Going In For The Winter!

When I got up this morning I found that some garden Gnomes were up on the porch. I didn't put them there! I thought maybe that the Flower Girls might have done it. Nope not them! We did have our first snow of the season this morning. Maybe they're hinting to come in. At least that's what the girls think. I wonder how the Gnomes got up on the porch beside Penelope?

Flower Girls Cartoon For Me!

When I returned home yesterday the Flower girls had left me a cartoon. I didn't have a chance to see the girls until this morning when I walked up with them to catch the school bus. Needless to say, they were tickled about the cartoon. They said that their grand maw cut it out and gave it to them, to give to me.

And, have you ever had the perfect opportunity for a once in a lifetime photo, and not had your camera? This happened to me this morning with the Flower girls. Dahlia, the 5 year old doesn't go to school yet, but goes up to catch the school bus with her sister. Well, this morning she left the house in her long silky "princess night gown" and a white wedding veil. Of course her mom made her ware a coat. The "bride princess" looked real fetching on her "Razor Scooter". Too be young and care free again. Well shoot, I'm old and care free.....

Christmas Open House At Gift Shop

The past two days I sat and whittled at a gift shop. I also sold some ornaments and of course some Gnomes. I really didn't want to sell the Gnomes so I set the prices a bit steep. But to a Gnome lover (believer) it don't make any difference. Took nine, sold six. But judging from the excitement from the buyers the Gnomes will be happy.

The most fun I had was with the kids, especially one young boy who had just started carving soap in the cub scouts. He and his dad sort of hung around while mother shopped. Dad had recently purchased a Swiss Army knife for the boy, and we had an instant lesson on safe knife handling and carving. Since the only wood I carry with me is small, I just demonstrated some of the basic cuts. And of course I went step-by-step and did a wizard for the young boy.

I had more fun with the kids than with selling. Each kid that stopped had to take a 5 minute owl.
Several "Older" ladies who had dragged their husbands shopping told their husbands that they should start carving, instead of just sitting around the house. I told these fellows that a bunch of us meet every Tuesday morning at the local Senior Center. We'll see what happens.

Gnome Tree Ornaments?

Might have to be saying "Good Bye" to my Gnome friends here. Will be demonstrating carving and selling some ornaments at a local shop this weekend. These little fellas will get a make over into Christmas Tree Ornaments. I hope they don't mind. If I keep them, they'll just continue to be shelf sitters. But if they become Christmas tree ornaments, just think of the joy they'll have this Christmas and every year there after.

Some Random Photos From The Dayton Show

I did not have much time to take photos, so I really only took a few that interests me. These are some of them.

Dayton Carving Show - Artistry in Wood

Had a fantastic time at the Dayton woodcarving show. This was the first time I exhibited. Prior to this time I had attended the show a few times. I shared a booth with a carving friend, who talked me into entering the judging. I at first said naw, I'm not ready for this show yet. My friend went through my display and pulled this Hillbilly with a pipe out, and said enter this one in the WHITTLING category, since you carved it all with a knife. So I did. And to my great surprise, it took second place in the category.
The Dayton show was a great success, for me anyway. On Saturday it was shoulder to shoulder. A frenzy of folks, and for those that were selling carvings, a good day. My only sales goals are to meet my expenses. Expenses being gas, meals, two nights lodging, booth fees, and a few supplies purchases. I exceeded my goal.

Perhaps the greatest part of the weekend was the opportunity to meet folks. I was able to meet some carvers that I have only met on the Internet. And of course, there is the opportunity to view some of the greatest carvings ever. This means that I'll be inspired for some time to come.

Dayton Wood Carving Show

Well I'm about ready to pack up for the Dayton Wood Carving show (Artistry in Wood) this weekend. This carving show is one of the top in the country. Attendance at this show can inspire one more and varied carving. I'll try to get some photos and post next week.

The Dayton show is Saturday 10AM to 6PM, and Sunday 10AM to 5PM, November 14 and 15. It's held at the Expo Center/ Dayton International Airport, 3900 MeCauley Dr. This is off I75 just north of the I75 - I70 interchange.