Future Christmas Decorations

[Rooster]

A tad early? Indeed! Well the thing is, I started these last November and intended for them to be ready for last Christmas. So there's no guarantee that they'll be ready for this one either. Hence why I say 'Future'.

I think I got stuck at the fourth picture, when I realised that carving them all at the same time is a bit too difficult. For me anyway. And I wasn't looking forward to cutting them apart in case I made a mess of cutting them (handsaw. no power tools atm). But today I said 'What the heck' and went and cut them apart. Went ok I think.

Rooster

[chuckbolton]

im sure you will find it easier to round these over now that they are cut loose-- you did a good job of making your patterns fit the wood available-- have fun and you've got almost 6 months to finish them

[Curtscarving]

Rooster-Looks like you are gonna have some nice ornaments.
Curt

[Sharon of the Dell]

You sure got a jump on me!hope you get them done in time.Ithink they will be cute!

[Rooster]

Thank you all for your kind words. I like to get in there first, you know. And if I don't get 'em finished, consider this 'getting in first' for the next few Christmas-es, lol. ho-ho-ho even.

Well Chuck, as you can probably tell, I drew these myself. I'm happy enough with them except for the reindeer. I think he looks a bit ... 'odd', to say the least. Yes he's supposed to be a reindeer.

Anyway, I figured the snowman would be easiest, so he got the nod ahead of the rest. Just got the mouth to finish. I think it'll be a line of coals, as opposed to what I started in these photos.

Oh and in case you're thinking you're seeing double (in the first photo), you are! The size of the wood allowed me to make two of each. So the second ones will be masterpieces. Ha ha!

Rooster

[Rooster]

Here's an update of how I'm getting on. The angel seemed like the next obvious choice.

It's coming along nicely (and slowly) but I have a bit of a problem on the right hand side. A dowel shaped piece was loose in the wood (part of the wood, I think. Like a long knot) and I took it out, stored it safely and now I don't know where I put it. Doh! I thought I could carve around this but I don't think so now. What is the best way to fill this in. Aside from that (and the fact that it looks like her arms are broken :S, or that she has two elbows ... on each side!!!) I am happy with progress.

Rooster.

[Keoma]

OH! how damn adorable! I want one! that is so prim! great great GREAT! thank you for sharing!

[Rooster]

Keoma, thanks for looking (way back then) at my carvings. Sorry I didn't get around to posting til now. I wanted to wait til I had new pics to post, but other stuff got in the way. Mundane things, like eh, work and family. Stuff like that.

My two year old is my best critic. When he saw the angel, his comment was, "Oooh. Eh ... where mouth?" Thanks lad, thanks.

When he saw the Santa that I'm working on, he just kept turning it around in his hands. He couldn't figure out which way was up. Nice! You can't beat a bit of honesty from the kids.

I'm kinda struggling with this one though. I looks ok as a relief carving, but it's supposed to be in the round. I think I just have to figure out where to put the ears, carve them and then blend the rest in. Any suggestions or advice would be very welcome.

Otherwise it's fun. Slow but fun.
Rooster.

[chuckbolton]

the ear will be on the back half of the head-- front of ear on midline-- top of ear is level with eyebrow-- ears tend to be exagerated in size on cariactures.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Lookin good Rooster.

Dave