Thursday Class

We had a full house at carving class today. Thirteen students and the teacher, Keith. I should be able to finish the fireman soon. And then to either paint or stain him and he's done. The hummingbird feeder is another story. I only worked on it a little in class today as I wanted to get the fireman done.
It was raining so I didn't go over to the other cabin to see how the pen and ink girls are doing.

Spring Blossoms

And a partridge in a pear tree. The Bradford pear is in full bloom and a partridge lives there. No, not a live one, its just a decoration and fits my sense of humor. Off to the Church office to pay bills and do the payroll a day early. I will also mail out some of the military Bibles to our members and relatives of members in the military. The Bibles are pocket book size with a vinyl cover that is camouflage, real cool.

Hummingbird Feeder

This is what the hummingbird feeder looks like today. Its taking longer than I expected to get the steep roof to where it should be. I probably should have used a saw to take off most of the wood instead of a gouge, but its almost there.

Fireman Update

This is the latest of the fireman I am carving. Still quite a bit to go, but he is taking shape.

Feed My Starving Children

Wow, that was quite the experience. Sixteen of us left from St. Matthew and went to a warehouse in Aurora. There they first showed a movie of the kids that are hungry, then explained what the food consists of. We all had to wear a hairnet, wash our hands and then enter the packaging room. After a brief explanation on what we were to do, we started out. There were 13 of us at two work stations. In a big funnel one person put in a scoop of "chicken", and a scoop of veggies, another person put in a cup of soy and a cup of rice. On our side we had 2 people putting the bag under the funnel and weighing the filled bag to a certain weight and then one person sealed the bags and passed it on to the boxer. Each bag feeds 6 and each box contains 36 bags. Our 2 stations managed to fill 20 boxes. At the end of about 1- 1/2hrs. we were given a tiny taste of the food that was cooked. Actually, it wasn't too bad, but I don't know if I could eat that every day since I don't even like leftovers. We all then went to the gift shop to buy tshirts and stuff.

Saturday Morning

I'm all set to go Feed My Starving Children. We are car pooling to Aurora so I don't have to drive. I do have to go early to write a couple of checks for substitute ministers because Pastor Mike is on a retreat with the youth.

Friday

Time to get out in the yard. The weather is great. Also have a few errands to run because tomorrow I'm going to Aurora to "Feed the starving Children" which is a charitable group that packages rice and nutrients to send to countries in need of food. Our group will work for two hours in an assembly line format. Filling as many bags as we can. Should be an interesting day.
I have to get to the post office and mail the knife I purchased last week back to the vendor. The blade is loose and that should not be. They will replace it and reimburse me for the postage.

Carving Class

Today was wood carving class. Started a new project, a fireman, but still working on the hummingbird feeder. Pictured is the fireman blank. He is 4 inches tall. I just have to work on multiple pieces at the same time. I get bored with doing one thing.

The Dentist

Today it's off to see Dr. Helge, my dentist. It's time for my semi-annual check-up and teeth cleaning. Not one of my favorite things to do, but must try to save the ones I still have. The weather is still not warm enough to work in the yard, but later this week it will be.

Bills

Today will be bill paying day at Church. Being the assistant treasurer means I go in and write out the checks. Maybe I'll find time to work on the hummingbird feeder. Its taking a long time to get the chunk of wood in the shape of the feeder. Weather is crummy , so no work outside.

Monday

Busy day yesterday. Went to Bible study, then Church, then work the bake sale and then on to a rally at Trinity in Lisle. I collapsed when I finally got home. No Bible study here tonight, board meetings at Church. No time for carving.

Back from Portage

I'm back with a big bag full of wood for the different projects I have in my head. Also bought a new bench knife; I just can't go past the Woodcrafter's booth without buying something. I also bought a tool to clean out gourds. Will start working on cleaning them when the weather is nice so I can clean them outdoors and when I have time. I don't know how I found time to work.

Woodcarving Show

It's off to Portage,Indiana for the Duneland woodcarving show. Great place to buy wood and tools. Also a good place for inspiration for future projects.

Baking Done?

The cookies and orange brownies are done. They have to cool before I package them for sale. Still debating whether I want to make pumpkin bread today or tomorrow. I should go out and work in the yard, but my muscles are a little sore from yesterday. Temperature is 67 and sunny.

Baking Day

Today I will be baking chocolate cookies and orange brownies for the bake sale at Church on Sunday. And maybe pumpkin bread if I have the energy. Then have to wrap and price the goodies.

Chips

Lots of chips. Still a lot more to take away, but my arms are sore. Today is a great day to work out in the yard a bit and it sure needs it.

Carving Class

Thursday starts a new 6 week session of the carving class at The Center. This chunk of wood will be a hummingbird feeder. Stay tuned.

Name Tag

Finished my name tag for tonight's meeting. It is supposed to represent the medium of your art. So my name tag is in wood with a bench knife in relief.

Gloomy Day

Another gloomy day. Today its off shopping for a baby shower gift for Karrie's good friend Billie. The shower is in Rochelle on May 3rd. I'm still working on my name tag for the Lemont Artist's Guild meeting on Wednesday.

The Day After

All that work and it was over in 1/2 hour. Luckily Karrie helped in cleaning up. The boys took care of the furniture moving. Still have a bit to do. Bible study here this evening, have to prepare for the study.
Tom loved his sailor boy, he was impressed that I even put his ship's name on the sleeve along with his specialty: radio.

Christ is risen,

He is risen indeed.

Happy Easter

Just the little bunny wishing you a happy Easter. Time to start cooking and prepping for tomorrow's dinner. the menu is homemade Polish sausage, sour kraut, ham, Mandarin orange salad, asparagus, dilled carrots, cheesy potatoes and of course hors douvres and cocktails before dinner.

The Church


The Church is finished. It is approximately 8" x 9", carved in basswood that is stained and finished with satin polyurethane.

Just put another coat of polyurethane on the relief carving of my Church, St. Matthew. Will post when it is dry. Its looking pretty good.

This is one of my latest carvings, it will be a gift to my brother-in-law who is turning the big 65; to remind him of his youth.

Easter week and the snow is melting.