Friday, April 20, 2012

Wood Carving:Lady Slipper

One of my hobbies is wood carving.  I carve once a week with a group of highly talented people.  From time to time one of them will give a class.

Byron gave a class on Lady Slippers ( the flower) last summer.  Far Guy finished his and sent it to his sister.  Mine has been a work in progress for the last nine months.  Byron started another class..same flower..this time Far Guy is doing two.  I am ready to be done with the first and last lady slipper that I will ever carve.

Lady Slipper Carving

See that bunch of pieces piled up..that is what you start with.

My Lady Slipper

My flower is all carved and put together.  The five parts that make up the flower are carved separately.  In the background you can see my leaves.  The flower head and the leaves will be attached to a Thorn Apple branch.  The wood I am carving is Basswood.

Very soon I am taking a class on Norwegian Flat Plane Carving with an instructor that I have admired for many years.  On the last day of the workshop we are supposed to showcase some of our carvings to the public.  I hope to have the Lady Slipper finished and painted by then:)

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19 comments:

Country Gal said...

These are baeautiful . Papa here does wood working but only a little carving he mostly builds and scroll saws he did howeve carve or wittled a walking stick from a tree branch ! Cant wait to see all your wood projects ! Have a good day !

DJan said...

Carving a flower as complicated as a lady slipper just amazes me. But then again, a lot of what you have accomplished amazes me, Connie! I look forward to the finished product.

troutbirder said...

Hoping you post a picture of it. Our state flower is my all time favorite. We grow the yellow one here but pink showy is the blue ribbon one. I had, at one point, about 20 some growing in an artificial bog I built but then lost them all to a flood and the Easter Bunny. A sad story I'll write about some time...:(

Laura said...

Can't wait to see a picture! Another thing that I always wanted to learn (we even have the tools and the wood!). I keep saying that it's never too late, but some day it will be!

MTWaggin said...

It's been a while since we have seen your carving. Keep up the good work!

Karen said...

Look forward to seeing the lady slipper all painted up and put together.
So now I'll have to Google Norwegian Flat Plane Carving:)

Nancy said...

I can't even begin to imagine the hours you must have worked on this piece! It is going to be beautiful assembled and painted.

lisa said...

I bet it will be just beautiful when you are all done!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh this is amazin'....I can't wait to see the finished product. It will be great I know, it does look very complex.

God bless and have a wonderful weekend sweetie!!! :o)

LindaG said...

Wow. That's awesome! I agree, I bet it will be beautiful!

And yes, have a blessed weekend!

Terry and Linda said...

WOW! I'm very impressed!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Rita said...

That's a lot of carving! Please remember to take a picture when this is all done. Love to see Far Gus's new ones, too. :)

Linda said...

Looks good so far....I can hardly wait to see it finished......lol, your probably thinking the same thing.

Muffy's Marks said...

Lots of work put into that one. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Red said...

Must be fun to be able to take a piece of would an d fashion a flower out of it! Now make sure you show us the finished product.

Anonymous said...

I admire you and Far Guy and this hobby. Seems like it would be very rewarding.
You had asked about the rocking horse in my photo - yes, it appeared to be hand carved wood.

Ellen said...

Yes, I want to see the finished product too. This is amazing to me. You do such a nice job.

Anonymous said...

You're so talented! Bet the finished object will be lovely.

thecrazysheeplady said...

Neat!!!