New Cut

[Leldon]

Hi all,

First time I posted a picture here so I hope it works!  There is a story behind this.   I was cleaning up the basement, where my shop is at, and I came across this piece of wood at the bottom of the pile.  It was about 8 or 10 feet long and about 8" or so wide.  It had bark on the sides and is still rough sawn too.  I noticed at the end of the piece it had a oval with the bark all the way around it.  I don't know, but it reminded me of a hole in a tree trunk and I could just see a raccoon head sticking out of it.  I cut out the piece of wood from the  other and laid it aside for the time being so I could finish cleaning.  After I got done cleaning, I got the planner and made another mess! It was worth it though, as the piece got even more beautiful.  I came up stairs to see where I had saved my raccoon pattern.  It was a new design by Sheila Landry.  The link is here: http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com/site/437434/product/SLDK129  If you notice the pattern is the full raccoon holding onto the tree.  I didn't think that would look right on the piece of wood so i just used the left half of the pattern.  I really like the way it turned out.  It is about two foot long and about 8 inches wide.  It is 1/2" thick.  There is so many ways to use patterns the way they are not intended.  I love making portraits but I tire of them all being cut in plywood and framed.  Use your imagination and the possibilities of just one pattern is amazing!  Please let me know what you think!

[cyclistjim]

Awesome! Great use of wood and pattern.

[MadHatter]

very nice job, love how the wood looks.

[Dawie]

Amazing piece of work I like they way the raccoon looks like it's just ready to jump out the tree. Nice piece of wood to.
David.

[scrollgirl]

That looks great, Leldon!  I love the way you used the pattern.  It looks wonderful that way!

Sheila

[Russ C]

Awesome job. I really like it. Thanks for posting your work. 

[jimbo]

Looks super thanks for sharing
Jimbo

[northie66]

Very nice!  It looks like you used it as the back support on a chair.  That would be pretty cool

[Becky]

That's neally nice!

[julief]

Leldon,  Beautiful piece of work.  I love how the wood "speaks" to you.

[newfie]

very nice,good work

[Rapid Roger]

Way to keep a sharp eye out when working with wood! 
And even more important, keep thinking and trying different things as you go.
I like the plaque and I really like how you learned to make the wood work for you and the pattern adjustment also.
Keep up the good work.

Rog

[Marcellarius]

great work!

[northie66]

Every time I see this I like it even more!

[Leldon]

Thank you all so much!  I'm really glad you all like it as much as I do!  I have about 10 or more pieces of natural edged walnut that I need to use up!  I'm sure I will be making things from it for a few years now! This is what I love about the hobby.  You can really take one pattern change it, and make it your own. (in the sense of the project, not the pattern!). I have another project almost completed and will be showing it off as soon as I get it done! I actually made my first decent frame for it!  You would not believe how much 'pain' I've went thru trying to make a frame in the past!!!

Leldon