The Tiger is Finished!

This guy took a long time to complete. Glad he is finally done. I have to bring it back to class to get the instructor's approval. Working now on another clown that looks like a friend's son who is a Shriner. I have a few other projects I've been thinking about, but not quite ready to start. I usually like to work on a couple of pieces at the same time, so as not to get burned out by one.

Summer-ized

Karrie and her friend Katie came out yesterday and summer-ized my house. They put screens in the storm doors, put up the flag pole, brought the deck chairs up from the basement, uncovered and set up the fountain and hooked up a full propane tank to the grill. So I'm set for the summer.
Katie also brought a $5 piece of art that I asked for. My friend Elena blogged that she bought a piece of art that she purchased from an old cigarette machine at the Chicago Cultural Center, so out of curiosity I found them on the internet and saw that Kishwaukee College has one of the machines the sells this art. Kishwaukee College is in Malta which is near DeKalb, near Katie and Karrie, so Katie volunteered to go buy a piece of art for me and they delivered it yesterday . So here is the artist's statement on the back and the actual piece of art.

The piece is a block of wood 2"x3"x3/4" painted with a couple of brushstrokes of black, and in red an eye and part of a nose and lips. The art must be able to fit in a box that is the size of a pack of cigarettes. The artist gets $2.50 for each piece sold and must supply at least 50 pieces to the vendor.

Silly Sheep

Just thought I would share this whimsical sheep that has golf tees for legs and the body is dimpled like a golf ball. I need something to amuse me while carving more difficult pieces.

Tiger Burned

This is the tiger after six hours of woodburning. Now I have to mix paint to be a tiger color. This will have to wait till another day. My eyes need a rest. So tomorrow it will be off to church to pay the bills now that the software has been properly installed. I hand wrote the necessary ones last week along with the payroll, so those now have to be entered into the system.

Saturday

Just got back from Portage Indiana from the Duneland Woodcarvers Show. Didn't buy any tools, but did buy some more wood. I'm set now in that department for a while.

The Tiger

The tiger is ready for burning. For the longer fur, I used my gouges, but for the short hairs I will use my woodburner. It's a slow and tedious task, but well worth it. Painting will be a challenge.
I went to one of those franchise oil change places for the second time. Last time they tried to sell me a replacement air cabin filter which my car never had, this time it was to upgrade to the "platinum" oil because my car only has 18,000 miles on it and that would be $30 more. No thanks regular oil is good enough.

Dentist

Yuck, its off to the dentist this morning for a checkup and cleaning. I hate it, but he is keeping the few teeth I have left healthy.
Then its a lunch meeting at Church at noon. Its such a beautiful day, wish I could spend more time outside. I have lots to clean up in the flower beds. Maybe this afternoon for a while. Spring always seems so busy.

Fund Raiser

Yesterday I mentioned the fund raiser I attended for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life sponsored by some high schoolers. Well, they made $1000, not too bad.
Kathy and I met earlier today to talk about our every member visit plan and to check our calendars as to when we would be available to call on members. Today I have our Lutheran Women's Missionary League meeting of which I am the treasurer. I have my report ready, just need to make copies. Tonight it's Bible study and I still need to prepare. I will be showing part of the "Luther" movie, so I have to set up the DVD to the right scene.



What happened to spell check on the new blogspot?

Fund Raiser

Just returned from a fund raiser for Relay for Life put on by a  group of high schoolers. It was at Stonecutters Pub in Lemont. The band "Work in Progress"  played (loudly). They had a split the pot and a silent auction. Didn't win the split the pot, maybe one of the auctioned items. Thank goodness they have banned smoking in bars. Even though this was a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society, my friend had to go outside to have a smoke. Go figure.

Thursday

Went to woodcarving class this morning and worked on the tiger's fur. Keith and I disagreed on the short fur, so I think I'll do it my way[with a woodburner].

 Below is the thank you card I received from April's granddaughter. She is thanking me for the teddy bear magnet I gave her that she has drawn on the card and the other is her handwritten note.

Easter's Song Board

This is the song board at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lemont. The church was crowded this morning at both the sunrise and the later contemporary service. Great to see a full house, but who are those people? The Praise Team practiced for an hour plus before the service and then stood throughout the hour and a half service except during the sermon. I was already tired and still had to do dinner for 16. Thankfully my daughter did the dishes and the boys put the folding tables and chairs away. Not a whole lot to clean up today.

HE IS RISEN

He is risen indeed. Alleluia

Good Friday

A friend of mine gave me this picture of Jesus carrying the cross. It is done with a scroll saw and backed with purple velvet. How fitting for this Good Friday. Yesterday was Maundy Thursday and our confirmands made their first Communion, another step on their journey to Confirmation in May.

Today we have services at noon and this evening. The Church is stripped of all decorations and the picture and crucifix are veiled in black organza. We will leave the Church in silence.