Saturday, January 18, 2014

The Wedding Cake Topper that made my day – and hopefully theirs

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.                                 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Wedding Cake Topper that made my day – and hopefully theirs

I received an email from a young lady that was planning her wedding.  She wrote to me after finding me on the Internet and the fact that I was a woodcarver.  She had arrived at the stage of planning what her wedding cake would be like… and contacted a Woodcarver?

Annette explained that she had found a photo of a stylized couple dancing or in an embrace.  Her question was, “Could you carve something this for our Cake Topper?”

“I had never done something just like this one… but would give it a try”, was my reply.

So after much close study of the photo and a little more research – and quite a few drawings I began the first cut into a black of Pine.

A few hundred cuts later out comes this beautiful carving of two people in an embrace… with the man holding his bride in his arms.
The carving was almost white in colour when it was delivered. Annette with her own skill put a good coat of finish (not sure what) so that it would go nicely on her wedding cake top.  The colour that she added to the Pine carving then blended with the surroundings.

I am posting my photos here today for my “Pinterest” friends and Woodcarver friends to give them more ideas.

Enjoy.  (BTW – Yes!  I now do Cake Toppers!!)




Here are some of the original photos before the Carved Cake Topper was delivered












~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection

Friday, January 17, 2014

5 Insights of 20 for a better Year – Part Four

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.                                 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
5 Insights of 20 for a better Year – Part Four
I found these on Reader’s Digest site.  After reading it over I thought this might just do the trick, These are suggestions that might improve our health. I love the coffee idea… but I should point out that I am not aware that these suggestions have been tested – that is your job.
Here goes….the fourth 5.

16. Start Your Day With Chocolate
A square of dark chocolate has just the right amount of theobromine (a cousin to caffeine) to wake you up but not enough to cause a crash later, says chronic-fatigue specialist Jacob Teitelbaum, MD. It’s also chock-full of antioxidants, may decrease heart attack risk, lifts mood—and tastes delicious. Try it as a midmorning snack!
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum is medical director of the nationwide Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers.

17. Eat More Quinoa
Rich in protein, fibre, and hard-to-get magnesium, which protects against hypertension, quinoa has a well-deserved reputation as a “super food.” (A typical serving has twice as much protein and eight times as much fibre as a serving of white rice.) But some people find that it can taste a little bland. Restaurant chefs have a secret that’s not included in the directions on the box, says Scott Uehlein, corporate chef for Canyon Ranch: They toast it first. “That gives it the most incredible nutty, rich flavour,” he says. Simply spread quinoa on a tray and place it in a 350-degree oven for eight to ten minutes, until it’s golden brown, then cook it up in a pot according to instructions. The technique also improves the taste of other so-called super-grains, Uehlein says, including buckwheat and millet.
Scott Uehlein is the author of Canyon Ranch Nourish: Indulgently Healthy Cuisine.

18. Snack On Real Energy Foods
When you need something to snap you out of your mid-afternoon funk, it may be tempting to grab an energy bar for a little boost. Don’t, says Pam Peeke, MD. Most of them are intended for elite athletes, not regular folks, and have at least 30 grams of refined, processed sugar, which will stimulate your appetite, not quell it. “If you’re hiking for six hours or you just ran a marathon, they’re fine,” she says. “Otherwise, think of them as glorified candy bars.”
Try Dr. Peeke’s favourite pick-me-up instead: two Wasa multigrain crackers, spread with two tablespoons of crunchy organic peanut butter and one tablespoon of low-sugar blueberry preserves. They’ll give you the quick but lasting turbocharge you crave, thanks to the combo of fat, protein, and fibre.
Dr. Pam Peeke is the author of Body for Life for Women.

19. Trade In For Grass-Fed BeefSure, it’s more expensive, but the health benefits make it worth the splurge, says Drew Ramsey, MD. Compared with conventional beef, a grass-finished steak is lower in fat and calories and delivers more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains more conjugated linoleic acid, a nutrient that may lower cancer risk, protect brain cells, and redistribute belly fat. You can find it at specialty stores and your local farmers’ market.
Dr. Drew Ramsey is a psychiatrist in New York City and coauthor of The Happiness Diet.

20. Get Into Your Friend's Head
If you’re engaged in an endless round of self-criticism over some perceived failure, back down. Simply being nice to yourself will not only help you achieve your personal goals but also help you be happier and less stressed out, say investigators who are spearheading new research on compassion. To ramp up your self-compassion, try writing a letter to yourself about something you’ve been struggling with in the voice of a trusted pal, suggests Kristin Neff, a life-development specialist at the University of Texas.
“Imagine you are an empathetic friend and think, 'What would this person write to me about this situation? What would she say about what I’m going through?'" Neff says. “We’ve found that most people have a much easier time being self-compassionate if they pretend to be someone else.”
Kristin Neff is the author of Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind. 

~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection
Digital Image from Misty Hollow

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

5 Insights of 20 for a better Year – Part Three

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.                                 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
5 Insights of 20 for a better Year – Part Three
I found these on Reader’s Digest site.  After reading it over I thought this might just do the trick, These are suggestions that might improve our health. I love the coffee idea… but I should point out that I am not aware that these suggestions have been tested – that is your job.
Here goes….the third 5.

11. Grab Some Sleep Shades
The blue light emitted by your computer screen, smart phone, and television stimulates your brain, making it harder to fall asleep. But even insomniacs typically aren’t willing to give up screen time for the recommended hour or two before bed, says Lisa Shives, MD. So she’s found another solution: blue-light-filtering glasses. Put them on if you’re using the computer before bed, and you’ll sleep much better, Dr. Shives says.

12. Imagine The Worst To Feel Better
Don’t count your blessings; subtract them. “Consciously spend a few minutes imagining what your life would be like without the good things,” says Timothy Wilson, a psychologist at the University of Virginia. You’ll experience stronger feelings of love, gratitude, and happiness when you think about what life would be like without the people and things you love. “And they’ll seem surprising and special again,” he adds.
Timothy Wilson is the author of Redirect: The Surprising New Science of Psychological Change.

13. Keep Your Cool To Sleep Well
Insomniacs who wear a cap that keeps their brain cool not only sleep better but also sleep as well as people without any sleep problems, a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study found recently. While cooling caps aren’t yet available at your local drugstore, you could try this alternative strategy from insomnia specialist Lawrence Epstein, MD: Promote a drop in your body (and brain!) temperature by taking a warm bath 30 minutes to an hour before you hit the sack. Your body’s own natural cooling system will take over in response. Simpler yet, keep your bedroom temp low (no warmer than 65 degrees) and bury all but your head under the covers.
Dr. Lawrence Epstein is chief medical officer of Sleep HealthCenters in Brighton, Massachusetts.

14. Focus Less On The Kids And More On Your Spouse
You’re probably already devoting enough quality time to your children, says Stephanie Coontz, director of research at the Council on Contemporary Families. Parents today spend a lot more time with their kids than parents did in, say, 1965, when most mothers didn’t even work outside the home. Whom should you be hanging with? Your spouse and other adults, Coontz says. A vital and romantic marriage requires constant renewal—new stories, experiences, and memories. So cancel family night occasionally and skip out with your spouse. Better yet, make it a double date.
Stephanie Coontz is the author of Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage.

15. Add A Little Spice
Hot chili peppers do more than just give you a warm and tingly flush. The active ingredient in the peppers, capsaicin, also stokes your metabolism for an hour after you eat it, says celebrity chef Jennifer Iserloh, who developed recipes for Joy Bauer’s Food Cures. Eating spicy foods also helps you feel full faster, so you won’t overeat, and the peppers, low in calories, are good sources of vitamin C. Start by sprinkling a few red chili flakes over Italian dishes, Iserloh suggests, or by subbing a fresh jalapeƱo for a bell pepper in a recipe.
Jennifer Iserloh is the author of Secrets of a Skinny Chef.

~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection
Digital Image from Misty Hollow

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Another 5 Insights of 20 for a better Year

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.                                 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Another 5 Insights of 20 for a better Year
I found these on Reader’s Digest site.  After reading it over I thought this might just do the trick, These are suggestions that might improve our health. I love the coffee idea… but I should point out that I am not aware that these suggestions have been tested – that is your job.
Here goes….the second 5.

6. Worship Morning Sun, Seek Shade In The Afternoon
Sun lovers, take note: New research suggests your skin cells may be best able to combat the sun’s damaging UV rays early in the morning and are most vulnerable in the afternoon. Investigators say mice who were exposed to UV radiation near the end of their wake cycle developed five times as many tumors as those who got the UV blast shortly after they woke up. That’s because a certain DNA-protecting protein in mice—which humans also have—was highest shortly after they woke and lowest before they slept.
“If this is true for humans, and it’s really shown that morning exposure is less harmful, it will be a wonderful thing to know,” says Harrison, New York, dermatologist Jennifer Kitchin, MD. Don’t take this as an invitation to head to the tanning bed, which is a known carcinogen, she warns. But for activities like gardening and taking long walks with the dog, “for now, do them in the morning,” she advises.
Dr. Jennifer Kitchin is coauthor of The Dermatologists’ Prescription for a New You!

7. Take a Walk For Your Memory
Aerobic exercise is a twofer: good for your body, great for your mind, according to the latest research from brain-fitness pioneer Arthur Kramer. To understand just how great, consider what happens in its absence. Every year, a region called the hippocampus, which is key to memory, shrinks by about 1 to 2 percent, increasing the risk of dementia as the years roll by. However, Kramer’s new investigations reveal that the hippocampi of adults who walked briskly for about 45 minutes three times a week grew by about 2 percent over the course of a year, staving off age-related shrinking.
It’s never too late to start exercising, Kramer says; volunteers in his research were between 55 and 80 years old and hadn’t exercised at all. And it doesn’t need to be strenuous. “Anything that raises your heart rate seems to work,” he says. “Walking is fine. Just find something you like and do it.”
Arthur Kramer, PhD, is a neuroscientist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

8. Watch Out For Diet Candy
Don’t assume sugar-free confections are easy on your teeth. Recent investigations by Sok-Ja Janket, DDS, reveal that the sour and fruit flavorings in candies can interact with sugar-free sweeteners to create an acidic mix in your mouth that weakens and yellows teeth. The worst culprits are fruit-flavored lollipops because they dissolve slowly, giving acid more time to attack teeth. Chewing gum (even a fruit-flavored variety) is the least destructive, since it stimulates a flow of saliva that washes away the harmful acids. If you must have your hard candies, Dr. Janket recommends choosing any kind of mint flavor—peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen—or, her personal favorite, butterscotch. Otherwise, you know the drill: “Brush immediately after each meal or exposure to acidic foods and candies,” she says.
Dr. Sok-Ja Janket is a professor at the Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University.

9. Use The 20-Second Rule
What’s the difference between having a goal and actually accomplishing it? Just 20 seconds, says positive-psychology guru Shawn Achor. Researchers have learned that if we can lop 20 seconds off the startup time required for a task, we’re much more inclined to follow through. So, for instance, if you want to work out in the morning, place your shoes and exercise clothes next to your bed the night before. If you want to praise people more, put thank-you notes and a pen on your desk.
Shawn Achor is the author of The Happiness Advantage.

10. Hit The Yoga Mat For Pain Relief
As a treatment for back pain, regular yoga has advantages over more conventional methods like physical therapy, says Peter Abaci, MD, medical director of the Bay Area Pain & Wellness Center in Los Gatos, California. The ancient practice has also been shown to soothe other aches as well—probably because of the way it connects your mind, your breathing, and the movements of your body.
“Yoga works the whole body, not just one part,” Dr. Abaci says. “When a person is in chronic pain, usually his whole body changes, and treating only the part that was originally injured or is hurting is not enough.” Find a yoga class at your local gym. Dr. Abaci also recommends this DVD for beginners: Viniyoga Therapy for the Low Back, Sacrum & Hips with Gary Kraftsow.

~ Murray Lincoln ~

For your inspection
Digital Image from Misty Hollow
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/


Friday, January 10, 2014

5 Insights of 20 for a better Year

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.                                 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
5 Insights of 20 for a better Year
I found these on Reader’s Digest site.  After reading it over I thought this might just do the trick, These are suggestions that might improve our health. I love the coffee idea… but I should point out that I am not aware that these suggestions have been tested – that is your job.
Here goes….
1. Drink More Coffee
When was the last time you heard a doctor use the word miracle? Well, wake up and smell the coffee: “It’s amazing,” says liver specialist Sanjiv Chopra, MD, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Coffee is truly a lifesaving miracle drug.” 

Though he says it’s still a “scientific mystery” how a simple cup of coffee works its wonders in the body, large epidemiological studies repeatedly verify its astonishing benefits. Some recent research highlights:
• More than three cups a day lowers women’s risk of developing the most common skin cancer by 20 percent. 


• More than six cups a day cuts men’s risk of dying from 
prostate cancer by 60 percent.


• Drinking at least one cup of coffee a day lowers women’s risk of stroke by up to 25 percent.



• Consuming at least two cups daily reduces women’s chances of becoming depressed by up to 20 percent.
“Drink it black, or at most put a little skim milk in it” to minimize calories, Dr. Chopra recommends. The benefits from decaf may not be as prodigious, so stick with regular if you can tolerate the buzz.

 Dr. Chopra drinks at least four cups a day himself, though most people should limit themselves to two. And no, he jokes, “I’m not sponsored by Starbucks.”
Dr. Sanjiv Chopra is the author of Live Better, Live Longer: The New Studies That Reveal What’s Really Good—and Bad—for Your Health.
2. Pound Protein In The Morning
Protein helps persuade your brain and stomach that they’re well nourished and satisfied; skimp on it and your hunger might lead you right to a bag of potato chips, says holistic-medicine pioneer Mark Hyman, MD. In a recent study, volunteers whose daily protein consumption fell below 15 percent of their total calories were far hungrier after breakfast and ate more snacks throughout the day than those whose protein levels exceeded that amount. The extra nibbling put them on track to gain more than two pounds a month had they kept it up.
An important takeaway: Don’t save your protein for dinner, Dr. Hyman says: “One trick is to eat chia seeds [available in health food stores] in the morning. They’re very high in protein, have a very low glycemic load, and have lots of good omega-3 fats.” Soak them in water for a few minutes, and you get a tapioca-pudding-like treat, he says. “I love to add blueberries to mine. It’s a great breakfast.” Other prevalent (and portable) high-protein options: hard-boiled eggs and Greek yogurt.
Dr. Mark Hyman is the author of The Blood Sugar Solution and the innovator of the whole-systems medicine approach known as functional medicine.

3. Pump Up The Potassium
The new mantra among heart specialists such as Ohio State University cardiologist Martha Gulati, MD: Improve your sodium-potassium ratio, by either lowering your sodium or raising your potassium—or, better yet, by doing both. That’s because potassium blunts the blood-pressure-raising effects of sodium. The latest research finds that people with the unhealthiest ratios are more than twice as likely to die from a heart attack as those with the lowest. Another study reveals that raising your daily potassium intake by 1,600 mg (the equivalent of, say, a cup of milk, two bananas, a quarter avocado, and a half cup of raisins) will lower your risk of stroke by 21 percent. New guidelines recommend 4,700 mg daily. Other good sources include cocoa, dried apricots, fish, prunes, spinach, plain yogurt, and potatoes with the skin.

4. Stand Up and Count To 60
Another good reason to be a stand-up guy or gal! It doesn’t matter how hard you hit the gym after work; if you’re spending much of your day sitting down, you’re sabotaging your dutiful efforts, says fitness guru Chris Freytag. The latest evidence: People who take the most standing breaks throughout the day—even as short as a minute—have slimmer waists, lower cholesterol, and better insulin response than those who take the fewest, regardless of how much other exercise they get.
Epidemiologists say hopping to your feet regularly also protects against cancer. In recent analyses, they determined that the colon-cancer risk of people who spent ten years at a sit-down job was almost twice that of those whose jobs involved more activity.
“We’ve engineered movement out of our lives,” Freytag says. “We need to engineer it back in.” Standing up while talking on the phone is a great place to start, she says, along with “walking meetings” at the office.
Chris Freytag is the developer of the workout program 10 Pound Slimdown Xtreme.

5. Early To Bed, Early To Eat
Here’s a good reason to call it a night—an early one: “Being a night owl might increase your waistline,” says sleep expert Michael Breus, PhD. People who stay up late and sleep late—specifically, they get more than half their sleep after 5:30 a.m.—also tend to eat more fast food and consume more of their calories after 8 p.m. than do normal sleepers. In one study, the more that subjects ate after 8 p.m., the higher their body-mass index, even after controlling for other factors.
“One of the easiest things that anyone on a diet can do to improve her results is go to bed and wake up at the same times every day,” Breus says. “This way, your body knows when to sleep and is much more efficient. Organize your eating, too, by trying to eat meals at the same times every day. Avoid eating after 8 p.m., and don’t miss morning meals by sleeping in.”
Michael Breus is the author of The Sleep Doctor’s Diet Plan.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
For your inspection
Digital Image from Misty Hollow

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Insights for Improvement for the New Year - from my friend John

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.                                 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Insights for Improvement for the New Year - from my friend John
Apologies to my Blog Readers for Not Posting for the last four days. Snow blowing and shoveling has nearly killed me… and my hands have been too sore to type let alone do other things!
But here goes… I am almost in the gear again!!
Small Business thoughts
Like other folk in the Small Business World I would love for my business of Misty Hollow Carving to grow in 2014. I have spent many hours dreaming about what has to happen for this to take place.
Hmmm? Maybe if I don’t sleep and simply carve through the night – that would help? 
Maybe if I hired a factory full of Chinese Workers that would work at a very low wage – I could produce more and increase my profitability?
Maybe I could rent a very high end store place at the Mall and sell everything I produce at a ridiculously high price, I could buy that Mercedes that I have been eyeing?
Maybe….?
None of my day dreaming seams to have produced any realistic ideas that will work.
But then one of my On-Line friends by the name of John Maxwell sent an email my way and Bingo the ideas I had were pushed aside and his words made perfect sense.
And perfect sense is usually simply common sense.
So in the case that your business is small, you have been looking at way to possibly improve and maybe even grow it – John Maxwell might have some good thoughts for you as well.
I am adding John’s Blog from yesterday to my posting today. Thanks John for some great ideas.

Happy New Year! I’m glad to have you join me today in welcoming 2014. As usual, I’ve spent the past few days reviewing the previous year and setting goals for the coming year. And I’m excited about what 2014 may bring.
Are you excited about your plans for the New Year? Most of us have an idea about areas where we’d like to improve. And at the beginning of the year, those ideas sometimes turn into resolutions or goals. I’m a big believer in making goals, but I believe it’s important to go into them with a realistic perspective on improvement.
Whether you want to improve your health or grow your business, or you have any other long-term improvement goal, keep these insights in mind:
Improvement Insights:
1. Don’t be afraid to admit you were wrong.
We can’t change if we’re unwilling to recognize that there might be something wrong with how we’ve been doing things. Admitting you were wrong proves you are wiser today than you were yesterday. One of the things I always do when I review the past year is identify where I wasn’t productive.
2. You will never change your life until you change something that you do daily.
Improvement is based on two things: the decisions we make; and the disciplines we practice. Acting on our decisions daily is what makes a goal a reality. So identify daily disciplines you intend to practice in 2014.
3. You cannot manage what you cannot measure.
Be specific in creating your goals. For example, don’t say, “I’m going to read more this year.” Instead, break it down into measurable increments: “I’m going to read two chapters per day in whatever book I’m reading” or “I’m going to read two books a month.”
4. Set realistic expectations for your improvement.
Want to lose weight? Be realistic in how many pounds you can reasonably expect to lose in a month. There’s no greater recipe for failure than setting a “goal” that’s little more than a “pipe dream.”
5. Continual change is essential for continual improvement.
One of the great paradoxes of success is that the things which got you there are seldom the things which keep you there. Be prepared to make course corrections and continue to stretch and grow throughout the year. To do that, plan a review of your plan every few months.
6. Motivation gets you started. Habits keep you going.
We tend to overestimate what we can do in a month. We underestimate what we can do in a year. That’s why so many New Year’s resolutions are broken in the first few months. Focus on establishing habits, and you’ll be able to continue when the motivation fades.
7. Focus.
William Jones said, “If you would be rich, you will be rich; if you would be good, you will be good; if you would be learned, you will be learned.  But wish for one thing exclusively, and don’t at the same time wish for a hundred other incompatible things just as strongly.” What is the one area in which you most desire to grow and succeed in the coming year?
8. Spend 80% of your time working on your strengths.
This refers to your skill set, not your character. There are two weak areas in character that must be addressed because they will hurt you: self-discipline and attitude. But in your skills, focus on developing and growing in your areas of strength. Growing in a weak area might bring you up to average in that area. But growth in a strength area has the potential to make you exceptional! What is your greatest strength? And how can you improve it?
Review your past year and set goals as you enter this new year. But remember, success develops daily, not in a day.
One way to stay on track is to regularly ask yourself this question: “Is what I am doing today getting me closer to my goal tomorrow?” Develop good habits and the discipline to keep them, and evaluate every day, and you’ll stay on course toward achieving your long-term goals.
WOW – John – I needed that this AM!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
For your inspection
Digital Image from Misty Hollow

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Carving a Celtic Love Spoon – How to

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.                                 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Carving a Celtic Love Spoon – How to
“Where do you start to carve something like a Celtic Love Spoon?” was the young man’s question.  He had picked up the carved spoon and turned it over in his hands.
I asked him, “Have you ever done any carving?”
His answer was, “No, but I don’t know where to start.  Do you have a video to show how to carve something like this?”
In this very “YouTube World” where you can learn almost anything by clicking on to topic in the YouTube site, this young man was a product of the new world.
Then just before Christmas, I had the same question asked of me again, “Do you have a video on how to carve a Love Spoon?”
Nope… so giving it some thought I finally came up with an answer and then made a Video of this very idea.
Now carving something as intricate as the Love Spoon does take time – lots of it.  To try and shoot all the time needed to carve it… would be impossible.  Way too much time involved in doing that!
So still shots woven together in kind of a Slide Show is the best answer for something that takes time to do.
Today I unveil my new Video for my Blog Readers.  Just click here and take a look at the final product. “Carving Celtic Love Spoons January 2014”
But where do you start to do a spoon?  Here is the “How To” just for you.
First there is the pattern… which at times is pieced together.  The Celtic designs are many… and the people that are interested in “Celtic Things” all have different things that they like.
Each spoon has a basic structure so that it will hold up and stay together. As well each one can be very delicate in its actual make up but if the wood is too thin at any one point it will very likely break.  Just one little one asking, “Grandma can I hold it…?” will be sure to see a spoon break.
At times my customers are involved in the process of the design as well.
Just before Christmas I received an email from California asking if I did commissioned work and explaining that this fellow would like a special Celtic Knot in a Love Spoon.
He sent patterns and photos of knots that he liked. Together with an exchange back and forth by email we came up with almost the right design… at least it was a good and complete design. It was the start.
I drew the pattern for the Spoon on paper and then when the cut out was made it was transferred to a plastic sheet making the pattern long wearing and worth a lifetime of carving. For plastic I use the flat sheets of plastic cut from boxes and containers that store bought products come in.  These items are scheduled to be re-cycled.  Each flat sheet makes a great pattern possibility.
Next I transfer the pattern to the actual wood that I will be using.
In the case of this Celtic Love Spoon I use recycled wood… and particularly old Mahogany from old houses that are being torn down or renovated.  A local recycling store, “Re-Store” (connected to Habitat for Humanity) is a great place to pick up the old lumber. And the quality of the Mahogany is excellent compared to what is harvested and sold today. It usually has a rich colour and is very firm to carve. The finish is amazing as well.
After the spoon is roughed out by cutting around the outline I then cut the center sections out with a scroll saw. This part is tedious but very helpful in speeding up the process.  You could carve the holes but it takes time – too much time.
Step by step each section of the spoon is carved carefully. Once the pattern is cut out there are no more changes that can be made.  And also no more mistakes can be covered up either… so you simply don’t make mistakes!
Finally I begin the slower task of sanding and smoothing out the carved piece so that the knife cuts can no longer be seen.
An application of finishes and Tada… you have a Celtic Love Spoon.  And in this case there are two spoons completed this time around.
A photo will offer you more than 1000 words.  You can see all of these below.  And finally having published these photos to my Blog today – they are now going to show up in “Pinterest”
You can also see these on Facebook at “Misty Hollow Carving by Murray Lincoln”.  Please drop by and offer a “Like” – it will help me get the word out to others about the carvings at Misty Hollow.

First are the patterns that I experimented with...
The above design is amazing - but would be very difficult to carve - taking too much time and making the price too much for the customer

This is the best design that I looked at and would work well into different basic spoon designs that I had already carved. Using Photoshop I manipulated the two images together trying to see what the possible spoon would look like.  It also helped the customer to look at it ahead of time.








The above three are the same except for the size...


This design became one that I would use for Spoon Two


You can see in the photos the paper pattern and the plastic sheeting



Tracing the pattern to the wood is an easy step - PLEASE NOTE - the pattern for Number One Spoon is different from the patter above.  Suggestions were made as to an additional Celtic Design and a Heart that should added.

You can see the new pattern design below - added after the outside cut out - and before the inside cutting was complete...


The Cut after Cut after Cut after Cut... photos below..


































This is the second Love Spoon in this series... shown only as a rough out - carving proceeded the same as for Number One




As you can see the colour of the Mahogany is beautiful




I am very happy with the final results - as I am sure the next customer will be as well



~ Murray Lincoln ~
For your inspection
Digital Image from Misty Hollow

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