Hi Gang,
Hope that you all had a great Christmas time for me to get back to the gym and get rid of some of that Turkey and dressing and of course all those pastry's. Just thought I might pick your brains and thought it would be interesting to find out what projects that everyone will be working on now that Christmas is over. As for me stangely enough I think I will be trying some Santa's you guys have me really excited about trying my hand at these. So beware I will be asking for lots of advice and help in the months to come who knows maybe I will evolve into a santa carver. I of course will be carving some tree's I already have some commissions for the spring.
Colin

Right now, we're visiting, and not carving much of anything, but when we get back home, I've git a puffin (arggghhhh!) that needs finishing, and I want to get at a couple trout and a bass, two sunfish and a few crawdads! Hopefully, I'll have a few pieces of birdseye maple waiting for me (if my neighbor was sucessful in foraging) for some more natural finish fish.


Al

[lorax]

I am just finishing up 'Moses' after too long. I'm not too big on painting but it was what the customer wanted, so... Now my next commision is real beauty! A hospital in Newport News VA is having me do stylized Crucifixes for the patient rooms, 110 patient rooms, plus some extra ones for if any get damaged. sounds like a hoot. I have two prototypes done, and when I finish the third one, I will send them off to see which one they like the best. This process has been quite a wonderful challenge for me. I always get a burst of enthusiasm right after the holidays. Take care.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Christmas is over?? But I am just now painting a santa I finished carving! ??? : will post a pic and see what you all think, something different for me.

Well I sold all my wood spirit walking sticks. Guess i will start carving some more, even the one I used for my self. I have a couple of sticks that are finished but not carved. Guess I will use them till I get 1 carved for my self. I have seceral sticks that I am going to make into canes, just need to make the handles and get them attached. Guess I need to do some Christmass ornaments for next year, and I want to carve a replicla of a western style revolver. Went up to see some friends yesterday about 130 miles away and harvested about 35 sticks. Got ready to leave and the transmission went out on the car so they brought us home to take care of the dog. Hopefull when the new year arives, things will improve as 2003 has been a difficult year, but 2004 looks to be promising.
I also have to get me a shaving horse made. Guy building a house across the street from me gave me some big pieces of wood that he was going to throw away,so now it is just a matter of getting it made. Ok time for me to go pick up the knives for a while.

[Greg]

I am going to work on a decorative spoon using my new Foredom and hand tools.

Greg

[santagibbs]

Hi Ho, we can't wait to see your Santa... Colin, Curtis said to tell you he is going to try a dog for Ceases' Dog and Cat show in April. This is a new show for the Gallery and she wants to give it a try. We will see how this dog turns out? !! Hummmmm??? He has drawn the pattern and used the computer to make it larger.. Aren't computers great?

[Donna_T]

Christmas may be past, but kids and grandkids are still here so no sharp knives have been allowed. Do you remember how fast a two-year old can move????

But, I heard of a neat Christmas related project that I want to pass on. A lady in the Kansas City area saves the trunk of her Christmas tree each year and has identical somethings 'Christmasy' carved for each of her 5 adult children for the following year's Christmas stocking. They let the wood cure until late summer then saw it into equal lengths--and carve.

The possibilities are endless--Santas, angels, trees, elves, stars, etc.

Donna T

Had kinda hoped I could put the ornaments away but....our club is carving ornaments and small items to sell as a fundraiser for the senior center. All the clubs that use the facility are expected to do some kind of fundraising activity to offset the loss of $22,000.00 in funding. Gotta make alot of ornaments to make that up!!!!!

Have sarted the nativity scene in Shawn Cipa's new book. Fifteen pieces and almost have one done. Oh this will be a long process.

Got three new flexcut tools for Christmas. Want to try my hand at some decorative spoons. Tons of stuff for me to do and not nearly enough time to do it.......Pam

Would you believe - a Santa holding a large fish in one hand and a pole in the other! Talk about getting a quick start on Christmas ( 2004) Big Al