So, it looks like it's been almost a year since my last post! Will try and do better...

It's a new year, so it's time to learn something new. A friend of mine has mentioned Zen Tangle a couple of times, so I finally googled it to see what it's all about! Who knew doodling could look so great?!

I started tangling, but found it harder than I thought without instructions. I'll take more time to watch the videos and check out the websites on it and keep practicing.

But - what to do with my tangles once I get going on this? Well - how about Zen Tangles in Wood!? (lol - what else would I think of?)

I've given myself a challenge - get some designs from tangling, and get them made in wood.

I'm thinking a couple different thoughts - fretwork ornaments, and a framed picture or two.

I'll post what I come up with here

Theresa

The edge of the "blizzard of the year" hit us - we got about 8 inches of snow. Enough to close school for the kids along with some local businesses. Me - I get to head to the basement and do some sanding. :) I'm working on a lion carousel animal - will get some pictures of what I've done today.

Wood INLAY VS. INTARSIA

Wood Inlay:
Pieces of wood the same thickness are specially cut to shape so they fit together in a design without gaps. The pieces are sanded flat, giving a mosaic-like effect.

Wood Intarsia:
Pieces of wood are cut to shape so that they fit together without gaps. The pieces are shaped and carved to give dimension to the picture, and usually attached to a backer board.

Generally, no dyes or paints are used to add color. The designs rely on the natural grain and colors of the different wood species

Went to the Merry Go Round Museum in Sandusky Ohio as part of our Spring Break vacation. Lots of information as well as old and new carousel animals. The building was a Post Office originally - the only round Post Office that was built.

Did you know there is still a place in the US that hand carves wooden carousel animals? Carousel Works is about 45 minutes south of Sandusky. Saw some of their new ones that are slated for a carousel in New York after being displayed at the museum.

These Cows are actually the same shape - The one in the back has it's original paint. The one in the front has been refinished. Not sure if the camera shows it, but the saddle blanket is material - looks like velvet to me?

Can you tell what is different with this carousel animal?

The Carousel horse wood intarsia is 99.9% complete!! The pictures show it on an oak plywood. I was origionally going to cut an oval from this, and mount the horse on it. But I am thinking that it blends in too much. So I will be getting a piece of birch plywood - a lighter colored piece of wood.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong to get the photos on the wrong way - sorry about that!

I've got most of the horse cut out now. I've started some of the shaping and sanding. I need to get some darker wood to use for the hooves and saddle.

T

It's a sad day.....

Someone went out last night and cut the shoe treee down! I'm not sure why it was there, or what the significance was, but I always enjoyed driving by the tree just outside of St. Helen.

I would wonder who would throw their shoes up there, how it got started, and how did they get the shoes up so high?!

DH came home today and said he had been talking to a logger who's working in that area - the tree was there last night, but cut down this morning on his way into work.

I took these pictures about a year ago - I'm glad I did.