[Ron Davidson]

I agree with you Colin about the scalloped letters. I think it would look better with the letters raised more. I have alot of confidence in you, it will turn out great. How much of that white stuff is on the ground there? We are supposed to get some dumped on us Wed & Thurs. don't know how much they just kind of guess around here.

[Just Carving]

Hi Colin

I think the area around the "P" looks good, and to me, would look good around the perimeter of the two words. This way, you're carrying the same "tooling" around the words as is around the Spirits' faces. If you wanted to go a little deeper to give the effect of the letters standing out further than the Spirits, that might work, too. That'll depend on the light and angle from where you're at while looking at the sign.

As for in between the letters, the "tooling" that you have between the "A" and the "M" is a good start for leaving a "carved" look between the letters. Maybe adding a little more will do the trick, and then you can carry that effect throughout the rest of the areas between the letters.

Aren't those knots a pest!?! Take it nice and slow around the knots and keep the tools sharp, and they should be okay. Fortunately, you don't have too much carving through the heart of the knots. Good Luck!!

[Thor]

The sign is turning out very well Colin. I like the idea of carving out the whole background behind the words. It seems that will bring the words together. The little guys all around the edges are busy, and that works really well for the size of the sign to me.
The maple leaf looks good too.
Thor

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Good sign Colin...but I think they should have called it "Group Grope"! lol

[Mottles]

Wow looooooooks terrific to me! I've toyed with the idea of carving a sign for our home entry. But that's down the road maybe some day.
Kathy

[BasketballJones]

Great looking carving. Are you carving by hand or using power? The white cedar looks like it holds detail well. Is it a good carving wood? I know you can't always tell by the grain but it looks like a relatively hard wood?

[Kenny_S]

Looking good Colin! Sign carving takes a while as I carved several for the Scout Troop several years ago for summer Camp and the Camp director liked it and asked if I would carve our Camp site's name as there were 60 camp sites with all different names. I agreed and they furnished the lumber. Now most of the Camps have carved name signs. However, I did not carve them all.


Your sign is looking great for sure. Love the guys and the differences in their expressions,none the same. I like the others idea about raising the lettering more and grouping the words together.
Can't wait to see the finished product.
Best to you.

[Colin_Partridge]

Thanks guys for all the great comments and compliments I am taking everything you say and using it. So when it is finished you can all say you had a hand in this carving So far the whole carving has been done by hand except for the cut through the knot. I used my Fordom with a cutting wheel I wanted to get a nice even cut. Hey I have finally used my Fordum its been sitting in the case for two years now and has never been used. Eastern White Cedar is a soft wood but does take detail nicely if your tools are razor sharp if they are a little bit dull it will tear badly. Also cedar dulls your tools fast so I have to hone them all the time.
Colin

[Callynne]

Colin, the sign is terrific, the guys are going to love it!! Like Kathy, I'm going to have to add signs to my 'have to try that' list! Deborah

[Colin_Partridge]

Hi gang well I am nearing the end of the carving not sure I will ever do this again it is sure a lot harder than it looks because you are cutting across the grain all the time and it tends to chip a lot. I am not real happy with the way it is turning out I think I liked it better natural but the lady and I had agreed on a few things so it really is her design. She has not stopped buy to see the progress I keep telling her to but she says I know your carvings Colin it will be just fine. I sure hope she is happy with it. I still have some work to do on the eyes and the maple leaf but pretty much it is finished. I am not sure if I should make the the letters a little darker than the rest what do you think. BTW it will hang from two eye bolts from the top of the carving. I have posted some pics for you to see.
Colin