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I'm stack cutting this so I can donate one to a local charity. LOTS of cuts so far, but I finally finished the cat. Work in progress.

Here's my latest work. Old cedar fence boards and a cedar crawfish.

From time to time I met such projects as US states with their borders and symbols, but they were quite simple: just contours or not detailed. I thought it will be interesting to make such layered patterns in one style. But I doubted for a long time: this is a huge amount of work and I do not know how popular scrollsawing is in different states. After all I decided to do it - it was a real challange for me. Last two weeks I was working non stop to be in time for the Midwest Scroll Saw Trade Show (August 4 and 5, 2023). By the way special thanks to Jim Ellenberger, who helped me with some usefull information and link, also he will present this US state set patterns at this Trade Show. Do you recognize symbols of your and other states? Interesting your thoughts, even if you will not plan to make these projects. Each pattern consists of 4 layers (3+background). There is no floating areas (one layer - one piece). Recommended thickness is 1/8 inch. All patterns are available at https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexFoxUA

Here are the dropouts from a tealight stand. I positioned the pattern to get the light colored ears. Quarter for scale. 1/4" elm, FD #1 polar blades, no finish. Pattern by Steve Good. This is why I like the small blades; I can get a twofer.

Peruvian walnut and Canary 3/4+ thickness wood. The tree has multiple layers. I again used Dave's @Dave Monk technique for layering the tree. If you look closely you can see an old fence in the distance. p.s. I painted the painting yesterday to compliment the tree...

How about a little flower power.

This is a tough challenge for sure. So it might take a bit of thinking and loose association....LOL. Here's mine. I made this for my son when he was little. He liked playing with matchbox cars, so I made this wavy rainbow so that he can run his cars through the tunnels. it's kinda hippy-like. He actually played with it a fair amount, which surprised me. Sometimes the simplest toys are the best toys.

Hi Ray I have an obsession with fonts and so have accumulated a lot of fonts. The first thing I do is use a program called nexusfont that you can type in the example and do a visually compare them. I have my fonts characterized as scroll, script, and stencil. In this case, I did not have in my library. So I removed the background using removebg.com. I then took the image and used "what the font" (part of my fonts). I then browsed and it gave my in this case Appleton at a cost of $47. I then did some digging and found it free. Then I realized it was not exact. So I gave my best answer. There have been a glut of Script and Calligraphy fonts lately I have given up downloading. There are hundreds on the Cricut sites.

I'm all for books if that's what works best for you.. but everything you would want to know and many easy patterns right here on the scrollsaw village for free.. Steve Good has a lot of good info on his Blog as well as his youtube channel..I guess what I'm saying is books cost money when just doing some searching online will get all the same info and possibly more. But I realize that some folks would rather read a book than look online, and that's okay too. Most important is just have fun with it.

I'd like to see someone do them all and put them in a frame shaped like the border of the U.S. It would be an impressive project. Would me a massive project!

I much prefer print material on paper, whether in a book or magazine. There's just something about the feel of real paper in the hands that appeals. I find it easier to refer back to a specific subject or topic. Especially if it's step by step instructions. But, there's lots to be said about the 'net, too. Without it, we wouldn't have the Village.

Patrick Spielman's Scroll Saw Pattern Book was the first book I found, when I started scrolling years ago. Most of the patterns are fairly simple, but I still occasionally find something in it to cut all these years later. Of course this was pre-internet. Between this site and Steve Good's site, there is a ton of good information and patterns for all skill levels. I recommended John Nelson's book, because it offers a lot of tutorial info, along with a variety of patterns of different skill levels. I think it is still a valuable resource for beginners, even with the internet.

I bought that book and did cut one of the patterns. I also tried some of the practice patterns. They were boring. So I found a nice butterfly pattern and some plywood and just went at it. It'snot as hard as it looks. Blade selection was more of a problem but even there I just jumped in and figured it out. Still leatning after 8 years but if it wasn't challenging, it would not hold my interest.

Hello all, I'm primarily a wood carver and I've been looking for a while for a scroll saw that would give me more precision in cutting out the "rough outs" I use for carving as well as letting me cut out internal areas. I finally found a used DeWalt 788 at a heck of a good price. I've started playing with the saw, trying to get some experience and build up some skill and I'm having a good time. Looking at this forum as also made me aware of just how versatile a scroll saw can be. Who knew you could make bowls with a scroll saw? Thanks for all the knowledge and tips I've already picked up and expect more questions in the future.

I went to the big box store to pick up a couple of things and I saw this guy with a long salt-and-peppered beard and a bright tie-dye t-shirt. He looked like he stepped straight out of Woodstock. When I got home, I looked up Woodstock. I guess it was August 15-18, 1969. It was meant to be a 3-day music festival, but it certainly turned into a symbol of the era. So, I thought it would be fun to do a scroll saw challenge about peace, love, and everything groooovy. Like the other scroll saw challenges, it is open to interpretation. From hippies to VW vans, peace signs to bubble letters, music icons or just some funky project you made. Have fun with it! I can't wait to see what you come up with!

A client commissioned me to make a jewerly box for his wife for their anniversary. He gave me a picture of some hibiscus he wanted inlayed into the top which I made a pattern for. He also wanted the message put under the lid. I got it done way ahead of schedule but this time of year I start getting super busy with shows.

Got these two finished today.

It turned out 'top notch', as i expected it would. I couldn't even understand what you had in mind as a way of cutting it and putting the many ideas you had for it, all together. Now I understand, as least, what you had in mind for it. Stunning to say the least. Dick heppnerguy

What is the best book for a beginner? Maybe tips and some easier patterns. However, I am a believer that you don`t get better doing all easy things. You only improve by challenging yourself. I never realized that scroll sawing could be so relaxing and so addictive at the same time. So much fun.

You can use the internet to find more paper books. January 1, 1983, is the official birth date of the internet. There were no web browsers. We used things like Gopher, FTP, and Veronica.

About forty years ago, I started with an AMT scroll saw and learned how to use it, cutting small animal cutouts in one of Patric Speilman's books. I cut them from almost anything, but mostly I used pallet wood as I had access to more hardwood pallets than I could use. The ones in the photo were made for my kids, and now my grandkids have them. They are also being passed down from nieces to their children. Does this make them heirlooms? These books are available used cheap ($5) on eBay and Amazon. These are in "Scroll Saw Pattern Book" by Patrick Spielman & Pamela Tubby.

WOW that is awesome, a complete work of art. You are a true craftsperson. I take my hat off to you. Marg

I'm curious Don. Whenever somebody needs a font, you always seem to know what they need. How do you identify them so quickly?

That is extremely beautiful!

I also recommend the Scroll Saw Workbook. Steve good has some good, easy patterns, the baskets and bowls especially are good for beginners, (repetitive cuts). I also recommend Steve Good YouTube videos. You can order some Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts magazines as well. Sometimes the older ones go on sale.

Beautiful craftswomenship, RJ

My version of "The Punisher"

All I can say is WOW WIW WOW blue ribbon is the least that can be given to your masterpiece.

Just a note. When Marie cam to visit Heppnerguy and me, she brought the board she would use to make this picture with. On the board she had hand drawn the trees, and grass that she used as a pattern to cut. We had a great time discussing how she could accomplish it, believe me she had it pretty well all figured out. I would have been happy just hanging her hand drawn picture up on a wall.

Hi Kurt from your Uncle Don The closest I have is Appleton. It is close but has little bumps in letters. There maybe variation of this font somewhere. Free from https://freefonts.co/fonts/appleton-regular I had to use Chrome to download as it would not in Edge.

You do nice work Ralph. Don't be afraid to try something new. The worst that can happen is it becomes firewood.

You're doing a fine job.

hang tough Travis. If you have to charge a little more for the SSV membership, I'm willing to pay. I gain a lot from this website. I think others do to. Jerry

Thanks all! I really appreciate the support. It used to be that I could put some Google ads on the website and make enough money to cover server costs and software licenses. But over the years, that ad revenue has dropped about 80%. So the SSV Patron/membership makes a huge difference in covering the costs of running SSV. This year, my operating costs went up by 30%, which was a bit of sticker shock. I guess as the popularity of a website grows, it gets more expensive to maintain. Luckily, I'm still in the black, but not by much..LOL. I'm just happy to be able to provide a nice resource, a place to learn, and place to hang out for the scrolling community.

I joined on 3rd January 2009 and I have 21,483 posts, I guess that tells you how much I like SSV. Marg

I too use shelf liner then spray the back of the pattern then place it on top of the shelf liner. If I have fret work that is fragile I use my wifes old hair dryer and heat the pattern and shelf liner for 2 or 3 minutes. Shelf liner and pattern come right off. Be careful when removing it from fragile fret work. Jerry

I have never bought full-sheet labels, but I keep a stock of half-sheet labels for printing shipping labels and use them to print patterns occasionally. Usually when I need it fast and fast is more important. I don't use them often because I find 3M77 glued directly to the wood and removed by wetting with mineral spirits to be much simpler for my projects.

30 seconds in the microwave should see the hot glue ease off.

That's not a bad idea, just looked and there is still flat left at that distance and if you cut ¼" a lot, yep, I'm going to try that.

I made this a while ago but it is a P-51 with the tail number and base code the same as the one this gentleman flew in 1945.

Yoda - Star Wars. (Botas Helder Pattern).

I call my projects like this one "my ego projects". They make me feel good and give me a sense of accomplishment. If you price them for what you think their worth it doesn't seem like others appreciate the work and craftsmanshipn unless it means something personal to them. dave

WoW Jim, that came out great. I wish I knew how to do inlay. I would love to try it.

Very nice Jim. I'm sure that will sell in seconds! Rob

That is very nice !.....Well done !

Fabulous and very beautiful Jim. Woods chosen compliment one another. One question, what thickness hardwood did you use for the inlay? Thank you.

Outstanding!!! Len

Nice!!

Jim, That is a super nice box.dave