I was able to work on the Eagle today and I made some great progress, I finished sanding, glued it to the backer board, and was able to get a good coat of danish oil on it. I think it looks great. Got to make one of these for myself some time. This is the second one I have made... the first one sold in about 2 hrs after I had it for sale so I never really got to look at it for awhile, I had some pics but believe me they don't do justice to a piece like this. The walnut in this piece is so very cool lots of grain and color variation, you really need to see it up close. I also really like the way the ambrosia maple looks as the slightly lighter color under the neck and on the upper part of the tail.

Tonight I shaped up the large wing, it is mostly tedious but very satisfying when your done. Feathers are easy and yet hard you can make each one exactly the same or mix it up some. I like to mix it up some... mother nature is not always perfect if you look at images of Eagles on the net you will notice many are missing feathers or some are broken, wear and tear of being a predator.

So I am back from a wonderful vacation... flew to San Francisco drove down Hwy 1 to San Simeon stayed the night in a beach front room, then on to Santa Barbara attended my cousins son 's wedding, had a fabulous time celebrating a great couple, drove back to San Francisco and spent 2 days with my brother and his lovely wife. Whew!

Before I left I finished cutting out the pieces for the Eagle. Walnut, Maple, Aspen and Yellow-heart, next step will be shaping it and I will start that tomorrow evening. Can't wait.... I am real excited about this piece I love my wood choices the grain had ought to really make this a fine piece! I also love this eagles "Attitude". I think my customer will be very happy!

"Remebrance" is finished , I'm pretty proud of how it turned out. I have decided not give it to the fall festival but make a different piece for the church. However I really am excited for that super special someone who is going to get it. But for now it will hang on my wall. I wouldn't say it was a difficult piece but the pillar, her hair and flowers were challenging. I think if I made one of these for sale I would probably charge 450-500. I spent about 20 hrs from start to finish.

For you inquiring minds she is 14" wide and 16" tall. I used the following woods.

Wings               Hard (curly) Maple
Dress                Cherry
Skin                  White Sycamore
Hair                  Yellow-Heart
Flowers             Bubinga
Leaves              Poplar
Pillar                 Walnut, Ambrosia Soft Maple, Butternut
Steps                 Ambrosia Soft Maple

I have already started on "Eagle in Flight" this is a commissioned piece I sold on ETSY, pics will be coming soon.

First I just want to take a moment and ask you to say a prayer for all those that passed, and the families that were affected by the horrific events on 9/11. My thanks and daily prayers go out to those who are still fighting the war on terror and defending our country and her ideals, freedoms and liberties, may God bless you all.

The angel is very close to being finished, I kinda goofed up (I think so anyway) I grabbed the teak oil instead of the danish oil and ended up with a darker finish than I wanted but I think it will still turn out pretty good. You can see the flesh, which is sycamore, got a little blotchy but it also gave it real nice tone so I guess that's the trade off.

I still need to put another coat or two of oil, using a good steel wool wipe down between coats then a couple of coats of lacquer, put a label and hanger on the back. Be sure and comment the good and the bad so I can keep on improving my techniques.

First off... the results are in and I have won a First place ribbon for my Snake Head band saw box at the State Fair of Texas, in the Designer/Craftsman division in the classification of boxes and chests. I also received a Second Place ribbon for my (ok Susan's)" Boot with Flowers" intarsia piece in the classification of inlay. Needless to say I feel pretty proud of myself, I think it's very cool. I know my Grandma Mary would be very excited! Anyway both pieces will be on display for the fair in the creative arts building so stop by and check them out if you get the chance.

I am still working on the Angel "Remembrance" and have just about finished the shaping of the major pieces. Looks like it is turning out as good as I had hoped. It took about an hour to sand the wing. Now comes the tedious part of fine sanding each piece, all 147 pieces.