Cherry plaque for a friend

[difalkner]

I play guitar for a young lady with an amazing voice and fantastic spirit, just very enjoyable to be around. So I decided to make something for her as a surprise. She's coming over tomorrow night after band and choir practice and you know how it is when you make something for someone - you want to give it to them right away! But I have to wait one more day. 

One thing I detest is Facebook but I have posted the progress shots on my page and her mom has been following along and commenting, not knowing this is for her daughter. 

This is a plaque I designed in CorelDraw and exported to Fusion 360 for cutting. I originally tried it as a trivet with the cuts going all the way through but the letters are too delicate and the tips broke off so I changed it to a plaque. I could have changed to a beefier font but I wanted this one.

But I didn't want just the plain background so I hand carved that with a scalloped look - that took three hours but I could have done it in two except I kept tweaking the cuts! I think it's worth it, though, and the end result looks really nice to me.

The plaque is Cherry, about 10" diameter, 0.60" thick, finished with Nitrocellulose sealer and semi-gloss lacquer, and Mohawk Van Dyke Brown glazing stain is used on the text to make that pop.

Oh, by the way, you'll notice I cut the background 'on' the CNC. 

 

 

 

Carved 'on' the CNC - 

 

 

 

David

[Danl]

I'm sure the young lady will cherish it.  Nicely done.   Danl

[Ron Altier]

Beautiful. She will love and cherish it.

[Gunny]

Beautiful work, I am sure she will be surprised and happy.  

[Cal]

[difalkner]

Well, she loved it!  She was very excited to get this and I enjoyed making it for her as much as she enjoyed getting it (I think).

 

 

David