[squbrigg]

I say scattered because I don't seem to have the will or energy to complete anything lately. Always seem to be too worn out to concentrate on any one thing. Ah well, Christmas will soon be over and I can get back to normal.

The Eagle is coming slow but sure, the eye is the thing on the stick, waiting to be shaped.

I'm giving one of Mark's Santa's a try, and grab it when ever I have to take the bride shopping....which is often lately, so it is getting done in the malls leaving a clear trail of wood chips and sales reciepts behind.

Goodie's Old World Santa has been used as an example at our carving meetings, so is progressing slowly, as I end up helping the members with their efforts more than I do work on my own.

The other pieces are bits and pieces of jobs I want to complete, blade guards for tools, so I don't carve myself as I walk form one mall bench to another.

The ship is still awaiting attention, and I fear she may sail quietly away in disgust some night if I don't get busy and get her rigged.

Bob

[Kenny_S]

Well Bob, sometimes it is better to take it slow. I understand the lack ofenergy and not being inspired but it appears to me, you are carving and good at that. Love the Santa. I drew out a Santa today talking with an elderly couple form My church. I went down to take some ornaments to them. Have no if I will cut out the blank this years or wait but I think it to be a nice one if I can execute the carving on it.
Hang in there buddy. We are here for ya!

[jillsy]

Don't be so hard on yourself, Bob. These look really good. And there's nothing wrong with doing a few projects at a time - keeps things interesting!

Hope you get out of your funk soon. The holidays seem to wear even the most energized ones out!

Jillsy

[Bandaid]

Not to worry Bob. We all hit a lull at times. With everything else going on at this time of year our time is spread pretty thin.

As usual you have some neat projects on the go, we'll look forward to updates.

BTW, what is that jig you have in front of your bench? It's the one with the dowels in the fixtures. My curiousity got the best of me. lol.
Kick back and have a nice Christmas!

Reg

[Irishman]

Your quite diverse in your carving skill there Bob...and here I thought you were just a ship builder
Love the carvings. Merry Christmas to you.
patrick

[wade clark]

You know what I like best about this Forum, other than getting to know other good Folks who like to carve? Watching people improve! Bob, you were good to very good when I first saw your posts 2 or so years ago, but I can see you're just getting better and better!
What kind of wood is the Santa face carved from? Nice!
Wade

[Ashbys]

Bob,

I have the same feeling like I have so many things going and nothing is being finished.

But your work looks great

Ash

[mark yundt]

Multiple projects are great, at least that suits me. Never was one for sticking to just one thing at a time. Has some benefits too. Each time you come back to a different job, you approach it with fresh eyes. You might see things you didn't see before, and find solutions to problems you might have had.Don't fight it, go with it,,the carvings will tell you when they're ready and what they need. You just show up and do it!

[Paul_Guraedy]

Bob, you will make an excellent bird carver. I like the way you randomized the feathers. The end is in sight, my friend, and there is no need to feel like it has to be finished. There seems to be a woodcarver imperative that the closer we get to completing a carving the more we feel the urge to "git 'er done" and move on. Relax and enjoy the time with your eagle.

[squbrigg]

One of the nicest things I enjoy about this message board, is the spirit of the members. This is a great example of that spirit and I thank you one and all for your encouragement and your friendship.

Life can be a struggle, and it makes that struggle a bit more bearable when you have a bit of help and reassurance along the way. Carving has been my best therapy and my salvation, gives me something to focus on and concentrate on something positive and away from the pain, and confusion of life. No stress to it, just simple wood and tools, if it turns out, fine, if not, still fine because you learn by doing, by making mistakes.

The Eagle is a step outside my comfort zone, a big step, and I am enjoying the experience. I spent last evening working on the eye and surrounding area and setting it in place. There's a challenge for you! But it's coming, thanks to your help and encouragement. The Santa's are fun, I've never been a Santa carver, with the one exception, last years "Santa Got Run Over By His Reindeer" one that landed me at the ER! So I'll try to be more careful this time. Mark's Santa is very fun to carve, I'm doing it in Butternut and it is a dream to carve. It gets lots of comments already and I'm not even close to completion yet. That's my main Mall pocket carving.

BTW... Bandaid, that jig you asked about is the hinge for a removable relief carving surface. I'll post a pic soon, as I am using it when I work on the Eagle.

Merry Christmas my friends and may God Bless.

Bob