The homeowner's association had cut down a few trees that were possiblly a danger to parked cars near where I live and left the cut up wood by the side of the street. I picked up a couple of pieces and took them home. I put some old varnish on the ends and the wood sat around outside for three or four years. I split one piece (10 inch diameter) and took it inside where the pieces sat around for another three or four years, as I gradually split off more pieces and made some cooking spoons. The wood is mostly sapwood walnut, but the sapwood seems to be just as hard as the heartwood. I finally attempted something with a little four-inch block of the wood. Had to use my Dremel with carbide burrs to do most of the shaping, then shifted to a knife for the final detailing. Stuff was so hard to carve with a knife, I'd just carve a little on it when I needed a break from something else.
I'm not totally satisfied with the carving, although it does bear a distinct resemblance to me.

Critiques are welcome, as always.
Claude
<edit> Added the "pattern photos" </edit>