[sbirkes]

Just got back to the motel room after a really good "Kick-Off" meal. Kicking off the Branson Silver Dollar City carving get-to-gether.

I'm taking the Power Carving class with David Sabol. There must be around 300 folks here taking classes. (Just a guess) I'll try to get a real number tomorrow. First classes begin at 9 AM.

The park is closed but they will ferry us from the parking lot to the carving sites in the park. This is the 12th annual event. But the first one I've attended.

I got my equipment set up this afternoon along with a lot of the others. I believe David said he had 12 in the class. I seen some of the project roughs he brought. Nice.

I'll try to update what goes on as the days pass.
CU

[Paul_Guraedy]

Steve, I am carving a peregrine falcon with Marlen Downing in the group just across from you. Last I heard there are just under 300 carvers this year. Looking forward to meeting you.

[falconer]

Paul, Please keep us posted on how it's going!!






www.sierracreekstudios.com

[sbirkes]

Originally Posted by Paul_Guraedy

Steve, I am carving a pergrine falcon with Marlen Downing in the group just across from you. Last I heard there are just under 300 carvers this year. Looking forward to meeting you.

Paul, if we're back in business tomorrow I'll drop over to meet you.

For those that don't know about "back in business" it means that Silver Dollar City shut down the carving barns in anticipation of icy weather. They ran us all out at 1 PM.

Here at 2:45 PM it's still just wet. Snow is supposed to move in tonight. Tomorrow may be a "motel room" day.

The pic on the left is the carving barn. On the right are 2 of David Sabols pieces.

[sbirkes]

Here are some more from Branson.

One the left is David Sabols Carving class
Next is David in the brown shirt explaining.
Third is the display table of John Engler's relief rough-outs
Last is another power carving by Sabol.

[susieq]

Wow, now that is a class I would love to take..... please keep us posted. I love David's work.

[sbirkes]

Originally Posted by susieq

Wow, now that is a class I would love to take..... please keep us posted. I love David's work.

David is a real nice guy and a great carver also. Power tools or hand tools... he is good. Good at carving and even more, good at teaching. Very patient with newbe's.

We had a full day today. We got the slightest dusting of snow overnight. The day was above freezing and sunny. I haven't looked at the weather for tomorrow.

I went off and forgot the camera today so no update pictures.
Met Paul first thing this morning. Talked for a few minutes and then we both got to work.

Tomorrow I'm going to get some pictures of the main large carving area. They were really going to town today. Some really impressive pieces being worked on. Lettering, chip, in the round, caricatures, the whole range of carving going on. Pretty impressive.

We're going out to dinner at the Dixie Stampede tomorrow night as a group. Will try to get the pictures posted but will be late I'm sure.
Good night.

[sbirkes]

Got some pictures today of the main carving room. Oh, and one of Paul.

I put some labels on most of the pictures. There were a few I didn't get info for.
Beautiful, sunny, warm day. Had some guys carving outside in shirt sleeves.

Everyone looks to be having fun and doing some serious, but fun carving.
Here is the link to the pictures:

http://www.birkes.com/Woodcarving/ca...nson03_08.html

Just added some more pictures that I had forgotten. (8:30 PM CDT, March 6, 2008)

[DiamondWillow]

Thanks very much Steve, I look for your update each day......Gene

[sbirkes]

Another good day carving. Weather wasn't as nice as yesterday and maybe better than tomorrow. Silver Dollar City said they will have classes tomorrow but may start late if the snow moves in.

Fingers are crossed.

Here are some pictures from today.
http://www.birkes.com/Woodcarving/ca...son_06_08.html