[Callynne]

Ever find a nasty surprise like this hidden in your piece of basswood?! I'm sure glad he's not a piece that I varnish the skin tone on and let the wood grain show through!

What would your solution be if it was something you were going to finish natural? I think I'd cut out all of his face, back into the hair line, then insert a piece of good wood, glue it into place and then carve it. Just have to be sure to get it set back in far enough, so you didn't carve into the glue!

I like having a center line down my carvings, to keep things even, but this is ridiculous! Hubby looked at him and said...."Hey, cyclops Santa!"....and he says I'm the smart mouthed one in the family! Ha! Ha! Deborah

[Thor]

The rough out is coming along nicely. I look forward to seeing his progress.
He kind of looks like he got shot in the head.
Thor

[Just Carving]

I am asking for my own knowledge since I don't have experience with a problem like this: would a wood filler or putty work in this case since you are painting him?

[Paul_Guraedy]

Deborah, take advantage of the wood. Leave the eye and carve a cyclops.

A few years ago, I was in a hunting camp watching a friend (non-carver) whittle out a walking staff he needed. There was a natural flaw in the top of the stick and he was going to simply cut it out of his way. I told him he should take advantage of the wood and leave the flaw there. He handed me the stick and said, "You're the carver, you do it!" Well, it was the simplest and fastest carving I have ever done. He loved it, made himself another staff and this one hangs on his wall at home.

[wade clark]

Deborah,
How about the third eye Santa? Or maybe a little guy peaking out of a big robe, his fingers not quite reaching the ends of the sleeves, maybe even another little guy peaking out half way up, so that the top little guy is standing on the bottom little guy's shoulders, kinda Little Rascals style.
If anyone can think their way around or through this, you can! Keep us posted!
Wade

[Nancy-ID]

Deborah, how about a pigeon on his head, butt forward? Sorry, hehe, I know it has to be frustrating. Seriously, I think you are on the right track by glueing in another piece. Look on the bright side, you hadn't started detailing yet!

[kb2rocket]

yall make me laugh

I love this place

[Mitchell]

"What would your solution be if it was something you were going to finish natural? I think I'd cut out all of his face, back into the hair line, then insert a piece of good wood, glue it into place and then carve it. Just have to be sure to get it set back in far enough, so you didn't carve into the glue!"

Deborah, another option would be to cut his head off and then glue on another piece of wood. The draw back is that this will having the two pieces match (if you want to leave him natural). It would be easier than removing just the face.

[Nancy_G]

Deborah - I don't have much experience with natural finishing so I can't offer any advice but I have complete faith in whatever you do.

I sure hope you keep going on a "real" Santa.

((((Ben - lol))))

[Mottles]

Looks like you'd got some good suggestions, so I'll just set back and see what ya do with them. I do think you have a good start I like the out stretched arms. I know you'll make it all come together I'll be watching and learning.
Kathy