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This is my second from Jim Blume's Americana series and I plan to cut at least one more. Like the first which was a wagon wheel, this is cut from 1/4 Maple ply stained natural with multi coats of spray clear gloss sanded between each coat. The back is 1/4 Pine. The frame is cut from a 1X Pine board that I actually tried out my new router for the first time. The frame is stained with and antique oak. I'm posting two pics. One of the single finished project and another with both I have cut. I feel they complement each other.

I thought it was just my tablet, I have Darlene convinced I need a new one with a bigger screen.

Bugger Travis it's only one person I love it...it's the only snow I get all year down the bottom of the world... Keep it it man...Merry Christmas to you and yours and everyone at the village...oh a Happy New Year...Merlin...

Remember "the 12 days of Christmas".

Pattern by Worthington House

It has been awhile since I have done much scroll saw work. I needed to practice a bit before making the ornaments. The pattern was from the Scroll Saw magazine. I made some out of 1-1/4" Cherry, Maple and Walnut. I cut them with either the FD Polar #5 or The PS Woods Super Sharps #5. Both of them are skip tooth blades and work well in thicker wood. The Super Sharps are more expensive but cut easier. They were finished with eagle can lacquer. I thought they were a bit plain so cut some 5/8" tall reindeer, stars or Christmas Trees. The small reindeer were cut from 1/8" Maple with a #3 FD Polar and a 3X magnifier lens. I made about 10 ornaments and gave most away to friends.

Completely off topic, but There used to be a screen save (Joke) that would make the letters of a letter you were typing fall of the screen after you had left it for a minute or so. Was a laugh to see people return to their document to see half of it missing and letters sliding away.

I was commissioned to make this pair of Chinese Dragons panels. The client chose this Dragon from a group of different Dragons I provided. The patterns were found on-line and had to be only slightly modified to make it scrollable. The original had the “ribs” (for lack of a better word) bridging to the opposite side making a multitude of dropouts. The cut panels are 1/8” x 20” x 30” BB ply mounted on a painted black 1/4" x 20” x 30” BB Ply Backer. The cut panels were stack cut to make mirror images with good side up. Shelf liner was applied to both sides to minimize possible tear out. All cutting was completed with Pegas #1 spiral blades. A number of blades broke, mostly because it was difficult to thread the blade from below without kinking the blade. Keeping the panel flat while cutting was difficult, especially so after some of the larger areas were cut out. Used a lot of blue tape to hold cutouts in place to help keep the panel somewhat rigid while cutting. Yes, the little piece in the Dragon’s nose had to be glued back in after the panel was affixed to the backer. The 20” x 30” BB ply panels were special ordered from Ocooch Hardwoods. I did not find the prices to be too unreasonable for this special order. They responded to my request quickly and the order was received within just a few days. Great service. Now here is where I need some help and opinions. I need to make frames for these panels and cannot decide what width rail/stile I should use. I typically use 1 3/4" wide, but not sure if that will look the best for these panels. Often large frames are narrow (3/4”) or, like large paintings, use a much wider (2 1/2” +) that may be more appropriate. Please provide you opinion on what size I might use and tell me why. You might want to let me know what color the frame should be also. Thanks for you help. EDIT 12/22/21 I made the frames from 1"wide x 3/4" thick Poplar. I think the 1" frame width works well for these Chinese Dragon mirror image panels. I did a significant amoiunt of hand sanding to obtain a very smooth surface. I then applied two coats of a Rustolium Black Primer sanding between coats, again to a very smooth finish after which I applied multiple coats of Rustoleum Black Lacquer. Just as I was finishing the final coat, the nozzle on the spray can stuck in the open (spraying) position and made a mess, but fortunately not on the frames. After drying almost 24 hours, I found there was some areas of blush. Two light coats of Deft Clear Gloss Lacquer did a nice job of getting a bright uniform finish. This commission project was difficult in many respects, but I feel it came out fairly well and am hoping the clients are happy. I'm not sure I would want to tackle a large panel project like this again. Thanks again to all that offered comments and advice. When appropriate and a black frame is needed, I think I will be using Black Lacquer again.

Well here are a few of my newest cuttings. I like the Patriotic Trucks best. Still wish I could find some Bright Silver paint. That Glitter Silver looks ok. But I prefer Bright Silver. Oh well we do the best we can.

This one took me a while. I had a bunch of different small projects going on and have been working on my Side by Side. Now to build some frames for a few projects.

Here is the Wild Bill Hickok. I have been working on. Had a few framing projects to do so I finished this one up.

Jim Blume pattern for my native friend

So I got an airbrush, so I can do the fades for this. Still learning a good mix for craft paint to not run.. but I think it came out pretty good. So it's about 10x12 from 3/16" maple. Cut with Olson #2/0R blades and a modified Shelia Landry Design. Her original design does not come with the paw prints.

This is the only snow I like!

snow flakes are nice

Welcome back as Mom would say growing old is not for sissies. Like the deer

The stars and deer really make it a great piece

Snowflakes are a nice touch.

I have been loving the snow! I liked the lights last year too! Merry Christmas!

I like those. The addition of the stars and deer really make them.

These are the names of three (Steve Good designed) gnomes. I made Sven and Olaf last year and they are featured in the Yule display on the top shelf of the large display cabinet at the end of our hall: Most of the (few) visitors to our home this season have noticed and admired Sven and Olaf. This encouraged me to make their sister, Inga. Here is a photo of the three of them: I also decided to make additional sets of the three of them as gifts for our visitors who were most enthusiastic about the two gomes that they saw in our display.

A cute collection Frank.

My son is a die-hard Packers fan so I found a Steve Good pattern and this will be one of his presents this year. Wood is Poplar and it will be painted with the team colors. Don't know about anyone else, but for me I feel like cutting letters is the hardest cutting. I ain't fast at it, but the end result is it's readable, so it's worth the time it takes me. Used Pegas MGR #1 and #3 blades.

Very nice pieces Joe. For a moment I thought you'd spent a day in the German Army (Just my weird humour)

Travis, most of us like them. Keep them going. And try to find the light bulbs. They were fun.

I agree with Merlin, I love the snowflakes. Perhaps we should take a vote next year..............................Merry Christmas!

Oh Travis did it I thought it was the beer.

snowflakes? i dont see any snowflakes. must be your eyes. lol

Awesome pattern and cutting.

Me too! Bring back the lights!

Do the Christmas lights only show up on Christmas day? Kinda miss mousing over and popping all the lightbulbs.

I thought my eyesight was blurry.

Patience. It happen every year. More reliable than our local forecasters. I had a screen saver on our shared computer that not only snowed but it accumulates. My wife hated it because it covered the picture behind it.

I got a request from a sister-in-law to make a Firefighter wall hanging for her son-in-law. Sent her a few images off the web, and a Sue Mey pattern came in 1st place, with a modification - replace Firefighter with PM FD 27 (Perryville Municipal Fire Department, Station # 27). Between liquid white-out and Inkscape (I'm still learning the finer points of Inkscape), I was able to get the go-ahead to cut out the pattern. The cutout in the photo is on black poster board. I did cut out a backer the same size as the helmet and glued that to the back (and just now realized I didn't take a photo of that, dang it!) Anyway, no drama and the helmet is on its way to her. Used 1/4" BB and finished it with Danish Oil.

Well done! Thanks for sharing and God Bless! Spirithorse

"Mike's Woodshop" and "The Wooden Teddy Bear" are now the same company, but still using Mile's website to take orders as well. Mile sold his business to The Wooden Teddy Bear several years ago when his health began to decline. Both websites continue to work for orders, but eventually they will likely be shutting Mike's website down. Just keep this in mind if you suddenly can no longer find the "Mike's Woodshop" website some day. Charley

My heart told me to cut this one & give it away so a young child or grandchild can learn this name.....posted on social media & was claimed in a minute......Happy Holidays everyone

I have used the teddy bear for more years than I can remember always good service usually shipped the next day That was before the post office started slowing down the mail .IKE

Just cut the stingray a few weeks ago.. and it's a challenging cut.. the detail in the wheels and side pipes take a bit of time and patients.. fun one to do as I like the challenging cuts but just wanted to give you a heads up that it's a bit of a challenge.

You are right about Scotts site. I did not see that there is a separate section on vehicles. I was looking at the sting ray and a couple of others. They are there - MY bad Thanks

If I'm not mistaken the puzzle patterns they sell are done by Harvey Byler.. same ones that Iggy ( Scott ) sells on his site for less money and they are digital download.. You might want to look at https://woodcraftbyscott.com/collections/scroll-saw-patterns

I have been using Mikes Workshop and the same applies. Kudos to there team.

Ray, Checkout what I'm talking about. German Nutcrackers, Incense Smokers & Christmas Pyramids (erzgebirgepalace.com)

Don't they say,slow and steady wins the race?

Excellent Charley!

Barbara, Scroll sawing is a journey, not a destination. Take the time along the journey to be accurate, and happy with the process. Eventually, the project will be finished and you will be proud of it. This is the destination, but if you enjoyed the journey, it is the beginning of the next journey. Strive for accuracy at moderate speed and enjoy the journey. Look constantly for ways to do better. If you come up with an idea that makes you more accurate or faster without sacrificing accuracy, then pleas tell us about it. People who don't love the journey of scroll sawing, usually give up quickly. (this is where I find slightly used good scroll saws cheap). Those who expect scroll sawing to be easy and fast give up quickly. When their scroll saw starts collecting dust or keeps getting in their way, they sell it, and I try to find their sale before anyone else does. Work at being more and more accurate, and continue to enjoy the scroll sawing journey. You will likely sell or give away the result (destination) anyway. Charley

Besides Rolf, you like gadgets.

Lots of good wisdom on this forum. Thank you. The older folk or people say you are never to old to learn is so true. Barbara

I haven't done any work for a while as I've been under a consultant with my lungs. Having scans, blood tests and biopsy. But the good news is I'm fine and can now go back to my workshop. Now lets see if I remember how to work a scrollsaw.

Learn to feed and steer with just your fingers, not your elbows. Your precision and your arms will thank you for this, and the quality of your cutting will greatly improve. Rest your palms on the front of the table, when you can, and just use your fingers. No, it doesn't work for all cutting, but it sure improves intricate work. Charley