Whatcha Carvin" ???

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I am working on a carving I hope to enter in the woodcraft santa carving contest......but we will see!

[jamesfa]

after getting over my doldrums i have been working on several projects a scissortail flycatcher and a saw-whet owl (with the help of Hugh's demo) and another project which is not at a stage to post yet.

other things i've been up too can been see in my picturetrail album in
"other stuff"

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Carvin' Wood

[Ashbys]

Still working with maple and did a relief of the horse in the guitar.

But I keep seeing all this wonderful work and , wonder if I will every be as talented as you all are .

Ash

[Hugh]

That is a very fine relief of a horse. You have plenty of talent.

[papasar]

Ashbys,
From your autobio it seems like you have been carving for less than 2 months. Most of us who started out self-taught will agree that you are way ahead of the class. Don't ever get discouraged and continue with the great work!!!
Bill K.

[chipper67]

I haven't had much time to carve lately but I did managed to do my first piece in cottonwood bark. I have to say I really enjoyed carving cottonwood bark and hope to do some more. First time trying to attach thumbnail pictures, kind of having trouble with it, still learning.

[squbrigg]

Ashby's ....you have a great start into the wild world of carving with your work so far. Well done. That horse's head is great. Don't worry, you have the talent, you just need to keep up the practice. Keep up the good work and enjoy yourself.

Bob

[Irish]

I was just gone for a half day and you guys are way past me. It has taken forever to browse, read, and Oh and Ah at all of the new posts.

Carvity_Carve - Even though you are not very far along, I love the theme! Am I right that it's a Black Footed Ferret!

decoycarve - Please tell your good wife that her miniature paintings are wonderful! Mangify glass work if I ever saw it.

Papasar - I can't believe that's your first rough-out!!! Beautiful job and I really appreciate the two poses of your photos. Thanks for joining in!

Kenny_S - Is she basswood. Her facial profile lines are dead on right! Nice job.

Hugh - Another masterpiece. Did you read that they recently discovered that the Red Headed Woodpecker, a cousin to the Pilated, is not extinct as they have long thought! There was an article not long ago on www.cnn.com about having found several nesting pairs.

jamesfa - The flycatcher is great but ... that saw-whet is just perfect exactly as he is now. If you didn't do even one more thing to him he is a perfect example of abstract art at it's best.

Ashby - Great dimension to your horse's face. He has a good strong jaw line, well define eye socket and I can feel the wind in his mane. Your talent is already showing through your art.

chipper67 - Now there's a real Grinner! That one got me smiling ear to ear. I just might have to try cottonwood bark carvin' myself one day.

OK ... As I am the one giving out the cookies everyone wins a prize!!! So everyone please consider yourself cookied!!!

But my favorite so far and the one that I would award Grand Champion goes to decoycarve for his quarter and half sized Santa. DecoyCarve this cookie is for you! How you managed to carve that delightful little creature in less than an 1 1/2" piece of tunga nut and have sooooo much detail is way beyond anything I could do.

Susan

[Lightningbolt]

I'll have to go along with BobD on this one and submit another lathe project that I recently finished. I made the candle holder from the core of some scrap plywood that I laminated together about 4 1/2" thick. I had originally cut out the outer portion of the laminated plywood to make some pencil holders as presents and just couldn't bring myself to feed those wonderful solid cores to my forever hungry wood heater. With 90 degree weather now rampant upon us my decision to experiment was put on fast forward!

It was amazingly simple to make as I just let my imagination loose in forming the body. Even when I'm trying to copy some fancy magazine drawings, photos, and instructions my mind tends to get totally lost so I really enjoy this type of unplanned project which does well to clear the mind... just me and the lathe! Anyhow, I finally just attached a sourwood base to the bottom with a couple of drywall screws hidden with dowel plugs, drilled a 1 1/2" hole for the candle, melted some "purdy" wax running down the side, and PRESTO... I suddenly had another great thirty minute present for somebody.

The other project pictured is still unfinished and something else that I've been experimenting with this week as another project development idea for my woodshop class. I try to make them fairly simple and something that kids at all learning levels can complete. This one is a pencil holder for a desk which I cut out of a 4-1/4" X 4-1/4" block of laminated maple scraps... and yes, there is also a nice core left which will be another great lathe project of some kind.

After cutting out the eight sided block on the table saw and then cutting out the core on the band saw I then attached a double plexiglass bottom and single top rim with epoxy glue. It's unfinished so I haven't yet peeled away the protective paper wrap, but I will post a finished picture here when completed. Local sign making companies donate tons of plexiglass scraps to our woodshop program so you can only imagine all the ways that I've incorporated it into the projects over the years... sun catchers, box linings, and on and on. I'm now thinking about doing some kind of woodburning designs on the sides of the container after a thorough sanding. This is gonna be a fun one!

Susan: Any prize from my favorite website will be all the reward a fellow could wish for!!!! http://www.haagen-dazs.com/home.do