tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50816623854887915542024-03-08T12:28:44.483-08:00Sawdust In My Socks
A blog following what I create, either at work as a carpenter or in my workshop at home.
I am trying to learn all I can to hopefully become a master craftsman.Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.comBlogger310125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-41317438697166113682022-09-14T04:53:00.004-07:002022-09-14T04:53:41.695-07:00Small Systainer Sized Router Table<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a project that will be in woodworking crafts issue 78 but while making the project I also made a video showing my thought process and how came up with it all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uss0TEmraJc" width="320" youtube-src-id="uss0TEmraJc"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-75630715844438889422022-01-04T13:46:00.000-08:002022-01-04T13:46:06.029-08:0052 Weeks of Carving - Year end<p> Well I certainly didn't keep up with the blog! That's for sure! But I did carve every week of the year except the weeks holiday we had in the summer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtcaDDvxLodqE6YrGbjJcJeFX1ZJ__UyQkpf00K51yiiRxxY4AT09x57wPYU_jeegaF9q9LX9WISQatnfeawU6q8Z3Ci_7Lv_6NdP3l1dY6m_aaIS31bKzizDMwk7_K5JJ0EmvzPagq78gGxKq7-GRMsEX5VpE59JlSiEwYpe4ZNquRZsoLzdTn6dX=s1672" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtcaDDvxLodqE6YrGbjJcJeFX1ZJ__UyQkpf00K51yiiRxxY4AT09x57wPYU_jeegaF9q9LX9WISQatnfeawU6q8Z3Ci_7Lv_6NdP3l1dY6m_aaIS31bKzizDMwk7_K5JJ0EmvzPagq78gGxKq7-GRMsEX5VpE59JlSiEwYpe4ZNquRZsoLzdTn6dX=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>My trouble with blogging every week came as I started to write for a few woodworking magazines. I can't really share the pictures for my articles on here and have them published in a magazine so I concentrated on getting my words in print. It's been a wonderful experience and has worked brilliantly with what I do here. </p><p>This series of blog posts started out with the best of intentions and making myself carve every week has been brilliant experience for me, my skill level seems (to me at least) to have shot up. I now look at a bit of letter carving as something easy to do and add to a project, and love carving flowers, even selling one of my carved toolboxes just before Christmas as well as knowing I can make what's in my minds eye if I want to. </p><p>I think carving will carry on being part of my skill set and the way I make my living making big bits of wood smaller, it's great way to add value to the things I make and always a part of the project I enjoy.</p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-65056773836781305162021-09-30T04:35:00.001-07:002021-09-30T04:35:15.119-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Repetition<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I learn through many ways but I cement knowledge by practice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW4PJbIffRJDWaOML-TiCS5DyS23Tw7CsFhg1zZrXc-iljlgcyXi10OrT2xenY0qI00mNR7-fR78Lsz9o-BHSzcH7hKjgKuC092Y3VipWgvEBQ3qHkzRJv30toUcmitkHoPx7ifs9hqk/s1672/20210924_133213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW4PJbIffRJDWaOML-TiCS5DyS23Tw7CsFhg1zZrXc-iljlgcyXi10OrT2xenY0qI00mNR7-fR78Lsz9o-BHSzcH7hKjgKuC092Y3VipWgvEBQ3qHkzRJv30toUcmitkHoPx7ifs9hqk/w640-h480/20210924_133213.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>That's why the boxes I sell over on Etsy are the prefect way for me to hone my skills.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>Doing something once is great but to keep practicing it, really makes things faster and more efficient. I learnt so much from carving this out 9 times in a row, over the period of a couple of days, even with my little lad at my side for two of them!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8TCKQR4q3tH8IEqn49ecfn0xCp3ZB7LBiuS4rKGgsOl_8qSEGPqYQJThEelyDkmiJHnthYzIDVteRF-Qjb6N1kjMmuFHDgf4k7FumOA9WoPWWFP8wzQ_Iiyshmpx6J3xFzC91xxIWgA/s1672/20210924_173006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8TCKQR4q3tH8IEqn49ecfn0xCp3ZB7LBiuS4rKGgsOl_8qSEGPqYQJThEelyDkmiJHnthYzIDVteRF-Qjb6N1kjMmuFHDgf4k7FumOA9WoPWWFP8wzQ_Iiyshmpx6J3xFzC91xxIWgA/w640-h480/20210924_173006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOM-DKkYqKRm2n1sgY8ccECrQDnGZzGbkHzfoXVKP-IEnkzE1rWBDoewl2ziMCFpdhOe0KkYyV0kovOWRLSy1GVsTmoMkVXzVxLQVVPLZiMLyOO0BA_pGpfZdKlul8hx_qiyATN5dzecU/s1672/20210928_111447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOM-DKkYqKRm2n1sgY8ccECrQDnGZzGbkHzfoXVKP-IEnkzE1rWBDoewl2ziMCFpdhOe0KkYyV0kovOWRLSy1GVsTmoMkVXzVxLQVVPLZiMLyOO0BA_pGpfZdKlul8hx_qiyATN5dzecU/w640-h480/20210928_111447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> I think that to keep practicing simple projects like this is the way to make me a much faster carver, esepcally in pine which sometimes isn't the most forgiving of wood when it comes to carving. <p></p><p>I'm hopeful that when I've made all these the boxes will sell on the run up to Christmas. </p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-91958086016119607542021-09-19T13:15:00.001-07:002021-09-19T13:15:10.856-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - quotation<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For awhile now I'd had an idea for a bit of written carving I wanted to make for a friend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Z9tEwEYpqZPWWz95Ibvin6q-yMSfPR1Q0FUZTIwtN9NIAoByvnKSICQX7Cu9bcJlEKVii4sfgoqCWTggOCtY4iKiDOOcJGMPZV6YkZSlowTemS8JLNzYRI_6e8oaSCvYIFBD86YbRiQ/s1672/20210914_134824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Z9tEwEYpqZPWWz95Ibvin6q-yMSfPR1Q0FUZTIwtN9NIAoByvnKSICQX7Cu9bcJlEKVii4sfgoqCWTggOCtY4iKiDOOcJGMPZV6YkZSlowTemS8JLNzYRI_6e8oaSCvYIFBD86YbRiQ/w640-h480/20210914_134824.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I am not a religious person, but he is, and he once said this phrase to me and it really stuck with me. So I thought I'd carve it out so he could mount it on his wall. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60Ww-toFosVtXXja64N-Hx55QD71lPrujoAP0vjA2Po6ETgqjVIk4ootpiSg9eX_0298DswtqCI7scAB4B7vgk0Uk-HKrTTtjTIinmlaGb-vw97HC2uXU2MXTWVcZpHDvx39mtu-4G3k/s1672/20210916_104621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60Ww-toFosVtXXja64N-Hx55QD71lPrujoAP0vjA2Po6ETgqjVIk4ootpiSg9eX_0298DswtqCI7scAB4B7vgk0Uk-HKrTTtjTIinmlaGb-vw97HC2uXU2MXTWVcZpHDvx39mtu-4G3k/w640-h480/20210916_104621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbifcCnyDQ9_AWCgA_SYUIZMLvNIzSiHyyaKtyXoH3byjJXvmDKBdKSrnujPL-nti1riuBjwPWik3KwzxAJdOX7W9pPS7ME52YGXkwF5JbCIbUQ0yS2y8o0rj4pMUMy1BUv0EzPnyAoo/s1672/20210917_135503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbifcCnyDQ9_AWCgA_SYUIZMLvNIzSiHyyaKtyXoH3byjJXvmDKBdKSrnujPL-nti1riuBjwPWik3KwzxAJdOX7W9pPS7ME52YGXkwF5JbCIbUQ0yS2y8o0rj4pMUMy1BUv0EzPnyAoo/w640-h480/20210917_135503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I gave it him as a surprise and he seemed really pleased with it. It felt nice to give and unexpected gift. </p><p>Carved in Oak all by hand.</p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-64235795077511481712021-09-08T13:49:00.000-07:002021-09-08T13:49:03.920-07:0052 Weeks Of carving - A bit behind! <p> I've slipped out of habit with this bit of the blog lately - I'd like to say though that I'm still carving every week. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTAGDq4AEbA8DePPAdILLnDSYe_AE2FBEmE3dKvC-RTgWGN4OETRUY4jeRmJVQ6sWm-clwIh7IDvRKYmMca7yXYkdyk5B6FD9I6aHv_89Se3AeJvCwRKQs9ecIovAe5bamAMZzXhJwWA/s1672/20210906_143016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTAGDq4AEbA8DePPAdILLnDSYe_AE2FBEmE3dKvC-RTgWGN4OETRUY4jeRmJVQ6sWm-clwIh7IDvRKYmMca7yXYkdyk5B6FD9I6aHv_89Se3AeJvCwRKQs9ecIovAe5bamAMZzXhJwWA/w640-h480/20210906_143016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The trouble is I've been carving for some magazine articles (which I'm really excited about) and so I can't really show what I'm up to until they're published. Hopefully I'll have a few more projects I can post on here soon! </p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-78071578257055534452021-08-09T22:00:00.001-07:002021-08-09T22:00:00.195-07:0052 Weeks of Carving - Week 30 - Tudor Rose<p> I had an enquiry about a possible commission for a sign for a local historic building that I needed to quote for. The brief was fairly vague, but simple. There was the possibility to make it a little more complicated to add a Tudor Rose to the project to show the age of the building (it was built around 1530).</p><p>I thought that before I quote I had better practice carving a few Tudor roses and see how I get on with them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eimrw9-R6nY58QdZg6ZO3JV2NhnEyfpeWIeb_VXV3XhxgFBJ3pdoGxOrR_hWJpwNWbLx6mwRzaV_QBxh054bhOgQXfa4wbIpuavvD0p9KchvHDwc7GDFltKNl5KA565Zv8GX0_1nDvQ/s1672/20210804_221459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eimrw9-R6nY58QdZg6ZO3JV2NhnEyfpeWIeb_VXV3XhxgFBJ3pdoGxOrR_hWJpwNWbLx6mwRzaV_QBxh054bhOgQXfa4wbIpuavvD0p9KchvHDwc7GDFltKNl5KA565Zv8GX0_1nDvQ/w640-h480/20210804_221459.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>My first one (to the right of the above picture) I wasn't happy with. I made too many mistakes and having it quite small might not have been the best way to learn. I decided to try again on the same piece of scrap oak, but a much bigger version. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiu79_vh6UcecvbpEIcP9e-UyTCiJi17uoNJPNVSje0gb9_1bA3mZpDyOclzwYY2whyKfR2bwQ6v0WSDPl6Co-I_Vi0P6lTnUwhVDKWhPS1YCN5_jzd5UluLRpVIfwEujQ19c6A7YzHQ/s1672/20210805_221502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="1254" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiu79_vh6UcecvbpEIcP9e-UyTCiJi17uoNJPNVSje0gb9_1bA3mZpDyOclzwYY2whyKfR2bwQ6v0WSDPl6Co-I_Vi0P6lTnUwhVDKWhPS1YCN5_jzd5UluLRpVIfwEujQ19c6A7YzHQ/w480-h640/20210805_221502.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I got this picture from the Chris Pye Website but in all honesty it wasn't ideal, I could do with altering it a little bit as his is to go in the middle of another project. It worked well enough for this practice though. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_T1xghZagSRVNE1aOCkotU5NRV72ayK9rIycWY_B0z-oQ9_jrqgydDzouxUD3vwYV1-BsaKhWqfEA7XMMgMqx6ewcc7M1fN1ed295jzf_ccmfEmFAlVOfkI4pZlFJBjOyihG7jv45JU/s1672/20210805_221502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="1254" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_T1xghZagSRVNE1aOCkotU5NRV72ayK9rIycWY_B0z-oQ9_jrqgydDzouxUD3vwYV1-BsaKhWqfEA7XMMgMqx6ewcc7M1fN1ed295jzf_ccmfEmFAlVOfkI4pZlFJBjOyihG7jv45JU/w480-h640/20210805_221502.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>Much like carving a rosette it is a sequence of repetitive techniques. I did loose a few bits of detail, purely down to my own technique and the fact I need to remind myself to use slicing cuts more rather than mallet taps, especially in oak which is far more likely to flake up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXex1YaFAubcm-h6hi4i9UdVcDOYxbFj7RTKejDav2Q9gie_eZ_PH1Zkadk6ibwWgM2jvwrKMIsa34yfN-zi1oN2izqlokZtes_SBlYdjhi9iZw2jPxvmykmRJ8_Cq7sS8xFmXBIpWqtk/s1672/20210806_131020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXex1YaFAubcm-h6hi4i9UdVcDOYxbFj7RTKejDav2Q9gie_eZ_PH1Zkadk6ibwWgM2jvwrKMIsa34yfN-zi1oN2izqlokZtes_SBlYdjhi9iZw2jPxvmykmRJ8_Cq7sS8xFmXBIpWqtk/w640-h480/20210806_131020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>So I still wasn't happy with it finished but there is enough going on to draw the eye away from the mistakes and be a passable Tudor Rose. I think I will carve it another time now to help me remember how to do it and practice the techniques needed. </div><div><br /></div><div>If I get the commission it should be a fun job and I'd love the fact that it will be a on a historic building a one minute walk away from my house! </div>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-64327634792870014252021-08-08T03:48:00.005-07:002021-08-08T03:48:48.159-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 29 - Woodcarving Magazine!<p> Super excited to see one of my projects in Issue 182 of Woodcarving magazine! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7prdwHt78guay4D9J7Ke6X0ZiWHWb5MKIlQFFnAwMz5BUlyv2-Q72QoPScGDHfUXXDzXKynWbpxyheYtDMzbBgB-E_J2tZ0O_xSpe3CCzDumzLWMIPL5O7cXW0nmSf-c7ph2i398Qis/s1672/20210807_130705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1672" data-original-width="1254" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7prdwHt78guay4D9J7Ke6X0ZiWHWb5MKIlQFFnAwMz5BUlyv2-Q72QoPScGDHfUXXDzXKynWbpxyheYtDMzbBgB-E_J2tZ0O_xSpe3CCzDumzLWMIPL5O7cXW0nmSf-c7ph2i398Qis/w480-h640/20210807_130705.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I made this projects a few months ago and wrote the article. But it was extra great to see it on the first page of the magazine on the welcome to the issue page! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUI5jVS238GjWPl-wd8jsRrDiKg3RQrhaiaCbSwIypB-k7ZJo4XO9MJJ7zjqp7FoXOZEA8kLMPvwNv70AQcyr9JqBPdQzqMa8he9qAXI-z69sWSEQE2p-9Qk0H-Xhnv7IfpFMP0Utfoho/s1672/20210807_141332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUI5jVS238GjWPl-wd8jsRrDiKg3RQrhaiaCbSwIypB-k7ZJo4XO9MJJ7zjqp7FoXOZEA8kLMPvwNv70AQcyr9JqBPdQzqMa8he9qAXI-z69sWSEQE2p-9Qk0H-Xhnv7IfpFMP0Utfoho/w640-h480/20210807_141332.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I really enjoyed writing this article, I found it an enjoyable process writing step by step way through the project. I also love the plans they drew for the project - To get that from the sketch I scribbled down is some skill! </p><p>Hopefully I have a project in the next issue as well! </p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-42978436218678220842021-07-27T08:41:00.001-07:002021-08-01T03:18:27.599-07:0052 Weeks of Carvign - Week 28 - Seeds<p> I did a bit more writing this week and practiced it until I could do it a reasonable speed. Then filmed myself and sped it up! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/teih9SbnMWE" width="320" youtube-src-id="teih9SbnMWE"></iframe></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcfYA9JJPpkYC08WHkHagxvEoMK3_ngCbZjAvOoTORQjknkTCuUR5THuNoVmrd2E3iatAAs6Rv7ZEEFK3WQjwVu8GY34kjMYAmHtuANrt0sUbc0AM2Kp2D5A538Ph1EYHZJicTJD3FOc/s1672/20210723_173056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcfYA9JJPpkYC08WHkHagxvEoMK3_ngCbZjAvOoTORQjknkTCuUR5THuNoVmrd2E3iatAAs6Rv7ZEEFK3WQjwVu8GY34kjMYAmHtuANrt0sUbc0AM2Kp2D5A538Ph1EYHZJicTJD3FOc/w640-h480/20210723_173056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-58150527681720960472021-07-12T06:25:00.002-07:002021-07-12T06:25:14.630-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 26 - Carved Writing - A Lesson Learned<p> I've deliberately missed out a couple of weeks on here - not because I wasn't carving, but because I couldn't show it on here. Hopefully I'll be able to show that project soon. </p><p>This last week I decided to tackle a part of carving I'd been intimidated by - writing. And it's a big part of being a carver is being able to do some good and neat writing carved into wood. I've also got a job coming up with a little writing so decided that this would be a good time to practice and convince myself I could do it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMyeRVN45p3PkdBNA3guZmlpt8qtQvAZ7pCK2sLHT_ldHBuT48k_o8kEr6ZffOMmXMclFX_jHjL0RQ8DzH_GjZTw6ojeMxKcN_ysvJuDM6OdFoW-eiDd2uRHMd7VczTZbj9sDH4LUqLo/s1672/20210707_170557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMyeRVN45p3PkdBNA3guZmlpt8qtQvAZ7pCK2sLHT_ldHBuT48k_o8kEr6ZffOMmXMclFX_jHjL0RQ8DzH_GjZTw6ojeMxKcN_ysvJuDM6OdFoW-eiDd2uRHMd7VczTZbj9sDH4LUqLo/w640-h480/20210707_170557.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Of course being me I couldn't just pick a simple word. Instead I picked out one of my favourite phrases that I often say to the children when I tell them they need to look after each other - "The Strength of the wolf is in the pack and the strength of the pack is in the wolf" From the law of the jungle in the Jungle Book. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4CPFKJl289ckOOoHD6QSA_6_HYS8WT4khrHe8HZe0bqM-liy_4tm9EEqL8liI1KFasmU1J09M8-ZhlfjrTQm2ZaJ8YQ7s6V_wbwvXwCWJ9GAqVqBCqKUCiw2h-FF9H5gRvnmsYFIJrQ/s1672/20210707_172255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4CPFKJl289ckOOoHD6QSA_6_HYS8WT4khrHe8HZe0bqM-liy_4tm9EEqL8liI1KFasmU1J09M8-ZhlfjrTQm2ZaJ8YQ7s6V_wbwvXwCWJ9GAqVqBCqKUCiw2h-FF9H5gRvnmsYFIJrQ/w640-h480/20210707_172255.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I printed it out and started to carve. I was surprised how easy it was once I'd got the right chisels sorted and approached the carving in a systematic way. It's lots of repetitive cuts and I found that I left it set up with the few chisels I needed and just attacked it whenever I got 5 minutes. The nice clean piece of oak helped I imagine. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRXIQNqtCclrqzM_xe17mxGvu_ZMRDeFYxl9_uNu1mhK9YvQH5hJrO_P-in8MVIobjRtoD01D_8kVlvjZwDFMZqe5OP4OcHvo4GuVgVG1WehnKvazF5vRQuqqqVdmHHqeSZ8mWkwyoR8/s1672/20210709_122934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRXIQNqtCclrqzM_xe17mxGvu_ZMRDeFYxl9_uNu1mhK9YvQH5hJrO_P-in8MVIobjRtoD01D_8kVlvjZwDFMZqe5OP4OcHvo4GuVgVG1WehnKvazF5vRQuqqqVdmHHqeSZ8mWkwyoR8/w640-h480/20210709_122934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Of course this would have been much harder in the past without a printer - but I try to use technology to my advantage where I can. Sticking the sheet on was a great idea but I need to find some better glue as this one took some taking off in the end. A book I own about doing carved writing even says how drawing it out is over half the job - not anymore! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAVl0xGjuQUtN1LYvSmH-2W_eSO0mzXS_vxzQolsP9NJRiv9jmmpQhZjNYp6TdlgHlDrTUL-pOmB3PWlQTML1PwZkngY5j3ORWYWaTZUpUlY1RP-k3lM6B4xI9hpVWmUPidE5t2G0mFU/s1672/20210709_125355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAVl0xGjuQUtN1LYvSmH-2W_eSO0mzXS_vxzQolsP9NJRiv9jmmpQhZjNYp6TdlgHlDrTUL-pOmB3PWlQTML1PwZkngY5j3ORWYWaTZUpUlY1RP-k3lM6B4xI9hpVWmUPidE5t2G0mFU/w640-h480/20210709_125355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Luckily it cleaned up well with white spirits, </p><p>I then sealed it with a coat of Scandinavian oil.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeJFnAVP0sOe2kMq6cIIRwNM7gXguipwil6glj-iGmtIyLGnIUJ4NVaRjycP6C_MBs61Ms5PEbpIY5UoyhxMiH4pt6Mc1aYiQds_0GSNWS_gjs9ZovxrM7FiZVHjSRlNM271HiwBNs9I/s1672/20210709_140545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1672" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeJFnAVP0sOe2kMq6cIIRwNM7gXguipwil6glj-iGmtIyLGnIUJ4NVaRjycP6C_MBs61Ms5PEbpIY5UoyhxMiH4pt6Mc1aYiQds_0GSNWS_gjs9ZovxrM7FiZVHjSRlNM271HiwBNs9I/w640-h480/20210709_140545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Now some of the more astute amoung you might spot something on this carving that I didn't. </p><p>I mean I really didn't. </p><p>I then showed it to a friend, who laughed a bit then looked at me. </p><p>"You know you've spelt this wrong?" she said in her strong Australian accent.</p><p>"Get lost"</p><p>"No really - That's not how you spell strength." </p><p>"Bugger" </p><p>I was genuinely gutted. How had I not seen that! Normally I get my wife to check all my writing (except on here) and this time I hadn't. I felt like such a fool! </p><p>So this is a cautionary tale about how you should always check your work before you spend a long while carving it out! </p><p>Anyone else made a mistake like this?</p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-66768236086364761012021-06-25T08:12:00.001-07:002021-06-25T08:12:10.117-07:00Furniture And Cabinet Making Magazine<p> I have written for a few magazines now, <a href="http://www.englishhomestead.com/p/press.html" target="_blank">one with a monthly slot about smallholding machinery</a>, but I've always wanted to write for a wood working magazine. When I was an apprentice I'd buy big stacks of second hand wood working magazines and take them to read at break time - fair to say I was a little obsessed! </p><p>For me the one magazine that seems more like one you'd keep on the shelf was Furniture And Cabinet Making Magazine so I was really excited when they asked me to write a piece on my workbench with the carving on the front. It's in the current issue number 299</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0BE3vce1i5h5CFL0MTGJ49j3ZI3CD3x-N802CmC_X7Encn8QQo9_QD-iLfky3Id1oIav_0OQqsEug9DCFN8cNzklA62J4odPe1D4LMv3sgtlXl82MRgDkHGiKyedWs9ZEYx7O9R8S3k/s1632/20210522_132439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0BE3vce1i5h5CFL0MTGJ49j3ZI3CD3x-N802CmC_X7Encn8QQo9_QD-iLfky3Id1oIav_0OQqsEug9DCFN8cNzklA62J4odPe1D4LMv3sgtlXl82MRgDkHGiKyedWs9ZEYx7O9R8S3k/w640-h480/20210522_132439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I had great fun writing a article for them and even ended up carving a fresh piece of strapwork for the photos (shows I should always take more. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37CHWoVgtkjRaIugR5x7arahKXy8E3frgA7_i07owiq-K-HZsLb6cNaxxV8ZWTJA7S2f5fC9iHdIDXQV1hhoIf-_DHGIKoEGjbTnXHO_wxAZR015TAQf7awSTAsIhPEoOpFICuzCM7tA/s1632/20210522_132447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37CHWoVgtkjRaIugR5x7arahKXy8E3frgA7_i07owiq-K-HZsLb6cNaxxV8ZWTJA7S2f5fC9iHdIDXQV1hhoIf-_DHGIKoEGjbTnXHO_wxAZR015TAQf7awSTAsIhPEoOpFICuzCM7tA/w640-h480/20210522_132447.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The article ran to 6 pages and it's been great to see my work in there. Hopefully this will lead to some more writing work and tie it to my trade, I've already had another accepted for a different woodworking magazine so watch this space! </p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-81254593889928361522021-06-21T14:01:00.001-07:002021-06-21T14:01:59.847-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 23 - Toolbox<p> This week I've managed to carve a tool box to sell on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EnglishHomestead" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKK_PKxHuVrfRZZ4Lp1bltXN7inECkZGJ9NZpIhJUeZwBpIGx3VELy4LlmMil9JYaWvbwJ7VZL3EAnTPlFDv6-Rn8Xl5MVTDaUQIM27p6YbD-ZdO4qx9-uYKyyac6uLBGJb8UhIzXs5Q/s1632/20210619_174200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKK_PKxHuVrfRZZ4Lp1bltXN7inECkZGJ9NZpIhJUeZwBpIGx3VELy4LlmMil9JYaWvbwJ7VZL3EAnTPlFDv6-Rn8Xl5MVTDaUQIM27p6YbD-ZdO4qx9-uYKyyac6uLBGJb8UhIzXs5Q/w640-h480/20210619_174200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9QZqX9fi-2RYzDMiv1ed-WAQn0J0FiO2-kVVXiN078Z38oOKx2AYYM3IzRfJ-vAXudcd_ykZ094Yq8UhxOVm1vr7fL5UcoZO0-MzBlcT2P0XcNhd_ttN_huNeSm7k0PlL9CfWroEoqY/s1632/20210619_174240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9QZqX9fi-2RYzDMiv1ed-WAQn0J0FiO2-kVVXiN078Z38oOKx2AYYM3IzRfJ-vAXudcd_ykZ094Yq8UhxOVm1vr7fL5UcoZO0-MzBlcT2P0XcNhd_ttN_huNeSm7k0PlL9CfWroEoqY/w640-h480/20210619_174240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPToyypywrKVEJGXdIieMqkefThdqVYDAY7hEASnyDbbkoeU-T_cpp_jdA6AWrywb2IPfGJh6eKjSAJrmRJfVRyj4r4rVb75CuyHH66hgzFQzeyzPrYLOB15DSeUBL6eQRDML1ckCg2Q/s1632/20210619_174246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPToyypywrKVEJGXdIieMqkefThdqVYDAY7hEASnyDbbkoeU-T_cpp_jdA6AWrywb2IPfGJh6eKjSAJrmRJfVRyj4r4rVb75CuyHH66hgzFQzeyzPrYLOB15DSeUBL6eQRDML1ckCg2Q/w640-h480/20210619_174246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I'd been looking to make a few carved items to add to my store, so I feel this is a good start. I'd also like to do seed boxes with carved fronts as well. </p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-21234706423578653092021-06-17T05:55:00.002-07:002021-06-17T05:55:28.646-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 22 - More flowers<p> This post is for last week - I just didn't get chance to put it up (<a href="http://www.englishhomestead.com/2021/06/hellens-garden-festival-2021.html" target="_blank">I was recovering from a busy day on Sunday</a>). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLY9XhPPN3NKphPel6ve-xNu-2PxOEm4ypNoL3ZmHML9eQqdxKTnyabnLod9uwMYI4GWPFSs5g1gxxhjkzz2NwIHnvaRh_ys5CpMWqvNpD12DRJoaqWSFuXvcgJTetO2-SOp2fnXmXnE/s1632/20210617_093844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLY9XhPPN3NKphPel6ve-xNu-2PxOEm4ypNoL3ZmHML9eQqdxKTnyabnLod9uwMYI4GWPFSs5g1gxxhjkzz2NwIHnvaRh_ys5CpMWqvNpD12DRJoaqWSFuXvcgJTetO2-SOp2fnXmXnE/w640-h480/20210617_093844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I've decided that some more repetitive carving would help cement some skills, so I'm making another tool box. This one is to sell once I've finished it and becomes perfect practice to help increase my speed. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN4atEIBRS7dYG9FYVhnIaie-3RvczhaMu7ORpQ1l-kG23GcS2bU0hICKaIIICxvoG5lM1N6vs-jOoFysQPDbgFN7S0J4qI-sfSaum7XpPDXLkFctvEh6ydw1Hg5afCXEmUp-7E9dhJc/s1632/20210615_164700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkN4atEIBRS7dYG9FYVhnIaie-3RvczhaMu7ORpQ1l-kG23GcS2bU0hICKaIIICxvoG5lM1N6vs-jOoFysQPDbgFN7S0J4qI-sfSaum7XpPDXLkFctvEh6ydw1Hg5afCXEmUp-7E9dhJc/w640-h480/20210615_164700.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I've only made a start but carving both sides at the same time has huge time saving and it's been a nice job to do in the workshop in the morning before the heat of the afternoon makes it unbearable!</p><p>Finished piece to be on etsy soon then move on to something else. I have plans to maybe try again on another oil stone box <a href="http://www.sawdustinmysocks.com/2011/09/carved-box-top.html" target="_blank">like one I made 10 years ago</a>. </p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-74978876628531851602021-06-06T15:10:00.004-07:002021-06-06T15:10:51.181-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 21 - Daughter's Scythe Peening Pony<p> Had a random week this week, but managed to start to learn to a skill I'd always wanted to learn how to Scythe. </p><p>I'm going to talk about that in my other blog, but it involved meeting a very interesting chap who teaches people how to use Austrian scythes and how to sharpen them. Part of the sharpening process is called peening, which is the cold treatment of the metal by hitting it on a small anvil. To do this well you need a rest for it and this little set up is sometimes referred to as a "peening pony".</p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ULA4ax7C2mQHSiJU_MuC7gzyf191rYJsVseGrdJkgoskluuDeQrjkvvHf3bPO4IgwXmfqbvVfqfJ6vZQl_mPsSF1x-USQfy7U7w0O8MRBGKjzLXSKBul9dfMfgCSjbX6M0x5X-sl7Wo/s1632/20210606_165147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ULA4ax7C2mQHSiJU_MuC7gzyf191rYJsVseGrdJkgoskluuDeQrjkvvHf3bPO4IgwXmfqbvVfqfJ6vZQl_mPsSF1x-USQfy7U7w0O8MRBGKjzLXSKBul9dfMfgCSjbX6M0x5X-sl7Wo/w640-h480/20210606_165147.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My eldest daughter using her "new" wooden plane given to her by a friend.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>As soon as I saw it I thought that the small stool like "pony" would be an ideal project to build with my daughter. It was a great little project using fallen branches from one of our old oak trees and some scraps out of the firewood pile. When it was nearly done she mentioned about carving something onto the front of it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpm_ih1Hh5kFWydRYYtKHawz7EIf4RepXtdNHQRmYx1Iu1n9KlCoUKHDINJ91gmy12ZV11gd91xBiaDyQjjBD0bxprkTGnZiomRPBGlm3KPJDEjoVSImWqZ9dfAYheU5b4RarFjCyFtcg/s1632/20210606_165838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpm_ih1Hh5kFWydRYYtKHawz7EIf4RepXtdNHQRmYx1Iu1n9KlCoUKHDINJ91gmy12ZV11gd91xBiaDyQjjBD0bxprkTGnZiomRPBGlm3KPJDEjoVSImWqZ9dfAYheU5b4RarFjCyFtcg/w640-h480/20210606_165838.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I suggested she sketch out a design and then we could see about putting it on the pony. She looked at the scythe resting outside and drew a simple design with it's shape. I asked her what tool she would like to use first - "V tool" was her reply, she's going to be better than me soon! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXXCC5QU4yrpob5_XV80xuw2bg_e8On_6UgBAp1WJ2iAkYaKUve9ulZSX1oEf8CTqoagajTT3TXsdn1xEdhLcUvHu1yhjt-u9wCiSg3mElxtpE4ptUNT9RqmFYpaS16Jcc4NhXyDCpVo/s1632/20210606_170031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXXCC5QU4yrpob5_XV80xuw2bg_e8On_6UgBAp1WJ2iAkYaKUve9ulZSX1oEf8CTqoagajTT3TXsdn1xEdhLcUvHu1yhjt-u9wCiSg3mElxtpE4ptUNT9RqmFYpaS16Jcc4NhXyDCpVo/w640-h480/20210606_170031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was her first time using the small (ish) carving mallet I made, as it was oak she was carving into. She went slow and steady, didn't rush and only made one little mistake. I loved how well she used the mallet for the rhythmic tapping needed to outline a picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPcCrRTlFgKNDtoFLwLCKFHfd2k7Q8V3DASAcDdCQUuCr_KeXUdog5qyLxN8IKf_6kZblxn1EOfQ3SvsxLefxOZM-l9HrJgnhGNrCLernxlDN0BIPIaGyHQYiqjeHq9EEki1jFY7tLUQ/s1632/20210606_170955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPcCrRTlFgKNDtoFLwLCKFHfd2k7Q8V3DASAcDdCQUuCr_KeXUdog5qyLxN8IKf_6kZblxn1EOfQ3SvsxLefxOZM-l9HrJgnhGNrCLernxlDN0BIPIaGyHQYiqjeHq9EEki1jFY7tLUQ/w640-h480/20210606_170955.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When she had lined in I gave her a gouge (14mm No6) to just lower the background around where she carved. The only thing I did was help keep it stable as she carved and trim two bits that were tricky to remove from the background. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UN4eFKbhcsusG_KxekI0ptUAXY0IoYPUNFJ8XTBHzvGnUIVtivbzjsJ5DFbNsH6BMxyWCOVdmwu663Xav02m-2qJ5E0br4zaLDAuj2En32d0Gvviajv-ss0owvL92iPrPR8PlCjOcRE/s1632/20210606_172227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UN4eFKbhcsusG_KxekI0ptUAXY0IoYPUNFJ8XTBHzvGnUIVtivbzjsJ5DFbNsH6BMxyWCOVdmwu663Xav02m-2qJ5E0br4zaLDAuj2En32d0Gvviajv-ss0owvL92iPrPR8PlCjOcRE/w640-h480/20210606_172227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It's fair to say she was as pleased as punch with it! A lovely simple carving on a piece of oak. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMj0hvzY0Mr6ytkCK_Sqd361sHbwKll7n4AVMpoQPwn1417R5dCift7CUJqJl9lEHEKvwTm68yEMipDLPDa2tqmcwxxiiGVdvwne5NJnbXsqrivaGD0kANzFrdStDlmzx7vOlX038XUg/s1632/20210606_172316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMj0hvzY0Mr6ytkCK_Sqd361sHbwKll7n4AVMpoQPwn1417R5dCift7CUJqJl9lEHEKvwTm68yEMipDLPDa2tqmcwxxiiGVdvwne5NJnbXsqrivaGD0kANzFrdStDlmzx7vOlX038XUg/w480-h640/20210606_172316.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycJfrbqC0pVrLfWOfvDL6V63iwoQxhGyLRRpur-w4pPmYc80au7f2PD-U9wz5QYHQk3HGxRK889-bVyVPJ9D7t-wfJBsLJBR1jes6P3wrTIzEwCnLVdoZgiZUYj7E4H93uJuOyyN58Gc/s1632/20210606_172410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycJfrbqC0pVrLfWOfvDL6V63iwoQxhGyLRRpur-w4pPmYc80au7f2PD-U9wz5QYHQk3HGxRK889-bVyVPJ9D7t-wfJBsLJBR1jes6P3wrTIzEwCnLVdoZgiZUYj7E4H93uJuOyyN58Gc/w640-h480/20210606_172410.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love having something like this personalised in such a lovely way. She's always so keen on this little project and it was great to find the time this afternoon to make this with her. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So not exactly my carving this week but I hope you'll forgive me for that! </div>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-11691879014999859672021-05-31T04:38:00.000-07:002021-05-31T04:38:01.613-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 20 - Practice Peony Flower<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used a bit of scrap Tulip to try a different type of flower a bit more like a peony. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPusfvvTagxUR4acUC_sKsVr_VHh963EVhyphenhyphenoHvdte6wC9Zh6jutoquzm2sAEv947JBTWU3t63x4Al5jywofmsWx_MQR6S6Hv6Qy4XB5Uwan0Pls2tm2-3EyJ2ebHKNASDLtSEU4stHPUg/s1632/20210531_112510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPusfvvTagxUR4acUC_sKsVr_VHh963EVhyphenhyphenoHvdte6wC9Zh6jutoquzm2sAEv947JBTWU3t63x4Al5jywofmsWx_MQR6S6Hv6Qy4XB5Uwan0Pls2tm2-3EyJ2ebHKNASDLtSEU4stHPUg/w640-h480/20210531_112510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Just a practice piece so only really messing around. Background roughly lowered. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LU8N6Hkux1Mh0A2W0z9Gn5oZQrpYnaTc3qoEKoyzqydKMHWfdu-LryXAC-Lz6GD1sbsCvv-ZqIS2Z97C19LylysL4imtJ6cbh7KC1FguMFO-5WgJ7wZ-s5t3sReg9JzP6RSHu_XkFsM/s1632/20210531_113005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LU8N6Hkux1Mh0A2W0z9Gn5oZQrpYnaTc3qoEKoyzqydKMHWfdu-LryXAC-Lz6GD1sbsCvv-ZqIS2Z97C19LylysL4imtJ6cbh7KC1FguMFO-5WgJ7wZ-s5t3sReg9JzP6RSHu_XkFsM/w640-h480/20210531_113005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6O3eqq_Tcb3CHHILLL4MAb724arf2_lrzr2eqJdplvp3v81Sd-V5ts79NOJjXYyW1r-R_D89WV7f8Q9VFbE3cyn8hn6teqWM-wjKLNMiU82nwPSynrx-fTBmVPBdkzOustumiSsK4JAU/s1632/20210531_113005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfEFDiQ7uVa6UHu81EZVU1CkAPU7xpfTPJjut_doWKbFJXKzEqUYCmFhieJQpeJEwB8I5cs4f6u6H9X4fs4_Uj-Y9B7UfO5mNX_FK4-Dcl9QU-c_jLWU1J0YYP5RoB5YOJeQAoCf0adk/s1632/20210531_121333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfEFDiQ7uVa6UHu81EZVU1CkAPU7xpfTPJjut_doWKbFJXKzEqUYCmFhieJQpeJEwB8I5cs4f6u6H9X4fs4_Uj-Y9B7UfO5mNX_FK4-Dcl9QU-c_jLWU1J0YYP5RoB5YOJeQAoCf0adk/w640-h480/20210531_121333.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The piece feels a little "scratchy" and normally I would spend some time tidying it up, that said the shape is okay and I like the undercut centre ball of petals. I'll try and practice this one again this week and keep going until I get it looking better and I can carve it quite quickly. I have some more tulip coming this week and I wonder about carving a few toolboxes as the trumpet shaped flowers are getting much easier to carve! <p></p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-27743204610834489712021-05-23T14:33:00.000-07:002021-05-23T14:33:18.857-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 19 - Flowers <p> So this week has been quite a good one for carving and I managed to get a project completely finished (unfortunately whilst not wanting to start a big project as I was supposed to have a delivery of timber).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91PDCErdQ1mFweaG2uEPBlWLMiuC3P5LRdEacUdBYdv0-pe4olDHiDW8Z1m1hm2J8Ls_NeJeIuS4TWIRTMIuQfY3wjphGEhHlh50cngnCQ5WyHcde74oiOjCf-pAvXuQovwYZmXbqrKk/s1632/20210519_114247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91PDCErdQ1mFweaG2uEPBlWLMiuC3P5LRdEacUdBYdv0-pe4olDHiDW8Z1m1hm2J8Ls_NeJeIuS4TWIRTMIuQfY3wjphGEhHlh50cngnCQ5WyHcde74oiOjCf-pAvXuQovwYZmXbqrKk/w640-h0/20210519_114247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrqwunnzJs8CjBxVe1iG0ECgnTTDILBeD2hCZuvDxTqhnoXyEoGkHCUWYIIkmAzlDG5raXYNf6pmkoxtg6M8lAORk5RiYPK2LJ77wqhKkR4ZpTibE6WFMBrw2MnAyZVSQ1XWFBsbA5r0/s1632/20210519_114247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrqwunnzJs8CjBxVe1iG0ECgnTTDILBeD2hCZuvDxTqhnoXyEoGkHCUWYIIkmAzlDG5raXYNf6pmkoxtg6M8lAORk5RiYPK2LJ77wqhKkR4ZpTibE6WFMBrw2MnAyZVSQ1XWFBsbA5r0/w640-h480/20210519_114247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I won't show a picture of the completely finished piece as it's for a project I'm working on but I'm quite pleased with how these flowers came out and I enjoyed layering the leaves around it. Tulip turned out to be a great wood for this project, not too heavy and takes detail brilliantly. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79JeiwsI4MZFRbOCBliSWAukbTNZZC80An47ro44Pi92ojatg9iT_DtaN9ltaOjAw29nXo405ruefGv_pziZ7RJ6iHA3md_jF4pcEFZ4-iSMzsOomVzUNDGxSglAkhQYMksLeHmuSViM/s1632/20210521_120951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79JeiwsI4MZFRbOCBliSWAukbTNZZC80An47ro44Pi92ojatg9iT_DtaN9ltaOjAw29nXo405ruefGv_pziZ7RJ6iHA3md_jF4pcEFZ4-iSMzsOomVzUNDGxSglAkhQYMksLeHmuSViM/w640-h480/20210521_120951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Hopefully you'll see the project fairly soon! I have something else to put on the blog this week - an article I wrote for this months Furniture and Cabinet Maker Magazine. </p><p>Now I'm not sure what carving to tackle next week - any ideas?</p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-21869151209714568852021-05-15T15:02:00.000-07:002021-05-15T15:02:11.443-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 18 - Flowers And Leaves<p> Very late writing this one up - I slipped with posting last week but I have the perfect excuse as to why I didn't get any carving done. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQhmT0pBf-QKl_FNquy-8C30V6PgIFKIz8YlBUImVsKf6cNcbjd0HeIfrziyC5syBvsKkNxGzde7J_gTvpVlIFzIbZdjqDt6Aj_jm4rubjtWhPsyMOu_hluAWhyphenhyphenRC4pXcMW5-JTeMc8o/s1632/20210515_173843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQhmT0pBf-QKl_FNquy-8C30V6PgIFKIz8YlBUImVsKf6cNcbjd0HeIfrziyC5syBvsKkNxGzde7J_gTvpVlIFzIbZdjqDt6Aj_jm4rubjtWhPsyMOu_hluAWhyphenhyphenRC4pXcMW5-JTeMc8o/w640-h480/20210515_173843.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I'd left it until Sunday to spend a bit of time carving, but my younger daughter was feeling pretty ill when she woke up. In fact she was so ill, and had symptoms we recognised from last year, that we decided to take her to A&E. Luckily it was easily sorted with a course of antibiotics, but by the time we got back the last thing I wanted to do was go into the workshop after spending most of the day in a windowless room. </p><p>A fair excuse I think.</p><p>So I've done a bit of practice carving for a piece I'm planning on making next to make up for any carving missed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKdi0ImTBdio_0tV1I7OIcuBnA002-U0_xyCSBfpkKtiUljPxTwXbzxnfHKfmCvik2i0aU-ROb5qsk8EET0jHVoU1QIlFIlwZwavhxmUX65tmiCVMqbwn41HLm_rEYCYrQlMzJRwYcOE/s1632/20210515_185545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKdi0ImTBdio_0tV1I7OIcuBnA002-U0_xyCSBfpkKtiUljPxTwXbzxnfHKfmCvik2i0aU-ROb5qsk8EET0jHVoU1QIlFIlwZwavhxmUX65tmiCVMqbwn41HLm_rEYCYrQlMzJRwYcOE/w640-h480/20210515_185545.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to do some more ornamental relief carving, but wanted to do something that wasn't necessary a formal design, but a bit more free flowing. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlK7YjUBSIMBgONse8QEjTp3NljZRz8He4Dv0PMeOIm4wALe0-I_hCJxMTl8DQontadFAzY2QMvZT6EFrSGXCxy2-SDlpQmJYSNPdXgjtSRVdOf5Mch9LFhS25q0TA6l3R3Hv3RvdL5w/s1632/20210515_213851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlK7YjUBSIMBgONse8QEjTp3NljZRz8He4Dv0PMeOIm4wALe0-I_hCJxMTl8DQontadFAzY2QMvZT6EFrSGXCxy2-SDlpQmJYSNPdXgjtSRVdOf5Mch9LFhS25q0TA6l3R3Hv3RvdL5w/w640-h480/20210515_213851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So I decided on carving out some simple leaves and flowers, making it up as I went along. Flowers in place first then adding the leaves in. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jEyjz6V1apvw9OWX1WNoDLK4hu2pAs1LdFvIm9WRmssrGCG7QVdnkrnxI0UbUSH2gT5fC59p3iEoSU-gwrr1cyTHEktP88PE9EUFCWZX151jtoft0oVj6FtG_wkutcJUxh_MVBh1kXc/s1632/20210515_222632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jEyjz6V1apvw9OWX1WNoDLK4hu2pAs1LdFvIm9WRmssrGCG7QVdnkrnxI0UbUSH2gT5fC59p3iEoSU-gwrr1cyTHEktP88PE9EUFCWZX151jtoft0oVj6FtG_wkutcJUxh_MVBh1kXc/w640-h480/20210515_222632.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It's not finished yet, I need to lower the background more and add in some branches, but I might leave it there and start on the proper piece now. I also need to make sure that I give the leaves a bit more flow and although I'll probably leave it heavily tooled I'd like the flowers to come out a bit smoother. </div>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-6985413646470669482021-05-02T15:16:00.003-07:002021-05-02T15:16:28.290-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 17 - Carving Mallet & Celtic Weave<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week I did try to start to carve an Aztec style face in some poplar and struggled with my carpenters mallet a bit. I decided it was time to make a smaller, turned, carvers mallet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhNjdaek-sY4ne84DyUeeMSlZB8VIhCK86Ph_f8rGFnDrhZPTbCX4GNASe3sV9J-ZuhKygVPtSKzfbt6FuMLOX39a3vZtoEjw0Ocw6KiDS4uobthBJQ3__fYpd2UQsFUBQuVY9rMKeog/s1632/20210501_180826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhNjdaek-sY4ne84DyUeeMSlZB8VIhCK86Ph_f8rGFnDrhZPTbCX4GNASe3sV9J-ZuhKygVPtSKzfbt6FuMLOX39a3vZtoEjw0Ocw6KiDS4uobthBJQ3__fYpd2UQsFUBQuVY9rMKeog/w640-h480/20210501_180826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I have some branches of pear and know this is a good wood for mallets so set about with the froe making it a close enough size to mount on the lathe. As the wood is green it turned easy. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSl3cjCzAG8HKUwms73JH07cr2OsW2_XMkmPT4TWw8m_RaRqXgWEFvdHveigEtR4dfaLNkSVQxx95yn9vBVVt-VUj48XfW6QSA9a4srRIJPV9WO1sXoUiKF9OL7Irqy8TUmiZWdxYpVvk/s1632/20210501_182232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSl3cjCzAG8HKUwms73JH07cr2OsW2_XMkmPT4TWw8m_RaRqXgWEFvdHveigEtR4dfaLNkSVQxx95yn9vBVVt-VUj48XfW6QSA9a4srRIJPV9WO1sXoUiKF9OL7Irqy8TUmiZWdxYpVvk/w640-h480/20210501_182232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>As I haven't done much on the lathe lately I snatched the wood when using the skew chisel and fetched it off the centres before I'd had chance to finish it. </p><p>In all honesty what I'm going to do is use it for a bit as it is, turn another one tomorrow (I have plenty of this wood) and then season that one properly. This one can be used for a while then discarded when the other is ready. I'm annoyed at myself for such a simple mistake! </p><p>I decided to try out the mallet with a simple and quick Celtic Weave. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8xaqEu3XjeiPuKUS1c8z9kHof67L7AbmRLhYkAd0RNMXQ4szwY85htYI-nU_kCq-3W7KvYesb44cRPw0-7RGQWESqB6yCTckNMJFAccokPj3IuhZbGUVFgEDmFJVnJBNVEO61uDcUng/s1632/20210502_211711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib8xaqEu3XjeiPuKUS1c8z9kHof67L7AbmRLhYkAd0RNMXQ4szwY85htYI-nU_kCq-3W7KvYesb44cRPw0-7RGQWESqB6yCTckNMJFAccokPj3IuhZbGUVFgEDmFJVnJBNVEO61uDcUng/w640-h480/20210502_211711.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> I printed off an outline and stuck it to the off cut of tulip I've been using to practice on. This piece isn't my tidiest work, but took me 12 minutes to do, so ideal as a practice piece and something I might try to do a few times to get faster at and to try to carve cleaner. It would be ideal to decorate some of my seed boxes I make to sell, or on the side of a tool box. <p></p><p>So a good craft week - good to get back on the lathe, something I need to do more, and good to practice smaller bits in between projects. </p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-89734016141566265962021-05-01T13:36:00.003-07:002021-05-01T13:36:30.852-07:00Little Cupboard<p> Build and fitted this little cupboard unit for a regular customer this week. Nice little job - I was worried as they'd sent me the measurements to save a visit - luckily it all fitted nicely. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwA7A9e-JxBnnbIu9w9bIXUUvKCoV5OkYa6oorWWK7soIwuQQoZzwPLJ6nCR0w3Te5KfIKPjPwjagYs-jSFuKZa5vl_OTISEI-iUAAihuXD5olsg0CkxYZe899dl37qUAnDp8SKq-dx4/s1632/20210427_115213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwA7A9e-JxBnnbIu9w9bIXUUvKCoV5OkYa6oorWWK7soIwuQQoZzwPLJ6nCR0w3Te5KfIKPjPwjagYs-jSFuKZa5vl_OTISEI-iUAAihuXD5olsg0CkxYZe899dl37qUAnDp8SKq-dx4/w640-h480/20210427_115213.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrg2ECuL53rGUYeH9ZbQLYhmseHrPxoYsf2qop9oFMqNFkuZhqs1BvZ2AVhTykjMSRpEfPtB59057IKS1XKhDFo1oL2s6uCAHT5Ebq34Rh3HicBMgCnG3frqkWGudw6jRYlVTL0zRqYk/s1632/20210427_115205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrg2ECuL53rGUYeH9ZbQLYhmseHrPxoYsf2qop9oFMqNFkuZhqs1BvZ2AVhTykjMSRpEfPtB59057IKS1XKhDFo1oL2s6uCAHT5Ebq34Rh3HicBMgCnG3frqkWGudw6jRYlVTL0zRqYk/w640-h480/20210427_115205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-88612657181370959572021-04-25T14:33:00.002-07:002021-04-25T14:33:37.242-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 16 - A Beetle & A Poor Cranked Spatula<p> I need to get back to the more tradional carving as this almost feels like cheating - but with the weather being so great we've been messing around lots outside doing green woodwork. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTb_Z6w7uDYoWdA9w2Fy6Bvcveagfqung09PmxbSZ5KVnqxvLxvYk9cCaHJxZKb9Pb60fS7oVHTd3wfsmOLrMPQ7-1McZOhj3ibawORm_mEfBNog1gglojEEIIx0xAAawcfNtYralTAs/s1632/20210418_123550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTb_Z6w7uDYoWdA9w2Fy6Bvcveagfqung09PmxbSZ5KVnqxvLxvYk9cCaHJxZKb9Pb60fS7oVHTd3wfsmOLrMPQ7-1McZOhj3ibawORm_mEfBNog1gglojEEIIx0xAAawcfNtYralTAs/w640-h480/20210418_123550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I picked up some pear logs from my parents farm (a huge beautiful old tree that decided to split in two last autumn. The pear will dry to be as hard as nails so I thought it would make a great mallet/beetle. I roughed out the shape with the froe and axe (it is really hard to work). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ijpmgy6dM9uH4o9mwdG4wLWRRHc8EVc2GWgouZA2AkLgSYscJhB5eWHRFvCIjbmJeuIiOi-3dOG1HKnLQrRl2RNzxbgwgEKSVcGmHf6OBEkMK2r_KvKBgfG92N-TfNu0Mas23D58RTk/s1632/20210418_133158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ijpmgy6dM9uH4o9mwdG4wLWRRHc8EVc2GWgouZA2AkLgSYscJhB5eWHRFvCIjbmJeuIiOi-3dOG1HKnLQrRl2RNzxbgwgEKSVcGmHf6OBEkMK2r_KvKBgfG92N-TfNu0Mas23D58RTk/w640-h480/20210418_133158.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Then my daughter removed the bark and made the handle nice to hold.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJOMmJXRmhmGrn-JEzsPXTXLJnpJ17zEDN0KJFMef3h7HPI5TaHzAAY2zx4dw0BaD4wUpuJzKairBqch1WNjUEx9a2xkzn-BYURqroErzt-8AapxY5T-MiNH0QiD3hZD93T7qaaeY7H4/s1632/20210418_1458301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJOMmJXRmhmGrn-JEzsPXTXLJnpJ17zEDN0KJFMef3h7HPI5TaHzAAY2zx4dw0BaD4wUpuJzKairBqch1WNjUEx9a2xkzn-BYURqroErzt-8AapxY5T-MiNH0QiD3hZD93T7qaaeY7H4/w640-h480/20210418_1458301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's potentially a little big, but it'll dry lighter than it is now and will be good for hitting the froe into wood. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-lUH-jgNdIwb160UF4KiZYAeOkZHvoUxAEbb8mwgdvRcLTkDoi9rVzMczTtFu-BReVHkhGEXUILdJqYacxGTwV59FvrT-mgBW5GQ_2zjqx8p7ZB7-SUV7oVqdKZ5cl9l_GjHgQzsuUY/s1632/20210421_155149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-lUH-jgNdIwb160UF4KiZYAeOkZHvoUxAEbb8mwgdvRcLTkDoi9rVzMczTtFu-BReVHkhGEXUILdJqYacxGTwV59FvrT-mgBW5GQ_2zjqx8p7ZB7-SUV7oVqdKZ5cl9l_GjHgQzsuUY/w640-h480/20210421_155149.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For my project this week I used a cranked branch of sycamore a friend had dropped off for me. I wanted to keep the crank in the work. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjubok7YydiH5-KxUdH1iHC8zY_VHojaZD5ezCzjTeru8XOsEJAYxGghn-ziTw5SDbSC8lkXBZnxBjYJIs7gKMyivOJWGAUsQbZin8A4IwMnuw7TdRbRdzixwnAWLUHweqcCrQ8hWJcS8/s1632/20210421_155709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjubok7YydiH5-KxUdH1iHC8zY_VHojaZD5ezCzjTeru8XOsEJAYxGghn-ziTw5SDbSC8lkXBZnxBjYJIs7gKMyivOJWGAUsQbZin8A4IwMnuw7TdRbRdzixwnAWLUHweqcCrQ8hWJcS8/w640-h480/20210421_155709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I tried to do as much as possible with the axe and get it to be as light as possible. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsJGXPQC7vxmu1O1IB3urxzebt7tfFXhcMpOXPRyjZfQIWDOoO5GWK8VuGGOeQv6Xg56p8tuPuNnqmKy1vY-Jx6noguUlYRoGug544yM7ZFSz2-LFpgvDJwMdpSNGVhLlVbs0y5IozeE/s1632/20210421_162138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsJGXPQC7vxmu1O1IB3urxzebt7tfFXhcMpOXPRyjZfQIWDOoO5GWK8VuGGOeQv6Xg56p8tuPuNnqmKy1vY-Jx6noguUlYRoGug544yM7ZFSz2-LFpgvDJwMdpSNGVhLlVbs0y5IozeE/w640-h480/20210421_162138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I got fairly close then worked on it with the draw knife and a carving knife. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQNAgzP7sqF_E-lSzGUzhNSJUYArgS2_m5ERUzWpYaugbur85iKkJiAu3QH5zfzyZQp20q64PmpT0lxnq5ErYhEh1CHehtaOLmLx7BE6Jncwxpf-I7xFE9RUCW6BcrGLQzWOJaUOLInI/s1632/20210421_164210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQNAgzP7sqF_E-lSzGUzhNSJUYArgS2_m5ERUzWpYaugbur85iKkJiAu3QH5zfzyZQp20q64PmpT0lxnq5ErYhEh1CHehtaOLmLx7BE6Jncwxpf-I7xFE9RUCW6BcrGLQzWOJaUOLInI/w640-h480/20210421_164210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQijVUsCPTSB-DJSLsIwlXmwA7_y1dkE8yySkHLRkctcSf2xSvXnR-tdmz2AdbNY-tI2uMtAIcatq7f01ISUNsEQqj959G73MXQGZCGZPjW1F0Rd4jGfLu61qd3EKVkx1uI5lPGX-7jd0/s1632/20210421_164212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQijVUsCPTSB-DJSLsIwlXmwA7_y1dkE8yySkHLRkctcSf2xSvXnR-tdmz2AdbNY-tI2uMtAIcatq7f01ISUNsEQqj959G73MXQGZCGZPjW1F0Rd4jGfLu61qd3EKVkx1uI5lPGX-7jd0/w640-h480/20210421_164212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>In the end I really hate it and think it'll end up on the fire. The crank just seems the wrong shape for it or in slightly the wrong place. Although it's not he end of the world it just doesn't feel right. Still it was nice to do on a sunny afternoon while my children were making clay models not far from me. </div><div><br /></div><div>At least it'll give me a bit of heat when I burn it. Also good to have a few failures as it makes the successes even better when they happen! Also good to practice and try to make things symmetrical, the only way I'll learn is to keep making things, even if they all don't turn out to be useable. </div>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-5270458856316032522021-04-18T14:10:00.002-07:002021-04-18T14:10:41.528-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 15 - Spatula<p>This week has been a fun week for some projects getting done. My eldest daughter and I managed to finish our "spoon mule" - a shave horse type device for holding fine things to be worked on - like spoons. I'll do more on that in another post but it turned out to be a great project to do together, using purchased plans which were great to work off. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJhX-Q8FPSzrBCQKGDEKAV3AyhSJ0z6S9lNZpC4XtpkpMnHZzR_YvTSY762doLQ__WnRte-JVqGFO_dTzdP0-MNBXMSAdUk-loSE2Kfk5SShhOrMiuBYEXurCIZk5Z803mBnVj42ZS6Y/s1632/20210416_181827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhJhX-Q8FPSzrBCQKGDEKAV3AyhSJ0z6S9lNZpC4XtpkpMnHZzR_YvTSY762doLQ__WnRte-JVqGFO_dTzdP0-MNBXMSAdUk-loSE2Kfk5SShhOrMiuBYEXurCIZk5Z803mBnVj42ZS6Y/w640-h480/20210416_181827.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I also made a raised cutting block! This simple project is something I've been meaning to make for years. It gives you good control with an axe at a height that is comfortable to work at. After putting it off for ages in the end it took me about 30 minutes to make it! I used some <a href="http://www.englishhomestead.com/2020/08/sudden-branch-drop.html" target="_blank">oak from the branch that fell in the drought last summer</a> and for the legs I used some fresh cut hazel. I know the oak might not prove to be ideal as it is prone to splitting but this piece looked knotty and will do for now. The legs will shrink as they dry but I can always wedge them if they get loose or make some new ones.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTxt_qaFkV7dEoKI0uWqKUQIf-fyxk6p5RxWWJoSs-51_nghQlxlnqD7KjXMhSj-4ifzdWbMnnpPzriKnKymXuvAfogfva4dQib3y6OwIwHugRzMYdfVNQ6HHDf4wOYoePqf47l7gmsg/s1632/20210416_181630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTxt_qaFkV7dEoKI0uWqKUQIf-fyxk6p5RxWWJoSs-51_nghQlxlnqD7KjXMhSj-4ifzdWbMnnpPzriKnKymXuvAfogfva4dQib3y6OwIwHugRzMYdfVNQ6HHDf4wOYoePqf47l7gmsg/w640-h480/20210416_181630.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Simple tapered 32mm tenons hammered with the back of the axe into the same sized holes. Made a really solid axe block which has been great to chop on! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtbWUS_YlXtan2s85FlsqtIdG5LFd3RJUIBT7l7yPxWJD-CU2xZaGW-ORhmfKcs5Fx6Cmq0nG9aXBCmUdkyKn3smRSgtko5xyVU3aXL4GLA1FWMa6QhAiGJLMnu1tfUBzazbimwECYoA/s1632/20210416_183237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtbWUS_YlXtan2s85FlsqtIdG5LFd3RJUIBT7l7yPxWJD-CU2xZaGW-ORhmfKcs5Fx6Cmq0nG9aXBCmUdkyKn3smRSgtko5xyVU3aXL4GLA1FWMa6QhAiGJLMnu1tfUBzazbimwECYoA/w640-h480/20210416_183237.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For my carving this week I've gone really simple. Just a spatula that I made when a friend came over to pick up some eggs. As we talked I started to shape a bit of hazel on the axe block. The branch had a fork in it and a nice curve, so I split it to give me a cranked piece of wood. I've not carved many spoons or anything like it, other than on a bushcraft course about 12 years ago. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJg5cam0lD92kSO9b1BcoS4-hHmtQFzi5i5Y7gO1tnXvw99Ks3xAOTAHYpndynkZWhtfX_IyUwVrZGQFHtAyME3TEotg8AJHQ0jxazd1wJYDfYRCpJFu1EB0pYSChReXCDw9cQPXTcHE/s1632/20210417_141743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJg5cam0lD92kSO9b1BcoS4-hHmtQFzi5i5Y7gO1tnXvw99Ks3xAOTAHYpndynkZWhtfX_IyUwVrZGQFHtAyME3TEotg8AJHQ0jxazd1wJYDfYRCpJFu1EB0pYSChReXCDw9cQPXTcHE/w640-h480/20210417_141743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For this I roughed it out with the axe as small as I could make it, then took to the shave horse with the draw knife. I was pleased with how far I took it with the axe. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPvzYKpFKIFkcWQYlvccP0-0s0msEWI59sdeu9AW5_7xka4xm8YK0hQMCVY_HRD9ubqmaToUpF_TfVTX1sRxWqTbY7cIwUsPxD8qIi7qKtvqs3G87Gn8pqHxN_AymcRKtnnmQ0FO0UM0/s1632/20210417_142151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPvzYKpFKIFkcWQYlvccP0-0s0msEWI59sdeu9AW5_7xka4xm8YK0hQMCVY_HRD9ubqmaToUpF_TfVTX1sRxWqTbY7cIwUsPxD8qIi7qKtvqs3G87Gn8pqHxN_AymcRKtnnmQ0FO0UM0/w640-h480/20210417_142151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaIpp_M8vwHh_F0fUQwd7B4XBsT5Y1FImgRfux8HU68ti_BEyDL7n4GLBnisgxOhF-WFzEXhnACvWh977JytXnxrWSgHkN5y89RMvsaKY_P9cShOV_3DnLU6afwllh2rcP7ghc1KKzco/s1632/20210417_142155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaIpp_M8vwHh_F0fUQwd7B4XBsT5Y1FImgRfux8HU68ti_BEyDL7n4GLBnisgxOhF-WFzEXhnACvWh977JytXnxrWSgHkN5y89RMvsaKY_P9cShOV_3DnLU6afwllh2rcP7ghc1KKzco/w640-h480/20210417_142155.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVvJ2drsMOr7delu0b6C8cN0m9FgRA6-4t-ixjms5LNGgOwCrHGzkdqQI6lDvrLqsPlaI72eg1rDD2CjWsVwQHGBWHJwtUSK8Kbnj8Mx_hRaaevb6C6K2_maIhthkvNIjmnsMMmVL5UU/s1632/20210417_142159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVvJ2drsMOr7delu0b6C8cN0m9FgRA6-4t-ixjms5LNGgOwCrHGzkdqQI6lDvrLqsPlaI72eg1rDD2CjWsVwQHGBWHJwtUSK8Kbnj8Mx_hRaaevb6C6K2_maIhthkvNIjmnsMMmVL5UU/w640-h480/20210417_142159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I probably could have taken it further with a bit of knife work but it seemed to have a functional shape to it and comfortable to use and hold. So as well as his eggs, my mate went away with a spatula that got carved as we chatted. <div><br /><div>Carving something like this, with speed, is something I'd like to do more. I think it's great to create useful items from scratch and to do it with skill. I need lots of practice to do it though and think that I'm a long way off. I'm sure I'll create lots of kindling before I get confidant with it! Also it didn't feel rude to carve it while chatting to a mate (although my wife assures me it is). </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Not sure what next week will bring, but my daughter is keen to make more stirrers as someone on twitter has offered to buy some from her - she's thinking pocket money - so that might take up some time after school the next week. Good way for her to clear her head after being in the classroom all day. </div>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-20600837596405315352021-04-11T13:32:00.003-07:002021-04-11T13:32:46.923-07:0052 Weeks of Carving - Week 14 - Simple Acanthus leaf<p> So for my birthday, a few weeks ago, I got the book "Carving The Acanthus Leaf" by Mary May. I decided that it's silly to read the book and not try to put anything into practice. So for a skill building session this week I decided to tackle the first leaf in the book - the simple acanthus leaf. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOnznnp2tmXpcj8UJc5noSZ03xAW5VxYNCV9qRW6QDG1fOE6a0Dwfk6RnxND76uv9b0U5v-Hfl6jjhl1x4qKUJZU047RseENazit9ml9DrS139ImSFAzjk3iWjFjgLOVuxe9UmJaWNNw/s1632/20210408_213358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOnznnp2tmXpcj8UJc5noSZ03xAW5VxYNCV9qRW6QDG1fOE6a0Dwfk6RnxND76uv9b0U5v-Hfl6jjhl1x4qKUJZU047RseENazit9ml9DrS139ImSFAzjk3iWjFjgLOVuxe9UmJaWNNw/w640-h480/20210408_213358.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOayny3nc_lajscCKPoaK8tEuo_K_Ey6xcXobyam0hifvqUEJYIORjxgEmKEFqWIPhKbwxNtZNDKX4O-u-r_o2ttyacwNOgnbLkl1GDSYtKqH52giS2JGmq8LxGJYnJvqVvxIXm7NNaE/s1632/20210408_221002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOayny3nc_lajscCKPoaK8tEuo_K_Ey6xcXobyam0hifvqUEJYIORjxgEmKEFqWIPhKbwxNtZNDKX4O-u-r_o2ttyacwNOgnbLkl1GDSYtKqH52giS2JGmq8LxGJYnJvqVvxIXm7NNaE/w640-h480/20210408_221002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I started by cutting the rough shape out on the bandsaw, then sketched the leaves and shapes onto it. This was possibly the trickiest bit of the carving! Tools ages to get the symmetry needed. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEDQT1GkkF8KYsVSYfYd6xpBCZ2jkop7iA-y3uOtQd61WM24yVBTlZcKA5FuKzTRLNIoDO7vVxFZuosJBqXWbu6OzQf9zFQ4fHF5LGhGEG7peBKjqmktFlzNinpnU4y8Z9CHqeoaV9E0/s1632/20210410_173834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPEDQT1GkkF8KYsVSYfYd6xpBCZ2jkop7iA-y3uOtQd61WM24yVBTlZcKA5FuKzTRLNIoDO7vVxFZuosJBqXWbu6OzQf9zFQ4fHF5LGhGEG7peBKjqmktFlzNinpnU4y8Z9CHqeoaV9E0/w640-h480/20210410_173834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For work holding I decided to glue the piece to a piece of paper and then mount it to a bit of ply. It's always surprising how well this works! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M968K2CKSr1qxCi5TzrRqarX_JmGFj8E-NvjWlYzDgMgGHzBOU_7xhWtAZ2ZbmT1piOaBe4XeZ8unN8SKLULxn_O9O58bkqc9gqsXVT4JPtxHBi8eNg3Y0GWUOzkGnXZz2AyNnUIoIA/s1632/20210410_173837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9M968K2CKSr1qxCi5TzrRqarX_JmGFj8E-NvjWlYzDgMgGHzBOU_7xhWtAZ2ZbmT1piOaBe4XeZ8unN8SKLULxn_O9O58bkqc9gqsXVT4JPtxHBi8eNg3Y0GWUOzkGnXZz2AyNnUIoIA/w640-h480/20210410_173837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The book was good and works through the steps really clearly. I like that within a few steps I can already tell her favourite chisels and the order that she approaches jobs. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi253fz4EUzloUVnYcTpFeQUcIwWZ2Y9ZLca6Uaf4Yp3xXbtpz3dit0iFbILkq93A8JMzUNMKd_tQaqwIPmntEOHwFjzH_cL83XNmEqqbntTJm23axft3a7A_iDqEnmVFv8ZVc8rLs4jAI/s2048/20210411_134829-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi253fz4EUzloUVnYcTpFeQUcIwWZ2Y9ZLca6Uaf4Yp3xXbtpz3dit0iFbILkq93A8JMzUNMKd_tQaqwIPmntEOHwFjzH_cL83XNmEqqbntTJm23axft3a7A_iDqEnmVFv8ZVc8rLs4jAI/w470-h640/20210411_134829-01.jpeg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My carving was a bit messy as had quite a few faceted edges, I need to learn to smooth these out as I go. It's a really simple design but a great learning tool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not sure what my next project will be. Possibly another task from the book, a leaf with a curl maybe. </div>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-8955317903352834132021-04-04T14:00:00.000-07:002021-04-04T14:00:06.456-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 13 - Strapwork Finished<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't get chance to start on any oak beams this week but I did finish the strapwork piece, I was worried that I would just shelve it and it would never get done so I'm pleased that I have. The reason for doing this second strapwork piece I'll share with you all in a few weeks time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJGpIhv94gYcSaKmReOWxbT66f7oVnG-BC6vVSF8ajdFAAa3l41itPBwzecxW2r-1RO7zjM8KQYDVRtdS1n4-bhSeAU1fKeI3bhtPBgJx6ZNHgqJjouY6SFY7pA5p-P-_F4iaSjUV1z0/s1632/20210331_101432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJGpIhv94gYcSaKmReOWxbT66f7oVnG-BC6vVSF8ajdFAAa3l41itPBwzecxW2r-1RO7zjM8KQYDVRtdS1n4-bhSeAU1fKeI3bhtPBgJx6ZNHgqJjouY6SFY7pA5p-P-_F4iaSjUV1z0/w640-h480/20210331_101432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I now need to make a box for it (with dividers) and get it listed and sold overwise it'll hang round the workshop for ages! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9k40lmJTPctansG0z6seMQg-GAkjVB4cgbHZaIZNfAL30E1SVqaBFCe_SqoPLh0FIc7w27ADc1RAeFzfHrsuBoDI7EhfPcjBeeqgIEb7K77HrR-bGK4_R5IP0yTwjUjcMruXqnQxT-gw/s1632/20210401_163439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9k40lmJTPctansG0z6seMQg-GAkjVB4cgbHZaIZNfAL30E1SVqaBFCe_SqoPLh0FIc7w27ADc1RAeFzfHrsuBoDI7EhfPcjBeeqgIEb7K77HrR-bGK4_R5IP0yTwjUjcMruXqnQxT-gw/w640-h480/20210401_163439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> It was my birthday last week and I got given the book by Mary May about carving the agapanthus leaf - so expect to see me trying this style out fairly soon as well - only flicked through the book so far but I'm impressed - seems very well laid out and interesting with stories in between the how-tos. <p></p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-75048519504246755182021-04-03T14:37:00.000-07:002021-04-03T14:37:01.746-07:00Another Work Is Possible<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was my birthday last week and as mum asked me what I'd like I rather decadently suggested this book - Another Work is Possible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's probably not a book I would have bought myself as it's quite expensive (best part of £50) but one I kept looking at. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I almost felt guilty when I read it in just two days. To be honest it isn't heavy on the words, but it is a simply beautiful book. Every picture is glorious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's about a group of carpenters (carpenters without boarders) that every year take on a timber frame project somewhere in the world - normally community based. They all volunteer their time and their skills and build the entire project using hand tools. Taking the raw freshly felled logs, hewing them into beams and creating all the joints and raising the frame as a group. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This book follows the project they undertook in 2019 - building a blacksmith's workshop for the team behind Mortice and Tennon Magazine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLUlgdhpZKCpomm6S13NAG9a-WmU804V-q0OOmfqXKI5BltoMcI741JHliHBo3GceuS0NSiXGexpfKfe7zy-BLoWuYpkaJ8jiV97dWpsgmAAlQu17yWJT72c3GEFYauz54rS6FJjzM-g/s1632/20210330_212213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLUlgdhpZKCpomm6S13NAG9a-WmU804V-q0OOmfqXKI5BltoMcI741JHliHBo3GceuS0NSiXGexpfKfe7zy-BLoWuYpkaJ8jiV97dWpsgmAAlQu17yWJT72c3GEFYauz54rS6FJjzM-g/w480-h640/20210330_212213.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />I don't think it's a book where you'll learn much individual skills - it's not set out like that or supposed to be that kind of book. But what I loved about it was it shows that there are some seriously passionate people out there in the industry, it had some beautifully written pieces about the work and the community that makes is possible even feeding a team of that size is amazing). There is one really poignant piece written by a father about his 12 year old son and how he was made to feel a part of the project. In fact all the writing is pretty emotive, the passion for the craft really comes through. <p></p><p>In all I loved it. Yes it's a bit of a coffee table book - but it is beautiful and inspiring, I'd love to sign up to a project like this and can only imagine the skills I would learn. </p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-56769307308095066472021-03-28T14:19:00.004-07:002021-03-28T14:19:30.276-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 12 - Practice Cuts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So this week I have started to make another strap work piece to drive home the setting out skills. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtctLq7c_fgVKSn2KaIqR6d_eCib_5Jb11Fyvm6Gt4KHlotqfX1dMDQBsaIHA_5Mniy44OrC8vNdCzHqT-af27MIwvdqVc-UVzj36UAJMuXIXQfcPpp36-ZRYAquAZT4VIDikT9g79yA/s1632/20210321_215309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtctLq7c_fgVKSn2KaIqR6d_eCib_5Jb11Fyvm6Gt4KHlotqfX1dMDQBsaIHA_5Mniy44OrC8vNdCzHqT-af27MIwvdqVc-UVzj36UAJMuXIXQfcPpp36-ZRYAquAZT4VIDikT9g79yA/w640-h480/20210321_215309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmJXNZrCuPBWKk62Hi5V4mhJgOsptez7KTJGKybLoxVhlc_oA2BDIHpq3Az5TbomaXDhFNJ9hE-kQRmBkJMbevDv7ut8AgoJdN1aaYI17dC2lOm80r2gzaUlIzpGpIh6ZayZFPnpzVkA/s1632/20210322_143301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmJXNZrCuPBWKk62Hi5V4mhJgOsptez7KTJGKybLoxVhlc_oA2BDIHpq3Az5TbomaXDhFNJ9hE-kQRmBkJMbevDv7ut8AgoJdN1aaYI17dC2lOm80r2gzaUlIzpGpIh6ZayZFPnpzVkA/w640-h480/20210322_143301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The design is the same as the one I did a few weeks ago. So really it's just chisel practice. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlukDvioTfktH6v6LBM15Eun6eGA_hQNP_LQR5-Ol71oORTQaiu_PE7NRsNNe6NdW2UEG3iDpwcwiF3gRrms_ftS-947w3bNp_F-Kmq-cFL3FaNNNZAoMvTnOZWCjWT3HB91PWOsCvZVs/s1632/20210323_130818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlukDvioTfktH6v6LBM15Eun6eGA_hQNP_LQR5-Ol71oORTQaiu_PE7NRsNNe6NdW2UEG3iDpwcwiF3gRrms_ftS-947w3bNp_F-Kmq-cFL3FaNNNZAoMvTnOZWCjWT3HB91PWOsCvZVs/w640-h480/20210323_130818.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyy0ulRwCpGy3SYKzME5G0c9tNDlbn4c31g_1i4rOJJiCVcWjH2aoOSei9ZsNcII2am-PJDZXQYhtBCzY2kg5ShPhKFmpL4Eq6xzIS_f3UKOEtvao3vd71utbBblax1Y6bEaA5wMC5AQ/s1632/20210323_133518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyy0ulRwCpGy3SYKzME5G0c9tNDlbn4c31g_1i4rOJJiCVcWjH2aoOSei9ZsNcII2am-PJDZXQYhtBCzY2kg5ShPhKFmpL4Eq6xzIS_f3UKOEtvao3vd71utbBblax1Y6bEaA5wMC5AQ/w640-h480/20210323_133518.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Once this is finished I might make it into a small box to possibly sell on Etsy. <p></p><p>I'm thinking for my next project I have a few spare oak beams from a porch I made a couple of years ago that need using up. I might make a simple frame to create a lean-to over our boiler. But on this frame I might carve some patterns and designs. I've seen a few I like the look of but will try to make them my own.</p><p>Anyone know of some ornate beams I could get inspiration from? What style would you favour for something like that?</p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5081662385488791554.post-27448686726025156092021-03-21T15:51:00.004-07:002021-03-21T15:51:32.276-07:0052 Weeks Of Carving - Week 11 - More Strap work & Draw Knife Work With My eldest<p> So I've not done huge amounts on the carving front this week, even with full intentions. I just needed to get some other jobs out the way first! </p><p>I have managed to start on another strapwork front for a project I'm working on. I'm quite excited by this and looking forward to seeing where it goes. I've laid out the basic design and started to strike the lines with the chisel. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHB2tNf7Ao3sTyr1JCvn64AsgV8Lf9wZUQPCjYmYkV07zpAudVMVOBxtk6Rp7fRORyUbUOhBWZPgXKE7A6hxLovy3pkkfXdxqu715iRI7A9LqbiOz-wF54Jh3fWTAgMcNtbqI-5GU8HM/s1632/20210321_215309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHB2tNf7Ao3sTyr1JCvn64AsgV8Lf9wZUQPCjYmYkV07zpAudVMVOBxtk6Rp7fRORyUbUOhBWZPgXKE7A6hxLovy3pkkfXdxqu715iRI7A9LqbiOz-wF54Jh3fWTAgMcNtbqI-5GU8HM/w640-h480/20210321_215309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other bit of carving/craft work was today, on the first day of spring, with my daughter on the shave horse after a friend dropped off a few sycamore logs to play with. <span><a name='more'></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhR9VACBIEOLPTShrQrRlgKR55nI11E-xV8wWCQYcxqJaHi6_3In3mxWjsQ0wjlEaK8S3JJcZ5RzVdZTp_k2ODSwVGZSwVdcWVcL-LcrkJ2imNZz4P6ZazyI2sfkymbeM0_jF65XBflM/s1632/20210321_171641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhR9VACBIEOLPTShrQrRlgKR55nI11E-xV8wWCQYcxqJaHi6_3In3mxWjsQ0wjlEaK8S3JJcZ5RzVdZTp_k2ODSwVGZSwVdcWVcL-LcrkJ2imNZz4P6ZazyI2sfkymbeM0_jF65XBflM/w640-h480/20210321_171641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>We decided to make a stirrer like we use to cook our porridge with (a kind of spurtle). A nice simple project with some nice simple lines and curves. I got her to draw out the design she wanted and then I roughed it out with the axe on the chopping block. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7aEGBWW21DfdybjqDyQklfAEm7rM8K_8fyHZwVBr6qi4C1YbU2CzTdjivqU5iX1YrzidGrANRCu_DT8kawUrp-UJ8JspcPJrhSJ9iDqk4V2_L8alBbG1uL8W1ZEz-L5Yxr4lA3ISDJY/s1632/20210321_173004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7aEGBWW21DfdybjqDyQklfAEm7rM8K_8fyHZwVBr6qi4C1YbU2CzTdjivqU5iX1YrzidGrANRCu_DT8kawUrp-UJ8JspcPJrhSJ9iDqk4V2_L8alBbG1uL8W1ZEz-L5Yxr4lA3ISDJY/w640-h480/20210321_173004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>She then set to work on the shave horse with the draw knife. It's still early days so I'm really enjoying teaching her about grain direction. she will stick at it for ages and seems to have great patients, although she gets frustrated when she slips and it digs in where she didn't want it to - something we all suffer with! And that is also the best way to learn not to do it! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o4CzFBYRfdS8_icJEr-ubyA3mbL9evlr0Bb9UMH2nLjOnJr8Yvgl-uvs20-DKlN6ocijDe4HPHhD_rBRcoJt0jGwJjBegLrD2va3c3o40cHbb_969AJrJ1nC4mEV41m4eEh6So0cDiw/s1632/20210321_173013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o4CzFBYRfdS8_icJEr-ubyA3mbL9evlr0Bb9UMH2nLjOnJr8Yvgl-uvs20-DKlN6ocijDe4HPHhD_rBRcoJt0jGwJjBegLrD2va3c3o40cHbb_969AJrJ1nC4mEV41m4eEh6So0cDiw/w640-h480/20210321_173013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did help her smooth out a few lines and thin the item down. I would draw on the direction she needed to go and explain about going against the grain and how this makes it impossible to get the smoothness she wanted. She seems to already be understanding this and I could see her approaching it differently. I'd then leave her for 5 minutes at a time so I wasn't standing over her the whole time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ53-ToHlw2XYtMtpJLisukO2NFo1jX_F5V0C-6pmKdBqs5FwHTvOyz1b8Ejs59G0f3x1kBic0MpOTKk-106DX5dHVphPZtzlmDqmTcu0aJVhkJN3G4ay4M7z3z9RUgUNK3fGQFw1p18/s1632/20210321_183108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJ53-ToHlw2XYtMtpJLisukO2NFo1jX_F5V0C-6pmKdBqs5FwHTvOyz1b8Ejs59G0f3x1kBic0MpOTKk-106DX5dHVphPZtzlmDqmTcu0aJVhkJN3G4ay4M7z3z9RUgUNK3fGQFw1p18/w480-h640/20210321_183108.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She was really pleased with it in the end and I think we have a usable item we can use in the kitchen to cook our porridge with! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of our next projects is to make a spoon mule - a bit different from a shave horse as it holds smaller items. I think this will also be useful for carving as well. I ordered plans online as I think it's a great project for her to follow them. Also having two types of benches will mean that we can both be using one or her brother or sister can be having a go at the same time - as it is I'm even tempted to make up another shave horse so that there will be less arguments over who is using it! </div><p>Anyone have any other interesting work holding devices worth making as a project I can do with my children (and leave the device outside ideally!)? the shave horse has been a great one. I'm thinking spoon mule next then a pole lathe (although more likely powered with a bungee).</p>Kev Alvitihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04992625860900617194noreply@blogger.com4