Power Carving With Kids

Teaching carving with a rotary tool is fun and the results are quite amazing.  As this photo clearly shows, power carving can be be learned by a 10 year olds  The only problem encountered was the finishing of the cow and the calves.  This 10 year old was determined to paint the animals white and green.  She said that they were special breeds from Greenland.  The finish is a wee bit goofy, but the carving is right on..

Guardian of the Chickens

The girls next door are raising chickens.  Chickens for eggs - not eating!  Heaven forbid!  And what with the varmints in the area, they need some extra protection.  What better protection than a guardian Gnome.

Voices in the Night!

Can it be possible?   Last night, I heard voices.  I think my Featherweight was speaking.  I am sure I heard a voice saying that it was about time to get some fabric out and make something that I could quilt.  Then this morning my wife asked me to consider making some new place mats for the new kitchen.  Now I'm not thinking conspiracy, but something is sure going on.

Large Ark minus one Deck

My way of doing a rain dance.  Removed one deck to bring the ark into more proper balance.  The Gnomes wanted a cruise too...

BIG Noah's Ark

I decided that I needed a large Noah's Ark for a central display for some carving shows and some sales events.  Doing these arks is therapeutic for me.  Carving the pairs of animals is also fun and a good way for me to do a whole bunch of smaller carvings.  Still have lots of detail to complete.

Shop Transformation!

The transformation of my wood shop to a 3/4 quilting work shop is on hold for a while.  The main focus of the "new" area was to be my daughters long arm quilting machine.  The problem is that the machine is in southern California, and I'm in central Ohio.  Had planned on driving out for a visit this summer, but was reminded that I will want to go to California next spring for my Granddaughters graduation.  So, will wait till next spring.....

On the good side, I can put off cleaning the shop for a while longer....

Table Saws and Quilting!

I'll be posting up a whole bunch about my latest adventure.  This adventure involves transforming my wood shop into a quilting shop.  Not a quilting store, but a place for cutting, piecing, assembling, and quilting the quilt(s).  I'll be keeping the table saw and a scroll saw for Noah's Arks.  Plus I'll keep the carving area in one corner.

My wood shop is attached to the back of the garage, which is attached to the house.  It's large with lots of windows and french doors opening on to a patio.  I have used the shop to design, build, and finish large cabinets.  By large, I mean 8 feet tall, by 4 feet wide.  These I would sell to folks for placement in their two story great rooms.  However, of late, the weight of these pieces as well as my advancing age has conspired against me.  That's code for I'm not as strong as I used to be.  That's one reason for transforming the wood shop to a quilting shop.  The other reason is that my daughter has a long arm quilting machine that she is giving me.