I purchased a Les Paul Studio husk that somebody had spray painted black. I was determined to put some sort of fancy burst finish on it. I tried several times, hated how it looked, and sanded it off. I should mention this guitar was all mahogany, no maple cap. I finally gave up and wanted to make it a goldtop. I finished the back and sides, and then attempted to apply a sparkly gold lacquer finish to the top. But I didn't do it right. I put it on too thick, or it was too warm when I sprayed, or something, it's gold, but not sparkly gold. Finally this year I decided "I'm just going to send it", and added all the hardware and electronics, and took it to Jimbo for a setup. Almost 12 years later, I have a playable guitar.
In April of 2016, after numerous failures with the studio body, I bought a Les Paul Peace body from Stratosphere. Same deal, no hardware or electronics, but at least this one was finished. Peaceful Orange is the name of the color. I collected all the parts, including a set of Wolfetone pickups. This took several years of watching eBay or Craigslist for just the right deal. But now they're both done. I just need to find time to enjoy them. That, and the wife seems to have buried my amp under piles of fabric she's bought for her quilting hobby. At least I think it's under there.
And yes, we haven't taken down the tree. It's in the family room in the basement, and other than her quilting, neither of us go down there.