The Cat's Meow

David Sabol's step-by-step mischievous feline will have friends and customers purring for one of their own.

Photography by Roger Schroeder

Refrigerator magnets are popular craft items, particularly those that are carved. I enjoy felines, especially when they’re up to some mischief. Going after a goldfish fits the bill.

A piece of 3/4"-thick white pine that is freshly cut is my choice for this beginner’s relief project because white pine carves easily when wet. My tools also make cleaner cuts because the wood’s pores are saturated with water. But basswood, dry or unseasoned, is a good substitute.

Flat magnets can be purchased at craft and hobby stores. I embed three round ones into the back of the carving with enough of the magnets exposed to catch a metal surface.

Although I paint my cat with grays and whites, a lot of other colors work just as well. The fish, which is really burned—not carved—into the bowl, is a combination of gold, yellow and white, and the water is blue. While I use oil paints mixed with Minwax Natural Stain, acrylics thinned with water are a good alternative.

Special Sources

Throughout the project, David used Flexcut tools. If you are interested in purchasing the tools, contact Flexcut Tool Company, Inc. at 814-864-7855/www.flexcut.com, for dealers that carry them.

More Patterns

Wanda offers a black bear pattern with carving and painting instructions in Wood Carving Illustrated's Issue no. 23, Summer 2003.

Materials & Tools:

Wood:
White pine or basswood that measures 3/4" thick by at least 31/4" wide by 4" long

Finishing Materials:
Acrylic paints and water or oil paints and Minwax Natural Stain
No. 1 and 3 round brushes

Accessories:
3 small flat magnets

Tools:
Bandsaw or scroll saw
Roughout knife
Detail knife
Woodburner
The following Flexcut tools:
No. 3 7/8" palm gouge
No. 8 3/8" palm gouge
No. 11 1/8" palm gouge
No. 11 1/4" palm gouge
3/8" 70-degree palm V tool