Just a quick post...

I have been playing with my new Axe and carved a basic cooking spatula and kitchen spoon. Neither of which are finished yet, so this is more of a progress report really. 

The wood is from a small Ornamental Cherry tree that I cut down from the garden a few weeks back and is soaking wet green. I dont really know much about Green Wood Working (yet), so I imagine I have to leave things to dry out before they can be finished? Any advice from readers would be appreciated!

The cooking spatula is functional from a Bushcraft perspective but thats about it!

I should have paid more attention to the small knots, the main one causing problems is on the side and there is another tiny one in the center of the blade - A lesson learnt. Once the wood has dried out I will try and sand a finish on it and oil it properly.

As for the spoon, well these pics are straight off the axe I havent touched it with a knife yet.

I have tried to keep the handle of the spoon the same design as the spatula as if by some miracle this little project was a success then they would make a nice matching pair. I dont have a Crook knife yet so I cant even begin on the bowl of the spoon. 

One thing I am very wary of and that is not getting too attached to these little creations. The baton mallet I made last week has self destructed in the warmth of the central heating. Not so surprising I guess, Green Wood + Warm House = Cracked Wood. This is quite extreme cracking though!

Oh well - it still works (for now)...

 Its certainly fun to just be able to sit down and hack into a piece of wood with an axe and make something vaguely recognisable. Its surprising how quickly you learn different techniques according to the accuracy of the cuts required. I am looking forward to getting some better wood as these pieces are just what I had in the garden. Id love to try a bowl out of birch or something similar. 

If the spoon and spatula dont self destruct while drying out or before I acquire a crook knife, Ill get these finished and post the results despite how bad they look - Its all part of the adventure!

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Clever and fun Christmas gift ideas

Its really starting to feel like Christmastime. We set up our tree and did a bit of decorating yesterday. How are your Christmas gift projects coming along? There is still plenty of time, but dont forget shipping time if you need to mail stuff. Heres are some more ideas to get you started!
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Heres a clever book stand from Don Johnson. I love the simple, yet functional nature of it. Plus, it can easily be shipped flat.

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Small keepsake boxes make great gifts. Especially is you can find something special to put inside! Here is a 5" x 7" box made by Dan Pompe. Beautiful detailing.

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Intarsia! Love this sleigh by Randy Cosgrove. 

Randy also made this scroll sawn piece designed by Sheila Landry. If you arent familiar with Sheilas work, now is a good time to plug her web site. She is the scrollsaw queen and has tons of patterns. Check them out!

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You probably remember ????? ????????? (Nick) and his guitar a few weeks ago. Hes back with this photo-transferred gift box. Its really a great box and a fun technique.

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Mere Minutes

Finally, AJ (AJswoodshop), over on Lumberjocks noticed my new TV in my snowflake video. He was also observant enough to notice that moved my planer over to my rolling cart — which works out much better — and asked to see more in a Mere Minutes video. Well, I actually shot a video about my TV last week but decided not to post it. Well, here it is after all. 

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