cardinal pattern

[Claude]

You might try gluing an ordinary wooden clothes pin (spring type) to the back of the bird so that the "jaws" of the pin stick out just far enough below the bird's belly to grab on to a branch. Trim off any part of the pin that projects above the birds back. Paint the pin and back of the bird both red so the pin isn't too noticeable. Paint the part of the pin that projects below the bird a dark green (evergreen) so it won't be so noticeable either.

Claude

[Holly]

I have seen cardinals and chickadees carved that sit on a tree. They have a slot in the bottom that goes over the branch--no clips or pins etc. I haven't made one myself but I liked them too and asked about them at my carving club. The response was, " oh yeah, we all made those a few years ago and they are easy!" I will ask again and get the pattern. If my memory serves me correctly, the pattern was in an old WCI. I go carving on Thursday and will send the pattern if I get it.

[Just Carving]

Woodcarving with Rick Butz has a pattern and a how to carve a cardinal on pp. 74-81. Might be able to find book in library or on-line.

Power Carving Manual by WCI pp.79-82. Decorative Bird Carving (Cardinal). Great pattern.

WCI Winter/Spring 1998. pp.24-32. Cardinal Carving. Part I Carving the bird.
pp34-35 Brillliant Backyard Visitors. Article on cardinals and the bird's features.

WCI Spring/Summer 1998. pp. 46-52. Painting the Cardinal Part II. Pattern on pg.52.

WCI Holiday 2006. pp. 20-21. Northern Cardinal. Nice pattern in color.

WCI Holiday 2004 pp. 37-42 Sleeping Chickadee Christmas Ornament. Shows how to use a small slot from side to side on the underside of the bird to "sit" the bird on the branch and keep the bird upright.

BTW--if you can't get the back issues, WCI willl make a color copy of the article for a fee--I think $5.

Good luck

Bob L

[AAC5721]

I have done some duck carvings in the past and one method is where you cut the body in half and hollow out the inside. This could give you a lighter body and also a way to attach a string or decorative chord for your wife to hang them on the tree. You could also run a wire through the bottom and attach it to the tree branch at the base. Good luck