Pegasus Completed

Ready for paint

Painted black, because it is black in the story.

Proud carver!  All carving was done by the carver.  None by the "instructor".  All I did was cut out the blanks, and supervise......

All carving was accomplished with a Dremel and a small sanding drum and sleeve.

Back To Kids Carving

"Tom, can I carve a Pegasus"? 

We got started this afternoon after school.  Attention spans of kids are not very long.  So we're taking it slow.  We started by roughing in the blank.

We'll round the piece off some more and add detail during the next 15 minute session.  This is what was done in our first 15 minute session.  The wings will be done separate and attached.

We are working out doors with a big box fan to move the dust away from us.

 

Gnome Door Tutorial

From time to time I'll post a tutorial on how I make some items.  This is one of those times.  In order to make a Gnome Door you'll need the following materials and tools:  1/4"x2 7/8"x4 1/4" birch plywood (2),  3/4 x 2 7/8" x 4 1/4" pine (1),  Popsicle sticks (2),  wood axle peg,  stain/wax,  scroll saw, scratch awl/nail,  knife,  drill, glue, compass, and some clamps.

Here's what we're making.

Step 1.  Scribe lines on one of the pieces of 1/4" plywood, 1/4" apart, with a knife, from top to bottom.

2.  Layout and cut arched door frame on the piece of 3/4" pine.  Leave 1/4" sides and top to the door frame.

3.  Place the scribed piece of plywood behind the cut out arched door frame.  Trace the inside of the arched door frame on the scribed piece of plywood and cut this "door" out.

4.  Trace the outside of the arched door frame onto the remaining piece of plywood, and cut.  This is the back.

5.  Assemble the back piece of plywood and the arched door frame, and glue up as one piece.

6.  Mark, cut, and fit door cross members from Popsicle sticks, and glue them onto the door.

7.  Locate where to drill hole for the door knob, and drill to fit wood axle peg.

8.  Glue the door inside the door frame.

9.  Use a nail or an awl to poke small indents where nails might be placed in the door cross members.  Glue axle peg into hole.

10.  Apply wood gel stain, strain, or one off the stain wax combos to the piece, and wipe off, leaving stain in the scribed lines and "nail holes".  Pain the door knob white.

There are several options.  You can carve hinges from the Popsicle sticks, paint and glue on the door.  You can use twigs as a door frame.  You can change the Gnome door shape too.

 

 

 

 

 

Gnome Doors

I whittle at a diner where I eat breakfast every morning.  When I'm not whittling Santa's I do three inch Gnomes.  It got out of hand!  I now have 24 gnomes standing around.  I decided that they needed some little Gnome doors.  These will be part of my stuff at some shows coming up.

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.