purpleheart spoon

First the knife is a blade I had made for me. The handle is a bit of scrap, maybe mahogany .

The spoon is from a piece of purpleheart. That word has became a curse word. Its the worst wood I've came across. Its splintery and a poor wood to carve. I'd say hornbeam is better.
However I've tried it. I think it would power carve but SWMBO would not be happy if I did that in the kitch. Happy wife happy life.

low tec knife and wee mannies

A couple of we men. Thought a clown might be a colourful subject. Enjoying my freedom, today I took the dogs out on my own. I enjoy my wander in the wood at any time of the year. Janice was at work and it gave me the opportunity to ramble for a half hour.
I've been experimenting with fancy back rests - time will tell if they help. Jimmee walks easy on the lead but I've returned to a halti for him just now.

going crazy

As my incarceration continues I'm beginning to sympathise with the Count of Monta cristo.

My wardeness says Monday is my release date.

A few wee mannies I've tried. Tom has a lot to answer for.

A spoon for the gaffer

Here's the latest spoon, and wee carving. Janice has been telling me what she's like for Valentine's Day. I've tried to incorporate what she likes into a spoon.. About ten inches in length , limewood interwoven with two entwined heart next to the bowl I'm really must improve my camera skills. While ok at outside photos those close ups are rubbish.

The wee mannie is a caricature of a Scots Guards Man. About two inches tall. There's a 5 year old friend of mine who will love him.

Well I've half my sentence over only another week and I'm out of solitary. While my back is only giving me the odd twinge for once I'll behave as I'm told.

a bit different.

Her's something I tried out. A couple of wallets, veg tanned leather, and not expensive. I burned the design and then painted using a model paint I like. Three of the designsare from Irish's book. The only comment I'll make on the intials is they are not mine.

convicts uniform

I've added to my mine of useless information. The arrows on prison garb were in fact a government stamp. Suppose it was to denote government ownership. A bit of an over kill though.
My back is improving, still under the watchful eye of SWMBO.

Mac a Nick

Here's a carving of a relative, Mac a Nick. I do n't see a lot of him but its as like him as my memory permits. For any of you colonialists nick is the jail.

This brought up the question, yet to be answered, why the arrows in prison garb?

I wanted to bite the dog.

As its common knowledge I love my dogs what would create such an urge?. I DONE MY BACK IN,AGAIN. After two visits to a phscio I've now returned to a normal state.i.e. my normal crabby self.

My wife Janice has got to be the most thoughtful person around. BUT she bought this three tier storage unit for my carvin stuff. In spite of this being a "bargain" its appearance ; well needed a lot to be desire. So after a bit of soft soaping she agreed it needed somthing ,well the end result is there.

First carvings 2010

First there is Jimmy patiently waiting for his nightly treat. A T Bone or something of that ilke? No A fish oil capsule.

Then the wee mannies ( a collective term in the Doric for men). The carvings of Tom, and a gentleman by the name of Jack Price have always been great to study. So I've given it a go. As Tom puts his Oar Carver as a size comparison I've avoided that and used another fine knife.
I cut a length of 1"x1" to try a couple more of these. The ideas are drawn on paper and I'll see how they go. The cold spell has meant SWMBO has served notice on my time in the shed. Thirty mins a day, maximium. So carving these inside is an alternative thats attrative.

Seventy

Although I've little to say I felt I'd to write something, a its my 70th birthday. When I think how I led the first half of that 70 I'm blody lucky to have made the next 35.

New Year Offerings

I treid and almost made it. It's a habit to start the Year with nothing left unfinished, a sort of spring cleaning. However I wandered around leaving bits here and there not quite finished . What I did finish is above.
I burned the inside of a bowl that I've been tripping over for 2 years , the designsare from Irish's book as are the next one. These are two birds I carved from Keltic/ Pictish Art. I put a homemade frame on the two kelpies . The Deer Spoon will be the next one to finish and then...

Happy New Year

A Happy New Year to all.