[Ron Davidson]

Welcome to the this wonderful group of carvers. It took me awhile to answer this post couldn't stop laughing at my computer. When I said welcome to this group Gnome and it read it back to me it was a bunch of words that didn't sound so nice. So I finally had to spell it out and add to vocabulary. Anyway welcome .
Ron

[dmatias]

Welcome Gnome;

Your little guy is awesome. Hope you will post more pictures as you finish him. I have built gnome doors for my trees and you have given me an idea to go along with them.

Welcome aboard.

[Eleanor]

That is one very charming gnome! Interesting for me to see how you constructed him as well, look forward to see how you will finish it - well hello from England ( where most gardens have a gnome)

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hey you have a terrific start, would very much like to see it finished! And remember when in gnome, do as the gnomens....? huh?

[whitecree]

I just gnome yer gonna have a good time here. (move over Hi Ho, another bad pun )

Good looking gnome and I don't dare let my wife see it. I've got her convinced nobody carves gnomes, they just magically grow under mushrooms.

A wheelbarrow of flowers? Nah, you only need a wheelbarrow for spuds!

[GardenGnome]

WOW! Thank you all so much for the kind words of welcome. I'm quite surprised to see so many replies.

Alphonse the Gnome is carved from an old cedar fence post I found in my wood pile. I have a wood stove in the garage and I scrounge scrap wood when ever I see it. Nothing like free heat. The fence post had been in the ground so long that the whole end had rotted off. I gave it a pressure wash to clean it up and it turned out to be a real tight grain and clear. I drew the plan myself right on the wood. I wanted to make him as big as possible so the arms and legs are carved separate and screwed to the body. Arms and legs are carved from a scrap of pine 2" x 4" that was clear and sound. The pine carves nice, but the cedar is so old and dry that the surface grain mushes over if the tools are not absolutely sharp and made it a bit of a challenge.

I almost have him carved and I have an idea of how the wheelbarrow will look. He will be painted when done. I have found that Tremclad Clear-coat is a very good final surface for out door objects as it has a UV protector in the paint, and this will be his last coat. The wheelbarrow will be left to naturally weather (I think, but we will see)

This has been a wonderful welcome you have all given me. I think I'll stick around and get to know you all.

Christopher the GardenGnome

Alphons was carved in the greenhouse........of course.

[Mottles]

Welcome, looking forward to seeing your work progress. And you certainly are well on your way.
Kathy

[tucker1931]

If the Rough Riders could play like you carve, they's have a Grey cup every year, welcome aboard from Ontario
Cliff

[slather]

Welcome Christopher , The garden Gnome is a really good looking piece so far , we will all be sitting on posts and rails waiting to get a glimpse of him finished . Thanks for taking the time to post the pics