Carved Cupcakes

Finally decided to try to carve some little cupcakes. These are about 5/8 inch wide. And the best thing about them is that they are sugar free.

Beginning To Sew or Carve!

It's occurred to me that we can borrow some ideas from those who sew. Very beginners in sewing, are not expected to sew up a piece of clothing as their first attempts. The traditional manner in which people learning to sew were "samplers". Before using a sewing machine the learner would practice the hand sewing stitches on a piece of fabric. They would start with the most basic stitch and practice it one after the other, until it became consistent and perfect; then move on to other stitches. In this manner, they learn to manipulate the needle and the fabric to achieve the desired results. They learn the required hand-eye coordination. The piece of fabric that they practiced on became a "sampler".hat they practiced on became a "sampler".



We in the wood carving area can do like wise. We shouldn't expect a beginner to pick up a knife and carve a figure of Christ or even Santa. What we may want to do is provide exercises that enable the learner to practice the basic knife cuts. Let the learner start with and practice manipulations of the knife and wood. Much can be learned by sitting a spell with a piece of wood and your knife. You will learn the limits of the wood and how the knife best cuts. You learn where the knife tip is at all times. By just sittin and relaxin with a piece of wood and your knife, makin various cuts you can try to and improve each of the basic knife cuts. You will be able to see the difference between clean knife cuts and fuzzy cuts. Learn your knife before trying to carve a figure.

Gnome Activity!

No messages from Gnomey, nor from the flower girls to Gnomey. But the girls are thinking. Several recent changes to the Gnomes front yard. Rearrangement of the patio stones (real marble), deck foundation painted, and the stains on the top of the table.

Patio stones: Girls just said it looked better this way!
Deck foundation painted: Actually the whole house was painted. And mainly spray painted. I am told the girls actually told the painters not to get any paint on "their" Gnomes house.
Stains on the table: I asked the girls if they did this. They said "NO! not us". "Gnomey must have done it". I said, "What do you suppose Gnomey did to cause the stains"? This is where it gets fun! Zinnia said, "Gnomey's eating berries on the table", Dahlia says, "he's painting". Zinnia said, "If he's painting, maybe he's painting me a picture".

Looks like the adventure may continue, even up against summer vacations, day camp, other activities of 4 and 7 year olds.

Girls Response to Gnomey!

Sorry no photo in this post. The flower girls went to day camp today, so I had a chance to talk to their mom. The girls got the message about a play date. But Zinnia, the older sister, being clever that she is, asked her mom, "what about a play date at night if Gnomey sleeps all day". Well mom is clever too! She responded with, "when you're going to bed is when Gnomey probably gets up, and you know how GRUMPY your sister is when she gets up in the morning". Zinnia next stated, "oh, that'd be bad".

Recycling, Cheap, Or Something Else?

Several months ago, I posted that our ol' shed/girls playhouse had fallen down. The girls I am referring to are my daughters, who are no longer "girls". Well, they're still female, just all growed up. You know what I mean. Thought that in this day and age I had better clear that up right away. Any way, we are remodeling our kitchen, and the first thing was replacing the sliding patio door. We went with a three pane assembly that has the tiltable blinds in between two of the the glass panes. All this plus a screen door too. Terribly expensive, and even more difficult to follow the poorly written instructions. You would think that with such an expensive door, the instructions would be better done. Maybe the instructions that were written in Spanish contained materials that was more clearly written.

After tearing out the old door, I needed to fill in some space, and decided to put back into service some of the old wood from the ol' shed/playhouse. It's the reddish boards under the door. These boards will not show, they were next covered with trim board. Some will say I'm cheap, but I thought it was good idea not to waste, and besides; my daughters will get a kick out it...

New Message For Flower Girls

Finally Gnomey has responded to the Flower Girls request for a play date. (Click on image) Last evening, as I sat and carved outside, I heard the Flower Girls singing. Dahlia sings all the time. Last night they were both singing the National Anthem while they were swinging. When's the last time you've heard a seven and four year old sing the National anthem - on their own, by themselves. And sing it well too. The Independence Day parade and the fireworks must have made an impression.

Peace & Quiet Interrupted!

There is absolutely nothing greater than sitting on your porch in the evening and carving. It's even greater when the temperature is mild, and sun is on its way to setting. The birds are chirping, no lawn mowers running, no motor cycles, no jake brakes in the distance, and no human sounds at all. Perfect! Until the peace and quiet is broken by a flying chain saw. You'll have to click on the photo.