Yep, I know I don't have many days left so got to get all these projects off the thinking about it and getting something done..

I didn't even take the time to run it through the planer..It went straight to the drum sander this morning.

  

This is the smallest clock body I have built in a while. It is 3 1/2" and I think it fits this size body and it is a push in type but does have screws to hold it in.

 

I think I counted about 18 pieces I cut away from the body...And I did get the correct hole in there before the carving got started..

Still using maple wood.

You keep coming up with the amazing ideas you have, and maybe the days you have left will multiply so you can complete them. I’m hoping so.

Looks like you are off to a great start Jess.  Any secret to how you decide which part to cut away?  Maybe that's been asked, and answered, but if it has I don't remember it.

Cal I just remembered you ask about the hanging snowflakes.

 

How I decide where to cut the lines? One piece will be higher or lower and this way I can use the band saw or other big sanders can be used if a of difference in height is wanted before I start carving. The saw cut is the dividing line where lots of contrast is created.  This is why a carver with one large piece of wood takes so long to complete his work. Also between the separation I slope both sides so the division is down far enough to be hidden..

  Look back to the roosters I made....I didn't realize before I started but these would take less time than any other projects I made in the last few years for all the feathers were long and very easy to shape and sand smooth. After I got all the things shaped the old 55 year old Milwaukee vibrating sander laying upside down on a piece of intertube sanded most all the pieces with very little hand sanding...Its the things like flowers with different heights that takes the time..

  I use lots of screws to keep the pieces exactly where they belong so I have to drill the holes from the backer board into the wood to be carved before I cut away any piece... Drilling the holes to secure the backer board to the carving makes all the pieces when reattached all have the same size area in between each and every piece which will be the width of a thin scroll saw blade.

Trying to decide where the hole goes by looking at the front then turning the picture over and drilling a hole this way is a hit and miss thing. The holes you see here is only a small part for I decided to put the hole in for the movement since it would be a two size hole....

 I use two different ways to ensure the holes are in the right places but this is a long story so if interested I will come back later.

I’m thinking that if you had the notion, you could have classes and teach this.

22 hours ago, Smallpatch said:

I use two different ways to ensure the holes are in the right places but this is a long story so if interested I will come back later.

Hope you do, Jess, hope you do.

Cal I started a blog with some info and maybe posted it already but its not in plain sight anywhere so who knows. 

so headed back to the shop and maybe it will show up...