Short Timer

A Short Timer is anyone counting down the days to a significant date or event, such as retirement, military service, vacation, etc.  My friend and I were talking and he had carved a short timer relief 40 years ago with a Nady White Hat and the boots and eyes showing, for a friend leaving the Navy. We got to talking and agreed any hat and shoe could be used. I mentioned using a baseball cap and the eyes showing though the back side. He sketched a picture of the idea and I carved it out of basswood. It is 3 inches wide by 5 inches long and 2 inches high. The eyes give a worried look about what may be in the future. I know when I retired there was some concern on making a large change. 

A Rose

These two roses were line drawings. Kolrosing can be used on any line drawing. I used a lighter depth on the shading on the one coaster. I think it gives more depth and a little more interest to the rose. The lines are filled with a finely ground espresso blend coffee. There is a little history on kolrosing on the July 2010 post. Here is also a picture of the kolrosing knife.

Clinging Cross

The pattern for this cross is from the Carving magazine. The credit goes to Jane Davis who carved the crosses for volunteers who were traveling to New Orleans to help clean up after Hurricane Katrina. This clinging cross is carved from butternut and the finish is linseed oil, so it would have a soft feel to the cross.